Grokar takes a few steps into the swamp searching for the giant frog.
'Damn, being tired, will hafta get a good nights sleep tonight." Rhen huffs as he kicks the body of a dead Hobgoblin.
The toad is long gone, you do not even hear it.
6 +1 shields, one is yours
the rider is a hobgoblin
Zevon will grab a +1 shield, a cold iron longsword, and 2 javelins.
He turns the sword over in his hands.
With our experience with these fey creatures, I wonder if this Wingclipper is all that in the wrong...
He shrugs, dismissing the thought.
Bulgard takes the cold iron arrows.
I would prefer not to fight another b-battle until I have restored my energy. Let us find a place to rest for the night.
Bulgard looks around for some high ground or shelter. He is also scanning for anything out of the ordinary in the area.
The raised trail you are on continues to meander for another 100 yards before ending into the great marsh. You see nothing out of the ordinary.
"This a good place ta camp?" Rhen asks Bulgard
Either here or the marsh it seems. I will take last watch.
Zevon follows Bulgard to the recommended area and breaks out some tack. He begins dozing soon after.
As the sun sets, darkness quickly fills the moonless night. You notice a large orange flickering glow through the fog to your east. Its brightness varies somewhat from time to time. You suspect it is a very large fire more than a mile away.
Day 4
The month is Rova, it is four days past the third quarter moon (waning crescent)
Sunrise: 6:33am, Sunset: 6:53pm, Moonrise: 3:45am, Moonset: 5:30pm
The night passes without incident. You finally get an uninterrupted rest as there are no fey in the area.
Grokar 20/40 Rhen 18/32 Zevon 21/30 Bulgard 39/39
Perception:
Grokar 17, Rhen 19, Zevon 15, Bulgard 17
Stealth:
Grokar 11, Rhen 16, Zevon 18, Bulgard 20
weather day 1: 1d100 ⇒ 86 (1 hour of thunderstorms @ )
weather day 2:
Bulgard predicts weather DC 15: every +5 = 1 more day
As you study the sky, taking note of the temperature and humidity, you are certain there will be an thunderstorm within a few hours. This confirms your prediction from yesterday.
The fogs burns off about an hour after sunrise as you finish your morning duties and break camp. To the east you see a large black plume of smoke rising high into the air.
Zevon will spend some time in the morning healing the party via his wand.
From the looks if that fire last night, it seems we missed quite the party. Let us go see why we weren't invited.
Grokar 40/40 Rhen 31/32 Zevon 29/30 Bulgard 39/39
You travel in the direction of the the smoke for most of two hours through mud, chest high water and meandering trails. When you are about 100 ft away from a rise you can make out four hobgoblins feeding a large fire. The fire is sending greasy black smoke high into the air. A large number of chopped logs surround the massive blaze. The hobgoblins are dressed like the patrol you encountered yesterday. They are marked with the same flame tattoos.
A cruel smile spreads across Grokars face, "Ambush" he whispers as he slowly puts becky away and draw a javalin in each hand.
Rhen disappears into the bush, drawing his sword and nodding at Grokar's assessment.
Rhen takes it slow to avoid being seen.
Zevon nods and loads a fire bolt into his crossbow.
Rhen moves far but slowly forward as his party does the same.
Yes, this is difficult terrain until you get to the rise.
”this has the m-m-makings of a trap to me. Let’s scout it out before we set any alarms. Remember, Wing Clipper is a hunter and he likely knows we are after him. Any good hunter knows to set a baited trap.”
Bulgard goes full stealth and circles around the perimeter of the camp to the north west. He has an arrow nocked in his bow.
Grokar grows excited but realizes that he needs to follow the others leads, himself not being known for his stealth.
Bulgard manages to get due north of the rise. He notices that the hobgoblins are armed like the patrol. Javelins and longswords. They are busy feeding the fire and are unaware of your approach at this time. Bulgard notices there is a well worn path in the mud below the foot of water. It leads due north from the rise.
"I stick with you he messages Zevon
Bulgard will continue circling the encampment in a clockwise fashion, keeping about 50 feet from the perimeter of the camp.
Zevon waits for Bulgard to scout the area.
Loaded and ready. Say the word and we fire.
Bulgard sees nothing out of the ordinary. The hobgoblins are hard at work and apparently do not notice you.
Rhen continues to circle around.
Zevon creeps into range of the nearest target
”Want me to pick one off?”
Bulgard whispers to Z.
+1
Despite his dark vision Grokar stumbles through the trees, but if by chance he is able to elude the enemy he closes as quietly as is half-orchishly possible.
As Grokar advances, Zevon whispers Fire
Grokar breaks a branch producing a loud snap. Just as one of the hobgoblins looks for the origin of the sound, a flaming bolt streaks past his head.
Surprise Round
Zevon
Bulgard, Rhen, Grokar <-----------
Round 1
Grokar 40/40 Rhen 31/32 Zevon 29/30 Bulgard 39/39
roll initiative
Grokar
Zevon
Bulgard
Rhen
White
Red
Yellow
Blue
Grokar hurls the javelin at the nearest hobgoblin. The creature is a little far but he tries the throw anyway.
Rhen double moves forward continuing to be stealthy.
Bulgard's instincts are urging caution. He still feels that this may be a trap.
He advances to 30ft away from red and attempts to maintain his stealth, searching for a predator lying in wait. He scans the swampy land, looking for anything amiss.
He keeps an arrow knocked, ready to fire.
Grokar launches his javelin into the air with a rather high arch. Rhen pushes forward as the mud tries to take his boots. No one knows where he is. Bulgard cautiously approaches the rise looking for traps of any sort. Grokar's javelin finally finishes its arch and strikes the hobgoblin. Nice toss.
Round 1
Grokar 40/40 Rhen 31/32 Zevon 29/30 Bulgard 39/39
Grokar <-------
Yellow, Red
Bulgard, Zevon
White, Blue
Rhen
Seeing how effective his first throw was he draws another javelin and hurls it at the same target.
He laughs at himself "doubted I could do that twice"
Two hobgoblins run at Grokar and throw their javelins at him.
Round 1
Grokar 40/40 Rhen 31/32 Zevon 29/30 Bulgard 39/39
Grokar
Yellow, Red
Bulgard, Zevon <-------
White, Blue
Rhen
Zevon rushes forward to nearby brush.
Dispatch them quickly. No mercy!
Bulgard moves to the edge of the clearing within 30 ft of his target and fires two arrows at white.
Bulgard drops the hobgoblin with his second shot. Another hobgoblin throws a javelin at him.
Round 2
Grokar 40/40 Rhen 31/32 Zevon 29/30 Bulgard 39/39
Rhen, Grokar <-----------
Yellow, Red
Bulgard, Zevon
Blue
It is except for the rise.
Grokar slogs forward, drawing another javelin as he does. The dense marsh is hard to move through, and his heavy boots make the going even slower. He hurls the javelin at the closest hobgoblin and prepares to assault the rise.
His frustration is undeniable as he weakly throws the javelin at nothing. "I must get over that rise," he urges himself forward as it becomes evident that his first throw was merely a fluke.
Rhen continues to push through the mud. He curses in Dwarven as he does so.
Two hobgoblins move and throw javelins at Bulgard
Round 2
Grokar 40/40 Rhen 31/32 Zevon 29/30 Bulgard 39/39
Rhen, Grokar
Green, Red
Bulgard, Zevon <----------
Blue
Zevon loads his second-to-last fire bolt and fires.