It is a gloomy overcast morning. The night chill is beginning to fade but a light fog persists hanging over the outlying hills beyond town.

The logging camp road is a rutted muddy route that winds through the outlying farms before ascending the hills. Judging from Gudrun's map it then dips into a sparsely forested valley, crossing Wolf's Creek via a wooden trestle bridge before reaching the camp at the edge of the woods. As noted earlier the camp is just shy of a day's journey on foot.

"Morning. All well?"

"Yes, praise be to Thor, and thanks to Dorvarr." Vlad does have the conscience to blush slightly, ashamed of his overindulgence.
"I'm sure I woke him, but I don't think Ragnarr has risen yet."

Assuming Ragnarr joins them shortly...
Vlad saddles his shaggy horse, Donderstaken, and mounts up, slinging his sword beside the saddle.

Ragnarr arrives a few moments later, twirling the amulet of Mjolnir between his fingers, his bleary eyes staring out into space. Clearly preoccupied with something, he barely acknowledges his companions and marches ahead of them on the path. Honesty and brave deeds... honesty and brave deeds, Gurdrun said... and a bath... I'll start with the brave deeds, that should be the most important... we'll see about the rest later, maybe I won't need them...

"Yes, praise be to Thor, and thanks to Dorvarr." Vlad does have the conscience to blush slightly, ashamed of his overindulgence.
"I'm sure I woke him, but I don't think Ragnarr has risen yet."

Hrafn sets off walking after Ragnar, planting his long-staff in front of him with each step. He seems relieved to be out of the village, much more relaxed than you saw him last night.

Overhead dark birds flutter from tree to tree, calling in harsh voices.

Your band begins the journey overland to the logging camp and the edge of the Darkmoon Vale. The well travelled road takes you through a long stretch of farms and sheilings. Most of the farmers are nearing the end of the harvest though you know usually this time of year there is much more bustle and activity. Several farmsteads you see lie seemingly abandoned with only a few people here and there tending to their duties. The effects of the blackscour are obvious and even if your band is successful you know that will be a hard and sparse winter for many in Raudurfoss.

At midday you reach the edge of the farming properties at the foot of the bare rocky hills. Stopping for a quick lunch you survey the route ahead. The road begins a curving ascent. The cold gloom overcast remains persistent and judging by the clouds hanging over the hills your in store for a little rain or possibly even some snow.

Your ascent, whilst arduos for those on foot, is uneventful and an hour passes. As your party reaches the summit you have a formidable view of lands of the Darkmoon vale. The ridge descends downward into a sparse valley dotted with leaning jack pines and evergreens. Stretching beyond you can see the mist shrouded black forest of the vale that stands before the looming gray peak of Droskarfell. Past that as far as the eye can see is a vast expanse of rugged highland leading into the mountainous interior of the island. At the very edge of the horizon you discern a smoky haze possibly the fiery peak of the volcano Valka.

Afternoon wanes on as you navigate the descent into the valley. The road here is much narrow and winding as was near the town. The forest is thicker and the leaning trees obscure the wan sunlight.
Hrafn

Ragnarr snaps out of his reverie at the sound of the thundering hooves, steps to the side of the trail, tosses his walking stick on the ground and draws his great axe. He stares at the approaching slumped rider with wide, fearful eyes and laboured breath. "Thor, what is this that comes our way," he mutters to himself, clearly unsure whether he should swing his weapon or try to halt the steed.

"Hya!" Vlad kicks his heels into his pony's sides, galloping foward, then wheeling his steed in an effort to cut the horse off and make it halt.
Handle Animal check on the other horse (using stay trick), result 18 as a pair of move actions.
Assuming some sort of success:
Vlad examines the man quickly, trying to see if anything can be done for the wretch.

Abrubtly, the hushed forest scene is broken by a desparate neighs of a horse that comes charging at lightning speed around the bend and up the road towards you. A man clad in leather jerkin and torn breeches rides the brown mare but the figure is slumped against the back of the horse's neck. A spear protrudes from his back. The horse seeing your party bucks wildly in panic.

Hrafn moves out of Vlad's way. His eyes are focused on the road ahead, seeking any signs of further pursuit. His hands tighten on his long-staff, ready for what may come.

I wish we had someone who could sneak up to the corner and peak round, all stealthy-like.

Once Vlad has calmed the horse, Dorvarr moves up to investigate the man's wounds.

Heal check rolls 19

If the man is severely injured (as in needs more than a 19 heal check), Dorvarr will call on Thor's aid. Otherwise, we'll begun with some questions:

"Who are you and what has happened?"

"Hya!" Vlad kicks his heels into his pony's sides, galloping foward, then wheeling his steed in an effort to cut the horse off and make it halt.
Handle Animal check on the other horse (using stay trick), result 18 as a pair of move actions.
Assuming some sort of success:
Vlad examines the man quickly, trying to see if anything can be done for the wretch.

Once Vlad has calmed the horse, Dorvarr moves up to investigate the man's wounds.

Heal check rolls 19

If the man is severely injured (as in needs more than a 19 heal check), Dorvarr will call on Thor's aid. Otherwise, we'll begun with some questions:

"Who are you and what has happened?"

"The bridge, they've got the bridge. Goblin swine with wolves. They must've already killed the bridge guard... came out of nowhere as we were bringing timber and supplies from the camp. We gave those bastards hell but too many. If they get the bridge the camp is cut off..." his speech is broken by a bloody wheezing cough. "Not many of them maybe six left. But they might be getting reinforcements. Have to warn the camp."
His body is wracked by more painful wheezing coughs.

Hrafn and Ragnarr

I can burn a cure minor if it'll stabalize him, but I'd rather not use any 1st level spells if I can avoid it.

"Thor's blessing eases the weariness of battle. Rest well friend. Shall we investigate these goblins?"

I can burn a cure minor if it'll stabalize him, but I'd rather not use any 1st level spells if I can avoid it.

"Thor's blessing eases the weariness of battle. Rest well friend. Shall we investigate these goblins?"

Ragnarr grunts as he catches a glimpse of movement in the woods. "Wolves... the goblins can't be far... Thor wastes no time testing us..." The beast-man lumbers off fearlessly into the forest, in the direction of the wolves.

Ragnarr grunts as he catches a glimpse of movement in the woods. "Wolves... the goblins can't be far... Thor wastes no time testing us..." The beast-man lumbers off fearlessly into the forest, in the direction of the wolves.

Initiative

Ragnarr 18
Hrafn 13
Vladimir 8
Wolves 6
Dorvarr 2

The road is perched on the edge of a fairly steep forested hill. The wolves lie fifty feet downhill amidst a group of trees. Characters running or charging downhill must make a DC 10 Balance check or fall prone. Mounted characters must make a DC 12 Ride check to navigate the slope. Tumble check DCs increase by 2.

I thought it would be simplest if I rolled initiatives. As this is our first combat we'll see how it goes. Feel free to make use of if/then statements if you feel its necessary. As for posting order feel free to post when you can rather than wait. I'll just try to resolve actions in initiatve order. Also as this is my first pbp so any comments, critiques are welcome (maybe link it to a post in the discussion thread so as not to clutter).

Just the one comment, how many wolves we got?
Probably swinging my warhammer, unless people are badly injured by the time I get to act... then I'll cure light.

Dorvarr hefts his hammer, eyeing the situation and reacting slowly.

Really, I nat 1'd the first initiative? I got a good feeling about this...

Ragnarr grunts as he catches a glimpse of movement in the woods. "Wolves... the goblins can't be far... Thor wastes no time testing us..." The beast-man lumbers off fearlessly into the forest, in the direction of the wolves.

"Ragnarr, don't get too far away from us - there are more than wolves here!"

I'll take a shot at the wolves as soon as possible, even with the concealment from the undergrowth. Ranged attack against wolves with sling through concealment. Damage roll. (1d20+2=9, 1d3+2=4).

"Ragnarr, don't get too far away from us - there are more than wolves here!"

Ragnarr readies an action -- he will strike any foe that steps within 5 feet of him...

Vlad takes a move action to dismount (I'm not going to try to make the Ride check, my dice don't seem lucky), drawing his sword as he does so. He keeps his shield hand holding the reins, to keep his horse from bolting, and mutters a few calming words to it.
"There's a good boy, Donderstaken, stay there."
[Handle Animal check 17 as a move action]
He eyes the wolves warily, keeping his sword ready to defend from the animals.

I forgot... Should anything actually enter one of my threatened squares during this round, I just rolled a nat. 20 + 4 = 24... Confirmation roll = 13 + 4 = 17. Normal damage = 11 + 4 = 15 (double damage, if it applies, would be: 20 + 8 = 28).

If that's enough to drop my first opponent and another one should be in a threatened square at that point, then my cleave feat would enable me to attack again: 17 + 4 = 21, damage = 2 + 4 = 6. Wow, I can't believe my luck! And now I understand why villains in low level modules usually seem so tough to me... they're designed to withstand the blows of a barbarian or fighter with a greataxe, which my players have never had in their party!

Hrafn fires a stone from his sling that whips through the air with great force but glances off a tree a little high. Responding, the two wolves snarl and bound towards your party. One hound charges for Ragnarr who is point while the other hound bounds upwards towards Vladimir. The first hound leaps at the half-orc baring its fangs when reacting swiftly Ragnarr swings his axe downwards sundering the beast's skull. In a bloodied mess the lifeless carcass drops in front of his feet.
His swing carries through striking the other hound a staggering blow but the wolf in a maddened frenzy presses its attack. It attempts to bite the wary knight but just misses. It growls but you sense the animal's fear after seeing its mate dispatched with such ferocity.
Both wolves bear strange markings in either blood or paint across their backs. The hounds wear crude collars of bone around their necks.

Both wolves bear strange markings in either blood or paint across their backs. The hounds wear crude collars of bone around their necks.

Drawing a stout wooden club from his belt... too close for sling-stones now... Hrafn prepares to finish the second wolf, if Ragnarr leaves anything living.

Drop sling and draw club. Move to flank 2nd wolf and attack if Ragnarr should miss. Attack wolf with club. (1d20+2=3, 1d6+2=6). Ouch, natural one on the attack.

When it's Ragnarr's turn again, assuming that neither Vladimir or Dorvarr finish the job...

Ragnarr turns and bellows at the top of his lungs while swinging his axe at the wounded wolf... but he stumbles on some deadfall, which throws him off balance...

Attack roll: 2 + 4 = 6... crap...

Vlad lunges at the crazed beast, driving his sword into its body.
attack roll 20, damage roll 5

(Hoping that does the trick...)
Vlad, panting, wipes his sword off on the beast's fur, looking at Hrafn in confusion.
"What manner of beast were they? I've never seen wolves attack like this before!"

Vlad lunges at the crazed beast, driving his sword into its body.
attack roll 20, damage roll 5

(Hoping that does the trick...)
Vlad, panting, wipes his sword off on the beast's fur, looking at Hrafn in confusion.
"What manner of beast were they? I've never seen wolves attack like this before!"

Vlad, panting, wipes his sword off on the beast's fur, looking at Hrafn in confusion.
"What manner of beast were they? I've never seen wolves attack like this before!"

Hrafn will try to finish the wolf if Ragnarr does not. I can't get to IC - Wyrd, will you please roll the dice for me (attack with club). Thanks!

Dorvarr leaving the wounded logger hurls himself forward swinging his warhammer down upon the wounded creature. 10+4=14. damage=7+4.. The wolf's back is broken by the force of the hammer and it hits the ground with a thud.

A silence falls over the scene as you all recover your breath. Scanning about you see now other signs of pursuit.

I assumed that would be a reasonable action for Dorvarr who was at the bottom of the initiative order.

Dorvarr leaving the wounded logger hurls himself forward swinging his warhammer down upon the wounded creature. 10+4=14. damage=7+4.. The wolf's back is broken by the force of the hammer and it hits the ground with a thud.

A silence falls over the scene as you all recover your breath. Scanning about you see now other signs of pursuit.

Spot: 9 + 2 = 11... does the initiative order remain the same among party members? How far away is the nearest opponent?

Dorvarr leaving the wounded logger hurls himself forward swinging his warhammer down upon the wounded creature. 10+4=14. damage=7+4.. The wolf's back is broken by the force of the hammer and it hits the ground with a thud.

A silence falls over the scene as you all recover your breath. Scanning about you see now other signs of pursuit.

I assumed that would be a reasonable action for Dorvarr who was at the bottom of the initiative order.

A silence falls over the scene as you all recover your breath. Scanning about you see no other signs of pursuit.
my bad...

Vlad feels his instincts of command kick in, overpowering the cold shock of adrenalin.
"Ragnarr, can you help me drag these spawn of Fenrir off the road? Hrafn, make sure that man can ride back to town and warn Egil. Once he's off, we'll ride on- we must take that bridge!"
Whew, I survived! Yippee! (now can I level up, and how many +4 longswords are those wolves carrying?)

Dorvarr's eyes unglaze as the fog of battle clears. He wanders over to help Hrafn ensure the man can ride to warn Egil. He then ensures that everyone is okay.

"Thor be praised we vanquished those beasts. Let's have a look and see if we can figure out where they came from."

Yeah, that was totally reasonable, sorry I missed all the fun. Rolls 6+6= 12 for a Survival check to track. Yes, I have track. As a cleric. So what?

"Ragnarr, can you help me drag these spawn of Fenrir off the road? Hrafn, make sure that man can ride back to town and warn Egil. Once he's off, we'll ride on- we must take that bridge!"

Vlad feels his instincts of command kick in, overpowering the cold shock of adrenalin.
"Ragnarr, can you help me drag these spawn of Fenrir off the road? Hrafn, make sure that man can ride back to town and warn Egil. Once he's off, we'll ride on- we must take that bridge!"

If the rider can make it back (Heal Check (1d20+9=15) to tell) then Hrafn gets him on his way. If not, then Hrafn feeds him goodberries from a small pouch until he's well enough to ride.

It's a 1st level spell gone, but at least we should have some goodberries left over...

Vladimir Kjelsbergsson wrote:

Vlad feels his instincts of command kick in, overpowering the cold shock of adrenalin.
"Ragnarr, can you help me drag these spawn of Fenrir off the road? Hrafn, make sure that man can ride back to town and warn Egil. Once he's off, we'll ride on- we must take that bridge!"

Hrafn looks at Vlad for a long moment, and then turns to follow the very reasonable suggestions.

If the rider can make it back (Heal Check (1d20+9=15) to tell) then Hrafn gets him on his way. If not, then Hrafn feeds him goodberries from a small pouch until he's well enough to ride.

It's a 1st level spell gone, but at least we should have some goodberries left over...

The rider can be healed through mundane means but will take time to recover adequately before heading off on a journey. Assuming the use of goodberries he is reinvigorated and can depart to Raudurfoss immediately.

The rider restored by Hrafn's wise healing arts mounts his steed. He nods towards your band; "I thank all of you. I owe you my life I can only hope I will have the chance to repay you. I will send for help from the town with all the speed I can muster. Kya!" The man kicks his horse and charges off down the road back to town.

As the rider heads off in haste the band is left with two choices. Dorvarr has detected the path the wolves took through the forest. The wolves more than likely took a direct route from the bridge thus being able to cut off the rider at this point. The woods are not too dense and it should be feasible to navigate a steed through the visible forest.

Judging from the map the road should be only a half hour hard ride or an hour's walk to the bridge over Wolf Creek.

I'm not meaning to step on anyone's toes, Will. Sorry if I'm being a bit pushy. Remember Vlad's only 18... he still knows he knows everything.

"Well done, Ragnarr. At least if we fall, they'll know our worth, and they might hesitate before they go further. Hrafn, that was well done, the townfolk should be alerted and on their way soon thanks to you. Dorvarr, I see you've found their path. What do you all think, should we follow the wolves' trail, or take the road, and perhaps cut the goblins off before they reach us?"
Vlad's hands are shaking slightly, but he tries to keep them by his side so (hopefully) no-one notices. His jaw is steeled as he tries to make the decision.

"Are we to go looking for trouble, then? Aye, Thor's will seems to be that we ought to see the masters of these beasts to the same fate as the wolves. We can take the road if the rest of you don't mind looking for trouble."

"Are we to go looking for trouble, then? Aye, Thor's will seems to be that we ought to see the masters of these beasts to the same fate as the wolves. We can take the road if the rest of you don't mind looking for trouble."

"Goblins as are looking for trouble, as I see it. Six of them. We should fall on them from the woods and kill them before they know we are there. The road, I think, will be trapped. I say we follow the wolf trail to the bridge."

"Goblins as are looking for trouble, as I see it. Six of them. We should fall on them from the woods and kill them before they know we are there. The road, I think, will be trapped. I say we follow the wolf trail to the bridge."

"The woods it is then, two-to-one, and one undecided."
(Sorry if I missed it Dorvarr, I wasn't sure quite where you came down... and I'm the 'against')

Your band plunges into the woods moving with speed over the underbrush, weaving through the tangled branches, hopping over fallen logs, and up and over the sloping hills. You travel for sometime cutting across the landscape. You judge by the sun's descent an hour or so of daylight remains and as night approaches a chill sets in and you spot a few small snowflakes dropping amidst the pines.
Clambering down over a slight hill you pause as you can easily discern the sound of the rushing water of Wolf Creek. Ahead a few hundred feet the trees break at the edge of a steep ravine. You must be very near the bridge. At this distance you are still concealed by the woods but an approach to the ravine's edge may be detectable.

Listen DC 15

"We're there... ready to charge the bridge?" whispers Ragnarr in his gravelly voice above the roar of the stream, evidently willing to throw caution to the wind. "A battle should warm our blood before night falls... and it looks like it will be a cold one..."

Failed my Listen check...

Made my Listen check... 21! hot damn!
"Wait a moment, Ragnarr! There's something over... there!" He points, talking quietly so that the big man will hear him, but not so loudly that the owners of the voices will be able to hear. He thinks a moment, then holds up a finger.
"I think I may have a plan. Listen carefully." He crouches, scrawling a crude map in the chilly dirt.
"This plan involves the least risk to you three. I have sworn to Earl Thorolf that I will do what is needed, but you three have boldly volunteered- you should not have to face the worst of this."
"Ragnarr, you, Dorvarr, and Hrafn stay here. I'll mount my horse and go to the road quickly. When you hear me charging them, you come up behind and close the trap on them as they would on me. I'll crash through them, and we will crush them like a band hunting a bear. Hopefully, this armour will guard my skin, and Donderstaken will keep running, getting me through their ranks quickly. With surprise, and some cunning, we should be able to overcome a few disorganized goblins without trouble."
"There, what do you think?"

Vlad seems blissfully unaware of the possibility of getting impaled or dismembered by the goblins, and seems perhaps a little eager to charge in gloriously.

"Wait a moment, Ragnarr! There's something over... there!" He points, talking quietly so that the big man will hear him, but not so loudly that the owners of the voices will be able to hear. He thinks a moment, then holds up a finger.

"Voices, and not of men."

"I think I may have a plan. Listen carefully." He crouches, scrawling a crude map in the chilly dirt.
...
"There, what do you think?"

Vlad seems blissfully unaware of the possibility of getting impaled or dismembered by the goblins, and seems perhaps a little eager to charge in gloriously.

"It's a brave plan, and I think it might work. Remember not to get spitted like a boar."

"Thor favours the bold my friends. Let us to battle!"

Casts bless, booyah, +1's for all!

"Thor favours the bold my friends. Let us to battle!"

Casts bless, booyah, +1's for all!

Ragnarr, Dorvarr and Hrafn

"Hrmph... least risk to me... I am not afraid of a few goblins... Thor as my witness, I could take them all myself..." Ragnarr creeps as stealthily as a bull towards the edge of the woods, to a spot overlooking the road where he might drop onto the unsuspecting goblins. He curses to himself as branches snap noisily underfoot... and, the element of surprise likely lost, prepares to launch himself into their midst with axe held high and a wicked gleam in his eye.

Hide: 5 + 1 = 6; Move Silently: 5 + 1 = 6... at least I'm consistent... If he is close enough to jump/attack as a standard action following his move to the edge of the woods, here are the relevant checks... Jump: 18 + 2 = 20. To hit: 10 + 4 + 1 = 15; Damage: 9 + 4 = 13; assuming that's enough to hit and drop a goblin, Ragnarr's cleave feat would enable him to attack another: 1 + 4 + 1 = 6... miss...

This evidently doesn't correspond with Vladimir's plan... but given Ragnarr's alignment, approach to combat, and failed Hide/Move Silently checks, I hope my fellow players can forgive me for messing up the plan...

Vladimir

Spot DC 14

Ragnarr ... prepares to launch himself into their midst with axe held high and a wicked gleam in his eye.

This evidently doesn't correspond with Vladimir's plan... but given Ragnarr's alignment, approach to combat, and failed Hide/Move Silently checks, I hope my fellow players can forgive me for messing up the plan...

Hrafn moves forward after Ragnarr with no pretense or effort at stealth. He grips his club tightly ... deep forests aid us against these despoilers ... and it seems to shift and grow gnarled like the root of an ancient tree.

Moving to support Ragnar. Cast Shillelagh on club. Active spells: bless.