#3-01: The Frostfur Captives [Tier 1-2] - GM Rutseg (Inactive)

Game Master Balacertar

Map is up ;)
The howling seems to come from the East.

Gotta love how the last few perception rolls have bee crap for me. Seems like I have on days and off days with my virtual dice, just like my real dice.

"I'll take no joy in destroying wolves, but if they are hungry and coming our way, we may not have a choice."

Henrick grabs his crossbow and loads it, preparing to fire if necessary. He looks outside the shelter for signs of life.

@Artix: Rolls go crazy sometimes, but it gives the game the sense of suspense of what will happen :)


@Henrick: I understood you ready an action to fire the first wolf you see. If that's the case, proceed with a pair of attack + damage rolls, and it will interrupt first wolf on sight action.

Sorry no access to map currently... Mido will look to protect the Goblins.

As he hears howls mido draws his short blade and looks to the Frostfur Goblins again putting up a stern face he adresses them in their native tongue.

Now you lot stay with us and don't go running around and getting eaten. Let the longshanks handle this

Diplomacy1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

The goblins complain a bit, but seem convinced by Mido's words. You know from previous experiences though, that they do not keep their words when there is no one around to keep an eye on them.

Aryn moves toward the sound of the howling, and draws her greatsword while moving.

She looks around her, and will tell the others how many wolves she sees as soon as they come without her field of vision.

Aryn has darkvision 60, can she see the wolves from her current position?

Look the map, I have set some darkvision to you :)

Henrick watches for trouble, and upon seeing it, fires his bolt.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

My standard action for the suprise round was Diplomacy...

Three hungry wolves appear suddenly walking and grawling over the recently felt snow. Difficult terrain, so double movement costs

As they appear, Henrick fires the bolt he had prepared in his crossbow, which sticks in the wolf attacking from the center.

The Frostfur goblins restrained by Mido's words delay their actions.

Map updated
Round 1:
Mido, Ruslan's wolf, Henrick, Aryn, Ruslan, Wolfs, Frostfur clan

Henrick will reload and fire again at the wolf that he hit once already.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

As Henrick reloads his crossbow with amazing speed and precision, the wolfs come over the group, but his bolts flies true hitting in the wolfs head and dropping him to the ground with a howl.

1 wolf unconcious, 2 up

Double move to flank the southmost wolf. Move so that I don't provoke.

Mido silently slips through the snow and gets into the back of one of the wolves ready to hurt it bad.

Aryn charges the northern wolf, and brings down her greatsword with a powerful blow.

Greatsword, Power Attack, Charge: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 - 1 + 2 = 14 Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 4) + 6 + 3 = 19

Artix@ I missed you in the initiative, you act just after Mido.
Mido@ That's Ruslan's wolf :D I moved you towards one of the other wolfs instead.
Aryn@ You can't charge through difficult terrain. It would change nothing anyway because even with the +2 you will not hit. But I will not take into account the AC penalty

Aryn's powerful blow has not enough control and the blade of his greatsword fails when the attentive wolf moves his body effectively dodging the enormous weapon.

The wolf steps aside and launches a bite in response hitting the aasimar's left leg, but not being stengthful enough to penetrate her armor.
Bite (Aryn): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

The wolves seem to follow well memorized pack tactics because the remaining wolf darts over the the snow flanking Aryn, but she is attentive enough and swings his greatsword forcing the attacking wolf to deviate his bite.
Bite (Aryn): 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 1 + 2 = 12

The Frostfur goblins start to shout "We! Good move wolvy! Yah bite them! We!" some move delighted by the action, very close to the combat.

Round 2:
Mido, Artix, Ruslan's wolf, Henrick, Aryn, Ruslan, Wolfs, Frostfur clan

Last turn's action
Artix moves through the snow to get behind one of the wolves attacking Aryn, drawing his falcata and shield as he moves quick draw shield before bringing the blade down at the wolf.

Falcata: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 = 12

This turn's action
Grumbling to himself about the way he missed, Artix studies the wolf for a moment before striking again. Using Favored Target on the wolf then attacking

Falcata: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 11

Henrick moves up next to Artix while drawing his Urgrosh, and swings at the wolf there with the axe blade.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

"Argh!"

Aryn figures the best way out of her flanked position is by getting rid of one of the wolves, and she swings her greatsword at the northern wolf again.

Greatsword, Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 1 = 21 Damage: 2d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 5) + 6 + 3 = 15

This time Aryn's blow lands true, decapitating the poor hungry wolf and braking free the aasimar from the flanking.

A big "Oooooooooooooh! followed by an expression of missery comes from the Frostfur goblins as they realize they will not be able to play with the wolves.

Dunghurler and Anckleknocker break down in tears "Nooo! Poooor wolfy!".

"Could someone keep those goblins in check?!" Aryn yells, trying to make herself audible while the goblins make noise and cry.

"Artix and I got this, don't you worry!" she adds, convinced the remaining wolf won't live much longer while in between the slayer and herself.

@GM: It's been 3 days since Mido and Ruslan were up. Could you perhaps bot them?

Mido may have had a busy weekend, but I don't think Ruslan's going to return: his last post was September 12. I've taken a look at all his other characters, but none of them has made a post after September 13.

Sorry wasn't aware I was holding up the game. The whole roll20 thing makes life abit complicated from player side as you have to log in and I can't do that from work...in any case Mido moves to flank the southernWolf and attacks. Not sure if the snow is difficult terrain if so then no attack.

Momentarily distracted by the goblins hooting Mido kicks back into it and slogs through the snow as he draws forth his slender blade and attempts to cut the Wolf.

Attack Flank and SA 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Damage1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (4) = 6

I agree, I have decided I will not run anymore PbP games in Roll20

As the last wolf fell to the floor, the goblins do same, sobbing defenceless and out of hope.

COMBAT IS OVER
You have some time to RP and we will continue travel to Harvest's End tonight or tomorrow morning

Mido turns to the saddend Goblins with a raised eyebrow and inquires in Goblin.

So what is it with you goblins and wolves? I thought you hated dogs? But you are fans of wolves?

Aryn's rather surprised to see the last wolf drop after Mido barely touches it, but she doesn't complain. "Sometimes the outcome's inevitable. These wolves never stood a chance."

She quickly casts guidance on herself, and tries to calm down the goblins.

Diplomacy, guidance: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14

"Easy, little ones. These creatures were about to rip you apart. We had no choice but to fight them for your own safety."

Scanning the area for signs of anything else, Artix sheaths his blade and shield before joining the others again.

It is unfortunate that we had to kill the wolves, but if we hadn't all of us might have ended up as food.

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

Sorry, realized I never pointed out what I had memorized. Detect magic and Spark for Zero, Blade Lash for 1st.

While some of the goblins are still sobbing, Bloodgash points out "Wa're fond of wolves, wa usually train them and mount them. Good companions. Ya' cruel." he then goes with the other two and with a couple of face splashes he makes them stand still.

After a while, Aryn silver-tongue words finally seem to make the goblins start moving, and so the group leaves the wilderness and approaches a bit civilized area in the southwestern border of Irrisen. Ragna's map indicates a crossing through the Rimeflow river, a ferry in a small town called Harvest's End.

The village of Harvest’s End is a quiet place. Traveling merchants in colorful garb are easily distinguished from the locals, who dress in woolen clothes of drab browns, greens, and grays. There are no sounds of laughter or play here. Fishermen put their catch out for display, while others congregate in small groups and whispered conversations. Smoke rises from the chimneys of uniform but well-constructed buildings, most of which are surrounded by small white picket fences.

Let me know how do you approach the place. You will be able to buy stuff, no more than 500po single object value though.

We might want to try to disguise the goblins somehow. Maybe one of us going into town to buy some cloaks?

"I think we should be stuffin' em in a box as cargo, until we get them to the other side."

Mido eyes Henrick then looks to the Goblin and then in their language he inquires of the goblins.

So how do townsfolk in this area react to the presence of your kind? In many parts of Gollarion a mob would be after you in less then a blink of an eye!

The goblins look despised at Henrik's idea "Ya' mean and malevolant" the goblins answer then Mido "Some vilagers don't like us but most just ignore us. Wa' don't have usually problems us Whitethrone rules protect us. But wa' close ta Irrisen border, far from Whitethrone, who knows" answers Bloodgash.

Whitethrone rules? Mido replies with a raised eyebrow. Yes in Korsova for a goblin to set foot ina town could be his undoing. Then again most Korsovan Goblins set foot into settlements to steal and pillage... the Gnome muses.

"I'm currently wearing my winter clothes, but I still have my usual coat with me. It's in my backpack."

Aryn retrieves her cloak. "At least two goblins will fit underneath, if need be. Does no one else have his usual clothes with him?"

"Still think the boxes would work. We could cut some air holes...

Perhaps we should send someone into town to scout around first?"

I have mine that eh goblins can use, but perhaps a scout ahead would be best. Mido, Henrick, either of you might be our best choice. At least we might be able to see what the attitude of town toward our friends here might be.

How would we see that? By disguising me as a Goblin? Mido inquires sceptically but if that's what folks agree on he will go.

"I don't think we should send in just one person... If Mido walks into an ambush alone it'll be quite problematic..."

Aryn bites her lip as she thinks the plan over. "I'm still for giving the goblins cloak and moving as a group. Enter the city as fast as we can, and exit as fast as we can... I'd say it's your choice, Mido."

Perhaps our best bet would be just to move through the city as fast as possible. The longer we wait in or around the town, the more chance for the goblins to be discovered.

"OK, I will go with this plan. We are all wearing winter clothing anyway, so if we bundle them up enough, it should work."

Agreed! Mido adds as he begins to bundle up the Goblins.

As you enter into Harvest's End people start looking at you, the way people usually look at strangers when they come to small towns where everybody knows each other. But after an initial suspicious look, they seem to continue on with whatever you are doing.
They do not seem to pay any more attention to the goblins than the one they pay you.

What you want to do?
Reminder: You came here because Ragna's map told you there is a ferry to cross the Rimeflow

How big is this town? Can we simply walk towards the river and see a ferry?

I have given a map handout in Roll20 for you to make an idea. Nothing from the scenario, just something that I feel can help you get the idea of Harvest's End. You probably want to change the green cover to white though.

It is not big town, and you can walk directly to the ferry if that's what you want

I see no map in Roll20, but I am in favor of the direct approach.

"Let us head directly for the ferry," Aryn suggests. "The inhabitants of this place aren't hunting us down yet, but you never know how long that'll last in small towns."

I agree, let us just get to the docks as quickly as possible. The less time we remain here, the better.

Please, try to be more asertive with your movements, otherwise it's difficult for the GM to decide if you are advancing or just keep discussing
The map is not battlemap, but a map inside a handout. Handouts appear in the right panel.

When multiple characters agree on a course of action, it means that's what they're going to do. But I get what you mean, and I'll be a bit more assertive.

After she suggests doing so, Aryn starts moving for the ferry. She makes sure everyone else is following her. "Come on, everyone! Let's not stay here any longer than necessary."

As the group goes down the streets and close to the river, you see a large ice troll sitting in front of what seems to be the ferry house. He seems to be quite bored sited on a chair in front of a table.

Henrick follows in the rear of the party to keep an eye on all the goblins.