Beginner Box: Black Fang's Lair (Inactive)

Game Master Something Wicked

Musical Accompaniment

Those who head north from Magnimar along the rocky coastline quickly find themselves in a peculiar country. Fog drapes the rolling landscape, floating spectrally along damp and lonely moors. Small woodlands grace the region, their tangled depths redolent of nettles and pepperwood and pine sap, while further inland, river valleys lined by majestic redwoods wind between ragged tors and limestone escarpments. The region's vastness and sense of isolation have earned it its local name--The Lost Coast.

There are pockets of civilization along the Lost Coast. Traditional Varisian campsites can be found in nearly every gulch and hollow along the cliff-lined reaches, and lonely houses sit upon bluffs now and then--domiciles for eccentrics or the rich seeking a bit of peace far from the bustle of Magnimar's streets. Roadside inns grace the Lost Coast road every 24 miles or so, placed by virtue of the distance most travelers can walk given a day's travel. Low stone shrines to Desna, goddess of wanderers and patron of the Varisians, give further opportunities for shelter should one of the all-too-common rainstorms catch travelers unaware. Given time, any of these seeds of civilization could bloom into a full-grown town, or even a city. It's happened once already, along the shores of a natural harbor nestled among the cliffs some 50 miles northeast of Magnimar. What was once a larger-than-normal Varisian campsite in the shadow of an ancient ruined tower has become the Lost Coast's largest town: Sandpoint, the Light of the Lost Coast.

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Thud. Cold ale splashes across the countertop as Bethana Corwin, the resident barkeep, slams a flagon down nearby. Without noticing, she spins around, bustling off down the bar to tend to the next customer, a halfling man who is in desperate need of a bath. Bethana herself is a halfling, and has to perch on one of various steps behind the bar in order to tend to the customers. All this exercise has kept her small of frame, though she laughs heartier than a woman twice her size. From the small stage in the center of the common room, an exotic Tian-esque beauty stops playing a pan flute and calls over the crowd. "Easy Bethana, you're about to give those poor people a bath they weren't prepared for!" Bethana waives a hand, disregarding the advice as she scoops up a few coppers and a silver from the countertop. "Hush Ameiko, some of 'em need it in the worst way!" Both ladies, and the smelly halfing man, burst into laughter.

This large tavern, The Rusty Dragon, is Sandpoint's oldest inn, notable for the impressive (and quite rusty) iron dragon that looms on the building's roof, doubling as a lightning rod and decoration. Owned and operated for the past six years by the lovely and popular Ameiko Kaijitsu, the Rusty Dragon is not only one of the town's most popular eateries, but also a great place to meet visitors from out of town. It certainly doesn't hurt that Ameiko's beauty is more than matched by her skill at music, and few are the evenings that pass without at least two or three songs being performed by the talented woman. The Dragon is also the most adventurer-friendly establishment in town, with its ubiquitous "Help Wanted" board near the bar and Ameiko's policy of discounting rooms for any who tell exciting adventure stories.

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Feel free to roleplay your character into the scene. What would you possibly be doing at the Rusty Dragon??

Kandor looks up from the corner to see what is happening at the bar. His curiosity satisfied, he turns back towards his new dwarven friend Harsk, who he just met in The Rusty Dragon after spending the earlier part of the day with Father Zantus. So you are telling me that somewhere outside Sandpoint roams an invisible monster with giant black teeth? Are you kidding me? he asks, before raising the mug with ale to his mouth.

Farmers don't have time to be kidding.

Lugert sits one table over leaned against the wall. He's more than a few bites into a delicious mutton and grits stew. Grease drips from his mouth as he talks.

The mayor has no time for kidding either. She's offering a hefty reward for its head.

Kandor turns his head towards the half-orc. If that monster exists and he is killing livestock, we should hunt that animal. But first allow me to do the introductions. This young fellow next to me is Harsk, he lives here in Sandpoint, and I am Kandor Abolitor, with whom have I the pleasure of talking?

In walks an unusually clean and tidy half-orc. Abundant tattoos adorn his face. He is noticeably wiry and charismatic. He is armed with a rapier and light mace, and a modest traveller's kit.

He carries himself with a natural grace and elegance. All of which seems completely out of place for a half-orc.

He approaches the bar. Giving the smelly halfling man a wide berth and wrinkling his nose in exaggerated disgust as he walks by.

He nods politely at the halfling barmaid before speaking: "Ale please. I walked here, alone, from Magnimar and I'm parched. Despite the damp weather. Gôlgast is my name. I heard this area has a few dangers about. True, is it?"

Lugert. I'm a bonded hunter for several inns here in Sandpoint, providing meat for coin. I've come to the town center for the bounty information.

Lugert's tone is one of business, neither warm nor cold. He's not one for making a lot of small talk or quick friends. He does address both dwarves with a nod, being sure to extend a slight courtesy of attentiveness.

I mean bonded as "contracted freelancer"

"Hello Lugert. I'm here looking for … well, I'm not sure what I'm looking for exactly. Apart from testing myself, if I can."

Hello Gôlgast says Kandor, as he looks at the just arrived half-orc. Mister Lugert just told me about a giant monster that is harassing the poor farmers around here, that sounds like a good test.

"Aye, that's what 'm tellin' yeh," replies Harsk, a serious and stern look on his furry face. "An' this lad's right," he says, looking toward Lugert, "'t ain't no laughin' matter. Ol' Ibor Thorn swears that no fewer'n 6 of their cows 'n 'orses done gone missin'."

Harsk nods at Kandor's introduction, raising his flagon in recognition of the newcomer. "Aye, I've 'eard of yoo, Mr. Lugert. A fine trapper, from what I'm told."

"Well look here! A new face indeed!" Bethana chirps as she cranes her neck to look up at Golgast. "Another'n from Magnimar!" she calls to Ameiko. "I swear I think they're fleeing the city! Ah well, 's good business for us here, i'nnit? One ale, coming up!"

As Golgast approaches, Harsk downs his ale and leaps to his feet. "Nice to meeting you all, but I really have to get back to work now." And with that, he's off, leaving the three newcomers to discuss this, the latest threat to Sandpoint.

"Do I hear talk of adventure?" The lithe Tian proprietor, Ameiko, finishes her song and glides over toward your table. "Well, well, we're always pleased to have such adventurous sorts at this tavern, gentlemen. You all look like seasoned sorts, yourself. Tell me, are you keen on collecting the mayor's offer? A thousand gold pieces, well that's a fortune! But then again, it's dark business, this. And the festival's coming up soon. It's going to be big this year, no doubt...Do you know they're consecrating the new cathedral?" She looks to Kandor. "Oh, of course you must, how silly of me! But I shouldn't bore you with local news and gossip. It sounds like you're interest in real danger, am I right?"

Lugert interjects, "The coin mostly, and safer hunting grounds. One shouldn't chase danger for danger's sake."

Gôlgast tells Bethana as he gets his ale: "I had an unfortunate tussle in Magnimar, me. That's what brings me here."

"What would real danger be, then?
Isn't being in a city dangerous enough?"

A young man enters the tavern, smiling and looking about. Finally, he notices a dwarf he was looking for. "Ah, just as Father Zantus have told me." Magwyn approaches dwarf and bows slightly, his butterfly amulet hanging from his neck. "Pleased to meet you." He adresses everyone. "My name is Magwyn."

Always good to see a fellow follower of the Queen of the Northstar. greets Kondar, Me, mister Lugert, mister Gôlgast and miss Ameiko he says, as he gesture towards the people he named, were just talking about the monster that roams the countryside of Sandpoint.

Magwyn nods to everyone introduced. "Well then, how fortunate. I was just looking for you to ask what you think of that monster. It seems to be causing a lot of troubles." Young man sat on an empty stool.

"Danger, adventure, what's the difference really?" Ameiko leans on the table with her left arm, her right cocked on her hip. "There's just something about the unknown, the mysterious, that calls to people. It's in their blood. I should know. I've had an adventure or two in my day!"

She spins around to Magwyn with a smile. "Master Magwyn, of course, what'll be this evening? Monster hunting is thirsty business! But surely you lot don't mean to go out there tonight? They say it's in that old cave down south, in the hills around Cougar Creek, but that's rough terrain to try to navigate in the darkness, don't ya think?"

For humans snorts Kandor.

Kandor has some trouble with diplomacy, so he will sometimes screw up some etiquette and make some rude remarks.

"Of course not." Magwyn smiles back. "I'm sure we all have some other business to attend to today. Besides, we didn't even agree with anything yet. Although to be honest, I've already decided to aid in this matter."

He grinned at Kandor's remark. "Oh, we can't all be as perfect as dwarves, my friend."

"It seems most of us have made the decision to help. If you three wish to join me I can get us to the lair and we can get this hunt finished in short-order."

"My, true adventurers to the core! We're always grateful for those seeking to defend the town. Hold on a minute, I might have something to help you."

Ameiko turns and hustles off toward the kitchen. After a few minutes, she returns, her hands full of a variety of flasks and metal jars. "Here, a traveling alchemist came through a few weeks ago and left a bunch of his concoctions behind. I've been wanting to put them to use but haven't had an opportunity. This seems like a great excuse to use them up. Besides, who knows how unstable this stuff is. It might blow the roof off the place!" She scatters the items on the table before you with a hopeful nod.

Ameiko has offered you:
3 doses of armor ointment (-1 ACP for 8 hours)
3 acid flasks

After finding out what the flasks are for, Gôlgast says: "I could probably use one of each of those. If nobody has any objections."

Lugert could probably use one of the ointments. Everyone else can take what's left.

Not really interested. Also those would put me into medium encumbrance.

Lugert takes the vials handing one of the flasks to Golgast. "Thank you Ameiko. I'm sure we'll get good use out of these."

We can divide up the vials while traveling if anyone thinks they want some.

Lugert addresses the group, "Let's gather our gear and get a night's rest. We can push out at daybreak and make good time to the cave."

"Sounds good.
Night-night!"

Might your dreams be good says Kandor, before going to his room

"Sleep safe." Magwyn gets up from the stool to go to his room.

Morning comes, bright and early (much too early). Each of you rises to the sound of chatter and laughter coming from downstairs in the common room. The sound is mingled with tantalizing aromas of sizzled sausages and black coffee. Downstairs, you find Bethana and Ameiko, back to work as if they'd never turned in. Ameiko practically sails through the crowd, settling a large plate of cooked eggs, sausage, and fresh fruit before you with a wink. "On the house. The least we can do for the monster slayers."

Insert roleplay as you wish, including last minute preparations, if any.
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The group sets off into the bright morning. It is only early autumn, and the coastal air is warm and balmy. The sun shines radiantly, promising a beautiful but hot day ahead. Further on in the distance, the high hills surrounding Cougar Creek rise, beckoning you with their rocky peaks.

The group marches warily into the wilderness, searching for signs of traffic along the rocky paths. This proves difficult, but Lugert eventually identifies a series of small, humanoid tracks that lead through a ravine to the southeast. After another hour or so, you spot a dark cave entrance in the distance. At last! The dungeon is in sight up ahead! Its entrance looks more like a cave than the front door of an underground fortress. A curtain of thick, green moss hangs over the entrance, hiding what lies beyond. Standing in front of the entrance is a menacing old stone statue of a warrior.

Map updated! Let me know if there are any issues locating and controlling your token.

"I want to look to see if there's magic here first."
"Where there's monsters, there's magic!"

Gôlgast will cast detect magic at the entrance to see if there's any magic coming from the entrance or the statue in front.

I think the 60 ft cone for that spell should work nicely from where he is right now.

Your spell registers nothing magical; only a simple statue and a cave entrance.

"No magic to deal with here. Yet."

I think some light might help us inside. Says Magwyn, and mutters a small prayer, lighting his amulet.

Light on the amulet, obviously.

Lugert raises a hand in front of his new companions and then draws his bow, notching an arrow. He crouches a bit and slowly makes his way towards the mouth of the cave scouting for threats.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Kandor grabs a javelin and remains behind with the others.

Lugert turns back to his comrades and points to his eyes and then holds up three fingers. He mouths the word, goblins to his closest companion. He aims in on the one furthest north on the map and lets an arrow fly.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Goblins with swords just inside. Three that I've seen. Move!

Following Lugerts signal and flying arrow Kandor throws his javelin at the one furthest north on the map.

Then he draws his Morning Star, and awaits the goblin's response.

Attack, Dex bonus, Hatred: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

Damage, Str bonus: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Gôlgast moves up ahead of Kandor 10 ft North on the map
… and also shoots the goblin furthest North (G1); using his sling

sling: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 161d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Seeing his companions attacking, Magwyn dashes forward and hacks the goblin closest to him with the greatsword.

Move in front of G2 and attack him.
Attack, Str bonus, Weapon Spec.: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 = 18
Damage, Str bonus*1.5: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 1) + 4 = 10

Combat! This one begins with a surprise round because the PCs are aware of the goblins, but not vice versa. During a surprise round you can make one standard action or one move action, but not both. After the surprise round the goblins, having won initiative, will take their normal turn, followed by the PCs. Actions occur in the order posted unless you indicate otherwise. Given that you’ve already laid out your actions, I’ll try to fit them into this surprise round as best I can (but remember, you get a standard or a move, not both).

Surprise Round, Round 1
Conditions:

Effects:

”Move!” Lugert yells, spurring everyone into action. The ranger nocks an arrow and lets it fly, but it is snagged on the moss curtain and veers to the left, narrowly missing the goblin’s bulbous head. Missed ranged attack.. Kandor’s javelin also loses momentum as it passes through the moss and impales the earth with a heavy thud. Standard to throw. Kandor, you’ll have to wait to draw your weapon until your next turn as a move action. Golgast quickly jumps forward, loading his sling and letting a stone fly. It strikes the goblin (Goblin 1) square in the head! I let you 5-ft step (non-action) so you could get a standard attack in. Magwyn steels himself, gripping his sword and moving into position to harry the creatures. Move action to move up, no further action in the surprise round. Your attack will have to come up next (you can use that roll if you want).

”Longshanksss!” hiss the goblins, as they draw their weapons and prepare to defend themselves. They swarm Magwyn, stabbing at him with their sharp, jagged blades. All three hit! 9 damage to Magwyn!

Everyone is up! Now you can take full turns.
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PC Status:
Golgast: 10/10
Kandor: 11/11
Lugert: 16/16
Magwyn: 2/11

NPC Status:
Goblin 1: ?
Goblin 2: ?
Goblin 3: ?

Lugert drops his bow and then draws his Heavy Pick while moving up to the goblin closest to the moss curtain. Pushing the moss away with one hand he swings the pick down with the other.

Attack with Pick: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Kandor pointed out that I could make it into flanking using all 6 of my speed. Please add 1 to that attack roll.

Magwyn did not expect these goblins to be so good with their weapons. He spits out some curses and slashes one of the goblins with his sword.

Attack G2. I'll take my roll, thanks.
And well, what can I say. That's a wonderful way to start, lol. These goblins are very, very lucky. And our DnD houserule - we are allowed to take both move and standart action - kicked in, so yeah.

''Hold on my friend'' shouts Kandor as he draws his morning star and moves in to help. Bab is 0, so drawing weapon is move, and moving is second action I believe. No time to attack left I assume.

tag Lugert, I believe flanking is + 2, so your total roll = 20.

Also you can use your pick with both hands, to add 1.5 times your strength bonus to damage. That increases your damage for this rol to 8.

Gôlgast comes up and moves between Magwyn and Kandor and stabs at the nearest Goblin (G1?)

rapier: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 171d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

I think that's all I had time for.
Since I had to move, I didn't have the time for Mystical Focus

Golgast entering mystical focus is a swift action, so you could enter it, move, and attack all in one round.

Round 2

Conditions:

Effects:

Kandor draws near, his morning star ready, and distracts the first goblin as Lugert approaches menacingly. The head of Lugert’s pick buries itself deeply in the goblin’s skull with a satisfying (or sickening) crunch. The goblin goes limp, falling to the ground, and a puddle of blood begins to pool around it.

Magwyn, enraged at the creatures and their feeble weapons, raises his greatsword over his head and, with a battle cry worthy of Desna, brings it down solidly on the goblin in front of him. The little creature doesn’t stand a chance, falling heavily to the ground to join his companion.

Golgast steps forward confidently, as the final goblin makes a little noise resembling an “uh oh”. With a flash, his rapier flicks out, impaling the little green man in the torso. He falls, unconscious.

Combat over!
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PC Status:
Golgast: 10/10
Kandor: 11/11
Lugert: 16/16
Magwyn: 2/11

NPC Status:
Goblin 1: dead
Goblin 2: dead
Goblin 3: unconscious, bleeding

Searching the bodies, you find: 3 dead lizards, two empty jugs of wine, 3 short swords, and a belt pouch containing 4 gold pieces.

Now that you have stepped through the moss curtain, you can make out the chamber beyond. You see a small cave with a low ceiling. On the far side of the cave are pair of straw mats, with a battered treasure chest sitting between them. Off to the north, a passageway leads to a pair of stone doors.

Lugert removes his pick from the Goblin's head and puts it back in its belt loop. He heads back out to where he dropped his bow and readies another arrow with it. He stands at the ready within the small room, eyeing the passage and doors to the north.

There's a chest and key in here. Probably more goblin droppings

@ GM Wicked: probably just as well I didn't waste a round of Mystical focus on those evil midgets.
I'll keep in mind being able to use it next time, though.
Thanks for that.

"Those three didn't last long!"
"Good thing for Magwyn, and the rest of us, they weren't robust!"

Gôlgast sheaths his rapier follows Lugert into the small room.

"There might be some valuables, or traps, in that chest."
"Or something disgusting, knowing Goblins."

He then casts Detect Magic in the direction of the chest.

"Yes, indeed. I'll try to be more careful next time. Although, to be fair, one doesn't expect goblins to be good at fighting." Magwyn replies cheerfully and rests his sword at the shoulder, following Gôlgast.

"Do you see anything?" He asks half-orc, having noticed him checking the chest.

" Friend, let me look at your wounds" says Kandor, as he touches Magwyn. Magwyn feels a rush of positive energy and his wounds are healed for 9 hitpoints, using one cure light wounds spell instead of summoning monster 1

Then he walks around the room looking for hidden doors, alcoves etcetera, while also picking up his javelin.

perception, skill, unusual stonework: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 2 = 30

Afterwards he walks towards the straw mat, picks up the key, and looks at the chest to see if it is trapped. "Never trust a goblin" he grumbles. "Did your spell work Gôlgast, or do I need to cast it myself?"

perception, skill: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

With a wave of positive energy, Magwyn feels much better now, and as fresh, as he was before the skirmish.
"Thank you, Kandor."

He then moves near Lugert, watching the door.