Initiative order is Thaddeus-Bad Guys-Agathon-Jacques
Bad guys start off around square E24.
Thaddeus moves to L31 and takes cover behind one of the iron support beams for the pulley. He fires his crossbow at one of the hobgoblins. The bolt penetrates the stomach armor of the hobgoblin, causing it to double over in pain, but it keeps coming even though blood is visibly dripping from the bolt wound.
The hobgoblins bum rush the party, screaming, brandishing their axes. You're all in melee now. The hobgoblins don't get to attack as they took two move actions to reach you.
Agathon attacks a hobgoblin square K30 and drops him with a trusty stroke from his two handed sword.
Jacques open hand attack misses, unfortunately
At the end of the round there is a hobgoblin in squares:
H27--the wounded one with Thaddeus' bolt in his gut
J29
K29
M30--he is on the other side of the push power wheel, he has cover from Thaddeus and vice versa
M29--
Jacques is in square K30, Agathon in K31 and Thaddeus in L31.
If Thaddeus was able to reload his crossbow, he will take another shot at the same hobgoblin he shot before. Then he will drop the empty crossbow and draw his staff.
Crossbow shot at the same hobgoblin. (1d20+3=9, 1d8=2, 1d20+3=4, 1d8=8)
If Thaddeus had not reloaded his crossbow, he will drop it (free action), and draw his staff (move action).
For his standard action, if Thaddeus can attempt demoralize without triggering an attack of opportunity, he will do so. If not, he will go totally defensive.
Jaques will press on undaunted, using flurry of blows attack on Budd Tugly there in K29. 1d20 2=3, 1d20 2=7
Demoralization attempt does not trigger an AoO, since it's essentially just yelling and acting. However, be clear that the demoralizing attempt affects only one target, so I'm assuming Thaddeus is attempting to demoralize the hobgoblin in square M30, which is the only one in melee range of him at the beginning of the round. The demoralization attempt apparently works, as the hobgoblin's body language indicates he is "shaken" for the round.
The shaken hobgoblin half-heartedly swings his axe at Thaddeus and misses.
A hobgoblin steps into square J30 and attacks Agathon. The axe grazes Agathon on the forearm. He takes 2 points of damage.
The hobgoblin square K29 gets a solid chop into Jacques thigh. Jacques takes 6 points of damage.
The hobgoblin in M30 moves past the winch wheel to M31. This would normally be a 5' step, but because of the complicated mechanism of the wheel and the long spokes, this is considered a move action. Thus he moves out of the square threatened by Thaddeus, and Thaddeus gets an attack of opportunity with his staff, which misses.
The hobgoblin in square M29 takes a move action and grabs a rope attached to the winch over the hole and swings over into K31, attempting to bull rush Agathon. Agathon's attack of opportunity misses and the hobgoblin's strength and power push Agathon back into square J31.
The wounded hobgoblin in square H27 fires his bow at Jacques. He's firing into melee and misses.
Agathon switches his attack to the hobgoblin that bull rushed him and he drops him with his mighty stroke, killing him.
Jacques flurry of blows misses.
So at the end of the round we have:
Hobgoblins in squares K29, J30, M31 and H27
Jacques is in square K30, Agathon in J31 (he has cover behind old mining carts) and Thaddeus in L31 (he has cover from the support beams of the winch mechanism)
If I can attack the hobgoblin in M31 without triggering an attack of opportunity, I will do so.
Otherwise, if I can move to L29 without triggering an AoO, I will do so, and attack the hobgoblin in K29 to relieve some pressure on Jacques.
Thunking a hobgoblin with my staff. (1d20=13, 1d6-1=3)
And of course, whoever I'm in melee with will receive some more highbrow smack talking:
You'd be better off if I turned you into a lizard! (1d20+3=12)
After dispatching the Hobgoblin that kicked him against the wall, Agathon will ignore his pain and the warm feeling of his blood working its way under his armor and try to hit the Hobgoblin facing him…
A hit on another Hobgoblin... (1d20+5=10, 2d6+3=10)
Agathon will shake his head to clear it and set his jaw for his next attempt.
Jaques grunts in pain can't take too many more hits like that and attempts another flurry of blows. first strike flurry of blows (1d20 2=12)second strike, flurry of misses (1d20 2=4)[i]Jaques is considering quitting adventuring and going back to the monastary to do enough working out to get his strength up two points, so he can overcome never getting a decent "to hit" roll. [/ooc]
Thaddeus misses.
Hobgoblin in K29 attacks Jacques, hitting him in upper leg for 3 points of damage.
Hobgoblin in J30 attacks Agathon and misses.
Hobgoblin in M31 attacks Thaddeus, nicking him on the cheek for 2 points of damage.
Hobgoblin in H27 readies his bow for some sort of action. You see him out of the corner of your eyes aiming towards you, but he hasn't fired yet.
Jaques and Agathon all miss.
Jaques tries to hit the one attacking him
I will take a 5' step towards L-30 (eventual goal is L-29). I will go totally defensive and fish out a molotov from one of my belt pouches.
The plan is to either dump the oil on the hobgoblin fighting Jacques in K-29, and then he can kick the sunrod to ignite the oil, or dump the oil in the path of the hobgoblin in M-31 who will presumably pursue me. He might slip on the oil and fall down the hole.
Agathon hits his Hobgoblin and scores a Critical Hit (I think...)!
A hit on the Hobgoblin (1d20+5=25, 2d6+3=7)
A Critical Confirming roll... (1d20+5=15, 2d6+3=9)
Thaddeus steps to the edge of the hole in the cramped square L30, using the support beam for the winch as cover. Between going totally defensive and the cover, the hobgoblin's attack of opportunity misses.
Hobgoblin K29 misses Jacques.
Hobgoblin J30 misses Agathon.
Hobgoblin M31 tries to move back the way he came, around the hole towards his buddies. Triggering an attack of opportunity from Thaddeus, the wizard strikes a critical hit and brains the hobgoblin with his staff, killing him.
Hobgoblin in H27 retreats into the darkness. He was severely wounded anyway.
Jacques finally hits with his stunning fist, and the hobgoblin facing him is wounded and stunned.
Agathon disintegrates the hobgoblin J30 with his critical greatsword swing.
The only hobgoblin left is the one facing Jacques. He's beat up and can't take an action next round.
I will move to L-29 and attack the hobgoblin in K-29. On the way I will take a quick peek down the hole, and warn my mates if I see anything worth warning them about.
Attack on K-29 hobgoblin. (1d20=16, 1d6-1=5)
Jaques will attempt an open hand strike on the one he's been fighting if its still up after getting pegged by Thaddeus. If he's already down, then Jaques will take the time to use his heal skill to bandage his own wounds, and stop the bleeding from his leg.
Agathon steps forward and hits the remaining Hobgoblin
A Hit on the remaining Hobgoblin... (1d20+5=19, 2d6+3=14)
Agathon races up the tunnel after the Hobgoblin that fled.
As he does this, he is listening and looking for this guy in case he has gone to ground and is waiting to shoot his bow…
A listen Check followed by a Spot Check... (1d20=13, 1d20+3=11)
DM FAST FORWARD:
After 3 rounds of investigation and checking things out around you:
The wounded hobgoblin disappeared down the tunnel at E7.
The displacer beast is asleep, snoring loudly, while roaring softly on occasion, its paws twitching.
There is no visible activity down the hole in the room where you just fought the hobgoblins.
The five dead hobgoblins have:
85 sp, 155 cp, 4 gp. 3 suits of ring mail (m sized), 2 suits of scale mail (m sized), 5 battleaxes, 5 short composite bows, 150 arrows, 5 daggers
You call can be anywhere on the map you want to be when you post next.
You hear nothing down the tunnel past the displacer beast. You hear distant thudding, screeching and the faint banging of metal on metal down the winch hole. You heard a fairly loud grinding noise down the tunnel where the hobgoblin fled.
350xp each
Per our email conversation, we have settled on:
-> bringing up the prisoners to the hole room, leading them past the bodies of their comrades
-> cutting the ropes going into the hole so the goblins cannot easily climb back out
-> clearing the area around the hole of things that a grapnel could hook on to, thus making it even harder for the goblins to get out
-> bring Jose up to the hole room, if we can do it without creating an altercation with the big cat, and tie him to something secure
We will make sure that someone is watching both the hole and the hobgoblin escape tunnel at all times.
Once the above is accomplished, and the area is secure, Thaddeus will begin interrogating the prisoners.
Jaques participates as needed. Hopefully the potion will restore him to be combat effective if need be. He will also keep his eyes open to the general area to see if there was anything anyone missed by way of traps, secret doors, or hidden objects. Shame we don't have any acid for the cat's chain, he hates to leave unfinished business.
Jacques cure light wounds potion restores 6 hit points.
You guys accomplish all your goals. The displacer beast doesn't wake up. The mule is a little freaked but okay.
For next set of posts, everyone give me a listen roll, a spot roll and Thaddeus can make his intimidate roll to interrogate the prisoners.
Leaving the prisoners in the able hands of Thaddeus, Agathon will take up his station at the rock pile in square E-19 with his bow out, a Goblin shield next to him as he settles in to keep vigil over the escape tunnel…
Thaddeus is focusing on what he's going to say to the prisoners, but he may have spotted something out of the corner of his eye:
Spot and listen checks. (1d20=16, 1d20=11)
"I've come a long way for the power of Genesis..."
"What meager knowledge you possess is worth more to me than your wretched lives. Answer my questions truthfully and you will survive. Refuse to answer, or lie to me, and you will be put to death. Choose now."
Intimidate/interrogation rolls for the goblin and hobgoblin, respectively. (1d20+3=11, 1d20+3=15)
I'll try to get 'tactical' information first - how many hobgoblins are there, what defenses do they have, and are there any traps. Do they have a shaman or priest of some sort. Same question about the goblins.
Next is 'strategic' information - are the sacks of coal to be picked up by someone else? If so, who and when? What is their approximate strength? Do the hobgoblins take orders from them or is the coal just a form of tribute? Do they have relationships with nearby tribes?
The deal is that the cooperating prisoners will remain here, bound, gagged, and blindfolded, until our business here is complete. When we leave, if their information was correct, they will be set free with the clothes on their back and a strong warning not to come back.
Noncooperating prisoners will be immediately executed.
Jaques is gaurding, looking and listening around He will also apply his rope use skill to making sure the prisoners are properly disabled.
The goblin clams up, but the hobgoblin speaks. Sense Motive rolls determine that he's 'probably' telling the truth:
Tactical:
The hobgoblin is a member of the "Reaver" tribe. One of the sub-chiefs, Arkar, leads this expedition. He's below (down the tunnel the hobgoblins came through) and sent the prisoner and his buddies to check out what the commotion was. There are at least ten more hobgoblin warriors in the mines below.
The displacer beast is Arkar's pet. "He never does anything except sleep and fart and eat."
The humanoid armies are preparing to move on Knurl this winter. The hobgoblins are security for the goblin contingent which is mining coal and sacking it up for the winter siege camps. They are going to stockpile it here, the perfect location--only 4 miles from Knurl.
They weren't supposed to be discovered. There's a big stockpile of rations in the mines below and the goblins discovered access to an underground stream.
Thaddeus will relay everything he learned from the hobgoblin.
"Gentlemen, I don't think there is much we can do against ten or more hobgoblins - I'm out of spells and we only have one healing potion left. We've gained some valuable intelligence from our prisoner here and I think it would be best to retire to Knurl with our spoils and tell Sir Gendar what we've learned. "
"He may be disposed to send us back here with a dozen or so troops to take the mine by force, or he may send a larger number of troops to clean out the mine without us. It is important that our knowledge of the humanoids' plans should not be lost."
"Let us pack our spoils and depart. We can leave our prisoner here in his current condition (bound and gagged) - I am certain that the hobgoblins will sally forth quite soon."
Assuming agreement (per our email conversation), Thaddeus will do whatever is necessary to either pack our spoils on Jose or keep watch.
When it is time to go, Thaddeus will have his crossbow loaded and ready, and will take the center position in our line of march.
"Agreed, my friend. We must inform the town of the impending attack!" To Thaddeus, he will say. "Keep an eye out for any further attack, I think that Jacques and I can load everything..."
To Jacques, he will say, "On the way out and to the town, I'll lead. We'll put Thaddeus in the middle with Jose and you trail watching our back. Okay?"
As Agathon works, he gets that tingly feeling that it might be too late... He calls this feeling, 'Ole Blue starting to twitch'
He will state as much to his companions without pausing in his loading.
"Agreed, we should leave now and accomplish our mission of gathering information. However, I suspect that I should move out front. I may be able to move forward and detect any ambush without springing it. Agathon would be able to shield against attack by pursuit, or move forward as heavy support should we need to crash through an ambush, if we can't slip around it."
Jaques suggests while loading.
With Jacques scouting ahead, the party moves out of the caves and back towards Knurl. About 10 minutes after leaving the caves, Jacques spots four hobgoblins about 80 feet away, moving through the foliage, two of them carrying a dead buck tied to a stick. They all have longbows out and appear not to have spotted you, giving the party a round to take action.
I'll need initiative and any actions you want to take. You can try to hide among the rocks and bushes. They look like they might take a turn up the trail towards your direction.
An initiative Roll: (1d20+6=12)
Seeing Jacques' hand signals, Agathon stops and drops into a crouch to attempt to hide from the oncoming foes.
He will sheath the sword and pull his long bow .
As he does this, he will take a look behind us for any evidence of pursuit.
The missles should all start simultaneously to give us the maximum advantage of surprise Jaques will ready his sling, pick a target, but wait for Agathon to fire first.
Thaddeus finds a good spot slightly off the trail behind a large bush to park Jose, and then takes up position himself.
As previously noted, my crossbow is already out and loaded. Since Agathon is clearly the best among us with missile weapons, I'll fire on his signal.
Jacques has been talking for a while about how we need to develop some hand signals so we can communicate quietly under just these circumstances. I see the wisdom of this. Perhaps Sir Gendar can have one of his troops train us in military sign language? It seems like they would have something like this.
The hobgoblins saw Agathon, it seems, for they focus their attention in his direction when he moved to hide. They take up a tactical position behind cover, scanning the area towards you with their bows ready. One of them is checking their "six." They put the deer down. They're still about 80 feet away, but have cover now.
After the initial spot of movement (Agathon's '1') it doesn't seem like they have an active "spot" on you right now, as the area you're in has lots of bushes, boulders and small trees. They're slightly downhill of you.
Thaddeus managed to stash the mule behind a sizable boulder.
Agathon spots no movement behind you.
To Agathon and Jacques, quietly: "You guys try to work their flank. I'll keep them distracted."
To the hobgoblins, loudly: "Hey, are you guys Reavers? We just came from there. Arkar died screaming like an elf maiden! Leave the buck and run away; it's past lunch and we don't want to take the time to kill you."
Either a bluff, diplomacy, or intimidate roll. (1d20+3=6)
If I need to adjust my position slightly to better cover the trail or get a better field of vision/fire, I will do so. Hide roll. (1d20=11)
Jaques will move for better position by shifting to the left, hoping they don't hear him or see his movement. When he gets an angle on one, he'll observe, looking for an opportunity shot with the sling. If by bad luck he bumps into a flanker, he'll drop the sling and go open hand.
Agathon will nod to Thaddeus and begin moving to the right of the trail attempting to both remain under cover and to do so silently.
A Move Silently Roll: (1d20-2=16)
[url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1891580/]An Arrow Shot: (1d20+4=20)
Damage for this potential arrow shot: (1d8=2)
Upon hearing Thaddeus' uttered challenge, the hobgoblins take cover even more. One of them apparently pulled out a bugle, for you all hear a godawful bugle call that echoes off the nearby hillsides.
You can bypass their position by moving down the hill on a path other than the trail, by the way. The hillsides are not impassable here, just steep, rocky and overgrown with thorny bushes. Not impossible, just probably won't be very quiet.
Sure enough, a few seconds after the first bugle call from your hobgoblins, you hear one coming from the hills to the east.
Jacques thinks the answering bugle call is about a half mile away.
Crap. There's going to be more of them on us in a few minutes. We need to dispatch these guys and get back to the main road...fast.
Thaddeus will put his sun rod in his left hand , crossbow up and ready. He will then advance under cover down the middle, but staying off the trail and staying out of view as best he can. Being quiet isn't an issue since Mr. Clankpants is making enough noise to conceal a Nyrondian cavalry company.
Not bad! Hide roll to advance. (1d20=16)
I am the wind! Move silently roll just for the heck of it. (1d20=17)
Great. More of them. Nothings ever easy. We need to dispatch this lot with alacrity and get back to Knurl Jaques continues to advance on their flank cautiously until he either gets a position to take a shot, or runs into them, and attacks with open hand strike.
Agathon will adjust his course and begin to move more toward them through the brush attempting to stay under cover and be silent…
A Hide Roll: (1d20-2=16)
A Move Silently Roll: (1d20-2=18)
Okay, I should have done this a couple of posts ago, but here is a map
Each square is 10 feet on this map!
Keep your last posts, but please tell me which square you are in. Jacques was in square N-12 when he spotted the hobgoblins, then ducked to the rock pile in O-12 for cover. Thaddeus and Agathon were in O-13, then moved to P-13.
The hobgoblins went to cover at H-6 and G-6.
Keeping your movement rates in mind and the fact that some of you are moving silently, please tell me which square you want to be in, based on the posts you made.
Moving silently and hiding, , trying to get flanking or rear position for sling fire, since they should have their attention directed towards Thaddeus and Agathon. If I run into one of their flankers I should be able to just drop my sling and strike with my fists faster than he can even draw a weapon
The map helps a lot, thanks!
After two rounds Jacques is in R9, headed twoards O1.
Agathon is in K11 and Thaddeus in L10.
None of you have direct sight of any hobgoblins at this point. You hear nothing coming from the bushes and rocks where they took cover, but the bugling has stopped.
Jacques sees a small dust cloud being kicked up from the hillside a few hundred yards to his east. Can't see anything other than that though.
It's quiet.......too quiet......
Thaddeus will tell Agathon, "I'm going to burn them out. Get ready!".
Thaddeus will then run along the following path: L-10, L-9, M-8, M-7, L-7, K-6, J-5. He'll pass around the far side of the tree at L/M-7 in order to get partial cover.
Move silently and hide rolls for my dash to the rocks. (1d20=19, 1d20=1)
I will then nestle myself in the rocks and assume a defensive position until next round.
Agathon nods to Thaddeus and begins his own run up...
That dust looks like the direction reinforcements are coming from. Hope we can make this quick Jaques continues to make his way stealthily to where he can get angle for opportunity shots with the sling. He will begin shooting when he gets a chance.
Thaddeus arrives at square J-5. He sees a hobgoblin among the rocks in I-4, scanning the area with his bow ready. The hobgoblin spots Thaddeus and swings his bow into action.
Jacques is in M-1 and looks across the hillside. He sees a hobgoblin in H4, pulling an arrow out of a quiver and looking towards Thaddeus. Jacques does not see the hobgoblin in I-4. Jacques cannot yet fire as he moved more than half his movement this round.
Agathon arrives at G-8 and detects no enemies.
Initiative rolls and declarations of actions, please.
Jaques fires his sling at the Hobgoblin he sees, as soon as possible. hopefully they won't be able to tell where these shots are coming from, and will take cover from the others, leaving them exposed to me