You find yourselves on the southern hills of the Spine of the World. While possibly having other personal reasons to come to this area, you've all been hired out of Luskan by a predominate caravan boss named Harlan Carhog. Harlan has heard of kobold raids on the road in this area and has sent you ahead of the caravan to clear the threat as he makes his way to Blasingdell and then on to Mirabar for his final destination.
The road you have been traveling cuts through rolling hills covered by thick forests and rocky crags covered with undergrowth. The combination of failing light and heavy cloud cover has washed away the color of the sky and replaced it with dismal shades of grey.
You are all soaked and chilled from traveling this day through the cold misting rain. The rain seems to have subsided for now though only to be replaced with a cool mountain wind whipping through boughs, rustling leaves, and carrying the sound of rolling thunder from a distant storm. Lighting occasionally rolls through the sky but other than that, your light is all but gone and the party has found a shallow break in the trees. While not ideal, this small amount of protection seems to be the best shelter from the wind, if not the rain, to be found.
As you set up camp why don't you take this time to introduce your characters since you all know one another and have been traveling with one another for over a ten day.
For additional background on the area
Blasingdell (BLAY-sing-dell). A small town located to the
northwest of Mirabar and due south of the Stone Tooth.
This small mining town sustains itself on incomes
generated by farmed goods sold to Mirabar.
The Stone Tooth. This rocky crag stands in stark contrast
to the rolling, forested hills that surround it. The stronghold
of Khundrukar hidden away within.
Khundrukar (KOON-druh-car). This dwarven stronghold
was a closely-held secret until its fall about a century ago.
Since then it has become home to monstrous humanoids.
Scram barely knew where was, south side of snowman land sounded about right. He struggled on the edge of camp with a little hunting trap he picked up on the way, but in the wet and without oil he couldn't quite get it set... "*grunt grunt grunt* Was that lightning? I saw a flash..." his eyes scanned the treetops momentarily, dropping the metal trap reflexively. He had been lured up here by talk of dumb barbarians who kept old giant artifacts secreted away, but the wilds of the North was something he wasn't quite accustomed to.
Uriah stands in the rain, looking miserable. He gives a defeated sounding sigh. Why do I let you all drag me into this? I was doing just fine in the Dusky Lady. A few songs each night to earn my bed and a little bit of ale.
Ravvek smiles, the scars on his face making for a grizzly sight yet somehow comforting, Come now, boys! A brave man welcomes the feel of nature on his face!
The lightly armored paladin turns back to the others, If we find these kobold warrens, we'll be able to get out of the rain. It can't be much further, eh?
Ravvek in a young man, probably in his mid-20s, with light brown hair and a mess of scars that run the upper left length of his face. He often comments that this weather is not cold, and that they should try spending a winter on the streets of Bryn Shander, usually punctuated with a hearty laugh.
When you first met him you expected him to be dour, as you have heard those take the Oath of Vengeance often are, but are pleasantly surprised at his geniality.
If Anton even notices the cold and the rain, he gives no sign of it. Never one for conversation, without a word he quickly (if disinterestedly) sets up his tent, stows his pack within, and peels off his soaked tunic and boots. He steps out of the limited shelter of the trees to start his regular regimen of methodical stretching and vigorous calisthenics. An hour later, he finds a spot on the dampest, most uncomfortable rock around to meditate for a while, before settling in to nibble at some hardtack while absently staring off into the distance.
Anton is a dark-skinned man of middle age. His goatee is snowy white, and he wears his grey-streaked hair in tight braids pulled into a pony tail. An intricate tattoo of a serpentine dragon wraps around his entire right arm. He wears simple, flowing clothes with a jade-handled longsword and matching dagger at his side.
Raiden makes an attempt to dry off his armor, shaking his head amused at the effort. Surely you're right, can't be that far away, the warrens. We'll clear 'em out and be on our way. Been quite some time since I've laid eyes on Mirabar, hoping to look up some old friends.
Myastan pops his cheeks a sound you have taken to learn is amused when Ravvek chides them and encourages them. Another Paladin. He has the same unflinching zeal as Drayless. It is comforting and painful. "The kobolds might have a warmer welcome than this chill."
Rav laughs, remembering the firebolt that the last kobold he met welcomed him with, They often do!
As the evening continues, everyone except for Anton huddle around a small fire, the light sprinkles sizzling as they reach the flames. A watch order set, everyone tries to prepare themselves for an uncomfortable evening. A crack of lightning on the horizon and the roll of distant thunder follows.
You are alerted by the crack of pine needles to your north. You also think you hear the flap of a wing. You may act in this surprise round.
SUPRISE ATTACK
Those not listed in the spoiler above can take no actions in this first round of combat. Attacks against you have advantage.
Initiative
Anton and Raiden, you were prepared for danger and not only aren’t surprised but can react an instant befor the enemies spring their trap. What would you like to do?
I pull out Big Bertha and move up on the noise, trying to alert others to the danger as I go. If there is an enemy to strike, I do so.
Anton springs to his feet, drawing his sword as he moves toward a group of enemies with surprising speed. He slashes one enemy with his blade, as his foot whirls at at another and he smashes yet another with an open palm.
An old bearded half-elf moves slowly around the up-and-coming camp setting up a tent and other necessities. He is covered from neck to toe in light robes with peculiar designs of stars and red waters. Atop his head is a, now sagged, wide brimmed hat that comes up from the base to a point. It has designs of red and deep blue as well with one large star on the front, just above the brim, where the red streaks seem to either end or begin. The old man's facial expression and posture seem to express a general unimpressed and he grumbles incoherently under his breath. Library and study are likely heard amidst the grumble. He doesn't seem to pay any heed to the conversation had by the others.
Your enemies are almost as surprised as your allies when the two of you leap up and charge into the pine trees with weapons drawn. Raiden’s call to arms alerts everyone of danger.
The two creatures seem to know how to work together and they circle you to spread your defense. The small creature drops its bow and draws its short sword the wolf leaps toward you Which you easily side step. The small creature tries to take advantage of your attention to the wolf and attack’s twice. He manag s to break through your defense once dealing
You leap to your feet drawing blade and move in to attack. You think you see your target and swing but alas you hew a small sapling in twain. A small scaled creature next to the tree seems to drop his bow and chuckle at your swing as he draws his short sword and attacks. Slipping the blade into your side you take
Those of you at the camp fire see your companions leap up and run to the edges of the fire light. In the dim light you see them enter combat with unknown adversaries.
Two arrows come streaking out of the trees from another direction however Uriah and Scramsax seem to be the targets. takes you manage to just dodge out of the way of the second arrow. You then hear from the direction of the two arrows Come no hair monkeys! Get taste of blade! A small creature charges out of the trees sword drawn and runs up to Uriah.
Myasatan, a rock comes seemingly from the sky striking you hard on your head knocking you unconscious.
The rest of the party is now alert of danger and are surrounding the camp fire. Myastan has been knocked uncoucious and will need a death saving throw on his turn if he is not stabilized or healed.
Everyone that hasn’t acted can now do so. Keep in mind that Ravvek and Sashahs actions technically happen first.
EDIT
My apologies, because of where you fall in the initiative Uriah and Scramsax are not able to go until the enemies have acted again. So to be precise, Ravvek and Sashah still can act in the suprise round and then we begin the new round in which Myastan Raiden and Anton can then act. The enemies will go again and then Ravvek Sashah Uriah and Scram may take their turn.
Ravvek Sashah
Myastan Raiden and Anton
Enemies
Ravvek Sashah Uriah Scramsax
Though slow moving, Sashah responds quickly to the initiation of combat. He moves over to Myastan while pulling out a necklace with a symbol of stars surrounding a flowing river, from around his neck and beneath his robes. As he walks he chants a little something while grasping the necklace and then touches Myastan on arrival.
After touching Myastan he says another few words, again holding on to the necklace.
Sashah moves into action and looks to Myastan who has fallen. Tracing where the blow came from, you see a shape flying into n the sky some 50-60 feet up. It’s only your keen darkvision that allows you to see this creature.
If there are no kobolds near him, Ravvek draws his new bow, whispers a short invocation and lets loose!
If not, he will draw shield and rapier, then the same, but stab at his assailant.
Ravvek stands and draws his bow. Subtle divine magic wraps itself around the creature next to Uriah and he lets loose, missing his mark.
The paladin curses quietly and draws another bead.
Anton spins around, slicing the smaller creature and following it up with a kick at the same, before slamming into the wolf with an elbow.
Scramsax goes on full alert after the arrow narrowly misses his cold little nose. He tries to draw his weapons but the moisture has betrayed him with a thin layer of ice over the hilt, and drawing them is taking time. Visibly loosing his nerve he shouts "Stupid leather strap!" clawing at the ice and slipping on the muddy soil.
Only one of the Antons's attacks land solidly, but it appears that the monk's whirling attacks have visibly shaken the small creature who looks ready to flee.
Myastan stands moves a few steps and fires a blast of magic energy toward the wolf.
OK well a swing-and-a-miss isn't going to cut it, so Raiden gives Big Bertha another swing at the kobold. . This one has to hit... Bertha don't fail me now!
Myastan steps around the fire and magical energy blasts into the wolf but it continues to attack Anton
Raiden resets his footing and swings Bertha in a large arc. The kobold sees it coming but cant move away fast enough to clear the shear amount of area that the swing covers. The blade sinks deep and the kobold seems incredibly wounded but still managing to stay on his feet.
Seeing that Raiden was wounded as well the kobold risks his own demise to try and drop the warrior in front of him. He seems to scream out to his god Kurtulmak and slashes Raiden across the side of his neck. dropping Raiden into unconciousness. Apparently Kurtulmak heard its prayer.
The wolf pounces at Anton trying to knock him over but the monk easily transfers the wolf's weight to push him to the side. The kobold in front of him thinks better of attacking and flees.
The angry kobold in front of Uriah sneers at the bard and swings his shortsword twice slicing him twice for piercing damage just barely knocking Uriah unconcious.
The creature in the air circles around and drops a flask over Ravvek. Because the creature is outside of the light of the fire Ravvek doesn't see it coming. It doens't matter however and the flask shatters on the ground next to him.
Uriah and Raiden are both unconscious and will require death saving throws if they are not healed. If Uriah is brought up before his chance to react has passed he will still be able to take an action.
Ravvek curses again, turning his bow on the flying kobold, Sashah, heal Uriah, and hopefully he can heal Raiden!
He then moves toward the campfire, so that he can see better.
Scram's swords finally break the ice and *slint* out into the night. He rushes towards Anton, sensing an opportunity and stabs at the wolf...
Ravvek curses again, turning his bow on the flying kobold, Sashah, heal Uriah, and hopefully he can heal Raiden!
[dice=Longbow]1d20+6
[dice=Damage w hunter's mark]1d8+4+1d6He then moves toward the campfire, so that he can see better.
Because of the lighting situation I'm going to need you to make that attack with disadvantage.
Scram rushes into the pine trees to assist Anton and after a flurry of slashing bounces away, his blades unblooded.
Ravvek fires into the sky with his arrow hoping to hit the airborne threat but his arrow does not find purchase.
Sasha waves his hand dismissively at Ravvek and mumbles as he steps over to Uriah, "Yes, yes..". Sashah then pulls out some lengths of cloth to stabilize Uriah.
As he staunches the bleeding, he mumbles another chant.
- To Go -
Myastan, Raiden and Anton may now act.
Sneering at the fleeing kobold, Anton turns his attention to the wolf. Gripping his sword in both hands he slashes at the beast and then leveling a wheel kick on it.
Myastan looks around and sees Raiden with multiple enemies close and blasts the kobold nest to him.
Myastan looks around and sees Raiden with multiple enemies close and blasts the kobold nest to him.
[dice=Eldrich Blast]1d20+5
[dice=Damage]1d10
Myastan looks around and sees Raiden with multiple enemies close and blasts the kobold nest to him.
[dice=Eldrich Blast]1d20+5
[dice=Damage]1d10
The monks blade sinks deep into the wolf’s flank, barely standing afterward Anton’s puts the creature down with a spinning kick. He then quickly moves to where Uriah is lying and interposed himself between the bard and kobold.
Myastan’s blast levels the kobold standing next to Raiden where it lies quite dead.
The kobold in front of Anton licks his lips at his juicy new target, comepletely misjudging the monk’s robes for a finger waggler of some type. The first swing going wide takes the smile off of its face but the grin on returns as his second swing finds purchase.
The fleeing kobold continues to flee
From above Ravvek hears the familiar beat of wings but still cannot t see his adversary in the darkness. This time though the flasks hits Ravvek squarely dealing As the flask explodes on impact, green poison spills out and touches Ravvek’s exposed skin.
Scramsax stabs furiously into the wolf's cranium, thinking he got a good bite at last...
Scramsax leaps over the wolf’s fallen body and moves to help the monk save Uriah. Moving to flank the kobold, Scram manages to find a hole in the creatures defenses dealing a nasty wound.
Gurgle
EDIT:
EDIT2:
Raiden coughs and opens his eyes as the Eldritch blasts kills the kobold standing over him.
The poison dripping on Ravveks skin has no effect.