DDEX 1-9: Outlaws of the Iron Route (5e Adventurer's League) (Inactive)

Game Master bookrat

Your men died to a Kobold ambush. Rath says bluntly, As soon as they saw the slightest waver in your men's attention, they fell upon your camp, cutting down nearly everyone. He.. motioning to Shoo, and I tried to assist where we could, and a good number of the scaly beasts fell to our arrows, but it was not enough. Seems to me like you are your men were played by them, and that "gift" was to make you as insanely bloodthirsty as them. That's part of why we are here now, your butchery of caravans and other innocents attracted a lot of attention, so we were sent to correct things.

Looking to the group, The question is, do you want to join us for a little revenge on those that most recently stabbed you in the back, or will you stay here in safety while we return that magical trinket she gave you on the end of sword and shaft.

-Also, if my mind doesn't betray me, I think there could be some prisoners at the kobold camp about to be sacrificed. I will try to free them, the rest can come or not. You- he says, finger pointing to Sahnd -might want to help free them. It could wash your name a bit, maybe.

Ragnar gives Clyde and Sashah their discarded equipment. He then pulls out the armband he ripped off Sahnd, and tosses it at Sahnd's feet wordlessly. He pulls up the chest and sits on the lid.
Using some hit die to heal
HD Heal: 1d12 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Our mission seems clearly outlined in front of us. - finally says the Dragonborn - And it's about time we get to visit my lowly cousins, and their winged sorceress.

Angry that his men have all be slaughtered and his plans have been ruined, he says, Yes, I will join you to take down that backstabbing witch. Just let me have my sword and armor.

I'm not going to use Sahnd to tell you where to go. Which area do you want to investigate first? You are at location 10. The first three players to agree get to decide where to go.

-Well, I'd say we first check there are no kobolds left on the camp, then we attack them from above.

Probably from 7 or from top of 6.

Rath nods in thought, If only there was a way to easily get from the ledge 2a down to the camp, we could harass them from the high ground. Another option is to circle the long way round, and press them along the path, using the waterfall to cut off their escape.

Does 2b lead to 2a? How easy would be to climb from 10 to 2a?

2a and 2b do indeed link. It's a DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check to climb up the cliff face.

Yes, with 'from top of 6' what I really meant was 'from 2a', I hadn't noticed that notation :P

Clyde pulls his eyes away from the cave mouth. "That sounds like a good idea to me. I have climbing equipment if we need it."

Let's go for it, my friends. No time to waste.

The dragonborn starts to climb towards the cave above, using the climbing equipment if possible.

Climb: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Not sure how it affects my roll, so rolling simply with STR

You would just add your proficiency bonus, since you're proficient in Athletics. Total of +5. All skill checks are written out as DC # Ability Score (Proficiency). If you have proficiency in the skill/tool/whatever in the parentheses, then you add your proficiency bonus to your ability score modifier.

I'm going to try to update today, but my 2 year old was crying all night long and I barely got three hours sleep. And we have company tonight. I may not find the time/energy.

Athletics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Ok, the plan is set: climb up to Location 2b, traverse over to 2a, then sneak down into 6.

The first person up can drop a rope, reducing the DC for everyone to DC 8 Strength (Athletics). If second precaution is set up, then you can get to the top without a check.

With the plan set, Ragnar starts his climb.
Athletics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
He easily makes his way to the top, scaling the wall like a lizard would. When he reaches the top, he pauses to look around to make sure it's safe, and lowers his rope for his companions.

This is aPush post, please respond within 24 hours

Ragnar and Shadoo easily scale the wall, and with the use of the rope, Shoo makes it easily up as well.

Going to force some dice rolls to move ahead.

Clyde Athletics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Rath Athletics: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
Sashah Athletics: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16

Clyde and Sashah are easily able to make it up, but Rath slips, his muscles more trained for quickness than raw strength.

Falling damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Rath Athletics Attempt 2: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Once at the top the group explores the cave (2b). The cave itself is littered with growing mushrooms.

The cave eventually wraps over to 2a, just as you expected. However, the cave also continues on beyond where you originally planned to exit, and you can hear voices speaking in Draconic quietly echoing in the cave, as well as some growling and snarling.

Ragnar draws his greatsword, but doesn't make another move, waiting to see what the group wants to do.

Shadoo pulls his sword and signs to the others. Whispering, he translates what's being spoken in Draconic.

Maybe our luck is changing. We should try to catch these... Players... By surprise.

Sashah leans in and whispers, "Zhey are fighting vis veasels and betting on zhem."

Shoo turns to Sashah. "Yeah, a patched weasel..."

Then focusing on the matter at hand, he grabs an arrow and stands ready to initiate the sneak.

"Any of you melee guys, signal the attack."

Ragnar grins.
"My kind of plan."
Then he starts running towards the voices.

As Ragnar rushes down the tunnel, Rath puts up his bow and brandishes his rapier, knowing ranged attacks are less effective in close quarters. He then follows the goliath into the fray.

" Yes yes..Run run..Fight fight," Sashah mumbles under his breath as he strolls after.

Shadoo advances with sword and board in hands. The paladin agreed there wasn't time to waste with fancier plans.

This is a push post. Please respond within 24 hours. Also, map updated. See "Current Combat Map."

As you charge up towards the pit fight, a ghastly animal stench fills your nostrils. You see three weasels chained to a boulder near your entrance to the room.

Two giant weasels snarl and spit at each other at the center of a low cavern, watched by four small reptilian humanoids.

Each of the Kobolds looks off in some way. The first looks like it is covered in flames, but it doesn't seem to bother him at all. The second has tiny fluttering dragonfly wings, although they don't seem to help in any way. The third is hovering two inches off the ground. The fourth has fur!

No attempt was made to be silent, with Ragnar, Rath, and Shadoo charging in headlong. The Kobolds could easily hear you coming. Despite relaxing after winning the battle, they still have adrenaline pumping through their veins and they react immediately.

Kobold 1 heads straight for the chained giant weasels and unlocks their chains, ready to set them on you.

Kobolds 2 and 3 each grab the leashes of the two fighting weasels and pull them back, trying to redirect their aggression away from the pit fight and towards you.

Animal Handling DC 8: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (11) - 2 = 91d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0

Kobold 2 gets his weasel under control, but Kobold 3 still struggles with it.

Kobold 4 pulls out his sling and launches a tiny rock at 1d7 ⇒ 1 Rath. Then he moves for cover.

Kobold 4 attack vs Rath, dis: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 221d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 241d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The rock pegs him for 4 bludgeoning damage!

The weasels all charge forward to attack, going after the closest foes. Each one attacks one of Ragnar, Rath, Shadoo, and Clyde. The fifth weasel turns around and snips at its master.

GW attack vs Clyde: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 101d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The first weasel cannot get past Clyde's armor.

GW attack vs Ragnar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 151d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The second weasel bites into Ragnar, dealing 6 piercing damage (If raging, then 3 damage.)

GW attack vs Rath: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 101d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The third weasel is too slow for the quick Rath!

GW attack vs Shadoo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 131d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The fourth weasel's teeth slide against Shadoo's armor.

GW attack vs Kobold
3 (hover): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 241d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The fifth weasel's snip seemed to hit just the wrong spot, and blood shoots out of the hovering kobold - an artery must have been cut. Within seconds, the Kobold lies dead and the weasel runs off dragging the body of the Kobold behind it, the body of the Kobold still hovering two inches off the ground.

Round 1
Initiative Order
Kobold 1 (fire)
Kobold 2 (wing)
Kobold 3 (hover; dead)
Kobold 4 (fur)
Giant Weasel 1
Giant Weasel 2
Giant Weasel 3
Giant Weasel 4
Giant Weasel 5 (running around the cave dragging a hovering kobold)
Rath <-- We are here
Clyde
Shadoo
Ragnar
Shoo
Sashah

Shadoo steps sideway, squeezing in the space with Clyde, and breathes cold in a 15-foot cone against all enemies South of them.

Five-foot-step to the right to squeeze/share with Clyde. Standard to use breath weapon in a cone Looking like the first 15-foot cone of the example, but going SW instead of NE targeting three weasels

Breath Weapon 2d6 Cold, 15ft. Cone, Con Save, 1/Short Rest, DC 11

Damage (Cold): 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7

Sashah continues walking towards the fray

Shadoo, there is no 5' step in 5e. However, you can move, attack, move all you like. And AoO (called OA in 5e) only occurs when you leave a threatened range (not a space, but the entire range area). With your current tactic, you'd have one OA against you. You can change actions if you like.

I will keep my action :) Let's hope I survive the OA!

Ragnar stands his ground and enters a rage. He lashes out at the weasel that attacked him.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 5) + 5 = 11
Also, meant to ask Sahnd but forgot, what happened to Rathene?

Not wanting the uncontrolled weasel to alert the rest of the kobolds, Shoo tries to finish it off.

Lobgbow attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Dmg if successful 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Rath stabs out at the weasel that dared attack him.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 101d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Unfortunately, the thing skitters to a side, dodging the thrust.

Clyde tries and fails to suppress a chuckle at the sight of a hovering lizard being dragged around by a giant weasel. Deflecting his weasel's bite with a shield swipe, he uses the momentum to unsheathe and slash at the overgrown marmot in one motion.

Sword Slash: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Damn, well that's what I get for trying to look cool, Clyde thinks to himself as he clumsily struggles to pull his sword out of its sheath.

Crap, I forgot about Sahnd.

Sahnd Init: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6

Round 1 conclusion:

Rath and Clyde both miss the weasels; those buggers are quick!

Shadoo takes an OA:
GW OA vs Shadoo: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 191d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The weasel clips him for 4 piercing damage.

He fires off his breath weapon:

Con Saves: 1d20 ⇒ 131d20 ⇒ 21d20 ⇒ 17

One fails it's save, but even then it is not enough to kill it. It is badly injured.

Ragnar cleaves one in half, and Shoo drops the weasel running around. The Kobold body floats beside it.

Sashah stands and watches the fight.

Sahnd had Rathene tied up in one of the tents. In his insanity, he thought she was a turncoat and spy. Little did he know the truth...

Sahnd steps forward to attack the weasel on Clyde.

Sahnd Attack vs GW: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 132d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3) + 3 = 11

And he kills it.

Round 2:

The Kobolds attack, aiming for the people being hounded by their weasels.

Kobold 1: RagRatSha: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Kobold 1 vs Rath, adv: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 191d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Rath takes 4 bludgeoning damage.

Kobold 2: RagRatSha: 1d3 ⇒ 3
Kobold 2 vs Shadoo, adv: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 151d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 151d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The sling rock misses.

Kobold 4: RagRatSha: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Kobold 4 vs Ragnar, adv: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 101d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 161d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Ragnar takes 4 (or 2) bludgeoning damage.

The weasels press their attack.

RagRat: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Weasel 1 vs Ragnar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 61d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

RagSha: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Weasel 3 vs Ragnar: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 221d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Ragnar takes 5 (or 2) piercing damage.

Initiative:
Kobold 1 (fire)
Kobold 2 (wing)
Kobold 3 (hover; dead)
Kobold 4 (fur)
Giant Weasel 1
Giant Weasel 2 (dead)
Giant Weasel 3 (-7 HP)
Giant Weasel 4 (Dead)
Giant Weasel 5 (dead)
Rath <-- We are here
Clyde
Shadoo
Ragnar
Shoo
Sahnd
Sashah

Map updated

"We need ranged on the flaming one!" Clyde barks out as he finally unsheathes his blade and charges the furry kobold.

Charging Slash: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Ragnar, can you handle these rats? I could try and assist with the Kobolds. asks Rath, debating which action he could take.

There is no delaying in 5e is there? Only do your normal actions or ready a single action?

Correct. No delaying. You can ready an action, but if it never comes that just means you skip your turn until your next initiative.

Knowing Clyde has a better knack for strategy than himself, Shoo follows his advice and shoots at the kobold in flames.

Longbow attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Dmg if successful 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Ragnar slashes at another of the weasels near him.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Crit Damage: 4d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1, 5, 4) + 5 = 17
Ragnar doesn't answer Rath, instead he cleaves another weasel in half.
2/10 Rounds of rage. Forgot I had speak with animals as a ritual, might have been able to turn these weasels on the kobolds instead of killing them =(

Hmm, ok then.

With Ragnar and Shadoo taking care of the weasels, Rath does what he probably should have done previously and sheaths his rapier, pulls out his bow, and steels himself for the ongoing combat.

Second wind: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Move put put away my rapier, action to pull out the bow, free action to second wind

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure you can attack this round if you want. Second Wind is a bonus action, you can drop your rapier for free, draw bow as part of a move, and shoot as an action. Dropping a weapon does not count as your item interaction for the turn.

You can draw one weapon per round as part of a move or attack, or use your one object interaction to draw it.

So in this case, Rath can Object Interact to put away his bow. Draw his rapier as part of a move while he moves to a Kobold. Action attack. Bonus action Second Wind.

(You just can't draw two weapons per round unless you have the Dual Wielder feat.)

Ok, different than how it was explained to me.

His bow now out, Rath takes a shot at a Kobold, ignoring the weasel nipping at his heels.

rolls/dis: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 191d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 201d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Ok, I looked it up. Drawing your weapon (as part of a move or attack) is also your one Object Interaction that you get once per round. So in this case, you could drop your weapon for free and then do the rest of the stuff you wanted.

However, since I already made the call, I'm going to keep it the way I said for the rest of this adventure. I'll change it for the next game I run. You still get your attack this round.

Round 2 conclusion:

Rath fires an arrow at the winged Kobold, killing it.

Clyde charges and kills the furry Kobold.

Shadoo stands by.

Ragnar decimates the poor weasel ordered to attack him.

Shoo clips the flaming Kobold, but he still stands tall.

Sahnd swings at the last weasel.
Sahnd vs GW 3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 172d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 6) + 3 = 13

Sashah stands by.

With only one Kobold remaining, and he being heavily injured, he books it.

Combat over.

Based on movement speed, the Kobold can get around the corner before anyone can act. Since no one had a great movement speed to catch up, I'm going to give you a check to see if you can take him out before he escapes.

If you beat a DC 12 Dexterity check, you can get a ranged attack against the Kobold. He has 1 HP left, so any damage will be enough.

Dex check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Shoo runs after the Kobold, but his reaction comes too late. He was clearly expecting the creature to die from its wounds, and the surprise of seeing it getting away with it stunned him.

dex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Rath is caught completely flat footed by the audacity of the Kobold daring to run away from it's demise.

Shadoo attacks the enemy by his SW using his longsword.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Ragnar decimates the poor weasel ordered to attack him.

Way to drive that one home lol