DM Carbide's The Dragon's Demand (Inactive)

Game Master John Woodford

The shaft doesn't appear to connect to the pits on either side of the ridge.

Gotcha. So the only unexplored option is to cross the rock-ridge to the hanging rope, correct?

I’m good for a blade, so anyone that wants that Cold Iron sword should say so.

“I’ll scout ahead…” Arien whispers. ”If it’s clear, I’ll signal Huc to climb. Should we rig up something for Fynn?”

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 +1 v. traps

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Arien slowly and carefully works her way out onto the earthen bridge, wary of the dangers this warren has previously thrown at them.

Huc grabs her arm before she moves out, then pulls out his rope to tie around her waist. Taking a firm grasp, he nods his readiness, letting out slack as she sneaks across the bridge.

Gotcha. So the only unexplored option is to cross the rock-ridge to the hanging rope, correct?

Correct.

I’m still sneaking forward…

Temperance is well stocked on weapons and doesn't want to overload. :) . More for Nighttail!

Temperance readies a shuriken, alert for danger.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Arien's footsteps on the stone are silent, betraying no hint of her presence to any listeners. All is quiet. The only movement is the elf herself. Nighttail warned of possible ambushes here, but there's no sign of any concealed attackers.

Is anyone following Arien across the ridge before she gets to the landing on the other side?

No wayyyy!

Nope, but Huc is holding the other end of the rope tied around her waist.

Arien continues her surreptitious crawl across the bridge.

Do I need another roll?

No; I was away for the weekend, and didn't get a chance to post.

The elf inches forward silently. Unfortunately for her, she has no cover...unlike the half-dozen kobolds concealed behind a curtain of flowstone. Fynn whimpers a warning as a half-dozen sling stones fly towards Arien. Four find their mark for a whopping 4 HP plus 1 NL.

Round 1:
Initiative order
Arien
Kobolds
Rowane
Master Temperance
Huc & Fynn

Arien can act! Note that to reach the kobolds, it's necessary to climb down into the side pit, then back up the other side. Although it's a short jump, the curtain of rock lacks a ledge. It's possible to return missile fire, though the kobolds have cover.

There seems to be a switchback leading up to where I assume the kobolds are attacking from as well? Can I run up there?

Sure.

”AMBUSH!” Arien’s blade clears leather as the she cries out to her allies and she rushes up the rocky incline.

MW Elven Curve Blade: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Round 1 (ongoing; rearranged):

Initiative order
Kobolds-acted
Rowane
Master Temperance
Huc & Fynn
Arien-

Arien rushes around and cuts down the first of the ambushers. The next one drops its sling, snatches up a spear, and stabs ineffectually at the elf. The other four send sling stones flying everywhere in the chamber except where the faithful hound stands. Pathetic set of rolls to hit...5, 1, 1, 3, 4.

Everyone can act!

”GET’EM!” yells Huc, and Fynn responds, racing across the stone bridge to try to take another bite out of kobold hide.

Handle Animal DC 12: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

bite, power attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 1 = 21
damage: 1d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 3 = 9

Huc steps forward as he pulls the fire flask back out of his pack, then he hurls it up into the middle of the kobold ranks.

Targetting the 3rd kobold back (to try to splash two other kobolds)
ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3; if hit, 1 damage to adjacent kobolds.
… and following round turn, if applicable
fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Round 1 (ongoing; rearranged):

Initiative order
Kobolds-acted
Rowane
Master Temperance
Huc & Fynn-acted
Arien-

Despite attacking around the edge of the stony curtain, Fynn brings his target down. Unfortunately for Huc, though, his alchemist's fire doesn't quite hit one of the openings in the curtain, and burns itself out on the rock.

Rowane, Master Temperance, and Arien to go!

“Get ’em, Fynn!” Arien snatches a dagger from her bandolier and lobs it at the foremost kobold.

Dagger, thrown: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

5' step back to try to get partial cover from the wall.

Round 1 (ongoing; rearranged):

Initiative order
Kobolds-acted
Rowane
Master Temperance
Huc & Fynn-acted
Arien-acted

Arien hits and wounds the lead kobold, but doesn't quite drop it.

Master Temperance and Rowane to go!

Temperance moves down the hallway at gnomish speed. "Here, Arien!" he says encouragingly.

The golden cleric moves along the edge and takes a shot at the kobolds.

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Rowane's bolt glances off of the rock curtain near one of the openings.

Nighttail calls out from her position at the rear of the party. "I'm going to try to get them to stop fighting!" She continues in Draconic.

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Kobolds-delaying
Rowane
Master Temperance
Huc & Fynn
Arien-

All of the kobolds hold off on attacking, but keep their weapons ready and eye Arien and Fynn suspiciously.

Party up!

”Down, Fynn!” Huc shouts as he hustles forward. He draws his morningstar from his belt, but stops short, leaving the kobolds a few feet of open space to realize that the next few moments of the fight are up to them.

"Your move, ya scaly bastards."

Command Fynn to Disengage (free action)
Handle Animal, DC12: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Move up to the front line, drawing morningstar on the way.
Then ready an action to attack any kobold who moves forward aggressively. (Aggressively being the key word. if they drop weapons and move forward, obviously, Huc won't brain them.)

Anyone else have an action? The kobolds don't make any hostile moves yet based on Huc and Fynn's actions.

Rowane lowers his crossbow, and nods towards the kobolds.

Arien lowers her blade, and raises her goggles to level her red-eyed gaze at the kobolds.

“Your tribe is at a pivotal moment – a civil war, and the survivors will follow Nighttail, or cast their lot with Roaghaz and be snuffed out entirely. Now is your time to save as much of your tribe as you can – help Nighttail, and help yourselves.”

Arien gestures grandly to their kobold ally, hoping to sway the reptilians to their cause.

“Convince your fellows to abandon these caves, and the traitor Roaghaz. Nighttail will take his life, and assume her rightful place to lead the tribe to a better future.”

[dice=Diplomacy, Inspiration]1d20+2+1d6=18
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+7=22

Nighttail translates for the elf, since the other kobolds don't speak Common, managing to capture at least some of Arien's tone. To her practiced eye, the remaining kobolds seem to be swayed by her entreaty. They huddle and mutter to each other, then the wounded one speaks. Nighttail again translates. "They say they'll stand down. They won't fight against the chief, but they won't fight for him, either."

Out of combat! They do, indeed, let you pass unmolested. Rowane catches a brief bit of conversation in Draconic--they seem to be getting their story straight, in case Roaghaz wins and they have to explain why they're still alive.

Huc gives the kobolds a hard stare as they pass by. "Good choice," he mutters as he considers their path through the caves so far. "So, we've only seen one area we haven't searched, right?"

And I only see one area of the map un-explored.

"Head that way?"

Master Temperance bows to the kobolds as they pass. He nods to Huc. "Yes, one area past another chokepoint, I think, and that covers the lair as we know it."

So, down the hole?

Huc looks down into yet another hole, "Well, only one thing for it, right?" He makes sure all of his gear is secure, then ties Arien securely back into her line. "I can go first, if you'd rather. I'll just have to take a light with me. Or I could lower you just far enough to get a look, then you could tell me whether you want back up or lowered the rest of the way."

Yep, down the hole. Ariens' senses would be good here, but Huc can go first since we're not sure what's waiting for us and want' know until our eyes get into the gloom below. :/

Arien hears nothing from below, and Fynn doesn't seem disturbed by any scents rising from the lower level. The elf climbs down the rope, to find herself in a chamber of moderate size. It is empty, and the rest of the party descends without incident.

There are openings to the north at the east and west sides of the north wall. Where to?

Huc spends a moment looking and listening down each cave.

Perception, left: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Perception, right: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

If information gleaned gives us a solid lead, he'll share that with the team. If not...

He looks at Arien with a shrug, "Your call."

The darkness down either passage is absolute, but based on the echoes Huc guesses that the two passages rejoin not far to the north.

"Huh," Huc whispers, "same passage?" And he finishes with the same thought as before, looking at Arien, "Your call."

Same marching order as before? Arien/Fynn > Master T / Rowae > Huc.

"It could easily be another ambush, with combatants waiting on one side," says Temperance. "....choose the right side." . He offers no logical explanation for his choice.

Sorry folks. Got distracted with work. Ye olde coin toss? L=1, R=2
EDIT: Just re-read your post, Master Temperance. For some reason, I read that as correct-right, not starboard-right. Oh, well. Right, either way.

Coin toss: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Arien slowly peeks out from around the stone wall, working her way across the shadows.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12   +1 v. traps
Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Temperance was deliberately vague. :D

Arien does a superlative job of keeping to the side of the passage and not letting the light that shines before her betray her position with a shadow. She can see up ahead that the tunnel opens out into a larger cavern, and thinks she hears muttering as of a spell being cast.

One with the shadow, Arien slips back to the group, updating them on her reconnoiter in whispers.

What do folks want to do?

Temperance pulls out an alchemist's fire and offers it to Arien. "Shall we make a splashy entrance?" he says in a hushed voice.

Push forward, I guess.

Huc shrugs, "I reckon it's as good anything. Have it ready," he says as he swaps out his shield for his axe. "Let's move," he grunts as he moves quietly forward.

Move forward stealth fully.
Perception, Huc: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 - 2 = 23
.
Perception, Fynn: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15; Low-Light, Scent
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

What’s the lighting situation ahead? Is there any chance of me sneaking across the room?

It's completely dark ahead, so hiding is going to be problematic.

It's completely dark ahead, so hiding is going to be problematic.

I’m confused. Oh, wait, kobolds have darkvision, don’t they? ( So do I. )

Whispering to her cohorts, Arien lays out a strategy. ”Huc, we‘ll need a light source, if the rest of you are going to be able to fight effectively. I’ll try to buy us some time with Temperance’s vial of alchemist’s fire. I’ll lob this thing, and you can use the time to conjur Light.”

Huc takes two empty sacks from his pack, then makes a little tent under which he breathes a magical, heatless flame to life on his massive axe. (I'm hoping that means the light hasn't reached our opponents.) He leaves the axe covered, holding it in place with his off-hand.

"When you throw, I'll pull the sacks away and go in swingin'."

Basically, Huc will try to keep the Light covered until Arien and Mr T throw their vials. Then he'll drop the sack as he moves into combat. Does that work, Carbide?

Sure. What's the source of light for Master Temperance to move up and attack, or is he going to go after Arien has lit up the area with the alchemists' fire?

Temperance will light his hooded lantern (but keep it hooded)

Alrighty…

Once everyone signals their readiness, Arien moves deep into the chamber, running along the room’s edge and lobbing the chemical vial toward the waiting kobolds.

Alchemist’s Fire: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5    Splash=1

I’m not 100% on the mechanics here, but wouldn’t the sudden burst of flame trigger the kobolds’ Light Blindness?