DM Cobalt's Unshackled City

Game Master Craig Mercer

Thr goblins swarm towards Darian. He swings his ranseur, attacking them as they rush forward, but there are more than he can kill.
Darian's AoO's:
AoO 1: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 = 10
Damage: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
AoO 2: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14
Damage: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
AoO 3: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d10 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Unfortunately, the first two swings miss the nimble goblins, although the last one dies swiftly. (g22 dies)

The goblins attack Darian!
Goblin 17 attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Goblin 21 attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Goblin 27 attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

The goblins with bows out (g23 and g24) pepper arrows at Felix and Taravel.
G23 at Taravel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
G24 at Felix: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

More goblins continue to arrive from deeper in the goblin villages.
One of the goblins (gw) begins to sing a lively song about goblins, puppies, babies, and eating. The rest cheer and join in for the chorus!

The hobgoblin that retreated pulls out a potion and swallows it.

Hobgoblin 2 takes a swing at Soth-Loren, who had drawn blood from him.
hg2 Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

The two bowmen take shots at Felix.
hg3 Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
hg3 Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

The "Pretty Lady" continues to caper by the side of the leader, encouraging him.
The hobgoblin leader starts a spell...

New Round!
Init:
Terra
Darian
Emyralda
Taravel
Worg
Felix
Soth-Loren
Goblins
Hobgoblins
"Pretty Lady"
Hobgoblin Leader

New Map

Felix continues to fire and withdraw.
Target G27 move to Y14
Comp Long Bow
to hit 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
to hurt 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

If the baddies are still being tricked with the spell, Terra keeps it going.

The Hobgoblins with bows haven't tried shooting into the fog yet, and I haven't rolled anything for the goblin horde, since they have other targets to attack and swarm.
So the illusion is still having some effect.

Darian steps back to get clear of the weapons and sweeps his polearm across the line of foes.

5' adjust back to S13

Power Attack, Warg: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 2 = 22
Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 12

Cleave, G17: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16
Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 16

Cleaving Finish (if either target falls), G27: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12
Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 14

Tara casts a spell at the closest goblin to Darian and a small glob of acid flies toward it.
She then moves to Y 14.

Ranged touch with Acid Splash 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Damage 1d3 ⇒ 2

Soth grimaced as he was struck deeply by the Hobgoblin. "Gaah."

Blood was running freely down his wound and he was beginning to feel the first signs of battle fatigue, he couldn't keep fighting like this for long.

"This needs to stop. I can't die here." Gritting his teeth through the pain he returned the swing from the Hobgoblin with a mighty one of his own.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Seeing the hobgoblin leader begin the telltale signs of spellcasting, Emyralda sights down her crossbow and fires in an attempt to disrupt his spell. She then reloads her crossbow with her last bolt.

The effects of Bardic Performance (Inspire Courage) continue for 1 more round due to Lingering Performance Feat. Standard action to fire light crossbow at spellcasting hobgoblin leader. Move action to reload.

Crossbow Attack vs. Hobgoblin Leader: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 = 22
Crossbow Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Rounds of Bardic Performance used today: 2/11
Number of bolts used today: 9/10

Buffs in Effect:
Inspire Courage (Party): +1 competence bonus to attack and damage rolls; +1 morale bonus to saves vs. charm and fear effects.

Sorry Felix, but Taravel moves before you, so she gets Y14. You have to settle for Y13.

New Round!
Init:
Terra
Darian
Emyralda
Taravel
Felix
Soth-Loren
Goblins
Hobgoblins
"Pretty Lady"
Hobgoblin Leader

New Map

"Just fall over already!" Soth cut across at his foe again.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

AoO vs Goblin 21: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 13

AoO vs Goblin 27: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12
Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 15

Cleaving Finish (if one drops, follow through to the other): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 14

Does that negate either of the attacks?

No, two misses. Sorry Darian.

Soth-Loren, the hobgoblin is badly injured, but still not dropped after your attack hits. But then the hobgoblins are the tough targets here (they have levels).

Darian grunts as a goblin blade finds a gap in his armor leaving a shallow gash on his thigh. He whirled his polearm and swept it across the cluster of goblins again.

Power Attack to G27: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 16

Cleave to G21: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 13

Cleaving Finish to G30: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 15

Acro to avoid AoOs (DC= CMD): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Trying as best he can to dodge away, Darian retreated up the hill closer to his allies.
Move to X12

Felix returns fire against the goblins (g24)

Comp Long Bow: rapid shot, bard perform
to hit 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 23
to hurt 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Comp Long Bow: rapid shot, bard perform
to hit 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 6
to hurt 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Keeping that illusion going.

Is the plan to simply retreat now, or are we going to try and hold our position near the illusion?

If we're going to hold position near and/or in the illusion, we're going to need someone to start making ranged attacks against the hobgoblin shaman-leader and the pretty lady up on the ledge to keep them from casting spells at us. I've only got one crossbow bolt left and no effective spells that can reach that far.

As far as I can tell, the mass of goblins haven't seen through the illusion... yet. We may be able to draw them in, hope most of them fail their saves, and take them out a bit easier if they can't see.

Will do. Shaman will become my primary target. Just keep those things off me.

Pretty sure I'm going to stay on goblin-clearing duty. Keeping you guys near and our backs to the illusion should help limit the numbers that can engage us at once.

Tara pulls a potion of CLW and downs it.

CLW 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Not sure but everyone has been retreating to the illusion for cover, so I didn't want to take it down.

Now that we're closer together we can cover one another and concentrate damage better. With some smart play and a little luck, we can make it out of this and look like heroes.

Emyralda steps toward Terra as she once again begins to sing an inspiring Varisian tune, bolstering her companions' courage.

Move action 10 ft to square CC,12. Standard action to begin Bardic Performance (Inspire Courage), granting all allies who can hear her a +1 competence bonus to attack and damage rolls, and a +1 morale bonus to saves vs. charm and fear effects.

Rounds of Bardic Performance used today: 3/11

Buffs in Effect:
Inspire Courage (Party): +1 competence bonus to attack and damage rolls; +1 morale bonus to saves vs. charm and fear effects.

Slight catch-up, while still not having time to map properly...
Darian slays the three goblins he attacked, and moves back without a problem.
Felix manages to kill the archer that was shooting at him.

The goblin swarm grows a bit, but only inches forward a bit, keeping out of range of Darian. Even the chanting of the warsinger goblin seems a litle flat.
Until a goblin with a skull perched on his head moves into the crowd. The goblins part for him, and look to be encouraged by his presence. He pulls out a gourd, drops something into it, and then hurls the suddenly flaming concotion at Darian!
Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11

The goblins cheer wildly at the firey destruction, and even the two hobgoblins with bows pause to watch the firey holocaust.

The hobgoblin in the illusion with Soth-Loren pays scant attention however, and tries to slay his opponet before Soth-Loren can slay him.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

The Hobgoblin shaman glares at Emyralda, and then retreats back into the cave. The 'Pretty Lady' jeers for a second or two longer, then scurries after him.

I will get a map up soon.

New Map

Looking at the map, I find that the Goblin Alchemist missed Darian but put the miss in Felix's square.
So Darian, Felix, and Taravel all take 3 HP splash damage from the bomb.

Emyralda ceases her singing as she reaches into Terra's pack and retrieves the wand contained therein. The young woman then steps to the edge of the 'mist' behind Taravel. "Here! Use it on Darian!" she instructs the barbarian.

Free action to stop singing; the effects of Bardic Performance (Inspire Courage) continue for 2 more rounds due to Lingering Performance Feat. Move action to retrieve Terra's Wand of Enlarge Person. Second move action 20 feet to square Z,14 to pass it off to Taravel.

Rounds of Bardic Performance used today: 3/11

Buffs in Effect:
Inspire Courage (Party): +1 competence bonus to attack and damage rolls; +1 morale bonus to saves vs. charm and fear effects.

Felix turns his attention to the alchemist.

Comp Long Bow:rapid shot, bard song
to hit 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 16
to hurt 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8
Comp Long Bow:rapid shot, bard song
to hit 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 19
to hurt 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

Soth-Loren was beginning to tire. Sweat was starting to drip down his face and his face was flush from exertion and pain. The echoing sound of Emyralda's music was helping to keep him focused. He dodged aside from a blow of the Hobgoblins and in on his guard to stab forward into his chest.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Reflex vs Splash: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

down to 10 HP

The blast caught Darian completely by surprise. He cursed and swatted out the flames.

Glancing behind him he saw Soth-Loren being hard pressed by the Hobgoblin. He wanted to engage but couldn't expose the others to the mob of goblins.

"Gopher, Kill." he said harshly while set his weapon against the advancing horde.

Move Action: order Gopher to Attack the Hobgoblin. Standard Action: Ready an Attack against the first goblins to get within range.

Readied Attack, Power attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28
Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 14

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 16

Cleaving Finish (if the readied action drops a goblin and another is moving into range): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 = 19
Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 + 3 + 1 = 13

As a note, the readied action happens as they enter my threat range, so it happens before AoOs. If they keep coming I'll get those too. :)

Gopher had been vibrating like a taught spring, full of angry agression from the violence surrounding him. Finally unleashed, he burst forward and lunched at the Hobgoblin's hamstrings.

Move to z12
Bite, Flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8

Trip (if bite hits): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 = 25

Not sure if Dogs can get Morale bonuses. If so, add +1 to both rolls

Inspire Courage is a competence bonus to attack and damage, not a morale bonus, so hopefully it would affect the dogs as well.

HP 24/36

Tara takes the wand, then does as instructed, using it on the warrior, greatly increasing his size.

Terra keeps the mist up. Maybe you guts should move back into the mist and get a little concealment? 20% miss chance. And if things get to heavy you can fall back for full cover. If you guys want me to stop let me know And I will end the spell.

Quick updates for planning...
Felix's shots hit the goblin alchemist, but do not put him down.

Soth-Loren strike downs the hobgoblin he was fighting at last.

"Woah." Darian says as he suddenly swells to to almost twice his usual height.

Please add +1 to the attacks and damage of my readied attacks from the +2 Strength increase

Darian and Felix both succeeded at the DC 14 Will saves to see through the misty illusion, so they can join us in taking cover in the 'mist' without being hindered by it. Not sure if Taravel attempted the save yet - if not, she gets a +4 bonus to the save since Emyralda alerted everyone to the illusion's nature via her Message spell.

The crowd of goblins continues to grow, although they seem a bit more hesitant to attack the giant Darian. The goblin bomber ducks back into the crowd, no doubt planning further mischief. He slurps down something from another gourd.
The goblin warchanter continues to inspire the goblins, who look to be working themselves into a frenzy.
In the far distance, the odd baying of goblin hounds sounds, indicating that some of the animals from further in the villages have been mounted and are on their way (gr1 thru gr4 are mounted goblins).

The two hobgoblin archers don't hesitate at all, but fire at the enlarged Darian.
hg3 Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
hg3 Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

New Round!
New Map

The alchemist has not surrendered the field so remains Felix's target. (if the alchemist is gone before Felix's turn, the warchanter is his next target.)

Comp Long Bow: rapid shot, bard song
to hit 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 25
to hurt 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Comp Long Bow: rapid shot, bard song
to hit 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 10
to hurt 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

confirm crit: rapid shot, bard song
to hit 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 13
to hurt 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11

Felix, the goblin alchemist has some concealment from you because of the crowd of goblins.
20% miss chance. 1d100 ⇒ 18

Down to 8 HP. Ouch. A little help here please?

Darian grunts in pain as a goblin arrow finds it's mark. He was definitely feeling the fatigue of battle now. This was not going well.

Yanking a potion from his belt, he downed it and huffed at the sudden disappearance of much of the pain.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Move to retrieve it. Standard to drink it. Up to 14. I could still use a little healing.

"Fall back into the mist, where they can't see us! Make them come to you!" Emyralda calls to her companions. Remaining in the illusion, she steps toward Darian and sings a quick healing spell to mend some of his wounds.

The effects of Bardic Performance (Inspire Courage) continue for 1 more round due to due to Lingering Performance feat. 5 ft step to square Z,13. Standard action to cast Cure Light Wounds on Darian: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 hp healed.

Rounds of Bardic Performance used today: 3/11

Buffs in Effect:
Inspire Courage (Party): +1 competence bonus to attack and damage rolls; +1 morale bonus to saves vs. charm and fear effects.

Darian, you could still take a 5 ft step back into the illusion, although you would still be sticking out a bit...