DM Harpwizard’s Heroes of Elsir Vale (Inactive)

Game Master GM Harpwizard

"To be honest, there is only room for ONE Red around here"

"You are a bold one, my fellow bard. If you feel as strongly as you claim, I could send word to the dragon of your challenge? I'm sure it would not take much for him to accept."

"I return to the town, so much work to be done, and so much to record. Fear not for my well being for Desna watches over me and her agents record my works, so that should I fall or be lost, the art will remain intact. I chronicle from the front, from the heart of the bloody revolution in Galt where the heads flowed like a river, to the Pirate raids off Sargava, to the elvish festivals of Kyonin. No harm comes to a Bard."

"From one bard to another, I hope you are right Rebel Red. Until we meet again, fare well!"

Ulwaia reaches over and kisses Red on the cheek and then stands and watches him depart.

Rebel Red travel back through the woods making his way back through the dark along the same route he came. After an hour or so, he returns to Brindol safely.

What do you all wish to do now?

Bofus meets up with Red on the way back to Brindol.

Well, that certainly was fun!! I hope the dragon hears of your challenge and decides to act on it. We should be able to bring him down if he does, eh? Nicely done! Now, you also told them the bridges are trapped. We should decide what are the most likely ways they'll avoid them, and trap THOSE ways.

When back behind the walls, Bofus excuses himself from his friends for some "personal business."

The trapped bridge story was sweet considering we took out a pile of giants and troops when we collapsed the bridge over the gorge.

"That taught us a lot, and yes we can now accept they think the bridge is trapped. Well we do still need to trap the bridge, because they will possibly believe I double crossed them and will plan accordingly, so it has to be a double double cross"

"Keep your eyes out for a furious red dragon arrival... and if he does, simply engage and kill it"

The evening uneasily as you all hear the pounding of drums and shrieking of goblins throughout the night. You each sleep uneasily and morning comes way too soon.

Starday, Lamashan 20, 4710, 6:45 am

You awake the following morning in Brindol Keep to the sound of a clanging bell that Lars Ulverth rings as he enters the great hall where you all sleep.

"Up and on your feet, my friends! I'm sorry to disturb your beauty rest, but you are all needed on the western side of the city. The Brindol Lions have engaged the horde from the walls on the southern side of Brindol, but we now have about five hill giants making piles of enormous boulders. Once they start throwing them, we are going to be in serious trouble. It would not take long for a few hits from these boulders to take down a good portion of the western wall. I've sent Mantooth Longbrow and some of the Brindol Guard out there to try and fend off the attackers, but I am certain that he could use a great deal more help from you."

"No Dragon showed up eh? A coward then"

"No Dragon showed up eh? A coward then"

Maybe he's waiting for you to show your face first, so he can try to burn it off. *shrug* ;-)

Maybe we should head to the south of town and ask those hill giants nicely if they'll consider not throwing boulders on our heads.

"I was kind of hoping he'd be true to his kind; rash young and foolish, full of bravado and a boastful braggart. Holding his patience and temper then coming in sensibly is the mark of a Black, I suppose I will have to taunt him with that then... who knows, the gambit may pay off yet, but sadly not as fruitful as I'd hoped"

"I was kind of hoping he'd be true to his kind; rash young and foolish, full of bravado and a boastful braggart. Holding his patience and temper then coming in sensibly is the mark of a Black, I suppose I will have to taunt him with that then... who knows, the gambit may pay off yet, but sadly not as fruitful as I'd hoped"

"What are you, mad?!! If the Red Dragon hasn't shown up, I would count your blessings! We are not exactly in a position to deal with a fire breathing flying reptiles that can take out buildings with a single swoosh of its tail!"

"I have a tailsman to give to somebody to hear communication from Lord Jarmaath. Who shall I give it to?"

Any other preparations before we go to the scene of battle?

"Mad? No, quite sane. Better I had goaded it into acting prematurely than engage it with the rest of the host. We still have to deal with it, only we now have to deal with it whilst dealing with the rest of the Wyrmlord forces. Better it was tricked into coming alone and into an untimely death, a death I could not rightly be blamed for - for those keeping score."

"Never mind, I have a battle to record"

"Mad? No, quite sane. Better I had goaded it into acting prematurely than engage it with the rest of the host. We still have to deal with it, only we now have to deal with it whilst dealing with the rest of the Wyrmlord forces. Better it was tricked into coming alone and into an untimely death, a death I could not rightly be blamed for - for those keeping score."

"Here, you take the tailsman. If Abithriax shows up, I'll let you know where to find him! At least we've evacuated all of the town of all civilians."

"Never mind, I have a battle to record."

"Let's just hope that somebody will be around to read what you've written! Be careful, Red. May Desna's luck be with you!"

"Well I'm off to find some fire protection, an Oil of Protection from Fire or the like. Makes sense to take precautions now we know where the Dragon will come looking and its most likely weapon we will face"

Tirion looks over at Red:
I can grant you resistance to fire. It will not make you invulnerable, but will make you much harder to burn.

I have Resist Energy and Protection from Energy. Resist gives you Fire Resistance 20 and the Protection will absorb the first 96 hp of damage before the Resist kicks in. Resist lasts 80 minutes at this point.

Is there anything else that needs discussing before this next battle begins? I will try to wait until I hear from you before I post. Who here is ready for battle?!

Nope, just fireproof underpants when the dragon shows up

I'm good. Not a lot of preparing for me. Might want to get a few scrolls or potions if they are available.

I'm ready to head to the south wall to see what's what there.

"I'm ready to head to the south wall to see what's what there."

"I think they have the southern attack under control. It is the western wall that we are having trouble with. I sent Mantooth Longbrow and a contingent of guards to dispatch the giants, but he is the one I need you to go and support!"

The Heroes leave the keep and race through the streets of Brindol. You arrive at the western edge of the city to find several large boulders strewn about the surrounding area. Mantooth Longbrow is standing with Magnimarana drawn, ready to fight any bladebearer hobgoblins that manage to breach the walls. At the moment, none have gotten through, but as the rocks fly, you realize that it is only a matter of time, before the giants bring down the wall. Suddenly a large rock flies through the sky and lands with a great thud, not ten feet in front of you.

Battlemat

I would already have cast Mage Armor, standard prep since it lasts 8 hours. I will also cast Message (extended) and then Spectral Hand (extended with rod of reach). Finally, I will cast Fly and move up to get a better view of the area and determine whether there is anything that can be done.

I will also cast Fly on Bofus.

Durations:
Mage Armor - 8 hours
Spectral Hand - 8 minutes
Message - 80 minutes
Fly(Tirion) - 8 minutes
Fly(Bofus) - 8 minutes

If we fly out there--Thordak can bring Red and Poppy on Lulu--around the bladebearers at the wall, we should be able to engage the giants, and maybe take some of them out before the are reinforced by the troops here. And if things go south, we can fly away, falling back to the wall. If we go out there, we should try to avoid being seen by the bladebearers so they don't just follow us--but we should decide quickly...

Almost better of they follow us. I can drop some black tentacles and webs to slow the bladebearers. If the bladebearers come after us, then Mantooth and the guards on the wall can pepper them with arrows going and coming.

Yeah, I like it. Just don't tap yourself too fast, we've got a long war ahead of us! Anyone object to Tirion's plan? I think I should fly a couple seconds ahead, and out of sight, so I can sneak up on the giants, and the rest of you try to get the hobbies to follow. Sound good?

Bofus has his bow out, and is hovering, ready to set out to stop those giants...

"Well met, my friends! Am I glad to see you! These giants snuck out there some time ago, but they have only recently begun their assault. It does not look like they are going to run out of boulders any time soon! I am happy to lead the charge out and attack the giants first. I'm also not afraid of any hobgolbins."

Initiative

Bofus Initiative: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Mantooth Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Poppy’s Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Rebel Red’s Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Thordak Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Tirion’s Initiative: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Giant’s Initiative: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11
Hobgoblin’s Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Battlemat

Round 1

• Bofus (unresolved)
• Mantooth (unresolved)
• Tirion (unresolved)
• Red (unresolved)
• Poppy (unresolved)
• Thordak (unresolved)
• Giants (unresolved)
• Hobgoblins (unresolved)

Is Mantooth joining us on the field?

Lets hit the giants. Between Mantooth, Red, Thordak and Bofus, we should be able to take down the giants quick, one at a time. I can slow the hobgoblins with webs and other spells.

Round 1

Mantooth draws his blade and moves through the whole in the wall by J1 to come out attacking on the other side.

ROUND 1

Bofus nods to his friends. I'm going to the north, and will be ready to engage the giants one at a time. Don't leave me out there alone too long, OK??

He flies to the top of the wall (-C 3), peeking out over the top to plan his stealthy approach to the northernmost giant.

Tirion wil fly up and cast a Web centered at F/-3 which should block that hole in the wall and catch several bladebearers.

Cast Web - DC18 or grappled. Makes terrain difficult if reflex saves are made.

Reflex Saving Throw F0: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 Grappled!

Reflex Saving Throw G-1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Battlemat

The web closes up the hole in the wall and captures a hobgoblin in the sticky mesh.

Red, you are up.

Red legs it to the battle "Mantooth is too far forward he'll get mobbed! fall in to line so we don't get flanked, seal that gap!"

Red to I1

Those on the 3 line he orders up to form a wall along the 1 line.
G7 and H9 to seal the gap at the top, the other two to seal the bottom.

Artists Impression

Round 1

Thordak runs up to the wall and tries to exit through the hole created by the large boulder at N3.

"Save a few goblins fer me, Mantooth! Glimdraath is getting hungry!"

Hmmm I had assumed the Wall was a low one and that we could use height. But if it is actually a tall one then Red stays on the safe side, seeking to pull the shield wall back and cull those coming in. Go outside the safety wall, you go alone :p

Round 1

Most hobgoblins await for the giants to take down the wall, so they can storm the city, but a few make an attempt to take down any who are making an appearance outside of the city walls.

I0 attacks Mantooth.
Shortsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

J-1 steps forward and attacks Mantooth.
Shortsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

K0 attacks Mantooth.
Shortsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

F0 attempts to escape from the web.

CMB vs. DC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Tirion, could you please list the spell's DC to help with my resolution of escape attempts.

The Hill Giants throw a barrage of boulders. They either have terrible aim, or they are simply aiming at the city wall.

AB

Rock: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

EF

Rock: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

KL

Rock: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

PQ

Rock: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

TL

Rock: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Rubble flies as huge boulders come crashing down into the wall, breaking holes into the defense.

Hmmm I had assumed the Wall was a low one and that we could use height. But if it is actually a tall one then Red stays on the safe side, seeking to pull the shield wall back and cull those coming in. Go outside the safety wall, you go alone :p

Yeah, um, this is OOC--but going outside the wall is really not very strategically sound. You need to make the bad guy come to you in this case; the small entry holes reduce the numerical advantage, but leaving the protection of the wall eliminates the defensive advantage.

The exception is taking down the giants--and I certainly hope you all don't expect Bofus to take down 5 hill giants alone, fast enough to stop the last one from making gaping holes in the wall...

Round 1

• Bofus flies to the top of the wall at -C3 and peeks over the top of the wall to plan his next move.
• Mantooth moves to J1 and prepares to exit the wall and attack a multitude of hobgoblins.
• Tirion flies up and casts web, trying to block the hobgoblins from breaching the wall.
• Red moves up behind the wall. The wall is indeed tall. I moved you in behind Mantooth.
• Poppy follows Red.
• Thordak moves up to hole at N3 and prepares to fight off any hobgoblins.
• Hobgoblins ready an attack, but three of them actually attack Mantooth, but unfortunately miss the paladin.
• Giants throw rocks at the wall in an effort to bring them down.

Battlemat

Round 2

• Bofus (unresolved)
• Mantooth (unresolved)
• Tirion (unresolved)
• Red (unresolved)
• Poppy (unresolved)
• Thordak (unresolved)
• Giants (unresolved)
• Hobgoblins (unresolved)

Round 2

Mantooth attempts to take down the hobgoblins in front of him. (Attacks J0 until killed and then he attacks I0 next.)

Magnimarana 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21 (+8/+3 BAB, +5 Str, +3 Enchant)
Damage 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 (+2 Enchant, +5 Str)

Magnimarana 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24 (+8/+3 BAB, +5 Str, +3 Enchant)
Damage 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 (+2 Enchant, +5 Str)

this sux. it's going to take me 4 rounds just to get to the friggin' giants. Unless...Point of order, DMHW. Can one make a "run" action while flying??

I actually though we were all going to fly out behind the giants and attack them as a mass. I did not think that we would try to charge through the hobgoblins.

I can cast fireball to injure some hobgoblins, but I think that fly and haste are better uses of my spells.

I was going to cast fly on myself, Bofus and Red. Thordak and Mantooth were going to fly out on the hippogriff.

Yeah, that's kind of what I thought. Not sure about why they're doing the ground attack on the hobbies...but hey, if the two shorties have to take out 5 giants, then so effing be it!!!

can't 'run' flying as far as I know

Not sure why we charged straight up the middle either, certainly my last choice, but once Mantooth went we were committed.

You can do what you like. To be honest, I was not sure how this was going to play out. Please keep in mind that Mantooth has some guards to back him up, so I would not worry about leaving him. The hobgoblins really have not charged yet. They are waiting for more walls to be taken down.

ROUND 2

Bofus flies, using the trees to cover, and close toward the giants to -C -7

Stealth: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (15) + 25 = 40

Have we lost the two captains?

You have not lost them. Captain Ulverth and Sergeant Sura are battling the horde on the south side of Brindol. You have been given this mission to handle on your own.