DM Panic's Scourge of the Slavelords Prologue

Game Master wakedown

As the raindrops fall, Mukluk turns to the Elf.

"Is this your fault?"

Definitely.

Mukluk grumbles and goes to find a dry spot to sleep.

Elf is more trouble than he's worth. He better hook me up with that dwarf lass...

* * *

In the morning, Mukluk will rise early to get people ready for their trek up the hill and into the forge.

He will prepare spells and get ready.

By full sun, he will try to get the party up for getting up the hill, referring back to his genius, can't-fail plan of yesterday.

"You guy know what to do, right?"

OK, recapping the party's plan so I make sure I got it correctly...

Shortly after sunrise, the five of you will trek up the ascent to Khundrukar's front door.

Petrel will be a couple minutes ahead of the group, sneaking his way up (also moving at half speed - 15ft - once he begins sneaking).

The rest of you, when you're a couple minutes from the top will pause to let Petrel get ahead and reach the point where he successfully observed the pair of orcs two days prior. This is likey 400-500ft ahead of the rest of the group.

If that's all correct, Petrel should roll Stealth and Perception checks.

Maybe a rabbit's foot or two would help. Big one's that he could tie to the bottom of his feet so he'd step quietly.

Once Petrel sets out on his own, Tiabrar will give him a couple minutes head start and then drink his mutagen which lasts 30 minutes.

Is it possible to climb above the entrance, and get a drop on the front door guards? Or check out the hole the smoke comes through? Petrel will go off-script to do that if it is possible without climbing gear.

Stealth 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Climb 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Acrobatics (Just in case) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Perception is wrong, forgot to modify it when I pasted in one skill and modd'd the names and bonus. Perception is +5 for petrel so the result is 13

Martigan settles his armor and prepares for the day ahead.

Feels good to be wearing armor for the fight this time.

Doruk spends the morning preparing his weapons for the day ahead and practicing. Then he'll sharpen his guisarme a bit still have a little orc in this notch here.

He'll do his best to move up the roadway quietly, but as we all know, he'll be the one the guards hear first when it comes to it.

Stealth 1d20 - 7 ⇒ (8) - 7 = 1

Yay! A positive number!

O1 P: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13
O2 P: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6

Petrel skulks up the path again, moving as quietly and cautiously as he can. Inside his head he tries to keep count with the others, who should be counting to about two hundred before they continue their frontal assault, but the knife master loses his place and after restarting at '1' several times, realizes it's pointless.

The two orc senties seem slightly more attentive today, but that doesn't prevent Petrel from moving past them and peeking into the cave mouth beyond their post. Inside the cave, the light from the rising sun in the cloudy sky only penetrates so far before Petrel realizes he will need a torch or some other form of light to be effective within.

He does notice several notched arrow slits about 15 feet above the entrance path and barely glimpses a large stone double door at the back of the cave - which is slightly ajar - just enough for one person to squeeze through.

As he begins to report back to the others, he can hear the two orcs stirring excitedly.

"Grum'thor grak!" one shouts to his companion.

Another post coming...

As Doruk, Martigan, Mukluk, and Tiabrar make their ascent they realize that Doruk alone makes enough noise to account for a dwarven army storming the fortress.

The path climbs up one last steep switchback toward the bare shoulder here, revealing the precipitous drop to your left. Debris and rubble lie scattered all over the last hundred yards or so of the path - discarded waterskins, bits of charred bone and splintered kegs discarded by the orcish occupants from within.

As promised by Petrel, two orcs stand here in scale armor clutching longbows. One seems to be nudging the other and pointing in your direction.

INIT
Doruk: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Martigan: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Mukluk: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Petrel: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Tiabrar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Wark & Thark: 1d20 ⇒ 9

1--
19 Martigan :
13 Mukluk :
9 Wark & Thark :
7 Doruk :
6 Tiabrar :
5 Petrel :

Battle Map, round 1

Round 1! Go ahead Martigan and Mukluk...

Everyone else can post their round 1 actions as well. On their initiative, Wark will stand and fire his longbow, while Thark takes off running into the cave to alert the entire complex of your arrival.

Round 1, Initiative 7, Location A24 -> B13

Doruk, upon seeing the shaft of an arrow fly his way, stops just walking and starts running toward the orcs. He makes it as far as B13 in his heavy armor.

Maybe I should be mounted. This heavy armor is really slowing me down!

Round 1, Init 13

Mukluk double moves to B19.

Okay, Petrel, they've seen us. Now it's your time to jump down and slay them each in one blow! C'mon buddy, do your thing!

Round 1 Init 19

"Once more into the fray chums."

Martigan moves forward to stop the arrows.

Double move to B18(ish).

I thought Petrel would stay up hidden behind / near the orcs, according to the plan

"Eventually, they are going to hear us...and that's when we attack. Petrel, I hope you can stop their alarm system before it get's activated if they have one.

Round 1, Init 6

Tiabrar moves up to A-20 and fires an arrow.
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
1d8 ⇒ 3

1 --
19 Martigan : Moves forward
13 Mukluk : Moves forward
9 Wark : Fires an arrow
9 Thark : Runs into cave
7 Doruk : Runs forward
6 Tiabrar : Moves, fires arrow and misses
5 Petrel : TBD

2 --
19 Martigan :
13 Mukluk :
9 Wark :
9 Thark :
7 Doruk :
6 Tiabrar :
5 Petrel :

The heroes on the ledge begin charging forward at the pair of orcs. One of the two orcs dashes inside the cave while his companion misses Doruk with an arrow launched from his longbow.

Wa vs D: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 for 1d8 ⇒ 8

Petrel watches as one of the orcs rushes forward unwittingly in his direction.

Updated Map

Note unlike the orc patrol returning, who were wearing studded leather, these orcs are wearing scale mail and are AC15.

Round 2 Init 19

*huff huff huff*

Almost there!

Double move up.

Round 2, Init 13

Mukluk double moves to C11.

Where is Petrel? They should be dead by now.

Petrel will press against the rough and curved walls of the tunnel and then try to catch the orc by surprise.

Stealth 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Single knife sneak 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 191d4 + 2d8 ⇒ (2) + (4, 8) = 14

Round 2, Init 6

Tiabrar moves up to C-15 and fires another arrow.
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
1d8 ⇒ 1

EDIT: I missed I'm after the orcs, but I'm guessing this won't change.

Round 2, Initiative 7, Location B13->F7

Doruk continues his 'run' to F7 in a double move. Unless the orcs moved up last round, he's got no swing.

JUST out of reach!! Argh!

Doruk prepares to take an arrow to the chest.

In case the orc steps up... my attack of opportunity will be to trip so as to avoid his attack.
Guisarme combat expertise, trip 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 vs the opponents CMD.

5 Petrel : Stabs Thark in the neck for -14HP

2 --
19 Martigan : Moves
13 Mukluk : Moves
9 Wark (-1HP): Moves, get's tripped
9 Thark (-14HP): Attempts to move (AoO from Petrel pending)
9 Orc Archers : All three miss Doruk
9 Orc ?? : ??
7 Doruk : Moves, AoO trips
6 Tiabrar : Moves, arrow hits for -1HP
5 Petrel : TBD

3 --
19 Martigan :
13 Mukluk :
9 Wark :
9 Thark :
7 Doruk :
6 Tiabrar :
5 Petrel :

As Thark reaches the cover of the caves, he glances upwards at the numerous arrow slits along the upper half of the wall. The brutish orc begins to hop up and down, waving his arms and grunting to get the attention of his companions beyond.

From the shadows, Petrel steps out, light reflecting off his hungry knife and the flame that is Thark's life is nearly extinguished.

Being an orc, Thark is at -8 and staggered, with death at -12HP.

1d20 ⇒ 10

Between Wark's shouts and Thark's gurgling and wheezing, Petrel hears the sounds of movement above and beyond the arrow slits (even over the crashing of Doruk's progress up the mountain road).

Round 2

Tiabrar's arrow glances off Wark's shoulder as the orc howls in fury at the oncoming assailants. With a low animal-like growl, he clutches his bow and moves with haste deeper into his den.

The orc would take the shortest route and provoke an AoO from Doruk's reach weapon.

Doruk's guisarme arcs low, aimed at Wark's feet and the retreating orc collapses onto chest and chin.

Thark desperately attempts to cover the ill wound oozing from his neck with while making his escape from Petrel.

An AoO from Petrel as well as Thark tries to single-move flee deeper into the cave.

Guttural sounding words can be heard from above - the arrow slits - followed by bows being drawn.

OA1 v D: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 for 1d8 ⇒ 7
OA2 v D: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 for 1d8 ⇒ 7
OA3 v D: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 for 1d8 ⇒ 5

Thunk. Plunk. Clank.

Three arrows ricochet off the panting Doruk to join the debris strewn along the path.

Updated Map.

Note: The orcs behind the arrow slits are 10 feet up from the cave floor. The arrow slits are only 6 inches wide, effectively eliminating any hope of climbing through them barring some impressive shrinking magic or assuming gaseous forms. :)

Party's up!

Petrel and his hungry knife will strike at the fleeing orc:

Single knife no-sneak 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 241d4 ⇒ 4 Slaying him!

Forgot to add it went from masterwork to +1 in the damage even :)

Round 2

Because prone targets are not vulnerable to sneak attack precision damage, Petrel will walk around I5 and flank the orc with Doruk.

bloodthirsty dagger with sneak + flank 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 201d4 + 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (7, 7) + 1 = 18
+1 damage here is from the dirty fighting trait

Round 3, Init 13

When Mukluk moves up to see Petrel effortlessly cut down 2 orcs, Mukluk smiles.

Ah, there he is! Good ol', dependable Petrel! Surrounded by the dead, as usual.

Mukluk will move to E8 and, using his fancy new wand, fire a Magic Missle into the cowering orc in L8.

"GlimSkie!"

1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 damage

Heh. Stupid orc. How's that magic taste?

Round 3 Init 19

Must...get...faster...feet.

Martigan continues to move up.

Round 3, Initiative 7, Location F7->J13

Seeing the orcs drop, he smiles at Petrel, "Well done! Well done indeed!"

He then continues his huffing movement to J13 trying to press against the wall as much as he can when he gets there to avoid arrow shots.

I assume I can't get the guisarme through the arrow slits to make an attack, so I'm pressing on further into the complex. If it's double move up the steps, Doruk stops at J10.

2--
9 Petrel AoO : Finishes off Thark
5 Petrel : Moves to Wark, executes him

3 --
19 Martigan : Moves
13 Mukluk : Moves and uses want to hit OA1 for -4HP
9 OA1 (-4HP) : Hits Mukluk for -7HP
9 OA2 : Misses
9 OA3 : Misses
9 O? : ??
7 Doruk : Moves into dim light of cave
6 Tiabrar : TBD
5 Petrel : TBD

4 --
19 Martigan :
13 Mukluk :

Round 2, Continued

Before Thark can even step a foot forward, Petrel brings his knife back around into the orc's back. With no hesitation, he steps forward, his shadow cast over Wark - who is scrambling on the ground, hands reaching about wildly for something to use as leverage. He glances up just in time to see Petrel's knife descending as it plunges into his skull. Wark collapses with a barely audible gasp.

Round 3

As the others begin reaching the cave's mouth, Mukluk squints and his keen darkvision spots the shadowy figures using their bows from above on the perch. Trusting his magic missile to find its target, an arcane charge weaves up into the air, through the narrow gap and zz-zots the orc in the shoulder.

The archers take aim again.

One arrow sneaks past Mukluk's shield and lands in his left thigh. From beyond, the dwarf can swear he hears an orc chortle in celebration.

Updated Map - shows Round 3 after Doruk's action.

Don't forget, the orcs in the perch are in dim light, and moving deeper into the cave means moving into darkness. I'd say it's dim light in the cave up until the midpoint of the square room.

Doruk, Martigan and Petrel can make out the sound of stone grating against stone somewhere deeper in the dark cave.

Round 4, Init 13

Mukluk grunts with pleasure at the battle is truly enjoined.

"Nice shot, piggy! I'm going to come ram it up your atol!"

Mukluk will fire his wand again at OA1.

"GlimSkie!"

1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Magic Missle

Suck it, halftooth! Wait until Petrel gets in there...you'll all be dead.

Mukluk moves to H8 and hits the deck (goes prone).

Round 3, Init 6

Trying to catch up, it looks like the map is accurate.

Tiabrar moves up to D-10 and shoots again at the orc in H-6.

1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 + 1 - 4 = 17 (mutagen, point blank, cover)
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Round 4, Initiative 7, Location J13

Doruk takes a moment to remove a torch from his pack and light it leaning his Guisarme against the wall momentarily.

Damn. Can't see a thing in this darkness. OK, torch, shield, guisarme. Er, wait. What do I do with the torch now?! I know, I'll throw it down the hall. Good plan.

Petrel stands over the orc corpse and holds up two fingers, grins at Mukluk and makes a *click*click* noise.

Round 3

Petrel will (double) move past the arrow holes to I-13 and peer around the corner, looking about the dimly lit room for more orcs.

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Round 4 Init 19

Must...get...past...murder...holes...

*puff puff puff*

Double move forward past holes.

3 --
6 Tiabrar : Revising you to a double move as that orc is dead, and you don't have LoS to any other orcs without a double move.
5 Petrel : Moves to (I,13); can't really see anything, still has a standard/move action

4 --
19 Martigan : Double moves
13 Mukluk : Magic missle at OA1 for -2HP, then goes prone
9 OA1 (-6HP) : Hits Mukluk again for -3HP
9 OA2 : Misses
9 OA3 : Misses
9 OA4 : Shuts the ajar door at the top of the stairs
7 Doruk : Lights a torch
6 Tiabrar : TBD
5 Petrel : TBD

5 --
19 Martigan :
13 Mukluk :

With the two orc guards dead, everyone continues to swiftly move into the caves as Mukluk's wand discharges arcane energy on one of the archers. The dwarf then drops to the ground near one of the corpses.

With Doruk's torch giving just enough light, Petrel doesn't notice much in the room beyond as Martigan huffs past the knife master just in time to see one of the massive stone doors grinding shut ahead of his arrival. The Peloran barely glimpses at least one orc beyond the door as it closes.

The gallery of orcish archers takes aim again at the intruders.

Three more arrows rain into the hallway - Tiabrar dodges one while another bounces off Doruk's shield. Mukluk, laying on the ground, takes the third arrow in the buttocks while trying to make himself a smaller target.

From beyond the arrow slits, Mukluk can hear the orc chortle again and grunt something in broken Common.

"Har. Dumb, wand dwarf gonna be dead."

Once again, map is updated.

Battle Map - shows Round 4 at Tiabar's initiative.

Wow it is dark in here. I wonder what sort of creature built this place.

If Petrel has a standard on Round 3, he will sheath his non-magical masterwork dagger. In Round 4 will move around the corner into the room, hugging the wall to K-16.

Petrel will draw his magical Ioun Torch and set it spinning with a brief prayer to his goddess. "Beautiful Wee Jas, light my way with magic."

Round 5, Init 13

I have Mukluk's prone AC at 21: 4 mage armor, 2 dex, 1 shield, + 4 prone. Mukluk moved to H8, not H6.

Mukluk snickers as his diversion works.

"Sure, keep shooting at me you jackals!"

Daft pigfaces don't know what they are doing...which is good or us because neither do we.

Heh.

Mukluk will stand and move to I12 and go prone again.

With Mage Armor, Mukluk avoided the arrow in Round 4.

Fixed Mukluk's movement. I still had the map open, so I updated it with Petrel's Round 3+4 and Mukluk's Round 5.

4 --
6 Tiabrar : TBD
5 Petrel : Moves and sets his ioun stone afloat

5 --
19 Martigan : TBD
13 Mukluk : Moves and goes prone again
9 OA1 (-6HP) : TBD
9 OA2 : TBD
9 OA3 : TBD
9 OA4 : ??

Updated Map

Now Up: Tiabar (round 4) and Martigan (round 5).

Note, there are 4 arrow slits on the north face. They are 10 feet above you and the upper section of wall is angled facing down to where you are. Where Petrel and Martigan are gathered represents the only known "blind spot" to the 4 arrow slits.

The stone double doors at the east end of the hall are now sealed, they will take a Strength check, a Disable Device check or magic to open.

I will reveal this. All 3 orc archers are going to shoot at Mukluk this time around, so Tiabrar and Martigan can post 2 rounds of actions as little will change regarding the orc's tactics between them.

Round 4

Tiabrar tries to throw a bomb at the center orc.

Ranged Bomb (Ranged touch +6)
1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 26 - ? Cover
2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 2) + 4 = 12 Fire damage DC 15 for main to not catch on fire. Splash is 10' for 6 damage or DC 15 for half.

Round 4, Continued

Squinting an eye, Tiabrar thinks he has the angle just right as one of his bombs whizzes up and through the arrow slit...

... and into the chest of the surprised orc archer beyond.

A split second later, Tiabar hears a satisfying boom as the cave shakes slightly and dirt and debris fall from the ceiling above.

5 --
19 Martigan : TBD
13 Mukluk : Moves and goes prone again
9 OA1 (-12HP) : Fires at Mukluk
9 OA2 (-15HP) : Burns, rolls around on the ground
9 OA3 (-3HP) : Fires at Mukluk
9 OA4 : ??
7 Doruk : TBD
6 Tiabrar : TBD
5 Petrel : TBD

6 --
19 Martigan : TBD
13 Mukluk : TBD

"AAGH. SNEG'GROT! SNEG'ROT!" one of the orcs can be heard bellowing at his companions as he rolls around on the ground.

A strange smell like cooking bacon begins to waft down into the cavern while twin arrows thud and thot into the ground, missing Mukluk.

Now Up: Everyone, and 2 actions for Martigan.

Disable Device would probably take 1d4 or 2d4 rounds here, depending on the door complexity. Not fun while under fire (or on fire).

Petrel will double move to the south passage, looking for another "blind spot" for the arrow holes in that passage. And for traps. And orcs.

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Round 5 Init 19

Martigan looks around and, seeing nothing, casts a spell to light his way.

Cast Light and look around Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Round 6 Init 19

"Now there's a neat trick. Mukluk are you going to sit there all day and let them shoot you?"

Ready to attack anyone that comes through the door (not likely).

Round 5, Init 6

Female voice: That's a nice trick. Now move before they stopping shooting at the dwarf.

Tiabrar tries to put one of the orcs out of its misery, but finds getting an arrow through the arrow slit in the opposite direction much more difficult.

He then moves forward 30' to J-16.

Darkwood Longbow +7
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
1d8 ⇒ 8

Burning damge to the orc if he did not make the DC 15 reflex save while rolling on the ground to put out the flames.
1d6 ⇒ 6

Round 5, Initiative 7, Location J13->J17

Doruk sees all the light suddenly surrounding him, and drops his torch in disgust.

Bah! Why do I even carry these things around!

He gathers his guisarme, and moves to J17 lining up a run at the door to break it down.

"I shouldn't have had bacon with my eggs this morning. Ugh - that smell!"

5 --
19 Martigan : Casts light (on shield?)
7 Doruk : Moves into cave
6 Tiabrar : Misses, moves
5 Petrel : Moves to south side of cave

6 --
19 Martigan : Readies an action to attack anything he can
13 Mukluk : TBD
9 OA1 (-12HP) : Hobbles away from the arrow slit
9 OA3 (-3HP) : Fires at Mukluk (if possible), misses
9 OA8 : Appears at a newly recognized southern arrow slit

The crackling flames dies down, and one of the orc archers dies in the flames beyond, while most of the group moves ahead to what they perceive as a "safe spot" in the cave (how considerate of the dwarf architects that built this chokepoint).

As Petrel moves southward, he recognizes at least one additional arrow slit along the south wall in time to see a fresh orc archer step up to it and begin reaching for an arrow.

Now Up: Mukluk (twice) along with everyone again.

6 --
13 Mukluk : TBD
9 OA1 (-12HP) : Hobbles away from the arrow slit
9 OA3 (-3HP) : Fires at Mukluk (if possible), misses
9 OA8 : Appears at a newly recognized southern arrow slit
7 Doruk : TBD
6 Tiabrar : TBD
5 Petrel : TBD

7 --
19 Martigan : TBD
13 Mukluk : TBD

Updated Map

Round 6, Init 13

Mukluk stands up and gives the orc an unflattering gesture.

Heh. They shoot like Aralynn. There is no need to even go prone.

Mukluk moves to I16.

Round 7, Init 13

Mukluk moves to M16 and goes prone.

He will fire his wand at the orc in N23.

"GlimSkie!"

1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 damage

Now this is a fight!

"Petrel, get that door open, I'll killify all these orcs."

Round 6, Initiative 7, Location J17

Doruk girds his loins and charges to what looks on the map like R18 (right in front of the door). As it takes a double move he doesn't have an action to bash down the door, but the momentum is there for next round...

Damn orcs and their arrow slits everywhere! Gotta get this door open now!

Round 6, Init 6

Tiabrar moves up to N-16 for a clear shot at the orc, but has no luck with an arrow again.

Darkwood Longbow +7
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 13 Mutagen, Point blank, - cover?
1d8 ⇒ 3

Petrel will delay until Doruk has charged the door, to see if thieves tools and disable device are really needed.