Eldbale's The Dragon's Demand

Game Master Brominate

Yantri, Do you make the ammo in the common room area where we would see it?

GM Eldbale, I think we may have lost the Inquisitor, do we have any possible replacement players before we start a dungeon crawl again or are we going to stay with three?

The inquisitor was lost in heaps of work and travelling. I'll do my best to increase my posting rate starting this week.

"Those are quite a lot of assumptions you are making, some of which quite dangerous." Sheaorlis replied to Sheridan.

"In any case, we can't know their motivation unless we manage to capture one or two of them. And even we might not know enough without getting the raw information from their ringleaders. Finding their hideout would seem to be more difficult than I predicted, perhaps we can find a tracker in town that would be willing to point us in the right direction."

Upon hearing of the wizard's urgent disappearance, the inquisitor grunted: "Very suspicious, to leave in such a hurry manner at times like this."

Sheridan nods, peering into the depths of the recesses from a distance. "I try to assume the worst, especially on the job. I'm usually pleasantly surprised."
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

"Deadeye's a fair hand at tracking. If our information is good, they should be around here somewhere... We could try to have them find us. They did say they capture people from the village."

Given her experience, Yantri would try to assemble the ammunition outside, away from other other people. Working with gunpowder doesn't frighten her, but she's going to take every precaution she can to make sure no one else gets her by her work with it.

Yantri will pick up a couple potions of cure light wounds just in case, and make more ammo. Beyond that she might as well be ready to go at this point.

"From what we saw I suppose it's possible that the wizard and the kobolds fought, but I think it's more likely that Hunclay got himself killed in an unexpected collapse caused by the tunneling. As for how to track down the kobolds now, we have every reason to think that their lair is somewhere near the flooded quarry. As they've been out recently I'd say starting to look for tracks around there would be our best bet."

"Posing as villagers might work, but it comes with its own risks. The kobolds, being cowardly fiends, might not attack if they see us armed to the teeth. There might be some that could recognize some of you from your previous encounters."

"Yantri's suggestion is sounder. Let us go and investigate the flooded quarry ourselves, initially. And if it proves to be a task too great for our tracking skills, we could always return and ask Deadeye for help."

Sheridan blinks at Sheaorlis. "Deadeye is this one." He points at Yantri. "Both for her skill with long-ranged weapons, and her gorgeous facial scarification. She doesn't like calling attention to it, so I should probably stop talking."

The ifrit buries a hand in his hair and looks down at the ground.

As Sheridan draws attention to her scar, Yantri frowns and looks down at the ground. After taking a deep breath she looks up again, facing Sheaorlis, "Sheridan is a man of many skills, and we're lucky to have him, but details that you might think important like names don't seem to stick with him that well. As trade-offs go we could do worse. Me, I'm interested in learning how he's going to keep track of which one you are going forward."

The dwarf them reaches out to give Sheridan a hearty slap on the back. "Now then, shall we head out and see if we can find some kobolds? If anyone else has any practice looking for tracks I'd gladly take assistance."

Finding the tracks to begin with is just a perception check. We might as well all assist on this to improve the chances of starting out well. Also, if anyone else had anything left to do in town (did you get the armor you wanted Sheaorlis?) we can certainly get that done first.

Perception to find traces of Kobolds' passage near the old quarry: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Or maybe everyone should just make their own perception checks to find the tracks and then I'll try to take over. Yeah.

The cleric grimaces when he sees Sheridan calling attention to Yantri’s injuries knowing he had upset her when his comments hit too close to home.

”I don’t have a lot of tracking experience, but I’ve spent a lot of time underground and that looks like the entrance over there. Let’s see what we find, but move towards the entry.”

"It shouldn't be that hard to spot the kobolds. They won't fit very well with the scenery. We should also be careful of any loose boulders while we're around here."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Survival (follow tracks): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Stone, correct me if I'm wrong but I think I might have ended with your old armour in exchange for the healing potion. I'll have to update my character sheet.

GM: Is it an open or underground quarry?

”Yeah, less landslides, tunnel collapses, and rockfalls please. More loot and lost treasures needed.”

”Say! My old chain shirt fits you well, hopefully I won’t need the potion you traded me for it.”

The quarry is open, but flooded. All that remains is a single wall of the quarry. The rest is mostly a lake, essentially. Some of the floor is still available at the base of the wall, creating a rocky shore. There is a path that leads down to this area.

The party ventures towards the flooded quarry. From the opposite side, Sheaorlis is the first to see the two recesses in the quarry wall that look like the openings of tunnel.

The path you all follow leads you around to the other side, coming from the south.

Map updated. Let me know if you can't see your icons. I currently have the entire lair on a single slide...but that might be too ambitious.

"Yes, surprisingly it does. Being a bit worn seems to have loosened it up a bit and..." Sheorlis abruptly falls silent, staying still with his eyes fixed on one of the recesses. After a few seconds, he continues as if nothing happened but with a hushed voice.

"Such a shame that new armour of yours sees its first use in this muddy place. It's certainly wetter than anticipated and that breastplate won't help you much if you decide to go for a swimming. I'm not much of a swimmer myself but I hope some of you are, as we'll have to get our toes wet"

He probes the level of the water with the top of his boot and retracts it quickly dissatisfied with the result. "This would also hinder the proper greeting of our friends up ahead. "

The cleric nods in understanding.

”I need to get some dings, dents and rents in this armor. Right now it looks like I am prepared for a parade.”

The cleric speaks without betraying that he knows they have been spotted.

”Did you make it out what it was?”

”I suppose this is a game changer now that the element of suprise is fleeting in the wind.”

”Sheridan, can you tell if the bank or the area above it are rigged? Kobolds love traps and we know they are capable sappers.”

Sheridan looks at the water with a grim expression. "H-have I ever told any of you why my surname is Driftwood?" He laughs, but it's a hollow thing. "I was found on a rocky shore in a storm. The han of hans said they followed a column of steam. I don't remember anything before then. Later, when I met another of my kind, she said my hands were cold..."

As he relates the story, the ifrit eyes the cliff above the entrance, looking for convenient piles of rocks.
The worst Perception in the party: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

How far above water level are the entrances to the caves that we've spotted?

Now that the caves have been pointed out, Yantri peers at them carefully as if trying to discern what secrets they will hold once the group ventures in.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

As she listens to the rest of the group her frown stays firmly affixed in it's normal spot.

"So we've got likely traps, a warren of kobolds who'll likely attack us on sight, and understandably so as we'd be invading their home, and no good intelligence for a way to approach. It's not that I don't think a direct approach would fail for sure, but beyond the risk of the unknown, it seems certainly to spill blood and I'd rather have another way to go about this."

Watching both Sheaorlis and Sherridan interact with the water, the dwarf measures the distance to the cave with her eyes. "What do you think, do those tunnels likely to up or down once you get past the start. Hard to tell from out here, but water flows down if it's go the chance, and we've got a good source of water here. I wonder if there's a way to get it into there."

"I couldn't get a clear sight of what it was but we can presume that it was a kobold. What else would be lurking in this desolate place?"

After pondering for a minute at a solution for Yantri's predicament Sheaorlis started looking around the quarry for anything that they might find useful. "We could use a mine cart as cover pushing it ahead of us. There's bound to be one around here somewhere. If we fill it with dry timber we could try setting it ablaze and smoke them out."

If I wasn't clear, there is a path that leads around the outside edge of the "lake," to the far side where the quarry wall and caves are. And we can say that the shoreline is an additional 20ft past the left edge of the map.

"Well, the longer we delay the more time they have to prepare."

"I had a good friend once that said, "He who hesitates is lost." He also said those who plan too much are wasting good drinking time. Anyway, I think we need to just roll in and see what happens."

The cleric begins to move towards the entrance with his shield up and a resolute swiftness.

"Later, lets have a toast to Leroy Jenkins!"

I'm ready for something to happen! Here we go! :}~

Sheridan stays near Sheaorlis. "I do hope we are able to convince them to leave. I can't imagine what their corpses would attract."

There are two entrances that the party noticed. Does Stone approach head for the closer one or the one further north?

Lets go with the closer one. I tried to move my icon, I don't know if it reflects on your end.

Sighing after seeing the cleric's rash action, the inquisitor follows suit and had drawn his axe by the time they reached the cave entrance.

"If we prevail they corpses will be a deterrent for other raiders. If we don't.. let's just not think about it. Say, do we have a plan for how to deal with them if the fight breaks loose in the narrow cavern? I hate to slash more than is being served."

The moment the cleric and inquisitor take a step toward the southernmost recess in the quarry wall, two spear-wielding kobolds come charging out of the tunnel. Stone and Sheaorlis, however, are not surprised. In fact, they were expecting it.

COMBAT IS STARTING!

Bold may act!
Sheaorlis // Kobolds // Yantri,Stone,Sheridan

Stat Tracker
Global Condition: None |

Global Condition:
Sheridan HP: 08/10 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Stone HP: 06/10 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:
Yantri HP: 22/22 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:
Sheaorilis HP: 14/14 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:

NPCS:
Kobold (blue) (-)HP: AC: ?
Kobold (green) (-)HP: AC: ?

The moment he's seen the tip of a spear emerging out of the cave the inquisitor knew there would be trouble and with his axe raised high and read he sidesteps the cleric to have a better shot at the kobold. After swinging his axe he remains near the cave entrance preparing to slice whoever would leave its dark recesses.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Sheaorlis swings his axe true, cutting a deep gash into the first kobold, who yelps in pain and collapses. He's alive but making raspy breaths with difficulty.

The kobold behind the first belts out a quick sharp bark of sorts and flings a stone at Sheaorlis with his sling.

Sling attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage: 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2 (minimum 1)

Four more kobolds come running along the shore further north.

Bold may act!

Yantri, Stone, Sheridan // Kobolds (4) // Sheaorlis // Kobold (g/b)

Stat Tracker
Global Condition: None |

Global Condition:
Sheridan HP: 08/10 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Stone HP: 06/10 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:
Yantri HP: 22/22 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:
Sheaorilis HP: 14/14 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:

NPCS:
Kobold (blue) (-)HP:-8 AC: 15 Status: Unconscious
Kobold (green) (-)HP: AC: 15

The cleric steps forth and swings at the closest foe!

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

1d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"If any of you speak common and wish to parley that would be great. We came to talk not annihilate, but so help me, we will bring ruin until you desist and comminicate in good faith!" The cleric known as Stone growls!

"Uh, on the bright side? We've found them. Can't say I'm thrilled by our diplomatic opportunities... or the head room. Should we stop to deal with those incoming, or head further in?"

Stone swings and misses at the green kobold.

Bold may act:

Yantri, Sheridan // Kobolds (red, orange, yellow, lavender) // Sheaorlis // Kobolds (blue/green)

Yantri frowns and speaks as she moves into position to take a clear shot at the lead kobold of the group approaching from the north. "Given the last encounter, until they're overwhelmed they're not going to be giving any quarter or offer to parlay here. We're going to have to use a weapon based diplomacy for now I fear."

Musket Attack on Lavender vs Touch AC: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Damage (B and P): 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Free action to speak, Move action to move and draw Penance, Standard Action to attack.

Yantri reluctantly fires her shot but her aim is true, piercing the scaly hide of the kobold, who crumples to the ground in agony. The others don't even stop, but continue running towards the group with spears and slings.

Sheridan may act.

Stat Tracker
Global Condition: None |

Global Condition:
Sheridan HP: 08/10 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Stone HP: 06/10 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:
Yantri HP: 22/22 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:
Sheaorilis HP: 14/14 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:

NPCS:
Kobold (blue) (-)HP:-8 AC: 15 Status: Unconscious
Kobold (green) (-)HP: AC:
Kobold (lavender) (-)HP:-9 AC: 15/13 Status: Unconscious
Kobold (red) (-)HP: AC:
Kobold (orange) (-)HP: AC:
Kobold (yellow) (-)HP: AC:

Disappointed, Sheridan charges at the nearest kobold he has a clear shot at, bringing his sap around to strike at them.

Charge!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

-2 AC this round, if there was an opportunity for a charge, mechanically. :<

"I see they're trying to surround us, not a bad tactic but it would have been implemented better once we were all inside the tunnel. Let's just hope that this brawl doesn't attract too many of them out." Sheorlis muttered while trying to figure out which one of the newcomers would be his next target.

Sheridan swings at and misses the orange scaled reptilian...

kobolds' turn!

...who immediately attacked back! The orange kobold had dodged the ifrit's sap and stabbed at him with his spear!

Orange's attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

But for one reason or another, his attack was way off!

The yellow kobold moved passed the ifrit (provoking an AoO) and...if the Kobold survives the AoO, or if Sheridan does not take it... then whipped a stone at the dwarf in front of him.

Sling ranged attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage: 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

But the small rock was thrown weakly, falling short of its target. Though, to be fair, the stone did at least roll into Yantri's boot - not that she could feel it.

The kobold with blood red scales also attacked Sheridan.
Spear attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 vs 17-2 Hit!
damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 minimum 1

Her spear barely grazed Sheridan's arm, dealing 1pt of damage.

Bold may act:

Sheaorlis // Kobolds (blue/green) // Yantri, Stone, Sheridan // Kobolds (yellow, orange, red, lavender)

Stat Tracker
Global Condition: None |

Global Condition:
Sheridan HP: 07/10 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Stone HP: 06/10 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:
Yantri HP: 22/22 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:
Sheaorilis HP: 14/14 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:

NPCS:
Kobold (blue) (-)HP:-8 AC: 15 Status: Unconscious
Kobold (green) (-)HP: AC:
Kobold (lavender) (-)HP:-9 AC: 15/13 Status: Unconscious
Kobold (red) (-)HP: AC:
Kobold (orange) (-)HP: AC:
Kobold (yellow) (-)HP: AC:

Spinning out of the way of the orange kobold's spear, Sheridan swings at the passing yellow lizardling.
AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

I see that Sheridan still can't roll between 8 and 18 on an attack roll...

The complex maneuver brings the ifrit in range of the red kobold's spear, and in all the blur of blades and bludgeons, the ifrit takes the only scratch.

Seeing the kobolds beginning to gang up on the ifrit, Sheaorlis tries to break their ranks attacking the one that seemed the bravest. Seeing that the kobold had left his back exposed the inquisitor seizes the opportunity and tries to chop him with his axe.

Attack flanking: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Right as the half-orc aimed his ax, the sun came out from hiding behind a cloud and shined brightly in his eyes, causing him to miss.

The greenish kobold hops over its unconscious comrade and thrusts its spear at the cleric Stone.
Spear attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 (Critical Threat!)
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17 Hit!
Total damage: 3d6 - 3 ⇒ (3, 6, 3) - 3 = 9

Its aim is true, piercing through the cleric's flesh, causing excruciating pain, dealing 9 pts of damage, and causing the cleric to pass out.

The blue kobold remains unconscious and is beginning to look pale.
-1hp

Bold may act!
Yantri, Stone (unconscious), Sheridan // Kobolds // Sheaorlis // Kobolds (blue and green)

In hindsight, I should have just let them all have the same initiative...would've made life simpler. my bad!

Stat Tracker
Global Condition: None |

Global Condition:
Sheridan HP: 07/14 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Stone HP: -3/10 - AC: 16/12/14 Status: Unconscious
Yantri HP: 22/22 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:
Sheaorilis HP: 14/14 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:

NPCS:
Kobold (blue) (-)HP:-9 AC: 15 Status: Unconscious
Kobold (green) (-)HP: AC:
Kobold (lavender) (-)HP:-9 AC: 15/13 Status: Unconscious
Kobold (red) (-)HP: AC:
Kobold (orange) (-)HP: AC:
Kobold (yellow) (-)HP: AC:

uhhhh my AC is 18. Crit should not confirm right?

Gotta edit those google slides. I went through a few days ago when I saw the Kobolds surround Sheridan.

The ifrit's capering intensifies as he ducks and dodges the spears that surround him. He hopes Sheaorlis can work his way around the crowd taking advantage of his positioning, because from where he is now, it's all he can do to continue to harry them. In the flurry of movement, the sap swings wildly at the yellow kobold.

Fighting Defensively (-4 attack, +2 AC)
Defensive Flanking Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 4 = 6

Yantri frowns as her companions take hits from the swarming kobolds. As she reloads Penance, she calls to Sheorlis, "Make sure that Stone stays up if you can. He has a habit of taking more hits than he should." With that she takes aim at the Kobold adjacent to the half-orc and tries to draw its attention to her.

Musket Attack vs. Touch AC with target in melee combat: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 - 4 = 22
Damage (B and P): 1d12 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Free action to speak, move action to reload, standard action to fire.

uhhhh my AC is 18. Crit should not confirm right?

My bad. Update the tracker please. It says your AC is 16.

Stone, please take 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2 pts of damage instead, please. Your hp should be at 4, now. You may take your turn as well.

"Agh... all these selfless clerics, doing more than they could handle." Sheaorlis protested for a second, then with a sigh, he ran towards the closest kobold his axe up hanging high.
The one at the entrance of the cave if Stone hasn't dealt with it by the time my turn comes up.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Damage: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Botting Stone
Stone attacks the greeny-scaled kobold...
Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 (Miss. And nothing more, don't worry).
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
...but misses. In fact, his sword clanged into the wall.

Seeing so many of their comrades fallen, the red and orange kobolds to the north each turn tail (literally) and run back towards the northern entrance of the lair. (Prompting an AoO from Sheridan on 1 of them. Attacker's choice. If the rogue's attack stops the enemy's movement, I'll update the map.)

Sheaorlis swung his axe high...in fact, a little too high. These kobolds are rather short, after all. His attack misses, but only barely.

The green kobold also attempts to flee. (prompting an AoO from the cleric and the inquisitor)

Three kobolds lay unconscious outside the lair. The extent of their injuries, unknown.

Unless otherwise noted, the chambers within the Blood Vow lair are unlit-the kobolds rely on their darkvision to see. The caves themselves are also sized for kobolds, with ceilings averaging 5 feet high. Medium creatures are inconvenienced by the low ceilings, and take a -2 penalty on all attack rolls in the Blood Vow lair.

Stat Tracker
Global Condition: None |

Global Condition:
Sheridan HP: 7/14 - AC: 17+2/13/14 Status:
Stone HP: 4/10 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:
Yantri HP: 22/22 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:
Sheaorilis HP: 14/14 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:

NPCS:
Kobold (blue) (-)HP:-9 AC: 15 Status: Unconscious
Kobold (green) (-)HP: AC:
Kobold (lavender) (-)HP:-9 AC: 15/13 Status: Unconscious
Kobold (red) (-)HP: AC:
Kobold (orange) (-)HP: AC:
Kobold (yellow) (-)HP:-5 AC: Status: Unconscious

After any and all AoO's, Everyone may take one final turn to attempt to stop the the kobolds from fleeing into the lair, to potentially alert the rest of their tribe.

The cleric makes a two handed chop at the passing Kobold.

AoO: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

”If they make it in it’s going to make our situation worsen substantially, and or quickly.”

If that doesn’t drop the He is targeting he will attack again, otherwise he charges and attempts to cut down another before it makes the passage way. I will wait for your determination and the other PC’s attacks for the AoO.

I figure if things really go wrong we don't want them falling back to regroup.
Sheridan lunges to harry the retreating kobold.
AoO + Fighting Defensively: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 4 = 11

The Cleric's quick reflexes allow him to strike a mighty blow against the green kobold as it attempts to flee. His sword cuts deep and the creature yelps in agony before collapsing to the ground.

Sheridan lunges to harry the retreating kobold, but hits nothing but air.

The only two kobolds left standing are fleeing into the northern entrance of the caves. Sheridan, you may still use a final turn to try to stop them. Moving 30ft puts you in striking distance of the orange kobold. And yes, you can also throw something over the large boulder they're currently passing behind, if you were wondering.

Actually, I did say you could all take a final turn. After those..

Combat will (essentially) be Over!

Stat Tracker
Global Condition: None |

Global Condition:
Sheridan HP: 7/14 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Stone HP: 12/18 - AC: 18/12/16 Status:
Yantri HP: 22/22 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:
Sheaorilis HP: 14/14 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:

NPCS:
Kobold (blue) (-)HP:-9 AC: 15 Status: Unconscious, dying
Kobold (green) (-)HP:-9 AC: 20 Status: Unconscious, dying
Kobold (lavender) (-)HP:-9 AC: 15/13 Status: Unconscious, dying
Kobold (red) (-)HP: AC: Status: Fleeing!
Kobold (orange) (-)HP: AC: Status: Fleeing!
Kobold (yellow) (-)HP:-5 AC: Status: Unconscious, stable

"They are going to sound the alarm and bring reinforcements" Sheaorlis said, clearly agitated at the prospect of facing more and more waves of kobolds.

"Let's storm in, find a good place to hide, and reemerge after they've dealt with their fallen comrades."

Sheridan looks around. "We'll be at a disadvantage, squeezed into that cave and at the mercy of their security measures... Why not lay in ambush, or take the time to secure those we have subdued?"

Unsure of what to do, the party stands by as the precious seconds tick away.

Really, the only question is, take the entrance north to attempt to catch and subdue the fleeing foes, or take the southern entrance and hope you can avoid further detection?