GM Faelyn' Falcon's Hollow Series

Game Master Faelyn

Yup. Caine's tripped.

How lovely, why does that girl remind me of a younger me?
...
I'm...I'm not sure if that's a good thing mind.

Nathaniel turns his head to smile and shout at the other Halfling,

THOMAS! Great saints and martyrs, I knew I’d find you.

Then quickly looks around at the situation unfolding. He tries to determine if he can tell which of the kobolds is the leader, since he doesn’t speak their language he doesn’t know what is being said and simply goes by which one might be the best fighter

Perception: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 - 2 = 3

When he can’t tell one from the other he charges headlong straight at the kobold and takes a defensive stand

Total Defense

This is your last chance, surrender now or risk your ruin!

The adventure paths are usually written up assuming a party of 4 characters. 5 usually doesn't change too much but a party of 6 can really alter the way an encounter can turn out. One of the ways a frequent GM of mine beefs up his encounters when we have a large party is to maximize the hit points of all enemies involved.
Sometimes if it looks like there's only going to be 1 of the more powerful enemies by himself, he will add 1-2 of the more common enemies found in the area too.

Zirren watched as Caine was pulled down with a grimace. Realizing that more enemies were going to be called and that his arcane magic had been taxed too heavily, he instead pulled upon his inner reservoir to conjure up a celestial eagle to attempt to stop the Kobold.

He then moved up to stand beside the boy on the table while pulling out his dagger.

The Eagle will be appearing opposite of Zirren

Talon 1, high ground + flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 12
Talon 1 damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Talon 2, high ground + flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 21
Talon 2 damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Bite, high ground + flanking: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 15
bite damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Round 2

Nathaniel, despite being over-joyed at finding his long-lost brother, keeps his head and rushes up to the nearest and capable looking kobold. He takes a defensive stance, putting himself between Caine and the warrior! Zirren conjures up a glowing eagle that swoops down from the portal! While the first claw misses, the second one claws the kobold's throat open and then quickly plucks one of the falling creature's eyes out!

Round 2
Bold May

Yagrik: 8 NLD, Tripped Caine
Kimi: Attacked Red
Nathaniel:
Zirren:
Purple: 8 DMG, Dying
Belladonna:
Zilka:
Pink:
Green: 3 DMG; U 2/3, B 4/5, S 5/6
Tommy: 5 DMG
Greyson: 2 DMG; Poisoned (1 Dex dmg); Prone
Red: 4 DMG
Blue: U 2/3, B 4/5, S 5/6
Yellow:
Ruhk:

Zilka jumps over the unconscious kobold to strike at the remaining one with her sword. Can that be a charge?

longsword, two-handed with luck: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14 +2 more if I can charge.
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

Belladonna drops her crossbow and races to Ruhk's aid while pulling out her dagger at the same time.

Round 2

Pink Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

One of the kobolds near Ruhk tries to get into a better position to stab with its spear, but the weapon comes nowhere near its mark! The little reptilian monster lets out a curse in Draconic.

Tommy stares at his little brother rushing into battle and appears torn between rushing to his aid or helping the children... He turns to run over to Zilka, before standing protectively atop the table where Mikra hides. "I need a weapon! A dagger! Anything!"

Round 2
Bold May Post

Yagrik: 8 NLD, Tripped Caine
Kimi: Attacked Red
Nathaniel: Total Defense
Zirren: Summon Celestial Eagle
Zirren's Eagle:
Purple: Dead
Belladonna: Reposition
Zilka: Charged/killed Red
Pink: Attack/Miss Ruhk
Green: 3 DMG; U 1/3, B 3/5, S 4/6
Tommy: 5 DMG
Greyson: 2 DMG; Poisoned (1 Dex dmg); Prone
Red: Dead
Blue: U 2/3, B 4/5, S 5/6
Yellow:
Ruhk:

Greyson, I'll need a Fort save DC 11 to negate the poison or take 1 point of Dexterity damage.

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

The poison was making him feel sluggish. He knew he had to act fast before it spread further and made him weak. He rolled off the table to his feet. His eyes and hands flared with holy power as he swung at the Kobold leader

Stand as a move action. 5' adjust forward to the floor, swift action Fervor to cast Divine Favor, attack.

Power Attack, divine favor: 1d20 + 6 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 1 + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 13

"Thanks." he grunted to Art. The halfling giving him cover likely saved him from some pain while he was downed.

Round 2

Caine rolls to his fights and quickly gets back into the fight without much hesitation! His fist connects with the little reptilian enemy's head and sends it spiraling to the ground with a loud thud!

Yellow Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 2 = 11

One of the kobolds near Ruhk slips into a flank with his buddy and attempts to skewer the man, but his attack misses completely!

Round 2
Bold May Post

Yagrik: 13 DMG/8 NLD; Tripped Caine
Kimi: Attacked Red
Nathaniel: Total Defense
Zirren: Summon Celestial Eagle
Zirren's Eagle: Attacked/Killed Purple
Purple: Dead
Belladonna: Reposition
Zilka: Charged/killed Red
Pink: Attack/Miss Ruhk
Green: 3 DMG; U 1/3, B 3/5, S 4/6
Tommy: 5 DMG
Greyson: 2 DMG; Poisoned (2 Dex dmg); Attacked Yagrik
Red: Dead
Blue: U 1/3, B 3/5, S 4/6
Yellow: Attacked/Missed Ruhk
Ruhk:

Just to confirm with you Caine, is this Lethal or Nonlethal damage?

Hadn't considered it. Caine's mad and worried about the kids, so I don't think he's pulling his punches right now. It's lethal.

Ruhk grins at the little enemies.
"Once again I am proven popular, but I have to disappoint you, my eyes are set on someone else!"

Bethany flashes for a moment as Ruhk calls on his innate magic, then he strikes out at one of the kobolds.

Arcane pool
Attack Yellow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

That works for me, Caine! It won't change this round's outcome, as the kobold is unconscious either way.

Round 2

Ruhk swings Bethany around, but the nimble kobold ducks beneath the blade!

Round 3

Kimi stares in awe and horror as the heroes begin their grisly work of hacking and slashing the kobolds into bloody pieces! She recovers quickly, however, before rushing to Mikra's side and stands over him protectively. "Don't worry, Mikra, shhh... Everything is okay now!"

Round 3
Bold May Post

Yagrik: 13 DMG/8 NLD; Unconscious
Kimi:
Nathaniel:
Zirren:
Zirren's Eagle:
Purple: Dead
Belladonna:
Zilka:
Pink:
Green: 3 DMG; U 1/3, B 3/5, S 4/6
Tommy: 5 DMG
Greyson: 2 DMG; Poisoned (2 Dex dmg)
Red: Dead
Blue: U 1/3, B 3/5, S 4/6
Yellow:
Ruhk:

Charge, high ground, Talon vs. pink: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 + 2 = 20

damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Stay out of danger! Nathaniel cries, forgetting he is addressing his brother and that there are a lot more people around than just him.

If you can get to it, there is a halberd on the floor behind me.

With that he strikes at the kobold in front of him

I gave you a change villain, now the consequences of your actions will be swift and just.

Melee Scrunch and Slash: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Art, just in case this may change your actions... the kobold in front of you is currently unconscious.

Round 3
Bold May Post

With the kobold leader down, Nathaniel turns his attention to the last remaining kobolds threatening Ruhk. He quickly cuts down the reptilian pest just as the celestial eagle swoops down to scratch the face of the last remaining kobold!

Yagrik: 13 DMG/8 NLD; Unconscious
Kimi:
Nathaniel:
Zirren:
Zirren's Eagle:
Purple: Dead
Belladonna:
Zilka:
Pink: 1 DMG
Green: 3 DMG; U 1/3, B 3/5, S 4/6
Tommy: 5 DMG
Greyson: 2 DMG; Poisoned (2 Dex dmg)
Red: Dead
Blue: U 1/3, B 3/5, S 4/6
Yellow: Dead
Ruhk:

Seeing that only one of the kobolds remains alert, Zilka takes to quickly tying off the unconscious ones with her rope, cutting it into as short pieces as she can to save it for later.

Belladonna races around Ruhk to the last upright kobold. Since it is distracted from the celestial bird, Belladonna tries to shank him in the back with her dagger.

Dagger, Flank, Charge: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 11
Dmg: 1d3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (5) = 8

Round 3

Zilka quickly ties up one of the unconscious kobolds while Belladonna attempts to skewer the last remaining combatant. Immediately after that, the kobold squeals after realizing its the last alive before dropping its weapon and cowering on the ground! Tommy looks around and takes a deep breath as he realizes things were well in hand.

Round 3
Bold May Post

Yagrik: 13 DMG/8 NLD; Unconscious
Kimi:
Nathaniel:
Zirren:
Zirren's Eagle:
Purple: Dead
Belladonna:
Zilka:
Pink: 1 DMG
Green: 3 DMG; U 0/3, B 2/5, S 3/6
Tommy: 5 DMG
Greyson: 2 DMG; Poisoned (2 Dex dmg) Another Fort save please
Red: Dead
Blue: U 0/3, B 2/5, S 3/6
Yellow: Dead
Ruhk:

"I got this little guy, someone make sure the remaining ones are nice and secure before they wake up and become a problem again."

Is the fight over? What's left?

When he realizes the battle has ended, Nathaniel looks left and right, drops his weapon and runs at his brother, climbing up on the table if he has to, and throws his arms around his shoulders.

Seeing that Zilka was restraining the ones he'd rendered unconscious, Zirren held out a hand for the eagle.

Linguistics/Intimidate: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Belladonna retrieves her crossbow, then observes the family reunion with a smile on her face.

Seeing that Zilka was restraining the ones he'd rendered unconscious, Zirren held out a hand for the eagle.

He then moved stand directly in front of the Kobold, making sure there was no misunderstanding of the clear difference between them.

Linguistics/Intimidate: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Technically we were still in combat, because I wasn't sure if Caine and Ruhk wanted to press the attack. So, unless Caine wants to pursue combat actions then we can conclude this combat and wrap it up nicely.

I want to take care of this poison first.

Caine Fort DC11: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Now outside of combat, Caine is finally able to overcome the poison pumping into his body. The kobold cowers beneath Ruhk's intimidating form and begins to visibly shake as Zirren approaches as well. It cannot seem to speak, but simply points towards the two children and Art's brother the finger shaking like a dry leaf in a strong wind!

Tommy is checking over the two children for injuries when he's suddenly wrapped up from behind by his younger brother. He lets out an involuntary yelp of fear before realizing it is simply Nathaniel and he quickly returns the brotherly hug with a fierceness that surprises Nathaniel. "I never thought I'd ever see you again, Nat! By the Gods its good to see you!" He then quickly detaches himself from the hug. "There's no more time for questions right now. One of the children that escaped with me is not here and I'm not sure where that one is. Another was dragged off into the darkness by some dwarven chain-demon!"

As Kimi is helping the larger boy, Mikra, out from underneath the table she suddenly gasps. "Oh no, Savram! Where is he, Tommy?! I don't see him!" Mikra shuffles his feet and points towards the northern doorway as he whispers inaudibly. "Mikra, what'd you say?" Kimi asks as she leans in closer listening again. "Mikra said he saw Savram run off into a different door when we came in here! We have to hurry!" Without another word, Kimi suddenly rushes towards the northern exit!

Zilka, were you tying up both of the unconscious kobolds?

Oh so that for a game of sergeants!

Ruhk quickly rushes after Kimi, hoping to use his longer legs to overtake her.
"Hold it! You want to save him right? Well we'll need EVERYONE for that!
Think, if you go off on your own, all you'll do is make sure that they know we're coming.
We're here to save all you kids, but you have to let us all go together."

[i]She's like me, back when I was her age.
Logic won't work now, but an appeal to the kids safety might hopefully get through her skull.[/]

Yes, tie them both up. How much of the 50 ft of rope does that use?

Zilka raises an eyebrow at Tommy's words. "A dwarven chain-demon? You gotta tell us more about that."

Caine pointed to the former slave kobolds. "Take their weapons and armor and tie them up. Stand guard over them until we get back."

A Kyton?! We're only level 2!!

Zirren was about to get more forceful with the Kobold but was momentarily distracted at the words he'd heard about the demon.

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Something twinged wrong about that phrase but when Kimi loudly proclaimed that Savram had gone missing, his mind dropped all pretenses of caring about outsider distinctions and he started to move after her.

Savram, hang on!

Zilka, we'll say 15' each for a solid roping on a small sized target.

Kimi skids to a halt and gives Ruhk an exasperated look, but waits nonetheless. She nods and grips her club a little tighter. Ruhk can see the beginnings off a hallway off towards the right from the ambient light in the kitchen area and what appears to possibly be an open doorway a bit further down. Kimi squints and sees it as well. "There! I think that's where he went!"

Tommy looks at Zilka and shrugs his shoulders. "I don't know what to tell you. We took a wrong turn at the elevator into some natural caverns and suddenly I heard the boy screaming in fear... I saw a dwarven shape and it was wrapped with chains before it dragged him into the darkness." His shoulders droop as he looks at the heroic figure of his brother. "I wanted to go after him, Nat. So help me, I did! But I had these other kids to help. We've got to hurry! Maybe we can still save him." Despite his malnourished and disheveled appearance, Tommy Boote, still appeared to be desperate to help as he looks at his brother's weapons. "Nat, I'm no good with those weapons... I need Viviane..."

The two kobold slaves rush to Caine's task with an eagerness that was almost unsettling. They quickly dragged all the tied-up kobolds into the nearby kitchen area and gathered all the weapons before arming themselves. After a moment one of them approaches Caine, holding out two glowing vials; one a pretty blue and the other a sort of amber color. "Supreme Neckbreaker. We find these in cabinet. You want?"

Zirren quickly identifies the glowing blue liquid as a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds and the amber liquid as a potion of Lesser Restoration.

Following the others, but staying close to his older brother, Nathaniel listens to the human child give information about the current situation. When Tommy mentions he is not in possession of Viviane, Nathaniel comes to a quick stop.

You’ve, you’ve lost her? Here, in this place? Do you remember when you last had her? We have to save her as well. She can’t be left in this place, what if she is taken control of by one of these villains?

"Good!
We'll, let's not waste too much time.
We made a hell of a racket back there, so I don't think stealth will be all that useful.
Shall we go?"

"Yes. Thank you. Those will help a lot." Caine said, downing the restoration potion immediately.

1d4 ⇒ 4 attribute damage gone

"Who's Viviane? What weapons are you good with?" Caine asked Nat's brother, not bothering with introductions at the moment.

"We need to get these kids safe with the other one. Bella, you want to run them back upstairs and catch up with us?" I want to get these kids to our safehouse where we left the girl (the room with the giant spider corpse).

When finished, Zilka has about 20 ft left of her rope, which she stows on her belt. "Hopefully no one falls down any 30-foot pits, eh?"

"I don't think we should separate if we can avoid it. I feel like I was tempting Desna to laugh when I came back here on my own."

"I don't think we should separate if we can avoid it, either. This is one of those times we really can't avoid it. We don't have time to have all of us escort them out, and we aren't bringing a bunch of kids into a fight with some chain wielding demon. Bella's the stealthiest of us, and has the sharpest eyes and ears. Any of the rest of us go with her, we make the job harder." Caine said.

"Sending Bella back every time we find one of the kids will just take more time. Besides, she'll be the first of us to notice danger. Like you said, Kobolds love their traps.

I'm very nearly out of magic myself and I don't like the idea of facing off against a chain demon at all, but I'd say we need to press on first. It makes more sense for us to stay together and find Savram, then we can decide what to do."

He was happy to see that Art had apparently found his brother, Tommy. but felt that it was better to let the two of them talk first. When Caine broached the question of Viviane, he decided it had to be a weapon of some kind, given the context of the conversation.

Just like Ruhk with Bethany.

He stopped and looked over at Kimi who seemed to be the more aware of the kids. Something in his memory twinged as Caine suggested getting all of the kids together.

I should ask, just to be sure.

"Kimi, when we were looking for you, we found our way to the burned down Orphanage. We met a girl named Jeva who seemed to be from the orphanage and had somehow managed to survive on her own in the wilderness. You don't know her, do you? Also, why did you decide to go there?"

He saw the exasperated look on her face and acquiesced. "We can talk as we move."

As the other gathers, Ruhk leans in an whispers to Caine.
"Did you see how she ran as son as she was in the clear? And how refused to back away from the fight? I don't think you can get her to leave short of knocking her out.
...
I don't think she'll listen, if we take too long she'll take off on her own again I bet."

Straightening up, Ruhk rubs the back of his head in annoyance at the situation.
Instead he began to creep towards the door, leaving the talking to the less impulsive people.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

A muscle in Caine's jaw was working overtime. "Boote, can you and your brother keep the kids safe?" he asked with a calmness that belied how tense he obviously was.

I don't know, Nathaniel says, answering before his brother can. I still feel a bit like my mind is in a fog and not likely to make the best choices. But, I'll try, and I know my brother will do his best as well.

"I'll do whichever plan you guys come up with. You just say the word and I'm ready." Belladonna says as she reloads her crossbow.

Zirren blinked as the obvious solution was brought up.

"That may well be a better solution to our predicament. If we leave Tommy here with Kimi and Mikra, as well as Jarrdreg and Kibo, they should be able to keep watch over the Kobolds we've captured." he chuckled after a moment. "Plus, it'll make an ironic twist that the one's who were the captives are now the captors."

That all being said, we should head north to go after Savram next. Caine and Nathaniel in the lead.

Kimi stares defiantly at Caine. "I'm not going anywhere until I know my friends are safe! You'll have to tie me up in a sack otherwise and I'm not goin' without a fight!" She grins as Ruhk seems to come to her defense! "Exactly! I can watch over Mikra and the others when we find them. They'll listen to me, but I ain't going nowhere, mister."

Tommy looks at his brother. "These bastards took her from me when we were captured. I don't even know where she is now... As for weapons, I'm good with most shorter blades, but ever since I found Viviane, my favorite is a good handaxe." He nods at Caine's secondary question. "I can keep them safe now that there's more of us than just me. And no offense, but I'm with Kimi. I let those boys down when I lost sight of them. Plus one of my comrades is still down there with that other child. The kobolds dropped them with some poisoned spears before we made it topside. We are coming with you all, but I can keep these children with me. We will stay back enough to not be a hindrance."

Jarrdreg and Kibo pipe up from the kitchen doorway. "We handle these scum, Supreme Killers!" They now wear the armor and weapons once wielded by their oppressors. "You go save little pinkskins."

Shall we move on? Or do you guys want to deal with the defiant Kimi? ;)

If they're staying here with the freed kobolds to help them guard, I suppose that's fine.

Heh, I told you. I know how kids think, ESPECIALLY stubborn little brats like that.
I used to BE one! Hahahaha.

As Ruhk cautiously begins to peer around the corner he snuck up to, a terrible though occurs to him.
Oh! By Cayden Caelians ball-sack! Is this karma? Is it going to come back and bite me in the ass by making me some kind of adopted older brother to these ragamuffins? Dad, if this is YOUR doing, I'll get you for this old man!

Kimi is saying she's coming with you guys and is defiant enough that you guys know she'll fight tooth and nail (literally, she'll bite you if she has to lol) to stay with you. She's the de facto protector of the group of juveniles.

Almost as an after thought Kimi glances at Zirren. "I just know her mum and daddy got killed by a wolf in the woods and she was moved into the orphanage afterward, 'cause she don't have any family." She rubs the back of neck for a moment as if hesitant to answer the second question. "Well, we went on a dare, 'cause it was supposed to be haunted. We were waiting for night and go in, but they attacked us right after sunset and dragged us here."

Ruhk you can see shadowy hallways stretching towards the right and straight ahead. The hallway ahead ends at a set of double doors that is open towards you and darkness beyond.