GM G's Frostfur Captives (Inactive)

Game Master Magabeus

The goblins are walking along fine, thanks to the encouraging words of Merevelyn. She entertains and awes them with her exuberant use the spark cantrip. One of the female goblins tells how they where recruited for the Shadow Lodge:

"Well, theres waz this mightingly wizerd, who made big balls of firez in the sky. He told our chief that he would make our chief the mightiest goblin in the whole area! And that he would helpz us root out ours enemy, the Icetooth goblins! The only thingz we needed to do was help hummans whith a spezial kind of ring, that they wore. They travelled through our territory and we could not hurt them."

On Irissen she shrugs "It is cold here, do not sleep out in the open, but huddle close to each other!. This direction lies the icetooth territory, the towers are just ahead."

And indeed you can see two ancient stone watchtowers some 100 ft away as you reach the summit of a low mountain pass.

Map added, you start in the red box on the left on the map. I assume that the blue box is the six goblins. Please roll initiative and declare your actions. I will update the map (and include grid references) tonight

Marduk breathes out a visible vapor of breath. He noticed the two towers rise in sight.
"Watchtowers?"
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Upon seeing the towers, Sterelin removes his parrot from under the warm clothing he bought for the trip. He whispers quietly to the bird, who then flies in a wide circle about the towers and returns.

Familiar ordered to scout out the area and see if anyone is on and around the towers. +9 Perception INT=6, WIS=12.

Sterelin, how wide is the radius that your parrot will stay away from the towers?

"Frozen wasteland perhaps," mutters Wyeth upon seeing the towers, "but not wilderness."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

"Not liking this," he says in a more normal voice as he pulls out, cocks, and loads his crossbow. "Look at the ground ahead. Those towers are in regular use, and passing between them is the only way forward. Keep the goblins safely back here. I'll continue on to see if I'm challenged or, if they're civilized, to see if there's a toll or the like."

He glances over at Sterelin as the witch sets his familiar to flight. "I hope your bird has the good sense to stay out of arrow range."

"You do really well with them goblins, Merry!", the bald priest pleased with a much more appropriate nickname for his new travelling companion. "Perhaps you could run a goblin daycare setup if you ever retire!", Saitama oblivious for the lack of need or desire for such a business.

Saitama Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Looking out into the distance at the towers, the warpriest stares out into the distance, hoping for Irori's guidance on the matter.
Guidance, then Perception
Perception: 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 9 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 1 - 9 = 6

D'oh! You did ask for initiative, didn't you GM!

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Well I'll just go stand in the back now. :oP

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Merevelyn is suspicious about the towers and leads the group of goblins behind the large, nearby boulder, drawing her wand of magic missiles just in case.
The one just to the lower right of where we start.

Sterelin, how wide is the radius that your parrot will stay away from the towers?

65'

Darmut eyes the towers darkly, searching their heights for activity.

Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

You take some time to get a good look at the 50 ft high towers. The towers are not in a good shape, and it is odd that there is very little snow on the battlements at the top. Merevelyn herds the goblins behind a big rock.

Map updated, please continue. Just take one round of actions and I will update accordingly.

What's the little red thingum at G5?

Crossbow cocked and ready but held pointing downward in a non-threatening way, Wyeth strides forward while keeping a wary eye on the towers.

"AHOY!" he shouts. "HALLO IN THE TOWERS! HAIL AND WELL MET! I AM A POOR CRIPPLE ON A PILGRIMAGE THROUGH THE COLD! MAY WE PASS?"

Double-move to J9.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Merevelyn stays behind the boulder, ready to fire a magic missile if hostilities erupt.

As Sterelin awaits the parrot's return he tells the group,"Harrow detects no one about the tower... Perhaps we should approach?"

The witch then uses his empathic link to summon the bird to return. When she does, he finds her a place within his clothing for warmth.

"Sure, but still let's be careful. There could be traps for all we know."

"If it makes sense to you," Merevelyn suggests apologetically, "I will stay here, covering you with my wand - the near sides of both towers should be within range - and minding our goblin friends." It makes sense, but smacks of cowardice, she regrets.

Darmut shrugs, "I will go first, see if I can draw any foes out." So saying he jogs forward. To M7

The oracle does a double-take as Darmut suddenly jogs past, moving at a rate Wyeth couldn't possibly match.

"Damn leg," he mutters.

Saitama moves up a little closer, trying to get a better peek at the towers, cupping both hands together as a telescope to focus his vision.

Move action to move to H8, standard to Perception]Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Sterelin advances with the group, keeping behind Saitama for safety.

The little red thingy was a red parrot ;-). It is now back with Sterelin, safe(r) and warm(er)

Darmut, can you also state actions for your Roc?

The party is trying to determine what is the best approach as Darmut has had enough. He sprints forward and easily overtakes Wyeth, Saitama and Sterelin. His movement must have caught the attention of a guardian on the northern tower, you see a small wrinkle of black smoke finding its way skyward. Moments later a goblin's face appears over the battlements. He points a bow at Darmut and fires! The arrow goes right through Darmut's shoulder, leaving a nasty wound! You see no activity on the southern tower.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Status
Marduk: 11/14 hp Goblin bite earlier this day
Darmult: 9/12 hp

Next
Entire party, map has been updated

The six captive goblins start shouting at the sight of the goblin sentry.

Aigh! That Isz an Isetooth! Our mortals enemy, Let me at them!

In a more or less coordinated effort they seem to be starting to the Northern tower!

GM, I'm seeing crenelations in the map art, plus you stated "a goblin's face appears." What is the situation with cover/concealment for ranged attacks? Thanks!

No concealment, although cover applies: +4 to his AC.

Additional information: from the party's vantage point they have not seen any entrance to the tower(s)

"They're firing!" Wyeth shouts. "Take cover and mind the goblins!" Not that anyone's unaware they're shooting... or that there's much cover to take, anyway. But it's what he would do.

The oracle moves to the side and crouches behind a large boulder. (MA to I5 which I presume is at least partial cover.) "దీవించు!" he intones as he sweeps his hands outward.

Casting Bless, +1 morale bonus on attacks (and fear saves) to all allies for one minute.

Marduk will double move forward.

Merevelyn fires back at the goblin in the tower (if she can see it, or at the first she can see as a readied action) and speaks to keep the Frostfur goblins pacified: A little motivated self-interest...

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Knowing that he must move closer to bring his power to bear effectively, Sterelin dodges forward toward the cliffside attempting to take cover behind fallen snow and rocks.

Double move to P3

"Great googly gobliny!", shouts Saitama as Darmuk takes the arrow.

Seeing the goblins willing to engage the foes, though, causes the warpriest to smile. "A foe so feral our fellow goblins wish to fight!", causes Saitama to head straight forward to take the fight to the enemy.

Run action to move to W8, looking for an entrance to the towers.

Darmut points to the southern tower and then rushes forward trying to bash the door open with his shoulder, but merely rebounding against it. Shersht soars up and snaps at one of the goblins on the southern tower.

Str: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Shersht Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

No map update yet, can only do that from home PC

Saitama and Darmut move forward, closing the distance to the northern tower. Darmut moves to the door in the northern tower (W5) and they also see a door in the southern tower (Y11). Merevelyn points her wand and shoots a missile to the goblin that shot Darmut, injuring it.

Marduk and Sterelin also run forward, while Wyeth does the sensible thing and takes cover. He also aids his ally's with a bless spell. Darmut's Roc, Shersht charges the nearest goblin on the southern tower and severely hurts it! Although you can't really get a clear view it seems as if the goblins fight back, and manage to wound the roc (2 damage)!

Suddenly a flask sails down from the northern tower, right atop Darmut's head. The flask breaks and Darmut is engulfed in flames (4 damage) that keep on burning! The goblin you saw earlier shoots again, now at Sterelin and also wounds him (3 damage)!

Status and Location

Darmult: 5/12 hp, on fire, blessed, W5
Marduk: 11/14 hp, blessed, N7
Merevelyn: blessed, D11
Saitama: blessed, W8
Shersht: 5/7 hp, blessed, V13
Sterelin: 5/8 hp, blessed, P3
Wyeth: blessed, I5

Next
Party

If you have your current hp in your status bar, please update that when you take damage / are healed. Thanks!

Thank you for saying "sensible" rather than "cowardly," GM G! :o) Also: Loving the way you're providing running stats. Keeping track of who's injured how badly has been a real challenge for me in a game where I'm running a cleric. Being able to see the entire situation at a glance is awesome.

Wyeth cringes as a flask of fire erupts around Darmut. Gritting his teeth, he asks for Cayden's aid (casting Guidance on himself) then steadies the bottom of his crossbow on the boulder, takes careful aim, and fires at the first goblin spotted.

Crossbow=>T4: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 + 1 = 11
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Thanks a lot there Cayden, ya souse. This is one of the reasons Wyeth doesn't follow any gods, they're too bloody fickle!

"Damn crosswinds," he mutters as he reaches for another bolt.

"Ungh!" Sterelin glares in concentration at the goblin who shot him, twisting fortune against the creature.

Misfortune Hex (DC 14)

Glad to see Wyeth is taking up the role that Coronoides left vacant after his departure ;-). And you are welcome, I also really liked this approach when I first came upon it in one of GM Alice's games.

The captured goblins digest Merevelyn's speech and one answers

Screeching his fury Shersht flaps forward and lashes out at the goblins, one talon slicing through an artery and sending blood spurting while the other cuts home to.

Darmut meanwhile curses, but elects to retreat behind cover until he can recover from the flames which still dance upon his flesh.

Double move to I5, while Shersht 5ft. flaps.

Fly Move Less Than Half Speed DC 10: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Talon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Talon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Crit Conf Talon: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 Ex Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

BTW - if the hex hits, move action cackle.

"Hold still!", Saitama trying to tell the flaming man to hold back a few so he can offer Irori's healing.

Assuming either Saitama is before Darmut or Darmut agrees to delay to after Saitama's action, Saitama will move to W4 and then provide some cure light wounds love!

Cure Light Wounds @ Darmut: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

2 dead goblins on the southern tower!

Saitama is able to touch Darmut in a game of tag the burning man. The touch is not too soon as the flames hurt the wounded hunter even more before they fade away (1 damage).

Flame damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Gobbo Will save: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

The visible goblin on the northern tower is not so lucky today!

Marduk will move up to the base of the northern tower.
Arriving there he will try to listen if anything is behind the door.
Rushing into a trap is hardly healthy..
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Marduk, your actions for the next round are recorded, although Merevelyn and the enemy still get to act ;-) Your enthusiasm is appreciated!

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Another missile flies unerringly but weakly to its target. "That could have been more emphatic..." Merevelyn rues.
Another MM to the north tower goblin hit before.

The goblin on the northern towers disappears from sight, while the smoke that comes from that tower thickens.

Sorry Wyeth, I forgot to remove him from the map.

Wyeth glances over at Darmut. "You alright, friend? That didn't look pleasant."

He reloads his crossbow as he talks, then steadies it on the rock and fires at the same goblin again.

Crossbow=>T4: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 1 = 21 That's better...
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

"Merevelyn!" he shouts back over his shoulder. "Ask our goblins if that's a signal fire!"

"We may need to finish this quickly and move!" he adds in muttered tones.

Not to self: Great job! you managed to delete almost the entire post while trying to reply to it. And that just before editing deadline ran out

Quick recap
Goblin on northern tower disappears from sight, Marduk does not hear anything in the tower. Darmut's flames go out. Smoke from tower thickens

Merevelyn, please make a intimidate check, your words are not very diplomatic ;-)

Status

Everyone is blessed
Darmut: 11/12 hp
Marduk: 11/14 hp
Shersht: 5/7 hp
Sterelin: 5/8 hp
Northern Goblin: 4 damage, misfortune

Next
Entire party, except Marduk (already took round 2 actions)

Map is up, ignore the goblin on the tower, you can't seen him

"The smoke may be a signal! We should see if we can put it out!" With that Sterelin approaches the door to the tower and tries to open it, standing aside rather than in the doorway to avoid any occupants actually seeing him.

Well, it's all about perspective: Merevelyn cares about the little monsters and is just warning them about everyone else.
Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Meh.

Sorry Wyeth, I forgot to remove him from the map.

The goblin that was trying to smash the rock immediately stops as Merevelyn 'warns' him. All goblins are anxiously looking at the half elf. At last one of them speaks up

Merevelyn tries to carefully consider her words and promises. Better not get myself in too deep...

Merevelyn readies to fire again at any target the shows itself.

Marduk, Sterelin and Saitama group together at the door. The original door rotted away centuries ago, and the one in place now is of typical goblin craftsmanship.

Darmut and Wyeth huddle behind a rock. A little more to the west Merevelyn and the captive goblins also behind a rock, eagerly awaiting the outcome of the battle. Shersth is flying in a large circle, looking for an enemy to attack.

Sorry Sterelin, it is a move action to try to open a door, and you were more than 30 ft away.

Status

Everyone is blessed
Darmut: 11/12 hp
Marduk: 11/14 hp
Shersht: 5/7 hp
Sterelin: 5/8 hp
Northern Goblin: 4 damage

Next
Entire Party, please refrain from posting after anyone has succeeded in opening the door.

Map has been updated