GM Lamplighter's "The Frostfur Captives" (Inactive)

Game Master Scott Young

Whispering back at Eryndir, "Unless they follow his orders with no question, since he is the one in command here."

"Then we're no worse off than out in the wilderness with them hunting us down."

"What makes you think they'll have to hunt us down? They already know where we are. Odds are they would attack before we could escape so wouldn't have to worry about it.
Before we argue more though, what do the others think?" and Kyras looks toward Sochi, Beromir, and Rhaz.

Sochi agrees, "The known enemy is better than the unknown one."

Rha'ziz jerks his arm up and out of Kella's grasp. He glowers down at her and then looks around, surveying the situation. He walks over to Eryndir and speaks in a low voice.

I got the goblins under control. Anybody will have to go through me to get to them.

He frowns over at the door and then looks back to Eryndir, Sochi and Kyras.

I say we just press on and tell bozo over there that we were given strict orders by the Decemvirate to deliver the goblins to chosen representatives at a certain time. We are behind schedule and must proceed with haste.

Eryndir and Beromir should act as scouts who patrol the flanks, forward and rear. I'll have the goblins rally around me as they would a bugbear, Sochi in front and Kyras hovering about.

If our scouts encounter trouble we will have the chance to maneuver around any ambush, but we won't be able to outrun a pursuit. Therefore we need to be prepared to fight a defensive battle or evade detection using the terrain to our advantage.

He leans in close and his voice gets lower, taking on a malicious edge.

Or we just kill him now before he talks to anybody.

The leer that follows makes it difficult to tell if he is joking or relishing the prospect of killing.

Personally, I think we have more to fear here than in Irrisen, as anti goblin sentiment here is probably stronger than anti Ulfen sentiment in Irrisen. We really should keep going and not stop unless we absolutely have to.

"If you really have suspicions," Beromir whispers, "then let's go from here. I and Kyras should be able to find a suitable place for the night."

"Skaar, wait! Bring the goblins here." Eryndir calls out.

To the Black Raven, he says, "Yes, even with the weather worsening, I fear we must press on. Thank you for the offer of warmth, but we suffered delays in Irrisen and and now need to press on."

We got these Goblins from the Blackravens, who this guys serves. He knew we were coming and has been commanded by his superiors to protect us. This isn't a town, it's a Blackraven base. Why are you all being so paranoid? The only reason he acted "weirdly" at all is because we chose to arm the goblins. I really don't think we're in danger of being ambushed by the people we're working for by proxy.

Enrik's frown deepens. "You are given free passage through our lands by the goodwill of the Blackravens, who are sworn to defend this country from the evils of Irrisen," he states, his voice rising. "And yet you reject our hospitality, and will just go unescorted into our lands, to do as you will?" He shakes his head and laughs grimly. "I do not think so. What guarantee do we have that you are not in league with the Ice Witches, or charmed by them, or simply working for the highest bidder? Isn't that how you Pathfinders operate, without loyalty to nation or king?" He seems to grow more angry as he speaks, his face reddening.

"Commander!" The woman's voice comes from the top of the hill. A tall armored figure stands atop the hill, her helmet in one hand, allowing her golden hair to fly in the wind. Over her shoulder you see the hilt of a greatsword. "Is everything under control?"

Enrik starts and turns back to the hill where the woman stands. "Yes, sergeant, everything is fine. These Pathfinders were just asking us to ignore a weregild of a thousand years, all for their convenience. After all, what does it matter to them that these monsters," - he points over his shoulder at the goblins - "have slaughtered our kin for generations? As long as they get what they want, that's all that matters. And when we die, they will come back to rob our tombs, as well!" He wheels back towards you, and his eyes smolder with rage.

"Freyr Darkwine is no king, and his word cannot violate our sacred duty to protect our lands. These goblins will die like the monsters they are. Stand against us, and you will die as well. Ic i ábradwe áglæcan!" Enrik's last words, shouted in Ulfen, accompany the drawing of his greataxe.

Even though I've already narrated it, him drawing his axe is his first action in initiative. There may be a surprise ronud for some people, but to determine that the rolls above are for a variety of skill checks and initiative checks. You will have a bonus due to Enrik's behavior obviously worsening, of course. As Skaar says, the scenario designers obviously wanted this to be a surprise attack, but you have a fairly high-Wisdom party and that was enough to tip some of you off that something wasn't right. The next post will contain everyone's reactions time and what they can see in a player-specific spoiler, for reasons which will become obvious.

Code for previous rolls: first one is Sense Motive, second is Perception, third is Init, in case you want to go back and check my math. Really bad sense motive rolls means no one acts in the surprise round - luckily, Enrik's men don't fare much better despite being ready for trouble.

Round 0 (surprise round)

Enrik's soliloquy ends as he dashes forward, drawing his battle axe. He advances to Eryndir, and stares directly into his eyes. "Move, elf, or I will fell you like a tree!"

The sergeant grasps an amulet hanging around her neck, and shouts in a strong voice, pointing at Sochi. "Our Lord in Iron, strip the unworthy of your favor!" Sochi - Will save DC 14: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10

End of surprise round!

Initiative order:

Kyras <-- UP - please declare your actions
Eryndir <-- UP - please declare your actions
Beromir <-- UP - please declare your actions
Enrik
Rha'ziz
Blackraven
Sergeant
Sochi
Skaar

The goblins will be able to join in next round.

If you draw a weapon while moving does that count as one move action?

"Certainly," Eryndir replies.

Eryndir takes a five foot step southwest away from the Black Raven and...

Arrow 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Arrow 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

...fires two arrows into the dirt at the man's feet. "Those we were warning shots! Stand down!"

Bluff: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (11) - 2 = 9

If you draw a weapon while moving does that count as one move action?

For you, yes, because your BAB is +1 or higher.

Also, damn. I guess I should be more paranoid :P

Kyras walks around Enrik while drawing his longsword. Wide enough to not elicit an aoo and still be able to flank him, but also hopefully to stand between him and the sergeant.
Longsword attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 71d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
I'm pretty sure I don't get the flanking bonus yet, since Eryndir was not technically threatening Enrik on my turn.

Eryndir does threaten, even when he's wielding his bow, because he has Improved Unarmed Strike, and so his feet threaten around him.

Wow, Eryndir... you actually missed the 5' square with both arrows! I don't quite know what that will mean... you guys have been hit by terrible dice rolling, though. And Skaar - you had no reason to be paranoid... Eryndir did, due to his Sense Motive check.

"I don't want to fight you", Beromir says to Enrik, "but it is our mission to escort these goblins and take them to safety. You leave us no other choice." As he speaks, he draws his greataxe and whispers strange words. He then starts getting bigger and bigger, until he eventually doubles in size.

Cast Enlarge Person

Round 1 (partial)

Kyras draws his sword, moves behind Enrik, and slashes at him ineffectively. A grim smile settles on the Blackraven commander's face. "In league with the goblins, as I suspected!" he growls.

Eryndir steps back and fires a pair of arrows at the ground. One splinters, while the other bounces off of a stone and ricochets away.

Beromir draws his axe and begins casting a spell. (Remember, enlarge person has a 1 round casting time...

Enrik steps forward and slashes at Beromir with his axe. "Damn witches!" he snarls. Battle axe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Beromir staggers under the force of the blow, badly wounded. Concentration check DC 20: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 Amazingly, he manages to hold on to the incantation he is casting!

Kyras <-- Acted
Eryndir <-- Acted
Beromir <-- Acted
Enrik <-- Acted
Rha'ziz <-- UP - please declare your actions
Blackraven
Sergeant
Sochi
Skaar

Map updated

Damn, I forgot the 1 round casting time

S'ok, you made the concentration check!

Eryndir does threaten, even when he's wielding his bow, because he has Improved Unarmed Strike, and so his feet threaten around him.

Oh ok. Unfortunately, I don't think the +2 helped much.

On my turn, I'm using resolve as a standard action to get rid of shaken state.

Round 1 (continued)

Rha'ziz grins at the Blackraven commander in front of him, and pulls out his flail. Flail: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Blackraven #2 comes out from behind the longhouse and hurls an axe at the nearest goblin, missing. Throwing axe: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 - 2 = 10

The sergeant on the roof of the lodge walks down the sloped hilltop and jumps the few feet to the ground. Acrobatics: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (13) - 4 = 9 As she pulls out her greatsword and advances on him, Kyras sees her shaking her head almost sadly. The emotion fades and is replaced by ferocity as she brings her sword around in a two-handed overhead swing. Greatsword: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 6) + 4 = 14 The half-elf crumples under the blow, falling hard and not moving.

From the stable to the south, the ironically-named Blackraven #1 is late to battle. He also throws an axe at the nearest goblin. Throwing axe: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 3 - 4 = 17 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 The axe catches Big Mouth in the chest, and he howls in pain and rage.

Sochi concentrates, steeling herself against the power of the spell, and her fear fades.

Kyras <-- Acted
Eryndir <-- Acted
Beromir <-- Acted
Enrik <-- Acted
Rha'ziz <-- Acted
Blackraven 2<-- Acted
Sergeant <-- Acted
Blackraven 1<-- Acted
Sochi <-- Acted
Skaar <-- UP - please declare your actions

I'm not sure what kind of action activating Scarshield is, but if I can cast a spell and activate that I will.

Standard action; Cast Mage Armor
Move action; Draw axe
AC:16 (17 if I can activate scarshield this turn.)

Skaarr looks shocked at the conduct of the Blackravens, then very angry. He growls a guttural chant in orcish, and scars covering his body expel a bloody looking sheen of force over his skin. Then he whips his greataxe from his back and prepares to attack the Blackravens.

Seeing Kyras go down, Eryndir turns his attention to the sarge.

Arrow 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1
Arrow 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Arrow 2 Confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3
Extra Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

Round 1 (COMPLETE)

Kyras draws his sword, moves behind Enrik, and slashes at him ineffectively. A grim smile settles on the Blackraven commander's face. "In league with the goblins, as I suspected!" he growls.

Eryndir steps back and fires a pair of arrows at the ground. One splinters, while the other bounces off of a stone and ricochets away.

Beromir draws his axe and begins casting a spell. (Remember, enlarge person has a 1 round casting time...

Enrik steps forward and slashes at Beromir with his axe. "Damn witches!" he snarls. Battle axe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Beromir staggers under the force of the blow, badly wounded. Concentration check DC 20: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 Amazingly, he manages to hold on to the incantation he is casting!

Rha'ziz grins at the Blackraven commander in front of him, and pulls out his flail. Flail: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Blackraven #2 comes out from behind the longhouse and hurls an axe at the nearest goblin, missing. Throwing axe: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 - 2 = 10

The sergeant on the roof of the lodge walks down the sloped hilltop and jumps the few feet to the ground. Acrobatics: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (13) - 4 = 9 As she pulls out her greatsword and advances on him, Kyras sees her shaking her head almost sadly. The emotion fades and is replaced by ferocity as she brings her sword around in a two-handed overhead swing. Greatsword: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 6) + 4 = 14 The half-elf crumples under the blow, falling hard and not moving.

From the stable to the south, the ironically-named Blackraven #1 is late to battle. He also throws an axe at the nearest goblin. Throwing axe: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 3 - 4 = 17 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 The axe catches Big Mouth in the chest, and he howls in pain and rage.

Sochi concentrates, steeling herself against the power of the spell, and her fear fades.

Skaar casts his spell and draws his axe. (Scarshield is a standard action, I think)

End of round 1

Stabilize: 1d20 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 1 - 3 = 9

Round 2 (partial)

Kyras lies unmoving on the ground. I will make the stabilization rolls here, to preserve the secrecy of the results.

Eryndir fires a pair of arrows at the sergeant. The first grazes the woman's shoulder, but the second sinks deep into her chest. The sergeant falls with a groan.

Kyras <-- Acted
Eryndir <-- Acted
Beromir <-- UP - please declare your actions
Enrik
Rha'ziz
Blackraven 2
Sergeant
Blackraven 1
Sochi
Skaar

Ok. You seem to be having better luck with the rolling anyway.

Enrik's potent blow makes Beromir wince in pain and almost lost his spell. The druid however manages to complete the casting and is now a giant more than 12 feet tall. Despite his wound, he swings his huge axe at the man before him.

Attack mwk greataxe: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage: 3d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2, 1) + 6 = 12
Confirm critical: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Additional damage: 6d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 5, 1, 3, 3, 5) + 12 = 31

Confirm the critical Beromir.

I'm afraid it is too little

Oh well, at least you got 12 damage in.

Yes, it's better than no damage at all... But it's less than 43 points of damage :)

Round 2 (continued)

Beromir grows to giant size (shifting to an open space) and cleaves into Enrik. The Ulfen winces in pain, but remains standing.

Enrik swings at the now-giant Beromir. "Die, witch!" Battle axe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 The axe just connects, and giant Beromir falls with a crash to the snowy ground.

Kyras <-- Acted; down
Eryndir <-- Acted
Beromir <-- Acted; down
Enrik <-- Acted
Rha'ziz <-- UP - please declare your actions
Blackraven 2
Sergeant
Blackraven 1
Sochi
Skaar

Sochi screams, "Traitorous dog!" as she draws her katana and attacks Enrik.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Round 2 (continued)

Rha'ziz swings his flail again at the Blackraven commander. Flail: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Blackraven 2 pulls out his battle axe and heads for the goblins.

Big Mouth sees it coming, and suddenly hurls something at the oncoming Ulfen! Alchemist's fire: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14 There is a small explosion, and burning oil splashes everywhere. Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 Singed, the man continues forward and attacks Big Mouth, missing. Battle axe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Blackraven 1 moves to engage, standing near Eryndir and daring him to provoke.

Sochi leaps into the fray and slashes Enrik with her katana. The Blackraven leader groans and slowly falls first to one knee, and then face-down into the snow. The other Blackravens look at each other, wide-eyed at this new turn of events.

Kyras <-- Acted; down
Eryndir <-- Acted
Beromir <-- Acted; down
Enrik <-- Acted; down
Rha'ziz <-- Acted
Blackraven 2 <-- Acted
Sergeant <-- Acted; down
Blackraven 1 <-- Acted
Sochi <-- Acted
Skaar <-- UP - please declare your actions

Eryndir knocks another arrow, takes aim at Blackraven 1, and shouts out, "Drop your damned weapons now and we can perhaps still save these two fools from their injuries!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1

Edit: expletives added to reflect poor roll

Move action; Skaarr moves NE->E->S->S, standing on/over the unconscious Beromir.
Standard action; Swing at Blackraven 1

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Skaar moves past his allies and downed foes to straddle the unconscious shaman. He swings his greataxe at one of the traitorous Blackravens, hoping to end him before any more harm comes to any Pathfinders or goblins.

Feeling out Enrik's overall body movements and fighting style on a semi-conscious level, Rhaz reacts to the opportunity as soon as it presents itself.

Disarm: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8

Additional +2 for flanking bonus, but I'm not sure if it applies to this attack. Also, is there a rule that allows me to move one square into a flanking position (if I am not in one already) without provoking an attack of opportunity?

Nice. If he has disarmed me, I will rush Enrik in the round after that and attempt to grapple (unless I state otherwise before the round comes).

Enrik's down isn't he? If not I need to change my action.

You are correct Skaarr, Enrik is down.

Oops. Missed that, sorry. I suppose a redo is in order huh. Gee, I'd object to that idea but I don't want to slow the game down.

Rha'ziz roars and punches the up in air after Sochi kills the commander. He then lets out another roar and charges the sergeant who fell Kyras.

Charge Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

(-_-)* Sergeant is down too, I believe. The only ones left should be blackraven 1 and 2.

Welcome back, Rhaz! Yes, both Enrik and the Sergeant are down, and the other two Blackravens are still up (one of whom is on fire).

Round 2 (continued)

Skaar moves to attack one of the Blackravens, but misses.

Round 3 (partial)

Kyras - down, GM has rolled stabilization check

Eryndir orders the remaining Blackravens to surrender, in an accidentally-intimidating tone. Blackraven 1 looks determined to fight, until Blackraven 2 drops his axe and turns his efforts to putting out the alchemist's fire on his arm. With a yell, the goblins begin to charge forward to attack the unarmed men, but the deep (for them) snow slows them down enough that this is easily prevented.

Status: Kyras and Beromir down; Enrik and the Blackraven Sergeant down; Blackraven 1 and 2 surrendered.

Out of initiative order, but still tracking rounds due to various people potentially bleeding out... please tell me what you'll do about that, if anything.

Eryndir moves to Kyras and attempts to stabilize him.

Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Should be good enough. "He's alive! See to Beromir."

Once Kyras is stable, Eryndir moves on to the sarge.

Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Probably too late for her.

Heal check on Beromir: 1d20 ⇒ 3

"Him dead?" Skaarr asks, leaning down to fumble with Beromir's wounds in a misguided attempt to tend to them.

Does he have a pulse?