IronDesk's Book of Terniel (Inactive)

Game Master IronDesk

Dolph needs to get to around roughly 10' from the tower to use his Destructive Blast. If the others make a break for it, he follows ready to hammer one of the guards.

Good plan to me. Glad someone came up with something!

Aedron leads the way, cautiously inching closer to the two lazy hobgoblin sentries, then burst forth from the underbrush with axe raised high.

Crowflight Gatehouse- Surprise Rnd

We are going to forgo any additional stealth checks and assume anyone who sneaks forward with Aedron does so successfully. So,..
Step 1: check out the encounter map HERE. Place your character within the red box ( 60-80' from the hobgoblins)
Step 2: Post your surprise action.
Step 3: if any hobgoblins are left alive, we proceed to rnd 1

Initiative Order, status and effects
Aedron (23/23 HP)
Kee-rik (17/17 HP)
Hobgoblins (2) - Too shocked to act in surprise rnd
Morgtii (20/20 HP)
Raidh (19/19 HP)
Rudolpho (16/16 HP)

[I don't have editing permission.]

A surprise round is just one action, right?

Since Kee-rik was trailing behind, he'll probably be in the bottom right corner of the red box. He'll move 6 squares across the bottom of the map. [Swamp Stride is fun!]

I requested editing privileges as well. If someone would put Dolph somewhere in the middle of the box, that would be great.

Oh bother! Fixed now.

Surprise Round

Aedron runs towards the bandits with his axe lifted high above his head. He tries to surpress the warcry that'd normally accompany the charge - no sense in alerting their friends more than he has to.

Morgtii had followed Aedron to the edge of the concealing undergrowth, and when the big man hefted his axe and charged into the open, the little entobian quickly put arrow to string and fired off a covering shot at the nearest hobgoblin...
Bow shot: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14; DMG: 1d6 ⇒ 4
...striking his surprised target in the leg as he tries to stand up.

Raidh grips her spear tightly and follows Aedron out in a rush to reach the gatehouse before the guards can react.

Rodolpho creeps forward to crouch beside Morgtii, while Kee-Rik moves silently and quickly through the brush, trying to flank the gatehouse.

Crowflight Gatehouse- Rnd 1

Initiative Order, status and effects
Aedron (23/23 HP)
Kee-rik (17/17 HP)
Hobgoblins (2) - 1 (yellow) lightly wounded
Morgtii (20/20 HP)
Raidh (19/19 HP)
Rudolpho (16/16 HP)
Aedron and Kee-rik are up!

Aedron completes his sprint, and swings his axe at the uninjured goblin.

To hit: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17, Damage, Axe to Grind: 1d12 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Charge the blue goblin - AC is reduced to 17. Add +1 to Hit & Damage Result if the goblin is LE, NE, CE, LN or LG.

Kee-rik will hop forward, pulling out a dagger, and throw the dagger at the most-wounded hobgoblin still standing.

Thrown dagger, 2nd range increment: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 2 = 18
Thrown dagger damage: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Aedron cuts down one of the sentries before he can retrieve his blade. Kee-rik darts forward from the brush and throws a dagger at the wounded sentry that sinks deep into his shoulder. The sentry slumps to the side, fumbles for his watch-horn and blows a meager, warbling note.

Morgtii, Raidh and Rodolpho are up!

Dolph moves 30' straight toward the closest hobgoblin and fires his Destructive Blast at it.

RTA 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Morgtii fires another arrow at the hobgoblin sounding the alarm...
Bow shot: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25; Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 5
...silencing him with a deadly accurate shot.

With no enemies left alive at the gatehouse, Raidh jogs up behind Aedron, while Rodolpho stays in the cover of the thickets with Morgtii.

You can hear shouts of surprise and alarm from the fort above, and the wooden gates are pulled shut. You can see goblins with bows and crossbows rallying to defensive positions behind the crude wooden palisade.

You have 1 round of actions before the defenders are ready to start firing back ( albeit at 100'+ range) at anything they can see.

"Quick...are we moving ahead? If so, best do it now!"

"To the trees!" Aedron hisses at the party, starting to run towards the treeline, hoping to hide from view in there.

Can I do stealth?

The group dashes back into the dense foliage as scattered arrows reign down onto the gatehouse. from your obscured position at the base of the hill it is difficult to see anything going on within the fort, but you can hear shouted orders and activity.

You have 2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3 rounds (or until Wednesday, which ever comes firs 1 :> )to prepare or take action before the goblins inside are ready to react to your threat.

"How in the world are we going to take the fort? They are at higher ground and have many more troops. Are we just going to whittle a couple of them down every day? Do we have enough food to try a siege?"

"How in the world are we going to take the fort? They are at higher ground and have many more troops. Are we just going to whittle a couple of them down every day? Do we have enough food to try a siege?"

Kee-rik wonders to himself why he's the only one who thought that before we attacked.

Within a couple of minutes the goblinoids throw open the gate again and a well armed group sallies forth to confront the intruders. Three goblins armed with short bows begin picking their way down the long stairs protected by a pair of goblins with long spears. pushing them all forward from behind is a large, helmeted hobgoblin.

He clangs his axe and shield together menacingly as he bellows across the clearing.You have assaulted the home of Warlord Mukar! Throw down your weapons now and he may yet be merciful.

Sally Forth!- Rnd 1
Initiative Order, status and effects
Aedron (23/23 HP)
Kee-rik (17/17 HP)
Morgtii (20/20 HP)
Raidh (19/19 HP)
Rudolpho (16/16 HP)
Hobgoblin (1), Goblins(5)

Aedron takes cover amidst the bushes as best he can, waiting for them to draw closer. He has his shield out by now, and a javelin.

Can everyone who wishes to remain hidden this round please roll a stealth check

Woo stealth!: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Dolph tries to stay hidden until they get closer.

Stealth 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Unfortunately, he trips over a log and screams out in surprise.

Oh Dolph, the dice truly hate you..

Morgtii's Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Kee-rik thinks, "Goblins. Finally, some normal-sized enemies." Kee-rik will hide and get one of his nets ready.

Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

Edit: If he can hide up a tree, even better!

Goblinoids' perception: 1d20 + 2 - 8 ⇒ (13) + 2 - 8 = 7

There! cries the hobgoblin, pointing to the copse where Morgtii and Dolph are hiding. The three goblins fire off some shots as they descend the steps...
short bow 1: 1d20 + 4 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 - 2 - 4 = 11
short bow 2: 1d20 + 4 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 - 2 - 4 = 4
short bow 3 ( firing through a friendly): 1d20 + 4 - 2 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 - 2 - 4 - 4 = 9
... but the arrows zing harmlessly through the brush well away from where the heroes are hidden.

No problem for Kee-rik to hide up a tree...

Mystery stealth roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Dolph may make a perception check at -3; Aedron, Kee-rik and Raidh may make a check at -8

Morgtii's Perception: 1d20 + 6 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 6 - 3 = 11

Sally Forth!- Rnd 2
Initiative Order, status and effects
Aedron (23/23 HP)
Kee-rik (17/17 HP)
Morgtii (20/20 HP)
Raidh (19/19 HP)
Rudolpho (16/16 HP)
Hobgoblin (1), Goblins(5)
All players are up!

Perception 1d20 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 1 - 3 = 10

Perception: 1d20 + 6 - 8 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 8 = 13

Aedron continues to hide among the bushes.

Kee-rik is hiding and waiting to see if he can catch a goblin in his net.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 - 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 8 = 13

Raidh's perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

The goblins continue moving down the hill. The archers fall into single file for clearer shots at the ill-concealed Dolph...
shortbow 1 ( cover, concealment): 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 4 = 8
shortbow 2 ( cover, concealment): 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 - 4 = 20; Miss chance 50%: 1d100 ⇒ 75; Confirm Crit?: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 4 = 17; Dmg: 3d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 2) = 5
shortbow 3 ( 2nd range inc, cover, concealment): 1d20 + 4 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 2 - 4 = 7;
...One very lucky shot arcs through the brush and finds its mark, and Dolph grits his teeth in pain.

Sally Forth!- Rnd 3
Initiative Order, status and effects
Aedron (23/23 HP)
Kee-rik (17/17 HP)
Morgtii (20/20 HP)
Raidh (19/19 HP)
Rudolpho (11/16 HP)
Hobgoblin (1), Goblins(5)
All players are up!

Aedron breaks from the bushes, running forwards while pointing his spear at the frontmost enemy, roaring all the while. His features seem to darken and grow more savage

Charge if I can do so from the bushes, otherwise I'm just double moving. I have my shield out and a shortspear. Using 1 round of my Fury of the Abyss.

Shortspear charge vs goblin: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 11
Shortspear Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 13

Reduce by -1 to hit & -1 damage if they are not LG, LN, LE, NE or CE.
AC is 17 (+2 from heavy wooden shield, -2 for charging, -2 from Fury of the Abyss, increase by +2 if not charging).

Dolph moves 25' due west and fires a Destructive Blast at the hobgoblin in the rear. He burns his first spell point of the day to improve his accuracy.

RTA 1d20 + 3 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 20 = 29

Damage 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 1 = 6

Could someone please move me on the map? Thanks.

In initiative order...

Aedron breaks from cover and charges the long spear wielding goblins protecting the bottom of the stairs. They stab at him in surprise...
Goblin AoO 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Goblin AoO 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18; Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 3
...One pricks his thigh as he rushes forward - not a grievous wound but enough to throw off his own attack

Morgtii takes aim at one of the goblin archers and fires...
Activate steel rain drill
Long bow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17; Dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
...piercing the middle goblin through the throat and sending him tumbling to the bottom of the hill.
Note that the steel rain hit would enable Dolpho to take a free ranged attack at this point, but sadly he is out of range at this point in the round

Ignoring his arrow wound, Dolph also abandons the cover of the trees and runs forward - close enough to blast the hobgoblin leader with arcane energy. The warrior roars in pain and staggers back a step.

Raidh and Kee-rik up next

It's a bit hard to tell, but I think K can do this:

Kee-rik will hop down and forward 30 feet, and throw his net at the goblin diagonally next to Aedron.

net throw ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

If he can't do that, he'll hop down and charge at the nearest goblin (probably the same one) and bite. This will probably draw an AoO or two. It gives him -2 AC also.

bite attack: add 2 to the above roll, so 11
bite damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

If he can't do that, he'll hop down and move forward next to Aedron, to keep him from being surrounded by enemies.

Kee-Rik: Moving and throwing the net is doable, so that what I've gone with. Bear in mind that you would have received a -4 for throwing into a melee, but this is mitigated by Raidh's cast ( see below).

Kee-rik runs forward and tries to ensnare one of the goblins in his net but his throw falls short.

Raidh charges out to support the others, trying to skewer the goblin that wounded Aedron...
Charging long spear: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
... but misses as well.

Lets Assume Raidh nominated herself, Aedron and Kee-rik as her cast while you were hiding in the bushes, this gives her a +1 shield bonus for each adjacent ally and each of you benefits from precise shot in relation to each other while in 10' of Raidh.

The hobgoblin barks orders and the goblins respond to the attack with a practiced efficiency the adveturers have not seen in the little humanoids before. The two spear wielders shift down the stairs to make room for their leader, poking at Kee-rik and Raidh to keep them at bay...
gobo long spear vs Kee-rik: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
gobo long spear vs Raidh: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
...but other than appear threatening pose little threat.

Then the hulking hobgoblin raises his axe above his head and hurls himself into the gap left by the spearmen, using the elevation of the steps to launch a vicious swing at Aedron's skull...
Battle axe: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12
...But the swing is over-eager and clumbsy and Aedron easily turns it aside

Meanwhil the two remaining goblin archers steadfastly ignore the skirmish below them and concentrate their fire on the now very exposed Rodolpho...
short bow 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
short bow 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12; Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 2
...and the wizard is struck another glancing blow by an arrow.

Sally Forth!- Rnd 3
Initiative Order, status and effects
Aedron (20/23 HP)
Kee-rik (17/17 HP)
Morgtii (20/20 HP)
Raidh (19/19 HP)
Rudolpho (9/16 HP)
Hobgoblin (wounded), Goblins(4)
All players up!

Morgtii makes a disapproving clicking noise as it gives up its comfortably protected firing position to give Dolpho some support. It jogs forward and snaps off another bowshot at the goblin archers...
long bow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23; Dmg: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
...and a second goblin topples over dead.

Kee-rik will five-foot step forward and bite and claw at the goblinoids, starting with the damaged hobgoblin (assuming Aedron doesn't eliminate it first), and then moving down the line to the goblins, if attacks are left over.

Bite attack : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 Bite damage : 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Claw attack 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Claw damage 1: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Claw attack 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Claw damage 2: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Dolph again fires his Destructive Blast at the hobgoblin in the rear. He burns his second spell point of the day to improve his accuracy.

RTA 1d20 + 3 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 20 = 32

Damage2d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 3) + 1 = 10

Aedron roars, and does his best to skewer the big ugly fellow with his spear.

Shortspear vs Hobgoblin: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 12

Reduce by -1 to hit & -1 damage if they are not LG, LN, LE, NE or CE.
AC is 19 (+2 from heavy wooden shield, -2 from Fury of the Abyss.)
Using rd 2 of Fury of the Abyss

Aedron and the hobgoblin trade blows, each parrying the other's attacks. Their focus on each other lets Kee-rik slip in and gouge the hobgoblin's forarm with his claws. as the brute turns his attention to the little amphibian, he is suddenly smashed to the ground by another of Dolpho's magically guided blasts and topples senseless down the hill.

Raidh attacks one of the goblins...
long spear: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18; Dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
... and stabs it dead.

The remaining spear wielder has had enough. He throws down his weapon and flees back up the stairs, though the going is slow now that he is moving uphill.

The remaining archer is intent on his fire fight with Morgtii, and fires a shot at the bug-man that killed his two fellows...
Short bow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
... but he is jostled by his fleeing compatriot and his shot goes wild. Startled, he too starts scrambling back to the fort.

Cries of anger and dismay can be heard from the fort upon the sudden turning of the battle outside...

Sally Forth!- Rnd 4
Initiative Order, status and effects
Aedron (20/23 HP)
Kee-rik (17/17 HP)
Morgtii (20/20 HP)
Raidh (19/19 HP)
Rudolpho (9/16 HP)
Goblins(2)
All players up! Remember, stairs= no running, -4 to acro checks!

Kee-rik intends to head back to the cover of the trees, where it's safe(r) and we have room to maneuver. Others' actions might change his mind, though.

By the way, what's the ground around here like? Hard-packed earth? Light grass? Swampy bushes? (I assume it's different in different places.)

DM, with their position on the stairs, how far away are they considered from Dolph?

35' to to spearman, 40' to the archer - Pathfinder doesn't really accommodate 3d movement well and I'm not up to calculating the geometry of the hillside, so just measure flat distances for this encounter :>

The heroes watch the retreating goblins and consider the daunting task of chasing after them up the hill into the face of whatever defenders still wait inside the fort.

Goblin-slayers! This way! A low urgent voice growls out to you from the thicket directly south of Dolpho. Follow us if you would win this day.

Dolph didn't see any way to get up there and fight off the goblinoids, so he ignored the voice inside his head telling him this was a bad idea. He headed for the voice, looking back at the group to be sure they were following him.

Kee-rik will follow Rodolpho into the shrubbery, unless another of the group has a better idea.

Guided by the mysterious voice, Dolph, Kee-rik and the others dash into the underbrush just as arrows fired from the fort's remaining defenders start falling amongst them.

There you are greeted by a grey muzzled canine with coarse, tawny coat, pointed ears, and pale eyes. A faint blue nimbus seems to dance upon its fur. It speaks to you in a gravelly voice - the common tongue with a thick sylvan accent. [b]I am Thoa, and I seek allies to aid my pack. I have seen your bravery and prowess. If you would see the wretched thieves and pillagers in that tower defeated, follow me now. [b] With that the great dog turns and bounds away to the south.

Dolph again doesn't say anything. He doesn't see any other way they were going to get into that well defended tower without help. He follows the strange creature as fast as he could.

With few options the group dashes after the talking hound. The beast leads them about an eighth of a mile deeper into the bog and comes to rest in a dark, secluded glen.

Thank you for accompanying me. As I said earlier, my name is Thoa, and I am the story-keeper of the Seven Sisters pack - what is left of it anyway.

Eight days ago the Deceiver lured our alpha into a trap and traded him to Mukar - the hobgoblin warlord whose tower you attacked. The next day, heedless of my counsel, all the adults of the Seven Sisters pack attacked the tower, leaving me to guard our pups. None of them returned.

I have been stalking the fort ever since - I can hear my pack-mates whimpering from within its walls. I am but one. My muzzle is grey and my claws are dull with age, and if I fall there will be noone to guide our pups. I beseech you, help me rescue my pack and the Seven Sisters will be forever in your debpt.

"If we help you with your task, we do need a favor returned from you. There is a demonic cult in these woods, and we are here to stamp them out. I don't see anything wrong with taking out an evil hobgoblin while we are at it. Do you know a way into the fort? It's so well defended, that I'm just not sure."

Thoa cocks his head to one side, thinking. Tied to only this physical plane as you are, it does make things more challenging.

I see two options: First, I can shift you past the wall and into the main yard of the fort. I can only bring one of you with me at a time though, so it will be a slow process to bring everyone through, so it will be risky and perhaps best attempted under cover of darkness.

Second, there are caves under the tower. There are two entrances to these caves. One is in the front of the hillside. It is within the wall but shielded from view of the main yard. After your attack today, it is sure to be guarded. I can teleport you to it one at a time as well. The second entrance is at the back of the hillside and is partially submerged beneath the bog. I have seen goblins moving supplies into the tower by skiff that way. You could gain access this way as a group, without my aid, but be aware that Mukar has trained a pod of crocodiles to serve as guardians to that approach

The two cave entrances can be see on the "Hilltop tower" link above my avatar