In the city of Neverwinter, a dwarf named Gundren Rockseeker asked you to bring a wagon load of provisions to the rough-and-tumble settlement of Phandalin, a couple of days' travel southeast of the city. Gundren was clearly excited and more than a little secretive about his reasons for the trip, saying only that he and his brothers had found "something big," and that he'd pay you ten gold pieces each for escorting his supplies safely to Barthen's Provisions, a trading post in Phandalin. He then set out ahead of you on horse, along with a warrior escort named Sildar Haliwinter, claiming he needed to arrive early to "take care of business." You've spent the last few days following the High Road south from Neverwinter, and you've just recently veered east along the Triboar Trail. You've encountered no trouble so far, but this territory can be dangerous. Bandits and outlaws have been known to lurk along the trail.
With the group is a young Halfling named Radell Swampfoot who sits on the small wagon leading it towards Phandalin, his home town.
"We're just a few hours away from town. Quaint little place, not as hustle and bustle as Neverwinter but, eh." He shoots the party a wide smile.
You all may give me a marching order and may now talk amongst yourselves for a short bit.
dot...just for the moment..lol
Peren walks beside the wagon and smiles at the halfling's description of the town. His horse is ties up to the back of the wagon; the elf has walked almost the entire way, offering his mount to whoever felt foot-sore or tired.
"Well it will be nice to relax in an Inn after this time on the road!", the armored elf comments.
Torbin has also walked the road towards the back of the caravan keeping his eyes alert for possible ambushes.
"Agreed Peren, nothing shakes the dirt of the road off of your boots and the weariness from your bones like a large mug of ale".
Torbin addresses Radell, "So besides your home and the trading post, is there anything else of interest in Phandalin? I am from Cormyr and have not traveled overmuch this far north so I know little about the smaller settlements outside of Waterdeep and Neverwinter".
Nariella had spent most of the journey to one side of the wagon, listening to her companions conversations. She was a little nervous about pushing into their conversations, but was still curious about their lives. Occasionally, she would break away from the wagon declaring, "I'm going to scout ahead for a bit...this is outlaw territory after all..."
Overall, she had found the journey so peaceful that she was a little disappointed to hear that they were near their destination. However, she couldn't help but smile at the halfling's enthusiasm about his home. "Yes, Radell, do tell us about Phandalin."
"Hey, that's right," says the half-elf, lying across the top of the wagon. "I've never been there; what's interesting to see and do?"
Radell nods at Torbin, a big smile on his face. "Yes, there is the Shrine of Luck, a nice little place to Tymora. Then you got the Sleeping Giant taproom. Grista, the owner, is a tad surly, but great place for some mead and ale. Then you got..."
Radell suddenly brings his cart to a stop, squinting ahead. "Something isn't right... Something's in the road up ahead." He looks to the four of you and then points ahead.
"Have to get these supplies to town. Check it out, hopefully it's just a downed tree or something..."
Nariella snaps to alertness when the Halfling points ahead, "It could just be a fallen tree...but if its a blockade, it could be a bandit ambush point..." Turning to the others she remarks, in almost a whisper, "We should investigate. Cautiously..."
"Agreed," says Arrius as he hops down from the wagon. Surveying his allies, he says, "Nariella, you and I are probably the sneakiest. Just in case it's an ambush, let's sneak around from the side while the others move forward in the open. If it turns out to be a fallen tree, no big deal. If it's an ambush, we can pincer them."
Drawing his two shortswords, Peren readies himself to support his teammates, if needed.
Nariella nods and moves silently towards the opposite site of the road of Arrius, her shortbow drawn and ready.
She grimaces as she steps on several branches, one making a particularly loud snapping noise. Idiot! Have you forgotten your training already? If there is someone up there you better hope they have wax stuffed in their ears...
Torbin will load his light crossbow and attempt to scale the rock (assuming it is not too high) to get a better vantage point for a shot if necessary. As he climbs, he will attempt to keep his head low to ensure no one who may have set a trap spots him in return.
Sneaking forward, Arrius rounds to one side of the obstruction as Nariella swings to the other (Arrius is southerly, Nariella being northerly). The sight before them is rather gruesome.
In the middle of the road lays an overturned wagon, one side busted to pieces and missing it's wheels. Two horses, still reined to the wagon, lay dead before, their bodies mangled and bloated in appearance. Flies and other insects are in large numbers in the immediate vicinity.
Arrius and Nariella, as they approach the wreck, see movement in the bushes and, more disturbingly, in the horses themselves. The movement in the bushes, thankfully, are identifiable as Goblins!
The Goblins themselves appear not to have noticed Arrius nor Nariella, their eyes seemingly set on the path, laying in wait...
Nariella's heart skips for a second when she sees how close they are, but is relieved when she realizes that they are only goblins and they somehow haven't noticed her. She turns and gestures to Torbin and Peren, pointing to each of the goblins hiding spots and trying to indicate that they are the goblin's targets.
Waiting for further indication, Nariella switches her bow for her rapier, preparing to run around the rock and surprise the one near her, should anything go down.
"Hmm..." Arrius thinks to himself, "Pretty clearly an ambush. I wish I knew what was going on with the horses, but it's probably best to already be done with the goblins if something weird happens, so..."
Arrius pops out of his hiding place and takes a preemptive stab at the nearest goblin:
,
As soon as the goblins see him, Arrius shouts loudly, "Goblin ambush!"
Well, that solves that... Nariella thinks to herself, as Arrius shouts out. Leaping into action, she runs around the rock and attempts to stab the goblin with her rapier.
Tobin stands on the rock he climbed and takes a shot at one of the Goblins.
Light Crossbow Attack
Bolt Damage
Seeing Nariella motion to the sides of the road, then hearing Arrius yell about an ambush, Peren strides forward towards the side of the road that Nariella is on and strikes at the goblins he finds there.
Attack-melee:
Damage:
Attack-melee:
Damage:
@Arrius: Forgot to mention that it indeed allows advantage on the attack. Go ahead and add the advantage attack after this for my failing to mention it sooner.
Nariella lashes out, catching the goblin nearest her with a deadly strike, her foe falling as his very heart is pierced!
Torbin leaps up on the rock and attempts to shoot one, but his footing gives slightly, his bolt missing it's target narrowly.
Peren rushes forward just as one of the goblins bursts from one of the dead horses, his bade nearly killing the foul little beast!
Initiative
Init:
,
Arrius's dagger lashes out and for a moment looked like it would miss before catching it in it's arm. Letting out a scream and shouting in Goblin, they ready themselves for a fight!
Nariella pulls her rapier out of the fallen goblin and runs towards another.
Nariella's thin blade catches another, it's blood spilling out in a dark red wave as its knees buckle!
Torbin drops the light crossbow on the rocks and draws his Mace.
He leaps down onto the Goblin below him, attacking with all the training he received with his father in the Cormyrean army.
Mace Melee Attack
(EDIT per DM post below) Advantage
Mace Damage
Mace Melee Attack (First War Domain Bonus Attack of the Day)
(EDIT per DM post below) Advantage
Mace Damage
With two dead and the remaining hurt, the goblins begin to panic, attempting to flee to the North!
AoO: ,
Torbin AoO
Mace
Mace Damage
Seeing the goblin trying to flee, Peren strikes at the little beast with his short sword.
AoO:
Damage:
Peren and Torbin's goblin dies, it's eyes bulging in it's last moments. The other, though, flees north, past Nariella, shouing out in Goblin as it does.
It bounds off past a set of trees, fleeing as fast as it's legs can carry it.
After a moment, the party hears from behind them Radell shouting.
"Everything fine now?!"
Nariella ignores the fleeing goblin, instead muttering a few incantations. I may have nothing to hide anymore, but entering town covered in goblin gore still seems like a poor idea, she thinks to herself, as the blood disappears from the clothes and blade.
As, she sheathes her rapier she shouts back to Radell, "Should be clear for now. I think we gave them a good scare. However, we should be cautious moving forward." Turning to her companions, she asks, "Everyone alright?"
"Aye," Arrius responds, "I think we actually got through that one unscathed. Now then, somebody stronger than me should get the blockade out of the road, while I clean up."
Arrius then goes about cleaning himself (and anyone else who would like it) with prestidigitation.
Tobin nods to Arrius, "A cleanup would be most welcome. Radell, do you know who Klarg is? The fleeing goblin mentioned the name as he ran off".
As Tobin awaits the reply, he climbs the rock to retrieve is crossbow.
"Oh, here, let me," Arrius says, stopping Torbin with a hand on his shoulder. One Mage Hand spell later, the crossbow is back in Torbin's hands. "No sense going to all the trouble to climb up there and back just for that, right?"
Using his own innate magic, Peren cleans himself and his swords.
"I heard him say that as well. Might be a tribe of goblins hiding out around here. Not a good situation for any travelers and merchants using this road."
As he is talking he moves forward to examine the ruined wagon and dead horses.
Perception:
Tobin grins at Artius, "Appreciate the assistance. Let's go check out that roadblock".
Nariella looks a little guilty when Arrius offers his magic to help the others. You are part of a team now...you can't just worry about yourself...
Approaching the fallen wagon, she asks Peren, "Did you find anything?" Examining the blockage she remarks to the group, "We probably need to move this so Radell can get the wagon through, right? I'm not sure I'm strong enough to be much help, but I can try and assist someone."
Bringing the wagon forward, Radell's face twists in horror as he sees the broken wagon in the road and the dead horses. But once he is close enough, he hops off and walks over to it, taking a look.
"Klarg? Can't say that I have heard of him. But I can tell you one thing: Those goblins were planning this well in advance it seems."
"Really? Why do you say that?"
Radell nods at Nariella, looking back over the wagon. "Much appreciated. Sooner we can get to town the better." He then glances up over to Arrius, frowning slightly.
"Well, this isn't exactly the first time goblins have attacked folks around these parts. Just last month, they took out a Tymoran priestess as she was returning from gathering some herbs. Damn shame, she was a sweet gal."
"Dear Gods! It's Gundren's favorite pipe! He was here...and maybe taken by those goblin scum!"
He holds up the broken pipe, showing the emblem to the others.