Pixie Rogue's Shadowed Keep

Game Master Pixie Rogue

Jaonos.. how did you come upon this beautiful beast and befriend it? As Lalandar says this, he turns towards the traveler who was following, I'm happy that is a friend of his, I was worried that was trouble at first.

When they walk up to Lalandar and Jaonos, the stranger gives each a small bow. "I Ferrum, friend of Bose. I bring my sword."

Before you stands a uniquely ugly fellow, his accent clearly marking Common as not his native tongue. Ritual scars on his face almost hide scarring that must have nearly cost him his left eye. He nearly has the proportions of a dwarf, but stands close to a foot taller - with the matching breadth of shoulder and chest.

When he pulls his hood back, you can see the tuft of black hair that you saw earlier is the end of a jet black topknot. The sides and back of his head are shaved clean.

That should take care of bringing the party together, so I assume we can enter the forest. What will your marching order be when you are single file? Double file?

The rogue and the meatshield up front, or should the elf who knows where we are going?

I update my vote to a diamond. Meatshielf with Lalander to direct and the rogue with his Bow with Lalander in the second row. The cleric can bring up the rear with his Wolf friend doing whatever comes natural.

How does that sound to everyone?

Seeing no dissent, I will assume that Ferrum, affectionately known as meatshield, will lead with Lalandar and Bose following in the second rank while Jaonos brings up the rear. His companion wolf-to-be-named will likely stay near the rear, also, unless Jaonos can convince him to do otherwise.

The potential heroes head into the darkness of the forest. It holds no challenge for the eyes of the elves in the party and certainly none for the half-orc.

Three Perception and three Survival checks, please: As you enter the forest, along the road, and as you approach the destination.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

I intend to roll on behalf of any missing responses when next I post, which should be later today.

Interpretation of results when I have some more time to post.

As the party enters the forest, it takes a moment for their eyes to adjust. The forest canopy is so thick with so many layers that they find themselves in a world of perpetual twilight, even in the brightest part of the day.

After they have walked for a while, Jaonos' wolf begins to growl quietly as his hackles rise, causing Jaonos, even from the back of the party, to realize another wolf peers through the shadows of a bush on the left side of the path ahead, its yellow eyes intently watching the party. It lies roughly 25' ahead of you. Lalandar, Bose, and Ferrum likewise spot the native predator quickly.

Ferrum stops walking and reaches over his shoulder. He explains rather unnecessarily (though quietly), "Ferrum get sword ready."

What do you wish to do?

Bose will quietly say Wolves...I see 2 on the right of the path.
Where there are 2, there may be more.

Glancing towards the cleric

Can you speak to them as well as you do your companion?

Whispering I see them as well. The snarl from our own makes me believe they aren't friendly. If you can Jaonos, talk them down but we should all be prepared. saying this, Lalandar puts his hand to his blade and prepares his mind for the battle.

Without magic, Jaonos cannot speak to any of the wolves, but he can attempt a Handle Animal check to try to assume that the unfamiliar canines do not get hostile.

I will try an intimidate check if the animals start to appear aggressive, with blades drawn.

Jaonos: Restating what we discussed. You can make a new Perception check with a +4 bonus thanks to Bose' description of the additional wolves he spotted. Perception DC 17 to spot both of them, Perception DC 15 only locates the closest one.

Once you have made that attempt, you can attempt to use Handle Animal to keep them from attacking. The DC for the first check is DC 18. For each one you make, that helps with the next one (+2 on your check). For each one you critically fail, that makes the next one harder (-2 on your check). And, of course, you can choose to not make the check at all - your fellow party members are letting you make the determination of negotiate or combat, at this point.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Handle Animal: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Handle Animal: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Well done. I will narrate the results when I get some time, maybe tomorrow morning. Feel free to describe what/how Jaonos would approach and calm the wolves if the literary bug hits you. You aren't limited to just rolling dice. Encouraged to not just roll dice, in fact. Put yourself in his head and tell us what you see. ;-)

Stepping forward and placing a hand on his companion wolf, Jaonos spoke softly and steadily.

Easy Frenhir, my friend.

Jaonos motioned to the others to lower their weapons as he took two more steps forward and lowered into a crouch taking a stance that, while non-aggressive, would still allow him to retreat should his efforts fall short.

Locking eyes with each wolf in turn, Jaonos slowly raised his left hand up just in front of his chest in a claw like motion revealing his palm. As he did so, he began to make a smooth shushing noise. As his hand paused in front of a wolf, it's growls would soften. Jaonos repeated this pattern each time rising slightly from his crouch. As he neared a half standing position, Jaonos motioned towards Frenhir with his right hand. The grey wolf came to his side and lowered his head, tapping the tip of his nose to Jaonos's left shin. Frenhir held this position for a moment his eyes shifting intentionally from wolf to wolf before he raised his head and stepped back. When Frenhir returned to his previous position, Jaonos reached a full standing position. The wolves were no longer growling and turned and retreated into the brush.

Nicely done. I see no reason to add to that. I will leave things there for the others to react (if they wish) before posting the next step along your journey.

With the wolves moving away

Well handled Jaonos. I would not have relished butchering those beasts who are likely just protecting their pack.

Unless someone objects, he will start moving forward cautiously.

Ferrum stands tense, blade in hand, until he's certain the wild canines have departed. As Bose moves forward, he nods and begins to move once more. But he keeps the sword in hand.

After another hour of travel, the party has started looking for the side track that Lalandar's party had used on his previous visit.

Roll for initiative, please.

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

there is something along the edge of the road

Bose nods A few somethings looks like.....both sides

Initiative for Ferrum: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Initiative
21 Bose
16+Jaonos/Frenhir
16-Something(s)
10 Lalandar
05 Ferrum

A map is forthcoming, but I'm up way past my bedtime. Looking forward to seeing how our first combat plays out. See you tomorrow!

OK, everyone should have a link in their email for a map. You should be able to move your avatar if I've done this correctly. Blue, red, and green avatars mark where you saw movement.

Bose, Jaonos, and Frenhir are up! They are aware of you, so you do not get the benefit of a surprise round. However, until they act, they remain flat-footed to your attack.

Feel free to state your actions in any order and I will assemble them into a narrative to summarize before posting the action of the somethings. If you think someone else's action will change yours, feel free to give if-then scenarios and I will do my best to interpret as I think you would prefer.

Once the somethings have their first go, everyone in the party can post their actions together and I will summarize as appropriate and post for your foes. This may not be how we do all of our combats, but I would like to see how it works a few times - including getting your feedback after you've seen it in action - before we try something different.

In a firm voice with this Bow still in hand If you mean no harm, show yourselves and none with come to you

INTIMIDATE: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
As he says that he will raise his bow in the direction of the movement to the right (represented by the blue icon), and ready a shot.

ALTERNATIVE: If someone starts the fight contrary to this course, he will aggressively defend the party, dropping his bow and moving to knife fight (quick draw) as needed

Waiting for Jaonos’ go. Advice available on request, just send a text.

I'll post as Jaonos and then Frenhir
Snatching has long bow into his hand and lowering into a slight crouch, Jaonos observes the source of the noise closest to him on the left.
Perception check on Green: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Knowledge Check on Green: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Frenhir

Frenhir crouches sightly in his front paws, the fur on his back stood straight up. Barring his teeth he begins to sniff in the direction of the disturbance up ahead on the left of the path.
Perception check on red: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Knowledge check on red: 1d20 ⇒ 5

perception on right: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

We are trying something different, Jaonos and I, so I will share the conclusion here. Since you noticed movement but not details to identify what you are facing, he wanted to take a moment to study the potential threat (thus the Perception check, which is move action) and try to identify it (thus the Knowledge check - he doesn't know what he faces, so I didn't tell him which Knowledge was pertinent). Bose is welcome to make a similar bare d20 check for the Knowledge. It's a free action for the Knowledge check.

With a speed honed by a history he hasn't shared, Bose whips his bow up and aims it at one of the shadowy figures, off to the right, and calls out, "If you mean no harm, show yourselves and none with come to you."

Jaonos reacts just a little slower than Bose, crouching and bringing his bow to bear to the left, taking a moment to study what's gotten the group's attention. I will let Jaonos share what he's realized from his knowledge check.

The subject of Bose' aim and presumed subject of his statement fades back into the foliage. The blue icon is no longer available as a target.

Other foes' actions pending what, if anything, Jaonos wants to say about what he's learned.

Apologies. I was waiting for confirmation of Jaonos' plans, but I should have posted yesterday anyway.

I have already summarized the party's actions thus far, so here's the enemy's go:

A chorus of high-pitched insane giggles emerges from the underbrush, accompanied by a salvo of small arrows. Literally, Small-sized. Where a typical human arrow might run from 30" to 36" in length, these are roughly 15", too small to use with your bows.

One of the arrows strikes Ferrum a flesh wound, drawing blood but causing no real damage. Attacker is the enemy marked in Yellow.

The wolf is not so lucky as one of the little arrows sinks deeply into his flank, eliciting a yelp followed by a menacing growl. Frenhir is hit for 5 points of damage by Orange enemy.

Lalandar is targeted by a pair of similar missiles. One strikes his armored chest solidly, but does no harm, while the second, off-target arrow sinks into the meat of his upper arm. Lalandar's antagonists are marked in Red (miss) and Green (hit) and he takes 3 points of damage.

The cleric escapes injury even though his attacker (in Pink) is a scant five feet away.

Initiative
21 Bose
16+Jaonos/Frenhir
16-Something(s)
10 Lalandar
05 Ferrum

Everybody state your actions. I will arrange them in the order that makes the most sense. If Jaonos casts a beneficial spell, he will get cast it first, assuming that the others wait for him to do so, etc.

Lalandar, seeing the shadows, considers momentarily where everyone else is placed and then moved back to take on the yellow shadow. I will move to within reach and strike at him.
I believe this movement allowed my character to get within reach. If not, he will get to the max he can and use magic missile. I wont make the roll until told to do so for that.
How dare you strike so rashly. Slicing at the target with the black blade
Black Blade: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Bose will smirk at the withdrawal of his potential foe and turn to target the foe who struck ferrum.

He will loose a shot bow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

@Lalandar: I believe your movement rate is 30', so you can move into melee range. Feel free to roll damage even if you aren't sure you hit. (In this case, you did not, the little guy is pretty quick on his feet.

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@Bose: I will assume that you take your shot before Lalandar arrives and creates an attack penalty from shooting into melee, but your shot is still a bit wide.

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Ferrum scowls at the little archer, but sees Lalandar moving to engage, so he turns toward the two on the left and with a terrifying roar, he charges, falchion held high. As he moves, he seems to grow in stature - no, no, he really did! Ferrum gains the effect of an enlarge person spell when he rages if he wishes. At the last minute, he lets go of his sword and it falls behind him as a now-massive hand reaches out toward each of his foes.

Intimidate vs Red: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

Claw attack vs Red: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 Miss
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Claw attack vs Green: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 That's a hit
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

His right hand misses, but his left catches his small adversary squarely and his follow-through throws the little creature backward, where it lays, unmoving. One down!

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Jaonos and Frenhir to go this round!

For next turn so I dont hold up the game.

With Lalander in mele, Bose will drop his bow and move, drawing his dagger. He will loop behind yellow to a flank from the bottom and stab.

dagger: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

damage with sneak: 1d4 + 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + (4, 3) + 1 = 10

With a hit, bleeding attack will also be applied.

I'm going to follow Bose's plan and give you my move early.

After the first swipe went by the target, Lalandar will try again. As he's about to start his attack, he will show a brief moment of focus then the blade strikes out appearing stronger than the first time.

use one point of arcana to make the blade 1 stronger

Black Blade: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

I don't remember the bonus that flank gives but if Bose is slipping behind mine then it should be added. Sorry.

To reduce confusion, you might spoiler posts that are intended for future rounds.

@Lalandar: Flanking grants a +2 bonus to hit. Did your roll include the +1 enhancement bonus from your spent arcana? I presume so.

Sorry,missed your last note that there were 2 turns left till I had written it all up so I retconned it.

Spinning in his heels, Jaonos quickly took aim at the creature that attacked him. (The pink icon) With a steady breath, he let an arrow fly.

Long Bow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Frenhir turned and followed the arrow. Lunging with a ravaging fury, he attempts to bite the small creature.

Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Due to some error on my last post this one is fixing that. Frenhir should of had an additional +2 for charge placing his attack at 18. I'll now role damage for both attacks as well as the trip for Frenhir.

Retconned Bite: 18

Trip: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Frenhir Damage
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Jaonos Damage
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Second round turn assuming my first round was not enough to finish that Goblin. If for some reason it was though, I'd take the same action on the yellow Goblin.

Jaonos notches another arrow as he takes a step back and fires again at the Goblin.

Long Bow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Frenhir rolled back onto his paws as Jaonos fired. Again following the arrow, Frenhir pounces for a second bite. I'm assuming he is too close for another charge bonus

Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Correct: A charge requires movement of at least ten feet.

sorry, I will spoiler from now on. And yes, I did place the +1 for the arcana

sorry, I will spoiler from now on. And yes, I did place the +1 for the arcana

No worries, we are developing our style and standards as we go. That request is for everyone. As it happens, it can cause a lot of confusion to have multiple rounds' what-ifs in the open. Since my intent is to summarize each round, anyway, a spoiler should work fine as I will bring out the bits that apply. Everyone is, of course, welcome to view spoilers that are not labeled otherwise.

Summary in hopes to synchronize everyone's understanding of the scene
The party detects a possible ambush before it is sprung. Initiative is rolled.
The party wins initiative and those that beat the goblins (you definitely know what you face by now) act.

• Bose intimidates one Blue.
  
• Jaonos studies them to determine what they are facing.

The goblins open fire on the party with bows.

• Blue, shaken by the successful intimidation, retreats.
  
• Yellow strikes Ferrum for 1.
  
• Orange strikes Frenhir for 5.
  
• Red misses Lalandar.
  
• Green strikes Lalandar for 3.
  
• Pink misses Jaonos at point-blank range. Literally.

The party presses on with the fight (Let's call this round two since it's not the first action).

• Bose fires his longbow at a goblin Yellow but misses.
  
• Lalandar moves to engage Bose' target in melee, also missing.
  
• Ferrum enters a bloodrage as he charges the two goblins Red and Green on the left side of the path. Green is out of the fight, Red is intimidated.
  
• Jaonos spins on his heel and fires at the nearest goblin Pink, wounding it badly.
  
• Frenhir lunges in and finishes off Jaonos' target.

As goblins are inclined to do, they are all over the map in their responses.

• Blue is nowhere to be seen.
  
• Yellow giggles at the incompetent longshanks and tries to shoot Lalandar. He does step back to avoid the AoO. His shot goes wide right.
  
• Orange shoots at Jaonos, but his tiny arrow bounces off the cleric's armor.
  
• Red draws a tiny shortsword and attacks Ferrum's right kneecap. The raging half-orc is so surprised by the temerity of the tiny warrior that it actually works and Ferrum is hit for 4.
  
• Green needs a DC 11 stablization roll or continue bleeding. He failed.
  
• Pink needs a DC 14 stablization roll or continue bleeding. She failed.

I will post "round 3" in a moment since everyone has given me their actions. Hint: I think it's going to go poorly for the home goblins.

Round Three

In which the party maneuvers for maximum effect

• Lalandar steps up to the little archer Yellow and stabs with his rapier, but fails to make contact.
  
• Bose, however, uses the distraction provided to deliver a devastating length of steel through the creature, dropping it.
  
• Jaonos turns once most, fitting a new arrow to the bowstring, but doesn't allow enough lead and misses the nearest goblin. Orange
  
• Frenhir has figured out the game being played here and charges across the path to bring this threat down, but his teeth snap on empty air.
  
• Ferrum lets out a yell that you suspect is not speaking kindly of the Red goblin's parentage and reaches out with both massive claws to tear it apart.

Ferrum's right claw: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 111d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Ferrum's left claw: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 101d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 Tsk, shameful.

In which the goblins gain confidence, not realizing half are already out of the fight.

• Blue steps out of the undergrowth thinking to stabity-surprise the longshanks that had frightened him, but he is mistaken. He misses.
  
• Yellow bleeds thanks to Bose' surgical precision.
  
• Orange tries to shoot the cleric again, emboldened by his near miss, but this triggers an attack of opportunity from the wolf. Please roll an attack for Frenhir. He can trip on a successful hit here, if you wish, as with a normal attack. If Orange survives Frenhir's attack, he hits Jaonos for 1.
  
• Red attacks Ferrum again, hitting for 2!
  
• Green needs a DC 12 stabilization roll or continue bleeding out. Success!
  
• Pink needs a DC 15 stabilitation roll or continue bleeding out. Success!
  

I must admit, the little buggers are doing better than I expected, but one swat from Ferrum's claws and Red's done. I don't expect much more from the other two now that they are each effectively double-teamed.

Everyone's actions for round four, please!

Bose will respond to blue's clumsy attempt.

You should really sneak up on someone who doesn't sneak for a living

dagger: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Frenhir lets lose a ferocious growl and lunges at the orange Goblin with a mighty small of his jaw.
Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Trip: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

I'm assuming this counts as Frenhirs turn for this round but wanted to ask before I post for Jaonos's round because I typically do them at the same time