Return to the mines of Bloodstone (Inactive)

Game Master Nicos

"So myself, Deudon, Verd, Marcus, ThorkAa and the elf makes six. Does anyone need anything before we travel to the Citadel? Sorry I did not catch your name master elf".

"I'm as prepared as my coins will stretch," answers Deudon "Which is only about as far as a child's pocket knife. Some goblin scalps should remedy that. Let's talk tactics on the road, and tarry here no longer!

"Agreed."

So you all agree to go in a small number group?

Deudon certainly does!

I don't trust that guy... Always sneering...

"Yup." Verd agrees.

"This will be a most auspicious adventure.” Marcus is ready and willing.

Ok people here we go

Dice of destiny: 1d100 ⇒ 53

First, before start the travel, ThorkAa present you her friend, a half-orc named Thaluk. He is shorter than her and less sturdy. Rarely does he speak, and when he does he prefer to use short phrases. He is a really good explorer though. He carry two short swords while ThorkAa seems to prefer great axe.

Your small party gains advantage of the other much bigger group.

The group travel by foot since the terrain is abrupt and some place are covered by snow and mud making impossible to use horses much less carriage.

Fortunately for you most of your first day of traveling the climate is not that ruthless as it could be. However when the night approach a small storm is in the horizon. The group can find a small cave where you can rest for the night without any inconvenient.
Dices of destiny: 1d100 ⇒ 86

The next day you all comes out and find fresh footprints just outside the cave. Big footprints. Huge boot footprints in fact.

The responsible of this is at least 10 feet tall. - say Thaluk

What do you do?

Seems the party start with a bit of bad luck ;)

"That's a biggun for sure. If'n hes not alone, we may have trouble" Verd scans the surrounding area for anywhere large enough to hide such a creature.

Perception, stealth, survival. What Verd uses?

Marcus breathes and prepares himself for the fight he assumes is just around the corner. Scanning around for obvious ambushes. Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Verd looks around.

"I suggest we see which way these tracks went, and go the otherway. Now."

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Marcus and Verd do not detect any sign of ambush. Raelyn initially know the path the track goes but then the road becomes rocky and he lose the trail (more survival checks and time spent needed).

However the elf discover that only one individual left the footprints. And that individual is severily cripple from one leg.

"Many giant-kin are known for deformities. Ettin, fomorian. Or perhaps he just had an accident with a giant plowcart."

Armitron nods at Raelyn's suggestion. "We should continue to head towards the Citadel but we should certainly make sure that this creature does not surprise us on the way. However, should we encounter it who has the capability of ranged combat?"

"I'm capable with a bow."

After hungrily devouring some trail rations for a morning repast, Deudon squints out of the cave entrance at the snow covered wasteland. The evening before he had snuck out the cave under the pretense of relieving himself in order to pray to his Dark Queen. Gathering his pathetic collection of silver pieces in his cupped hands, he'd whispered in offering to Tiamat:

"Queen of Dragons, Nemesis of the Gods, forgive this pitiful offering. Know that I am on the road to greater riches to be won for the glory of my Dark Lady."

Now he notices the giants' tracks and sneers* in disgust. "We must keep a better watch at night if we are to survive long in these lands," he comments. "Oh, and at least one of you snores worse than the howling winds of Pandemonium."

"I suggest we see which way these tracks went, and go the otherway. Now."

"The elf is right. We should get well aware from here. None of you have proven your skill in battle, and it would be better to test our prowess against smaller fodder than a giant."

However, should we encounter it who has the capability of ranged combat?

"I have a crossbow. I once hit a barn door at a distance of ten paces, so relying on me in the archery stakes would be the height of foolishness."

*@ Raelyn; the Mines of Bloodstone drinking game - even time Deudon sneers you must down a pint of real ale!

Raelyn tells the others that the giant walks with a limp. He doesn't go so far as to use the word "crippled" though, not wanting to give them any ideas.

@Deudon: lol

"I have some small skill with ranged magics, other than that I am not what you would call range inclined."

So, what you guys decide?

Armitron considers everyone's response, "Let the half-orc's and I take the point north with Deudon behind us. This way if the beast somehow surprise us, we can hold it off while those of you with ranged weapons and spells can hopefully bring the beast down quickly. We would not last long as a group is a stand up fight with it. Of course, it would be best if we did not encounter it prior to our arrival at the Citadel".

"That sounds good, but I suggest we stay just off the road as we travel. Not far enough to lose our way, but far enough to escape it's notice if it crosses our path. If it does notice us, at least we can scatter under the cover of the woods and re-group further along the road."

Armitron frowns at the suggestion of escaping but nods when Raelyn describes the action as a re-group and says nothing further.

Verd nods in agreement.

Raelyn sees Armitron's frown.

"Remember Warrior, we are here to engage with goblinoids, not giants. Let us see how we work as a team at least before attempting such a thing."

So, what you guys do?

I think we head north towards the Citadel but slightly off of the path per Raelyn's suggestion, unless anyone else in the party objects.

Agreed.

Deudon moves to stand beside Raelyn. "We should listen to the elf. Let's continue with caution. If we can avoid crossing paths with this giant, we should."

Other than that, I agree with Armitron's plan. Also, I'll be travelling over the next few days. I should still be able to access Internet, but in case not, DMPC me as necessary.

Sounds like a plan.

1d100 ⇒ 611d100 ⇒ 16

The group continue moving. The luck in on your side since the terrain is hard (not muddy), allowing fast travel. After a couple of hours you do not detect any sing that the giant is chasing you.

Your travel make you enter a (pretty) small forest of coniferous trees. When you are about to get out of the small forest you see the next scene:

A small humanoid is running toward the forest from the higher ground of a small hill. He seems to be injured cause it have problem moving, but otherwise you can not tell since it is covered in thick cloths. Initially you do not see what is chasing it but after a few seconds 4 armed (axe and shield) goblins becomes visible.

It is unsure that the fugitive can get to the forest before the goblins reach it.

For now the goblisn have not see any of you.

ThorkAa: Should we earn our first coins or better we wait?

"Fire on them while we have the element of surprise?"

"Yup. Oughta help the feller if nuthin else."
Verd unslings a large axe and prepares for battle.

Deudon likewise prepares for battle, cranking back his crossbow and setting a quarrel.

He'll fire once with his crossbow and then wade into melee. Again, feel free to make rolls for me, as I'm not sure if I can get online later tonight.

Armitron will also load his small crossbow and prepare to fire at the goblins threatening the solitary figure.

Raelyn takes a shot with his longbow.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

When it gets close enough, Deudon fire his crossbow at the fattest goblin (i.e, the easiest one to hit), then drops the crossbow and draws his sword, ready to wade into melee if necessary (but only if Armitron goes in first!).

X-bow to hit: 1d20 ⇒ 10
X-bow damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Raelyn´s arrow hit in the head one of the goblins and imediately kills it. Deudons bolt fails its target. So, there are 3 goblisn remaining.

Armitron lends his bolts to the volley.

Light Crossbow 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Light Crossbow Damage 1d8 ⇒ 3

I forgot favored enemy, but it worked out ok.

Marcus let's a stone fly with his sling.
1d20 ⇒ 19
1d4 ⇒ 1

Verd´s turn.

Verd bellows and charges out of the treeline at one of the uninjured goblins.

charge: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Verd looks funny.

Thorka: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 221d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Thaluk: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 211d6 ⇒ 4
Party initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Goblins initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
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ThorkAa and Thaluck attack with ranged weapons. ThorkAa throw javelin and Thaluck use a shortbow.

Verd charge and cut in half one goblin.

At the end of the party furious offensive there is only one goblin alive, and it is really hurt.
Goblin: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d4 ⇒ 3

The remaining goblin desperately fight for his live. But his injuries are too massive and its movement were far from being a menace to Verd.

The fugitive stops for a while after all this sudden events. But he then start running again moving away from the goblin and you.

Finally, in the top of the small hill you first saw the goblins. There is now a new figure. Another goblin, a worg rider, have just arrived to that place. he look at the scene and seems confused, for now.

Your turn.

Armitron will drop his shortbow, draw his sword and charge forward.

Attack (Long Sword) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Amitron kill the last of the four goblins.

BTW, I tend to post to see the dice rolls and then edit accordinly, so if a post seems to be confusing or incomplete is because I am still finishin it. I always will indicate that I finished with "your turn"

Does the last goblin run towards or away from the Worg rider? Do they seem to know each other?

Do they have similar tribal markings or anything?

The worg rider seems to be from teh same tribe of the 4 you have just killed. The other one, is running away the hill and you.