Runelords

Game Master Wrath

Idrian -

A vote of thanks
** spoiler omitted **...

Idrian is quiet during Hosk's visit. A man like that doesn't often open up and returning his vulnerability with too much emotion would only embarrass him. While Hosk is talking about them, Idrian does take time to inspect the bow and armor and shows appreciation for their craftsmanship. As Hosk leaves, Idrian stops him just long enough to clasp hands. As Hosk walks down the hall, Idrian finally speaks, except its to the bow and not him, "Mauler, tomorrow we hunt goblin."

Actually, I've changed to Magus rather than Wizard and may not go Arcane Archer. I still have my 2 Ranger levels, though, and you may recall that I asked about changing my favored enemy a short time ago. Because of this, I noticed that I never added my spellcasting capabilities to my sheet and will rectify that immediately.
Chainmail is my preferred armor at this time so I went with that. I don't know if you realize it, but I only have a +1 str bonus right now. That's a -4 to hit. It wouldn't be so bad if it were a -2, but as it stands, I won't use it until I can get my strength up a bit or I can cast 2nd level spells. It's a point of interest to me that such a great gift will have a negative impact on my character until I can get my strength up.

Dropped some info into the ooc thread for Idrian and others to read.

Cheers

Mikka looks at the tangled briar wall, her face indicating a reflective turn of thought.

"Others of my coven were capable of passing through brush and thorns as if walking through mist, unfortunately it is a skill I never learned"

Perception1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Stealth1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Yep, Mikka doesn't have woodland stride

Three times the outer scouts picked up goblin activity and managed to lead the party away from patrols or groups of the little greenskins. Idrian's understanding of how they thought and behaved helped them in this regard. Finally, as the sun was beginning its final descent to the horizon and the light had changed to the deep orange of pre twilight, they came to the cliffs of the lost coast. Idrian moved out carefully, to get a better glimpse of the rock and fortress they planned on assulting. From this vantage point they could see the fort and nearby woods, but hopefully wouldn't be spotted by any goblins on the rock itself.

Below the cliff he lay upon, a small sandy beach led into the rolling waves of the sea. It was a fair swim through rolling waves and ripping cirrent to reach the rock itself if they truly planned to climb it. A boat would be useful in that approach.

A small cave seem to lead into the cliff below the forest, but mostl likely it flooded during a high tide. The rope bridge across the gap looked stable enough, though it was a long dash in the open.

The images below show the map view and painting view of thistletop provided in the module. I've obviously done some dodgy editing of the the map to hide certain features you can't see because of woodlands or fortress walls. I've placed you at the bottom left of the map, providing you a view without much chance of getting spotted yourselves. Feel free to plan your approach from here. Note that an overnight stay in this area would mean increased chance of getting a patrol stumble across you.

Map view

the view

Tania frowns and whispers: "This is one nasty hole they've hidden in... I'm not sure whether we'd even be able to all get to that cliff, given the surf... Should we try through the briar?"

Feldspar shakes his head grimly. Pulling lightly at his beard, he does his best to whisper. "Even if we can make it through the briar without attracting the attention of the goblins -- which is doubtful -- we'll be spotted on the bridge for sure. We should investigate that cave and see if there might be a way in there."

"One thing at a time, Feldspar. Let's get through those briars. They probably have a path or maybe a tunnel. We just need to find it. I doubt they use that cave, but we can try it."

"Both options look difficult, I would prefer going through the briars and looking for a trail, but we'll need an easy path of escape if they overwhelm us."

Realising that the swim and climb was a little more difficult than they had anticipated, the small band moved back from the cliff to rethink their strategy. Approaching through the briars may prove risky, but probably less so than the swim.

Ok, I'll need some survival checks. Every one can roll them, as both assists and for some "other" effects :). Any one who rolls less than a 10 on the survival check will need to also makea DC 12 reflex save please.

Stealth in here is less important now. This close to the coast the sound of the waves crashing against the cliff leaves a background roar that is hard to hear over. Unfortunately that works against you as well.

Since Idrian, Tania and Mikka are towards the front of the group, can you three also make perception checks for me.

Jo'no offers, "Would perhaps just cutting the rope and watch them slowly starve be too cruel? Surely the few that think they could find their refuge in 'the big swim' would become target practice for our archers?"

Survival
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

Perception
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Perception 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 +2 v Humanoid (goblinoid)

Survival 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Survival 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Survival 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Survival 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Survival 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

"An interesting idea Jo'no, but I would want to make sure the threat is eliminated for good."
Survival
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 141d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 151d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 281d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 211d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Assists (please apply in alpha order)
Survival check assists: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Survival check assists: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Survival check assists: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Survival check assists: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Survival check assists: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Jo'no's
Survival check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Survival checks:
--1d20 ⇒ 5
--1d20 ⇒ 5
--1d20 ⇒ 14
--1d20 ⇒ 16
Reflex saves DC 12:
--1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
--1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
One missed...
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Survival Rolls:
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Missed one survival check:
Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 Successful.

Wading through thick thorny brush is arduous and somewhat hazardous. Most of the little band managed to get a scratch or two as they progressed, but nothing too serious. Tania however brushed up against a nasty plant that spiked her deeply, causing a throbbing ache along her neck and left arm that slowed her reflexes slightly (1 dex damage to Tania)

Eventually the scrub opened into fairly wide area that seems to have seen great use recently. Goblin and dog tracks fill the place, and the cloying smell of goblin hounds is quite wretched here. Idrian held up a hand to stop the group while he searched the 20 foot high thicket wall in front of them. Something about the goblin tracks had caught his eye.

A smal section of the seemingly impenetrable brush was a false front, formed of briars and fresh branches woven onto a wicker frame. Carefully avoiding the spines, and checking for any sign of danger, Idrian moved the false front to one side revealing a 4 foot tunnel leading into more areas beyond.

The Half elf found he could enter easily enough using a crouching walk, but his ability to fight would be seriously impeded in tunnels like this. The thorny scrub that formed the walls here had all been trimmed and trained so the largest spines faced in. Running into those was going to cause both pain and trouble moving as they tangled in soft cloth.

Somewhere further into these tunnels he could hear the sound of goblin dogs squabbling and snarling. He also thought he could hear the sound of goblins themselves arguing and wrestlinig. It seemed they had found the entrance to the goblin warren.

Map Link

There are sections that are higher than 4 feet in here, but they are numbered sections. Everything else is a tunnel that imposes the squeezing rules on anyone who is not a small character (Everyone in this case).

Running into walls is a bad idea. It will cause damage unless you are in heavy armour. There is a lot of noise in here, so stealth is only important up close and personal or for avoiding view if sneaking across areas.

As the map shows, tunnels lead left, right and straight ahead. Visibilty is limited by the thicket walls themselves.

I need a general battle order and a decision. Towards sound of the dogs, toward the sound of the goblins, or towards the tunnel that seems quietest? Cheers

Wincing from pain, Tania indicates that she'll follow Idrian's lead through the maze.

Idrian looks to make sure everyone is ready before hunching over and going into the thicket tunnel holding his hand axe.

Durik will have his bow ready and follow Idrian's lead.

I should have brought a crossbow instead, I'll never have room to work my bow in these tunnels.

Which tunnel, Idrian? Left, right, or straight ahead?

Feldspar follows after Tania, heavy crossbow at the ready.

straight ahead. we want to get to the coast as fast as we can.

Idrian moved carefully forwards, crouching and squeezing as best he could to avoid damage from the narrow spiny tunnels. As he got to the intersection of a number of the small goblin runs, he stopped and peered carefully around the corner. His blood ran chill as he spotted a large group of the green skinned freaks milling about a largish cavity in the thicket. The were many goblins here, and they kept moving in and out of his field of view. Many of them looked to be warriors as well, armed and armoured, though they weren't from the Thistletop tribe as far as he could tell. Perhaps these were the ones from the other tribe that Shalelu had mentioned.

None of them seemed to notice him, but if he and his group tried to pass by this room, they would be seen for sure. Goblins weren't known to ask questions before trying to eat what they came across.

Map update

Well the tunnel that leads straight ahead comes to a three way junction as shown in the map. Idrian can see a large group of Goblins in a nearby "room", and can hear more in there as well. What's more, a small group of goblins seemed to bemoving through the tunnels towards where they had just come from, but folllowing an alternate route. If you don't move fast, you may find they are behind you as well.

What's it to be folks? Engage them and get what you can in surprise (you haven't been seen and should be able to get a good round to reposition carefully before pulling a surprise attack) OR Try to sneak past this room and go left OR Backtrack and try a different path before the small patrol comes up on you?

Choice is yours, feel free to discuss either here or the ooc thread. I'll give you a day or two to make a decision, unless a majority consensus comes before then of course.

Edit - I messed up the battle order btw. I'll redress that as needed. Also, I haven't had a chance to make a Durik token yet. Hoping to sort that by next map update. For now, hope you don't mind the square token with the shady looking fella in it.

Cheers

Is the 'room' small sized or would we be able to stand up?

Is the 'room' small sized or would we be able to stand up?

Yeah, that's a fairly important aspect to disclose. From about column 29 down to column 26 is definitely tall enough to stand. There's a small tunnel then, leading into a bigger room from about collum 22 downwards.

The separate goblin group are in narrower tunnels though. Essentially, moving out from where you are here will let you stand up. I'll try and come up with a way to make the higher areas more obvious.

So area C8 is medium height then?
Without much time to relay information, Idrian turns around and whispers while pointing down the different tunnels, "Incoming, beware, fight." He pauses a moment for word to be passed back while readying his axe. Idrian then rushes in and attacks.
Charge to Q26
Hand Axe +1: enhanced (+1), fav enemy, charge
to hit 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 28 damage 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 11

Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Crit Confirm: enhanced (+1), fav enemy, charge
to hit 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 14 damage 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 7

Following Idrian's command, Tania also switches for her longsword and follows Idrian in the thick of it.

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Feldspar nods, whispers a prayer to Torag and moves in to fire his crossbow.

Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Move to V30.
Fire Crossbow at R25 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 4

Init 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Surprise Round

Durik holds his position and takes out his Ioun Torch, the time for surprise having passed and the time for effective lighting and sight lines having arrived.

Maintain position, look behind us, equip Ioun Torch.
Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Having seen the imminent threat, Jo'no will magically armor himself.

Init: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Init1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Reacting more quicly than all but Jono, Mikka begins a lilting chant, calling upon the powers of nature, the throny bushes, grasses and weed responding to entangle the mass of goblins in a painful embrace.

Casting Entangle 40'radius could cover pretty much all of them placing the outer edge at T27 and working its way back.Sorry guys but may have to adjust your charges.

Map Link

A few things. Pressed for time right now, linking map at moment and then will do update for text later tonight.

Surprise rounds only gove you half an action, not full round of things. I allowed Idrian a partial charge since that's allowed by rules in a surprise round. I let Tania move and draw as part of the same aciton. I let Feldspar Move but not fire, I allowed Mikka to move but not cast yet. Durik and Jo'No's actions stand as perfectly fine for a surprise round

Mikka, I've drawn in the location of where your tangle would be based on current line of sight so you can hit as many goblins as possible while affecting as few of your friends as possible. You can still do that as your action for round 1 now if you'd like, or retcon this as needed. If it goes off though, it's going to hurt alot of goblins with all the thorns in it.

Initiatives are as follows - Group 1 Jo'no, Mikka, Tania and Idrian. Group 2 - Goblins (2/3 of them), Group 3 - Durik and Feldspar, Group 4 - Remaining goblins

Round 1 is up. Will do proper in character post later tonight.

Tania wraps some of the arcane flow she feels around her in her weapon and swings it with both hands at the goblin, hoping to still catch the little monster off guard.

SwA: Arcane Strike
5-foot step to T27
StA: 2-handed 'Goblin Mash': 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14; 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

After gutting the small, fearsome goblin, Idrian shifts to do the same to another one.

Hand Axe +1: enhanced (+1), fav enemy
to hit 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 8 damage 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 9

Action stands for round 1

Jo'no will move in behind Mikka and will call upon mystic forces to put several goblins into a slumber.

Jo'no casts sleep (Will save DC 16) on the 4 goblins on the top left corner of the map.

The group burst from the constricting tunnel like rage unleashed. Idrian moved in and decapitated on of the creatures using the axe he had taken in the catacombs below Sandpoint. His natural hatred of the little green menace ensured a swift end to this one.

He moved his focus onto the next one, but his axe failed to follow through accurately and it easily parried his blow, despite its shock.

Tania followed the hunters lead, moving forwards and engaging the still surprised goblin. Her two handed stroke caught the creature unprepared enough that it couldn't raise it's shield to block her attack. It died with a startled yelp, 3 feet of steel plunging through its stomach and punching out its spine. The young bard shook the corspe from the blade and prepared to take the next threat.

Feldspar, Mikka and Jo'no all moved forwards as well. Mikka and Jo'no responded somewhat faster than Feldspar, both of them chanting magics that spread across the goblins and disabled or felled many of them. Idrian's eyes widened a little as the thorns and brambles around writhed up and surrounded him as well, but from what he could see, nearly every goblin had been caught in the entangling effect.

Two of the creatures also seemed to succumb to the sleeping affect of Jo'no's spell.

The surviving goblin in front of Idrian tried to hit the man, but missed miserably. Remarkably, it still managed to stay out of the entangling effects now enveloping its friends. However, the cries of anguish and pain from behind the thing told everyone how dangerous the druids spell was. The goblins had tried to tear their way free of the spell, only to find the spines and thorns of their own defenses ripping them apart as they went. The creatures now stood stock still, absolutely terrified to move.

map link

Ok, both spells were very effective. Idrian needs to make a reflex save vs DC 18 or be entangled as well.

2/3 of the goblins have gone, most of them took 1/3 of their hp in damage trying to get out or avoid entanglement.

Feldspar and Durik to go, then my last set of goblins

Ref 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Feldspar disgards his crossbow and moves forward, drawing his warhammer as he goes. Seeing that many of the goblins have been neutralized by his companion's spells, he decides to move around to see if there are any others who might have escaped the spell effects.

Double move to W23.

Round 1

Move to V30 and fire at the goblin at R25

Longbow 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 131d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

My anniversary tonight, 11 years today woohoo. Won't be updating till tomorrow morning. Another plus is I start holidays for two weeks tomorrow. I'll actually have time to do all the background stuff I've planning for some of you. Cheers

Happy aniversary Wrath and happy days ahead!

Things began moving faster now, as combat really rolled into real time. Everythign was starting to move or respond, and Feldspar was there with them. The stalwart dwart drew his hammer and rushed into the next tunnel system, crouching low and blocking any attack from that front. It was a good thing too, for two of teh goblins here also seemed to be free of the clutching briars. They both moved to engage the dwarf, neither of them hitting despite his cramped fighting conditions. One of the goblins screamed in fear as the tendrils of throny bush then wrapped themselves around him, driving shapr thorns deep into his flesh. The other appeared to be outside the range of Mikka's natural spell.

Durik moved as well, readting his bow and unleashing at the goblin threatening Idrian. The shot was bad though, thrown off by Idrian's movements in the combat and the mass of plant matter writhing around the two combatants. The arrow went into the thickets behind the two, lost amonngst the foliage and thorns.

From behind the main group, the sound of the goblin rat hounds changed its tone. The animals went from scrabbling and snarling over food, to a baying howl. They had heard the combat, and it was only a matter of time before they turned up as well.

Map Link

Ok, round 2 is up. The little locks on critters show they are entangled. The zz's show sleeping. Feldspar is in a tunnel again, so the squeezing rules apply.

Group 1 to act. Jo'no, Mikka, Idrian, Tania. Idrian, if you end your move still in that spell effect, please make another DC 18 reflex save. Cheers

Oh, and thanks for the kind words Tania, we had a lovely night. Spent it with family and friends, which shows how our priorities have changed over the 11 years hehe. Dinner and a move? bah! Let's watch Megamind with the kids instead.

Hand Axe +1: enhanced (+1), fav enemy
to hit 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 9 damage 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 8
Idrian slashes at the goblin before stepping back (R27), outside the effect of Mikka's spell.

Jo'no advances forward and lines up a goblin in front of Feldspar and waves his wand in its direction.

Magic Missile damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Tania puts away her sword and, as she moves behind Idrian (R27), takes her bow out.

Idrian struck at the goblin again, infuriated that it hadn't succumbed to his attacks yet. Unfortunately the blow fell wide, put off by his own anger and the writhing magics of the druids spell. He cursed and stepped back, removing himself from the cursed magics.

Jo'no moved forwards, ducking into the new tunnel that Feldspar had disapeared into and unleashed a missile from his wand at the one goblin not entangled so far. The missile struck the beast solidly in its chest, but the feral little creature didn't fall.

Tania swapped her sword for her bow, realising that the majority of the creatures had become a non threat. She went to move, but found Idrian had already taken her preferred position.

From behind Durik and Mikka, the sound of baying goblin rat dogs grew louder. A pack of the feral animals came rushing through the tunnels, closing with the two rear members of the group with slavering mouths. They had obviously rushed from their den at the sounds of combat and goblin cries of fear. Certainly they would close in the next few seconds and things would become far more interesting.

The goblin that had plagued Idrian so far followed him through the tendrils of magic and tried to kill the hunter, however the magic of the goddess finally took hold of the creature and it squealed as its weapon went wide.

Ok, waited two days so updating now. We'll assume Mikka has delayed for this round. She can post any time now along with Feldspar and Durik. The goblins have gone for group 2. The dogs act on their initiative as well. Goblin dogs made a double move, slowed by some tunnels.

Tania, I dind't move you as Idrian has taken the spot you were after. Jo'no, you didn't give a square so I moved you to the first spot where you could draw a line of sight.

Reminder to all that the thorn walls block both vision and line of sight. Still working on marking the tunnel sections without making the map look all sorts of wierd.

Map link

Could she had moved to Q27?

Could she had moved to Q27?

Yep, will reposition her there for next map if you'd like. It would have been before the goblins went as well.

Round 2

Durik move next to Tania and whispers, "Dogs coming behind us."

Move to T28, fire arrow at goblin R26
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 191d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7