Foxglove hides in the fog, but stays near the edge to try to spot where the new party is advancing from. Green archer - definitely friend. So where are the new foes?
Still thinking the fog cloud is Alk's spell, she says in the general direction she think he is hiding:
"Alk, how long will this fog last?"
Round 7
9) Foxglove 5'steps to 1515-1924 (just inside the fog cloud) and says, "Alk, how long will this fog last?"
10) Alk double moves to 1515-2021. The celestial wolf sees no more enemies and sits quietly (with a satisfied look on its face) til the end of the round when it winks out.
11) Green Archer Animal runs to 1515-1723, with its head partially in the fog cloud and makes a small whining noise as it drops something to the ground. Foxglove can see the animal (which looks like a large wolf) approach but can not see it's head (or what it dropped) in the fog cloud.
End of Round 7
Round 8
1) Cat actions
2) Hobgoblin Leader #2 actions
3) Hobgoblin #7 actions
4) Green Archer actions
5) Harad actions
6) Hobgoblin #8 actions
7) Hobgoblin #5 actions
8) Hobgoblin #6 actions
9) Foxglove actions
10) Alk actions
11) Green Archer Wolf actions
Foxglove moves over to the wolf and tries to see what it dropped. He didn't bring it to me, but it may be meant for Harad or Alk
If the wolf guards it, she will not try to pick up but move northwards along the cloud edge.
-if it is a healing potion, she will walk after Harad, softly calling him
-if it is a scroll or wand, she will similarly try to find Alk
-if it is a weapon, she will pick it up (dropping bow/arrow) and move northwards along the cloud edge.
Round 8
1) Cat actions done
2) Hobgoblin Leader #2 ( ) says something in goblin; double moves to 1515-1918.
3) Hobgoblin #7 ( ) says something in goblin; tries to break hold of entangle ( ) but fails.
4) Green Archer shoots at Hobgoblin #7 ( ; ) and hit for hp; hobgoblin #7 drops.
5) Harad drinks a potion of cure light wounds healing hp; ( ); Harad draws another potion from his belt pouch and 5' steps to 1515-1922.
6) Hobgoblin #8 ( ) is entangled; ( ) and looks for a target.
7) Hobgoblin #5 ( ) is entangled; ( ) and looks for a target.
8) Hobgoblin #6 ( ) is entangled; ( ) and shoots at Green Archer ( ) but misses.
9) Foxglove ( ; ) has heard two different voices in goblin but can't make them out; she 5' steps to 1515-1824, sees that the wolf has dropped a belt pouch. As the wolf is not making any threatening moves (it is waging it's tail) she picks up the pouch (move action) and opens it (move equivalent action as standard). She can see three potions clearly marked as healing potions.
Alk puts away his bow and draws his sword, ready to engage any foes in melee should he be chased into the cloud. Though nervous, he resists the urge to call to his comrades, so as to not assist the enemy in locating him.
Round 8
10) Alk puts away his bow and draws his shortsword.
11) Sniffing the air the wolf moves to 1515-1919, attacks the Hobgoblin leader ( ), but misses.
End of Round 8
Round 9
1) Cat actions
2) Hobgoblin Leader #2 actions
4) Green Archer actions
5) Harad actions
6) Hobgoblin #8 actions
7) Hobgoblin #5 actions
8) Hobgoblin #6 actions
9) Foxglove actions
10) Alk actions
11) Green Archer Wolf actions
I seem to have good luck teaming up with animals lately, Foxglove thinks to herself, then sneaks off after the wolf to attack it's target
(bow/arrow dropped where she picked up the pouch, dagger drawn in other hand while moving)
she notices Harad in the fog and drops the pouch of healing potions at his feet in the passing, hissing "Harad, take!"
If she has guessed right where her target is, she strikes from the fog.
but I guess his armor still works even when surprised...
Round 9
1) Cat actions done ( )
2) Hobgoblin Leader #2 attacks Green Archer Wolf ( , %) and misses the wolf.
4) Green Archer shoots twice at leader ( ; %) and misses; shoots again ( ; %) and hits for hp.
5) Harad drinks his potion (for hp) and moves toward the fighting he hears; he sees both Alk and the wolf, motions Alk to the right as he moves to the left to finally see the leader, ending in 1515-1819.
6) Hobgoblin #8 tries to break the entangle ( ) but remains entangled; ( ) can not see a target.
7) Hobgoblin #5 tries to break the entangle ( ) but remains entangled; ( ) see the Green Archer and shoots ( ) and misses.
8) Hobgoblin #6 tries to break the entangle ( ) but remains entangled; he saw the archer last time and tries to shoot him again ( ) aand misses again
9) Foxglove moves to 1515-1820 when she sees Harad in 1819 and the wolf in 1919, but because of the fog cloud she can not see the leader. ( ) She drops the pouch at Harad's feet and hisses, "Harad, take." before she continues toward the right and in a double move gets to 1515-2018 (seeing Alk in passing) to what she hopes is a flank. ( ) The leader is unaware of her.
Retcon: since Foxglove took a second move after dropping the potions, she drew her rapier while moving.
Alk, seeing Foxglove dart by him, follows her quietly, almost bumping into the large hobgoblin in the thick mists. He strikes out against the foe with his sword.
Round 9
10) Alk moves to 1515-2019, attacks the Hobgoblin Leader for 6 hp. The leader drops.
11) Green Archer Wolf bites the leader just to be sure for hp. Leader does not die from attack, but now is -16 hp and dies anyway. As a free action wolf howls.
Round 10
1) Cat actions
4) Green Archer actions
5) Harad actions
6) Hobgoblin #8 actions
7) Hobgoblin #5 actions
8) Hobgoblin #6 actions
9) Foxglove actions
10) Alk actions
11) Green Archer Wolf actions
Stealth towards the archers still dealing with entanglement.
Stealth towards the archers still dealing with entanglement.
A single move takes Cat to 1515-2417, at the edge of the entangle. Cat can not see the hobgoblins on the hilltop from this location. Cat will be affected by the entangle (have to save or be entangled) if she enters the area.
Circle around to the north (behind them) to get a better view of the baddies.
Circle around to the north (behind them) to get a better view of the baddies.
Cat can see that moving to the north and not entering the entangle will actually take Cat lower than she is already, and will still not be able to see hobgoblins. If Cat moves up the hill into the entangle, and doesn't save, Cat will only be be moving at half speed, but she has a good reflex save so she only needs an 8 to move at normal speed.
Okee-doke
Round 10
1) Cat moves in stealth ( ), moves up hill into entangle to see hobgoblins ( ) moves at half speed to 1515-1718. Cat can sees hobgoblin #6 & #8.
4) Green Archer shoots at Hobgoblin #5 ( ) and hits for hp; shoots again ( ); and hits for hp, and drops hobgoblin.
5) Harad ( ) removes a potion from the open pouch at his feet and drinks it, healing hp. (now at 33 hp)
6) Hobgoblin #8 ( ) still can't see a target, ( ) fails to breaking the entangle, and moves to 1515-3522.
8) Hobgoblin #6 tries to break the entangle ( ), fails, and shoots at Green Archer ( ) but misses.
Alk moves close to the edge of the fog cloud, peering out to identify any enemies. He tries to remain hidden while doing so.
As he does so he draws forward his wand of magic missiles in his off hand.
Foxglove tries to circle around the north and prevent the archers from escaping the deadly arrows. I hope there's some kind of cover, or that they are too focused on mr.mysterious to transmute me into a porcupine. She tries to avoid notice, but speed is the main idea.
Round 10
9) Foxglove double moves around to 1515-3012 to try and cut off any fleeing hobgoblins. When she gets there she can not see any hobgoblins due to the elevation of the hill.
10) Alk ( ) notices the direction Foxglove went and follows to 1515-2018. Seeing that he is at the edge of the fog he moves around to his right looking out for targets as he draws his magic missile wand. He continues moving around the perimeter of the fog trying to spot any hobgoblins, ( ) but stops in 1515-2318 before he enters the entangle area in 1515-2419. He is still too far in the fog to see any hobgoblins.
11) The Green Archer speaks out of turn, shouting something:
Perception checks DC20:
Foxglove, Alk, and Hobgoblin #6 hear the shout in Common, "Go East and attack!" The wolf looks toward the west and then moves in Alk's direction (his last command was defend). However( ) he does not notice the entangle before he enters 1515-2420, ( ) fortunately he is not entangled. He does see, however, Hobgoblin #8 and moves to 1515-3423 to confront him, ( ) but once he stops he is entangled. This does not draw an AoO form the hobgoblin.
End of Round 10
Round 11
1) Cat actions
4) Green Archer actions
5) Harad actions
6) Hobgoblin #8 actions
8) Hobgoblin #6 actions
9) Foxglove actions
10) Alk actions
11) Green Archer Wolf actions
Sneak up behind the closest goblin (within striking range, but stay stealthed) and wait to see if any opportunities present themselves.
Stupid goblins, staying in the open with so much cover around! Do they expect their leader to emerge victorious from the fog?
Or can't they move? The grass looks... but none of the guys know druid magic..?
Round 11
1) ( ) Cat is still entangled as she moves in stealth toward Hobgoblin #6, double moves (30') to 1515-3320. Hobgoblin #6 can not beat Cat's stealth and does not see her.
4) Green Archer shoots at Hobgoblin #6 ( ) and hits for hp; Hobgoblin #6 is staggered; he shoots again ( ) and hits for hp; Hobgoblin #6 drops.
5) Harad moves to 1515-1317, sees Hobgoblin #8 facing the wolf; he uses his 5th point of ki for an additional 20' of movement to try and help the wolf. He moves 10' to 1515-2518 ( ), is not entangled, so he continues to 1515-3521, (passing Cat who he can not perceive) to flank Hobgoblin #8. As he stopped in the entangle he must save again ( ) but is not entangled.
6) Hobgoblin #8 tries to break the entangle ( , is still entangled as he tries to make a run for it down slope. as he gets to 1515-3623 he draws AoO's from wolf and Harad, ( ), ( ), both hit for hp and hp; wolf tries to trip as a free action ( ), making the hobgoblin fall prone. ( ) Hobgoblin #8 drops a brass object he was carrying on his shoulder, it falls into the bushes in 1515-3724.
Mid Round 11
Head down, quick feet - don't want archers or grabbing grass to get me. Quiet would be nice but fast is better.
Alk, hearing the distant attack command from behind him, steps out from the cloud to reorient himself.
Alk speaks a command word and fires off a magic missile at the nearest hobgoblin who is still moving.
Round 11
9) Foxglove moves to 1515-4115.
10) Alk 5'-steps to 1515-2418 using his wand to magic missle Hobgoblin #8, who is staggered.
11) Green Archer Wolf attacks the prone hobgoblin ( ), but misses.
End of Round 11
Round 12
1) Cat actions
4) Green Archer actions
5) Harad actions
6) Hobgoblin #8 actions
9) Foxglove actions
10) Alk actions
11) Green Archer Wolf actions
Cat makes a stealthy B-line for the bush with the brass object in it. If Cat can get there this round, she inspects it more closely.
Round 12
1) Cat ( ) is still entangled, double moves in stealth to 1515-3625 and can see the brass object under the bush in 1515-3724. It appears to be a battered and soot marked box made of brass with 2 crumpled brass horns which are attached to the box forming a right angle.
4) Unseen by the party the Green Archer runs to 1515-1322.
5) Harad uses flurry of blows to attack Hobgoblin #8 ( , ); both hit for hp; Hobgoblin #8 is dead. Harad ( ) is not entangled.
She moves up/around the hill as fast as she can.
Seeing the goblins are down, Foxglove shouts to Harad,
"Let one live if it's not too late, I'd like some words."
She scans the area she can see
Round 12
9) Foxglove can move up slope to 1515-3920 with 50' of movement (double move). Finishing her movement in the entangle area ( ) she finds herself entangled. She says "Let one live if it's not too late, I'd like some words" and tries to subtly solute Cat ( ) and Cat can recognize it as such. Harad ( ) recognizes the action.
Alk will simply stand down; as the fighting looks like it's finished, he moves to make sure the mounts haven't run off.
Foxglove will continue up the hill, trying to find a hobgoblin able to talk (but with -1 to healing, trying to stabilize one may do more harm than good). She intends to find out whether this group were connected to the goblin group at the cabin. While looking for a suitable interrogation victim, she will look for any remarkable symbols or gear.
She will keep an eye on the green ranger and his wolf, ready to greet them if they make signs of approach. She will also throw a glance at the mounts, making sure they were not scared away by the fighting. But first priority is to look for a still living hobgoblin.
Whether we're still using initiative order (now that the fighting is finished) or we're free to declare action without it, Cat will meow loudly from the bushes to gain someone's attention and lead the others to the brass gadget.
Foxglove is instantly distracted by the meow. Find something?
She calls, off-handedly, "Harad, any survivors?",
but moves towards the cat to see what it wants.
"And Alk, can you pleee-ase dismiss the spells now? The grass is clingier than a drunk Hellknight on leave, and nearly as annoying!"
As he's moving to the mounts, Alk calls out over his shoulder, "The grass wasn't me, lass." He looks to the green archer, wondering if that man was the one casting the spells. But unless this guy's followed us from the cabin, he didn' cast it there...
Once the excitement dies down with the last hobgoblin defeat the entangle dissipates after a few minutes. A gentile breeze has started and the fog cloud slowly breaks up. Foxglove can see that all the hobgoblins are dead. Foxglove hears Cat's meowing from the bushes and as she approachs ( ) she can see under a bush a battered brass box that looks very much like the box that exploded above the Hunter's Cabin. The Green Archer moves up to to 1515-2526 as Alk moves off to check on the horses. He calls out "Nicely done, Numbor" as he sits on the ground a brass box with two brass horns. The wolf wags his tale and sits quietly licking his lips and fur of hobgoblin blood spatters. Foxglove can see that the box the Archer sat down is just like the one she exploded (before it exploded). Harad holds up the pouch of cure potions as says, "Does this belong to you by any chance?"
Foxglove picks up the brass box.
To Cat "Well spotted! You're quite a boon to this group."
She shows it to Harad and Alk: "This proves it: this group is connected to the ones at the cabin. Maybe replacing them, maybe even specifically hunting for us."
Aside, to Alk: "Not you? You sure?"
She approaches the Green Archer, looking over him.
She puts on a charming and polite face, yet with a twinkle in her eye.
"Thank you good sir - and you Numbor - for saving a damsel in distress from these vile bandits. I am known as Foxglove, and I must say I'm quite impressed by the two of you! Your prowess and skills obviously, and such a clever wolf, but also your ability to be there just when we needed you."
And if you were following us, your ability to avoid notice, but I think you were more out to kill them than to save us."Were you tracking these hobgoblins? Do you know anything about this group?"
The archer appears to be a human male dressed in clothing that would be used by any hunter in the forest. He is wearing bracers and a chain shirt. He still is holding his longbow and has a dagger and longsword sheathed on his belt. He appears to be of middle age, but only slightly graying in a salt-and-pepper manor.
Looking at Foxclove, "From your appearance, you must have been the one that set off the explosion. I was clearing out a look-out post for the Broken Chain Clan when I saw it. They were using one of these", as he gestures at the device at his feet "to report back to the clan stronghold by the lake west of us. These are Broken Chain Clan members. They were probably drawn to the explosion just as I was."
Looking at Harad he says, "Yes, it is mine. I hope it helped. My name is Westol Careyte. Who might the rest of you be and why was the Broken Chain interested in you?"
Alk takes a polite bow and says, "'Ello to ya. I'm Alk Caskenflagon, merchant an' friend to many. Thanks fer yer help, stranger. Were th' weeds yer work?" He gestures vaguely towards the area where the entangling plants just were.
"From your appearance, you must have been the one that set off the explosion"
From my appearance? ...oh! Foxglove's smile and pose drops for a second before turning back on, changing subtly from eyelash-batting to innocent moves that just happen to show off her waist and legs.
Hope he likes chasing fit hunter girls more than exotic dancers or aristocrats then.She even walks over and picks up the Hobgoblin leader's bow and arrow (that she dropped in the fog) to try to add to the illusion.
"As Alk said, he's a merchant. I'm travelling with him, and Harad is showing the way. We recently came through Alejia's crossing and are bound towards Lamberth."
Like so often, she circles the truth while implying something else. She trusts Westol, but old habits are hard to break.
" We came upon the Broken Chain cabin yesterday and the goblins attacked us. We prevailed, of course, but spent the night there recovering from the fight. The explosion, yes, that was me trying to figure out the device was. It was trapped. "
And my amateurish tinkering behind the cabin has pissed off a fortress full of hobgoblins - how nice!
"Have you hunted the Broken Chain for a long time?"
...and are you just patrolling the roads, or there a personal vendetta as well?
Suddenly she remembers, clasps her hands to her mouth and breaks into a genuine grin, all acts dropped.
"Westol? Westol Careyte? Now I remember! Purella is worried about you, told me to make sure you were all right if we found you. We're actually adventurers, off to investigate something really sinister, but so far we've found only giant spiders and goblins. And..."
Foxglove continues to pepper him with information until he (or someone else) stops her.
Cat wanders back to Carrot, jumps up to her regular traveling spot, and licks herself clean of all the battle grime.
From my appearance? ...oh!
Westol gently interrupts Foxglove's vocalized stream of thought, "Yes, I am often in Alejia's Crossing, but normally I range west and north of that hamlet. A friend of mine from Darkmantle asked me to look into some increased goblin activity. I found that the Broken Chain Clan had built a fortified encampment near a small lake just to the southeast from here. The clan set up watchposts both in the Greentounge Woods just south of here and in the Blighted Coup, apparently where you found that exploding party favor. If you are headed toward Labberth, then come with me to Darkmantle and give your crumpled horn to my friend, Jardine Ivor. I am giving her this one" as he gestures at the device at his feet. "In any event I will guide you safely past the Greentounge on the way to Darkmantle."
Foxglove is certainly happy to have Westol accompany them for a while.
Before leaving, though, she will search the dead goblins for 'evidence', and load up potential valuables (like the longsbows) on Carrot. She will keep everyone informed of any loot found.
She will also look for a bow she can comfortably draw (ie. shortbow) and equip herself. A thrown dagger is fine in cramped quarters or darkness, but against archers in open terrain I need one of my own.
Aside, to Harad: How far out of our way is Darkmantle? We have our own mission, but helping keep the goblins in check would be a good think. Who knows, it may open up interesting opportunities as well.
Later, on the road, to Alk: "So.. if you didn't cast the entangling spell and Harad didn't, then who did? And the fog - was that not you either? Sure wasn't me, and last time I checked Carrot didn't have any magical powers. The same thing - fog and tanglegrass - happened at the cabin, but then I just thought the goblin druid was just pulling some real stupid moves."
Whispering: "Maybe you should, like, scan for magic - but very discreetly. Even if they are only out to help us, I'd like to know if there's a hidden friend somewhere"."
Westol helps to identify the (8) longbows the party collects from the hobgoblins as masterwork longbows (+2 strength) . You can also collect (8) longswords of basic quality with leather belts and sheaths, and 8 sets basic quality studded leather armor. There are also 8 arrow basic quality arrow quivers with a total of 55 arrows. The leader of the first group had a magic amulet and 5 potions. The leader of the second group had a magical chain shirt, a magical longsword, and 6 potions. There is also a total of 36 gp and 120 sp.
If Alk takes 10, he can use detect magic to identify the items as follows:
The first leader had (3) potions of cure light wounds, (2) potions of shield of faith +2, and an amulet of natural armor +1. The second leader had a +1 longsword, a +1 chain shirt, (3) potions of cure moderate wounds, (3) potions of shield of faith +2, and an amulet of natural armor +1.
Weston says "Hobgoblins are notoriously distrustful of arcane magic so it is no wonder that these are divine potions."
The party loads the armor and longswords onto Ælfwine while Carrot can carry the bows and arrows. Harad talks to Alk and Foxglove, "I think we should give one of the cure serious wounds potions to Weston for the one I drank. I will gladly take it from my share of what we have collected so far."
Journy So Far
Assuming the party accepts Weston's offer of guidance through the Greentongue Woods, the party sets off south along the Road to Darkmantle.
Weston and Numbor break off from the party as the they approach a stretch of woods (Hex 1309). He tells you to make good time along the road while he and Numbor scout out the woods on either side. With their help the passage through the woods is without incident. After the two rejoin you he begins to tell you about Darkmantle
"Darkmantle Garrison was built some 60 years ago by Logan Rendrilla, a retired Crusader. His son Salondar runs it now, and he like his father is a retired Crusader. I am taking this device to an old friend, Jardine Ivor. She is the partner of Wenolen Komer, a magic user of some skill. Wenolen focuses more on research in her tower while Jardine runs a small potion and magic item shop. Jardine will know if Wenolen will be interested in studying these devices. I hope you will also show yours to Jardine. It is severely damaged, but having two of what appear to be similar devices would make investigation more fruitful, I think."
"Darkmantle may have a sinister name but it is a law abiding settlement. The Garrison houses only a few Hellkights. The rest of the garrison soldiers are loyal to Salondar. Most served with him in Mendov and follow him still. The Iron Keel Inn will be a safe place to rest up and the food is the best until you get to Fort Inevitable, if that is your destination. You can also sell the hobgoblin gear at the Dented Helm. The owner, Bertil Alcaeus, drives a hard but fair bargain. You can tell him I sent you, but that may not make a difference. The Bridled Oar next to the inn will stable your horse and pony. Ask for the stable boy named Hektor."
Turning to Foxglove he says, "I was not hunting Broken Chain hobgoblins as such. I specialize in the hunting all goblin-kind and was just following up some rumors. After I see Jardine I will head north to Alejia's Crossing. It is time I got back to my normal routines."
"a magic sword... would be useful, but this is too heavy for my fighting style - should be worth a bit of coin though. The armor as well. The amulets we should keep. Judging from our journey this far, I think I need one of them - and Harad maybe the other."
While walking with Westol, Foxglove asks questions about archery training, heavy vs light swords, tracking goblins, and about the ranger bond with the wolf.
Before arriving in Darkmantle, she asks for a short break to freshen up; cleaning bloodstains, fixing makeup. She wants to look a confident and successful adventurer, not a harassed traveller.
"Alk, you are the trader and magic user - do you want to talk to Jardine? I will make arrangements with the stable and inn."
Foxglove winces at the mention of Hellknights, but decides she has nothing to fear. Let's do this town, see what's in it for us!
Alk agrees to travelling to Darkmantle; he always likes to trade in arcane paraphernalia, and there aren't many places to do that around this neck of the River Kingdoms. He also agrees to take the broken warning devices with him; perhaps he can use them as bargaining chips.