The Ironfang Invasion: Fangs of War

Game Master vayelan

GM, what would our characters know about Darkblight to answer Thorek's question?

In addition to what Undari explained, which I provided via an earlier spoiler, thanks to a combination of your skills (Knowledge: History and Nature, Profession: Herbalist, Craft:Alchemy, et al.) you also know this information:

The Darkblight first appeared in 4062 AR, and its spread led to the fall of the fey Accressiel court that ruled over the Fangwood for millennia.

.....

Additionally, I will also say that this blighted pixie - who was called Malignant Nolly - is NOT the one who collapsed the highland trail to slow you down. There is still someone else out in the forest besides the Ironfangs who does not like you.

Wait? You're telling me that we have more enemies. Color me surprised. :)

Also, I can't wait to fight the dragon. They don't show up in a lot of APs and it's a nice touch to add one

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

EDIT: Once we get moving, Gaius will cast mage armor and then quick study it out (current stats/resources/spells reflect this already). If we get the chance to take this fort/fight the dragon on our terms, Gaius will cast two extended heroisms on Esperanza and Thorek, then quick study it out for haste. That will get us buffed and ready, at the cost of all but 1 extend and 3rd level spell for the day. He'll have one haste, which I think is best used on the dragon fight (if today is the day).

Honestly, if there is a storm coming with potentially gale force winds, that might be our best time to assault the fort. Gale isn't something on the wind speed charts in the Fly skill, but after a certain point, even if the wind isn't checking or blowing anything away, the fly penalties might force things like dragons and rocs to take different tactics (not always to their benefit). Hovering and turning while flying, for examples, become a little more serious when you're taking fly penalties!

Gale-force winds are categorized at around 40-54mph, which falls into the Severe Winds category in PF.

That's a -4 penalty on ranged attacks and certain skill checks (including Fly), which hurts Lily but possibly hurts our enemies more? At the very least it forces them to come into melee where Thorek and Esperanza are very effective. It might be a decent cover for us to retreat under--hit the fort and/or patrols, retreat under cover of the storm, wait for our next chance.

I don't have a strong opinion on this one, thoughts?

I'm always in favor of being less likely to get shot with arrows.

Ehhhh... I'm not particularly concerned even if I might but succeed at hitting.

So based on what Undari has seen so far, I'm guessing maybe 15 hobgoblins. We don't know how many trolls there might be, but at least the dragon isn't always present. If we can confirm it's not here currently then we should definitely assault the fort today.

Could you imagine if we were able to retrain those Rocs?! Obviously we'll need to take them out if they attack, but if we can we should try to keep them stable but unconscious. THAT'D BE SO EPIC! (obviously, by "we" I mean Undari :P)

Could you imagine if we were able to retrain those Rocs?! Obviously we'll need to take them out if they attack, but if we can we should try to keep them stable but unconscious. THAT'D BE SO EPIC! (obviously, by "we" I mean Undari :P)

If that were to happen, would Undari get to yell "Fly, my pretties" or would another party member say it as he turned into a bird to lead them?

That plan rocs, Gaius!

Heheh.

you are all terrible

you are all terrible

If you think that's bad, just wait until you see what I'm about to unleash upon you.

[winks towards Gaius]

MUWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!

:)

me looking at the rolls on that perception check

Having trouble keeping relative directions to things. Is Nunder to the south of where we are now, or would that possibly be the third fort?

The three forts roughly form an isosceles triangle in the forest north of Hidden Hope.

Fort Ristin is north of Hidden Hope, Fort Trevalay is further north, and Fort Nunder is to the west.

Some out of character notes:

There are surviving rangers currently imprisoned at both Fort Ristin and Fort Trevalay. The pooka might be willing to share this information, having overheard it from the hobgoblins.

Planning ahead, Gaius was interested in gaining a pooka familiar via the feat Improved Familiar, hence why I incorporated this unscripted encounter. Since she may well become part of the party, I also wanted to include this guessing game as a way for Gaius (or the rest of the party) to name her.

It's very cute. Since it's a way for Gaius to name her, I don't think Esperanza will be making guesses of her own.

I mean, I'm also am terrible at naming things, so if you've got a suggestion, go for it!

I literally googled Irish names and picked one (Pookas are apparently part of Irish folklore), then added a cookie to it because I thought it would be something a whimsical creature would like the sound of but likely not have as part of the culture/much contextual exposure to (hence why a type of cookie is a title, somewhat related to the whole Rocket/Taserface interaction).

Big thank you to y'all for just rolling with this, especially Thorek, I understand that one of my future class features just stole the spotlight and I appreciate y'all indulging this for a moment! <3

EDIT: Just so we aren't losing planning momentum, why don't we shift the in character planning to here? Thanks to Undari, we have a map, which is excellent!

A couple ideas we've had so far:

There is also that secret entrance, which may be accessible from the bridge, or we may have to come at it from below.

DM, was Undari able to learn more about the secret entrance?

When he investigated the secret entrance, Undari the blackbird found a small, stony beach hugging the northern edge of the rock column at the water level. A narrow crack leads into the column from the beach. The closest thing to a guard he observed was a fat frog sitting atop a stump clinging to the beach, croaking lazily. As best as he can figure, based upon his flyby, Undari suspects the crack may lead towards the well shaft in the heart of the fort.

here's the first thing that came to mind when i thought about the party climbing a shaft into the heart of the enemy base

and here's the second one

So the secret entrance may just be a way into the well from below. Good to know, but unless we can all climb the well wall, maybe not the primary way into the fort.

Thorek is adamant about finding a fallback point that could be used to turn around and ambush any pursuit.

Beyond that, he prefers the idea of infiltration through the cave Undari discovered, although he's very skeptical of his own skills at stealth.

I am very sneaky.

Scaling the well is a reasonable obstacle for us as a party... Would that be a way for us to split up? Lily mentioned she could disguise, so the non-climbers could walk over the bridge while the climbers go up the well?

GM, what do we need to do to find a fallback? I agree that it's a smart thing for us to do, given that they could have toooooons of Hobgoblins in the rooms of the fort.

There are a few options the find a fallback:

Knowledge (Nature or Geography) could be used to find an easily defensible or concealed location. Knowledge (Dungeoneering) could be used to locate a cavern. Lastly, Survival could be used to construct a blind.

If all else fails, Stealth could be used to make ghillie suits.

Undari consults with the others on possible fall-back locations:

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Knowledge Geography: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

Also, if there is a storm tonight (as seems likely), Undari can take the form of an air elemental and rain down bolts of lightning on the battlefield. That would certainly encourage the hobgoblins to take cover if they are guarding a bridge...

GM, I assume gale force winds tonight count as a "stormy area"...

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Craft (Traps): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Nature: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Esperanza is clearly outside her element here, but fortunately Undari appears to have some divine inspiration.

Despite the distraction provided by the pooka, you find great success in establishing the fallback point. Undari leads you to a broad outcropping rising among the forest, commanding an uninterrupted view of the surrounding treeline. There are rock formations atop the rise that would provide good cover, and there is a trail down the rear that would allow for an emergency escape route.

Thorek finds more than enough material to construct a deadfall or hide sharpened stakes along the approach to the fallback point.

Furthermore, some of the gnarled trees growing out of the outcropping could provide good vantage points, serving as natural blinds.

With 5 of us in the party, I think Lily has the ring of acid resistance. That leaves 4 to split the Extended Resist Elements Communal, so that should be 30 minutes of acid resistance each.

The Extended Beast Speech should last 12 minutes.

I was thinking Undari would lurk in the clouds and wind as an air elemental until the battle breaks out, then start calling lightning. This works if we can lure most everyone outside for the battle. Otherwise, he may just call lightning in his normal human form (hanging back in the woods) and then have the flexibility to wild shape later if needed.

What do you guys think?

I think having your above our heads gives you more immediate tactical flexibility, and if we lure the hobs out it leaves Esperanza & Gaius exposed.

Agree, overhead seems best.

Excellent. Undari will be ready for action with the Extended Beast Speech and Resist Acid Communal spells up and running. He will take the form of an air elemental and cast Call Lightning when he gets the signal from the stealth team.

What should the signal be?

What should the signal be?

"Tut, tut, it looks like rain."

I don't seem to be able to affect the map. DM, could you put a graphic representing the flaming sphere up against the entrance to the tower? Undari hopes this delays any reinforcements.

I don't seem to be able to affect the map. DM, could you put a graphic representing the flaming sphere up against the entrance to the tower? Undari hopes this delays any reinforcements.

I've added the flaming sphere marker, and I've updated the permissions so you can edit the map.

Thanks, DM!

I take it we are still waiting on Lily to post surprise and regular round actions?

Sorry for not posting lately. I got sick.

Good to have you back, Lily. Stay well.

With her absolutely devastating AoO, Esperanza would have preempted the damaging longsword attack upon her, preventing the 12 damage she took.

Given the 10 damage she takes in this last round, she essentially has a net gain of 2 HP.

Who says you can't heal with damage?! *Barbarians Golarion over rejoice*

I have only ever had a few fights where a character build worked quite so perfectly as in that one. It was a ton of fun and incredibly cinematic, with Esperanza swinging at and dodging and parrying everything around her. I really can't thank you enough for including me!

I have only ever had a few fights where a character build worked quite so perfectly as in that one. It was a ton of fun and incredibly cinematic, with Esperanza swinging at and dodging and parrying everything around her. I really can't thank you enough for including me!

I'm delighted to hear that you're enjoying yourself.

Admittedly, I was worried at first when I realized the hobgoblins would try to surround, isolate, and flank you. However, it soon became apparent that this was a case of "I'm not trapped in here with you; you're trapped in here with me."

There is some contradiction in the AP book. The read-aloud text says there are large holes knocked through the walls, but then the section says that the hobgoblins have left this floor intact to support the tower. It also doesn't clarify whether these holes are in the exterior or interior walls.
I will rule that there is not enough space for Esperanza to move through, but that she can attack through the gaps with her glaive, although it would provide the hobgoblin with cover.

If you want to amend your actions based on this, Esperanza, you can do so.

...

Regarding the overlap of Web and Thorny Entanglement, I would rule that their effects can stack. After all, dense foliage would be all the more difficult to navigate if it was filled with the webbing of a giant spider.