The Ironfang Invasion: Fangs of War

Game Master vayelan

GM BOT: Boudra moves up and casts bane.
Recruit will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Scout will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

GM BOT: Lily stares and shoots at the recruit.
Attk/damage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 211d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Cyrioul hits the Ironfang Scout.

GM BOT: Thorek, makes his weapon sacred, and charges at the scout.
Attack/damage: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 141d10 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 3 + (4) = 15

After the combat is over, you find on the hobgoblins:
[list]

Bree reads over the bounty notice and sighs. "Well whaddaya know? We're famous," she adds sarcastically. She hands the bounty around.
"We're gonna have to be extra careful now. They know we're out here and they're motivated to find us. Should we tell the townsfolk about this or will that be too hard a blow for morale?"

"Hmm, I've never been worth a hundred crowns before. That's new!" Cyrioul smiles grimly before handing on the bounty. "I'm all for warning the good people that travel with us. It would be wise to post extra eyes to the night watches, I suppose, so that we aren't surprised. What do the rest of you think, though?"

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

He holds up the two vials found on the bodies. "For others to carry, I think. Potions to heal wounds."

Caladra barked a sharp laugh at the mention on the bounty on them. "I think we should see how much we can raise that bounty," she said to Cyrioul. She then looked down at the dead gob and cleaned the blood off her great sword on it before returning it to it's frog on her back.

"This is not how I wanted to be famous. Well if anything its reassuring that we are able to take them out easily.,"Lily says while kicking a rock.

"As long as their numbers are small," Bree notes.

Lily just freezes as she hears Bree's response.

"Oh, I didn't mean to scare you, Lily. i just don't want us getting cocky. Sorry." She gives Lily a shoulder squeeze. "I'm just hoping we avoid anymore wasps," she quips.

Cedric keeps reading and re-reading the short note. He had been rather hoping that the Ironfangs hadn't noticed them, but this clearly proved that that isn't the case.

"I think that this proves that we can't just run far enough away from this to get to anything resembling safety," he says, finally joining in the discussion. "So I think that forces me to agree with Caladra. We have to try to make ourselves so dangerous to them that they either give up and let us go or dash themselves against us like water on the stones of river rapids.

"But we have to make sure we don't leave our charges hanging. I think we need to worry less about distance and more about finding a defensible and hidden position to leave them while we make ourselves a nuisance. Does anyone know of any cave systems around here, maybe? Something to get us out of the way when we need to rest?"

"I think we should make sure some of the others have a bit of training too, make sure they can put up a fight if we're not there to defend them. These gobs are like wolves, they'll go after the weakest prey once they find it. We need to make sure even our weakest is stronger than them." Caladra adds.

{{is there a way we can train some of the villagers? Raise some of their NPC levels or even give them npc classes?}}

Thorek does a little math in his head, his expression grim. "Going by the numbers, seems like our charges are worth over two month's wages to any recruit, and our heads are worth half a year's pay. I don't know what their discipline situation is, but we're probably going to have a lot of bounty-hunters on our asses soon. We need to step up our pace and find shelter, soon."

Boudra nods earnestly. It's a good idea to train some of the villagers, she signs. And like I've said before, we should definitely try to find somewhere to defend!

But she doesn't have Knowledge (Local)... :(

When there's a free half hour, Cyrioul sits down with some of the other locals and tries to make sense of where in the area they are, and whether there's any local lore about defensible positions that wouldn't be too obvious to the Ironfang Legion.

Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Knowledge(Geography): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

"Cyr, let's see if we can help some of the locals draw a map while you're at it."

Kn(Geog): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 for what it's worth

The next day please make daily checks some of the refugees who were foraging come back with news of a tiny shack hidden in a thicket of brambles.

Lily stares at the filter that she has been working on for over a week.
Knowing that if she screws it up now it would all be for naught so she takes her time.

Im taking 10 for a 16 Alchemy check.

Hearing news of the shack she says,"If anyone lives in that shack they are in danger. We should go tell them of the army. If its abandoned hey maybe there are supplies for us to use. Either way lets go."

"Agreed - it might provide a welcome space for respite, for a night at least."

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
"Can you show us where the shack is?"

The refugees lead you to a thicket of brambles. It takes a moment, but, the thinnest wisp of smoke from a tiny chimney lets you discern a small shack.

Cyrioul passes a thunderstone to Bree. "If you get close and get in trouble, hit them with this and we'll come running."

I misread that as "the thinnest wasp of smoke" and immediately thought "oh no, not again!" :P

Daily Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

"If you can quietly find a window or something to peek inside that's probably best," Cedric suggests. "If it looks like normal people then we can talk to them as a group. If it's something dangerous then we can possibly take the element of surprise to pacify it."

Bree takes the thunderstone. "That's a good idea. Thanks, Cyr."

She turns to Cedric. "I'll take a quick look around, first, but I don't want to scare somebody by sneaking around their house too much."

Bree does her best not to make too much noise making her way up to the shack,
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 but the brambles make it difficult. Feeling like she surely has been heard by now, she looks for any window that she might be able to peek in.

There is an almost depleted pile of firewood next to the door to the shack.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Kn:History: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Bree hears and knows nothing, but continues to walk up to the shack.
if she doesn't see any easy to reach window, she'll call out "Hello? Anyone home?"

A crackly women's voice rings out, "Go away. Git!"

Bree sighs. "I'm sorry to disturb you, ma'am, but you may be in danger. An army of hobgoblins has taken the town and patrols are pushing into the forest. We mean you no harm."
just in case something mean comes at me, I'm gonna swift activate luck here
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

"I've survived worse. Those strong enough to survive will survive. Now, get off my lawn!"

Lily approaches very carefully without her weapon. She says,"If you aren't going to come then maybe there is something we can do to help you? "

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

"In that case, is there any chance you'd want to trade? We've acquired a few items that you may be interested in?"
hoping we maybe can trade a few items for some food here

"You've got nothing I want, except I want to be left alone. Now, get out from here!"

"Done. Good luck." Grumpy old hag.

Bree gives Lily a head shake and heads back to join the others.

"She doesn't seem to be in the mood for visitors. So unless Aubrin, or someone, knows her and didn't say anything, we may have to just move on."

Cedric shrugs. "We can only do so much. If she doesn't want our help, or offer the same in return, then we may as well let her be. We've got bigger fish on the hook."

Dwarves are a communitarian lot, and Thorek is a little appalled at how easily his companions are giving up on this woman. "You can't be serious! The damn Ironfang's will kill her, we can't just leave her to such a fate!"

He looks around a little desperately. "Aubrin, Caladra, you're from around here! Who is this woman? Maybe I can convince her of the danger she's in..."

" As much as I want to help her doing it without her permission is kidnapping. Best to leave her be. , Lily says with a slightly confused tone.

Boudra signs urgently, Ask her if she knows anywhere that we can hole up safely!

Finding food for the day (Survival): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

"Hmm... I was hoping this could be a more central location for us. Well, then, does she look like anything around her house could help her defend herself? If not, she could be a bearer of great power herself, and we'd only cause harm to ourselves if we tried to force our way in."

He puts a hand on Thorek's shoulder. "You are welcome to try and convince her, Thorek, but I fear that we may have no choice but to leave her to her own devices."

If you want to try and convince her, add a +1 and I'll mark off a tally on my Diviner's Fortune count. You could also drink a potion of Guidance for an additional +1, I think.

"Boudra, that's a great idea. Feel free to see if you can get through to her, Thorek. Maybe you can convince her to at least help us out."

Day 10

survival: 1d20 ⇒ 3

"I mainly just worked within the city, never had to leave much unless it was to report to the main city and for that I always followed the roads so I've never encountered her nor heard about her before." Caladra said to Thorek.

Expression worried, Thorek gratefully accepts Cyrioul's spell and marches Chain-links rattling with he pauses what he hopes is a respectful distance from the hut. Gulping down a potion of Guidance, the dwarf clears his throat and calls out.

"Klok eldre, Wise Elder, I apologize for disturbing your solitude, but the threat of the Ironfang hobgoblins is dire and close. Little over a week ago the town of Phaendar was utterly overrun, with many slain or enslaved. Worse, I fear that they might possess powerful magics, for on the outskirts of town we saw an enormous black tower that appeared as if from nowhere. Since then my companions and I have been trying to lead the few survivors we found to safety, but the Ironfangs are close upon our heels."

The dwarf's fire-scarred face betrays his genuine concern. "Klok eldre, I am afraid we have placed you in danger. The hobgoblins will have no difficulty following the trail of our group, and that trail will lead them here. Three days past we came upon a woman the hobgoblins had captured, and the sufferings they inflicted on her poor body I would not wish on anyone. Just yesterday we slew a scout patrol, but more are surely close behind. If you are determined to stay I will honor your wish and never trouble you again, but please, I beg of you, reconsider and seek safety. If you accompanied us, I pledge to find a way to repay the harm we have done you, however inadvertently."

-2CHA offset by the Guidance and Diviner's Fortune.
Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 16

I'll give you a plus 2 for the extensive speech. And an additional plus 2 for the prior, nearly good attempts.

The old woman opens the door to her shack. It is more bramble than door, and it is hardly visible even when you know where to look. "Well, sonny, since you all don't seem to want to go away, you can help me out a bit. I've got to get some more firewood, and you look like you could use the workout. Ha! If'n you all need some things done for you, I can do them. But for hard cash or trade goods. If you need some good food, I've got some of that too. Tell you what, sonny, I'll give you a basket of food for a pile of firewood."

Looking above the dwarf out into the forest, she continues, "I've dealt with hobgoblins before. And raiders. And thieves. I'll be alright. But, you might need my services again. I've got some scrolls I can sell you, or if you need a certain spell cast, I can do it. Nothing too difficult, you understand, but certainly more than any of you can expect to do."

Cyrioul cautiously steps forward with a short bow. "Ma'am, I would be happy to look at any scrolls of power you might offer to assist our fight against these enemies. Also, if you have supplies for making scrolls, that would improve our chances as well."

Thorek will offer the woman a deep bow, then retrieves the woodcutting axe and sets to work with a will.

Lily's face just grows more and more confused as she contemplates the sudden change in attitude. She shrugs as she picks up an axe and gets to work.

"Offer? I ain't offering nothing. You bring cash or goods, and I'll see if I can make the scroll, if I don't already have it here."

wood for wheat, like Settlers of Catan.
Cyr, see if she's willing to trade for any of the items we have that no one wants, like the masterwork breastplate or battleaxe. We also have some gold and gems. It sounds like if we can get goods and cash together, she may be able to provide a useful scroll or 2.
GM question: how long does it take to chop/gather wood for her?
We should figure out if we want to set folks up chopping wood instead of gathering food

Chopping the wood will take a couple of hours and 1d6 non-lethal damage. But, it is not a long-term proposition.

Cedric feels ashamed at his selfish willingness to move on and let this old lady be if she didn't want help. As such he quietly volunteers to chop wood personally. Beneficial trade is a worthwhile result, especially since they're unlikely to find any other sort of place to resupply out here in the woods.

Cyrioul raises his hands, palms out towards the woman. "No, ma'am, I wouldn't expect you to simply offer them. I have trade a-plenty to share with you."

Cyrioul calls forward the porters among the townspeople, and begins finding items that the woman might be interested in for trade, particularly pulling forth some of the finer weapons, armor, or decorative items for her to peruse. "Perhaps another trader would be interested in armor such as this? Or this fine a battleaxe, maybe?"

Seeking the following NEW scrolls, if possible (250 gp):
- Silent Image
- Feather Fall
- Protection from Evil
- Thunderstomp (ACG)
- Invisibility (2nd level spell, just getting ready)

Seeking materials to MAKE the following scrolls, by having her make one and Cyrioul make one, if possible (25 gp):
- Comprehend languages x1 (circumstantial use)
- Grease x1 (backup for combat)

Ideally, it'd be nice to purchase some parchment and magical inks so that I could craft some on my own in camp - 50 GP worth would make 4 scrolls.

TEAM: Any requests besides the ones above?

"I don't have any of those on hand, and I can't make Silent image or Invisibility. But, I can make Feather fall or Protection from Evil for you. They'll be 50 gold each. Or, I could make the protection last longer, but, it'll cost you more. I don't have any parchment or ink to spare. "

burning hands might be a good scroll in case we come up against any more swarms