Trekking the Darkmoon Vale - time to grow up boys and girls! (Inactive)

Game Master Edeldhur

Life is never black and white a child and a beast...
By Gorum, strength and determination will never fail me in battle but the evil in some creatures does not prevent them to use innocent children in they're plans ...
Lookemon eventually falls a sleep never completely at ease during the night ...

In the morning:
I have a shovel

I do my prayers and meditation and get ready to start following the tracks.
If Tsin hasn't finished I can help for example I can try and find/make an headstone.

a Litle while after Jeva is burried.
Guys let's get back to track the kobolds and save those kids.

If everyone agrees I take 10 (10+7=17) and start following the tracks

Yeah let's go

After the grim task of burying a child is complete, the companions set themselves on their initial path once again, and return to the ruins.

Gusy, last time you followed the tracks, they took you here - you can assume the same description, except for the lone cry in the distance ;)

Go!

Tsi, do you want to go and check out the construction?

Sure, no worries

I move towards the building approaching from the side that provides more cover. Not sure which side it is but I'm guessing it's the west because the wall on the east side has collapsed.

I move as stealthily as I can and stop if I spot activity, to analyse.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Meanwhile I try o hide myself from view behind a tree or bushes.
While hiding I peak and try to follow Tsi and look at the construction see if I spot movements.

I keep myself in plain sight, I want open spaces with no cover nearby.

Saktar keeps a hatefull stare during the day, his restless night didn't bring him any peace. He looks as if he's daring anyone to come at him, a fight is just what he needs

Edit: Do we recover any HPs overnight, I'm still missing 1 hp lol

Tsin Tao approaches carefully, but sees little of interest beyond the ancient stonework and fallen stable. His attention is however caught by a discarded small broken spear with a wicked barbed tip, even before he gets into the ruins proper.

Tsin Tao, roll me a Perception check, and do let me know if you want to continue onward into the area of the ruins itself.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Is the broken spear old? I mean, does it look like it's been here a long time? Do I know who tends to use these spears?

Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

My plan is to continue into the ruins, if I don't smell danger until then.
Danger would be spotting kobolds or other threats.
If this spear looks like it's been here a short time or has fresh blood on it or something, that would be danger as well :)

The spear is not old Tsin, and its tip seems to still be covered in some sort of fluid or residue - you don't have much doubt this is a kobold weapon, or what's left of one.

Knowledge (Nature) to know more about this.

As the ninja plods forward into the ruins, it doesn't take much effort to find the top of a broken staircase, half obscured by uprooted bushes and leading into darkness.

I'm not trained in Knowledge (Nature). Can I roll Intelligence?

Intelligence: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

First, I stop and listen carefully for any sounds coming up from the stair well (or anywhere else for that matter).

Then I search for signs of life or tracks in the vicinity of the staircase.
I'm guessing I need to roll Perception again?

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

That Knowledge (Nature) is not enough Tsin :P

The ninja observes the spear with care, but is unable to ascertain the nature of the goo remnants still clinging to it.

Taking a moment to search the area surrounding the stairs, Tsin Tao finds what are relatively fresh tracks (similar to the ones they had been following).

As usual, to follow them you need survival ;)

Ok, I go back to the group.

Alright, I went into the ruins and found an old staircase going down into the earth.
Also found some Kobold tracks around the stairs and a Kobold spear with some goo on it, so they're definitely around. I didn't see any though.
I can take you to the stairs and we follow the tracks from there, or we can just go down the stairs and check it out.

Probably the tracks will take us there.
Do the tracks seem to go in the direction of the ruins?

I believe we should explore the stairs I don't want to have kobolds in front and behind me.

Yes Lokeemon - the tracks go toward the ruins.

Ok, go

movin’on

Let's follow the tracks to the ruins just to be sure we are not losing anything.

Yup, let's go already :P

The heroes get to the stairs without any trouble. They remain pretty much the same, ominously leading into darkness.

Tsin wanna go and scout the stairs?

Sure, send out the half-orc first. That's racism man!
Tsin smiles as he says this. It's clear he's actually quite happy to go down into a black hole in the ground in search for baddies.

Actually it's good, all this sunshine was making me tan. I might end up looking like Duncan!

I start to go down the stairs as ninja as possible.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

You wana get my tan Tsin? Are you on a spell dry with females? (Sneer) Everyone knows no one have it bigger then a dwarf! (laugh)
you could have least grow a decent beard…

Now just get movin’on and save those kids

I look around just to reassure myself that there is no one lurking nearby.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

You know tieflings are as racists as it can get...

After Tsin starts descending, my intention is to guard the staircase.
Will I be able to see Tsi for a while after he starts descending?
If not I'll just try to hear him.

And still nobody to blast away!
Saktar was getting really impatient

Lokeemon keeps an eye out , and also on Tsin Tao as the ninja descends the stairway.

You can keep tabs on him for about 20 feet (4 squares), then he is out of sight.

Tsin Tao inches down the stairs, step after step - the stairway opens into a large rectangular chamber. The stone walls of this area are covered with intricate carvings of dwarves toiling in mines or smithies. In the center of the chamber stands the bottom half of a broken obsidian obelisk. Crude picks, hammers, and other tools lie scattered around the chamber.

Additionally he spots two short creatures, reptilian humanoids with scaled skin, a snout filled with tiny teeth, and long tails - one is reddish and the other greenish in hue. They seem to be toiling away near the west doorway, trying to drag a large chunk of the fallen monument behind them.

Also, spread around them are four other kobolds, seemingly equipped for combat (as opposed the other two who seem to be carrying around only work implements), spouting some sort of orders or insults.

(You can't tell :D)

GO!!

Map is updated above, just below my 'GM Obermind' alias name.

I'm no match for 4 armed kobolds so I creep back up the stairs silently.
When I'm up there I tell everybody what I saw.

I went as far as a room where there's 4 kobold guards and two workers, miners. This is some sort of mining operation.

If we all go down we can take these guys, but we risk alerting the entire operation. What do you think?

Tsin Tao, usually when writing characters' thoughts, one usually does so in italic - like so... ;)

That being said:

1d20 ⇒ 17
1d20 ⇒ 20
1d20 ⇒ 6
1d20 ⇒ 14
1d20 ⇒ 9
1d20 ⇒ 1
1d20 ⇒ 12

Tsin Tao apparently manages to peel away from the group without being noticed, and convey the information to the others.

Up to you guys - SIGA!

It's possible that they have the kids.
Why would you need 4 guards at the entrance of a mining facility?
I say we go and check it out.

Tsin has cheked it already :-) I say we go, take those guards and interrogate the miners.
Any ideas on how to do it without alerting the whole mining compound?

Not alerting the whole compound is going to be a challenge if more kobolds are nearby.
I guess you do not have a silence spell ready today?

Other option would be for tsin to run invisible to cut the retreat of the kobolds while we charge the ones in front. But tsin will be in a tight spot with this plan.

Saktar grins with the anticipation of a fight

We're adventurers, risky things is what we do. I think that’s the best plan, Tsin cuts their retreat and we attck from the front

Keeping the pace, he moves a bit away from the entrance and begins spellcasting.

Cast Mage Armour

I should mention there are 3 exits from the room. I can't cut all of them.

If not we can charge in but we better be quick about killing them, because we WILL make noise and they WILL be able to run and alert their buddies.

Since there are 4 guards and 3 exits 2 of them must be closer to 1 exit, so I would say:
- you have to go to the corridor with 2 of them (corridor nr 1)
- I charge whoever is in the 2nd corridor
- Duncan charges whoever is in the 3rd corridor
- Saktar helps you with the 2nd guy in your corridor.

Alright then, let's do it.
Give me just a minute or so and then come down after me, as quietly as you can.

I move stealthily down the stairs, to a bit before the entrance of the room (like T64).

When the rest of the group gets close I use the Ninja vanishing trick and continue to move stealthily to the vicinity of P54 or P55 (that also depends on where the kobolds are when I get there).

Tsin, when you intend to use Stealth, please roll when you announce the action so things move along faster. In this case I will roll (will rule two separate rolls - one for approach, and another for moving to P54 or P55.

Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 20 = 39

for the others, I will need Stealth rolls for those attempting to be silent, and overall description of your actions.

Nope, no silence prepared today. I’m the slowest so I’d better charge the kobold closest to us (at Q58)

Tsin, maibe it will be better if you go to the back of the kobold in the corridor (go to N56 or N57) to cut their retreat that way. Then when we attack you do the same from behind them.

We give some time for Tsin to get in position then we move in. I try not to make too much noise…
Stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

what is it between stealth and armored dwarfs...

Tsin my only advice would be for you to cut the path of the corridor on the left, but only engage if they try to flee immediately.
If they don't flee and instead attack us in the middle then you can flank them and don't need to take too many chances.

Stealth: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5

I forgot to say what I wanted to do.
Guys it's hard to sync the attack if we cannot see each other.
But if we are too close we will do too much noise.
What about if:
- Tsin picks up one point of a rope
- I pick hold de other point folded
- As tsin goes down the stairs he keeps the rope tight, I release a bit of rope as me pulls it
- When tsin decides to engage he releases the rope, the rope gets "soft" and we charge

There's a few things...

As for when to move, I don't think we need the rope thing but I don't mind if you want to do it.

Guys, it's just kobolds. We'll wait like 5 minutes and then go down. If you get into trouble yell and we'll go running.
Also, I'll keep contact with you while you're down there if you don't go too far, so don't worry... much eheheh

Cast message on everybody

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

You are right, let's go.

Remember that I'll only be invisible for a short time so I can't move much sooner than you.

Just come down whenever and when I hear you coming I'll move into position.

Go! :)

Tsin Tao moves forward, and hides pretty much around the same place where he stood before, while the kobolds also mill around about in the same areas.

(Same map because I am lazy)

After a few moments the ninja can hear the veritable 'crashing down the stairs' noise produced by Lokeemon and Duncan. At least two of the more well armed kobolds seem to have noticed the ruckus - their ears perk up, they snarl, and begin sniffing the air in the general direction of the main entrance.

Tsin, let me know your exact actions for now (where exactly you are going, if you are changing actions, if you are casting sp. Map is still in my header. GO!

I'm sticking to the plan:
- Use vanishing trick
- Move quietly to the vicinity of P54 or P55
- If the kobolds change positions I just walk around them - the goal is to position myself close or inside that tunnel

I'll try to keep the comms open

Tsin, we're almost there. Where are the kobolds going? Which tunnel did you close?

I don't know, you'll have to ask the GM ;P
Or maybe I'll just pop open that spoiler up there.... niahahah

Tsin Tao, I have updated the map - you are in P:55.

Let me see if I got everything right:

- Tsin Tao has gone inside five minutes ahead;
- He remains there waiting for you since Vanish only lasts a few short rounds;
- When he hears you, he gets moving, and is now at P:55;
- This means the others can assume they are about 20' away from the room entrance, and up a flight of stairs;
- I am going to assume (even though it was not stated ahead of time), that Saktar is posing that question as they move down the stairs;
- this means the question comes in as Tsin Tao is on the move;
- Tsin Tao you can answer before the others act, but please keep in mind that, as per the Message spell, 'You can whisper messages and receive whispered replies. Those nearby can hear these messages with a DC 25 Perception check' - this means the kobolds may hear you should you decide to answer (don't say I am not a kind GM :P)

So, first things first, we need to know if Tsin Tao is answering the message from Saktar (the kobold positions are as per the map). We'll take it from here. GO Tsin! :D