Why Can't Fighters Have Nice Hobgoblins? Ironfang Invasion

Game Master Stalwart

Grum smiled. "Good enough for me. So long as they are clumped up, let's throw a fireball in there and charge in."

William chuckles and smiles and says "Yes Grum we can't leave them behind us. We are just waiting for any short duration spells to wear off. And that is a pretty good plan."

"Sure. Go for it."

Place us where you want, Grum.

With the hoped-for morlock civil war not happening immediately, the heroes go back on the offense.

They head back through the tunnels and hope a lightning strike will throw them into disarray and allow the remaining morlocks to be picked off easily.

Enemy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Chieftain: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Shaman: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Grum: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Benedict: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
William: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Amkarang: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Aerel: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Haela: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Surprise round: William can start off with a fireball and one other character can appear from the other tunnel with an action. Then we'll go in initiative order

I nominate Grum for the other PC to go. His idea after all.

Seconded.

William advances with the Staff of Fire in his hand. At the cave he lifts it and a fireball erupts in the midst of the morlocks.

Fireball DC 15: 10d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 5, 2, 2, 6, 3, 6, 2, 3) = 37

Item Mastery

Lightning Bolt big guy and 2 little ones: 10d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 2, 1, 6, 6, 2, 4, 5, 4) = 41

William advanced with his Staff of Fire in hand, while Grum marched forward with his blade held up high. Lightning danced along the edge of the blade, crackling with power. It lit up Grum's face, which was filled with by a huge smile that betrayed his eagerness for what was to come. Such was his anticipation, that when he pointed his blade at the enemy and roared his challenge, his latent sorcerous powers manifested again. Just as William's staff belched forth flame, so too did the lightning of Grum's blade shoot forth in a blinding flash. It was a brutal opening to the battle.

If for whatever reason Grum can't do this, then instead he will use the surprise round to use Dazzling Display: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

The explosion of fire followed by a crackling bolt of lightning fill the cavern with the smell of ozone and charred flesh. The nimble morlocks, however, manage to survive the assault including one that take the full brunt of the fireball.

The morlocks cry and shout in alarm at the assault. The two nearest to the tall chieftain cast spells on their chakram.

Two lurkers raise blowguns to their mouths and send darts shooting at William and Grum.

Ranged, Wm: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31 1 damage, plus Fort save vs poison

Ranged, Grum: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29 1 damage, plus Fort save vs poison

The burly morlock screams in frothing rage and runs up to swing a club at William.

Melee, pa: 1d20 + 18 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 18 - 3 = 23
In his efforts to hit harder, he misses the archer.

The other morlocks, despite their charred flesh, hoot a challenge and rush at Grum. They clamber over each other in their efforts to attack the orc warrior.

Melee, flank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 = 24
Melee, flank: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20
Melee: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
None can get through Grum's defenses!

Initiative
Morlocks
Amkarang <==
Benedict <==
William <==
Shaman
Aerel
Grum
Chieftain
Haela

William feels the pinch of the needle and the burn from the poison but it quickly fades away. He uses the staff to again cause a fireball to appear amongst the morlocks.

I am not sure the burly morlock was moved on the map.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Fireball Ref DC 15: 10d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 6, 5, 5, 1, 5, 1, 2, 4) = 38

Haela can't quite reach any of the foes, so she moves up in front of William, enters Dwarven Hatred Style, and uses Total Defense.
AC 31.

Edit: Never mind. William is right. There should be a burly morlock in front of him. But William can move on his turn, to fall back and let Haela or Benedict get in there. I can't go until that is resolved.

Yep. Beefy morlock wasn't moved. Sorry.

The second fireball drops several morlocks and injures most of the others gravely.

Initiative
Morlocks
Amkarang <==
Benedict <==
William
Shaman
Aerel
Grum
Chieftain
Haela

"William! Fall back!"

Benedict can't do anything until William moves, but William still has a move action left to take if he wants it. One AOO from the big morlock is better than taking a full attack.

William decides discretion is the better part of valor and moves back.

Benedict moves up and strikes at the large morlock, remaining on his guard but still delivering a solid blow.

Attack, Recklessness, PA, Combat Expertise: 1d20 + 16 + 3 - 3 - 3 ⇒ (19) + 16 + 3 - 3 - 3 = 32
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 3 + 9 = 21

AC 33 with Combat Expertise.

I am not sure if it was a move action or a 5' step for Benedict to get into where William was. Moving out of difficult terrain does not hinder you, only moving into it, so maybe he gets a full attack?

Can't post until later today. That'll give Amkarang a chance to post, but otherwise I'll bot hhim to keep this moving

Amkarang slips past Grum and swings his meteor hammer at one of the morlocks lurking on the wall.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 17 + 1 - 3 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 9 = 23

The shaman cries out in a strange and haunting language. Suddenly, ghostly morlock spirits claw out of the rocks around the heroes and claw at them with their ethereal limbs.
Storm of Souls: 5d8 ⇒ (2, 5, 4, 6, 3) = 20
Fort DC 22 for half

Destroyer fort: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Initiative
Morlocks
Amkarang
Benedict
William
Shaman
Aerel <==
Grum <==
Chieftain
Haela

Oops, missed that it was my turn, sorry.

Fortitude DC 22 for half of 20: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

10 points, now at 58

Aerel is unconcerned with the fodder batting at Grum and is pretty sure the Gorumite wants the large enemy for himself, so the archer takes aim at the spellcaster. Let's give him something to think about other than spells.

Deadly Attack with Manyshot: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23
Deadly Aim Damage, 2 arrows: 2d8 + 22 ⇒ (6, 6) + 22 = 34

Iterative: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Iterative Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Second Iterative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Confirm Second Iterative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

William mangaes to dodge some of the power of the spell coming at him.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Fort: 1d20 + 13 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 13 + 3 = 27

Hit: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29
Damage with electricity and fire: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 26 ⇒ (3) + (2) + (2) + 26 = 33

Grum ran through the arcane storm, laughing as he did so at the destruction that buffeted them all. Heading right for the largest of the enemy, he lunged at it with his blade.

Fort: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Benedict avoids the worst of the effect.
At 75/103.

Fort, Shake it Off +2, Lastwall Phalanx +2: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 2 + 2 = 21

If it is (Sp) then Haela gets an additional +2 and passes, but if it is (Su) then she does not. At 52/86 or 42/86 depending.

No, it's a (Su) ability of an Oracle

Grum's sword bites deep into the big chieftain, but she still stands. She responds with her massive obsidian sword.

Melee, pa: 1d20 + 19 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 19 + 2 - 3 = 21

Melee: 1d20 + 19 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 2 - 3 = 23

Melee: 1d20 + 14 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 14 + 2 - 3 = 26

Melee: 1d20 + 9 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 - 3 = 28
Damage: 2d8 + 8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 7) + 8 + 6 + (2) = 24

Confirm?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Grum manages to dodge or absorb most of the big, ponderous swings, but she catches him in a backswing that he didn't see coming, but the wound could have been a lot worse.

Haela moves into a defensive posture as the rest of the morlocks continue to swarm.

The burly morlock continues his attacks on Benedict.

Melee: 1d20 + 18 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 18 - 3 = 19
Melee: 1d20 + 13 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 13 - 3 = 15

Another morlock steps back and flings a chakram at Amkarang. The weapon flies right back to his hand!

Melee: 1d20 + 14 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 14 + 4 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 4 + 1 = 13

The lurker attacks Grum with a short sword, trying to find his vitals.

Melee, flank: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 2 = 25

Melee, flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 = 18

Bite, flank: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 = 23

Lotta bad rolling on behalf of the bad guys

Initiative
Morlocks
Amkarang <==
Benedict <==
William <==
Shaman
Aerel
Grum
Chieftain
Haela

Wanting to open up things alittle William fires at the creature in front of Benedict.

Not sure I can see the shaman from the corridor.

+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS MS RS DA AS 1: 1d20 + 20 - 2 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (6) + 20 - 2 + 1 - 3 = 22 Damage 1: 1d8 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 3 + 1 + 6 = 23 Damage 2: 1d8 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 + 1 + 6 = 17
+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS RS DA AS 2: 1d20 + 20 - 2 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (9) + 20 - 2 + 1 - 3 = 25 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 3 + 1 + 6 = 23
+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS RS DA AS 3: 1d20 + 15 - 2 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 15 - 2 + 1 - 3 = 23 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 + 1 + 6 = 17
+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS RS DA AS 4: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 2 + 1 - 3 = 10 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 3 + 1 + 6 = 20

William's first multi-arrowed shot flies astray, but his second shot manages to strike the morlock destroyer. The wounds are too much for the raging berserker, and it falls.

Initiative
Morlocks
Amkarang <==
Benedict <==
William (acted)
Shaman
Aerel
Grum
Chieftain
Haela

Benedict advances on the Morlock caster and uses Barroom Brawler to pick up Step Up, hoping to disrupt spellcasting.

Had to revise the damage calculation because the big morlock in front of Benedict made his reflex saves against the fireballs and had cover from Benedict (narrow corridor, Benedict in between William and the target) so only one arrow hit.

Benedict can change his action or try to push past the morlock. Also, still waiting on Amkarang

William has Improved Precise Shot, so he ignores cover other than Total Cover. And his Manyshot hit AC 22, which was enough to hit these guys before (here). That's why I assumed 80 damage from his arrows. Even making his saves means 78 damage from the Fireballs, Benedict's hit, and the Storm of Souls. So is the big one still up? Could have been buffed I suppose.

Attack: 1d20 + 16 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (6) + 16 + 2 - 3 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 20

Attack: 1d20 + 16 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (10) + 16 + 2 - 3 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 19

Attack: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 2 - 3 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 20

Attack: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 2 - 3 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 20

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 - 3 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 17

Amkarang steps forward next to Grum, twin hammerheads whirling as he unleashes a flurry of swings at the chieftan.

@GM, are you waiting on anything?

If the large morlock is down from William's attack, Benedict will use Barroom Brawler for Step Up and move adjacent to the caster and have his AOO spoilered as above.

If the large morlock still standing even after factoring in Improved Precise Shot, then Benedict will attack it.

If it was still standing after William's attacks but Benedict dropped it with the first hit then he would then move up to the caster (but not be able to pick up Step Up).

Curious - I went back to see if Aerel's last volley against the shaman was successful, but I'm not seeing it. Mostly wondering if the Manyshot hit because that would have gotten his attention.

All but one of Aerel's shots miss the shaman. Benedict feels the unnerving sensation of numerous arrows whizzing past his ears and neck and watching them appear in the body of the raging morlock in front of him.

With the rager dead, Benedict moves up to threaten the shaman. Amkarang hits the chieftain once with his whirling hammer.

The shaman stands firm against Benedict's threatening presence and carefully casts a spell.

Concentration DC 23: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

A sickly greenish glow appears on the shaman's hand and he reaches out to touch Benedict.
Touch: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

Initiative
Morlocks
Amkarang
Benedict
William
Shaman
Aerel <==
Grum <==
Chieftain
Haela

Fort: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Benedict resists the spell, but is immune to poison anyway.

One Morlock remained to the south of Grum. The half-orc turned from the fallen foe and immediately set about tearing the unfortunate to pieces.

Hit: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (16) + 23 = 39
Damage with electricity and fire: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 26 ⇒ (5) + (2) + (1) + 26 = 34

Iterative: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33
Damage with electricity and fire: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 26 ⇒ (5) + (5) + (1) + 26 = 37

Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Damage with electricity and fire: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 26 ⇒ (8) + (4) + (3) + 26 = 41

Grum drops the flanking morlock with devastating efficiency, then with his last swing cuts deep into the chief. The chieftain tries to get revenge on her fallen tribe, swinging her obsidian blade at the rampaging orc.

Melee: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 34
Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 2) + 8 = 15

Melee: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21

Melee: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
Damage: 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (2, 4) + 8 = 14

Melee: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Bite: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19

Initiative
Morlocks
Amkarang
Benedict
William
Shaman
Aerel
Grum
Chieftain
Haela <==

Aerel moves to the mouth of the tunnel. Seeing the array of the battle, he moves toward the morlock at the side currently unmolested, drawing his punching dagger as he moves.

It took two moves to reach that position, so no attack.

Having been fairly seriously injured, Haela heals her wounds.

Healer's Hands 4 of 9, on self: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31
That heals (2*HD=18)+Frontier Healer(5)+Wis modifier(2)+Planes Ranks(9) = 34 HP, bringing her from 42/86 to 76/86.

Stealth: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (14) + 24 = 38

The morlock creeper threatened by Aerel falls back and climbs up along the cavern walls, trying to blend into the crags.

The remaining morlock tosses his chakram at Grum.

Ranged: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 14 + 1 = 17

It sails past, glances off the wall with a spark, and returns to the morlock's hand.

Initiative
Morlocks
Amkarang <==
Benedict <==
William <==
Shaman
Aerel
Grum
Chieftain
Haela

Benedict keeps pestering the caster.

He feints to throw the morlock off-balance, then readies to smash it if it tries to cast a spell.
A readied attack, so it would trigger even if the morlock makes the Concentration check to cast defensively. And Benedict has Step Up at the moment.

Bluff to Feint: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (5) + 25 = 30
vs DC of 10+HD+Wis modifier, or 10+Sense Motive bonus. If successful, the Morlock is denied Dex against all attacks until the beginning of Benedict's next turn.

William moves into the room and takes a shot at the shaman.

+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS DA AS 1: 1d20 + 20 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (10) + 20 + 1 - 3 = 28 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 3 + 1 + 6 = 24

Botting Amkarang

Attack: 1d20 + 16 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 16 + 2 - 3 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 19

Attack: 1d20 + 16 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 16 + 2 - 3 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 19

Attack: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 2 - 3 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 22

Attack: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 2 - 3 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 16

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 - 3 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 17

Amkarang tags the large chieftain once. She reels, but manages to keep standing.

William strikes the shaman with an arrow, and Benedict continues to threaten the caster. He rushes away from the warrior, climbing the wall.

Concentration: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19

Initiative
Morlocks
Amkarang
Benedict
William
Shaman
Aerel <==
Grum <==
Chieftain
Haela

Seeing the spellcaster fleeing from Benedict, Aerel turns his attention toward the shaman. He drops the punching dagger and opens fire.

Deadly Attack with Manyshot: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29
Deadly Aim Damage, 2 arrows: 2d8 + 22 ⇒ (2, 5) + 22 = 29

Iterative: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
Iterative Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Second Iterative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Double move

Grum was starting to breathe heavier from the exertion, but he was smiling. The pain reminded him that he was alive, and the knowledge that others weren't made it all the more exhilarating. With but one enemy left, he ran towards it, his blade at the ready.

There are four enemies left, Grum, including the chieftain still in your reach.

Sorry misread the map

Hit: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (17) + 23 = 40
Damage with electricity and fire: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 26 ⇒ (10) + (2) + (2) + 26 = 40

Iterative: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Damage with electricity and fire: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 26 ⇒ (3) + (4) + (4) + 26 = 37

Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Damage with electricity and fire: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 26 ⇒ (4) + (6) + (3) + 26 = 39

Grum stopped, seeing the wounded chieftain was still alive. He decided to rectify the situation.

Graz falls under the devastating flurry of attacks from Grum, but Aerel is only able to hit the shaman once with his barrage of arrows.

The two remaining morlocks cry out in dismay as their chieftain falls. They immediately head to the gaping chasm and start climbing down.

Amkarang, Benedict and William are up!

Haela is up before Benedict, I think?
Haela moves out of the tunnels and up beside Benedict.
She doesn't have much she can do against such elusive foes, but it takes her a double move to get into position anyway.

At least she can share Lastwall Phalanx with Benedict should either of them need to make a save.

Benedict sheathes his warhammer and draws his bow.