Why Can't Fighters Have Nice Hobgoblins? Ironfang Invasion

Game Master Stalwart

As Benedict steps out into the road, he can see the lead horse barely, as the cart seemed to have stopped, and he can hear slight arguing in goblin, but he is a bit to far to hear it without straining. He gets the feeling due to the fading daylight that perhaps there may be some sorta of talks about moving or camping, but that would be only a guess. A dark thought may cross his mind that they know of the ambush, but he would either have to approach the far off cart, or hide again to see if they came forward.

About how far away are they?

You would think maybe 200 feet. Close enough you can spot them first, but far enough away you've not alerted them, that you are aware of.

Okay, at double move that is 5 rounds - Benedict has the breastplate so he moves at 20' right now. He has 20 rounds before his Alter Self wears off.

Benedict approaches in hobgoblin form. After 2 rounds he is 120' away from them. Can he tell their numbers?

You can tell from here there is at least 5 people. One who looks to be in charge, and at least four others, who seem to be taking orders. However, due to them stopping you would reasonable guess there may be someone else of an equal rank in back, if not more important.

Benedict will move up another 40, so he is 80' away (round 3).
If they see him, he will shout in Goblin by way of greeting,
"The Ironfang triumphs!"

There is movement as they all jump up, armor clattering clearly in the plains.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Benedict replies in Goblin:
"I am Kalmant. I managed to get across the bridge before the rebels destroyed it. I've been shadowing them for days so we don't lose sight of them. I need two or three soldiers to accompany me so that we can outflank them and prevent them from escaping. They're not far."
If he can take 10 on his well-rehearsed Bluff, that is a 17 plus any circumstance modifiers for plausibility or his disguise. Hopefully his story is something that they want to believe is true.

With his Ironfang Survivor trait, 1/day he can roll twice and take the better on his Sense Motive check against a goblinoid. Doesn't apply to Bluff, but might be needed if they try to fool him.

There is a long pregnant pause as the leader decides what to do. Finally, after what you could assume was her thinking of the three she hated the most, sent them to you. They start walking towards you at a pace of 30 feet per round, until they get even with you, or just follow you into the brush, depending on how you interact with them approaching. The Sgt. and the others stay with the supply train, and you can tell they are turning their attention back to the last few carts in the train.

Benedict is gruff and direct with the grunts.
"This way. We'll be back soon."
He leads the three warriors to the ambush site.

As soon as they pass between where Amkarang and Grum crouch concealed, he will wheel and swing his sword at the one closest to him. This should be about 200' from the wagons, correct?

Surprise Round Charge!: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 = 25
Damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (3, 2) + 10 = 15
Confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Crit?[/dice: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 1) + 10 = 12

Resisting the urge to roar as was his custom, Grum burst out of hiding and charged at the nearest flat-footed hobgoblin, his blade slicing through the air.

As Benedict swings and Grum charges Jie lets out a volley from her crossbow at the one furthest from Benedict. She also doesn't yell.
attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 8
I am assuming only a standard action can be taken. Also, if target is within 30' she is +1 to hit and damage.

I believe that is correct Benedict. I do not have the stats with me at work, but I will be able to check when home. Proceed as if it is, since all it affects is rolls on my end that I'll be making tonight. Everyone is to consider them flatfooted, since you did ambush them very thoroughly

Benedict attacks, his Strength increased by his Alter Self ability
MW Cold Iron Scimitar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Amkarang lashes out at one of the hobgoblins, trying to hit it with his meteor hammer.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Sorry for the delay. Here we go
As they follow you into the brush, the group awaits until they are a good distance in, before springing the trap. You all felt you had done a terrible job at hiding, that is, until all but one hobgoblin remained before your blades. He shouts out a warning, but at this distance, and the time it would take for the others to reach this location, you may be able to dispatch them and hide the evidence. He swings a blade at Amkarang, hoping to strike him, not realizing it was a trap.

Swinging that sword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Benedict swings at the last hobgoblin.
MW Cold Iron Scimitar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Grum moves to attack, but completely misses. As the group closed in on the last foe, there was far less room to effectively swing.

Hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 2) + 10 = 14

@Amkarang, you can probably assume you have a flank.

Jie moves up on Feng, drawing her sword and swings at the hobgoblin.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
additional Crit damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Feng attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Feng Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

As the hobgoblin is shouting, you all realize that Jie has not went, until she coming charging out from the brush, and the hobgoblin's body falls to the ground, its gaping mouth now home to Jie's sword. It falls to the ground, lifeless. You can then pause and listen for anyone approaching, but unless they can move without making any sound, you are confident that the wagon train has, not started moving yet, and has made no notice that you have dispatched the guards they sent with you. However, at this point, you know the ambush would not work again, and that if Benedict was correct, there are at least four left, and one is in some sort of command presence, if not two in that position. You may make your choices.

”Well struck! I shall walk forward and challenge them. While they are focused on me, the rest of you move around to their flanks. When they come at me, you cut them down. What do you all say?”

Using the same trick twice in a row is not good for dramatic effect anyway. It's more fun to mix things up.
"A sound plan, Grum. I think given the wagon train they are defending, they may decide to engage you at range instead of closing for battle, so if that happens just charge and we'll be there."

Jie sheathes her sword and reloads her crossbow, smiling at Grum's compliment. "I concur. But it's pretty dangerous for you, Grum." She looks at Benedict. "That was a pretty good plan. I'm willing to follow your lead." She then gets ready to try and flank the caravan.

Grum nods. With a toothy grin he raises his bloody sword and cuts the head off of one of the dead hobgoblins. Holding it by its hair, he walks forward, towards the rest of the hobgoblins. "Get into position."

Once the party is out of sight, he starts yelling "Phaendar lives! Phaendar lives! COME AND DIE!" Once he can see the other hobgoblins, he will throw the head that he is carrying at them, and then will take up a defensive stance with his blade in hand, daring them to come.

You hear a shout, and from around the corner comes charging towards Grum, three recruits and the leader Benedict had spied previously. They seems to be yelling something in goblin, but you are to far out to understand, even if you could speak it. However, you notice that they only get within about 100 feet of you, as if it was suddenly not their movement anymore.

Benedict crouches in the woods, about 50' ahead of Grum and 50' off to the side. He has the light crossbow in hand (that was the gear for the sergeant on the bridge with the breastplate and scimitar).

He'll use his Ironfang Survivor trait to roll twice and take the better on Stealth, but hopefully distance and distraction will help.
Stealth, ACP: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 - 2 = 10
Stealth, ACP: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 - 2 = 6

Perception rolls: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
As Benedict is trying to hide, he feels one of them spotted him, and from that one the rest are aware of his general location. As for everyone else, the hobbo seem chomping at the bit to move in closer to them.

So who is up now? Us or them?

Still ya'll, as only you posted your action. I can bot the others, but I will give it a day more. I tried to hint that the hobbos used their full turns moving, but I will make it clearer in the future.

Charge: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (4, 4) + 10 = 18

Grum meets the hobgoblin charge with his own, bellowing with the joy of battle as he does so.

Sorry, didn’t know we were up. AC16 this round, 18 thereafter

As Grum charged with a mighty battle cry, he cleaves one of the hobbos in twine, his spinal column glistening in the sunshine as it falls to the earthen floor beneath them. However, the other 2 recruits and the leader seem to be a bit unprepared for such a display, giving Grum and Benedict's allies time to make a move.

Amkarang charges at one of the unaware hobgoblins, whipping his meteor hammer at him.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 6 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Jie shoots her crossbow at one of the hobgoblins
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 3

The remaining hobs seem to be surprised, and with two of their number cut down, it seems as if they would turn and run. However, the recruit and the leader try to circle around Grum, trying to strike at him in unison.

Two swing at Grum: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 121d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage from the recruit: 1d6 ⇒ 4

The leader swing goes wide, and Grum would be happy with that until he feels the blood trickling down from his arm where the recruit nicked him. However, Grum and the rest would have a chance to strike back, and possible win the rewards that came with it.

Hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 1) + 10 = 13

Turning on the recruit who had hit him, Grum swings his blade in return. With the joy of battle flowing through his veins, he barely felt the wound. He laughed as he swung...

AC18

And another bites the grum dust....

The head goes flying, and now they are facing only the leader, who cackles evilly. She says in broken common" We shall be avanged. We take you all as slaves!"

Benedict takes a shot at the leader, then drops the crossbow and moves up 20' drawing his sword.
Crossbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
His shot goes wide.
How far away is he after moving?

You are about 20 feet left from him. if you want to change it to a charge you can.

No, I am fine with it as it is.
But I really think we should use a map for the next fight.

I'll have to figure out how you host one then edit it into the play thing, as I couldn't for this one and didnt want to waste the time.

Google Slides works well. Are you in any PbP games that use that method?
The back-and-forth of "How far away are they, where can I move, etc" slows things down in PbP so using maps tends to move things along faster.

Hobgoblin leader
Grum
Benedict
Jie
Amkarang

Amkarang moves towards and attacks the hobgoblin leader.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Unforutanely for Amkarang, his swing was to wide and the leader easily blocked it, leaving only enough time for Jie to make her move before the Leader responds.

Jie draws her sword and spurs Feng into action, moving to flank the leader with Amkarang.
Attack with flank and bonus for horseback: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Feng's Attack with flank: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Hoof damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Jie swing goes wide, however as Feng brings his hoof down and it meets the skull of the leader, you get the feeling this fight shall be easier than the others. The leader swings at Jie in anger, hoping to slice her right from her perch.

Swinging at Jie: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"For Phaendar!"
Benedict, still looking like a hobgoblin, charges up and swings his scimitar with both hands.
Scimitar, Alter Self, Charge, Buckler: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 + 2 - 1 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

As powerful as Benedict swing was entering into the chest piece and the thunk of metal hitting flesh, he also knew the wound was not fatal. IT would take a few more swings from his partners. Hopefully they will be able to finish off the beast before them

Hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 1) + 10 = 12

Grum swung wildly, missing his target. With a grunt he said ”Face me, you milk-drinking runt!” In retrospect he should have put more effort into the blow instead of the insult.