Why Can't Fighters Have Nice Hobgoblins? Ironfang Invasion

Game Master Stalwart

Wonderful! Let’s steal some initiative back from these guys. :)

As per sadness I can’t operate map atm. So please someone place us and Grum will teleport us in.

Aerel lays some debris in a line on the floor. "Don't cross that line, you should be safe to pick your launch point." He casts light on an arrow and fits it to his bowstring. "First target I see gets to carry a torch for us. Ready when you are."

It's more for visual effect than real tactical advantage.

While the group plans on using Grum's teleportation to avoid the spike stones, they notice the small chamber to the east is lit by bronze sconces. The room is bare except for the upper torso of a statue of a young human man. His face would be handsome if it were not contorted into a terrified expression.

Grum then teleports the group where the gugs are waiting for them.

The now-visible gug wearing adornments and jewelry casts a spell upon the heroes' sudden appearance.

Everyone must make a Will DC 19 save or be slowed.

You're up!

Will DC 19: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Aerel fires his readied arrow at the spellcaster, too late to prevent the readied spell. The illuminated missile strikes and sticks in the gug's leg.

Firing with deadly aim and point-blank shot, slowed: 1d20 + 20 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 20 - 1 = 36

Damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

Edit to include Slow penalty

I believe we were Hasted from Benedict's scroll, so what the Slow does is dispel the Haste. If it had come to a save, Aerel would have just barely missed since Benedict shared Lastwall Phalanx and Aerel was adjacent to 3 allies for a +3 sacred bonus.

Benedict uses Total Defense and moves up. He would be AC 37 against any AOOs (caster and the one on the right, but has cover against the one on the left). Since he shared Lastwall Phalanx with Grum, he gets another +1 AC for AC 38 against AOOs (he is adjacent to Grum when he provokes the AOO for leaving a threatened square).
AC 39 on the Gugs' turn since Haela is adjacent by then and grants a better bonus from Lastwall Phalanx (+6 Total Defense, +2 Lastwall Phalanx).

Haela enters Dwarven Hatred Style, uses Total Defense, and moves up to join Benedict. AC 38 against any AOOs when factoring in Lastwall Phalanx, and same AC 38 on the Gugs' turn if Grum moves up (+4 Total Defense, +3 Lastwall Phalanx)

Grum, you can move past Benedict and Haela to attack the caster (but then risk taking a ton of flank attacks on the Gugs' turn), or move up next to them and attack a regular Gug (not risking getting flanked). I would suggest the latter. There are 4 regular Gugs (2 wounded) plus the caster. I took my turn as I did to hopefully use up the Gugs' AOOs and let Grum close for melee without worrying as much about getting hit.

Before Grum teleports the group William uses the haste scroll as asked.

When they teleport in William unleashes a volley of arrows at the gug next to Benedict.

+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS MS RS DA AS 1: 1d20 + 21 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 21 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 30 Damage 1: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 25 Damage 2: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 26
+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS RS DA AS 2: 1d20 + 21 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 21 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 24 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 22
+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS RS DA AS 3: 1d20 + 16 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 16 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 26 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 22
+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS RS DA AS 4: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 17 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 22

I presume that my failing the save means I'm moving normally. If someone passes their save, they will be hasted, correct?

Having teleported the group in, Grum was far too engaged to launch an attack.

I presume that my failing the save means I'm moving normally. If someone passes their save, they will be hasted, correct?

They shouldn't. I think Slow automatically dispels Haste, no save applicable, but then that is all it can do. At least that is how I have always seen it run.

Also: Benedict would like to leave Amkarang with one of the party's two Potions of Fly in case he is able to join us for this combat.

Haste cancels slow and vice versa, so back to baseline. Also, ammunition is destroyed when they hit, so the light goes out

Aerel's arrow strikes his target, its glow winking out once it buries itself into the gug's flesh. Only the first arrow of William manages to strike his target while the rest of his shots clatter against its hide.

The gugs fail to land a significant hit on the heroes, but the spelllcaster instead targets Aerel with a spell. Then it steps back behind one of its allies while another one steps in to take its place. It also swings and misses.

Aerel Fort DC 18 or be blinded

Benedict steps up, feints (move action), and strikes at one of the common Gugs (the one on the right, standard action).

Bluff vs Green, Feint vs Non-Humanoid: 1d20 + 26 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 26 - 4 = 25
DC is 10+BAB+Wis modifier, or 10+Sense Motive bonus if it has that skill.

Attack vs Green, Deific Obedience, Bane, CE: 1d20 + 21 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 21 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 27 Possibly against flat-footed if the Bluff was good enough.
Damage: 1d10 + 11 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 2 + (4, 6) = 26

His AC is 37 (+2 Lastwall Phalanx, +4 Combat Expertise). He will use SMITE EVIL vs the caster as a swift action, so his Deflection bonus increases to +4 against the caster (AC 40).

"Help me eliminate this one!"

@All- remember that Haela shared Blood for the Empire, so you have a +2 morale bonus to hit and damage against targets that anybody else hit within the past round, or a +3 morale bonus if it was Haela that hit the target. And, hopefully, Green is flat-footed as well.

Haela attacks the same one.
Attack, Blood for the Empire +3, Bane +2, PA -3: 1d20 + 18 + 3 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 18 + 3 + 2 - 3 = 34
Damage: 1d10 + 8 + 3 + 2d6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 3 + (6, 6) + 2 + 6 = 39

Iterative: 1d20 + 13 + 3 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 3 + 2 - 3 = 30
Damage: 1d10 + 8 + 3 + 2d6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 3 + (4, 3) + 2 + 6 = 28

Her AC is 33 with Benedict adjacent (+2) and no other modifiers. If she is struck, she will use Dwarven Seething as an immediate action for an additional +4 AC vs that foe until she changes the designated foe.

Move and attack: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (15) + 25 = 40
Damage with electricity and fire: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 33 ⇒ (2) + (2) + (4) + 33 = 41

Excited to finally be able to bring the enemy into melee, Grum launched himself with full force at the nearest foe. Laughing, he drove his sword into the Gug’s side.

The nearest one to Grum is the one that Benedict and Haela are attacking. I moved Grum on the map. He gets an additional +3 to hit and damage from Blood for the Empire because Haela hit that one.

Seeing the group concentrating on the one gug William steps to the right and unleashes his arrows at that gug.

+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS MS RS DA AS 1: 1d20 + 21 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 21 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 31 Damage 1: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 20 Damage 2: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 23
+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS RS DA AS 2: 1d20 + 21 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 21 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 23 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 26
+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS RS DA AS 3: 1d20 + 16 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 16 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 19 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 19
+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS RS DA AS 4: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 20 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 25

If it is still standing he should have a +3 to hit and dam from Haela. If it is not stand the shots are at the previous one he shot at to the left.

Aerel Fort DC 18 or be blinded

Fort DC 18: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Aerel steps closer to the scrum to keep the spellcaster close. He continues the assault on the gug that has become the party's focus. If it falls, his additional missiles are aimed at the spellcaster.

+1 longbow +20/+15/+10 with point-blank shot, deadly aim (1d8+14/x3/30' range)

Manyshot, Point-Blank, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24
Damage: 2d8 + 28 ⇒ (2, 6) + 28 = 36 +3 twice(?) for Haela's bonus

Point-Blank, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35
Damage: 1d14 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27 +3 against green if it is the target

Point-Blank, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Damage: 1d14 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 +3 against green if it survives

Crit confirmation for second attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Potential critical damage: 2d8 + 28 ⇒ (6, 4) + 28 = 38 +3 twice(?) for Haela's bonus if green is the target

One of the gugs is felled by the barrage of attacks.

AoOs: 4d20 ⇒ (5, 9, 1, 2) = 17

Attacks: 10d20 ⇒ (4, 8, 16, 17, 16, 14, 14, 10, 10, 5) = 114

okay... that's just pathetic. Haela is hit once for 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Aerel hits the leader, drawing some blood. It casts slow again on the group Will DC 19 then falls back into the other chamber while the remaining gug moves up to engage.

You're up!

Will DC 19: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Aerel's movements slow... he fires a single arrow at the next gug in front of Benedict. As in, watching his allies, he will target the creature that is the focus of their attention.

Attack: 1d20 + 20 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 20 - 1 = 32

Damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Edit: Forgot the penalty for slow, fixed it.

William is suddenly staggard and not his quick self. Sighing he waits a moment and looks around and then casts haste.

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Will, Lastwall Phalanx +3: 1d20 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 3 = 18

Benedict is Slowed, though this is countered moments later by William's Haste.

He attacks the Gug straight ahead.
Attack vs Purple, Deific Obedience, Bane, PA: 1d20 + 21 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 21 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 33
Damage: 1d10 + 11 + 2 + 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 2 + (4, 3) + 12 = 35

Secondary: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 16 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 25
Damage: 1d10 + 11 + 2 + 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 2 + (2, 5) + 12 = 33

Tertiary: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 19
Damage: 1d10 + 11 + 2 + 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 2 + (5, 6) + 12 = 43

AC 34, or 37 vs the caster. Switched from CE to PA this round given the Gugs' loss of their flanker.

Will, Shake it Off +3, Lastwall Phalanx +3, Dwarf +2: 1d20 + 7 + 3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 3 + 3 + 2 = 35

Haela shrugs off the Slow and is then boosted by William's spell.
She steps and attacks the one in front (switching to the one on the left if she drops her target, although -3 to hit and damage in that case).

Attack, Blood for the Empire +3, Bane +2, PA -3, Haste +1: 1d20 + 18 + 3 + 2 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 18 + 3 + 2 - 3 + 1 = 29
Damage: 1d10 + 8 + 3 + 2d6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 3 + (3, 5) + 2 + 6 = 32

Hasted Attack: 1d20 + 18 + 3 + 2 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 18 + 3 + 2 - 3 + 1 = 29
Damage: 1d10 + 8 + 3 + 2d6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 3 + (5, 1) + 2 + 6 = 31

Iterative: 1d20 + 13 + 3 + 2 - 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 3 + 2 - 3 + 1 = 36
Damage: 1d10 + 8 + 3 + 2d6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 3 + (2, 5) + 2 + 6 = 34
Confirm?: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
Extra Crit Damage: 2d10 + 16 + 6 + 4 + 12 ⇒ (3, 8) + 16 + 6 + 4 + 12 = 49

AC 34 thanks to Haste, with Dwarven Seething as before.

Will: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 4 = 22

Hit: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (3) + 26 = 29
Damage with electricity and fire: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 33 ⇒ (4) + (4) + (4) + 33 = 45

Haste: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (1) + 22 = 23
Damage with electricity and fire: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 33 ⇒ (1) + (5) + (4) + 33 = 43

Iterative: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32
Damage with electricity and fire: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 33 ⇒ (7) + (1) + (3) + 33 = 44

Iterative: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
Damage with electricity and fire: 1d10 + 1d6 + 1d4 + 33 ⇒ (2) + (5) + (1) + 33 = 41

Confirm: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Crit: 1d10 + 33 ⇒ (8) + 33 = 41

It took a moment to get back onto the right foot after the Magic washed over him, but then Grum was happily back in his element. A fact most detrimental to any Gug in arm’s reach.

The wounded gugs fall to the onslaught as the spellcaster again casts slow and falls back. How many castings of haste does William have? He's cast it twice now

Attacks: 7d20 ⇒ (1, 12, 2, 19, 6, 10, 5) = 55

One of the gugs manages to get a claw through 1d3 ⇒ 3 Grum's defenses, doing Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 damage.

You're up! DC 18 Will save or be slowed

William's first casting of Haste was from a scroll that Benedict had. I have removed the scroll from Benedict's sheet.

Grum must have moved up to attack so he should be adjacent to Benedict. Looks like just one regular Gug is left? Can you remove the dead ones from the map?

Will DC 18, Lastwall Phalanx +3: 1d20 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 3 = 28

Benedict steps up and attacks the remaining Gug.

Attack vs Red, Deific Obedience, Bane, PA: 1d20 + 21 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 21 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 38
Damage: 1d10 + 11 + 2 + 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 2 + (6, 3) + 12 = 35

Secondary: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 16 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 11 + 2 + 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 2 + (6, 4) + 12 = 42

Tertiary: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 25
Damage: 1d10 + 11 + 2 + 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 + (4, 3) + 12 = 36

The Gug's Slow spell dispels the Haste that had been on Haela.

Haela attacks the remaining Gug, taking advantage of the wounds Benedict has dealt.

Attack, Blood for the Empire +3, Bane +2, PA -3: 1d20 + 18 + 3 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (6) + 18 + 3 + 2 - 3 = 26
Damage: 1d10 + 8 + 3 + 2d6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 3 + (2, 6) + 2 + 6 = 33

Iterative: 1d20 + 13 + 3 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (9) + 13 + 3 + 2 - 3 = 24
Damage: 1d10 + 8 + 3 + 2d6 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 3 + (4, 1) + 2 + 6 = 26

William shrugs off the slowness. He takes a step forward and fires at the last gug he can see.

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS MS RS DA AS 1: 1d20 + 21 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 21 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 32 Damage 1: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 19 Damage 2: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 23
+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS RS DA AS 2: 1d20 + 21 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 21 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 19 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 20
+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS RS DA AS 3: 1d20 + 16 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 16 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 21 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 23
+2 Adaptive Goblinoid Bane Composite Longbow PBS RS DA AS 4: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 1 - 2 - 4 = 16 Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 + 8 + 3 = 26