DM-Camris' RotRLAnv 1: Burnt Offerings (Inactive)

Game Master Camris

His eyes widened slightly at the insult... both to Trig obviously and to Shalelu. It was also well not true. Elves didn't eat weeds. At least not in traditional senses. Sure some of the plants they liked grew wild but that didnt make them a weed. He realized he was thinking in tangents again and should probably focus.

"I believe that this Nualia has most of the answers we seek and she isnt in the city. I've never heard of goblins working for anybody though. Any thoughts on that Miss Shalelu? I can honestly admit i know next to nothing actually solid on goblins other than they are murderous pests best left dead."

He asked the ranger with the barest hint of awe still in his voice. Trig's response probably had helped curb what probably would have been a hell of a crush and borderline hero worshipness from him though.

Wayland tries to hide his amusement at Trig's outburst.

As to her retort, he thinks, A weed is just any plant that grows where you don't want it to.

And as to her speaking for him, he just nods.

"Calin, I reckon I could get goblins ta work for me if I wished. It's a matter of controllin' their leader.
You're probably right that the tribe would usually band together to overthrow a non-goblin, so that's why this Ripnugget an' this Bruthazmus are still around.
Let's say I come in from nowhere, use my magic to defeat this Ripnugget in secret, an' say he has ta do what I say or I turn him ta ash.
Well, a goblin leader can't go ta his people and say 'The mean wizard beat me, help me against him.' He'd show weakness and not be leader no more.
So he'd lie and say the alliance was his idea, an' whatever I told him ta do he'd say was really his plan.
I'd let him do that ta save face.
Now, maybe he'd still scheme against me... but if he's scared enough of me and of losin' face, an' he's making enough coin, it might take him a while to make his move."

Wayland adds, "I have no wish ta lead goblins. But I bet that's how Nualia and Tsuto are runnin' things. Controllin' the leaders through charm or threats."

Makes sense to me, now how do we go about making the goblin threat from thistletop go away. Could you guide us there?

"Wayland has the right of it. Of course, there are other things that one can use to manipulate them, but it mostly boils down to being strong than the toughest goblin and having enough sense to make sure they can't slit your throat in the night," Shalelu says. "I can guide you there, and I'll help you fight, but I'll be just as blind as all of you going in. We'll have to be careful and prepare. We might want to have something to make moving around goblin sized tunnels easier. Other than that and stuff to keep us upright, I'm open to suggestions on what to take."

Okay, I say you can have up to three days (in game) to get ready and have stuff made. Post in discussion what you'd like to get. Feel free to post a vignette or continue the conversation. You could even bring up some other things to talk about if you want. I'll be preparing for Thistletop and the journey there. We'll move on once everyone's set.

So I suggest a wand of CLW at this time. provided we can afford. if not at least potions of CLW

Wayland will then go to the Feathered Serpent to sell the various items found.

... we sell the Quasit's dagger and the Ranseur, then put in equal shares to a wand of CLW, and get 927 GP each.

We did get a Wand of CLW already.

I missed that, other than some minor stuff, I will be ready to go in game morning

With his 100 GP share of the 500 from Brodert Quink, Wayland now has 267 GP.

He is willing to loan some to any of the fighters who wish to upgrade their armor.

It looks like Calin and Morgrym both have Scale Armor.

Wayland will also look to spend 5 gp to borrow access to a spellbook with Ray of Enfeeblement and then scribe that spell for 10 gp.
He can make the necessary Spellcraft check by Taking 10.

Willing to let Wayland have 6 for that, but with my purchases in discussion, I am ready to go

After a few days to get everything ready, you and Shalelu head out for Thistletop. The air is cool, but thankfully clear. The elven ranger says little as you follow the Lost Coast road. The silence is tense as you think, or try not to think, about the challenges ahead. The road is quiet, but there's just this feeling of something being wrong.

Perception or Survival checks please. Your choice.

Lazur's head is on a swivel as the hairs on the back of his neck tell him something is amiss.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 9 + (3) = 24

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Wayland is not all that attentive, relying more on his occasional flashes of supernatural insight.

Wayland has ranks in both skills, but is lousy at them (not class skills, and he has no Wis). Fortunately, he can always act in surprise rounds so his poor Perception is less of a big deal.

survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

He did his best to focus on the task at hand and not think about the troubles the town faced, the troubles miss Trig faced, the pretty frightening yet attractive elven ranger guiding them or the pretty girl at the kitten he had well been eyeing for a few months before the elven ranger made her appearance. He also realized his understanding of woodcraft was obviously far less than the rangers though he did his best.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Unlike some of the others, Trig is eyes forward and incredibly attentive. After almost literally everything that happened after coming to Sandpoint, the Gnome was jumpy and anything that moved or seemed out of place was placed under scrutiny.

percep: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Moving along at the back of the party, Morgrym turns around every so often and keeps an eye on the roadway behind themselves.

Trig is the first to spot something amiss, shortly followed by Lazur, Morgrym, and Shalelu. The woods to either side of the road close in and the shadows deepen until a gloom covers the road and your party.

Shalelu Perception: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 = 16 Wow, she almost missed that.

AMBUSH BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD

Morgrym brings up his axe and flicks his shield on, thinking that it is about to get up close and personal shortly.

Free-speak, Swift-Draw shield-Move draw axe, surprise done, if no swift allowed, will still do the draw axe.

Lazur empties one of his extracts into his mouth and starts growing larger.

Who else has lookout?

Wayland can always act in the surprise round as a Diviner.
And he has Lookout.
Anyone adjacent to him who has the feat can act even if surprised.
Anyone adjacent to him with the feat who would be able to act anyway can instead take a full round of actions.

Wayland will cast Mage Armor. If he is adjacent to someone else with Lookout who would otherwise be able to act, then he will also draw his wand of True Strike.

Nevermind, Everyone gets a surprise round. Trig gets a full set of actions. Lazur, Morgrym, and Wayland have acted. Waiting on Trig and Calin.

"This is not going to end well for you, greenskins," Trig yells in Goblin.

Trig is going to hit Calin, Lazur and Morgrym with Life Link and pull her Heavy Crossbow from her back.

Botting Calin for the moment.

Calin lets out a curse as he gets his flail out.

Shalelu readies her bow and looks to either side of the road.

"I don't think that's gonna dissuade them Trig."

Just as you are setting yourselves for the fight to come, a squeaky chant rises over the road, the tune very much like the one from the raid just the other day.

Goblins sneak and goblins hide,
Goblins hunt when dark outside,
Out the forest, through the trees,
Goblins quiet in the leaves

Shalelu grimaces as she picks out one of the voices in particular.

"Great they have a Warchan—" she starts to warn you but a word of power snarled from the other side of the road from where she is looking rings out. It doesn't affect any of you, but the ranger flinches as the ringing syllables echo in her head and threaten to knock her senseless.

Trig, and anyone else versed in the goblin tongue hears a gleeful cheer as the elf reels from the magical attack.

"KILL SHALELU!"

Wayland and Morgrym are up. Shalelu is dazed.

Wayland activates his Wand of True Strike (now at 49 charges) and draws his whip.

IN TORAGS NAME
Morgrym charges into the fray with the goblins on the left.

attack: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 18
BAB, STR, Charge
damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Sigh, good attack, poor damage

Sorry about that i missed the part where it said we all got an action, my bad. Also.. i hate when that happens too Morgrym.

'Sall good!

Initiative Order
- Warchanters
- Wayland, Morgrym
- Warriors
> Calin, Lazur, Trig
- Shalelu

The goblin Morgrym attacks hisses at Morgrym after the dwarf shatters his bow and leaves it bloodied. With more bravery than sense, it lunges for the dwarf's legs to trip him, but a goblin weighing only a stone and a half has no hope of toppling a dwarf that's easily ten times that when arrayed for battle.

A voice similar to the one singing the disturbingly catchy song rings out over the battlefield with the iron tang of command.

"KILL THE ELF!"

Five bowstrings twang as a flurry of crossbow bolt sized arrows fly at the dazed elf. She manages to duck two of them, but the others adjust their aim and a trio of shallow cuts open up on an arm and a leg.

Morgrym, you get an attack of opportunity against the goblin that tried to trip you. Calin, Lazur, and Trig are up!

He moved as quick as he could and slipped in front of Miss Shalelu and the majority of the goblin achers using his shield and body to cover her.

"goblins Squish and Goblins Die
Goblins Squeel and Goblins Cry
Were from Sandpoint and I have to say
All you goblins will die Today."

intimidate check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Well that could have went better oh well.

"If you need it, ive a healing potion on my belt Miss Shalelu."

"She's not dying yet, Calin. Focus on the goblins." Trig snapped. Hesitantly, she moved after Morgrym in order to make sure everyone stayed in Life Link range. Not into the fight. Of course not that far, but closer. The Gnome's hair began to shimmer in the light as she spoke words of power, and her allies felt a warm feeling spread through them.

Move action, then cast Bless. No Life Link participants were hurt in the previous round.

AOO

attack of Opp: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 2 = 20
BAB, STR
damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

As the goblin dives in Morgryms axe is there to meet it.

The goblin going for Morgrym's knees never gets close. Almost as soon as he lunges, Morgrym's axe is there to cleave his head in two. The dwarf did learn his mother was wrong about one thing. Goblins did have brains.

Waiting on Lazur. I'll give him until tomorrow.

Lazur moves up near as he can (he currently has 10' reach, so multiple in that range would be good) and attacks one of the bowgoblins.

Mwk. Short Sword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Lazur moves up near as he can (he currently has 10' reach, so multiple in that range would be good) and attacks one of the bowgoblins.

[dice=Mwk. Short Sword]1d20+5 [dice=Damage]1d6+1

Dont forget to add the +1 to hit for being blessed by Trig

Sadly that'll still miss.

Initiative Order
- Warchanters
> Wayland, Morgrym
- Warriors
- Calin, Lazur, Trig
- Shalelu

Trig's voice rings out as a blessing from whatever spirits she commands the attention of falls over the party. Calin's attempt to intimidate the goblins is met with gleefully malicious laughter. Lazur's blow goes wide as he misjudges one of the goblin's movements and finds the irritating creature going left when he'd been sure it'd go right.

"Goblins sneak and goblins harm,
Goblins find a lonely farm,
Badger stink and poison bone,
Kill the dog away from home"

The warchanter's song continues as another word of power rings out from the other side of the road. Shalelu blinks, recovering from the first assault on her mind just in time to have the goblin try and ring her bell again. She winces, but shakes off the spell before looking around for the goblin that is vexing her. Her eyes narrow as she spies the now worried looking warchanter behind the line of goblin archers.

"Keep it," she tells Calin as she draws her bowstring back and takes aim. "It's just a few scratches."

Meanwhile, Morgrym hears a goblin-y voice in his ear as the singing warchanter fixes its gaze on him. It starts to back up from the dwarf, obviously not wanting to risk his axe.

"What do pickles wear for armor," the voice asks before a snicker of laughter bubbles up and carries the answer with it.

"Gherkins!"

Morgrym needs to make a DC 12 WILL save or fall prone in a fit of laughter for the next round.
Morgrym (If he saves) and Wayland are up!

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 4 = 25
Base, Steel Soul

Morgrym grins at the warchanter.

So why do dwarves love gobling jokes.
Their Side splitters

Morgrym steps around the fallen goblin into the warchanter, and tries to drive his axe through its side.

attack: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 16
BAB, STR, Bless
damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Why could the attack roll and the save be switched. :(

Wayland will move up to 15' away from a goblin (preferably one in melee with an ally, so either Lazur's foe or Morgrym's foe) and flick out his whip to trip it.

Whip to trip, True Strike: 1d20 - 3 + 20 ⇒ (12) - 3 + 20 = 29

"Axes slash and hammers pound,
Goblins fall down on the ground!"

I forgot hatred. +1 more to the to hit

Initiative Order
- Warchanters
- Wayland, Morgrym
- Warriors
> Calin, Lazur, Trig
- Shalelu

The goblin warchanter ducks Morgrym's strike and skitters back a pace. The song continues on with a frantic energy as Wayland trips the goblin archer in front of Lazur. The others take aim at Shalelu once more. The arrows fly and once again, Shalelu finds two of the barbs slicing open a couple of minor wounds. Meanwhile, the now prone and panicking goblin tries to scramble to it's feet and get away from Lazur.

Shalelu takes another 6 points of damage. Lazur gets up two Attacks of Opportunity (One for standing, another for running, need the Combat Reflexes feat) on the goblin he attacked last round. First one is with a +4 to hit for him being prone.
Calin, Lazur, and Trig are up!

charge attack archer: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 2 = 18
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

If the pretty elven ranger felt she didnt need the help he wasnt inclined to make himself a nuisance. He spun and looked for the closest Goblin with a bow, He could stop them molesting Shalelu another way if need be.

Lazur takes a swip at the goblin as it tries to stand up. He then takes a step and attacks the warchanter (if within 10 feet, otherwise an archer).

Mwk. Short Sword Bless Prone AoO: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 + 4 = 26 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Mwk Short Sword TWF 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Mwk Short Sword TWF 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Need to get combat reflexes, power attack, improved critical and itwf. I think I need more feats :)

Lazur, your not the only one needing more feats. :)

Trig takes aim at one of the Warchanters (whichever one is not in melee) with her heavy crossbow and pulls the trigger.

Heavy Crossbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Conform: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

That probably confirms!

Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 7) = 14

Trig continues to manage her positioning to best keep these knuckleheads in the proper distance for her Life Link. She does not mind at all that Shalelu is taking all the hits for them, of course.

Initiative Order
- Warchanters
> Wayland, Morgrym
- Warriors
- Calin, Lazur, Trig
- Shalelu

The warchanter that had been vexing Shalelu probably should have been paying more attention to the gnome instead. The bolt comes in, flying true into and through the wretched thing's neck. It lets out a gurgle before collapsing in a boneless heap, it's spinal cord severed with surgical precision.

Meanwhile, Lazur tries to cut the goblin trying to stand to ribbons, but after an initial success, can't land a blow on the now frantically dodging gremlin. Calin, on the otherhand, has no issues smashing the life from one of the archers.

With one of the chanters down, Shalelu takes aim at the other and lets fly.

Attack (Longbow, Precise Shot, Favored Enemy, Blessed): 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7

The arrow sprouts from the goblin's chest and back as it pierces a lung, but doesn't manage to down the horrid songstress. For a moment, the song stops and the field grows silent. Panic widens already huge eyes and as one the goblins scream. The warchanter turns and flees directly from Shalelu, paying Morgrym no attention as it turns its back on him.

Warchanter is booking it, Morgrym gets an AoO. Morgrym and Wayland are up. Looks like the goblins bit off more than they could chew.

I don't imagine that Wayland normally stores his crossbow cocked. So he will draw it (move) and load it (move).

attack of opp: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 11
BAB, STR, Bless, Hatred
damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Morgrym swings only to have the Warchanter duck as it turns to run.

He then steps into one of the remaining archers.

attack: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 20
BAB, STR, Bless, Hatred
damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Initiative Order
- Warchanters
> Wayland, Morgrym
- Warriors
> Calin, Lazur, Trig
> Shalelu

The warchanter makes good its escape into the woods, leaving the rest of its kin to die. Having missed the fleeing goblin, Morgrym proceeds to take the leg from the closest of the archers, leaving it writhing on the ground screaming as it clutches at the bloody stump that's left behind. Wayland loads his crossbow and prepares to thin the ranks even more.

Seeing that there are others that are now a threat, the remaining archers take shots at Trig and Morgrym. The one targeting the dwarf rushes its shot and the arrow skitters harmlessly off his armor. The two aiming for the gnome, however, prove more deadly and leave a couple of gashes on the gnome as she isn't quite able to dodge the arrows.

Party's up. Trig takes 5 damage from two attacks. There's only three goblins still up and fighting. One of the warchanters ran for it, the other is dead along with two of the archers, and the last goblin is currently on the ground screaming after losing a leg to Morgrym.

Leaving that one to bleed, Morgrym steps past in towards another archer.

He then raises his bloodied axe high and attempts to stop the archer.

attack: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 18
BAB, STR, Bless, Hatred
damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Lazur attacks again trying to drop the goblins.

Mwk Short Sword TWF 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Mwk Short Sword TWF 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Mwk Short Sword TWF 1 Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

If he has to move to attack with his 10' reach only one attack and +2 to hit.

Seeing trig take an arrow he spun and moved to smash the business end of his flail into it.

flail: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Two more goblins add their death cries to the agonized wailing of Morgrym’s previous victim as the dwarf and Lazur hack and slash the life from the green skins. Calvin, unfortunately misses. The last goblin standing wets itself as it sees how the tables have turned.