GM Spazmodeus presents Ironfang Invasion

Game Master GM Spazmodeus

Harg would agree. Having the option to move into the caves vs being stuck there.

If the cave system is safe, we should continue reinforcing the outside and hopefully not need to escape into the caves.

I agree in the end, but camping directly outside the cave would make it almost useless as a fall-back point. The cave entrance is basically 'hidden' from most outsiders and if we camp there, then it will be obvious. If we stay where the main group is hidden in the trees, we can remain partially mobile and move our most valuable resources and back-up materials to the cave for emergencies. Probably a good place for wounded and the oldest members of our group too. Make it our infirmary? Put most of the adepts in charge there? Our smith might even be able to set up a temporary forge too if we can work out the 'smoke' problem.

Yes the ring is still in the caves. I'll need to make a detailed list of what was left behind for you guys.

I think we're in a holding pattern for now until the GM can give us a list of corpse left-overs and left-behind items.

I think our next item on the agenda is to start cleaning out the dead. Find a hole in the caves to dump them in, and then if needed, cover it with large rocks for now. I would burn them, but that might attract the enemies, and keeping them handy could attract scavengers.

After we handle all of this, I want to start floating ideas on hurting the hobgoblins! We need to start taking the fight to them.

That all sounds right to me. I assume if we bring the full camp to the cave we can do all of the work a lot faster.

Stuff Found:

@GM: Should we assume there are no 'small sized' items here? Derro are Medium sized. Right?

Ok...my two cents here.

I would love one of both of the 'bladders' and more thunderstones for using with my TK.

I wouldn't mind the MW Dagger either and getting the ring of Jumping back.

The elven boots should go to Vraxis since he's our scout. (they will magically shrink to fit too I believe)

We got two magical belts.
Dex and Con.
*These are tougher. My magical abilities are based on Con, but I need dex to hit things with.
*I think Harg should take the Con belt, simply because he's our big melee guy. He will need the extra HPs if nothing else.
*The Dex belt will help me hit things more often (I hope). But I'm not going to insist on it. Anyone can benefit rom the Dex belt.

The Pearl of Power is best with Braden I think.

The Wand of Mage Armor? I'm already wearing armor and Harg is only one other than the Adepts that can use it. Right?

Anyone want the +1 Buckler or Light Steel Shield? The buckler has no armor check penalty and can even be used by non-proficiency users. Even those using bows and crossbows can wear one as I understand it.

As far as the gut-stones go, I say give one to Harg and one to Vraxis/Fang for now, but save them for things are getting tougher.

The +1 Warhammer may be a good back-up blunt weapon for somebody who can use Martial Weapons? Or we can give it to Kining. I'm sure that's a weapon for him too.

Is there anything else you guys want? One of the Bull's Strength potions?

The ring of Protection and Brooch of Shielding are up for grabs too. Braden seems to be getting a short stick here? You want it Braden?

The rest goes to our 'group' people, funds, and supplies.

Any other thoughts guys?

My thoughts responding to Govrina; I am good with the proposal if I don't mention it.

The Pearl of Power is best with Braden I think. --Nope, Braden is a spontaneous caster. Should go to Harg or Vraxis.

The Wand of Mage Armor? I'm already wearing armor and Harg is only one other than the Adepts that can use it. Right? --Give it to Harg, he should use it on our animal companions or whomever else when appropriate.

Anyone want the +1 Buckler or Light Steel Shield? The buckler has no armor check penalty and can even be used by non-proficiency users. Even those using bows and crossbows can wear one as I understand it. --I already have a +1 Buckler, so not for me. Can we have magic weapons and armor resize? Feel like Vraxis could use that feature.

The +1 Warhammer may be a good back-up blunt weapon for somebody who can use Martial Weapons? Or we can give it to Kining. I'm sure that's a weapon for him too. --Braden is proficient and will take this as a backup weapon if nobody has a better use for it.

The ring of Protection and Brooch of Shielding are up for grabs too. Braden seems to be getting a short stick here? You want it Braden? --Nope, don't want either of these. Ring to Harg would be fine with me.

I would be happy with the Pearl, I do burn through my spells (often big attacks) pretty fast, but I don't want to stop potential Healing. I know Vraxis only has so many spells too, and with Ferver he will burn through his spells fast. So I could go either way on that.

I can take the wand and use it on others. I wont need the armor myself, but I would be happy to boost people we are with, or anyone else who needs it.

Yeah, while I not proficient with the buckler, I think I can use it without it hurting my casting and stuff.. It would boost my AC by quite a bit. Again, Vraxis could totally use it too. So either way I am ok with it.

Same goes with Ring of Protection. I would love to have either buckler or the Ring. The other going to Vraxis. We both get into melee often enough.

Let's see if Vraxis has a say here before we make final decisions. Maybe Vraxis can use the buckler as a small-sized steel shield for him? With that and his new 'Lance' he would be one awesome sight on the battlefield!

I'll take the boots of elvenkind and the potions of bull's strength.

I don't want the shields. Sell 'em off whenever we can.

Damnit, I knew I forgot something. The derro are all small, except for that one that was approaching you that Harg killed in one shot.

Derro Gear: (All gear small. Magic gear can resize.)

Hell yeah.

Well in that case I petition for these items:
+1 Buckler
Ring of Protection +1 (there seems to be 2 of those now)
Headband of Vast Intelligence +2 (wonderous item resizes)
Pearl of Power
Con belt - Only if no one else needs it.
Wand of mage Armor

If everyone is cool with it I will take those. If anyone wants any of these just me know :)

GM: What skill is inside the headband of Vast Intelligence?

I can live with that Harg. Vraxis? Braden? Can either of you use the extra Ring of Prot +1?

Small-sized MW Repeating Crossbows?
If Vraxis can't use it, then I'm sure we have a few small-sized people in our group who can learn to use them!

Since Harg is taking the Belt of Con, then why not each of us take an Anti-Toxin?

For me personally then...
Well, if it can resize, I would love the +2 Chain Shirt...but I think Vraxis or Braden could use the AC bonus if Harg isn't taking it.

I can also take the +1 Buckler too really since it does not offer any penalties for non-proficiency.

Then the:

My old Ring of Jumping
Gas Bladder(s)
MasterWork Dagger
Belt of Dex +2.
Brooch of Shielding...just for the heck of it because its cool.(Is this fully charged?)
Wand of Modify Memory (I can 'Use Magic Device' this as needed)

Note on the Tools:
Unless one of us really wnats them, they should go to the NPCs who have skills with these Items. Mostly Kining for the smith and mining tools. But we also got stone masonry tools and surgical tools too. Agreed?

Everything else...we put into group treasure or allow our NPCs to take/use as needed?

I am ok leaving the Chain shirt to Vraxis. Since its small and resizing is a bit annoying..

With me in melee the buckler will help a ton, and not hurt me at all. Because the rules can be bent :)

Could I get the Headband of Vast Intelligence? Both Harg and Braden are Int-based, but I think Harg relies a lot on spells that don't have saves, whereas Braden throws out quite a few spells with saves.

Ah! Yeah, of course. For some reason I thought you where wis or charisma.

It was mostly going to get me an extra spell a day, but I have the pearl for that.

Go for it!

Thanks, Harg! Braden is a super weird build, Int-based divine, because I used an archetype on top of a psychic-based chassis (Occultist).

Could I get the Headband of Vast Intelligence? Both Harg and Braden are Int-based, but I think Harg relies a lot on spells that don't have saves, whereas Braden throws out quite a few spells with saves.

This makes sense since Harg is getting the belt of Con +2 I think anyway.

Vraxis, are you OK with all of that? I promise the next 'Stat' bonus item up for grabs is your if you want it.

Yup. Go ahead and take the +2 chain shirt. I'd rather not have the Armor Class Penalty.

What we really need is an NPC with Craft Magic Arms and Armor.

Can I use the Chain shirt? Will it resize? I've had GMs go both ways with it.

Damnit, I knew I forgot something. The derro are all small, except for that one that was approaching you that Harg killed in one shot.

Derro Gear: (All gear small. Magic gear can resize.)

+2 chain shirt

27 aklys

mwk repeating light crossbow with 20 bolts

27 repeating light crossbowsheadband of vast intelligence +2

ring of protection +1

3 antitoxin

healer’s kit

surgeon’s tools

wand of modify memory (12 charges)

The quoted post from above from GM Fez says "(all gear small, magic gear can resize".

Also, I believe Govrina can use the +1 Light Shield without penalty and still keep a hand free for blasts. With that, the +2 Chain Shirt, and the Belt of Dex, you should end up with something like AC24 which is awesome.

Who wants the other Ring of Protection +1? Vraxis?

If I want to use my Gather Energy ability I have to have both hands free. A buckler basically counts as having a free hand I think...but a small shield still take a hand to use as I understand it. I'm not worried bout it. Someone else in our group can use the magical shield.

As far as the armor 'resizing' it has to due with the descriptor. Armor is armor. Weapons are weapons. 'Gear' is generic and would apply to the ring and Headband(of course). I just didn't want to assume anything.

Already got one.

If I want to use my Gather Energy ability I have to have both hands free. A buckler basically counts as having a free hand I think...but a small shield still take a hand to use as I understand it. I'm not worried bout it. Someone else in our group can use the magical shield.

Good point about Gather Power--forgot about that ability. I'd still keep the light shield and draw it when you want the AC . . . at least until we can sell it.

Already got one.

Okay, then I will lay claim to the Ring of Protection +1.

Govrina, did you want the buckler then?

If it is resizable I could use the chain shirt as well. Do you want one of those and I the other? I just know my AC is going to keep me alive :)

Both are going to give me a boost. I have a Masterwork Chain shirt now.

Whichever makes more sense for your character and build. I don't mind the ACP. I will end up in heavier armor anyway, eventually.

You take the Chain Shirt then! The buckler is really limited to when you can use your off hand to block with. That way you don't have to mess with it and try to cast spells and I can simply ignore the buckler when I need both hands. Deal?

=)

You can always pass the armor down once you get better armor too.

Sounds good! Updating sheet :)

Man we really need a place to buy and sell stuff!

Actually, I don't disagree, but I also like upgrading our NPCs too. You never know when they might need such things and we might need their help too.

Now that we have access to the caves, then maybe that underground vendor will come back to visit us from time to time?

=)

@GM: Since we're at this point...do we need to look into leveling up too? Or is it still too early?

My final list then...if no one has any problems with it:

2 stench-gas bladders
masterwork dagger
Belt of fine gold links: (A belt of incredible dexterity +2)
Govrina's Ring of Jumping
four thunderstones
an asymmetric brooch of shielding (Fully Charged? Is this 'Asymmetric' just descriptive or is it a unique special item?)
2 doses of dust of appearance
+1 buckler
wand of modify memory (12 charges)

I've went ahead and thrown a few minor thing on here nobody seems interested in. I will go ahead and them to my list. Let me know if that's not OK.

2-pound crystal globe that functions as an everburning torch (can be removed, is worth 250gp)
ring of protection +1
headband of vast intelligence +2
+1 warhammer

My final list:
+2 Chain Shirt
Belt of mighty con +2
Pearl of Power (1st level)
wand of mage armor (28 charges)
Ring of Protection +1
Scroll of Enfeeblement
Scroll of Darkness (both of these are on my spell list and I can copy them over)

My final list:

2 potions of bull's strength
boots of elvenkind

Yes, the armor resizes. The brooch is fully charged, asymmetric is just a descriptor.

I'll have to update the treasure spoiler when I have more time.

No hurry. We need to plan an attack first.

Finished updating the treasure list. We may have to move it into a google spreadsheet or something at this point.

Here's a Loot Sheet listing the same loot. Nothing fancy.

Do we have an extra Cloak of Protection +1 and Ring of Protection +1? If so, we should hand those out. There are also some useful consumables here. Vraxis might want the healer's kit.

Thanks Braden.

Yes, we have those extra. I think Vraxis has 2 healer's kits on him right now.

Great! Thanks for doing that. I should really take another look through the list again.

Gotta get to a bigger city :P

If Vraxis doesn't have a Cloak, then he should take the magical Cloak of Protection. Not to be overly grabby, but: Does everybody else have a Ring of Protection? Am I the only one who does not?

Lol, so many healing kits.

Yeah, I think the Ring of Protection is yours, Govrina.

Here is a summary post on the camp again, thanks to Braden:

"Watching the camp is an exercise in patience. These hobgoblins appear to be a bit less regimented than a typical unit of Ironfang Legion. Most of the hobgoblins (about a dozen) are wearing light armor and carrying bows. There are a couple of wargs that make an appearance, as well as three bugbears. Notably there is a goblin among the Legionnaires, and one hobgoblin in chains makes an appearance following another with vials and pouches strapped across her body."

Here is what I see: An army scouting force. Looking for us???

1. We need to get rid of the Wargs. They are known to be evil and intelligent, and they can sniff us out too easily if we let them get the chance.

2. The chained prisoner could be useful if we can capture it. If nothing else, he/she may be willing to offer information. But we would need to find a way to grab them quickly and quietly, or it might set off a large scale search. The bottle-covered hobgoblin is probably an alchemist. Taking him/her out too will be very useful.

3. We need to see if we can identify the leader and/or his second in command if at all possible to target and eliminate or capture. Soldiers are great, but often get confused without real leadership.

4. Guerrilla tactics are our best bet for now, until we can train most of our people to be the equivalent of a hobgoblin soldier at least. Morale damage is almost as good as real damage sometimes, so for now we will focus on that beyond specifics.

Any other specific suggestions from here?

Looking through the notes of the camp, "I say we go, just us, and pick off people from the outside. Finding a good place to hide off between strikes. I can prepare my all night watch spell to keep us safe while we rest."

Looking out to the groups around us "I think we should keep our trained individuals here for now, to protect against the worst. Maybe come back and get them for the final push, but I don't want to leave our home un protected."

Pulling the sword up, and tapping it down onto the ground "As much as a direct assault would be satisfying, it would be suicide. Lets pick off the outside forces. Take our home back"

Yeah, I can use the cloak of resistance.

Maybe we try to capture one or two alive and see what information we can get.

Okay, I see that Vraxis claimed the cloak. Govrina, make sure to add the ring.

Added.

GM Fez?

Let us know when you are ready for us to proceed, and we will name our first target(s)/project(s) for retaliation.

Sorry guys, I'm trying to keep up with everything, but its been more difficult than usual as I'm starting a new job on Monday and I have to complete a whole bunch of online training things for them before hand.

No worries! There is enough going on right now, new job sounds tough.

I don't mind a slow game sometimes, Gives us time to RP too. :)