DM-Camris' IRONFANG INVASION Chapter 1: Trail of the Hunted

Game Master Camris

Those who go outside find plenty of brush and houses for concealment. The dark is very helpful in that as well.
Stealth check, if you haven't already.
The only light is by campfires, tents and buildings on fire. The light level is shadowy.
Hobgoblins battle with townsfolk in every direction, and from the sounds of battle, the whole of Phaendar is under attack. Much of the battle is outside the bounds of the hamlet itself, in the tent cities that were set up for the Festival.
Bodies lie on the ground everywhere, run through by hobgoblin blades and left where they fell. A wolf howls in the distance, its eerie cry echoed by the screams of the dying.
Working your way south along the storefronts and houses, you come to the first road radiating out of the central green.
There you see three hobgoblins standing over a helpless villager, laughing cruelly as they toy with him; jabbing him in the legs as he is forced to try to stand, then stabbed again.

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Roll20 CROSSROADS TACTICAL MAP
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or Google map

I left the mounts off for clarity.

So, what will you do?

If you attack, you have a Surprise round (single standard action or charge attack).

thank you for the drawing! That is super helpful. I *think* big John was staying at the inn, but the rest of the PCs look right.

Arlen turns to face the group. "Hobgoblins harassing a villager. Let's shoot them down from a distance. Take up a position and we strike as one on my mark. If I remember this street correctly there's an alley on the other side that should give a good view."

I'm assuming we can take prep actions before beginning the surprise round? So the other PCs can draw weapons and move into sight range? We don't have much time though, so I'm not thinking more than one round

we should all consider picking up a sign language for these situations

once we are in position, Arlen will attack with his longbow, then tell Russet to attack (standard action charge). I will make the rolls now for the sake of time

longbow, attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
cold iron, piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 1

On Arlen's signal, Russet rushes at the nearest hobgoblin and strikes it with his horns.

gore, attack, charge: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14
piercing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

-2 AC from the charge

"Okay, we're going to have to have you sit it." Faerith says as she gently helps Aubrin to sit up. "I wish I could make this hurt less, but hold on okay."

Taking her dagger she cuts away at Aubrin's shirt, conjuring water to wash the wound. Taking hold of the bolt shaft, Faerith takes a deep breath before working to remove the bolt, doing her best to minimize the damage and staunch the blood.

Heal (Treat deadly wounds(DC 20): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

Heal 1 hp per Aubrin's level+1

Russet added to map. You should be able to move him too.

You can take time to prep, they are focused on their fun and won't notice you; But every round you take the villager will lose two hit points.

For some reason, I can't see the new map on Roll20. Still have the inn.

Yaron nods at Cavalier's plan and adds, "Should we call our targets before we shoot?" The bard finds a good firing position, takes a breath, and raises his pilfered longbow, waiting for the signal before loosing the arrow.

Longbow (Point Blank): 20 + 3 + 1 = 24 for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15shortbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9damage+sneak: 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (5) = 7

Seeing the man being tortured and stabbed while helpless rekindles the fight in Big John.

”Shoot true! I’m goin in!”

John charges in hoping to take advantage of the ugly hominids sense of entertainment. His left hand reaches back and boosts the head of his heavy flail from its sling pouch as his other hand firmly grasps it’s leather wrapped handle. The head reveals itself, a spiked lump of cold-iron beaten into the rough shape of a leering visage, it’s hollowed eye sockets black and squinted in anger.

He gives the chain a toss and with two hands begins a lazy arch, which begins to pick up more momentum and power as the speed of the mass at the end of the chain increases.

The arch now a blur as the big man bears down on his sworn enemy, arrows drop from the sky from his companions.

He selects an uninjured hobgoblin if possible and targets it’s chest. The head and links of chain of heavy flail whistle just before it seeks its mark!

1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15
1d10 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

I'm interpreting this as we all take one round to get into position, Big John waiting for us, and then on Arlen's cue, Big John and Russet charge while the rest of us shoot

I did not know you were stealthy Big John

I think you forgot the 1d in front of your 20 roll there Yaron.. on the damage part too. Will be posting soon, works being difficult.

That's weird. When I previewed it was a to hit roll of 17, so now I'm very confused.

Probably paizo being silly the night before an update.
Darry doesnt have a bow his size yet.

He nodded to the others and readied himself and Sebastion to charge. The moment he heard the bowstrings twang he nudged his mount forward leading with his lance.

charging the one on the far right, looking to cut off the escape root if need be.

charge attack, lance: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 2 = 17
damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 2 = 6

Sebastion bite: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 2 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

if 14 hits trip attempt: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Cold Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Durun stealthily follows the others and gets into a comfortable spot nearby within 30’ and simultaneously sends one of the freezing rays out toward one of the hobgoblins!

A round to shift into position and prepare, then…
SURPRISE!
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Arlen turns to face the group. "Hobgoblins harassing a villager. Let's shoot them down from a distance. Take up a position and we strike as one on my mark. If I remember this street correctly there's an alley on the other side that should give a good view."
Arlen shoots Hobgoblin 1, but it skips off the armor.
then tells Russet to attack (charge-attack).
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On Arlen's signal, Russet charges hobgoblin 1 and hits him hard with his antlers.
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Yaron nods at Cavalier's plan and adds, "Should we call our targets before we shoot?" The bard finds a good firing position, takes a breath, and raises his pilfered longbow, waiting for the signal before loosing the arrow.
He hits hobgoblin 1, striking deep.
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Sor snuck forward and shot into the melee, but missed wide.
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Seeing the man being tortured and stabbed while helpless rekindles the fight in Big John.
”Shoot true! I’m goin in!”
John charges in hoping to take advantage of the ugly hominids sense of entertainment.
He selects an uninjured hobgoblin if possible and targets it’s chest. The head and links of chain of heavy flail whistle just before it seeks its mark!
The flail’s head crashes into the hobgoblin for tremendous damage, but he’s still standing!
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Darry nodded to the others and readied himself and Sebastion to charge. The moment he heard the bowstrings twang he nudged his mount forward leading with his lance.
Cutting by Big John, Darry neatly puts his lance right through the unfortunate hobgoblin, and he goes down hard. There is nothing left for Sebastion to do.
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Durun stealthily follows the others and gets into a comfortable spot nearby within 30’ and simultaneously sends one of the freezing rays out toward one of the hobgoblins!
His ray froze what was left of Russet’s foe, who fell over and broke in half; quite dead.
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Hobgoblin 2 looks up at the sudden movement, but he is unable to react in time.

Round 1____________

Players act in order of posting, enemies will go last.

ROLL20 TACTICAL MAP
Google Map

Yaron pulls another arrow from his quiver and runs south, opening himself a line of fire against the souther half-orc that doesn't require shooting through his allies... or the reindeer.

Moving 30', due south, then firing.

Longbow: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 1 = 24 Threat
Confirm: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16 Maybe?

Non-Critical: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 Plus Critical?: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (8, 4) + 2 = 14

And Yaron shoots the last one dead right through the mouth and the back of his spine.

Combat is over. What do you do now?

Breathing hard from his effort, Big John puts his hand out to assist the prone villager.

”Come with us if you want to live.”

He grins.

”We are going to fight these bastards, but we have to escape first and regroup the community.”

Big John suggests looting the bodies for usable items and pulling back.

”Keep looking for a hay cart or something we can block the bridge with.”

Was I able to successfully remove the bolt and heal some of the damage?

Taking her dagger she cuts away at Aubrin's shirt, conjuring water to wash the wound. Taking hold of the bolt shaft, Faerith takes a deep breath before working to remove the bolt, doing her best to minimize the damage and staunch the blood.

With Aubrin biting down on a bar towel, Faerieth smoothly drew the haft of the bolt through and out of her chest. Aubrin bucked against the hands holding her down and fell unconscious again.

Faerith smiles, letting out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "Can't very well have you dying on us can I?" she says squeezing Aubrin's hand.

"You just rest for now until we need to get moving out to the Fangwood."

Arlen nods in agreement with Big John. "You'll be safe with us. We need to get some things from the temple and then we're meeting some others at the inn and escaping. Stay close."

let's get to the temple. Arlen and Russet will continue to take 10

"Right then."

He nodded to the others and guided Sebastion forward with his knees leading the way to the temple again. He wanted to get there before the hobgoblins did...they were bound to make their way there eventually.

VILLAGER 1

”Come with us if you want to live.”

Will save: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0

Yaron sighs, "That idiot is going to rush headlong into another group of Hobgoblins that'll kill him... but I'm not sure we have time to stop him... except that if he keeps screaming, he'll give us away."

He shakes his head, "Wish I had a net or blunt arrows. Any of you quick enough to catch him and able to stop the racket and bring him with us - at least until he's back in his right mind?"

"He's chosen his fate. I don't understand why, but he has. We need to keep moving."

DM, do you want to keep the crew together on each side mission? Or are we looking to split into two group? One to the temple and one for the bridge?

”Wish him luck. Maybe he will escape them, but this is triage. We save whom we can reduce the number of casualties as much as possible, but write off lost causes.”

Yaron blinks at Arlen, "He's panicked past thinking. That's why. Not saying we can save him - especially since we've talked about it rather than doing anything - but I think we might want to realize that people are rather likely to not respond rationally."

He pauses, then says, "I should have shot him in the knee... But John's right. Let's get to it."

"I dont want to think of anyone falling to these beasts... but perhaps his mad run will be enough of a distraction that we can do what needs done and save others more level headed."

He offered keeping his eyes peeled for any other smarter survivors...and for a smaller type wagon, one that a trading family of halflings used for transport. He hoped he didnt see it of course. But still he kept his eyes and ears open.

my understanding was that we were meeting back at the tavern and going from there to the bridge as one party.

My preference is to keep the party together. We can make an exception if everyone is on board, since you have the manpower, but that is my preference.

Happy to get back into things.

I also understood our trip to the temple to be a stealthy one, and therefore not a good fit for everyone. But I'm expecting it to be over soon and we rendezvous with the rest of the party at the tavern in a few days of RL time; a week of RL time at most. If that is unrealistic perhaps we should "metagame" and keep the party together, stealth be damned

...If that is unrealistic perhaps we should "metagame" and keep the party together, stealth be damned.

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Sor pushes air out of his nose quietly. Leading all these stupid humans is hard enough, don't need anyone prone to panic like that.

RIVERWOOD SHRINE

Roll20 map

A wooden deck surrounds the front of an octagonal structure with broad archways leading into a place of worship.
To its left stands a moss-encrusted stone monument.
Carved birds, branches, and fruits decorate the wooden supports of the
temple’s entryway.

A dead villager is curled up on the wooden deck before the temple. A figure growls and tears at the body.

Does the figure growling sound like a hobgoblin or one of their wolves?

John levels the heavy crossbow at the figure and taps the elf. In a whisper he asks.

”You can see in this light yeah? What it’s it? Shall I shoot?”

knowledge local dc 11: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

"sounds like people in the shrine.. nothing from the storage shed... Loose your arrows when i get close."

He offered nodding to the others and setting his lance kneeing his mount forward.

charge cause its rude to eat people: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 2 = 21
damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 2 = 6

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Sor shrugs at Big John.

When the halfling charges, Sor sighs in frustration at his impulsive, loud charge. He lets an arrow loose anyway. attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Russet is only medium, so he has no size penalties to stealth. With his rank, training, and Dex he is just as good at stealth as Arlen

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

will try to look at the map later tonight and get a post up then

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Elandra crouch walks as she moves forward, keeping her profile low.

She then whispers "Nobody in the shed, lots of noises from the main building though, not sure if friend or foe."

GOOGLE MAP; RIVERSIDE SHRINE EXTERIOR

ROLL20 MAP; RIVERSIDE SHRINE EXTERIOR

You have enough time to move your positions from initial before you open things up.

Does the figure growling sound like a hobgoblin or one of their wolves?

Sounds like an animal; wolf maybe. Probably.

Faerith sighs as the panicked man runs off into the night, wishing him as much luck as could be had given the circumstances. As they approach the shrine, the druidess unslings her staff from her back, keeping it in a ready position in case of danger.

A sad expression crosses her face as she sees the body being savaged by what appears to be a wolf. ”Poor Noelan, he’s…he was the caretaker here.” she whispers.

”Sounds like a number of people inside, a lot of noise and movement….maybe a fight.” she continues, trailing off as Darry charges the wolf suddenly.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Perception (w/ low light vision): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Perception (w/ low light vision): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Perception (First): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 (Low-Light, +2 if v. a hidden object (scavenger racial trait)
Perception (Second): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 (Low-Light, +2 if v. a hidden object (scavenger racial trait)

Yaron follows quietly, his bow readied, then raises it as the halfling starts his charge... waiting for the right moment to fire.

GM, thank you for posting the Google drawing of the map. I really appreciate it.

everyone else should have a look at the map. Many of you are quite far from the wolf with no line of sight

Arlen puts some space between himself and the wolf as he prepares to line up a shot. Once in position, he whistles for Russet.

total movement is 30' to the right and down 5'. Should be directly below the door to the shed and parallel to the wolf. Please place me if I do not get to a computer before someone else edits the map

When the fight starts, he fires an arrow.

longbow, attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
cold iron, piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Russet gallops around the outbuilding to Arlen's side. double move to be adjacent to Arlen, so probably on one of the spaces above Arlen

GM, thank you for posting the Google drawing of the map. I really appreciate it.

everyone else should have a look at the map. Many of you are quite far from the wolf with no line of sight.

Yes! Thank you for putting up the slides Camris! And I will need to retcon Big John a bit since he was not in line of sight of the wolf.

Hearing that there may be villagers in peril, John goes directly to the door closest to him on the main structure. He tries the door, if it’s barred or stuck he is going to give it a boot or shoulder.

Or if the door was unlocked he will open it quietly. If he is immediately noticed he will fire his crossbow. If he has suprise he will wait for the others to help make entry and take advantage of suprise.

Force Door or Shoot Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
1d10 ⇒ 5

Elandra takes up a covering position behind the smaller out building with her longbow drawn.