Some quick questions reveal that while there is no longer a formal Eagle Knight presence in Umok, many of their records from during the Goblinblood War are housed at the town's archive. The Umok archive contains Eagle Knight maps and documents recovered at the end of the Goblinblood Wars, listing out a number of raids, their general locations, and estimates of when the raids occurred.
Natula determines that the raid in question occurred east of here, near the foothills of the Aspodell Mountains. You have a decent starting point for your search.
Gather info:
You have just spelit up when an armored gnome with a badger approaches you. She eyes you intently, but then smiles and introduces herself as Trigi Neppo, peacekeeper and goblin-watcher. She directs you to the Badger's Den as an inn that is sized for humans. When you mention your quest for information, she directs you to visit the town butcher, "ol' Bearjaw", a veteran of the Goblinblood wars with a long memory.
Bearjaw doesn't take much of a liking to you at first, but Konnor manages to smooth things over with his silver tongue and get the old gnome to talk.
“I was the one who found those survivors of that raid and led them safely back here, but it wasn’t an easy journey. Them hobgoblin raiders weren’t like the main bunch, and that’s why the convoy didn’t make it. See, them hobgoblins didn’t attack from the woods like all the rest. This group, they came out of the hills and hit that convoy hard and fast. If you want to find where they came from, and where they went after, you’ll need to look in those mountains.” It's clear he's referring to the Apsodell mountains, east of Umok.
You regroup a few hours later at the Badger's Den Inn. You've also had enough time to do any shopping or provisioning you might want. Umok's population is only about 2,500 so if you purchase anything with prestige it will cost 5 more than usual. You can buy items up to 2,000gp base value but not above.
Umok is near center. The Apsodell mountains are due east. Your search area is in the foothills, due east of Umok and due north of Citadel Dinyar, which is a Hellknight citadel dedicated to the Oder of the Godclaw.
male human swashbuckler(rondelero)3, HP 31/231 AC 20, T 15, FF 15, F +2, R +7; W +3, Init. +6(+8); Perception +7
Well, these hobgoblins seems different...that might be important. I think we should get going as quick as we can...what time of day is it and roughly how far is it to the mountain range travelwise?
It's now about mid-afternoon. The target zone is a day's travel away, so if you leave now there will be some camping. If you leave in the morning, you could reach it around supper time.
You head east, and the land rises steadily and as you leave the farmlands behind. The Apsodell range stretches off to the south, and as you continue the rolling foothills are rife with rocky outcrops, caves, and all sorts of hazardous terrain. More than once you are forced to detour around tall slopes, or spot an area that seems to have been deliberately altered to throw off pursuit.
The trail is rough enough that you'll each need to make a skill check on one of the following skills, to see how long it takes you to navigate the paths: Acrobatics, Climb, Knowledge (nature), or Perception. This won't alter the rest of this post, it's just for determining timing of arrival.
Reaching the area where you believe the raid took place, it's surprisingly easy to find signs of goblinoid presence, even so long after the fact. Bits of armor and weaponry still lie on the surface, trails of rust flagging their presence even at a distance. With some searching, you can follow the signs through the warren of hills.
Kalas draws attention to a few recent footprints in some soft mud near the trail. They appear to be from a Large reptilian creature moving on two legs, likely some sort of dragon. They're fresh, only an hour or so old, but you see no sign of the creature otherwise.
On your guard for trouble, you follow the hobgoblin trail to a large boulder in front of a tunnel that leads deeper inside the hill. The cave is dark, although it appears to turn south and lead generally downwards into the hill.
Male Human Magus 4 | hp 24/26 | AC 18 T 13 FF 15 | CMB +5 CMD 18 | F +4 R +4 W +3 | Spd 30' | Init +3 | Perc +0, Diplo +6, Splcrft +10 Arcane Pool 5/6
PreparedSpells:
Level 0 - Daze (DC 14), Detect Magic, Light, Read Magic Level I - Shield, Shocking Grasp, True Strike, Mount Level II - Euphoric Cloud (DC 16), Mirror Image
Climb:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Ratesh trudges along the path, climbing slowly and steadily, only slipping on loose rocks a few times.
I just don't understand why the lodge would send someone with my intelligence on a mission up a mountain to parlay with hobgoblins. Don't we have people for this kind of stuff?
Entering the cave, he draws his sword and takes point, casting a ball of light on a copper piece and holding it in front of him with his offhand.
Female Kitsune Sorcerer 4 (Fey) | 5/22HP | AC12{16} T12{16} FF10{14} | CMD10 | F +3 R +4 W +6 | Spd 30 | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Acro +4, Bluff +10, Arcana +4, Nature +4, Perf (Oratory) +10, SplCft +4, UMD +10 | wands mage armor 47/50, cure light wounds 12/12, comprehend languages 6/6, see invisibility 13/13, restorative wand 3/5 | Spells: Sorcerer 1st 6/8 2nd 3/4 | Active Conditions: Shield, Shaken (3 rounds)
Knowledge (Nature):1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Junko follows along, pausing maybe a little too often to admire the view from the slopes or to scribble something into a notebook. She laughs in response to Ratesh's complaint, saying, "Yep, those people are us!"
Outside the cave, she peers into the darkness suspiciously, digs out her wand of mage armor again, and uses it before following Ratesh in. She also casts shield on herself as she crosses the threshold, and tries to keep an eye out for danger.
The tunnel descends and turns again, opening into a large cavern with a large pit in the center. The floor of the chamber spirals downwards in a shallow ramp, with the floor of the pit only about 10 feet below the level you're at now.
As you reach the chamber's entrance, you hear a raspy growl, and a large winged reptile launches out of the pit!
The dragon flies up out of the pit, and looks you in the eye, before spitting a tiny red speck at you. The speck detonates into a fireball when it reaches you.
can't move token forsome reason...it highlights the AoE for the fireball. also, how far can I move including going down the 5ft drop? I would like to move a far as I can...i.e. double move...need your opinion on that...
Truly Iconic Female Human (Ulfen) Wizard (evoker, admixture school) 6 | hp 37 | AC {17} T 13 FF {15} | CMD 16 | F +5 R +6 W +7 | Spd 30' | Init +2 | Kn(Arc, Dun, His, Loc, Pla, Rel) +11 Kn(Eng, Geo, Nat, Nob) +10, Lngst +9, Perc +6 (+2 w Kalas), Scrft +14, SensM +0 (+2 w Kalas) | versatile evocation 8/8 | wands false life CL 3 6/7, m missile 42/50, summon monster I CL 3 9/9, unseen servant 8/10 | vanish 4rds
Natula Icosagon Thako wrote:
Then she casts mage armor upon her bat. "He can scout for us."
Uh, what happened to scouting? So, I guess 'no plans'? Oohkay.... (Who even has Natula's torch? Should I assume it is still in the bag?)
Konner Therinor wrote:
can't move token forsome reason...it highlights the AoE for the fireball. also, how far can I move including going down the 5ft drop? I would like to move a far as I can...i.e. double move...need your opinion on that...
Try now. The fireball outline was on a higher level than the figures. You can adjust that using the 'Arrange' tab at the top of the window. Oh, and did Konner just take 200 points of damage?
How high is the ceiling?
Looking back at all their adventures together, and realizing how thoroughly undependable her fellows are, Natula makes for cover, and retrieves a healing potion.
Natula: Kalas wasn't moved into the room, so I thought he was staying with you, using his perception and higher altitude to scout. Kalas auto-detected the drake even though he was out of sight, and so there was no surprise round. The drake auto-detected you guys because light. Alas, the drake won initiative and so was able to go first.
Konnor: jumping down 5' doesn't cost movement in this case.
Also note, those partial walls on the spiraling ramp are about 3' high and would provide cover.
Male LG Human Oracle 5.2 (Pei-zin Practitioner) | HP 53/53 | AC 10 T 10 FF 10 | CMB +2, , CMD 12 | F: +8, R: +2, W: +5 | Init: +0 | Perc: -2, SM: -2 | Speed 20ft | Lay on Hands 5/6 | Spells: Oracle 1st 8/8 Oracle 2nd 5/5| Active conditions:
Juxian's life link activates taking 5 damage from Konner, Ratesh, Junko, and Natula for 20 total. Spots, like most animal companions, has evasion, so he takes no damage. This puts me at 5hp at the start of my turn.
Ratesh identifies the creature as a flame drake, which resembles a red dragon superficially. It breathes fireballs (although you noticed that already) and is immune to fire, paralysis, and magical sleep effects, but cold is very effective against it. It has a nasty bite, and can swing its tail around, but doesn't risk its only two legs or wings in combat (no wing or claw attacks). No DR or other special attacks, although it can manifest a surge of speed (extra move action 3 times per day) which helps it catch fleeing prey.
Truly Iconic Female Human (Ulfen) Wizard (evoker, admixture school) 6 | hp 37 | AC {17} T 13 FF {15} | CMD 16 | F +5 R +6 W +7 | Spd 30' | Init +2 | Kn(Arc, Dun, His, Loc, Pla, Rel) +11 Kn(Eng, Geo, Nat, Nob) +10, Lngst +9, Perc +6 (+2 w Kalas), Scrft +14, SensM +0 (+2 w Kalas) | versatile evocation 8/8 | wands false life CL 3 6/7, m missile 42/50, summon monster I CL 3 9/9, unseen servant 8/10 | vanish 4rds
GM Lamplighter wrote:
Ratesh identifies the creature as a flame drake, which resembles a red dragon superficially. It breathes fireballs (although you noticed that already) and is immune to fire, paralysis, and magical sleep effects, but cold is very effective against it. It has a nasty bite, and can swing its tail around, but doesn't risk its only two legs or wings in combat (no wing or claw attacks). No DR or other special attacks, although it can manifest a surge of speed (extra move action 3 times per day) which helps it catch fleeing prey.
I'm guessing that Natula (who has the same knowledge bonuses) can make the same determination.
GM Lamplighter wrote:
So, the drake is flying, 10' above the ground where Spots would be in that square. Is he leaping and trying to grapple the creature in the air?
And I assume that means the ceiling is at least 20' high. Is it any higher (on average, as it is a cave I suspect it is not smooth)?
Male LG Human Oracle 5.2 (Pei-zin Practitioner) | HP 53/53 | AC 10 T 10 FF 10 | CMB +2, , CMD 12 | F: +8, R: +2, W: +5 | Init: +0 | Perc: -2, SM: -2 | Speed 20ft | Lay on Hands 5/6 | Spells: Oracle 1st 8/8 Oracle 2nd 5/5| Active conditions:
Spots is just double moving; he likely will attempt to leap to the drake and bite it after this round; probably using the environment to wall jump a little. If it's 10ft high and Spots has 5ft reach, I'd only need to jump 5ft to make an attack, which is only a DC 20 acrobatics, although he is going to be provoking a lot of AoOs, so I hope this drake doesn't have combat reflexes.
Natula: Yes, ceiling is at + 25' in the middle, sloping to +20' at the edges. Also, yes, you have the same info as Ratesh. You also know it doesn't have Combat Reflexes, but does have Flyby Attack.
Juxian: OK, just the move now, and he'll be 10' below the drake.
Round 1 (continued)
As Spots moves in, the drake's neck lashes out and strikes. bite:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26damage:2d6 + 5 ⇒ (5, 1) + 5 = 11 plus 1d6 ⇒ 5 fire damage.
The drake bites Spots again, severely wounding the big cat. bite:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26damage:2d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 5) + 5 = 13 plus 1d6 ⇒ 5 fire damage.
"Thanks for the meal and the shiny dust, weaklings! Now run... before I decide to eat you all!"
Everyone is up!
Flame Drake (no damage)
Konnor (27/31)
Ratesh (20/26)
Junko (9/22)
Juxian (5/53)
Spots (0/40) Spots' profile had him at 34 hp at the start of combat, was that in error? I hope so...
Natula (18/31)
Kalas (-3/15)
Now the question becomes can anyone draw it's attention long enough for Natula to get into position, or is she going to need to cast a second spell first.... I think I'm waiting for the second spell.
Scars from Vildeis constantly form and heal over Juxian's body as he accepts and cures the wounds of his allies.
Konnor (32/31)
Ratesh (25/26)
Junko (14/22)
Juxian (38/53)
Spots (11/40) Sorry, he was at 40 since he didn't take any damage at the caravan encounter; I just never changed it, thats my bad.
Natula (23/31)
Kalas (-3/15)
Female Kitsune Sorcerer 4 (Fey) | 5/22HP | AC12{16} T12{16} FF10{14} | CMD10 | F +3 R +4 W +6 | Spd 30 | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Acro +4, Bluff +10, Arcana +4, Nature +4, Perf (Oratory) +10, SplCft +4, UMD +10 | wands mage armor 47/50, cure light wounds 12/12, comprehend languages 6/6, see invisibility 13/13, restorative wand 3/5 | Spells: Sorcerer 1st 6/8 2nd 3/4 | Active Conditions: Shield, Shaken (3 rounds)
that is just a really handy ability, juxian, very nice
Feeling much better thanks to Juxian's magical healing, Junko steps out and tries to pull at least some of the drake's attention away from Spots with a casting of magic missile.
The flame drake moves closer to Konnor, but still uses its long neck to snap at Spots. bite:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17Lucky, the agile cat avoids the jaws.
Truly Iconic Female Human (Ulfen) Wizard (evoker, admixture school) 6 | hp 37 | AC {17} T 13 FF {15} | CMD 16 | F +5 R +6 W +7 | Spd 30' | Init +2 | Kn(Arc, Dun, His, Loc, Pla, Rel) +11 Kn(Eng, Geo, Nat, Nob) +10, Lngst +9, Perc +6 (+2 w Kalas), Scrft +14, SensM +0 (+2 w Kalas) | versatile evocation 8/8 | wands false life CL 3 6/7, m missile 42/50, summon monster I CL 3 9/9, unseen servant 8/10 | vanish 4rds
Konner Therinor wrote:
cant move token..can someone please move ne...ty!
Sure. Where to exactly?
There's a Whoosh! sound, and an unexpected gust of wind that blows Ratesh's long hair forward for a moment. Somehow Natula is calling to him from deep in the cave behind cover. By the way, because it might come up how tall are those rocks and the rocks across the way?
"What in the Nine Hells are you waiting for? Get in there! And for the love of the Abyss stop standing together like pamphlet art explaining how to be fireballed!"
lightning icy bolt v the top half of red (versatile, intense spells, DC 20):6d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 5, 2, 1, 2, 5) + 2 = 19
Female Kitsune Sorcerer 4 (Fey) | 5/22HP | AC12{16} T12{16} FF10{14} | CMD10 | F +3 R +4 W +6 | Spd 30 | Init +3 | Perc +1 | Acro +4, Bluff +10, Arcana +4, Nature +4, Perf (Oratory) +10, SplCft +4, UMD +10 | wands mage armor 47/50, cure light wounds 12/12, comprehend languages 6/6, see invisibility 13/13, restorative wand 3/5 | Spells: Sorcerer 1st 6/8 2nd 3/4 | Active Conditions: Shield, Shaken (3 rounds)
Junko rushes forward, hesitates for a moment while deciding what to do, then flings more beads of magical force at the drake. Shelyn preserve us, I don't know how to fight a dragon!
