DMDM's Adventures in Mirkwood

Game Master Douglas Muir 406

Finraeth's agreement is notable by its silence, as the High Elf eschews speech in favour of stealth. His eyes are cold: the Men of Mirkwood may have learned to hate and fear the Spiders, but the High Elves have fought and killed these incarnations of the Shadow for millenia.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Radegund nods approvingly at her companions' bravery. Amalina at least knows what she's getting into. I just hope Finraeth isn't over his head...

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

She silently stalks out, bow in hand, making sure to stay ahead of her companions so that they know where to step.

Can move at full speed & with Advantage while Stealthing in Known Lands

Okay, so you have a Surprise round! That means, basically, a round of free attacks. It does NOT mean Advantage. Notes on this combat:

1) The Spiders are above you in the trees, 40 to 60' away and 20' up. So, you need a thrown or missile weapon to hit them. They have half cover (+2 to AC) right now from intervening branches, leaves etc.

2) It's the Sump, a boggy, swampy part of Mirkwood. You're ankle deep in mud, and sudden movement may land you waist-deep in a pool of stagnant water. Also, there are a lot of rotten trees and branches around; if you try climbing, something might break.

3) It's really getting dark. 5e doesn't handle darkness in much detail; either it's full darkness and you're blind, or there's enough light to act normally. I could impose Disadvantage on your attack rolls, but that seems excessively cruel. So I'm going to say that (1) you can't see anything beyond 60' away, and (2) don't roll a natural 1 on an attack or ability check; if you do something bad will happen.

Finraeth carefully draws Amalina's and Radegund's attention, silently pointing at the lead-most spider to try and coordinate their attacks. Better one dead spider than a handful of injured, enraged ones.

With that, he lets his arrow fly.

Surprise Round

Great bow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

EDIT: Not sure if you're rolling initiative or whether we should do that

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Finraeth carefully draws Amalina's and Radegund's attention, silently pointing at the lead-most spider to try and coordinate their attacks. Better one dead spider than a handful of injured, enraged ones.

With that, he lets his arrow fly.

9 points of damage -- woo!

That is not nearly enough to kill a Spider of Mirkwood. You definitely got its attention, though! The Spider squeals in surprise, then whirls to face you.

Watching their elven companion, Amalina attempts to place her sling stone in the same area. Once she has fired her shot, she moves carefully forward towards the distant firelight.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

That's a miss. Okay, that leaves Radegund.

Let's do initiative for the moment. Amalina rolled a 14...

Radegund:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Finraeth:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Spiders: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

The other two aren't in this yet, but let's give them init rolls for when they do show up.

Veig: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Faem: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Okay: so Radegund goes twice, back to back (surprise and first Init). After that it'll be Radegund, Veig, the Spiders, Amalina, Faem, and Finraeth.

Veig and Faem, it'll be a DC 10 Perception check to realize that something's going on. Otherwise, you keep running, and might miss this combat altogether...

Hear we go...but I'm never going to hear the end of it if the Elf gets eaten by a spider.

The Magpie shoots an arrow into the same spider Finraeth had hit. Then--in one smooth motion--she looses another.

Great Bow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Great Bow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Then she takes a cue from Amalina and looks & listens for a path that's safe to lead the party closer to the fire (and, hopefully, a bit further from the spiders).

Think, Radegund. Who's alarming? Who's silent. Even in the dark, that'll lead the way.

Perception? Survival?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Perception? Survival?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

The scream of the spider alerts Faem to the presence of others in this area, and the very real danger that she and her friend dwarf may yet be eaten. She whirls and draws her bow, peering through the settling darkness at their pursuers.

DM, can we take actions whenever and then you resolve at the end of the round, or do you want us to wait our turn?

Radegund does 10 more points of damage. That one Spider has now taken 19 damage total!

It's still fine. 19 points isn't going to kill a Mirkwood Spider.

Then she takes a cue from Amalina and looks & listens for a path that's safe to lead the party closer to the fire (and, hopefully, a bit further from the spiders).

Think, Radegund. Who's alarming? Who's silent. Even in the dark, that'll lead the way.

Okay, so Radegund: YOU can move at full speed under the trees, because of your amazing woodsy-ness. However, anyone else who tries that will have to either move at half speed or make a DC 15 Survival check -- with failure having various possible outcomes, from "just move half speed, NBD" to "waist deep in water" to "a tree falls on you".

The scream of the spider alerts Faem to the presence of others in this area, and the very real danger that she and her friend dwarf may yet be eaten. She whirls and draws her bow, peering through the settling darkness at their pursuers.

DM, can we take actions whenever and then you resolve at the end of the round, or do you want us to wait our turn?

You can act. However, right now you're too far away to shoot a Spider -- you can hear the hissing and shrieking, and with that high a Perception check you can tell that they're in some sort of fight. But unless you have elf-style night vision, you're just a little bit too far away to see what's going on.

The Spiders come rushing through the trees, hissing. They're so /big/, and their legs are horribly long, and they move through and around the branches with terrible nimbleness and intent.

There are four of them, and they aren't stupid. They'll start with the most dangerous target. That's obviously going to be the hated elf! Silken threads pour forth, and the Spiders fling them at you. You try to dodge, but it seems like they're everywhere...

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 <-- the elf is Restrained! Switch targets to Radegund.
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 <-- miss
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 <-- miss
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 <-- miss

The strands are slender and fragile looking, but they're sticky and elastic and much, much stronger than they look. Anyone can try cutting them, or a simple Strength check to rip them. (You could also try burning them, but this forces a Dexterity save -- with disadvantage -- to avoid taking damage.)

Round 1: Radegund, Veig, the Spiders, Amalina, Faem, and Finraeth. Over to you!

But unless you have elf-style night vision, you're just a little bit too far away to see what's going on.

Faem has exactly that kind of nightvision. How far away is she from the nearest spider?

DM_DM wrote:

But unless you have elf-style night vision, you're just a little bit too far away to see what's going on.

Faem has exactly that kind of nightvision. How far away is she from the nearest spider?

80 feet.

Finraeth hasn't much experience of actual combat, beyond seeing it from a distance (usually chaperoned by someone else, in order to keep him at a distance from said combat). This is, not to put too fine a point on it, his first real fight. Certainly his first experience of having to fight for his life.

As the sticky strands of webbing wrap around him, holding him in place and making him clumsy, he should be feeling panic - or at the very least a certain alarm. He feels none of these things. Perhaps it is a certain foolhardiness, or perhaps - having now directly encountered servants of the Enemy - he has discovered what hatred was made for.

Whatever the reason, he stands tall, throwing back the hood of his cloak, his eyes glittering brightly in the darkness as he calls out:

"A Elbereth Gilthoniel
o menel palan-díriel,
le nallon sí di'nguruthos!
A tiro nin, Fanuilos!"

Strength check: 1d20 ⇒ 17

OK, was planning on using my Inspiration, but that will do :)

The white gem around his neck seems almost to shine with the light of many stars as the webs around him burst, the strands melting away like frost in the Summer sun.

I take it that's my Action so I don't get an Attack this round, but please let me know - still getting to grips with the rules

He fixes his foes with a clear, unwavering gaze.

"Spawn of Ungoliant! Flee now. There is naught here but death awaiting you if you tarry."

Faem turns round toward the sound of chaos, unslinging her bow and drawing an arrow halfway. Through the inky dark she can see shadows, but the spiders are yet beyond a range where she would be confident in her target. She holds, waiting for the monstrous forms to coalesce.

Holding action until the spiders enter within 60' for nightvision range - may react based on the result on Finraeth's action.

As the sticky strands of webbing wrap around him, holding him in place and making him clumsy, he should be feeling panic - or at the very least a certain alarm. He feels none of these things. Perhaps it is a certain foolhardiness, or perhaps - having now directly encountered servants of the Enemy - he has discovered what hatred was made for.

[...]

I take it that's my Action so I don't get an Attack this round, but please let me know - still getting to grips with the rules

He fixes his foes with a clear, unwavering gaze.

"Spawn of Ungoliant! Flee now. There is naught here but death awaiting you if you tarry."

Nice. If you didn't already have Inspiration, I might give you another one.

Oh, what the heck. You can't attack, but take a free DC 15 Intimidation check.

Thanks - I haven't been hoarding it, I just haven't had a chance to spend it yet!

Intimidation: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

OK, I'll use my Inspiration now

Intimidation: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

An Elf-Lord in his wrath is enough to dismay even the Nazgûl. Finraeth is barely even Elf-Gentry (more sort of an Elf-Peon, really) but these Spiders aren't the Nazgûl, either.

Holding action until the spiders enter within 60' for nightvision range - may react based on the result on Finraeth's action.

The Spiders aren't pursuing you any more; they've turned aside. If you want to move closer, you'll have to move towards them.

An Elf-Lord in his wrath is enough to dismay even the Nazgûl. Finraeth is barely even Elf-Gentry (more sort of an Elf-Peon, really) but these Spiders aren't the Nazgûl, either.

The Spiders shrink back, dismayed! Then they realize you're just meat and return to the attack... but fumbling and hesitant, at least at first. All Spiders have Disadvantage next round.

Ripping free and intimidating all the attackers? Inspiration die bungee -- you get it right back again.

Them beasties ain't runnin' away from us, thinks Faem. They found somethin' juicier. Her mind races, but no, she cannot leave behind the faceless heroes that would give themselves to this fight. She pistons her small legs through the muck to close the distance.

Dash to move 25' and be in range next round.

Amalina moves to help the entangled elf, but then a pure light shines from him and the webs seem to melt away. Standing in awe of the sight, she almost forgets to fire her sling again but seeing the spiders hesitate, she is emboldened and aims at the wounded one again.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

"Back to the dead woods where you spawn and leave us alone!", she shouts at the hairy monsters.

Them beasties ain't runnin' away from us, thinks Faem. They found somethin' juicier. Her mind races, but no, she cannot leave behind the faceless heroes that would give themselves to this fight. She pistons her small legs through the muck to close the distance.

Dash to move 25' and be in range next round.

You can move 25' without difficulty. The Dash action would let you add another 25' to that. However, "sudden movement may land you waist-deep in a pool of stagnant water." So you can move 25', or sprint 50' but make a Dex (acrobatics) check.

"Back to the dead woods where you spawn and leave us alone!", she shouts at the hairy monsters.

Just 3 points of damage... but that's enough to finish it off! It spasms, legs jerking, and then falls out of the tree and to land with a sort of horrible squelching crunch.

There are three (3) Spiders left now.

Round 1, everyone has gone except Veig. I'm going to bot him and say he moves along with the halfling, 25' towards the combat.

Round 2: Radegund, Veig, the Spiders, Amalina, Faem, and Finraeth. Have at it.

You can move 25' without difficulty. The Dash action would let you add another 25' to that. However, "sudden movement may land you waist-deep in a pool of stagnant water." So you can move 25', or sprint 50' but make a Dex (acrobatics) check.

I misunderstood - I thought the muck made us move at half speed, so a full dash would yield only 25'. Will Faem and Veig be within 60' of the nearest spider or did they move away toward the other group this round? That would make a difference if we need to keep dashing to get to the fighting.

The nearest spider was 80' away, so moving 25' puts you within 55'.

Understood. I trust they'll still be there when Faem shoots, and if not, she moves instead.

No less terrified now than when she first observed the spiders manuevering around their great webs, Faem curls around a tree to gain some cover, then draws her bow and lets an arrow fly at the dark body of the nearest one.

Short Bow Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Short Bow Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

That's a miss -- their AC is higher than 12.

Seeing one of the spiders fall, Amalina loads up her sling and fires at the next one closest to her.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Finraeth exults as their combined might overwhelms the first spider. "Take heart! The night is dark and we are far from home, but our valiant endeavours will see us safely returned ere the dawn rises."

Great bow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Hello Inspiration my close friend

Great bow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Elven arrows rarely miss their mark. From the angle Finraeth fires at, it shouldn't be possible for his shot to arc around the branches and sink deeply into the Spider with a sickening crunch; and yet.

Round 2: Radegund, Veig, the Spiders, Amalina, Faem, and Finraeth.

BTW, did you guys hit the same Spider? 1d3 ⇒ 3 No. So, Spiders: Albert -5, Bob -10, and Carl. So, Radegund is unlikely to kill a Spider unless she crits, so I'll do their Round 2 now.

Recharge webs: 1d6 ⇒ 51d6 ⇒ 61d6 ⇒ 5 Dang, they ALL recharged! So they're going to stay up in the trees and spray more webs! (But with Disadvantage, because they're still shaken by the elf's display.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 <-- would have hit except for Disadvantage

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 <-- miss

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 <-- miss

Dang, that's a waste of an entire round! Well.

Okay, so Radegund effectively gets to go twice (Round 2 and beginning of Round 3). And Veig hasn't acted in Round 2 yet. So -- let's wait until those two act before posting, please? So we don't get too far ahead of ourselves.

Round 2

Buoyed by the death of a spider and the brave elf's words, the Magpie smiles, and fires off another arrow.

"Finraeth of Rivendell, keep shooting like that and I'll toast you with the best mead in Rhosgobel before the night's ov--WHAAAA!!"

Radegund's eyes--and smile--widen as she hears the whistle of an arrow and sees it shoot past a spider. "HARK, fellow Men! Who goes there? The Magpie of Rhosgobel thanks you for your fellowship in slaying these foul spiders."

Round 3

Without waiting for an answer, she shoots again.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Great Bow vs injured spider: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Damage: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 8) + 2 = 15

Great Bow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Now THERE are the rolls I've been waiting for!! ;-)

Perception DC 10: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Burdened more by the weight of the man than he expected or would easily admit, Veig is more focused on keeping going straight.

Then, Short One turns and launches an arrow!

"What!?", the dwarf exclaims, turning to look, and trying to see what is going on.

Round 2 action: Look! Listen!

Perception DC 10: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Oh, hells.

"What is it, Short One?"

"Spiders! But we are not alone in this fight!" Faem shouts back to her new companion, gesturing with an arrow at the fight behind them.

I actually don't know how this would help; speaking is a free action, so if we retcon a little, Veig said this before I or the spiders acted, but not sure of what benefit it is to have the adversary pointed out if the unaware character fails Perception. This has never come up my other ME5 campaign. Ruling?

DM might say differently but I'd assume you can still move in the direction Faem pointed (or toward the sound of the Hollering Magpie)...if you want to.

"Spiders! But we are not alone in this fight!" Faem shouts back to her new companion, gesturing with an arrow at the fight behind them.

I actually don't know how this would help; speaking is a free action, so if we retcon a little, Veig said this before I or the spiders acted, but not sure of what benefit it is to have the adversary pointed out if the unaware character fails Perception. This has never come up my other ME5 campaign. Ruling?

Only one person had to make the Perception check. Veig may act.

So, Radegund is unlikely to kill a Spider unless she crits.

Ask, and ye shall receive

"SPIDERS!", Veig exclaims, then remembering the man. He puts the fellow on the ground with some care, then begins moving towards the fray!

Standard action to place the man down, then move towards the fight.

Are we good to go, or is it DMDM's turn again? Slightly lost the thread of where we are in the rounds, sorry.

I think I've done Veig's round 2 action

Round 3: Radegund, Veig, the Spiders, Amalina, Faem, and Finraeth.

Finraeth gives a smile as he acknowledges the Magpie's praise: "I thank thee for thy kind words, but thy shot was in truth the better one. Yet let us bend our minds - and our bows - to the task afore us, and let any future revels take thought unto themselves."

He looses another arrow at the nearest remaining Spider.

Great bow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

How far are the spiders from Veig at the moment?

Her resolve shaken, Faem draws another arrow and releases it in the direction of the nearest spider.

Short Bow Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

This arrow flies farther afield than the last. At least the spiders seem to be less interested in her now that she is proving incapable of harming them.

How far are the spiders from Veig at the moment?

55 feet. And you're the first up in Round 3.

Unless Veig kills a Spider, there'll be two left. So let's do their turn.

Recharge their webs? 1d6 ⇒ 3 1d6 ⇒ 1 Nope. So: the Spiders scuttle down out of the trees. They're attacking the hated Elf!

1d20 ⇒ 19
1d20 ⇒ 15

Uh oh.

1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 <-- that's not quite enough to put Finraeth down.
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 <-- but that is! The tall elf collapses to the ground.

Finraeth's successful attack, three posts up, gets retconned away. Initiative order is a cruel master!

The Spiders will grab the unconscious Finraeth and begin dragging him away -- elf is a rare and prized delicacy for them..

Round 3: Radegund, Veig, the Spiders, Amalina, Faem, and Finraeth.

Seeing the elf fall to the monstrous spiders, Amalina moves forward and hacks at the one pulling him away.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Veig barrels towards the spiders, his mattock raised, seeing others fighting!

"Hail! We shall crush these vermin together!"

Base speed 25, dash for a total of 50. Not quite in melee.

Death saving throw #1: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Successes 1/3, Failures 0/3