[D&D 5e] Ironfang Invasion ala Fabian (Inactive)

Game Master Fabian Benavente

Turn 088 - Near Death Again

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

This complicates things, but then again, no one said hobgoblins were stupid, he thought.

He moved in 30 feet closer and holds his power.

He knows he can heal again, or stabilise the dying but he's pretty sure that the elf would need the head to be attached to work...

One way or the other, this one needs to die... we can't have survivors. I'll let her friends start negotiations or spring the attack.

"What do you have in mind, greenskin?" Katra asked. "Do you want to flee?" She did not attack, but waited to hear his answer.

Gazul likewise (temporarily) stayed his hand. He had no desire to die, and he was fairly certain that if the fight continued then both sides would sustain heavy casualties

Death save: 1d20 ⇒ 18

"What do you have in mind, greenskin?" Katra asked. "Do you want to flee?" She did not attack, but waited to hear his answer.

The hobgoblin grabbed a fistful of elf hair, "Flee? No. I want to continue on my journey. I have this here wagon to deliver and that is what I want to do."

He looked at his fallen comrades, "You have taken three of my men, but I have your friend." He sneered, "I think she still breathes..."

He finalized, "A deal then? You leave me alone to make my delivery, and I will leave your friend on the side of the road in 24 hours."

His grip tightened, "Unless you want her head now..."

Dwarf? This is happening?

Sarya drools a bit.

Death save: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Tally: S - 2, F - 0

@Sarya I am hoping this saves you . . . and buys us a round.

OOC: Let me make the situation very clear. The hob has an unconscious Sarya lifted by her hair and his serrated sword under her neck. He's well aware of all your positions.

I don't think there's anything that you can do that will prevent him from slicing Sarya's head off.

Yes, you will probably kill him afterwards but this means that Sarya's player will need to roll a new PC. Which may be OK.

I'm going to play the hob as being very nervous about any funny business (he knows there are magic users among you).

I hope I'm not being too much of a pain as a GM, but I do like to challenge players with interesting RP opportunities.

More questions?

Game on!

PS: Either of the two scenarios that Cheshire posted will result in a headless Sarya. :(

I will stand down.

I think I understand your point. And to be clear I am standing down. I can go with that ruling. I was hoping to buy us a round not kill Sarya.

The second option. Seems perfectly in keeping with the rules the first has some grey area. The spell requires no Verbal components. You mentioned that the dark green brush was think and provided advantage on stealth (which I forgot to roll). Also both of the dwarves were in front of Cheshire and between me and both hobgoblins which should shield my movements even further. All that with a 19 I figured I had a shot at getting a boar on the scene. That in the wording of the spell requires either physical contact or use an action on an investigation check to recognize as an illusion.

Han shot Greedo who had a blaster aimed at him in plain sight. How many movies are there when there is a tense stand off and someone pulls something out and uses it against the bad guys. I love RP, I also love playing a hero and pulling something out that makes for a great story. This isn't an I don't want to RP situation its that the RP is to try and save our friend and get the food.

Also my first GM in college put us in a hostage situation in a Cyberpunk game in college. When none of us acted he killed the kid and scolded our in action. So I think might have been part of my thinking on this.

OOC: And I also don't want to stifle your creativity either.

Han deceived Greedo before he shot him so something like that may work. Maybe Greedo was overconfident.

You can try some sort of deception prior to 'attacking', that may work.

I just think that a spell that blinds the hob or a spell where a boar appears will just trigger the hob into slicing Sarya's head off.

Now the hob is critically injured so you may 'one-shot' him but I think you need some sort of distraction.

Let me know what you want to try and I will do the dice rolling (for all such tense moments).

Questions?

Game on!

I see what you mean.

Casting a spell discretely is always tricky. Option 1 I knew needed a judgement (or Fudgement) call. Option 2 with no verbal component I thought would be an easier call. I figured Cheshire was Han (I know blasephemy) and the Dwarves and bushes were my table blocking Greedo's line of sight to my tricksey ways. The Stealth roll was my casual pulling my blaster from my holster. And the sudden appearance of a wild animal was our chance to act. I was very surprised to read in the rules of the spell for Minor Illusion that they only get to roll an investigation check unless they use an action. That's where the analogy breaks down. Which I figured would buy the dwarves or Nethys at least one round to do something. No worries.

This understanding of things also rules out me casting Friends. To aid in our discussion to keep Sarya alive.

”Can’t say that yer position is as good as ye think it is.” Gazul said. ”Ye see...we lose one elf, we eat like kinds and nay anybody reports us. That said, I’d prefer nay seeing her dead. Think that the best ye’ll get is that we load yer dead on the cart. Take enough food to fill for a bite, and ye go on yer way. Yer mission will be done, ye get all the credit and don’t die. Think about it. Probably get a promotion when ye say that ye defender yer charge, completed the mission and recovered the fallen to boot.”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Solid argument... but rarely is that logic good for a soldier, or a fanatic, the priest thinks, still preparing to unleash power.

Cheshire puts his hands up and steps out of the brush to stand close behind Gazul and Katra, "I see we are talking. Talking works cooler heads prevail. The dwarf has a point and this poor lout here right next to their axes he doesn't know that you have already figured this fight for you is lost. You figured that out though. So here we. You know you've lost. If you kill her that's not gonna end well for you or for this guy." He looks at the recruit, "You know he's already got his escape rout. When he kills the elf he knows we kill you and he has a shot at running. Let's put the elf down let us heal her up, take some food as the dwarf says and you can go your way."

Assisting Gazul for advantage on that Persuasion/Diplomacy.

That gives advantage, right?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

”Aye. Think about it. Head back, spread word of how ye defended the caravan, killed yer foes, recovered yer fallen comrades and their kit...ye’ll be a bloody hero. Nay more guard duty, a sure-fire promotion. Can’t beat that deal, aye?”

Turn 089 – Deal or no Deal?

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

"No deal. You're not leaving with her. Unload half the food, sat her down, and I give you my word that you will be allowed to leave."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

”A dwarf’s word is as strong as steel. Ye should know this. For hobgoblins are soldiers, and good soldiers know their enemies. We give our word.” Gazul said with finality.

"Its a better deal than you'll get from the worms." Cheshire chimed in adding a punching reminder of the hobgoblin's mortality.

An 18 is already pretty solid but help gives advantage.

Advantage: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Apparently good cop/bad cop works!

We shouldn’t take too much food. We want him to return as a hero, and hopefully he will report our deaths/defeat. That would make it seem like we aren’t much of a threat, so they hopefully won’t come looking for us

The soldier weighed his options carefully. Even if the elf meant a lot to these rebels, he would still die should he kill the elf. The death of the elf meant his death and he wanted to live...

Still with his sword on the elf's neck, he dug into his pocket, uncorked a vial with his teeth, and raised a toast to the rebels, "I accept the dwarves' word. This is only a healing potion, nothing tricky about this."

He gulped the potion down and his wounds healed slightly, but he was still wounded.

He ordered his remaining recruit to load up the bodies and unload a portion of the food. Smoked pork, sacks of sweet potatoes and other tubers were laid on the ground while the veteran still maintained a strong grip on the elf.

Once this was done, he let the elf go, went up the wagon while his recruit rode off to the east. The veteran, with a cocked heavy crossbow, frowned as the oxen pulled the wagon away.

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OOC: RP this situation and I will recap tomorrow. Make sure you give me some guidelines as to what you want to do next.

Questions?

Game on!

My word shall be as the dwarfs oath... I'll not dishonour him by smiling down Nethys' more choice destructive Magic's on these two, the priest thinks.

In response to the bargain, Orthos moves out of the way of the wagon, doing his best to appear non threatening as he does so.

So shall it be. Even as the dwarf says.

When the hobgoblin allows he checks over Sarya...

Alive... thankfully, though their situation is not the best... I'll work on them once we are further apart.

Forgot to roll death save.

Death save: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Tally: S - 2, F - 1

Forgot to roll death save.

[dice=Death save]1d20

Tally: S - 2, F - 1

I think the DM has you listed as stable. He generally does that if things shift out of combat from my experience. If a stabilisation is needed I can do one with my healing kit or cantrip

Gazul walked over to Sarya and put a hand on her wounds. ”Torag. The world was made on yer forge. All, great and small are yer works. Mend yer child.”

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Cheshire looked at the provisions. "Well we got something." He looks back at Sarya, "Glad your still with us."

"I wish we had someone who could tail them back to where they're headed." Katra said "But for now, we should take the win and be glad that we're able to feed people for another couple of days."

Im hoping enlightened self interest works and he DOESNT report us... in any case, let's get moving. They might return. And in greater numbers.

Sarya opened her eyes and it took her a while to understand what was going on. She finally said "Thank you for your actions. But the smart thing to do would be to let him kill me for the supplies." She got up and said "What now? We can easily break our word and ambush them again. Or just go back." She seemed a little disoriented from the violence. Maybe she was just a little unused to it.

”Me word was given. It will not be broken.” Gazul said, with finality. ”But we must assume the worst and flee into the woods. Until we know otherwise we must act as if though we will be pursued.” He held out a hand to help her up. ”Also, yer much more useful than food. We can scavenge up food well enough, but the same can’t be said for ye. Now, on yer feet.”

We should heal first. I’m out of spells, anyone else have healing?

"Well they know where to start trailing us again." He sighs. "We will need to make extra care to hide our passing."

"Not to quibble with a dwarf. You did let them go and they returned our friend. If we crossed paths again it would be a new situation." He shrugs.

Sarya said "Perhaps it is best to go back with our heads."

Healing? I'm your huckleberry... I have a healing word avail AND a good berry spell...

Get is off the road and I can help... Magical and non magical healing. I don't do my best work on a dirt track though.

Turn 090 - Dwarves’ Word

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

PS
@Orthos: your last post did not make it into the recap but fits right in for this turn.

Healing? I'm your huckleberry... I have a healing word avail AND a good berry spell...

Get is off the road and I can help... Magical and non magical healing. I don't do my best work on a dirt track though.

Off-road he offers anyone who needs a hit point or two a berry. 9hp pool... take what you will, he himself eats a berry to take edge off the pain of his own wound.

It will take him sometime to return. I recommend a short break and that we start storing this bounty in our bellies... best place for it. I'll bandage wounds in the interim

Is the medicine skill good for a bonus HP or two on a short rest or max on one hit dice or something?

Passive Medicine: 10 + 5 = 15. He cleans and bandages wounds.

Short rest 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
....

The priest is fascinated by the Cenaur, such creatures were a rarity and for him? Something novel. Something born of magic... Fey magic, true... but Magic nonetheless.

Troubled times, he says with a tone of self depreciation . Allies and road companions are always welcome..., he ends with a hopeful note to his words.

Plus I could study him at leisure!, he can't help thinking.

Hit Dice Healing: 2d10 ⇒ (10, 10) = 20

”The others need it more. Just let me catch my breath and help me bind the cuts. I think I can take it from there.”

More later

add con bonus, not that you need it

Short rest recover: 2d10 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

Action 1

Sarya said "I believe we should rest some, yes." As they rest, Sarya stayed silent. She thought about their fights. Finally she said "We need to improve our tactics. We won't last much if we keep getting defeated like that."

Action 2

Sarya looked at the centaur with wonder. She bowed her head in respect. "I am Sarya, of the Vanitahr in Kyonin. I am honored."

When the centaur showed up Cheshire got really nervous. "Fleeing no no no. Am I back? Back there?"

The gnome looks up at the sky. Then he gets down near the ground picks up a bit of grass and dirt letting it fall. He lays down and rolls over on his back. "Oh thank goodness." He looks up suddenly self-conscious. "Sorry I thought we had gone over to the well the 1st World. The other-side. You can get trapped there." He stands up and brushes himself off.

He looks at the centaur. "Sorry. I take it you have run into troubles too?"

Hit Dice: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Action One:

In response to Sarya's comment about the smart thing to do, Katra says "The smart thing to do isn't to all our comrades and friends to be murdered by filthy goblins."

Katra also rested and allowed her wounds to heal some.

Hit Die: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Action Two:

Katra's eyes widened as the Centaur entered the clearing, her hand going for her weapon. After he spoke, she said "You got any useful skills? If so, we can bring you back with us. If not, probably best you go your own way."

I have 9 hp of good berries - who needs them?

OOC: Probably me and Katra.