Blood and Fog: An Adventurer's League Story

Game Master Vrog Skyreaver

The open field to the north of Phlan is chill as the late morning fog recedes back into the Moonsea.

Recent events in that city have rocked it to its core but the people are resilient and are rebounding at an incredible rate. You’ve been tasked with securing the northern trade road and while the last few days have been quiet it appears that today will be a different story.

Off to the north, near the edge of the Quivering Forest, a tremendous howl tears through the air and is immediately followed by a scream that is cut short. You can spot movement just inside the tree line.

Once eveyone dots in, I'll get a map up.

Giuseppe was in the middle of telling his companions the tales of his past few months, So House Firenze is a proper house now! Can you believe it? Check it!

The young swordsman holds up his hand, showcasing a signet ring, with a sword being plunged into a fire, And I commissioned this blade! Nice, no? Eh, what was that?

Drawing his blade, Gio turns to the others, his hand moving to Alberto's neck, Do you see anything?

Wisdom (Perception): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

That's wonderful, Giuseppe! Nice signet, is it... he stops short as the howl and scream sound.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

The half elf smiles not teuly understaning the whole notion of Houses s8nce being half Silvanesti he qas considwrwd anathema to rhe House system. He was raises by the clerics as well. Still he is hapoy for his friend.

Gorum travels stoically with his friends, happy that Gio has made his way back and caught up with the company. He listened quietly as Giuseppe relays his adventure home but his attention snaps away at the piercing howl coming from the woods.
”Seems like you might get a chance to test that new blade of yours.”
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 13
Gorum moves toward the noise hoisting his axe from its baldric. His blade‘s story, also new, would have to wait for another time.

Io has a different blade, too, but he makes no mention of it. I know we get it for tier, but Imma play it like he did an old switcheroo on someone because this rogue likes pretty things.

Looking to the treeline, you can make out several shapes moving thanks to what little light penetrates the dense woods at the edge.

Moving closer, The carnage in the trees is staggering. Two men have been
torn apart and it looks like their chests have been punched clean through, and three bloody humanoid forms glare hungrily at you. They all have a canine head, and all are expelling bloody froth from their mouths.
With a roar, they leap in your direction with their weapons raised!

Initiative:

Me: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Ionnis: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Gorum: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Quen Pah: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Guiseppe: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Initiative Order:
Ionnis
Gorum
Me
Guiseppe
Quen Pah

Okay, so a couple of notes here: The module doesn't provide a map for this fight, and since I'm terrible at making them, we'll just forgo it. You were able to get within 30' of them before they noticed you, as they were busying eating. Since the woods here are particularly dense, but I don't want to necessarily screw anyone over, we'll handle cover like this: you can declare that you are getting cover as 5' of your movement and it will last until the start of your next turn. It basically just represents you moving close enough to a nearby tree to give yourself cover.

Here is how I run combat: everyone can post their action whenever they wish, and then once I have everyone's actions I will post a summary along with the enemie's actions. If something invalidates your action (i.e. you are moving to a door and then opening it, and someome beats you to it, then I will adjust in the best possible way for you accordingly, including redirecting attacks as appropriate.

Gorum is no stranger to brutality and is ready to meet the dog creatures as they attack.
Rage
He closes his eyes for the briefest of seconds and they open to pale glowing orbs filled with divine fury.

Greataxe: 2d20 + 7 ⇒ (10, 20) + 7 = 37
might be early to be using resources but WTH, YOLO. Smite
Magical Slashing: 3d12 + 6 ⇒ (10, 8, 3) + 6 = 27 Radiant: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1) + 1 = 5 Smite: 4d8 ⇒ (4, 2, 5, 1) = 12
a glorious ORC sized hit. 44 pts of damage!

”You have been witnessed by the Eye of Helm! Prepare to be judged!”

Is there a picture of the dog men?

@DM, remember that Gorum has advantage on Initiative, not that it matters in this case. ;)

A step behind Gorum and Io, Gio tries to maneuver to be next to his friends to draw some attention...

+1 longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
magic slashing damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

EDIT: Targeting a more injured one, unless it would make me draw an AoO.

Rapier +1 attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
damage, including sneak dice: 1d8 + 4 + 3d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (2, 3, 6) = 18

Io unsheathes his rather shiny blade and brandishes it a couple of times before quickly stepping up to the nearest murdering dog and strategically stabbing it through the ribs.

Saving Io's reaction for uncanny dodge, ooo yeahhh.

@Gio, why would I have adv on initiative? @DM Any attacks on Gorum this turn so have AdV though due to my reckless attaacking.

Never mind, I keep mixing up the 7th level Feral Instincts with the 2nd level Danger Sense! Dangit... I am getting rusty... ;p

Okay, couple of things right fast:
@Ionnis and Gorum: it sounds like you're both waiting for them to come to your group (and that Ionnis is going to try and pile on one of them to sneak attack). Just wanted to make sure because you both have initiative at the moment. If this is not the case, let me know and we can adjust, although given that they seem to be pack predators, they'll likely work to focus down a single target if given the option.

@Gorum: Duly noted about advantage.

@Quen Pah: I don't have a picture provided, but I can dig one up if you want me to. Also, what are you doing on your turn?

oh no, Gorum would move to them. I was merely responding to your description of “they leap in your direction, weapons raised.” Gorum is quite happy to make their acquaintance with his own weapon.

seeing what they look like will help to deterkibe my action

Sorry, I said he stepped up but wasn't specific. He would have crossed the distance to get to the nearest dog. If that means there's no sneak that can be used, he'd still make the same attack.

Quen, I’m guessing they look like werewolves or gnolls or something along these lines. Either one is no bueno and Quen should act accordingly. If I’m wrong, I appologze,

That was my impression as well...

Initiative Order:
Ionnis
Gorum
Me
Guiseppe
Quen Pah

Dog Men.

I'm going to assume that Ionnis will wait for Gorum to move up so he can follow and get sneak attack.

Gorum moves into melee and smashes his axe into one of the dog men, staggering it but not dropping it. Ionnis then bloodies his new blade, but the creature still refuses to drop.

As pack creatures, the dog men move next to the two men in front of the group and attack, two of them focusing on Gorum and the third turning towards Ionnis.

Gorum #1: Bite w/advantage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 151d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage Roll: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Gorum #1: Claw #1 w/advantage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 241d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Damage Rolls: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Gorum #1: Claw #2 w/advantage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 151d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage Rolls: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Gorum #2: Bite w/advantage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Crit Damage Roll: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 = 9 Make a DC 12 Con save please.

Gorum #2: Claw #1 w/advantage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 241d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage Rolls: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Gorum #2: Claw #2 w/advantage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 121d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage Rolls: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Ionnis: Bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage Roll: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 Make a DC 12 Con Save.

Ionnis: Claws: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 71d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage Rolls: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 41d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Guiseppe takes advantage of the situation to move up and stab the injured creature to death.

Quen Pah decides to hold his action for now, waiting for the right time to strike.

Party Up!

Damage:
Gorum: -24
Ionnis: -9

OOF right out the gate! Con save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Lucky that: Con save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11. Sigh / lol.

Ionnis: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5 Ionnis discovers, to his dismay, that the creature's bite is poisonous. Thankfully, it's bite doesn't grant the poisoned condition.

You really want to make this save Gorum, as crit poison is no laughing mater.

Updated Damage:
Gorum: -24
Ionnis: -14

@GM, don't forget that Gor is raging, so resistance to slashing, piercing, and bludgeoning... At least, I know I got THAT one right... The poison is going to suck, though... ;)

Flipping his sword so that he is holding the blade, Giuseppe hooks the cross-guard on Gorum's opponent's ankle and yanks! As the leg comes up, the swordsman spins and swings at the creature's face!

+1 longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Don't know if that hits... If it does:
magical slashing: 1d8 + 6 + 1d8 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (2) = 11 Strength save DC 14 or it is prone. Since this happens after they go, Gorum's next turn will have advantage if they fail.

Good catch =)

Updated Damage:
Gorum: 12 Save pending
Ionnis: 14

save vs poison, I’ll use inspiration per GM warning: 2d20 ⇒ (3, 7) = 10
not so great. Based on the poison damage Io took, ill roll the 4d6. Poison crit: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 4, 5) = 15

I also showed myself at -11 Damage with resistance to the claws.
3 hits for 9, 9, and 6 totaling 11 after resist.
Still hit hard though at -26 Health after the poison.
was there poison damage for every hit or just the one?

Gorum with his eyes still glowing, takes the wicked claws in stride The ichor infecting the wounds though sees more affective in wounding the warrior as the veins under his flesh become visibly blackened and even while in his divine fury, he winces in pain.

The Paladin fights on through and swings out hard at one of the creatures remaining.

foucusing target with his allies, since Gorum is technicall ahead of Gio, Gorum sticks with Reckless Attack
Greataxe w Adv: 2d20 + 3 ⇒ (19, 20) + 3 = 42
Magical Slashing w Crit Damage: 3d12 + 6 ⇒ (7, 11, 10) + 6 = 34 + Radiant: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 1) + 1 = 7 41 more damage

Just the bite is poisonous. Still need an action by Ionnis and Quen Pah.

As far as your damage goes, I just halved it, but you're correct it should be per hit.

Also Gorum, could you please put your combat stats in your profile? It helps me make posts quicker, cause I don't have to keep digging into your profile to find out if something hit your or not and so on.

Updated Damage:
Gorum: 26
Ionnis: 14

yeah NP. I won’t be able to modify since I do most of my posting via mobile, but I’ll put the basics on there.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and all of his carpenter friends... That is a lot of damage... Two crits in a row! Aw criminy! I just took one attack! Forgot I am 5th level now!!!

+1 longsword #2 @ Gorum's opponent, if still alive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 If the first attack missed, this one will be Trip Attack. If Gorum's opponent drops, attack will be aimed at Io's opponent.

Critical hit damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (6, 1) + 6 = 13 if used Trip Attack this time: 2 + 1d8 ⇒ 2 + (1) = 3
Rolled a 2 the first swing, figure I should keep the same roll.

Io, did you multiclass? If not, I think you can also Uncanny Dodge one of those hits you took...

The cleric will walk up to Gorum and petition that Mishakel send her blessings of healing towards him.

1st level CLW
1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Gonna give Ionnis til tomorrow evening to post then I'll have him delay.

OK a bit confused then.

The original two damage rolls against Io totaled 9 + 10. I figured since DM says there's only 14 total damage, the first one was halved from Uncanny Dodge.

I failed the CON save. I took the 14 damage.

Are we at the top of the round again? Sorry, when I checked yesterday, Giu had just gone.

OK, trying to shake off that vicious attack, Io stabs again at the creature.

att: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
dam: 1d8 + 4 + 3d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + (5, 5, 6) = 22

daym
Also sorry for being confused.

OK a bit confused then.

The original two damage rolls against Io totaled 9 + 10. I figured since DM says there's only 14 total damage, the first one was halved from Uncanny Dodge.

I failed the CON save. I took the 14 damage.

Are we at the top of the round again? Sorry, when I checked yesterday, Giu had just gone.

The second attack only hit an AC 11. So it missed you. So, you can use your Uncanny Dodge for the first attack, reducing that to 4 + 2 hp damage, since the poison damage was part of the same attack. ^_^ Yeah, I finished off the first dog with my first attack.

Thank you!

I think the argument can be made either way on Uncanny Dodge, but I'm fine with it.

@Gorum: Thanks for that. It makes it much easier to GM, since I don't have to open a new tab and go digging.

@Ionnis: an easy way to think of the initiative rounds is every time I post the Initiative order, it's the start of a new combat round, and what happens below is me describing the previous round in as coherrent a way as I can make it.

Initiative Order:
Ionnis
Gorum
Me
Guiseppe
Quen Pah

Ionnis attacked again, hoping to turn the tide, and dealt significant damage to the creature.

Truly to his standing as an enraged holy knight, Gorum attempts to cleave the creature in twain, but it hangs on to life through sheer spite.

The creatures return the favor, this time both targeting Gorum as he has left himself wide open to their attacks.

Dogman #1:
Gorum bite w/Advantage: 1d20 ⇒ 61d20 ⇒ 7 +5
Damage Roll: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 DC 12 Con Save to avoid: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4 poison damage.

Gorum Claw #1 w/Advantage: 1d20 ⇒ 191d20 ⇒ 18 +5
Damage Roll: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Gorum Claw #2 w/Advantage: 1d20 ⇒ 31d20 ⇒ 15 +5
Damage Roll: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Dogman #2:
Gorum bite w/Advantage: 1d20 ⇒ 11d20 ⇒ 1 +5
Damage Roll: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 DC 12 Con Save to avoid: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10 poison damage.

Gorum Claw #1 w/Advantage: 1d20 ⇒ 171d20 ⇒ 8 +5
Damage Roll: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Gorum Claw #2 w/Advantage: 1d20 ⇒ 91d20 ⇒ 13 +5
Damage Roll: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

That was a round of all claws hitting for 15 damage after half.

Guiseppe steps in and manages to knock the injured one to the ground...permanently. Dog Man is dead.

Quen Pah then calls upon the power of his foreign goddess to heal Gorum's wounds.

Updated Damage:
Gorum: 32
Ionnis: 7

Party up!

I think the argument can be made either way on Uncanny Dodge, but I'm fine with it.

Fair enough. I usually allow it, as a DM, because most of the time it is an injection of venom, and if you are reducing the damage of the bite, you are pulling free earlier, so the creature does not have enough time to inject the full dose. At least, that is how I view it. ^_^

If the last one is still up...

+1 longsword, attack #1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
magical slashing: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

+1 longsword, attack #2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
magical slashing: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Will describe if necessary...

Reckless Hreataxe: 2d20 + 7 ⇒ (17, 7) + 7 = 31
Magical Slashing: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 + Radiant: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Gorum seems undaunted by the furious claw attacks and moves to end the remaining dogman.

Muttering to himself about mangy mutts and murder...
more +1 rapier attacking: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Still got one Lucky left after this: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Much better attack, now here's the damage: 1d8 + 4 + 3d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + (3, 5, 1) = 16
They can't all be winners, but we'll take it.

....he (steps up if he has to) slashes at one of the other dog men, hoping to end this quickly.

Will give Quen until tonight to post.

Grabbing his medallion of faith, with its soft blue light, he invokes the name of Mishakel and points at the strongest looking dog man and orders Flee!

Casting Command
DC 15 WILL

Grabbing his medallion of faith, with its soft blue light, he invokes the name of Mishakel and points at the strongest looking dog man and orders Flee!

Casting Command
DC 15 WILL

Quen, we are down to our last one. You want to save that slot?

oh okay

You can sacred flame? Or use the Help action (though that might put you in harm's way...)

he casts word of radiance

con 15 dmsave

2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8

Ionnis and Gorum both return excellent hits, but neither manage to bring the creature low.

It then retaliates, turning to Ionnis as it's attacks seem less effective against Gorum.

Bite Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage Roll: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 If that hits, make a DC 12 Con save or take 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6 poison damage.

Claws: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 151d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage Rolls: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 101d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Guiseppe then maneuvers to threaten the creature, but his timing is off and it evades both of his attacks.

Quen then moves to the opposite side of the fight so as not to effect his friends with his area attack.

Con Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

The creature, however, seems unfazed by the holy words that Quen speaks.

Updated Damage:
Gorum: 32
Ionnis: 26
It: 40

Party is up!

Con save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

The attack is vicious, but somehow not as effective as the dog wants. [ooc]Uncanny dodge taken for this round....[/dice]

Reckless Greataxe: 2d20 + 7 ⇒ (16, 15) + 7 = 38
Magical Slashing: 1d12 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 + Radiant: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 oof, small damage 12 pts.might still be enough.

Sensing the creature is near its end, Gorum strikes.

Io, you are up again.

Cazzo! Gio swears, changing stances.

If Io and Gorum have not dropped the beast man...

Giuseppe slashes at the creature's midsection!

+1 longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
magic slashing: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

If that does not do it...

Second Attack plus Bonus Action Now, Gorum! Finish him!
Commander's Strike! Gorum can use his reaction to take another attack. Remember that it is another turn, so you can add your radiant damage again, plus an additional 1d8 damage!

Must keep hacking: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 3d6 ⇒ (8) + 4 + (3, 2, 3) = 20