Tarnbreaker's Trail with DM Deevor (Inactive)

Game Master Deevor

”Well, that can’t be good. Anyone know how to track in snow?”

If the trail is easy to follow I will urge the others to follow me as I go up the trail. If not I’ll defer to someone else for the survival check.

According to the current map, the area seems to be just an iced-over pond, so the trail probably doesn't need tracking?

Iggy looks ahead, across the snow and ice, and sees what looks like a person lying approximately 85' away. 17 squares anyway as I counted it. :)

"Look, look! Over there! Someone's out there! We need to help them. But safely. This must have just happened." She is eager to rush out across the ice, but knows that running before looking wouldn't be good, not to mention she pictures herself uncontrollably sliding all over the pond.

Iggy takes a moment to look toward the other side of the small clump of bushes, and observes more wreckage, wondering if someone is over there, too.

Do we see anything usable from the equipment we can see, or recognize the person lying across the pond, at least if it is a member of the Bluetongued Brawlers?

"Be careful Iggy!" Lewdvik hisses cautiously. "It would do them no good for us to bunder into their shame fate."

"Hmm, I can try to see if the ice will hold me up to get to the person, while you all look over the wreckage."

Jord will try to carefully move across the ice to the person that can be seen.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Unlike the magically treated ice of the trial, this ice covered lake has a layer of thick, slippery ice. In his rush to navigate the body of ice, Jord falls as his feet slip from underneath him. Not only is the surface difficult to walk over, but it feels like the ground is uneven as you try to balance.

As you make your way carefully across the ice ---

--- you arrive where the weapons and broken skis lie in the snow ---

--and you spot more blood leading over the ice and-- the collapsed form of a wounded team member on a little snow covered island!

You recognized the banner bearing the mark of Bluetongue Brawlers just before.
And, as you approach, you see that the person in the snow is Baltus one of the Ulfen warriors partner to Sigrun.

It is obvious that most of the fighting happened here at the small spit of ground.
The ice is soaked with blood.
Baltus lies here, conscious yet badly wounded.

He looks up at Iggy, through feverish eyes, and warns: "The beast attacked...”
He points to a bigger island.

"My teammates were dragged into the creature’s lair after being incapacitated..."

Can you place your tokens where you want them to be .... I have placed Iggy next to Baltus.

The weapons lying around bloodied are: 2 x longswords, 1 x battle axe and 2 x daggers, all other equipment is broken

Grabshanks will make his way onto the ice as carefully as he can.
Acrobatics?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
”We need to save them. Contest is no reason to forget civility and doing the right thing.”

Lewdvik approaches and looks over the scene. Persue a lead

He slowly draws his crossbow and nods to Jord.

Battle Medicine on Baltus: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
HP to Baltus: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 8) = 15

"Friend, please tell us what happened here and then I suggest you move back across the pond and report this to the Trek officials as soon as you can!" Iggy looks warily around to see if there's anyone else out there.

I'm not sure if Iggy would be able to see what is pictured on the map in regards to the bloody marks in the snow in the northeast corner.

Jord will more carefully stand up and move slowly across the ice the the small island.

"You are very right Grabshanks, also beastie might be tasty. I am ready to go help the others."

Jord will start to slowly and carefully head toward the cave after Iggy helps Baltus.

Placed where I think is a reasonable starting point, but feel free to move Jord closer to the cave if that makes sense to you.

Coughing up blood, Baltus looks up gratefully at Iggy. "The bear, it took the others in its lair, please kill the thing and try and save my wife and friends, if for nothing else than for an honourable burial. Any that still live are surely close to death."

Baltus struggles to his feet, deep gashes in his chest, red and raw. His bloodstained leggings heavy with the weight of his red life giving blood. He looks around dazed, as though getting his bearings, before he slowly makes his way across ice towards the finish line, "I'll get you help!"

The goblins look across to the larger island, where a trail of blood is seen entering the beast's lair.

What do you do now? How do you approach the beastie's liar? How much time is left before the others die? Or are they dead already.

Place your tokens as they would be after three actions .. no need for acrobatics checks yet.

Grabshanks will draw a javelin and begin walking up as quietly as he can manage on crunchy difficult terrain ice.

Lewdvik stays back and readies his crossbow.

Iggy starts quietly playing on her flute casting Lingering Performance and then Inspire Courage, hoping that her composition will last for a little while. Then she will cast Guidance on Grabshanks and finish with Shield.

Iggy's Performance check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

A failure, but the composition still lasts the one round, so everyone has a +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects. Grabshanks can use his additional +1 status bonus to one attack roll, Perception check, saving throw, or skill check, but it does not stack with the bardsong and the option lasts until the start of Iggy's next turn.

Grabshanks hears a stirring on the island, and the terrible sound of a roar from the creature within. The goblin is quick enough to react, but the other seem momentarily frozen.

Round 1 - Grabshanks, all environment effects now active.

Double move up to that spit of land, Raise shield
acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

As Grabshanks sets himself up to face the threat, a large bear roaring comes out from it's lair, sniffing the air it turns to the smelly goblin outside it's lair. Baring its teeth, it ferocious jaws snap at Grabshanks head 1d20 ⇒ 17, biting deeply into the goblins shoulder. 11HPs damage With a great clawed paw it swipes at Grabshanks 1d20 ⇒ 13 but luckily the goblin hears the claws scrape across the metal shield.

You are all up

Picture of bear in the slides

Iggy will again try to make her composition last longer, free action Lingering Performance. Iggy's Performance check vs DC16: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Finally! :) The following cantrip lasts for 3 rounds and one focus point is used.

Then she will play an encouraging tune on her flute, casting one action Inspire Courage. +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects for all party members within 60'.

Lastly, Iggy will concentrate on a piece of wood lying nearby and send it flying into the bear, casting two action spell. This is just outside one range increment, so -2, right?
Telekinetic Projectile attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 23
Piercing damage if it hits: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Just a note guys, remember that I only have 2 Soothe spells and Battle Medicine at level 1! :) And that's 30' range or touch.

Jord will let out a great croak as he begins raging.

1 action to begin rage, gaining 4 temp HP

He will then use his sudden charge feat, to stride twice (over the difficult terrain) and strike.

Raging Frog Bite: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Bite Damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

If that is a critical hit, in addition to taking double damage, my bite also deals 1 persistent bleed due to my Fang Sharpener feat.

"CROAK! Yum, yum bear!"

Devise Strategem 1d20 ⇒ 6
<> Recall Knowledge; Nature +6
<> Strike
6 + 8 = 14 to hit
for P damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4
<> Reload

Lewdvik fires a shot at the bear.

Jord to move across the ice (uneven ground and difficult terrain), you need to make an Balance (acrobatics) check, DC = 14. If Grabshanks posts before Jord posts an acrobatics check, I will roll for Jord.

According to RAW, Balance is an action, so if using Sudden Charge, you cannot enter Rage until next round.

Action so far:
Iggy starts playing her flute, before sending a broken piece of a spear at the bear, hitting the bear and making it roar.
Lewdvic is a little put out by the roar and sends a crossbow bolt flying into a pine tree, missing the bear with ease.

Grabshanks to go.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Fails, no movement

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Fails, no movement

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Third action, get half way there.

Turn done.
No attack

I am sorry, I have not dealt with having to balance before. I was assuming difficult terrain, since sudden charge lets you stride twice then attack, so also still not raging. Glad I am not trying to do this with my level 8 champion, with no training in Acrobatics, would have crit failed the first roll.

Assuming bard song is still going on. Not in Tiger style yet so damage is lethal bludgeoning.
<>Step Forward, <>Flurry of blows, <>raise shield
FLurry of blows 1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
damage if hit: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
or 18 damage if a crit
Flurry of blows 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
damage if hit: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

As Grabshanks moves forward to strike the bear, a claw comes round and strikes the goblin, grabbing him pulling him into the bears warm and furry body. Though the body and white-grey fur is splattered with the blood of both Grabshanks and others. AoO on Grabshanks 14HPs damage plus grabbed.

If Grabshanks wants to try and escape the grabbed condition, then use the flurry blows to either strike/escape or escape/strike or actions as already stated.

Grabshanks steps forward and hits the bear once.

The bear tries to bite Grabshanks, but misses at the goblin moves to the side, only to find a claw hurtle towards his head and neck. Unable to dodge out the way, the claw pierces the goblins jugular as blood spurts everywhere and the goblin goes limp. The snow around the bear is crimson with Grabshanks blood, who lies on the snow in an ever increasing stain. 2nd hit a critical hit for 26HPs damage, Grabshanks - Dying 2

As the bear lets the body slump to the floor, it roars a warning to the other goblins.

You are all up again, Grabshanks stabilisation roll DC = 12

Iggy tries to move within 30' of Grabshanks.

Iggy's Athletics check to Balance: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Fails

She tries again.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Crit success?

And Iggy takes one step closer unless the crit success allowed her to move to that spot in the one action.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

If she doesn't need to Balance again, she'll cast Shield on herself.

Jord will start raging, taking on an even more frog like appearance.
He will then Leap onto the island and bite the bear.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

As JOrd leaps to attack the bear, it swipes at the goblin with it's claw, catching the goblin a fierce blow, grabbing the barbarian and holding him firm. As Jord struggles against the hold, he strikes out but is unable to find to get through the bears tough skin and fur. Jord takes 14 HPs damage and is grabbed, but misses the bear.

AoO vs Jord leap 1d20 ⇒ 8

Lewdvik up

Devise Strategem 1d20 ⇒ 7 ... hero point... 1d20 ⇒ 19
<> Strike
19 + 8 = 27 to hit
for P damage: 1d8 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (5) = 8
<> Reload
<> Recall Knowledge; Nature +6

Lewdvik fires a shot at the bear.

Lewdvik shoots a bolt that firmly lodges into the bear's body as you see blood appear at the bears shoulder. Normal damage

Grabshanks continues to bleed out on the snow.

The bear having a tasty morsel fighting and grabbed, decides to bite into the frog like goblin 1d20 ⇒ 6 for 9HPs damage. The bear then throws the goblin away as it's attention is taken by another goblin invading it's territory. As Jord is thrown, the bear's claws dig into the barbarian's side causing more injury. 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (13) - 4 = 9 for 5HPs damage Jord slides across the ice landing prone

The bear then tries but fails to pick up Grabshanks. 1d20 - 8 ⇒ (4) - 8 = -4

You are all up again, if Grabshanks wants to roll a stabilisation check again, then spoiler the check again. Then I'll use that if you receive no healing this turn.
Grabshanks is still prone on the snow and may or may not be bleeding out.
Jord is prone on the ice now.

P.S. both hits on Jord hit his AC without taking into account being grabbed.

Jord stands up, pulls out his potion of minor healing (provided by his school training) and drinks it.

Healing: 1d8 ⇒ 5

<> Devise Strategem 1d20 ⇒ 10
<> Strike
10 + 8 = 18 to hit
for P damage: 1d8 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (5) = 9
<> Reload

Lewdvik fires another shot at the bear.

Jord in a desperate rage and badly injured gets up and takes a drink to fire up his strength. 2nd round of rage ... and heals

Ledvik Sorry forgot to give you recall knowledge from previous round, but you have already got the attacks, 10ft range, AoOs, can bite/claw, claw also grabs, can throw a grabbed creature 20ft which will also causes damage. No special defences, immunities or vulnerabilities. Let me know if the previous hit would have done additional damage.

Lewdvik fire wide of the bear.

Iggy casts Soothe on Grabshanks. HP to Grabshanks: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 and he gains a +2 status bonus to saves against mental effects for 1 minute. Then she casts Shield on herself.

As Iggy's plan was to heal Grabshanks, I will take it he does that. It's up to Grabshanks to decide what he wants to do: get up and fight, play dead, crawl away or whatever.

In that case, instead of Shield, Iggy would move back and so need an Acrobatics check.

Well, since it has been several days since I asked our GM a question in discussions, and gotten no response, I'll just say Grabshanks plays dead, and hope the bear prioritizes the two actively flinging rocks and sticks at it over the mauled, prone, goblin who is currently putting up no resistance.

Thanks, with Christmas over, should be more regular again.

The bear, seeing a strange female goblin gesticulating and making noises as she waves her hands, focuses his attention on her, even as the waves of magical pulses heal the goblin lying at the bear's feet.

The bear rushes forwards towards the goblin, it's claws digging in the ice, propelling it steadily forward. But with the slippery ice, the bear is unable to steady itself the jaws of the beast snap shut in thin air above Iggy's head and it's claw flashes past Iggy's nose to the bard's relief.

Bear - Rush, Acrobatics(Balance), strike missed, strike missed

You are all up.

@Iggy, given that you didn't give me an acrobatics check so you could move, I had to leave you where you were.

@All - I'm going to take the first post you post as your actions, use discussion thread to decide tactics prior to posting in game thread. It will make the encounter easier to manage for you and me.

<> Devise Strategem 1d20 ⇒ 15
<> Strike
15 + 8 = 23 to hit
for P damage: 1d8 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + (6) = 13
<> Reload

Lewdvik fires another shot at the bear.

Jord will Leap Twice over to the bear and bite it.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Lewdvik's bolt strikes the bear, knocking it off balance so that as Jord strikes, the bear's claw misses the leaping Goblin. The force of Jord's strike, knocks the bear to the ground, it's claws not able stop it from falling.

The bear is still up

Grabshanks stands(<>), grabs his javalin from the ground(<>), and throws.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
damage if hit: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Grabshanks javelin hits the bear, grazing it's badly wounded body.

Iggy up, I'll move on in 24hrs if no post.

Terrified by looking into the face of the enraged bear, Iggy casts a 3-action Magic Missile into its slobbering maw.

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1, 2) + 3 = 7

This is the last (3rd) round of her bardsong, Inspire Courage, so next round she'll have to recast it.

As the last of the force missiles hit the bear, the bears eyes glaze over and his head hits the icy floor.

Combat over...What next?

Might have been a bit more challenging if I hadn't rolled under 5 for the last set of strikes and AoOs.

Grabshanks will cautiously look inside the cave. Hopefully there are survivors in there. He’ll also call out.

”Maybe someone should try to flag down an official? This seems like something worth stopping the race over.”

"Hmm..," Lewdvik rubs his chin, "Iggy and I can care for any survivors. You two should go." He nods to Grabshanks and Jord and begins searching and caring for any survivors.

"Sure, I go look, look for someone. You help others."

Yeah, that string of misses was really lucky for us

Entering the cave, there are 3 bodies lying heaped at the back. You recognise the three Ulfen as Jori, Sigurd and Sigrun. Carefully you move the bodies to check them out, Jori and Sigurd have faint pulses, that still pump their blood keeping them just alive. Sigrun however, her face blue and stiffening breathes no more, her spirit passed on to join her ancestors. Grabshanks does his best to use his skills with healing injuries to the two injured Bluetongue’s Brawlers, enough that they come round and limp out from the cave. The two goblins bring the dead body of Sigrun, to receive the last rites and by buried with honour as Ulfen tradition dictates.

As Jord and Grabshanks make their way towards the finish, a crowd of people, armed and ready come shouting warsongs and running towards the iced lake. Leading the way is a still injured but relieved Baltus, who looks across the ice at the Short-Eared Bear lying dead in a pool of blood. "They did it, they defeated the bear!" The sounds of war, become sounds of cheering as the group, though their rejoicing is tempered when they spy the two goblins with Sigrun's body.

With officials, warriors, the remaining Bluetongue’s Brawlers and others then walk as a group together back to the finish.

Two tall, wooden linnorm statues mark the finish line to the harrowing Balgirdtrek. Crossing the line, the gathered crowd of spectators and participants cheers and applauds. Racers are met with blankets, soup, and medical supplies almost as soon as they are within the village of Frostgarten, where spectators are gathered to celebrate the competition and those who completed it.

The four goblins are feted as heroes for rescuing the Bluetongue’s Brawlers and vanquishing the threat of the bear. The race officials congratulate Gringott's Goblins for completing the Balgirdtrek and after some time whilst they tot up the points awarded during the trials declare Gringott's Goblins the winners.

Gringott's Goblins are invited to return again next year to defend their crown as winners.

As one last formality, the winning team is tasked with helping to prepare the feast and medical supplies for the remaining racers. Eventually Wyrding Wayfinders, the last of the teams, cross the finish line, the festivities can begin.

A massive feast is prepared, and the Gringott's Goblins are given a place of honor at the banquet table. You all notice that the team Without Trace or Fail is not present. Iggy uses her undoubted skills and discovers that Without Trace or Fail are forbidden from participating in the celebration and banned from any future competition in the Balgirdtrek. Their attempts to cheat and sabotage other teams in the race having been exposed by the eventual winners.

Beers and roast meats make the celebration feast a great success, Urgut the race official that you spoke to about the dishonourable Without Trace or Fail even offers to discuss the setting up an offshoot branch of Gringott's Bank.

I will get certs out soon ... give me the weekend.