GM Michael's Ironfang Invasion

Game Master Dread

"Go, go, go, go!" The elf stays behind long enough to push the others towards the bridge. "Come on, Tarrow!"

I really hope that's no more than 1 round!

As he prods them, his features flow again, this time to a tawny-brown fur, a narrow muzzle trying to form from his nose, and a small rack of antlers forming on the sides of his head. Manifesting Stag, changing his speed to 35'. Once everyone is moving, he will turn and chase after them, probably catching up to any stragglers with relative ease, as he tries to encourage them to move faster.

Arkhan advises Brunner and takes off across the bridge.

Barhador takes off across the bridge yelling for the refugees to flee.

Eilyne continues to wave the refugees towards her.

Ethan puts an arrow in the Hobgoblins throat dropping him and then spins and heads across the bridge.

Tarrow a quick look over the soldiers showed they had nothing of interest, but the Captain had gear. Tarrow hefts the bag he picked off him. 3 cure light potions, potion of endure elements, 2 Alchemists Fire, 1 Antiplague, 1 Antitoxin, MW Breastplate, MW Buckler, MW Cold Iron Scimitar, MW Light Crossbow, Normal Dagger, 20 norml crossbow bolts, Backpack, Bedroll, Compass, Crowbar, Manacles, 4 Provision points, signal whistle, 50' silk rope, small tent, 16 gold.---obviously Tarrow cannot carry all this, so a couple regugees have some of it.

Vane looks at the others and lights the fuse. He says 18 seconds all. get across now

Kining heads for the woods.

Rhyna heads across the bridge and turns to look at the party, waving them

Raymond takes up a defensive position crossbow at the ready as does Lunk,

Rand spins and heads across the bridge, blood soaking his side.

The refugees all get to the edge of the woods.

Brunner heads across the bridge

Obscuring Mist beginning of next round it disappears 20% miss chance 5' away otherwise blocks vision totally.

2Rds 9 Hobgoblins Soldiers show up.

Initiative Tracker Bold My Go
25-Arkhan
13-Barhador
13-Eilyne
11-Ethan
10-Tarrow
7-NPC's (Vane, Kining, Rhyna, Raymond, Rand, Lunk)
5-Brunner

Ethan hurries across the bridge, but keeps an eye out for stragglers, as well as approaching hobgoblins.

(Double move.)

Arkhan move his ass across the Bridge and into the woods!
Double move!

I said he stayed put to push the others forward. He should be 1 round back, reaching the point you gave him during the CURRENT round.

understood

Tarrow lugs what he can and is thankful for help with the rest. He drags is loot as quickly as he can across the bridge.

2x move

"Time tae gang." Calling out as he runs, Brunner continues moving across the bridge as fast as his dwarven legs will carry him. Seeing Tarrow dragging a bag of loot he grabs hold of the other side, and helps him pull it across the bridge. "Nae need tae lae th' enemy supplies, am Ah reit."

double move, trying to help Tarrow drag the gear so as not to slow him down.

Just had to make sure everyone got clear.

The party rushes across the bridge Tarrow barely stepping off the stone before an explosion occurred sending wood splinters flying as the scaffolding supporting the damaged bridge was shattered and dropped into the river gorge. The explosion also weakened the already damaged bridge and the stones groaned and began to fall...and within a few heartbeats it collapsed following the scaffolding down into the fast flowing river below.

The group continued to run under a hail of arrows from the far side, wildly shot in desperation with no real hopes of hitting. through the cloud of dust and smoke. Sitting in the wood line on the far side the group pauses to look back at Phaendar.

A Ceiling of smoke hangs over the city, reflecting the orange glow from the burning houses. Ash drifts in the air like falling snow. The screams of townsfolks have died away, leaving an eerie silence broken now and then by the howling of wolves or the harsh tones of the goblin tongue. Bodies lie in the streets, sprawled in pools of blood where they fell. It seems everyone else in town may be imprisoned or dead except for the hobgoblin invaders. Phaendar has fallen.

Lirosa and Taidel, the two hunters, come near and say they saw many footprints that indicate a large size of hobgoblins with at least 1 Ogre made their way across the bridge and into the forest before them. It looks like the enemy has sent forces into the Fangwood as well.

Vane, Rhyna, Aubri, Kining, and Jet move up to you to hold a council and the questions is posed...what now?

Everyone will be leveling up to level 2. and now will be some discussion in character. You can ask questions of any of the npcs. including the minor ones...You rescued 25 citizen. Each having various skills It would be a good idea to look over the list so you have an idea what they may be able to do. you will be assigning tasks to them soon. Ive made the active map in roll 20 the area map for you to look over. Keep in mind It is about 9pm now so you wont make much distance tonight. but some can be made. just which direction and how far. on top of the map is a travel guide. for a days travel on this map

Sprinting like a madman across the bridge and into the woods, Brunner runs as fast as his dwarven legs will carry him. Finally getting deep enough into the woods, no longer a target, he stops running. Dropping the bag, bent over hands on his knees breathing like a billows. "Hauld up Hauld up, Ye will wear us cuttie legged fowk it." He looks up and winks at Tarrow, as if to say, 'I've got your back.'

As Vane, Rhyna, Aubri, Kining, and Jet gather around the group, they pause as Lirosa and Taidel give their report. Shaking his head "Gobo's ur bad, ogre's ur waur." He looks to the others, "Ah hear thaur is an abandoned farm near haur. we shoods heed thaur fur th' nicht. 'en gie tae fort nunder in th' morn."

Laying a finger aside his nose, "Afair we dae 'at. Brunner starts looking at the group seeing who's armed or armored, and points them to his left. "Ye, ye an' ye tois ower thaur." He looks over the rest of them and asks, "Noo onie ay ye taa folk fa can use weapons an' armur ower thaur tae mah reit." Those who aren't trained to use weapons, he tells "Ye folks bide reit thaur fur a bit." Once the towns folk are broken up into three groups: Those with their own weapons, those who know how to use weapons but don't have any and those who are not trained in weapons, Brunner turns to his friends. gesturing towards the gear, as he rest his hand on the dead captains breastplate. "Ye aw tak' whit ye want afair Ah pass lae it."

Once his friends had taken what they would use, Brunner moves to the villagers on the right. Asking them what they know how to use and giving them weapons and armor they are comfortable with. Then, going to the villagers on the left and speaking to them about what they can use and giving them gear out of what's left. He then passes the rest of the weapons and gear out to the folks who aren't trained for war, telling them. "Hopefully we can protect ye, but if nae ye dae th' best ye can.

Once the gear is distributed, he nods to the scouts, "Awe rite we ur ready tae heed tae th' farm. Looking to the others, "We can keep talkin' oan th' way.

Ethan refills his quiver of arrows, picks up the healer's kit, a potion of cure light wounds, antiplague, antitoxin, and bloodblock from the pile of looted gear.

"Before we get moving, everyone who is injured gather around me," Ethan says. He grasp his holy symbol and calls upon his deity to help the assembled townsfolk.

Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"We should be cautious about engaging in combat for the rest of the day. I cannot heal again until I have rested a full night."

Arkhan's blue eyes look on as Tarrow barely steps off the Bridge, before it explodes in wood splinters, stone chips, and a welcomed dust cloud to help facilitate further their escape.
When the scouts come back with their ominous report of a Giant and more Hobgoblins, the 1/2 Orc quickly goes to further ascertain the findings.
The Druid asks for Guidance from the surrounding Forest.

Survival (Wis): 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 = 20
What direction? Are the Tracks heading toward the Abandoned Farm?

The 1/2 Orc returns with the same information. He frowns.

He gathers around as Brunner begins spreading out the liberated equipment.
I wouldn't mind that cold-iron scimitar.

The Druid lifts it from the pile, takes a few practice slices, and smiles at the Dwarf.
Perhaps, I will be a bit better next time, my friend. An abandoned farm? Agreed; we should hurry.

As Ethan channels positive energy around the group, Arkhan stretches his less aching shoulders. He nods in gratitude.

The 1/2 Orc does indeed seem to be a bit less prickly and an a@@@@&+, since crossing over to safety.....

The force of Vane's alchemical bomb rocks the very earth, causing the usually nimble halfling to almost lose his footing, such is his proximity to the explosion. A woosh of force propels him clear of the bridge immediately before it collapses, and in the chaos of the moment, Tarrow's legs keep running as if of their own mind. The next minutes are a blur. The noise from the hobgoblins in the ashes of Phaendar dies away, replaced by his own heavy breathing and the constant sounds of brush crunching underfoot and low-hanging tree branches and shrubs breaking against the surviving townsfolk as all made flight into the darkness of the forest.

At last he could run no farther, and Tarrow collapses. He wants to cry, wants to scream, wants to rage. It happened again! How could it happen again! But they are not out of danger, not by any means, and soon they must run again. He finds he is carrying his waterskin, and drains half of it before seeing that many of the townsfolk are not so fortunate. He shares the rest of what he has until the skin is empty.

After a short while his head stops spinning, and he comes back to his senses. the wash of battle has worn off, and Tarrow feels depleted in body, mind, and spirit. His armor feels impossibly heavy. How could he wear such a thing?

"Brunner," he says somewhat weakly when the moment is not altogether wrong. "I must admit that while this is a fine piece of armor, it wears too heavily across my shoulders. If the materials were available, could you craft me something more appropriate for my stature?"

"I understand why we are doing this, I only hope we are far enough into the Fangwood to have the time to do it." The hunter comments as the group begins going through their supplies. "Yeah, the farmhouse is good first stop, but we won't be able to tarry. We should carry everything with us until then. Anything we don't want to carry we can leave in the farmhouse. Reduce how much of a trail we leave. Not perfect, but a start."

He picks up a nice bow from the pile. Marked on the spreadsheet. "This is a solid upgrade from my current bow. It should go into the stack for reassignment. 6 full-looking quivers, here, so about 120 arrows. We should make sure to collect the tip on any we break. If we stay still long enough, I might be able to replace them. Without seasoning the wood, they won't be as high a quality as I would prefer, but I prefer survival more."

Turning to the survivors. "Who here can use a longbow and doesn't have one?" 7 hands go up, and 3 of them without any armor or weapons at all. I counted 3 Aristocrats and 4 Warriors without bows. "Good. We have 7 bows here that need owners. All 7 of you take 10 arrows each. That leaves roughly 50 for resupply for now, but I hope you can avoid needing to use the bows in the first place."

"Armor. Breastplate, 5 chain shirts, studded and leather. Who has training to wear armor but is without?" This time there are 6 hands, with some overlap between the two groups. He looks to the others who managed the rescue. "Unless any of you want the breastplate or chain shirts, I'm giving them to these 6. We should give someone the Studded and Leather as well.
At least the Leather won't interfere with their abilities, much." He stops and looks at the dent made in the pile.

"Good start, I guess. Somebody else pass out the weapons and shield? Anybody know what that black wand does?"

As they made their escape safely Eilyne stepped into the underbrush beside the path everyone was on and found that she wasn't slowed down in the least. The plants seemed to, not move aside, but simply let her through without complaint, even making sure she wouldn't trip over them, it was rather refreshing actually.

When they finally called a halt to talk Eilyne listened to Brunner as he directed people to get into groups so they could divvy up the gear better. She only understood about half of his words but Eilyne understood enough to figure out his meaning.

When they all began going through what they had found Eilyne found it was largely of no interest to her. She had no need of weapons, she was one, and she had no interest in armor. "I have no need of any of this," she said and passed on taking any of what they had found.

With the brief discussion of destinations Eilyne nodded in agreement at mention of the farm house. "Hopefully we can get there before they are hurt, if we are too late maybe we can at least find more supplies that will help us survive." Eilyne considered other options for food and she added, "Once it is light again I will start looking for medicinal herbs and plants we can use for food."

Turning to Tarrow he nods, "Sure Tarraw, ance we hae time Ah will. As the villiagers begins sorting through the weapons, picking up what they can use; some folks giving weapons they have to other people taking better. Brunner notes that Barhador asks about the wand, shrugging his shoulders, "Ah dornt hae onie idea. Pointing to the healing potions, "But ye aw shoods tak' one ay those jist in case."

Turning to the Lady of the Wood to ask her about the wand, he notes that she doesn't take any of the gear. Mentally shrugging, 'Of course not, what need would she have when she can turn seeds into weapons.' Moving towards her he nods in agreement, "Och aye, hopefully we can gie these puir villagers thaur afair Foo dark."

Noticing the folks were just about done arming themselves, he notes that Lirosa and Taidel, had picked up swords but were still lightly armed enough to scout effectivly, he asks "Shaa we hae Lirosa an' Taidel scit aheid.

Tarrow nods to Brunner. "Of course, thank you."

Then, to the group he says, "Can we abandon the people of Cavlinor to the same fate? It waits unsuspectingly only a night's travel to the south of Phaendar. Perhaps Jet, Rhyna, and the other leaders could guide the townsfolk to the farmhouse while we travel downriver to warn the neighboring village."

'And cross the river.' Brunner shakes his head, "Tarraw, yer idea shows yer kin' heart, but Ah fear anythin' oan 'at side ay th' river has fa'en awreddy. We waur fortunate enaw tae destroy th' brig, which was th' only safe way tae cross th' river."

Gesturing towards the two scouts, "Ye lang shanks main be able tae wark aheid, but Ah fear Ah will be th' slowest, sae Ah will brin' up th' rear.

Arkhan says it looks to him that the warband that crossed was about 70-80 strong, and headed north west towards the lumber camp.

"Seventy to eighty is far more than we can face in the open field," Ethan says. "We could attempt to harry them from the woods, or from some ambush sight, but we are in no condition to fight without food and rest. By then, it may be too late for the loggers."

Ethan is clearly not happy about the idea of not helping the logging camp inhabitants, but there is an underlying tone in his words that indicates the practicalities of survival.

Arkhan readies everyone to leave. He piles equipment, weapons, snack cakes on top of everyone's outstretched arms; propelling them in the direction of the abandoned farmhouse.
Don't think too much 'bout it. Time to find a secured base, before further antagonizing the enemy. Move out people!

It seems his findings has allowed his former self to reemerge....

The band of refugees heads out down the trail for the abandoned Farmhouse that Barhador had marked on the map Aubri provided.

It was 930Pm before they started their march. The farmhouse was 5 miles away down the trail. It would be the 1130 roughly when they arrived.

About a half hour into the travel Lirosa comes back to the group and says Theres a man ahead He saw the group coming and stepped out of the brush.

go to the 'chance encounter' map

Ethan nods and moves forward. "Come out. We offer no violence if none is offered. My name is Ethan Sower, and I am a priest of Erastil, the Stag Lord. Come speak with us."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 (+2 more, if currently Hostile)

Several of you recognize the man as someone who was staying at the Inn. When the fighting broke up he ran upstairs.

h..h...hi You got out! I jumped out the window and ran across the bridge before they took it. I was chased for about 20 minutes. But I lost em. Names Edran.

bah - ninja'd

Tarrow looks at the refugees. They are all tired, in both body and spirit.

Then he looks to the north, conflicted. "If they take the mill, what's to stop them from moving ahead to the fort? If all the settlements fall separately, then it's only a matter of time before they track us down, and then who's to stop them? We need to warn as many groups as we can. We owe that to ourselves, of no one else.

"Barhador, can you not assume the form of a falcon and fly ahead to warn them? Or to scout Cavlinor to see if the village yet stands?"

Several of you recognize the man as someone who was staying at the Inn. When the fighting broke up he ran upstairs.

h..h...hi You got out! I jumped out the window and ran across the bridge before they took it. I was chased for about 20 minutes. But I lost em. Names Edran.

Sense Motive, overall truthfulness: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"You are welcome to join us, Edran. We are searching for a place of refuge from the invaders. We are safer working together."

Arkhan warily approaches this Edran. The Druid walks around him.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

He doesn't take his blue eyes off him.
Anyone vouch for an Edran?

Hearing there was a man ahead, Brunner turned from the conversation with Tarrow, holding a finger up. Seeing the man come out Brunner thought the man looked familiar, When he introduced himself explaining how he ran away Brunner scowled, 'A coward, but we can't deny him just because of that. Hmmm I wonder?' While Brunner tried to discern Edran's motives, he also decided to see if evil lurked about the man.

Along with sense motive, Brunner will detect evil on Edran, not figuring anything but hey, why not
sense motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 talk about a terrible roll!

He seems on the up and up and Jet says I can vouch for him. He was staying at The Taproot. A traveller from Taldan he said.

Brunner does not an evil aura about the gentleman, who stands there waiting.

Chuckling at Arkhan, Brunner tells his half orc companion, "Lae heem be noo, Arkhan. yoo're gonnae scaur heem."

Calling out to the gentleman, "If Jit vooches fur ye that's guid enaw fur me. 'main 'en an' join us." Walking up to the man, Brunner extends his hand, "Mah names Brunner."

As they start moving again, Brunner asks Edran. "Sae whit can ye dae."

He looks at them all and bows with a flourish Edran, Juggler supreme at your service. I came to the festival to earn some wages....

Edran AC:16(FF:14/T:12)CMD:13 HP:15/15 Saves-FO:+1 RE:+5 WL:+4
2nd Bard M Human(Taldan) Defenses:can cancel sonic attacks
3 Daggers

"Barhador, can you not assume the form of a falcon and fly ahead to warn them? Or to scout Cavlinor to see if the village yet stands?"

In a surprising fit of positiveness, the elf laughs, a good, hard belly laugh. "Eventually, if we live long enough, I might be able to do that. Right now I express the animals. I have much to learn before I can become them. But, yes, if I could become a bird I could work at the things you mention."

------

"Well, Edran, see if you can help carry some of the load."

Absolutely. Allow me to help carry whatever you need. Where did those Hobgoblins come from? Anyone know? That was most frightening.

The hunter looks at him and considers answering for a moment, then he shrugs. "A tower appeared in the middle of town, and they poured out of it. An army big enough to seize a village with minimal loss, and the ability to teleport a defensible building holding them? Phaender had to just be a stepping stone on the path. That's far too much power to be worried about our small village."

You think? I agree. Will the Nirmathi Army come to help?

The hunter looks at the crowd of refugees and then back at the new-found juggler. "Of course they will."

Well that is certainly good news. Where are we headed? you going to meet them now?

"Shelter for the night. Less talking and more walking, and we will be able to get more rest while there."

works for me. and he started walking humming under his breath

Raising an eyebrow as the stranger begins asking about the military, Brunner nods as Barhador shuts the conversation down and encourages them to start walking. 'Hope we didn't make a mistake. I'd rather err on the side of kindness though. I understand wanting to know if the military is going to help. But these people are nervous enough. We need to keep moving.'

Adjusting his gear, Brunner puts his axe in it's belt-strap and shoulders the shield. Lifting the bag full of non-combat gear they had scrounged over his shoulder, keeping his Dorn-Dergar easily in reach. Bringing up the rear, he calls to the bard, gesturing for the man to walk beside him. "We've got a lang way tae gang, nae reason nae tae gab a wee bit. sae teel me laddie, whaur ur ye frae?"

Arkhan frowns in the face of this Edran. The 1/2 Orc clearly not trusting him; despite the weak reassurance given.
I will be watching you. Shut yer trap and get moving unless you want to strike out on yer own?

The 1/2 orc seems amendable to such recourse....

The Druid then turns to the refugees.
Let's be about it. Double time! We aren't out of the woods just yet.
Profession-Advisor (Wis): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

The Druid actually grins at his jest.

Ethan moves through the group looking for signs of fatigue, sickness or bruising that would slow someone's movement.

When he finds such, he touches the person, calling on Old Dead-Eye to ease their pain and wash away their tiredness.

(Using Calming Touch domain power up to 5 times, as needed.)

Its a hard march down the trail to the abandoned farm. Its after midnight when they arrive and the refugees are dead on their feet.

Its a single building with an apple orchard out front and trees surrounding it, a well out back. Noone is currently at the abandoned farm. A quick search of the place finds a small collection of items.

210 Silver pieces, 75 gold pieces, 2 Masterwork Bolas, , a Masterwork Javelin, and a large citrine gem valued at 50gold.

The group moves in and beds down

Ive set up a proposed defensive position, but feel free to adjust where the party is. most will be inside. Ive kept one of the door barriers open so you can move your characters in and out and take a look around. just remember to move through the open doors.

Tarrow hunkers down in an interior room and sits against the wall, closing his eyes. He'll doze until needed during the night for a watch.

"Wake me when you need..." He falls fast asleep.

Ethan volunteers for the First Watch, giving as many of the others the opportunity to rest from the hard march.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

"I appreciate the offer, Ethan, but I think we should have at least 4 on watch each shift, each near a corner of the building so that they can see two of the others on watch as well as our surroundings." He considers for a few moments.

"I think we should set 3 shifts of 4, with 2 of the group who gathered survivors and 2 of the trained combatants per shift. Taidel, Lunk, Ethan, and Brunner on the first shift. Raymond, Lan, Eilyne and me on second. Leaves Lirosa, Rand, Tarrow and Arkhan for the final shift. Tomorrow, we can swap two out from each shift for a full night's sleep using some of the others in the pack. One of the warriors and one of us. Should let everybody get a full nights rest at least every second day, or as close as possible. That work, or do we need to tweak it, some?"

Bringing up the rear, Brunner watches carefully as the refugees move into the building. Smiling as Tarrow instantly finds a corner and falls asleep, he listens as Ethan and Barhador make plans for the groups security.

'That's a good plan, I didn't know elves were so strategic.' Nodding "A guid plan Barhador, I'll wake ye when it's time fur yer watch." Dropping his pack, near the North eastern corner, he unpacks the heavy crossbow, looking back to Barhador, "Gang oan, Barhador, gang gie some rest Ethan an' Ah hae thes."

In case you need a perception check
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Arkhan's blue eyes welcome the sight of the abandoned farm. The 1/2 Orc was a bit frustrated with the slow, agonizing pace of the refugees. He doesn't actually say aloud anything suggesting dumping, leaving, burying any of the stragglers.

Once the Farm was secured, the 1/2 Orc gathers with the rest of their group to finalize watches, rotations, tactics.
He nods in agreement to Barhador's Watch duties. He does nudge Brunner a bit whispering
Who knew Elves were so tactical?

The Druid winks.

Couldn't help myself, Barhador...lol. I can see a friendly rivalry between our 3 characters.

Eilyne was unsure of this newest addition to their group but he seemed friendly enough so she decided not to worry about him for now. Instead she paced their group staying slightly just in the edge of the undergrowth as she got used to the feeling of the plants making way for her until they reached the farm.

The place was deserted when they got there but at least they managed to find shelter for the night. When they set up watches Eilyne nodded in acceptance. She had no problem with taking the second watch so she said, "Alright," and then headed to the hay loft to sleep."[/b]

morning arrives with the normal rising of the sun, chirping of the birds and buzzing of the insects. It seems the farmhouse was built adjacent to a crab apple orchard.. Lunk tried to draw water from the well to find out it was completely dry. No water. He reported that to Jet, Aubri, Barhador and Ethan