Rising Shadows: Moonshae Isles (5e)

Game Master Donnell "The Fox"

lol well, you're definitely all given mops and buckets -- enjoy swabbing the deck!

Sailing through the night to make sure that any pursuing pirates are well and truly lost, Poppie and her crew expertly pull in to the docks of Caer Callidyrr with the morning tide. The halflings thank you again, and scurry off to their homes.

Let me know if there's anything you would like to do in town. Caer Callidyrr is the capital of Alaron, so you can probably find most things here. Lehigh is a village in in the Dernall Forest, about a day's journey due south.

Toki is good!

Don't suppose we just, ask around about the druid? Braith likes to get straight to the point.

Do we need to do any shopping or topping off of things while here? I think Braith's good to go.

Gideon would like to trade in his shortbow for a nice longbow.

"Perhaps there is a Bowyer in town that we could visit. I'd like to have a little more powerful bow for my distance shooting".

I'm happy to hand-wave any merchant interactions unless you want to RP them. Feel free to sell off gently-used equipment at half-price and purchase new equipment at the regular PHB prices. This is a major city, so there should be no issues -- just let me know what transactions you're making.

Many people you ask aren't sure who you mean, but point out that the druids mostly keep to their groves. Eventually, a merchant in a temporary stall lets you know that Lehigh has been coping with goblin attacks for several weeks now, but the High King hasn't been able to send anyone out to help with the situation: "The druid you're looking for is probably Great Druid Antola Pilark, who has taken the village under her wing. The road to Lehigh has become treacherous -- shameful thing to see on the High King's road..."

That is a sad state of affairs. Thank you, good merchant. Braith would buy something from their booth as a token of appreciation. And would also ask where we might be able to find said Great Druid, to offer our support.

Braith sells her crossbow to a vendor (you didn't even know she had one, she never uses it!) and with that money gets some more rations. With any downtime, she'll polish up all her metal and enjoy whatever food we can rustle up.

Braith spends a a couple of silver pieces on 1d100 ⇒ 28 = a dragon's bony talon hanging from a plain leather necklace.

The merchant tells you that Lehigh isn't very big, so just ask around when you get there, but the Silver Eye is a good bet, it being the only decent place for a meal and a drink.

You figure that you can probably make it to Lehigh by late evening, so you decide to head out now, rather than waiting longer and having to spend the night in the forest.

You’re heading towards Lehigh in hopes of understanding part of the prophecy when you come around a bend in the road. A wagon has overturned with a Ffolk man underneath it. He’s not moving, and you can see a small pool of blood near him.

You can make Perception checks before you approach. You are about 40' away

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

What's that? Is that...is that a person under there? Oh no let's go help! If no one else has a reason not to rush up, like oh I don't know maybe it's a trap, Braith will hustle on over ready to lend aid if the chap's still alive.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 Perception

Gideons sharp eyes take in not only the overturned wagon and body... but the surrounding area for any reason for the wagon to be overturned.

This looks like a perfect ambush situation.

He draws his new Longbow and tests the tension on the string.

Oh whoops -- I should have just put this as spoilers

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Toki sees nothing!

Toki draws his shield before leading the way in, Be wary, in case these bandits are still here somewhere...

Gideon holds up a hand cautioning the others to take care in their approach.

Beware this is an ambush. There is a creature under the wagon, and something lurks in the bushes nearby".

passive perception is 14

active 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Jacka lopes's ears rise as they hear moaning. He then puts his little paw out to hold the group back and points with his ears in the direction the noise is coming from.

Two goblins crawl out from under the wagon; and a further two goblins emerge from the bushes on either side of the road, each with a wolf. See map

Round 1
Jaylen
Braith
Toki
Jacka-Lope
Gideon

Wolf 1 (Black)
Wolf 2 (Blue)
Goblin 1 (Black)
Goblin 2 (Blue)
Goblin 3 (Orange)
Goblin 4 (Yellow)

Incredibly bad initiative rolls all around, but you all go before the baddies! Post your actions!

Quick check, how are the wolf gobs armed? Any different from the two without wolves?

They all have scimitars, shields, and leather armour. They have short bows as well, but it looks like everyone is going to at least attempt melee attacks to start.

The wolves are armed to the teeth

Hah! To the teeth...

Toki charges at the wolfrider to the left and makes a sweeping slash at the goblin! Handaxe: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Damn, I don't think that is enough...

The baddies all have cover from where he is at, correct?

Just to keep the game going and if the cover bonus to AC is in effect, so be it :)

The bunny manifests a purple hand that has the middle finger touching the thumb. As the blue wolf gets closer, the spectral hand will flick at the goblin as if it were a fly/
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 eldritch blast
1d10 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 force

Nobody is under cover -- as mentioned above, they all emerged from hiding.

Also, fyi, the goblins aren't riding the wolves (though that was a good idea that I hadn't thought of lol)

Gideon steps to the right to get a clearer shot at the goblin there (Blue). Once again the color blindness doesn't help me target.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 Longbow
1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Arrow (Piercing}

Ah! shoot -- very sorry about that. In terms of letting me know, you can always just describe by number of feet and the cardinal directions and/or relation to PCs or NPCs.

Hmm... I wonder if a better way to represent monsters then is just with a textbox: G1, W1, etc? That would be easy to do (and would actually save me a lot of time tracking down images and recoloring them...)

I guess I have played enough Tolkein inspired RPG's and seen enough Hobbit movies to just think of the goblins riding the wolves

Lol Toki too, it would seem! I just didn't think of it and then it just seemed easier to not have to look up how mounted combat worked :P

Jaylen quickly morphs and as he does, he roars. A person’s voice as he starts to roar but the ends sounding very much like the Brown Bear that is now himself.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Bite: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Claw: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11
The large bear bites and slashes at the goblin in front of him.
the bear moves to 1 sq north of G2 adjacent to both gobs.

So sorry for the delay, work was insane this week!

Mace to the face: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Pretty sure that's a fail but just in case, Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Braith was expecting to find something, but did not perceive the goblins and wolves until they jumped out. She mutters something about strength from the Earth Mother, grabbing her mace as she runs up next to our friend the bear and attempting to connect, but it just doesn't make it.

No worries. I'm out of town for the next few days, so posting might be a bit sparse on my part as well.

@Jaylen: As far as I can tell, wild shape requires an action, so I'll hold your attacks for next round. Also, doesn't your CR need to be 1/4 (bears are CR1)

Braith and Toki both miss, as their attacks glance off the goblins' shields. Wolf 2 and Goblin 2 are both shriek as Jacka-Lope's and Gideon's attacks hit home.

Then, snarling and gnashing, they rush forward:

Toki is slashed by a goblin (-6) and bitten by a wolf (-7)!
Jaylen is also slashed by a goblin (-5)

Round 2
Jaylen (-5)
Braith
Toki (-13)
Jacka-Lope
Gideon

Wolf 1
Wolf 2 (-8)
Goblin 1
Goblin 2 (-5)
Goblin 3
Goblin 4

I play a druid in another game, a Black Bear is a CR 1/2 I believe, Dnd Is offline to verify if it's 1/2 or 1/4. I use bear form fairly often. That and the rat!

Mace: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Braith just isn't able to get a good angle, she keeps hitting armor doing a frustratingly good job of protecting her foe. She hopes hers does the same!

Toki growls and slashes at the wolf, I was going to let you live, Fenrir, but you have used up that grace!

Handaxe @ wolf: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Action Surge, handaxe @ wolf: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Bonus action, Second Wind: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

I play a druid in another game, a Black Bear is a CR 1/2 I believe, Dnd Is offline to verify if it's 1/2 or 1/4. I use bear form fairly often. That and the rat!

Ah -- I hadn't check Black Bear (yes, it's CR 1/2) -- Jaylen specified Brown, though. Either way, max CR for 2nd level druids is 1/4.

still playing old rules unless you’re swapping with the update. Circle of Moon gain shape change as BA and CR 1 or below. New rules all circles shape change as a BA and I’d have to check about the CR. Just let me know if we’re updating to new rules or not.

Sorry, just noticed I never updated my stat line to reflect the chosen circle.

still playing old rules unless you’re swapping with the update. Circle of Moon gain shape change as BA and CR 1 or below. New rules all circles shape change as a BA and I’d have to check about the CR. Just let me know if we’re updating to new rules or not.

Sorry, just noticed I never updated my stat line to reflect the chosen circle.

Ah! Okay, whew -- I thought I must have missed something but I didn't know what it was. Also, btw, I can't seem to access the link you sent

Also, no, let's stick to the old rules -- as mentioned, I really only have the basic books, so if I can't find it in those or online, I'm completely lost :P

Okay, with that resolved, please note that Goblin 2 is now dead -- clawed to death by an angry bear. Toki also kills Wolf 1.

Round 2
Jaylen (-5)
Braith
Toki (-13)
Jacka-Lope
Gideon

Wolf 1
Wolf 2 (-8)
Goblin 1
Goblin 2
Goblin 3
Goblin 4

Jaylen, Jacka-Lope, and Gideon: Post your actions!

Gideon franticly reloads as he moves to give himself a clear shot at G1.

Assuming W1 on the map is dead.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 Longbow
1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Arrow (Piercing).

Ah. That's better. Just calm down and make the show. You've done this hundreds of times at the castle archery range... though the targets didn't move and didn't have so many teeth.

I also healed 10 hp with Second Wind.

Right, sorry

Round 2
Jaylen (-5)
Braith
Toki (-3)
Jacka-Lope
Gideon

Wolf 1
Wolf 2 (-8)
Goblin 1 (-10)
Goblin 2
Goblin 3
Goblin 4

^_^

Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Piercing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
I believe that is a miss
Claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Slashing: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 3) + 4 = 8

Jaylen snaps his powerfull jaws at the remaining wolf but it leaps just out of his range, but still close enough that the bears massive clawed paw rakes the accross the neck.

if im wrong and the 11 hits, the wolf and possibly kills it, second attack will go after the remining goblin adjacent.

1The little bunny sees that Goblin 1 is still up and thinking back to his recent experience on a pirate ship manifests a ship in a bottle to hit the goblin on the head

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
1d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 bludgeoning

Jaylen as brown bear misses again with his bite, but his powerful paw hammers down, killing the wolf with a yelp.

Unfortunately, Jacka-Lope is less successful this time, and the angry goblin dodges out of the way.

The remaining goblins howl crazily and scream: "Za Bulaka a Velkého Garka! Smrt negoblinům!"

Two goblins attack Toki, but only one manages to get past the tough Northlander's defenses. It was a crit, but it's only 7 damage

The remaining goblin attacking Jaylen scores a nasty wound of his own, the scimitar scraping across the bear's ribs. 8 damage

Round 3
Jaylen (-13)
Braith
Toki (-10)
Jacka-Lope
Gideon

Wolf 1
Wolf 2
Goblin 1 (-10)
Goblin 2
Goblin 3
Goblin 4

Everyone may post their actions for Round 3

Stamping his little right back bunny foot in frustration, he manifests a knight piece from a chess set to land on either Goblin 1 if it is still up or Goblin 3
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
1d10 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 force damage

Gideon moves to get a better look and shoots another arrow at the Gob he just hit (Goblin 1)

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 Bow
1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 Arrow (Piercing)

Toki uses the Dodge action to let his friends finish off the goblins on him.

Cure Wounds: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Braith scoots around her ursine friend, slapping him on the back and sending healing energy as she does. It takes her a few seconds to mutter the correct prayer, but she keeps moving to flank their now-shared enemy. Her mace is ready, but it has yet to be effective!

Sorry for the slow posts -- busy week (/month /summer...).
Gonna bot Jaylen for this round.

Bite v G4: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Piercing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Claw v G4: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Slashing: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 5) + 4 = 14

The brown bear slips under the goblin's shield and bites a huge chunk out of its torso! The goblin, though seriously injured, just hisses in Jaylen's face and slashes at his (newly healed) flank. 8 damage

While Toki evades blows, Jacka-Lope's magic brings down Goblin 1, and Gideon's arrow strikes the next goblin in the shoulder.

Round 4
Jaylen (-10)
Braith
Toki (-10)
Jacka-Lope
Gideon

Goblin 3 (-9)
Goblin 4 (-12)

Everyone may post their Round 4 actions

Mace: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 OOooooo!
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Braith takes a moment to steady her aim, and whacks the goblin squarely on the noggin! She is glad she chose to provide some healing after seeing that ugly wound on Jaylen.

If this goblin is down, she will move next to Toki and start bashing heads over there. Otherwise, the bashing will continue in her current spot.

Is goblin 1 still up?

Toki slashes across the goblin (3) to his right, hoping to drop it quickly!

Handaxe: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Dammit! XD

sorry. Had a post started but completed.

Bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Piercing: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Slashing: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 3) + 4 = 12

Snapping his jaws at the goblin, Jaylen finds no purchase but a following swipe of his claws finds the agile goblin.

Is goblin 1 still up?

Oh, sorry -- I marked it off the Initiative list but forgot to remove it from the map. Doesn't matter now though:

Jaylen (as bear) crushes a goblin underfoot (er.. paw), while Braith casually saunters over to the last goblin and conks it in the head with her mace.

End of combat!

You lick your wounds briefly before searching goblins and wagon. Unfortunately, there are no valuables remaining. A quick look around shows a lot more goblin-sized footprints, and you assume the rest of the raiding party returned to their lair with anything of value.

The rest of your journey to Lehigh is uneventful:

The High King’s Road travels right through the center of the village of Lehigh. This large forest village is a day’s journey south of the capital of Alaron. It’s a relatively quiet village nestled into eaves of the forest. At this late hour, the village is quiet except for one place, The Silver Eye. The sounds of singing and merriment can be heard as the forest opens to reveal Lehigh to the wary traveler.

It's now late in the evening, but the Silver Eye is is still busy at this late hour with travelers unwinding after a long day of travel. Drinks flow and food is abundant as the tavern owner, Bran, does a masterful job of keeping his guests happy.