Ironfang Invasion

Game Master GM Red

Blue Will Save vs Cause Fear: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Rounds?: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Gronilda finishes her spell, and the blue-scaled troglodyte's eyes go wide with fear. It shrieks something in Draconic to its companion before bolting away, terrified.

With a hiss, the remaining troglodyte stands tall. It lunges at Gronilda with courage, its club whiffing through the air just a few inches from the dwarf's face.
Club: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 191d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Gronilda, Saélihn, Lizzie, Grymwold, Zarena are all up, Blue and Yellow Troglodytes

Map

there's a logjam in the corridor so Grym cant move to engage

The marching order needs to be discussed see the discussion thread

Taking a step to the side, Saélihn commands Ghost to attack as she ends an arrow streaking past her companions at the other troglodyte. "Your friend made the right choice!"

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Composite Longbow/PBS/Banner: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 25
Piercing/PBS: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Ghost bolts forward tearing into the troglodyte and pulling him to the ground before continuing to savage him.

Bite/Charge/Banner: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 29
Piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Trip: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Confirm
Bite/Charge/Banner: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 24
Piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Zarena throws a ball of acid...

Acid Splash (ranged touch): 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 - 2 = 4
Acid Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Or tries to, but it doesn't make more than a couple of sparks. She really needed to practice more.

Gronilda gives thanks the gods that she was ready for combat and raises the shield just in time to block the attack. Resolved, the dwarf gives back a swing of herself.
mwk battleaxe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Slashing damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

HP 24/24 AC 21 TAC 12
light (shield) 30 min
barkskin (Ghost) 25 min

Lizzie, with all the people between her and the troglodyte, leans against the wall, tapping a tune with her finger.

The party converges on the lone trog. Ghost lunges low, crippling the creature and knocking it on its back as Saélihn's arrow finds its mark with a nasty thunk. Gronilda delivers the decisive blow, her weapon cleaving through scaled hide.

It isn't clear what happened to the remaining troglodyte that fled in fear, only that it does not return.

Out of combat

Grym looks about for the other Trog.
We've gotta track the other Trog down. Otherwise it'll bring friends for revenge at the worst time

Gronilda adjusts her grip on her battleaxe, scanning the chamber with a keen eye.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

She exhales, nodding to herself "At least one of them had the sense to flee rather than fight to the death" she murmurs a brief prayer, touching the symbol of Erastil at her neck "May the gods grant him wisdom enough to stay away"

Turning to the others, she gestures toward the southern passage "No sense waiting for trouble to find us. Let's press on. Southward"

Grymwold has a point. I would hope it would stay away as well, and I have compassion for the situation where we are taking over their home... but if this is where we are going to bring the refugees, it is dangerous to leave that loose thread. It could head to the ironfang legion and turn us in. And it has every reason to wish evil upon us.

I would hope it would stay away as well, and I have compassion for the situation where we are taking over their home.

Glad i'm not alone on this.

"Agreed, for the general safety, we'd best make sure the creature doesn't rat on our position. Preferably through words."

That latter needed little saying, but the whole evicting others after getting evicted themselves, just sticks on Lizzie's mind like a bad itch under one's foot.

Did we see which way it ran?

From where the party was while fighting the troglodytes, the one that fled disappeared around the corner beyond the party's line of sight at the time. There's no sign of it from where Gronilda advanced, either.

Looking around the room, Gronilda finds more provisions: a variety of forest mushrooms, herbs and greens to brighten up those savory dried meats. This is another 10 Provision points

Looks like we're heading south, looking for the trog that fled. I'm going to go with the "Combat is expected" marching order here and stick the martials in front.

Grymwold takes the lead towards the next cave. The air is damp and moist here, but it's a fresh, cool mist. A rough crystal globe hangs from the ceiling, candles burning within it. The light from the globe refracts off the mist in the room and the crystal growths on the walls, filling the room with rainbows. A bubbling fountain in the center creates a jet of clear water that continually drains back into the ground.

Wait a minute, is that... The troglodyte that fled earlier stands beside a handler who extracts a green liquid from two cat-sized, brightly-colored frogs. The handler shouts something in Draconic that Zarena understands as "Sacred poison-bringers! The surface thieves attack! Kill them!" as the frogs turn toward you.

Grymwold, Zarena, Gronilda, Saélihn, Lizzie are all up, Frogs and Trogs

Map

Listening to Grymwold's suggestion, Gronilda takes her bow and shots one arrow over the dwarf's shoulder "Ok, let's try to keep them away from our bows!"
Longbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Piercing damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

RETREAT Grym bellows

Zarena translates for the team, but then when Grym yells to retreat, she glances at Gronilda, not sure what to do. She doesn't wait for a signal though, realizing that if she doesn't move most of the group will be stuck and possibly vulnerable to whatever Grym is seeing, so she turns and runs to give people space.

When she gets about 30 feet away she turns around to see if she can do anything else to help. Delay main action if possible... if not, just end turn here.

"What have you seen, Grymwold?" Gronilda asks alarmed by the dwarf's shout. With the only movement left for her, she steps 5' back.

Bah...Just Frogs. Was thinking to move back and have'em chase us into the last room just to give Lizzie a chance to use her sling. Poor Lass is getting bored

Gryym takes a 5ft styep back and readies an attack if frogs come within striking distance

Grymwold shouts a warning, and Zarena heeds it and backs up to add some distance. Saélihn and Ghost similarly move back, aware of the incoming threat. Then both dwarves then ready their weapons in case the frogs approach, while Lizzie consider what to do...

From what I see, Saélihn also took actions but her post might have been eaten, so that just leaves Lizzie to act/ready.

Map

Lizzie legs it to near Shadow, as Grymwold gives the heads up.

Bored? Only a little. Actually seeing you guys pummeling enemies into submission has its own charm, you know.

She prepares a bullet for when something comes into view.

Lizzie also readies an attack.

Predictably, the enemies advance. The yellow-scaled troglodyte charges for Grymwold, and Gronilda unleashes her arrow in response, striking it through its shoulder. Grymwold and Lizzie's attacks will go off here. If it survives:

Club vs Grym, Charge: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 2 = 191d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The frogs leap forward too, and the other troglodyte advances and lobs a javelin desperately.
Javelin vs Grym: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (2) - 4 = -21d6 ⇒ 3

Everyone is up again. Let's keep pre-rolling those readied attacks in spoilers if you choose to make them. Yellow Trog (-7), Blue Trog, Frogs

Map

Readied attack vs yellow
Banner+1
attack, Scimitar MW, PA -1: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 14
damage, PA+2: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Grym takes another swing at yellow
Banner+1
attack, Scimitar MW, PA -1: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 13
damage, PA+2: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

and then steps back 5ft

"Tsk! Careful there Grym!" Gronilda shots over the shoulder of the dwarf when he steps back.
Longbow+banner: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13
Piercing damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

"Defend him Pawnies!" she then commands the dog to protect the warrior.
Handle Animal DC 10: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Aid another to raise +2 AC (DC 10): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 1 = 14
Grymwold gets a +2 AC against the first attack he receives

HP 24/24 AC 21 TAC 12
light (shield) 30 min
barkskin (Ghost) 25 min

Zarena considers going back to try to get a shot in, but she can't see what is going on and doesn't want to clog things up again, so she just waits.

Grymwold unleashes two powerful swings, his scimitar cleaving through the air, but the agile troglodyte ducks both, a smug grin spreading across its face. Gronilda's arrow whistles past the creature, narrowly missing and embedding itself into the cavern wall behind it.

Saélihn/Ghost and Lizzie are up
Yellow Trog (-7), Blue Trog, Frogs

Map

With no real way to re-enter the fight, given the choked engagement point,
Saélihn moves into a better position for a clear shot, should Grymwold either press forward or fall back, commanding Ghost to be ready to attack.

Lizzie prepares a bullet to be flinged when the way clears for a shot.

Bullet, PBS: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19Bump, PBS: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

A retcon here. Grymwold's attacks would have hit because of the AC penalty the troglodyte took from charging, and that attack would have taken it down.

The trog watches as its companion crumples, its face twisting in anger. With an angry hiss, it lunges at Grymwold, but the sturdy dwarf easily sidesteps the attack.
Club: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 71d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Meanwhile, the poisonous frogs advance with their handler.

Grymwold, Gronilda, Zarena, Saélihn, Lizzie are all up
Blue Troglodyte, Frogs
Map

"Tsk!" Gronilda growls frustrated as her arrow goes wide. Then discarding the bow, she draws her axe while asks her god for help "Erastil, give me the strength of the tree!"

Growing in size to have the reach to strike past Grymwold, she performs a cleave maneuver, trying to strike first the frog, then the trog at is side.
mwk battleaxe: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8
Slashing damage (enlarged): 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 4) + 3 = 13

Cleave (only happens if first one strikes): 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14
Slashing damage (enlarged): 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 1) + 3 = 9

Meanwhile, Pawnies keeps trying to defend Grymwold from the next attack.
Aid another to raise +2 AC (DC 10): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

HP 24/24 AC 17 TAC 8
enlarged 6/7 (-2 AC included)
cleave (-2 AC included)
light (shield) 30 min
barkskin (Ghost) 25 min

Zarena moves up a little to see if there is anything that she can do, but she can't see anything, so she waits.

Grym slashes at the Trogs belly

Banner+1
attack, Scimitar MW, PA -1: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 18
damage, PA+2: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

With no path to attack or even line of sight, Saélihn and Ghost await the outcome.

Gronilda doubles in size, determined to guard the rest of the party that stands behind her. All they see is the mighty dwarf swinging her axe in an arc, unfortunately missing both of her foes.

Grymwold's axe finds purchase however, and the trog's belly is ripped open.

I would say ranged attacks through two allies against a medium+ size foe, like the troglodyte, are permissible with a cover penalty applied. I could imagine you being able to see at least a portion of the troglodyte's upper body and head over Grymwold and Gronilda's shoulders. The frogs, on the other hand, would be too small to have LoS.

Lizzie is up
Blue Trog (-7)
Frogs

Map

Like Saélin, Lizzie waits.

She puts her sling on her belt.

(takes hidden nail file from pocket, starts filing)

Not worried about the danger, Lizzie starts a manicure. Does she adorn her nails with Lizzie "beads" as well? :)

The troglodyte now attacks viciously with both claws and a bite, and both frogs scramble towards Grmywold's boots, leaping frantically to find his flesh.
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 71d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 171d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 141d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

... But none of the foes get passed the dwarf's defenses.

Everyone is up
Blue Trog (-7), Frogs

Map

"You are doing great, Grymwold, hold them there!" Gronilda just tries another wide arc, trying to strike both frogs this time.
mwk battleaxe: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 = 16
Slashing damage (enlarged): 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 5) + 3 = 12

Cleave (only happens if first one strikes): 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17
Slashing damage (enlarged): 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 2) + 3 = 11

Meanwhile, Pawnies keeps trying to defend Grymwold from the next attack.
Aid another to raise +2 AC (DC 10): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

HP 24/24 AC 17 TAC 8
enlarged 5/7 (-2 AC included)
cleave (-2 AC included)
light (shield) 30 min
barkskin (Ghost) 25 min

Grym takes another slash at the blue Trog

Banner+1
attack, Scimitar MW, PA -1: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 13
damage, PA+2: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Saélihn and Ghost listen to the battle rage on, ensuring nothing else enters the chamber from behind them.

Zarena waits.

Swinging her axe in a wide arc, Gronilda cuts through both of the poisonous frogs in a single deadly sweep. The troglodyte barely manages to duck beneath Grymwold's swing. Fueled by its desperation, the trog lashes out with again furiously, unable to get through his armor.

Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 151d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 91d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 181d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

I think I'm going to call it here, and sort of bot through this next round, given this is PbP and I can't imagine the lone troglodyte finishing off the whole party let alone getting through Grymwold's AC.
Seeing its companions fallen and finding itself surrounded, the wounded troglodyte's hisses one final curse before Gronilda and Grymwold deliver two final deadly strikes.

Out of combat

"You are our shield Grymwold!" Gronilda acknowledges the bravery of the dwarf before moving into the wide cavern to examine the well and search through "Thanks the Deadeye you were brought to Phaendar on this dire time"
Perception (darkvision): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Grym looks back to make sure everyone is ok Sorry bout that. Shoulda yelled FALLBACK rather than Retreat. Fallback would be to set up ranged firing lanes. Retreat or RUN would be for if we ran into a dragon. Heavens forbid. Glad everyone's ok. Let's see how much further this cave complex goes

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 Grym searches the bodies of the slain Trogs

Zarena moves into the room and tries to get a sightline into the next chamber.

With a shrug, Saélihn moves into the next chamber, Ghost at her side.

The troglodytes looked like most guard warriors of the tribe, and carried the same mundane gear: javelins and clubs. The party looks around and the room doesn't seem to hold anything lootable, save for the crystal globe hanging from the ceiling that could be removed from the hook easily.

"It is fine. It was a tense situation, but we managed it. Do not blame yourself" Gronilda smiles to Grymwold trying to appease him.

Then completing the search with detect magic, she turns large one instant to grasp the crystal globe on the ceiling. And hands it to Zarena "I believe this to be magic. Evocation magic"

She then looks deeper into the cavern "Seems there is only one exit. To the south?"

She readies her axe as she advances with the group.

Zarena nods at Gronilda and examines the globe carefully.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

It looks like there is a continual flame spell on this, so it will continue to shed light indefinitely, somewhat like an everburning torch.

"Useful if we use this as a refuge for the villagers." Saélihn comments. "Let's see where it leads." she replies to Gronilda.