Hollie, Drax and Shae all charge in to attack the hounds. The only successful one is Hollie, who lands a grazing blow on one of the hounds. Bereket's spell blinds the one who was not struck and damages both with holy light. Jess's bomb explodes on the hound that Hollie struck, putting it into a rather critical state and harming the other hound with the splash.
Matthias is rather certain that these creatures are yeth hounds—evil outsiders that thrive on spreading fear in their victims before devouring them. Their howl can only effect a target once before being ineffective, so repeated attempts from the beasts are not to be worried about. Good creatures who are bitten by them are fear-stricken.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Thanks to Matthias's foreknowledge of creatures behind the massive stone doors, the party is not surprised when two creatures behind the doors immediately act hostile. Two strange, hairless dogs levitate in the room and snap to attention as the doors are opened.
Stone fonts containing frothy dark water sit to the north and south of the eastern entrance to the room, and twin banks of stone pillars run the length of the long chamber. At the western end, shallow stairs rise to a platform about two feet off the ground. The walls surrounding this platform are lit by hanging braziers that emit glowing red smoke, giving the place an unnerving crimson lighting that throws the bas-relief carvings of countless monsters feasting on fleeing humans into lurid display. A black marble altar stone, its surface heaped with ashes and bone fragments, squats before a ten-foot-tall statue. The sculpture depicts a very pregnant but otherwise shapely naked woman who wields a kukri in each taloned hand and has a long reptilian tail, birdlike taloned feet, and the snarling head of a three-eyed jackal with a forked tongue. The left kukri flickers with fiery orange light while the right one glows with a cold blue radiance.
The hounds fly to the shrine and turn to the group, howling in unison. Due in large part to Hollie's aura of courage, no one is frightened by the howls and the party stands their ground.
Chapel to Lamashtu—Round One
Initiative Order
Doggos
→Jess
→Matt
→Hollie
→Shae
→Bereket
The group makes their way about the floor cautiously, investigating what they feel they can without instigating conflict. It does not take long to find a group of prison cells to put the captives in. A key ring is found in a torture room adjacent to the prison that you can use for the cells. Binding Lyrie further from there to prevent her from casting spells is something that Matt can help instruct.
Two avenues appear to have enemies that could be encountered, one to the east and one to the west. The western one has the giant stone doors, and Matt is fairly certain he hears light movement behind them. There are multiple entrance points into that room, one from the giant doors and two from the prison. The eastern one sounds like a creature loudly eating down a tunnel.
To the south are a collection of bedrooms, seemingly one for each of Nualia's captains and one for the leader herself. Additionally, you are able to take what you like from Tsuto, Lyrie, and Orik:
Tsuto: potion of bear’s endurance, potion of cure light wounds (2), potion of cure moderate wounds, composite shortbow with 20 arrows, ring of protection +1, masterwork thieves’ tools, masterwork flute, silver earrings (25 gp for the pair), 6 pouches of gold dust worth 50 gp each, 8 pouches of silver dust worth 5 gp each, 20 pp
Lyrie: potion of cure light wounds, scroll of comprehend languages, scroll of minor image, scroll of see invisibility, scroll of sleep, scroll of whispering wind, wand of magic missile (38 charges), wand of scorching ray (7 charges), dagger, cloak of resistance +1, silver comb (25 gp), fine silk gown (60 gp) (she is wearing this), everburning torch, small pouch of artifacts (hair, fingernail clipping, used handkerchiefs, and a pearl earring worth 50 gp) stolen from Tsuto, 8 pp, 3 gp
Orik: potion of cure moderate wounds, masterwork full plate, masterwork heavy steel shield, composite longbow with 20 arrows, masterwork bastard sword, everburning torch, 1 pp, 5 gp
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
The cat sits next to Lyrie and begins to groom itself, seemingly unbothered by the events happening around it. Without some sort of magical healing, it will take quite some time for Tsuto to regain consciousness in his current state. Lyrie can be awakened at any time with a good amount of shaking, or she will likely awaken on her own in the next few minutes.
Perception DC 18:
Due to recent heavy foot traffic, a secret door in the room is fairly easy to find in the southwest corner of the room.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Hollie slices Tsuto with her blade, and in the opening she makes both of Drax's claws rake across Tsuto's back. While he's reeling from the flanking assault, Shae's rapier pierces through his midsection. Tsuto falls to the ground, bleeding and unconscious.
Research Room—End
Tsuto and Lyrie are both unconscious, though unlike Lyrie if Tsuto doesn't receive immediate medical attention he will die. Orik is, without a doubt, dead.
Drax successfully pins Lyrie down briefly, but she wriggles her way back to being just grappled. Hollie attacks Tsuto but misses narrowly, her blade singing through the air not far from his face. Shae hits Lyrie once again with her sap, though the woman seems to be far more resilient than she appears and continues to struggle against Drax. Bereket slices Tsuto from around the corner with his scimitar, dealing a blow that slows the man down a bit. Seeing Lyrie nearly break free from Drax, Jess lets a bolt loose from her crossbow. It strikes its mark, and in conjunction with her blows to the head it knocks Lyrie unconscious.
Tsuto begins to attack Hollie, landing a blow that she barely shrugs off from stunning her like Orik was. He then hears the sound Matthias made behind him, prompting him to waste his second attack on thin air.
Everyone is up! Hollie took 8 damage. Drax is no longer grappling.
In moving to grab Lyrie, Drax opens himself to an attack from Tsuto. The half-elven man fails terrifically, however, and Drax is able to grasp Lyrie in his claws. Orik allows Hollie to slip past for a strike on Tsuto, dealing a nearly dazing blow with the flat of her blade on the man. Shae's sap connects with Lyrie's temple as she struggles, a hit that fills the woman's vision with stars.
Lyrie makes a fruitless attempt to break free of Drax's grasp. Orik, hatred visible on his face, takes a swing at Tsuto with his bastard sword. He looks as if he aims to kill, but his swing goes wild and misses by a wide berth. Tsuto chops at Orik's neck with one hand, landing a hit right above the armored man's gorget and stunning him. As Orik drops his sword and shield, Tsuto follows up with a devastating kick to Orik's face that, without a doubt, kills the man outright. Tsuto takes the opportunity to close the distance between him and Hollie, his form exuding menace.
Drax moves to flank Lyrie, and though something seems strange as he passes he gets into position he reaches it just fine. A moment later, though, he is struck powerfully by Tsuto Kaijitsu, popping into space between Drax and Orik like he was invisible before. Orik draws his weapon, shocked to see Tsuto pop in out of nowhere. Orik looks around the room, visibly perplexed. His gaze lingers a moment too long on Lyrie, Hollie and Shae notice.
Drax takes 13 bludgeoning damage!
Research Room—Round One
"Take them alive, Tsuto!" Lyrie yells, shaking off the surprise of Shae's interjection.
As the party barrels into the room to confront Lyrie, she shows genuine surprise and fumbles to grab something from a pouch at her side. It seems she intends to fight for her life, even against these odds.
Everyone is up! It will take a move action from either Hollie or someone else to get her fake bindings off her. Because they are intended to come off there is no associated check. Normal surprise round rules apply here
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Orik looks at the letter with horror, sets it on the table, and then begins to bang on the door with his sword hand. "Oi! Lyrie! I know yer in there! I've got Nualia's sister with me here and the rest of them in the prison cells! Come help me interrogate them!"
After some rustling in the room beyond the door, it cracks open and a female voice from inside says to enter. Orik leads Hollie into a small room and leaves the door open behind them. A large wooden worktable sits in the middle of this room, its surface cluttered with scrolls, books, stone tablets covered with dense, spiky runes, and fragments of carvings that appear to have been chipped off of statues or bas-reliefs. To the north, a floor-to-ceiling set of wooden shelves sags with picks, shovels, brushes, lanterns, and other equipment one might expect to see at an archaeological site. A dark-skinned human woman in a rather revealing white silk gown is standing in the center of the room, scrutinizing both Orik and Hollie.
"Another pretty angel-lass," Orik says, opening his sword hand and motioning to Hollie. "Best keep her away from Tsuto, eh? Wouldn't want any more ladies keeping us up at night."
Orik, laughing at his own joke, does not see how much that very obviously bothers the woman next to him. Lyrie, you assume she is, begins petting a white cat that jumps up onto the table next to her. "Well, girl," Lyrie begins in a tone laced with venom. "Why did you come here?"
If anyone has anything they'd like to do, accompany it with a stealth check unless you'd like to alert Lyrie of your presence.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Actually passed through two rooms on the way to the planning room, one with double doors and then a smaller corner one. The corner one had the goblin murals, the larger one was:
Two large stone doors sit in the western wall here, their faces carved with images of horrific, deformed monsters clawing their way out of pregnant women of all races.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
After Hollie is made to look like a hostage, Orik leads the party up through a small room:
The lower four feet of the walls in this empty room are covered with crude drawings in mud, blood, and paint. Most of the drawings show goblins
engaged in some sort of violence against humans, horses, or dogs. One picture on the north wall is at least three times the size and complexity of the other scrawlings. This image shows Thistletop from the side, the goblin stockade perched atop it like a crown. A cave has been drawn into the center of the image, and looming inside is what appears to be an immense, muscular goblin with snakelike eyes and a dogslicer in each taloned hand. If the scale compared to the rest of the drawing is to be believed, this goblin must be at least thirty feet tall.
Orik has no comment on these drawings other than a scoff, and he trudges on one room deeper into what appears to be a planning room:
A large table surrounded by chairs fills much of this room. A slate board to the north is covered with scribblings in chalk, but the map of Sandpoint that has been carefully inscribed on it leaves no doubt as to the purpose of this room—this is doubtless where the recent raid was planned. There is a door in the room that leads upstairs and another door that won't open with a sealed letter pinned to it with a dagger.
"Seems odd," Orik whispers to Hollie. "I'm sure Lyrie's behind here, but I'm almost positive the door here doesn't have a lock. Maybe I should read the letter?"
I've opened up the map where Orik has led Hollie. Feel free to place yourselves wherever and decide what you'd like to do from here.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
@Shae:
Bruthazmus, does, indeed have a string of elven ears around his neck. Do with it as you please.
"I'm not opposed to helping you draw those two out," Orik says, scrutinizing Jess to assess her intentions. "I know I'm not exactly in a position to bargain here, but I'm not helping unless you agree to take Lyrie alive. Tsuto can burn in Hell for all I care, but she doesn't deserve to die."
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
"Look, long as you don't kill me we can talk the finer points later," Orik says, visibly perturbed by mention of law enforcement."I think Tsuto and Lyrie are holed up by the stairs leading down below. If you'd like to take some time looking around, be my guest, but if Nualia's your goal she's down below."
He seems, as far as Hollie can tell, to be genuinely cooperating with you. Orik just doesn't want to die.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Shocked at Hollie's intensity, the armored man retracts his hand and puts it up in the air. "Names Orik. I'm 'elpin' 'er fer coin, no other reason. She's doin' some research down below. Can't say I know what for, but I know that there's still Tsuto and Lyrie on this floor. That an' some nasty demon dogs."
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
As far as Matt can tell the armored man is more than ready to be a turncoat. He seems like the type of fellow to follow the winning side.
Bruthazmus:
Attack v. Bereket:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Bruthazmus, unable to escape his situation as cornered as he is but unwilling to surrender, continues to try attacking Bereket to force his way out. The bugbear, rasping in ragged breaths, is once again deflected by Bereket's shield.
Everyone is up!
The armored man drinks his potion, gasps a sigh of relief, throws the vial to the ground and reaches his hand out to Jess and gesturing for his sword. "Sorry about earlier," he says in a sheepish tone. "Platinum is platinum, you know?"
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Shae lands a painful stab on Bruthazmus, bringing the bugbear one step closer to his demise. Bereket tries to finish the creature off, but his scimitar just barely misses its mark. Drax enters the room to further harry Bruthazmus, though he struggles to get an attack in with his companions between him and his target.
"You've the right of it, aye," the armored man says, stumbling in place as he slowly pulls a vial from his belt. "I'll drink this down and help you stick the bugbear. None o' this is worth dyin' over."
Feast Hall—Round Five
Initiative Order
Armored Fellow
→Jess
→Matt
Bruthazmus
Shae
Hollie
Bereket
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Jess sets up a mighty flurry of fang and claw for Drax, and the armored man looks as if a single action will take the last of his strength. Shae and Bereket both land painful blows on Bruthazmus, though the bugbear does manage to dodge the worst of Bereket's forceful slash.
Feast Hall—Round Four
Initiative Order
Armored Fellow
Jess
Matt
Bruthazmus
→Shae
→Hollie
→Bereket
Bruthazmus:
Heavy Flail v. Bereket:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Realizing that he cannot keep up with the disadvantages of using a bow in melee combat, Bruthazmus drops his bow and draws a nasty-looking heavy flail from his belt. He tries to hit Bereket with it, but his attack is deflected by the man's shield.
The spray of colors washes over Drax and the armored man, and while Drax manages to close his eyes in time, the armored man is stunned not only by a barrage of colors from Matthias's hands but also from the scintillating rays reflecting off of Drax's metallic scales. Jess takes her opportunity and throws a bomb at the stunned man point-blank, washing his armor in flame.
Bruthazmus moves to shoot at Bereket with his bow at point blank range. Both Bereket and Shae take this as an opportunity to strike. They both wound Bruthazmus with Bereket slicing him to great effect. Bruthazmus's shot lands in Bereket's shoulder, further wounding the warpriest.
Bereket takes 8 piercing damage!
Everyone is up! Armored fellow is stunned this round. He is helpless and cannot act.
Assessing the situation for who the biggest nuisance is, the armored man takes a determined step towards Jess and swings his giant blade down at her. The swing proves near-deadly, and Jess struggles to remain conscious. The armored man, it seems, is also slowing down as well, his breathing having grown haggard.
Jess takes 21 slashing damage!
"Bruthazmus! Get out here and help me with these intruders!"
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Jess's bomb explodes right on the armored man, dealing substantial damage and really heating things up under his armor. Matt's splash of acid connects, dealing some minor damage to the man.
Bereket notices that Bruthazmus's face has grown feathers on the sides of it, seemingly a side-effect of the potion he consumed. Bruthazmus draws back an arrow to shoot Bereket, giving the warpriest the opportunity to strike. Unfortunately Bereket's attack misses, while Bruthazmus's arrow connects in a powerful way.
Bereket takes 13 piercing damage!
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
The only successful strike from the party is a bite from Drax. He manages to crush one of the goblins so swiftly and discard it right after that it visibly frightens the other two goblins.
Feast Hall—Round Two
Initiative Order
Armored Fellow (-2 AC from charging)
→Jess
→Matt
Goblins
Bruthazmus
Shae
Hollie
Bereket
The armored fellow, having made enough distance in the hallway, charges at Hollie with a large sword that he draws along the way. His attack lands, dealing a devastating blow to the paladin.
Hollie takes 17 slashing damage!
He would've had partial cover from Drax at the point where an AoO would have provoked, so no AoO for this one.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Unfortunately, both Matt and Jess miss their target. The door right next to Shae bursts open, revealing three scantily clad female goblins and a bugbear next to them. The goblin who opened the door attacks Shae with a dogslicer while the others cheer her on. The bugbear drinks a small vial.
One of Ripnugget's Wives:
attack:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
The goblin's swing goes wild and misses its mark.
Shae, Hollie and Bereket are up!
EDIT: The armored man roars in anger as he takes damage from the splash of Jess's bomb!
Armored fellow takes 7 fire damage!
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Even after Matthias's enchantment, Shae's rapier is deflected off of the man's gorget. Seemingly impervious to damage, the man scoffs at Drax's attempt to demoralize him.
The room Bereket opens appears to have been some sort of goblin nursery at some time. He doesn't have long to examine it, however.
Feast Hall—Round One
Initiative Order
Armored Fellow
→Jess
→Matt
???
Shae
Hollie
Bereket
The armored steps back five feet, draws a potion from his belt pouch, and then quickly drinks it down.
Hollie opens the door, and immediately behind it is a tall human man in plate armor with a giant shield! He screams an obscenity and the party gets the jump on him.
Feast Hall—Surprise!
Initiative Order
Armored Fellow
→Jess
→Matt
→Shae
→Hollie
→Bereket
Everyone is up for the surprise round! (One action or charge, typical surprise round stuff.
Tensions feel like they are rising in the room, the silence near deafening. Shae finds no traps, Matthias finds no treasure in the furs. Breaking the silence is the creaking of plate armor behind the southern door—an armored figure behind failing terribly to hide. It seems as though the party is entirely unnoticed.
If anyone would like to open the middle door to the south, we will start a surprise round from there. If you'd rather try to sneak past and down another path you could try that as well.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
→ 3:00 PM Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
The party makes their way down the stairs quietly with Matt and Jess in the front. You make you way into a room that...
A single lantern hangs from a hook on the wall
next to where the stairs enter this room from the
north. Several rickety doors open into this room,
and a few discarded dog pelt rugs lie forgotten in
the northeast corner.
It appears only three doors remain closed, all to the south. You are all fairly certain you can hear the sounds of creaking armor from someone right behind the center door to the south, but other than that it is silent.
If you would like to do anything in the room, go ahead and position yourself and give me a stealth check.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Congrats, everyone! You've hit level 4. Before we move on I would like everyone to level up and all that. In addition to your class features, you all get an ability boost this level! Because this is the first level up with me as GM, I'll throw some stuff here.
→Take avg hp (d6→4, d8→5, d10→6, d12→7)
→Background skills
→Please throw in whatever choices that you make into discussion (feats, talents, ability increase, etc.)
→Whatever hp you gain gets added to max and current hp.
→Any new spell slots gained are added to current and maximum, as well. If you are prepared, it will take 10 minutes per slot to select those new spells. (this includes any new bombs for Jess, lay on hands for hollie, etc.)
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask here or in discord!
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Hollie Rolls:
Hollie handle animal:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Looking through the rooms, Shae ends up having to disable a scythe trap of sorts, managing to do so without much trouble. The party finds quite the bounty of treasures: a masterwork dogslicer, a silver holy symbol of Lamashtu with garnets for eyes worth 40gp, 7,432cp, 2,490sp, 89gp, 3pp, a leather pouch of 34 badly flawed malachites worth 1gp each, a medium chain shirt, a medium masterwork scimitar, a pair of masterwork manacles, a gold holy symbol of Sarenrae worth 100gp, a jade necklace worth 60gp, and a fine blue silk gown with silver trim worth 150gp.
Hollie manages a different but just as valuable prize: an abused, massive and powerful horse that she manages to calm and feed. It wears a saddle with the name "Shadowmist" engraved into the leather, and whether she wants to claim it for the party or take it to Sandpoint is up to all of you.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Goblin:
"Kong... Hanks? Ah, longshanks. Yeah, we sounded the alarm, so they should know. Soon as we saw the dragon above. I wouldn't be surprised if they sent up everyone but elf-man and the white-haired lady."
If there is a particular door you would like to investigate, the keyring that you obtained will open any doors on this floor. If you would rather we just expedite the process I can throw descriptions of all the unimportant rooms in here and then any checks for the important ones.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
The goblins take a look at Drax and shudder. They turn to Jess and the one that has been speaking responds.
Goblin:
"There are two floors below this one. There's a stairway behind a door in the trophy hall and another one by the treasury. We hear the god howl from deep below every now and then. I've never seen it though. I think the white haired longshank is looking for it. Please don't let the dragon eat us! We'll do whatever you want!"
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Goblin:
"Other than us they're all dead! Other than Ripnugget's wives, that is. They're down below. I don't know the names of the longshanks, but they're down there with the goblin god! I think there are five of them. A bugbear, a longshank who doesn't wear lots of clothes with a cat, a big longshank with a big shield, a long-earred longshank with a bow, and a weird longshank with white hair and purple eyes. That's all I know, I swear!"
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
The two goblins look at each other, nod, and then do as they are told. They await further instruction, still gazing in horror as Shae loots their warchief.
Shae finds: potions of cure moderate wounds (5), masterwork breastplate, +1 short sword, dented crown worth 20 gp, a key ring, a potion of cure light wounds, a wand of silent image (5 charges), masterwork horsechoppers (3) and 20 gp.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Shae lands a devastating stab on the warchief, stabbing through his shoulder and just missing his jugular. Bereket takes a swing with his scimitar that doesn't quite meet its mark, but Matthias's missiles of force take down not only the warchief but also one of the other commandos with ruthless efficiency.
The two remaining commandos stare in horror at the way their leader was waylaid, dropping their weapons and falling to their knees. In a show unlike any you've seen, the goblins beg for their lives.
Jess's bomb misses its mark, though there is plenty to be said of its effectiveness. The warchanter, commando, and the gecko are all engulfed by flame and killed in the blast. The warchief avoids the worst of it and lands on his feet by his mount.
Bereket and Drax are damaged, though neither of them are out of the fight.
Bereket takes 6 fire damage and Drax takes 3 fire damage!
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Ripnugget:
Ride:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
The warchief maneuvers his mount to avoid Drax's claw attack, but it leaves him open and he is damaged by the swipe of the other.
Warchief Ripnugget takes 7 bludgeoning and slashing damage!
Jess's bomb deals significant damage to three of the goblins even though it missed, but they appear to be standing strong and ready to keep fighting. That is, until Matthias's grease drops the two horsechopper using goblins that were in line in front of the archers.
Though the warchief and his mount withdrew from combat, Shae manages to get a parting stab on the warchief's mount as he runs away. The stab appears to gravely wound the gecko, and Shae is shocked the creature can still carry the warchief at all.
Bereket moves forward to attack the commando standing beside the warchanter, slicing the goblin deeply with his scimitar.
The two commandos that were dropped by the grease attempt to stand up, and Drax uses that opportunity to lash out. He misses one, but catches the other between his jaws, ending its life with a sickening *crunch*. The one that survived swings at Drax in fear, but misses with its horsechopper.
The archer directly behind the survivor attempts to move back and into a better position, but slips and falls in the grease. From there they crawl just out of it. The other archer takes a well-aimed shot at Hollie, an arrow streaking past and leaving a gash along her arm.
Hollie takes 4 piercing damage!
The warchanter attempts to cast a spell again, though Bereket and Drax use the opportunity to strike. Drax misses, but Bereket lands a nasty slash which causes the warchanter to lose their spell.
The warchief charges forward at Drax, landing an awful stab in the dragon's side. Drax appears to barely be conscious, at this point.
Drax takes 14 piercing damage!
Sense Motive DC 20:
When Drax crunched down on that goblin there was a sickening glint in the dragon's eyes—a sort of ashamed satisfaction.
Jess's bomb hits its target, dealing significant damage to not only the commando she struck but also the one next to it. It appears the warchief and his mount avoid the worst of the flames, however.
Warchanter:
Hollie will:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Spellcraft DC 16:
The warchanter casts hideous laughter on Hollie.
The warchanter moves forwards, maintaining its performance. It comes into Hollie's view and attempts to cast a spell on her, though her will is too great to succumb to its effects.
Three of the commandos from further in the room get in position to fire a volley of arrows at the party, though the bodies in the way and their lack of training means that none of the arrows meet their targets. The one in front of Hollie takes a step back and attacks her with its horsechopper, landing a rather clumsy attack this time around. The commando behind the warchief steps back and quickly drinks a healing potion.
The warchief withdraws from combat, though he doesn't realize quite how much reach Drax has. The dragon's but, unfortunately, does not hit the warchief.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Hollie's rapier lands a well-placed stab between the plates of Warchief Ripnugget's armor, and Drax not only bites the goblin but manages to slice him with razor sharp claws. Warchief Ripnugget seems fazed, though he continues to focus his attention on the dragon in his throne room.
Warchief Ripnugget takes 6 piercing damage, 8 bludgeoning and piercing damage, and 6 bludgeoning and slashing damage! (total of 20 damage)
This large throne room is decorated with hanging
furs along its walls, mostly black-and-red striped
firepelt skins, various dog pelts, and in some
cases, what look like horse hides. Four square
timbers support the ceiling, their faces studded
with dozens of iron spikes, with the lower
reaches decorated with dozens of impaled and
severed hands in various stages of decay. To the
northeast, a wooden platform supports a throne
heaped with dog pelts and horse hides. Dog
skulls adorn the armrests and a horse skull leers
over the throne’s back.
Throne Room—Surprise!
Though you heard four of the goblins on the inside of this room, there are three others that manage to get the drop on you. Two of them are all too familiar commandos, and one is a warchanter. The warchanter uses the opportunity to begin its shrill goblin song, emboldening its allies. The commandos wait for that to begin and then take their chance to strike.
The two commandos rush forward and strike from a distance with horsechoppers. They both connect with their polearms, slashing at the two unprepared front-liners with great effect.
Hollie takes 10 slashing damage! Drax takes 6 slashing damage!
A goblin wearing a crown and riding what appears to be a giant gecko levels a shortsword, pointing its tip toward Hollie from across the room. "Take that one alive! Demon longshank wants her!" He maneuvers his mount forward, taking a position right in front of Drax. As Drax has yet to gain his bearings, he has no opportunity to catch the approaching goblin with an attack. In line with his state, the dragon also fails to dodge a clumsy stab from the warchief.
Drax takes 10 piercing damage!
Bereket's attempt to break the door down does not turn out to be fruitful, but after a minute of effort Shae manages to get the door open.
This storeroom is half-filled with crates, barrels,
and large sacks of grain. A small hole has been
chopped into the lower side of one of the barrels,
allowing pickles and brine to drain out and giving
the room a singular stink of vinegar.
It appears that unless you are desperately hungry, there is nothing of value in the room.
Through the set of double doors is a short hallway that leads to another set of double doors.
Perception DC 19:
There is definitely a creature on the other side of these doors.
Perception DC 22:
There are at least three creatures on the other side of these doors.
Perception DC 23:
There are at least four creatures on the other side of these doors.
Perception DC 24:
There are at least five creatures on the other side of these doors.
Perception DC 30:
There are at least six creatures on the other side of these doors.
Perception DC 37:
There are seven creatures on the other side of these doors.
If you plan on going through the door, please go ahead and position yourselves on the map. If you aren't positioned at the time the door is opened I'll go ahead and put you in formation somewhere that makes sense. Please let me know if there are any actions you would like to take.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
If there is a particular door you guys want to investigate, go ahead and let me know. If you want to try and get into the locked door go ahead and either give me a disable device check or a strength check.
Experience 6,600/10,000 | Level 4 | #001: Burnt Offerings | Part 4: Thistletop | Day 7 (Fireday, 28 Rova 4707)
Making a slight adjustment, Shae won't have flanking because her target is dead.
Drax and Hollie double team the goblin dog on their side of Shae, a draconic claw and stab of Hollie's rapier doing the beast in. Shae makes a parting stab against the goblin dog on the other side of her, piercing it through the neck as she passes. A final swing from Bereket puts the beast down.
Hollie and Drax make quick work of the goblin in front of them, Hollie's stab making an opening for one of Drax's claws to land the fatal blow. Matthias steps forward and casts a spell, and in the opening the goblin dog in front of Shae and Drax bites the ratfolk, tearing away a decent patch of fur. Luckily for Matthias, he does not break out in a reaction the same way that Drax did.
In the act of lunging forward, it appears the goblin dog takes no notice of Matthias's cone of colors. The goblin behind it, however, is immediately knocked unconscious by the blast of light.
The remaining two goblin dogs pack up around Shae (with 5-ft step) and attack her from both sides. Each dog bites her to great effect, though thankfully she avoids an allergic reaction.
Goblin attack v Matt:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 Goblin attack v Matt Damage:1d4 ⇒ 3 Goblin attack v Bereket:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 Goblin attack v Hollie:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 Goblin attack v Hollie Damage:1d4 ⇒ 1
Jess's bomb hits its mark dead-on, killing the goblin dog targeted right out. The other enemies caught in the splash radius dodge most of the damage, save for the one Hollie stabbed which is consumed by flame.
Trophy Hall—Round Two
Initiative Order
Initiative Order
Goblins
→Matthias
→Shae
→Bereket
→Hollie
Goblin Dogs
Jessalissa
The goblins from outside enter and position themselves to strike. Drax gets an attack off at one of them as they move pass, but fails to land his bite. The three goblins attack at Matthias, Bereket and Hollie and only manage to not hit Bereket. Matthias and Hollie sustain light wounds from dogslicers.
Matthias takes 3 slashing damage! Hollie takes 1 slashing damage! I am keeping track of health totals on roll20, so please don't also adjust on there as we may end up double dipping your damage!
