IC: To The Lost Mine of Phandelver... AND BEYOND!

[Jötunn]

The Lost Mine Of Phandelver

A HANDY LINK TO THE OUT OF CHARACTER THREAD (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?368299-OOC-To-The-Lost-Mine-of-Phandelver-AND-BEYOND!&p=17989969)

In the city of Amarand, a dwarf named Gundren Rockseeker asked you to bring a wagonload of provisions to the rough-and-tumble settlement of Phandalin, a couple of days' travel southeast of the city. Gundren was clearly excited and more than a little secretive about his reasons for the trip, saying only that he and his brothers had found "something big," and that he'd pay you ten gold pieces each for escorting his supplies safely to Barthen's Provisions, a trading post in Phandalin. He then set out ahead of you on horse, along with a warrior escort named Bravorn Trell, claiming he needed to arrive early to "take care of business".
You've spent the last few days following the High Road south from Amarand, and you've just recently veered east along the Triboar Trail. You've encountered no trouble so far, but this territory can be dangerous. Bandits and outlaws have been known to lurk along the trail.

You've been on the Triboar Trail for about half a day, guiding the wagon of supplies drawn by two oxen through deep valleys, over poorly maintained road and once through the woods around a fallen tree. As you come around a bend, you spot two dead horses sprawled about fifty feet ahead of you, blocking the path. Each has several black-feathered arrows sticking out of it. The woods press close to the trail here, with a steep embankment and dense thickets on either side.

Ok, to start.

I want three things in your first post:

A description of you as you are now, travelling.

What you did while travelling (are you riding on the wagon, walking next to the oxen, are you the one holding the reins - first in, best dressed!).

Finally, your response to the above situation.

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius Ludd doesn't really look like he belongs here, on the road guarding a cart of goods. The young man, no older than his early twenties, has the appearance of some manner of aristocrat or at least a member of the middle class. He's dressed in a black suit, worn over a black waistcoat and white shirt, complete with black tie and bowler hat. The lapel of his jacket has a red poppy worn through it. He has short, brown hair, and green eyes, as well as very clean skin of an average tone.

The man has been rather lazy throughout this journey, mostly sitting on the back of the cart, only occasionally stepping off to walk alongside it to stretch his legs. He's been personable, talking to anyone who takes an interest, but he doesn't really have the appearance of an adventurer. Just what is he doing on this journey?

As the cart slows to a stop, Julius turns his head to look out towards the front. "Hm? Why are we stopping?" he asks, before jumping to the floor without actually waiting for an answer. Walking around to the front of the cart, he stops mid-stride at the sight of the dead horses. And then he promptly jogs towards them, cupping one hand over his mouth. "Gundren?" he calls. Were these the dwarf and bodyguard's horses?

First in is indeed the best dressed. :smallwink: I do hope that post was adequate.

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Forest Gnome Druid

Ellyjobell had taken to looking after and talking to the oxen, her small 3'4" frame lay lounging on the front seat, short dark hair that may have once been a lighter blonde if not for the dirt, hung down around her face, most of the leaves and twigs that were tangled in her hair at the start of this journey had long since fallen out and she'd been looking around the campsite at night for some fresh pine needles so she could crush and smoosh them over herself, she loved the smell of pine.

As they'd been riding she'd gladly introduced herself to everyone along and happily attempted to share with them her favourite plants and animals, pulling out some charcoal sketches from a scroll-case she kept in her bags if anyone showed interest. Holding the reins casually in one of her hands as they made their way along the track, mainly to keep them form dragging along the road than from any desire to use them, she passed the time talking to both the oxen, and so far they where happy to go where she directed them.

As they came around the bend the oxen slow themselves, <Blood...> they say to her slightly panicked, coming to a complete stop and pawing the ground nervously. Springing to her feet and up onto her tiptoes for a better look at what's blocking their path she lets out a gasp, hands going to her face "Oh no!"

So far Ellyjobell has been casting Speak with Animals in it's ritual form (Takes 10min, doesn't use any spell slots) on and off during the journey so she could talk to the oxen etc.

Also Perception to check out the horses from the back of the wagon, to see if they're still alive or what killed them is nearby: [roll0]

[Amaril]

Shani has so far refrained from riding in the wagon, preferring to keep up a brisk walk alongside it; vexingly, she also insists on carrying all her equipment herself. Today is no different--clad as usual in her full scale mail, with her blue-dyed Conclave hood pulled up despite the absence of any real chill, she marches stoically beside the oxen at the front of the group. Underneath her hood, her plain features are arrayed in their customary expression of calm attentiveness, and she continually glances back and forth along the sides of the road, watching for any sign of danger. She hasn't precisely avoided conversation with her companions so far, but neither has she been especially outgoing, answering questions curtly and volunteering no unnecessary information.
As the horses come into view, Shani almost imperceptibly raises her eyebrows in surprise. Troubling...an ambush site? We should be cautious--they may still be about. Before she can indicate as much to the others, however, Julius has already started making noise and moving towards the horses. Foolish. With an exasperated sigh, she turns back to the others. "Stay quiet. Whatever did this could still be nearby." Easing her sword in its scabbard, she slowly approaches the carcasses. The black-fletched arrows immediately draw her attention. Intriguing...do they identify the attackers? Who uses arrows like this?

Insight roll to see if I know of anyone who uses arrows like these in this area, or can discern anything else about the attackers from the bodies.

[roll0]

[drbraininajar]

At the cart's reins sits Doran Redhill, a tall, lean half-orc man in his mid twenties, clad in the layered buckskin garb of the North. At first glance he could be mistaken for a hunter or warrior of some arctic tribe, but the totemic patterns of moons, stars, and owl faces beaded into the leather, as well as the owl feathers making up the trimming of his clothing and black bear-pelt cloak, marked him as a seer's apprentice. His hair is pleated into long braids tied back at the base of his neck, save for two braids that hang beside his temples and end in feathered amulets. Behind them his pointed ears, each adorned with a polished bone earspool, twitch occasionally at unusual sounds. A gnarled staff lay across his lap, its shamanic amulets rustling in the breeze. The forked end of the staff usually served as a perch for the white owl now dozing next to him on the cart. Snowshadow, as he was called, had eaten his fill of local rodents and had become bored by the journey. Have your rest, friend. I summoned you far from home. The owl was Doran's Spirit Brother, and he'd called upon Snowshadow shortly before they embarked. A wide, toothy yawn, like that of a great cat, opened on Doran's ashen-skinned face. He'd been at the reins for hours, but he wasn't the sort to abandon a post, even if offered a change of watch.
Suddenly, the oxen slow up, spooked by something. Doran pulls back the reins to stop them. Ahead he sees the grisly sight of two slain horses. He watches as the human woman strides out for a closer look, and the gnomish shaman gasps. He winces as the fool with the cane shouts for their patron, Gundren, startling Snowshadow awake. Doran sends a mental whisper to the owl. I fear there are enemies about. Search for them and call to me when they are found, Brother Snowhadow. The owl nods, and flies off, circling the cart.
Doran jumps down off his post, walks over to the foppish shouting man and claps a hand over the fool's mouth. He makes a 'shush' motion with his other hand, signaling the others. "Are you trying to get us shot at as well, Rich Man?" he whispers to Julius. He removes his hand for the man's mouth, makes a more emphatic shush motion, and joins the human woman by the horses. "What have you found, warrior?" he whispers to her.

[roll0]
Owl Perception GO!

[gearHead]

Arduin spent most of the journey on foot, well accustomed to long walks through the wilds; though sturdy, the oxen weren't particularly fast, and even his stunted gait kept up easily enough. He typically took up the rear, partly because it was wise for someone to watch their backs, but also to make it easier to avoid interacting with his fellow escorts. It was easy to understand why most people found him difficult to approach. He didn't hold it against them. Even disregarding his quiet personality, Arduin knew he was perhaps the ugliest living thing they had ever seen; he had been told so on numerous occasions, and believed it. However, his employers weren't hiring people for their looks, and Arduin's strength came well recommended - perhaps they even hoped his hideous appearance would keep trouble away. His companions seemed for the most part just as eager to leave the disfigured dwarf to his own devices, save the odd well-dressed man, who had been happy enough to carry on one-sided conversations with Arduin from his perch on the back of the cart. Arduin had appreciated the effort, though he doubted the sincerity of the man's friendship - who, after all, would want to befriend one such as himself?

With the sudden commotion up ahead, Arduin discarded such distracting musings and rushed to join the rest of the group. A small spark of anger stirred at the sight of the slain horses, quickly quashed - now was not the time to lose control! While some of his fellows warned of ambush, the dwarf considered that perhaps this kill was not so fresh; he quietly set to searching the sides of the road for tracks or any other signs of passage, either for the unfortunate riders or those who had attacked them, keeping the javelin he had been using as a walking stick readied. Still, that stubborn spark remained, a haze creeping on the edge of his vision, keeping him from putting his full attention to the task.

Survival [roll0]

[Jötunn]

Four of the party move forward to inspect the horses - Julius moves straight towards them, heedless of danger, while Shani and Doran move closely, followed hurriedly by Arduin. Ellyjobell is left to stare horrified at the quite clearly dead horses, which everyone can tell were those of their employer and his friend, Gundren and Bravorn. The four that move forward can also tell that the saddlebags have very clearly been rummaged through, and an empty map case lies nearby.

As Shani moves to inspect the black fletching of the arrow, you hear the thrum of bowstrings and one, two, three, four arrows are fired into the trail from the thicket on either side. Ellyjobell is fired at from either side, one striking her while the other passes behind her back. Another near miss passes by Julian, and when an arrow sprouts out of Shani's shoulderblade she looks up to find her question answered:

Goblins.

There are four goblins in the thicket, one on either side of the cart and two flanking the horses further down the path.

The two closest to the cart fire at Ellyjobell, one missing and the other hitting dealing 3 piercing damage.
One fires at Doran, missing, and the other hits Shani, dealing 5 piercing damage.

Only Arduin gets to act in this surprise round before the goblins attack once again.

[drbraininajar]

The DM informed me that Doran's owl was in fact able to warn him in time, so it's me and Arduin in the surprise round. Let's get em, dwarf buddy! :smallfurious:

For a split-second. Doran sees a flashed image through Snowshadow's eyes. A goblin archer nocking an arrow. Instinctively, he rolls to the side, the arrow planting itself in the dirt. The sound of an arrow piercing flesh tells him his warrior ally had been hit.

Doran brings the forked end of his staff in front of his face, sighting a snickering goblin archer. The half-orc mystic chants a few words of power and breathes in deeply. As he inhales, a ball of fire grows between the forks of the staff. Exhaling sharply, as if firing a blowgun, Doran sends the mote of flame careening toward the closest archer.

rolling attack and damage together, for convenience. Just disregard the damage if I miss
[roll0] [roll1]

[Jötunn]

The goblin is enveloped in crackling fire and collapses, skin crackling and blistering before your eyes.

I didn't check till after the rolling the crit damage, but the first eight damage was enough to kill him.

Poor goblin. All he does is kill, ambush and maim a few people and you go ahead and burn him to death in a single fireball

[gearHead]

"Archers!" Arduin shouted as he heard the twang of bowstrings, raising his shield instinctively; though no arrows had been aimed at him, the dwarf's warning had come too late. With most of his allies caught off-guard, he reacted with surprising speed for someone so physically twisted; hurling his javelin at one goblin that had popped up near the horses as he charged up to engage the other, Arduin drew his warhammer from the loop at his belt and brandished it at the creature to keep it from menacing those already wounded.

Attack [roll0]
Piercing damage [roll1]
Get into melee range with the other nearby goblin.

[Jötunn]

Arduin throws his javelin, but the goblin ducks and it sails over his head. As he charges, the goblin drops the bow, draws its sword and strikes, although Arduin dodges out of the way.

Two of the other goblins fire arrows towards the group still clustered near the horses, one missing Julius yet again and the other striking Shani.

The last goblin charges the wagon, fumbling for its shortsword in the process but not quite reaching Ellyjobell who is just out of reach on the wagon.

Arduin's javelin misses the goblin

The goblin attacks Arduin and misses with an attack roll of 15.

One misses Julian with an attack roll of 11

One hits Shani with an attack roll of 15 (I've double checked, it's an equal to or better roll) and does 3 piercing damage.

The last goblin doesn't manage to reach Ellyjobell, but will next turn.

[gearHead]

The goblin's haphazard swing went wide of Arduin, and he quickly countered with a smashing blow, then used the momentum from his whirling strike to hurl himself back towards the wagon to intercept the raider approaching Ellyjobell.

Attack [roll0]
Bludgeoning damage [roll1]
Moving to engage the other goblin.

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Yelping as an arrow slices into her arm as it zips past, she quickly ducks down, chanting quickly in sounds that are not quite words as her club shimmers and sprouts gnarled lumps and thorns. Popping back up she launches herself with a roar at the startled goblin, swinging her club towards it's head in a viscous arc.

Bonus Action: Cast Shillelagh on her club (Lasts 1min)

Movement: Jump down and move to the goblin that was charging towards me

Attack: [roll0] (Am i flanking with Arduin? Does flanking even mean anything in 5e? I can't find anything in the PHB)
Damage: [roll1] bludgeoning damage

Oh horrible attack roll anyhow, it wouldn't matter :smallsmile:

[Yuki Akuma]

Violence erupts around Julius. But he's just standing there, for the first few seconds, staring at the dead horses. They had to be Gundren's, right? They didn't see anyone else leave before them. Unless they had come from the south, he supposed...

But, no. They had to be Gundren's.

The well-dressed man's head snaps up as an arrow sails past him. His eyes narrow slightly - and then he breaks into a run at the poor goblin that shot at him, raising his cane high. He swipes down, aiming for the goblin's neck - before he lets the momentum of his run bring his knee up to slam it into the goblin's stomach. Or, well. Upper chest. Goblins are shorter than humans.

Moving to the goblin that shot at me (I'm assuming he's within 30 feet because I was already approaching the horses).

Action: Cane'd! [roll0] Damage: [roll1]
Bonus Action: Knee'd! [roll2] Damage: [roll3]

Gotta love Martial Arts.

[drbraininajar]

Doran looks to Shani, who seemed the most caught unawares. "Rise, warrior. We may have need of your strength." he says to her before once again bringing his staff in front of his face. Again he breathes deep, and propels the mystic fire from the forked tip of his staff, this time toward the goblin menacing Doran's gnomish spirit-talker ally.

[roll0] [roll1]

As the vile creature is engulfed in flame, Doran closes his eyes, reaching out to Snowshadow's spirit. Are there more attackers, Brother Owl?

[Jötunn]

Arduin crushes one goblin's chest with a mighty hammerblow while Julius takes out another, missing with his cane but connecting with a knee, connecting with its chin and knocking it back into the cart and unconscious, although very likely bleeding to death from it's injuries. As he incinerates the fourth and last, Doran's owl returns to his shoulder and speaks into his mind: Spiritbrother, I see no more creatures around us.

As you reconvene, you all understand that yes, these are Gundren and Bravorn's horses, and it appears that their saddlebags have been searched and the pair of them have been captured, slain or worse.

Congratulations on finishing the first combat of the game. In Doran's case, rather spectacularly.

Divide 200xp between all five of you (so 40xp each).

What do you do next?

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius keeps his knee raised for a moment, reaching forward to brush dust off of it - and then swivels around and heads over to the horses as if nothing even happened. He stoops down, searching through the saddlebags, and shakes his head. "Someone went through this," he announces to the world in general. He then walks over, and picks up the empty map case, looking into it - not really expecting to find anything, though.

And then, without a word, he walks into the undergrowth to search for a path or something that the goblins might have used to set up the ambush.

Searchin' (with Investigation I guess?): [roll0]

[Amaril]

Gritting her teeth against the pain of the arrow wounds, Shani slowly pushes herself back to her feet. Should have been more observant. Could have been killed. Inexcusable. She sways dizzily as she rises, injuries pressing against her awareness harder than she can fight to ignore them. "Is anyone here skilled in medicine? I would do little but slow us down with these wounds, and my effectiveness in any further combat would suffer."

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Missing with her swing moments before the goblin in front of her is incinerated Ellyjobell glances back up to the cart and the Mage sitting there casually destroying their foes. I'll have to stay on the good side of that one. At the cries of medic she rushes over to Shani to examine her wounds, sliding her club into a loop of her belt as she goes, freeing up her hands.

"Oh that looks painful" she says, pulling at Shani's arm to get her to crouch so the short gnome could better tend to her. Frowning at the injury, she locks eyes with Shani "This may hurt a little, but at least those arrows weren't barbed" she says with a grimace of shared pain as she wraps her small hands around the shaft of the arrow before tugging it free, immediately placing pressure over the wound. "Press here" she indicates before rummaging around in her herbalism kit, pulling forth a couple strange leaves which she pops into her mouth and starts to chew into a paste. Moving to the horses she rips a strip of fabric from the saddle blankets and returns to Shani, wiping clean the wound she spits the now mushed up leaves into her hand and presses them over the wound before wrapping it tightly with the torn piece of cloth.

"Almost done, just one final bit" she says merrily before reaching into her pocket and chanting some words. Bringing her hand out full of small berries, ten in fact, of which she pops a couple into her mouth and quickly eats them up Ellyjobell's own wound knitting itself together. She then offer's some to Shani "The poultice i used should stop a lot of the pain, but if it's still too much try one of these. Take two anyway, they'll give you enough energy to go all day."

She then moves off to the other's offering them each a single berry before pocketing the rest.


Cast Goodberry to create 10 Goodberries.
Ellyjobell eats 2, regaining 2HP.
Gives 2 to Shani.
Gives 1 to each of the others if they want one.
Should have 3 left if her pocket for the next 24hours.

[Amaril]

Shani winces as Ellyjobel tugs on her arm, but kneels down in response nonetheless. Steeling herself against the incoming pain as the gnome readies to pull out the arrows, she manages to restrain herself from giving any noise of complaint. Dimly, she registers Elly's thankfulness that there were no barbs on the arrows. "Yes, I...suppose we should be thankful for small favors" she agrees earnestly through gritted teeth, obediently keeping pressure on the wounds while Elly goes about her work.
The medicine and bandages do little to lessen the pain, but she at least feels more up to moving again. "Thank you...I believe I can continue fighting now, if needed." Her gratitude shortly turns to puzzlement as Elly offers the berries, however, and she gives them a skeptical look as she accepts. May as well try one, though. Biting down on one, she is surprised when the pain immediately diminishes sharply, far more than any of the other treatment Elly has provided. Strange...magic, perhaps? The chanting must have been an incantation...primitive, but it seems effective. Glancing around furtively, she quickly eats the second berry as well, and instantly feels nearly back to full strength. She rises carefully, but her head no longer seems inclined to start spinning. "My apologies" she says to the group, "I should have been more cautious." She turns back to the dead horses. "Has anyone found any trace of the riders? If their bodies aren't present, they may still be alive." Without waiting for an answer, she searches around for any sign of tracks leading away from the scene, or other clues that might explain where they went.

Survival check, untrained:

[roll0]

[drbraininajar]

Doran strokes Snowshadow's head and hands him a treat. Thank you, friend. He says to the white owl. A small hand tugs at his cloak. Doran looks down to see the gnome called Badger reaching up to hand him a strange berry. "Er, thank you, forest-talker Badger." He does not know what to make of the gift at first, but as he holds it he can feel the slight warmth of spirit magic within. "Ah, I see. I will stow this away, should I need it."
Doran looks around, one two three....."Where is the Fool with the Cane?" He puts one hand to his face in exasperation as he realizes where Julius has gone. "Frostfather's Beard, he's gone into the woods hasn't he? Snowshadow's eyes have seen no more foes near here, but that would not account for beasts." He nods to his spiritbrother, and the owl flies from his shoulder to land on forest-talker's. "Snowshadow will stay here. If there is trouble, he will show you the way to find us. He is a vigilant sentry as well." The owl narrows his eyes and puts one wing up as if to shade them, then turns his head this way and that, and once behind him as owls do, as if to illustrate his watchfulness.
"Now, I will go find that Fool before he brings a whole pack of wolves on himself." Doran then disappears into the brush, following Julius's trail.

If Ellyjobell talks to Snowshadow, his personality is something like a stereotypical elven ranger, but a bit more lighthearted. I would talk for him, but I don't think I can carry on two conversations at once haha.

**********
After a few minutes, Doran catches up with Julius, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It is very unwise to wander into the woods alone, especially dressed...as you are. As my old master once said 'If many eyes are upon you, their fangs may be next.'"

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Ellyjobell's eyes go wide with surprised excitement as the owl settles onto her shoulder, holding herself still while turning her head to the side to get a better look, she beams with mirth as the owl does it's little performance. "Why hello there" she greets the owl. <Well met forest-talker> the owl responds much to Ellyjobell's delight, as she'd forgotten her spell was still active. "I'd very much like to draw you. But first we should check over these horses," she says running her eyes over the owls silky feathers.

Moving around the horses, examining the ground and the edge of the path nearby with Ellyjobell chattering away all the while to Snowshadow, frowning slightly she turns to look at him when he doesn't reply to one of her questions as her spell fades away, before moving back to the horses to check them over for anything the goblins had left behind. Pulling free the saddle blanket she'd used earlier, she rolled it up and tucked it under her arm before going through the saddlebags.

Survival, looking for tracks: [roll0]

Finding nothing worth noting in the churned up roadside, Ellyjobell moves back over to the wagon, urging Snowshadow to perch upon the brake handle. She then plops herself down in the dirt and starts to rip strips from the blanket, before stuffing them into her pack. These might be useful if things keep up like this.

Once she was done with the blanket, she pulls free a battered scroll case that's worn from constant use. Unfastening the top she tilts it up and shakes out a small packet of charcoal wrapped in leaves and tied with a thin vine. Reaching into the case she then pulls out a handful of papers and starts sorting through them. Happy once she finds one that has one side free of drawings she carefully places the others back in the case and sets to work happily sketching the posing Snowshadow while waiting for the others to return.

[gearHead]

With the goblins dispatched, and no other obvious threat for the moment, Arduin resumed searching for tracks or other signs of what fate had apparently befallen their employer. He accepted Ellyjobell's berry with surprise, the unbroken half of his mouth turning upward in a small, somewhat pained but grateful smile. "I recognize this. Thank you." He had been taught not to trust arcane magic, but divine blessings - of the Gods or nature - were another matter.

Speaking of which, Doran's flames had proven quite useful in dealing with the ambush. In his youth he might have attacked the wizard on sight, or at least spat on him; but in the last few years Arduin had learned the hard way to distinguish the intent behind magic from its power. While he wouldn't say he had rejected his heritage, he had certainly begun to see how narrow a philosophy it was. What he wasn't certain of yet was whether any of his current companions could truly be trusted, but he was willing to reserve judgment until he'd gotten to know more about them. More important than whether he could trust their motives yet, Arduin needed to know quickly whether he could depend on their skill and judgment in battle. So far, that was still up in the air.

Survival [roll0]

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius flinches as he suddenly feels a hand on his shoulder. He turns his head to regard the half-orc for a few moments. Well my master told me... the... pretty much the same thing, actually," he admits after a moments thought. "Just... we... I have to find him. I can't just sit around and..."

Doran might notice that the Fool is actually close to tears. Although he seems to gather his wits after a few moments. "You're right. Let's get back to the others."

[Jötunn]

As the unusual duo make their way back to the road and the gnome sketches, Arduin discovers a trail that leads northwest, and can tell that at least a dozen goblins have come and gone along the trail, with signs of two human - or dwarf - sized bodies being hauled away from the ambush site.

You have three options, as I see them:


You head straight along the trail now, leaving the wagons and oxen tied up at the side of the road. It would be easy enough to leave them tied up and just out of sight of the path with no real trouble.
You take a short rest, and then do the above.
You head straight on to Phandalin, deliver the goods, then come back to follow the trail.


For decisions like this I'm going to go with a majority vote: the first three people to agree on something (either IC or OOC), that's the answer I'll go with. We'll see how that goes and iron out any problems as we go.

[drbraininajar]

Doran's craggy face softens, taken aback by Julius's reactions. "Believe me, I understand. Once we get back to the others, we'll pick up the trail. The assailants don't stand a chance against all of us."

*********
Once Doran and Julius return to the group, he first speaks to Shani and Badger, noticing that the gnome has taken to drawing brother Snowshadow, with the owl striking his most dignified perching pose. I thought you two might get along. Seeing that Shani needed no further aid, he quickly joins Arduin. "What have you found, Arduin Rage-Axe?" he asked, using the title his people gave such warriors. When the dwarf shows him the tracks, he grimaces. "Then it appears our path is set...."

[Yuki Akuma]

Once they return to the group, Julius decides to search the goblins. Possibly to avoid having to talk to anyone while in his current emotional state. He then just stacks them up by the side of the road, before gathering up some leaves, twigs, grass and other detritus to toss over their corpses. It's not quite clear whether this denotes any respect for them, or a complete absence of it.

Lootin' lootin' lootin'~

[Jötunn]

Julius finds very little of real worth on the goblins - they are all carrying fairly crude scimitars, shortbows and are wearing leather armor that isn't in the best of condition. If you'd like, you could strip them of everything and put it on the wagon to try and sell later, but it's more likely that they'd be stripped for useable material rather than sold as-is, so the price you'd get for them wouldn't be high - a few gold pieces in total, at the very most. They aren't carrying anything else of value.

You take the wagon aside and tie up the oxen, so that they're just out of sight and hearing from the road. Then you all begin the trek northwest along the trail.Arduin's Perception:[roll0]Luckily, the keen-eyed dwarf in the lead spots the snare before he triggers it - it appears to be a simple rope trap that would have had him dangling upside down ten feet in the air. Each of you carefully step your way around the trap.

I'll give you about... 12 hours IRL from now to react, then I'll continue. Just in case you want to change up what you're doing, what with traps.

[Jötunn]

DC15 perception:[roll0]
DC10 Dexterity[roll1]
While the dwarf may have seen the snare trap, he fails to spot the pit trap another ten minutes down the trail and goes tumbling down. Luckily, the pit's sides aren't steep enough to make scrambling up too much of a bother, but Arduin still takes some bruises for his trouble.

Following the goblins' trail, you come across a large cave in a hillside five miles from the scene of the ambush. A shallow stream flows out of the cave mouth, which is screened by dense briar thickets. A narrow dry path leads into the cave on the right-hand side of the stream.

[gearHead]

"It seems we're following an inauspicious path," Arduin chuckled uncertainly as he groped his way out of the hole. Certainly it would be no good for a dwarf to die a mere ten feet underground. Careful not to let his minor annoyance flare up into something darker, he reaffixed his shield and turned to face the others, speaking quietly. "Our quarry expected to be followed, and I admit I am surprised at how well prepared they were for it. Let's hope they are overconfident in their own lair." Picking idly at a leaf that had gotten lodged in his teeth through the gash on his cheek, Arduin casually inspected the stone around the cavern entrance, looking for signs of shaping by mortal hands. Even the most innocent-looking of caves might have been a hall or stronghold to one race or another in the distance past, and if anything looked familiar, it might give them some hint of what awaited them inside. "I'm no scout. Someone must ensure there isn't a pack of gobbers waiting just inside."

History [roll0] + Stonecutting bonus

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger didn't much like goblins, they lived in the forests she loved so much, but they left traps everywhere where animals could get caught and die slow painful deaths. Or they went and killed horses and just left them there to rot, not even bothering to take any meat. What a waste of a life.

Clapping her hands to her mouth she just realised they left the oxen tied up near two dead horses with the smell of blood to draw in predators. Hopefully there are no wolves around. Shaking her head, she dismisses her worries. The oxen are big enough to look after themselves and the rope wouldn't hold them if they needed to run.

"A whole tribe?" she asks quietly, pausing at the edge of the tree line when the cave comes into sight and carefully checking the area around the entrance, looking for movement in any nooks above the cave or behind the screen of briar thickets.

Perception: [roll0]

[Jötunn]

You can tell that the cave, while originally natural, has been crudely shaped, presumably by the goblins themselves. There are small stone steps leading upwards into the darkness, while you can see that there are marks on the stone walls on either side where a steadying hand has passed and worn away the stone. You can't tell how many goblins might be in there, but you can tell that it's been used for a long time.
You can see on the other side of the river, right up at the cave entrance, there's a gap in the treeline that otherwise spans the entire length of the eastern side of the river (you being on the west, facing the cave entrance to the north. Perhaps there's a clearing in there? You don't hear, see or smell any goblins.

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Ellyjobell hmmm's not liking the look of that gap. Are goblins greedy? she ponders.
"There's a gap in the brair over there," she points. "If something pops out be ready, I'm going to try something," she says as she creeps into a better position before gesturing strangely at the area in front of the gap on this side of the river. As her hand stops moving a sack spilling forth gold and silver coins appears laying enticingly on the ground as if dropped accidentally.

Not sure how far away that opening is, but the spell has a range of 30ft, hopefully she can cast it from the safety of the treeline, but if needed she'll crawl out all stealthy before casting it.
Cast so if there is something in hiding in there, they'd have to cross to our side of the river/creek to get to it.

Cast: Minor Illusion: Sack o' Coins! (DC12 vs Active Investigation)
(if needed) Stealth: [roll0]

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius manages not to laugh when the dwarf falls into the hole. "At least we know it's there for when we make the return trip, right?" he comments as he skirts the shallow-sided pit.

As they make their way to the clearing, Julius hmms to himself at the gnome's description of the area. "Sounds like a perfect place to set up an ambush... he murmurs. And then, he ducks down, and makes his way towards the cave entrance without a word! Once he makes it there, he tries to peer around the brush.

Stealth: [roll0]
Perception: [roll1]

It turns out the Fool is actually really good at keeping quiet and unseen. If his companions didn't know he was there, even they might have missed his movements! How bizarre.

[Jötunn]

A wise man once said “It is far better to foresee even without certainty than not to foresee at all.”

Unfortunately for Ellyjobell, her plan comes to well, not as much as she'd hoped when, as she quietly gestures the last component of her spell, she stumbles on an upreaching root and lets out a small yell. The small bag of gold appears, silently dropping to the ground and spilling its shiny and completely non-existant contents all over the ground. As the group hesitates for just that brief moment when they wonder if someone has noticed, you hear a scrambling sound and two arrows fly out of the screening thicket on the other side of the river, one at the shiny, distracting bag of gold and silver and the other at the gnome. Luckily it misses her entirely - a shot in haste, perhaps?

Now that they're moving, you can just glimpse the bare outlines of at least two goblins on the other side of the thicket.

The two that you see have three-quarters cover - a +5 bonus to AC and Dexterity saving throws. You might want to make your way around or through the thicket (which is not, in fact, difficult terrain by the way) but they're 40ft away so you can't reach them with a single move this turn.

One goblin misses Ellyjobell with an attack roll of 12.

Initiative:
Shani: [roll0]
Doran: [roll1]
Ellyjobell: [roll2]
Arduin: [roll3]
Julius: [roll4]

Goblins: [roll]1d20+2/roll] - OOC=5

Everyone, you may now act.

EDIT: Please accept my terrible MSPAINT art map, just to give you the general gist of the area:
http://i62.tinypic.com/yyxw5.jpg
The orange cross is a *rough* estimate of where you are i.e. Arduin is more north, but it doesn't matter so much. The red cross is where the goblins are apparently firing from.

Expect more terrible MSpaint maps in the future, they at least give you a general idea of things.

[drbraininajar]

"I tire of these vermin." Doran says. He brings his staff once again before his face. "Forest-talker Badger!" he shouts, warning his gnome ally. "Warn the creatures of that thicket to leave." He inhales, forming the mystic flame before him. "I'm going to smoke those goblins out." He then propels the firebolt not at the goblins...but at the thicket they hide in.

[roll0]
In case an attack roll is needed

[Amaril]

Shani gives Doran an approving nod as she draws her sword and takes up a ready stance near the front of the group. "Clever. I agree, better to engage on our terms." Taking her sword in a one-handed grip, she bends the other hand into a gesture of focus and begins to call up the Power, holding it ready to throw at the first goblin to rear its ugly head.

On Shani's turn, readying an action to cast Ray of Frost at the first goblin to leave cover.

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius reaches into a jacket pocket, and tenses, feeling the weight of one of his shuriken. A simple, double-sided dart, rather than a star or anything fancy like that.

He grips the dart...

Readying an action to throw a dart at the first goblin to leave the thicket.

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Two of them then, the thinks absently noting the arrow flying past her. Quickly she rushes forwards as Doran sets the ticket ablaze, throwing herself to the ground and ducking behind her shield, she prepares a ball of flames ready to throw at the goblins when the smoke drives them out.

Ellyjobell moves diagonally upwards to almost where her illusionary bag of coins are, then drops to the ground prone (attacks she makes have disadvantage & attacks against her from further than 5ft have disadvantage)

Ready Action
Trigger: A goblin to leave cover
Attack (Disadvantage): [roll0] | [roll1]
Damage: [roll2] fire

Just rolled it all in case it's needed to save doing so later.

[gearHead]

As the others sprang into action, Arduin raised his shield high and hustled up to stand before the gnome. "Be cautious once we enter!" he called back to his companions. "As far as I can tell, these goblins have made this cavern their home for quite some time. Likely they know every nook and cranny of it."

Move 25ft to stand in front of Ellyjobell and use the Dodge action. Attacks against Arduin have disadvantage until his next turn.

[Jötunn]

You hear yelps of fear as the brush is set afire, and one goblin makes a break for the cave entrance, whether out of fear or to warn those within. Shani, Julius and Ellyjobell all react but it ducks beneath and around their attacks and reaches the cave mouth. If he acts quickly, Julius could reach the goblin before he gets any further into the cave. Shani might also be able to move forward far enough to spot the goblin in the cave mouth.

The other goblin is somewhat more stalwart and fires an arrow at the biggest target, Arduin, but misses entirely.

Shani's to hit: [roll0] and damage:[roll1]
Julius' to hit: [roll2] and damage:[roll3]

Goblin's to hit: [roll4] and damage:[roll5]

I don't think I've missed anyone here this time. I hope.

[drbraininajar]

Leaving the fleeing goblin to his allies, Doran sprints across the river. He runs his hand down the length of his staff, speaking the Ancient Words of guidance and foresight. Whether by mystic flame or the knotted end of a staff, his next strike would hit home.

Doran moves his speed toward the thicket and casts True Strike.

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Damn! Ellyjobell thumps her fists into the ground pushing herself to her feet and dodging around Arduin she takes a few more steps, reaching her arm back flames springing to life in her palm, she sights, then lets loose with her handful of flame at the fleeing goblin hoping her aim had improved.

Move: Get up and move a bit closer

Produce Flame (Cantrip) @ Fleeing Goblin
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] fire damage

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius makes a 'tch' sound of annoyance, then dashes toward the goblin heading for the cave mouth, One hand on his hat to prevent it from falling off, he swings his cane with the other - then follows almost immediately with an elbow strike from the same arm.

Moving toward the fleeing goblin.

Action: Cane'd! [roll0] Damage! [roll1]
Bonus action: Elbow'd! [roll2] Damage! [roll3]

[Jötunn]

Racing forward, Ellyjobell scorches the fleeing goblin but does only superficial damage. It looks almost like the goblin is getting away - that is, until Julian catches him and hits him twice, hard. The goblin is slammed against the cave wall and collapses, incapacitated.

[Jötunn]

Arduin moves through the stream and around the thicket to sight the second goblin before he throws a javelin, and Shani does the same. Except, you know, with magic.

Should the goblin survive, it fires an arrow in return before fleeing into the thicket and away from the cave mouth.

Everyone hears the snarling and barking of wolves from within the cave mouth.

Arduin's Javelin: [roll0] for [roll1] damage
Shani's Ray of Frost: [roll2] for [roll3]

Goblin, attacking Arduin: [roll]1d20+4[roll] for [roll4]

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius drops his cane on the floor before reaching into his left pocket with his right hand. With a swift hand motion, he hurls another of his shuriken at the remaining goblin.

Attack! [roll0] Damage! [roll1]

C'mon people, let's keep this moving!

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Hearing the sounds of wolves Ellyjobell ***** her head to the side and listens, trying to determine if they were getting closer or perhaps fighting something inside. Her curiosity overcoming her fear of angry wolves hurtling towards her, she then moves to a better vantage point to see into the cave.

Perception: [roll0]

[Jötunn]

The goblin is wounded by Julius' shuriken but continues thrashing its way through the thicket.

That is, it's still alive. You can still reach it this turn, it hasn't actually moved in game terms.

Ellyjobell sees crudely carved stone steps leading upwards by the right side of the stream that flows from the cave mouth. There is an opening to the right, from which it seems the snarling and snapping is coming from, although it doesn't seem to be coming any closer.

[drbraininajar]

taking advantage of the opening, Doran sprints for the goblin, clearing away brush left and right. As he closes in on the creature, a thrown blade sticking out of its arm, Doran moves both hands toward the base of his staff and brings it in a sidelong arc toward the goblin. His previous magics kick in, and shadowy images of every possible result of this swing appear in his minds eye as, by his perception, time slows to a crawl. Doran adjusts his grip slightly and chooses one of the spectral arcs before him to pursue.

[roll0]


[roll1]

[roll2]
Rolling with advantage from True Strike. If the goblin would be defeated, Doran opts to knock it unconscious instead.

[Jötunn]

Doran's precognition pays off as his blow strikes the goblin unconscious with a precise blow on the temple.

[drbraininajar]

Doran removes a length of rope from his pack and binds the unconscious goblin's hands and feet, then takes away the tiny marauder's weapons before hefting his incapacitated foe over his shoulder and striding out of the brush, Snowshadow gliding down from the trees to join him.

"I suppose that could have gone worse." He says as he rejoins his allies. "But we must have no more surprises." He drops the goblin at Julius's feet. "See what you all can get out of this cretin when he awakes. I'm sure you can think of some...creative means of extracting that information." Doran raises one eyebrow and nods knowingly toward Julius's cane.

"As for me..." he says, dropping to a cross-legged seated position behind a nearby stone. He beckons to Snowshadow, and the owl lands in front of him, standing at the ready. "...I will see what tricks these goblins have waiting for us in the cave."

Doran pulls from his pack a fist-sized sphere, which upon closer inspection is actually the eye of some large animal, crystallized and preserved by magic. He closes his eyes, holding the preserved eye in his lap. When he opens them again, they have clouded over and he goes stock still. Snowshadow flies off into the cave.

Doran is using his telepathic link with Snowshadow to scout the cave. Snowshadow's going to fly through as much of the cave as he can before being caught. Doran can't hear or see anything besides what Snowshadow sees right now, so nothing that happens will faze him, and he's stiff as a statue. The eye is his "trophy from a previous conquest" from his Outlander background, and he'll be glad to tell the story if anyone asks.
In case they're needed:
Owl Stealth: [roll0]
Owl Perception: [roll1]
Snowshadow has Darkvision

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius looks at the burning brush, and shakes his head. "We've probably alerted the entire cave by now..." he mutters to himself.

He croches down, and waits for the mage to give the all-clear - he can't see in the dark, so he won't be too useful scouting out the place.

Tiny post because I can't think of anything to do just yet. ..>

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Her gaze following Snowshadow into the cave, Ellyjobell walks back over to Doran and sits cross-legged on the ground opposite him. Pulling a small carving of her namesake, a badger, from her pocket she sets it on the ground in front of her and scratches some lines in the dirt.

"Warn me if anything tries to kill us. I'm going to try listen to the wolves!" she tells Julius with a excited smile before closing her eyes and starting her ritual, sprinkling dirt and pieces of grass over her totem on the ground, whilst chanting softly under her breath.

Ellyjobell is going to start casting Speak with Animals (Ritual), this takes 10min to cast as a ritual, but doesn't require the use of a spell slot. Hopefully she can listen to the wolves/maybe get them to help us, if she gets enough time to complete the spell.

[Jötunn]

Julius, Shani and Arduin stand over the two as they begin their various rituals.

Snowshadow swoops into the cave mouth and follows the stream under a natural bridge as it flows steadily down a slight slope, curving ever to the right. Eventually it reaches a room almost directly north-east of the cave entrance, filled with two large pools of water. A narrow waterfall high in the eastern wall feeds the pool, which drains out the western end from which Snowshadow came. Low fieldstone walls serve as dams holding the water in. A wide exit stands to the south, while a smaller passage leads west, presumably to one side of the bridge seen earlier. The sound of the waterfall echoes through the cavern, making it difficult to hear. That, however, does not stop the three goblins standing guard to notice the flapping owl swoop in to the room, and one, laughing to his friends in Goblin, nocks an arrow to his bow and slowly takes aim.
Doran, Snowshadow better get out of there quickly or one of the goblins will take a potshot for fun. I took some liberties with the direction of his flight because otherwise this could take forever to play out by PbP, hope you forgive me.

Everyone else, Ellyjobell is still doing her ritual. We can run the results of that once Doran's finished exploring the cave, unless you decide to move in earlier. EDIT: Stuff that. Let's make this move a little faster. Everyone can have something to do, cos that goblin is waking up and Julian is the only one around to talk with it :smalltongue:

As Ellyjobell finishes, she begins to hear translations of the wolves' cries: "Food! Food! Hungry!"

Meanwhile, the goblin, drowsily begins to wake. As he spots Julian and the others, and notes his bindings, he cringes, then begins to try and roll away on the ground, hoping that somehow nobody notices him.

[Yuki Akuma]

"Oh, I wouldn't," Julius says calmly to the goblin, reaching over to get a firm grip on his bindings. "Now, then. I think it would be in your best interest to tell us what you did with the dwarf and the human he was traveling with," he continues in a conversational tone, before glancing to the mangled body of the goblin's comrade. "Or things could get... unpleasant."

Grab, if it's needed (Strength (Athletics)): [roll0]
Charisma (Intimidation): [roll1]

[drbraininajar]

Doran claps his hands together, breaking the spirit link. Within the cave, Snowshadow vanishes in a swirl of mist. As the orcish mystic shakes off the dreamy haze of spirit-wandering, his brother owl reappears from the forest shadows, and comes to rest on Doran's forked staff. That was close, spiritbrother, Doran says to Snowhadow, offering him a treat for his trouble and stroking the owl's head. Thankfully they did not know you are no ordinary bird.

Doran uses an action to temporarily dismiss Snowshadow, and another to have him reappear nearby, as per the Find Familiar spell. And yeah I figured you'd be telling me where he went, so it's no problem.

He walks over to Julius, Snowshadow keeping perfect balance on his staff. "That stream leads all the way to the back of the cave, where the goblins have it dammed up. A bridge crosses high over the stream, connecting the room with the held water to another passage to the west. That is all Snowshadow could discover before he was spotted. I wish we could have found more." he grimaces, disappointed. "And what have you learned from this ankle-biter?"

[Jötunn]

Shani and Arduin attempt to assist with the intimidation:
Shani: [roll0]
Arduin: [roll1]

Edit: Well... guess it's Doran and Ellyjobell's turns?

Shani and Arduin loom over the goblin, but this particular one has apparently developed to perfection the stubbornness inherent in the goblin race. He's so tight lipped that he's actually having trouble breathing, and is slowly turning blue.

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

As Ellyjobell finishes her ritual and comes out of her induced trance, she places her totem back in her pocket and listens to the wolves carefully trying to make sense of their cries. A look of confusion crosses her face, quickly replaced by a look of anger and disgust contorting the normally happy face of the gnome.

"You trap and starve wolves?!" she gets out through her teeth, stalking towards the bound goblin. "Why are goblins so cruel?!" Placing a knee on his chest she pins the goblin to the ground and slaps his eyes open. "Maybe, fresh goblin will fill their bellies," she says, pushing hard off her knee to stand, then grabbing the rope tying the goblins feet she begins to drag him behind her, feet first towards the cave.

Intimidation: [roll0]; Oh hell yeah a crit too!
Goblins Sense of Self-Preservation: [roll1]

[Jötunn]

The goblin keeps its lips sealed, but its eyes bulge larger and larger until at the cave mouth it begins to squeal.

"Human in eating cave, still alive, still alive, I promise! Dwarf taken to goblin king at Cragmaw! Cragmaw keep! Don't feed Grishnaw to wolves, please please please I always made sure to feed them the best scraps I swear!"

This is clearly the scariest gnome he has ever encountered.

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Ellyjobell pauses in her march towards the cave and looks back at the goblin and then to the rest of her companions and raises a questioning eyebrow. Bravorn's alive then.
Fixing her glare back on the goblin she crouches down and asks in a scarily friendly tone "And where is Cragmaw keep, Grishnaw?"

To see how truthful the goblin is being.
Insight: [roll]1d20+3... OOC Thread Roll = 13 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=18067994&postcount=130)

[Jötunn]

Wrinkling her nose, Ellyjobell determines from the smell that the goblin is too scared to be coming up with lies.

"North! East! Both! One day!"

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Stepping away from the goblin, she looks to Julius and asks "I'll leave him to you?"

"Did you see where the wolves were Snowshadow?" she asks looking up at the owl perched atop Doran's staff, her arm fishing around in her pack for one of the parcels of rations and the dried meat contained within. "They need food and releasing," she turns back towards the cave, a determined look on her face as she unwraps one of the parcels.

[Jötunn]

Snowshadow didn't see the wolves, but right inside the cave mouth there was an opening to the right which Snowshadow passed too quickly to get a good look through. The wolves sound pretty close - maybe they're in there?

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius takes a deep breath, then stands up. "I suppose we have a bodyguard to save," he says with a small sigh. "The goblins probably already know we're here... Does anyone have a lantern? I can't see in the dark."

[Fra Lippo]

Corrin

A stout, blond halfling in studded leather tramps into the clearing, bow drawn and aimed at the half-orc. In a calm voice he calls out:"I'm looking for a dwarf named Gundren, and his human companion. Did you lot shoot down their horses back on the road?"

When he notices the goblin captive, the archer lowers his bow slightly, though he continues to eye each of the party in turn. "Are you the guards Gundren wrote about? When he didn't arrive in Phandelver, I was asked by his friends in town to come out and search for him."

[drbraininajar]

"Hmmm....it seems we have forgotten about that cart in our rush to save Gundren." Doran regards the halfling that's come suddenly from the brush. "Yes, we were the group tasked with escorting it. These twice-blighted goblins are your ambushers" he says, tilting his head toward Badger and her 'captive'.

"We discovered Gundren and his protector's horses slain on the road and were ourselves ambushed. We followed the trail here. We prepare now to rescue the warrior-guard from the goblin cave behind us...."

Doran continues, explaining what they've discovered so far--that the goblins are hiding in the cave, that Gundren's bodyguard is held captive there, and that Gundren himself has been taken to the goblins' stronghold further away.

"If you've come to find them, Hair-Foot Warrior, then join our rescue." He thinks for a moment. "Still, someone should finish our other task. The town may yet need those supplies, and they should be delivered before bandits can loot them. Shani Blade-Sage, would you do this for us? With sword and magic, you should be able to deal with any threat."

[Jötunn]

Shani considers for a moment and then nods wordlessly, and begins her way back down the trail. She's careful to step around the traps noted before.

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Ellyjobell eyes the new comer cautiously, looking mostly at his nocked arrow, her body tense and ready to react. At the mention of Gundrens name though she relaxed and looked back to their captive.

Taking one of the pieces of ripped up blanket she had planned to use as future bandages, Ellyjobell rolls it up and forces it into Grishnaw's mouth, then using another piece she ties it around his head, holding the first securely in place. She was happy Shani would be moving the oxen onto the town, she really didn't like the thought of them being stuck to the wagon unable to defend themselves if she was going to set some starved wolves free.

"Now you're going to help us find our friend and free the wolves." she tells the goblin as she attaches a 10ft length of rope to the ropes securing his hands, wrapping the other end about her wrist and holding it firmly with her hand "And if you help us with that and point out any more of your nasty traps, i'll untie you and let you go once we're back out here," she continues letting the goblin stand. "Deal?"

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius tenses as the newcomer appears. For a split second it almost looks like he's going to leap towards the halfling, before he relaxes, putting his hand on his face and sighing. "Startling people like that is very rude, you know," he mutters.

[Fra Lippo]

The halfling relaxes. "I'm sorry for raising my bow to you, but as you've all seen it pays to be careful around these parts. My name is Corrin Strongjaw", he offers with a smile, "and a good day to each of you. I'd be glad to offer my assistance - I'm sure the folks in Phandalin would ask me to anyway."

The halfling approaches the gnome and her captive. "Er, are you attempting to use the goblin as bait, Miss...?", he asks with only a little concern in his voice.

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Ellyjobell turns with a huge grin on her face, "Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger. And not bait really, more like a guide. We found a couple of traps along the track getting here, i don't want any of us to fall into anymore."

Turning back to the goblin she says, "So if Grishnaw wants to go free at the end of this, he'll make sure we don't fall into any. We just step where he steps." She seems quite happy with her idea.

[Jötunn]

As Ellyjobell turns back to look at the goblin he is shaking his head from side to side, looking at the gnome with eyes wide open, glistening with tears. As she reaches the entrance of the cave, the whimpering stops but the head-shaking grows more violent.

[drbraininajar]

" Well met, Corrin. I am Doran Far-Seer, of clan Redhill. Forest-Talker Badger and I can take the lead with Arduin Rage-Axe, since we can see in darkness." He turns to confer with Ellyjobell. "Snowshadow and I did not see this 'eating cave' that the goblin spoke of, but once we are inside we should try to take a side passage if we can. The bridge above the stream offers the goblins a high-ground advantage if we approach head-on."

Doran moves to follow Arduin and Badger into the cave.

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

"We don't have to hurt you or your friends Grishnaw, we just want our friend back," she tells the frightened goblin, wiping her nose, which had started to run, with the back of her arm. "So don't do anything stupid."
She didn't think that goblins were very noble creatures, but she wouldn't put it past him to just lead them and himself into a trap in spite, so Ellyjobell kept her eyes peeled for any trip wires or other signs of traps as she followed him.

Once the rest of the group seemed ready she gives the rope a little shake, "Wolves first," she says keeping her ears open as she walked to make sure they were heading closer to the barking.

Perception: [roll0]

[Jötunn]

Just inside the cave mouth, a few uneven stone steps lead up to a small, dank chamber on the east side of the passage. The cave narrows to a steep fissure at the far end, and it's pretty clear that this is the source of the barking, because chained to rods driven into the base of stalagmites are two wolves chained up just inside the opening, who snarl and snap at any who come close. They are gaunt and starved, and pull at their chains.

Your goblin captive seems to be more stressed by the minute, although he seems to calm minutely as you enter the side passage.

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Ellyjobell passes the goblin's rope to Doran as she spots the wolves and speaking softly moves closer to them, "Woo woo, calm. We'll not harm you. We've come to free you from your chains. I have food too!" she says tossing the dried meat from her rations at their feet. "If you'll let me closer, i'll see if i can get those chains off your necks," she says once they start with the food.

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius sighs a little bit as the group decides to go in without a lantern. "I hope you all know I'm useless in the dark," he murmurs, only partially serious. He pulls a torch out of his pack, just in case, while keeping his cane in his other hand - and using it to check the ground ahead so he doesn't trip over anything.

[Jötunn]

The wolves suddenly quiet as Ellyjobell moves among them, soothing them with a touch and a soft croon as she feeds them scraps of meat. Pretty soon they are quietly nuzzling at her side, vying for her attention - including a third wolf, chained up in the shadows up the back. As she moves towards the last animal, she notices a natural chimney at the back of the room, from which it appears refuse and scraps have been thrown down as the only food the wolves have access to, chained up like this.

You can't really get specifics from body language, but the way he calmed down a bit as you entered the side passage suggests that maybe there's something up the stream?

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Patting the wolves and ruffling their tattered fur affectionately while searching for the clasp holding the collars and chain around their necks, when she finally gets them to sit still long enough for her to undo the collars, she first quietly tells the wolves "Those are my friends over there, they wont hurt you," she gestures to the others. "There are two dead horses not far from here along the path, eat your fill and hunt well! And stay away from goblins!" she adds with a hushed voice once the third wolf is finally free.

Moving back to the group she points back into the wolves den, "There's some sort of tunnel, hole, thing back there the goblins have been throwing food down. It might lead to their 'Eating Cave' that Bravorn's in."

Speak with Animals should still be running, it lasts 10min. So the wolves should be able to understand/talk to Ellyjobell if they want

[drbraininajar]

"Perhaps we should ask our--friend here." Doran mentions, kneeling down to the level of their goblin captive. "He seems to know a great deal more than he tells."

Doran tips his staff down toward the goblin, and Snowshadow adjusts his perch to the staff's inclined shaft. Doran then conjures a crimson red spirit-light in the fork of the staff, throwing a sinister cast on himself and Snowshadow. "You have seen what my magics can do, creature. You have one chance. I will ask you three questions and you will answer. What is up that shaft? Where is the eating cave? And what is waiting up that stream? The truth, and I leave you here. Lies, and you meet your ancestors."

Casting Dancing Lights in the form of a torch fire.
Intimidation roll if needed [roll0]

[Jötunn]

You didn't think the goblin's eyes could bulge outwards any further, but apparently, they can. He looks like he very much wants to tell you something, but the gag in his mouth prevents him.

[drbraininajar]

Doran takes one finger, hooks it on the cloth gagging the goblin, and pulls it down so he can speak.

[Jötunn]

The gag is barely out of his mouth before he hisses at you, and a moment passes before you realise that he's trying to shush you. Then, quietly but frantically, as though he expects you to gag him again at any moment, he speaks.

"Klarg find you and eat you from toe to tip if you not silent, then he eat me from tip to toe and laugh cos I captured! And if you not silent silent tip toe around, they send the water and we all go smash, crash, dead!"

He attempts to gesture wildly with his bound limbs, and fails, so he resorts to making booming and crashing noises deep in his throat for emphasis.

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius sighs with relief as the mage lights up the cave a little bit. He can see! Happy days.

He hmmms a little bit, stroking his chin - like one would stroke a beard, despite him not having one. "Mage. Perhaps I could trouble you to create a light at the bottom of this chimney? If I have some light, I might be able to climb it to check what's at the top. I assure you, being silent is no obstacle."

[drbraininajar]

Doran stands up and reaches to the top of his staff, curling his fingers around the cold flame. When he pulls his hand back, he is holding a second crimson ball of light. He gestures, sending the light to the bottom of the chimney. "Don't do anything rash, Julius Foolhardy. I would prefer you to see Gundren again in one piece."

Doran then motions for everyone to move toward the back of the chamber they're in. "If our captive is correct, his tribe has more tricks up their sleeves. Let us see if we can pull a trick of our own."

Doran brings his staff close to his face, and exhales softly. The crimson light flies forth into the main passage and splits into three, wobbling about like carried torches. He then whispers to Ellyjobell "Forest-talker Badger. Can your illusions create sound? Like the sound of a party of explorers shouting?" He motions toward the lights.


We're going to trick these goblins into springing their trap early by making them think we're coming up the stream. Anything in your bag of tricks that could help us with that, Badger? :smallwink:

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Whats a Klarg? she worries to herself at the goblins words and obvious distress. Leaning out of the chamber to peer further into the caves, checking if something was waiting in the dark for them, her eyes light up when she figures out what Doran is trying to do and she nods eagerly to him.

A moment later the sounds of chainmail jingling with the steps of someone heavy could be heard accompanying Doran's floating lights, followed by what sounded like a rock being kicked across the ground and an angry curse in a bad dwarven accent.

Cast Minor Illusion (DC12 Investigation to detect it's an illusion) to create some sounds

[Yuki Akuma]

"Me? Rash? You wound me, sir," Julius says, good-naturedly. He stows the unsued torch, then heads to the bottom of the chimney... and then attempts to scale it, as quietly as possible.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Jötunn]

Doran and Ellyjobell's illusions make their merry way up the stream path, and over the thunder of the distant waterfall the keen eared amongst you swear that you could hear a yell of alarm, presumably from a goblin watching up the path. Moments later, the rumble from the waterfall seemingly grows closer, then the passage is suddenly filled with a mighty roar as a huge surge of rushing water pours down from above. Having hidden in the wolf kennel, however, the surge passes you by and the worst that happens is a small wave washing over your boots.

As Julian begins to scale the chimney, he lets out a yelp of surprise as a handhold crumbles and he swings for a moment over a ten foot drop. Twenty feet above him, a goblin curiously pokes his head in to take a look before freezing as his eyes meets Julian's. The goblin starts yelling, before a booming, guttural voice rings out. "First you is complaining about disappearing little birdies, then you is saying a human is climbing up der trash hole. Klarg thinks you is taking him for a fool!"

You hear thumping footsteps coming closer to the chimney, and only have a moment to act.

The surge of water passes you by to no effect.

Julian, you've been spotted by a goblin at the top of the chimney who's alerted the others - you only have moments to act before the owner of that voice takes a peek down the chimney. I may not be nice enough to give you advantage on the stealth roll, but I'll give you a second chance to hide from the big guy at least :smallwink:

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius yel;ps, then bites his tongue to keep himself from making anymore nosie. His eyes lock with the goblin... and then he attempts to drop back down as quietly (and, preferably, safely) as he can.

Once again!

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

The trick worked! Ellyjobell was glad they hadn't decided to walk up that way for reals, that water would have spat them right back out of the cave. Not sure if the goblins had even more water waiting for them and not wanting to find out the hard way, she turns to Doran and whispers "We might want to find another way," she then moves back into the wolf kennel area to check if Julius had found another way.

I so want to cast another illusion into the chute and cover Julius, but i'm pretty sure she doesn't know what's going on up there.

[Fra Lippo]

Corrin

Corrin has been content to simply follow the group, just as blind in the dark as Julius, and marvel at the supernatural talents of Doran and Ellyjobell. Hearing Julius cry and drop from the chimney, he assumes the worst. The halfling moves towards the stream path, peering into the gloom for any approaching enemies.

[drbraininajar]

"Thus it is to braggarts." Doran grumbles as Julius no doubt blows his cover. He takes up position near Corrin and says in a whisper "Patrolling sentries should be little trouble, but if they arrive in force, we should lead them outside. We'll be better off fighting in the open and in daylight." He too peers into the darkened cave. Perhaps his eyes will catch incoming enemies using the shadows for cover. "With any luck, they think their water trap dealt with us."

"Julius," he stage-whispers to the back of the cave. "What did you see? Is it a passage we can use?"

[Jötunn]

Julian drops down, cat-like onto his feet, but doesn't manage to flatten himself against the wall in time to avoid the searching eyes of Klarg. A bestial, yellow-skinned head with a jaw full of sharp pointed teeth, long, tufted eyebrows and pointed ears stares down at you and roars: "Klarg sees you! Come up here and Klarg will build a throne from your bones, puny human!"

Doran doesn't see anyone coming down the stream despite his darkvision, and the distant roar of the waterfall masks any footsteps he might have heard.

Julian makes it down safely, but...

Opposed perception check: [roll0]

...is spotted by Klarg!

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius touches back down at the bottom of the chimney. "Well. That could have gone better."

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

"Can we go that way?" Ellyjobell asks Julius when he appears again, figuring he hadn't heard Doran.
"We tricked them!" she continues excitedly, "The goblins thought it was us, and they sent down a great flood of water, but it was just a trick! But now they know we're here..." she trails off at the end, realising that the goblins knew they were here now she started to worry about Bravorn again, hoping they wouldn't hurt him before they could rescue him.

[Yuki Akuma]

Julius shrugs! "Well. You could! But there's a... bugbear or something up there. If you're willing to risk us going up there single-file... I'd say I could try distracting it, but considering what happened last time I suggested I could do something..."

[drbraininajar]

"No sense lining up like boar to the slaughter." Doran replies. "If we are to continue the rescue of Warrior Bravorn, our only choice is to press in further. There must be a passage to the west, leading to the bridge. We must cross the stream carefully and search for it if we are to continue."
Doran hesitated a moment. "That is--IF we are to continue. We know Gundren is not here, that he has been taken northeast to some other hideout. A battle here means we will need to recover--time Gundren may not have. It would pain me to leave Warrior Bravorn, but his mission was to protect Gundren. As I see it, our duty is now to complete that mission for him. To do less and have Gundren die for it would dishonor Warrior Bravorn's dedication. I will abide by whatever is decided, but whatever we do we must make haste."

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Leave him? No they couldn't do that. Bravon was the one that got Ellyjobell into this, and they couldn't leave him to with the goblins, that would be a slow and very painful death. She didn't mind killing, a hawk will kill a mouse to eat, but torture or prolonging the death and playing with your food, like cats - she didn't much care for cats - was just cruel and wrong.

Mouth open and looking at Doran unsure if he was joking or not, she shakes her head. "No no, we can't leave him, the goblins wont give him a quick death. I don't want to leave anyone in their hands, you saw how they treated the wolves, and they were *useful* to them!" she looks around at the others pleadingly.

"They must have planned this, or why split them up? Or keep them alive at all? And if they took Gundren to their king and left Bravon here, he must be important to them for some reason, so they shouldn't kill him," she continues hopefully. "Bravon doesn't seem to be so lucky..."

[Jötunn]

"Stay there, raw meat! Klarg come down to feast on your bones!" comes floating down the natural chimney. Then you hear a short wail, some thumping, and then scrabbling sounds on the wall as something small begins to climb unwillingly down.

Initiative!
Corrin: [roll0]
Doran: [roll1]
Ellyjobell: [roll2]
Arduin: [roll3]
Julian: [roll4]

Everyone but Corrin and Ellyjobell may now take an action.

[drbraininajar]

"It seems our foes have made the decision for us." Doran sneers. He pulls from his pack a crude trap, one he'd used for hunting elk back home. He moves to the bottom of the chimney, forces the trap's serrated jaws open, and sets it down, then locks the trap's heavy chain around a nearby stalagmite. "That ought to give them some trouble," he says, making his way to the entrance of the chamber. "Arduin, Julius, cover our escape. We should make our way across the stream. When the rest of us have crossed, join us quickly." Doran leaves one spirit-light glowing in the chamber for them to fight by.

Using the hunting trap from Doran's Outlander background is my action. The trap is a DC 13 Dex save or take 1d4 piercing damage and stop moving. A creature can use its action to make a DC 13 Strength check to remove the trap from itself or another creature. Failing the strength check deals 1 piercing damage to the trapped creature. (PHB pg 152)

I figure the bottleneck formed by that chimney makes it awfully hard for anyone coming down it not to step on the trap:smallbiggrin:

[Yuki Akuma]

"I'm not leaving without the bodyguard!" Julius complains, while dashing to the wolf's den entrance - then facing the chimney, and pulling out yet another shuriken. He's going through these quickly.

Moving to the wolf's den entrance (if it's within 30 feet anyway) and readying an action to throw a dart at the first thing to avoid the trap.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Jötunn]

Arduin readies a javelin to throw at the first thing down the chute, moving to stand next to Julian.

Shortly, a goblin falls to the ground at the bottom of the chute, and lands with feet either side of the trap. He takes the time to thank his lucky stars, and as he does so, he's struck by Arduin's javelin, although Julius' darts clatters on the stone behind him. Another wail, thump and accompanied skittering of feet on the stone walls of the chimney is heard, accompanied by Klarg's booming laugh.

Goblin reflexes [roll0]

Arduin's attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

So that's what a Klarg is. Moving out into the area with the river she takes cover behind the stone walls incase something drops down with a arrow ready to fly. Then with the sound of one hand clapping, Ellyjobell ignites a ball of fire in her palm. Drawing back her arm she tosses it towards the chimney and the falling goblins.

Produce Flame (Cantrip) @ the goblin Arduin hit (if it's still alive) otherwise the other goblin or ready the action if it's not in sight yet.
Attack: [roll0] | Oh wow, me and Julius both.
Damage: [roll1] fire

***Corrin's Turn***

[Jötunn]

The goblin succumbs to Ellyjobell's fire, and collapses.

[drbraininajar]

Doran dashes across the stream, searching for a passage that leads further into the cave. Brother Snowshadow, remain with the others. When I call you, lead them to my position. Should they or I find ourselves in peril, rally us together.

l1d20+2 Perception, if its needed.
[roll0] Stealth, if its needed.

If Doran gets attacked while he's looking around, assume he'll use Shield against the first attack.

[Jötunn]

There is a passage to the north-west, just before the bridge over the river, hidden in shadow. Doran is not attacked as he moves to it.

Julius stays with Ellyjobell, standing protectively in front of her and readying another dart while Corrin and Arduin follow Doran upriver.

Another goblin drops to the bottom of the chimney, and manages to not get tangled up in the limbs of his dying partner, nor in Doran's trap. Julius' attack once again misses, clattering against the wall behind the goblin.

To Doran, Corrin and Arduin, it sounds like Klarg's booming laughter and yelling is now coming from upriver, rather than down the chimney. It is accompanied by the pitter-patter of goblin feet.

Goblin reflexes: [roll0]

Julius' attack [roll1]
Damage [roll2]

[Foodle]

Ellyjobell-Beren-Badger, Gnome Druid

Looking over her shoulder at the others leaving the room to head off whatever might be coming down the river, Ellyjobell shakes her head as Julius misses with those throwing things again, he was much better using his cane. "We need to help the others," she says hoping no more goblins tumble down the chimney after this one. Her hand dangling over her club at her waist, she quickly chants out the words needed to enchant to the length of oak. Flipping the club into her hand she rushes the goblin at the bottom of the chimney wanting to end this quickly.

Bonus: Cast Shillelagh on her club
Move: Get over in the goblin's face
Action: Hopefully cave it's head in... or not.

Attack: [roll0]

Damage: [roll1]