[IC] 5e Basic: Lost Mine of Phandelver

[Luccan]

OOC Link

It's been a few days since you all left the city of Neverwinter, travelling along the High Road and now the less maintained Triboar Trail with a wagon full of provisions and a promise of initial payment from Gundren Rockseeker. The dwarf has excitedly, if somewhat cryptically, described a dig he and his brothers have been on with further promises of great reward. For now, however, he has tasked you with delivering the wagon to Barthen's Provisions in the town of Phandalin for a reward of 10 gold each. Gundren himself set out shortly before you on horseback with his warrior escort Sildar Hallwinter, saying he needed to "take care of some business" before you arrived. Recent news states the Triboar Trail is a popular hunting ground for bandits, so you know to keep a weather eye out for trouble

The four of you have only just met and spent a few days adjusting to your new companions. How have you spent that travel time? As you round the bend in the trail, whose driving and where are the rest of you?

[CaoimhinTheCape]

"Ooh, I wonder what Phandalin will be like?" Roxana excitedly asks, walking alongside the wagon (OOC: you don't want me driving with my perception and animal handling). "Do you think it'll be a big city? Or a small village? Ohh, maybe it's one of those small towns with a weird quirk. Like, everyone always carries an umbrella! Ooh, or maybe everything is made out of black marble!"

As she walks, supposedly on lookout, she looks at whoever she is talking excitedly too not paying much mind to the road or a possible robber attack. As you've traveled, you've likely needed to remind her to keep her eyes out for danger and without regular direction she tends to find her mind wandering.

Over the last couple days she would have been very talkative and genuinely friendly, though her persistent talking and cheerful attitude may grate on anyone not used to it, and even some people who are outgoing themselves.

[Izzarra]

A’lara Raydawn Druid, Circle of the Moon HP: 10/10, AC: 14, Resistance: Charmed, Immunities: Magical Sleep Conditions: None Spell Slots: 1st 2/2

A’lara Raydawn is a wood elf with faintly copper toned skin, golden eyes, and a ponytail of brunet hair. She is clad in sensible green and brown leathers.

More accustomed to talking with animals then people, she is focused on spotting any interesting herbs along the side of the trail, or an ambush, then paying attention to what is being said. So while driving the wagon she nods occasionally without really processing the contents of the conversation.

Spoiler: OOC

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A’lara has Animal Handling and Perception so she can drive.

[Selion]

Kudram



Kudram's appearance is that of a fairly slender dwarf with fiery red hair and a beard tied in braids.
He wears a cloak over light armor, with numerous light weapons tied to his waist.

He is not very keen on presentations or small talking. Instead, before taking the job, he had to discuss every minute detail on the expected course of action in case of dangers or emergencies.
He even insists to add a strange formula to the contract:
'I won't, in any occasion, cause purposely any danger or injury to the customer or other contractors, if not for self defense or to preserve my safety'

Spoiler: Inner Dialogue (other players can read if they want, just there's not anything visible happening)

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This will work even for you, I guess, we won't cause any harm to these people.
I love when you show such strong determination <3
You are even trying to twist our pact for the sake of so called justice, how interesting!
Ah, you actually answered. Don't you have something like... thousands of followers to care of?
Yes, but they are already spoiled, some of them may command armies or kingdoms, but they are hollow inside, they have become just boring, predictable, pawns.
As for you... you are my newest toy, you may as well be my favorite at the moment, you know? <smirk>
I have grand plans, we'll have a lot of fun together, my dear!

[Frendle]

James sits on the wagon alongside A'lara, riding "crossbow" so to speak.
He is about as average looking as it might be possible to be. He wears a brown robe and a dagger at his side.
Most of the time he keeps his gaze on the horizon, not speaking unless someone asks a question.
So to Roxana he says, "Not sure," and "Maybe" and "Possibly."

At the mention of an umbrella he looks up at the sky, then shakes his head, but wishes he had thought to bring one anyway.

[Luccan]

As you pass the time mostly in silence the cart rolls comfortably forward around the bend in the trail. The woods press in thicker on this part of the trail and embankments rise on either side of you rather steeply.

As you come around the bend you spot two dead horses blocking the path 50 feet ahead. A half-dozen black-feathered arrows stick out of each and their riders are nowhere to be seen

[Izzarra]

A’lara Raydawn Druid, Circle of the Moon HP: 10/10, AC: 14, Resistance: Charmed, Immunities: Magical Sleep Conditions: None Spell Slots: 1st 2/2

A’lara stops the cart and speaks a prayer for the dead horses in elvish "May they find peace after death."
Then she tries to calm the ones hitched to the cart before they smell their dead kin and get agitated.

Spoiler: OOC

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Animal Handling: (1d20+5)[18]

[Selion]

Kudram

Kudram looks around, searching for a position from which an ambush may have been set.
It's not unusual that humanoid savage species may have cannibal behaviors, but the ambushers was not hunting for food here, otherwise they would have taken the horses.
It's likely they have taken prisoners. I don't think they are still nearby, let's explore the place, cautiously.

Spoiler: OOC

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Perception [roll] 1d20+2 [/roll] , if applicable

[Luccan]

The cart's horses stir when they catch the scent of their dead brethren, but A'lara keeps them calm. Currently, none of you spot any signs of a waiting ambush, but the woods are thick here. The only sound accompanying you at the moment is the wind rustling the leaves

[CaoimhinTheCape]

Roxana immediately runs over to the dead horses, chainmail armor rattling with every step. She doesn't seem to consider any possible danger, but bends down to inspect the horses before realizing there really wasn't much she could do. She shouts, "Someone killed these horses!" before looking around to see if she spots anything.

Spoiler: Perception

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(1d20-4)[16]

I... a nat 20 to start. And then taking 4 away from it. Wow.

[Luccan]

In a moment of adrenaline-spiked awareness, Roxana quickly surmises that the saddlebags have been looted and an empty leather map case lays in the road, but she's too late for the arrows that fly out of the treeline toward the cart, followed by two goblins that rush Roxana

Combat begins!

(I rolled everyone's initiative this time, see the spoiler)

Spoiler: initiative+rolls to hit and damage

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I rolled their stealth privately to not give things away and unfortunately they rolled extremely well (19+6 for a total of 25)
You're all Surprised, so you can't take an action until next round or a Reaction until after your initiative count comes up. To speed things up with Surprise on the table, I'll roll everyone's initiative for this combat and we can discuss if that's what everyone would prefer going forward or if you'd prefer to roll. If your turn comes before the Goblins you can declare a reaction if you have one

Initiative:

Goblins (1d20+2)[3]
A'lara (1d20+3)[15]
Roxana (1d20+2)[12]
Kudram (1d20+2)[10]
James (1d20+2)[11]

An arrow flies at A'lara
(1d20+4)[16]
(1d6+2)[5]

And another at James
(1d20+4)[17]
(1d6+2)[7]

Two Goblins with scimitars on Roxana
(1d20+4)[6]
(1d20+4)[23]
(1d6+2)[4]
(1d6+2)[4]

Map

[Izzarra]

A’lara Raydawn Druid, Circle of the Moon HP: 5/10, AC: 14, Resistance: Charmed, Immunities: Magical Sleep Conditions: None Spell Slots: 1st 2/2

With the dead horses on the trail ahead A’lara reaches to get her shield in case of an attack but is unable to don it before taking an arrow to her shoulder.

After crying out in pain she begins casting a spell in retaliation.

Spoiler: OOC

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No reactions possible.
Casting Frostbite, DC 13 Constitution Save or the target takes (1d6)[6] cold damage, and it has disadvantage on the next weapon attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.

[CaoimhinTheCape]

"Hey! Attacking us isn't nice!" Roxana shouts as she draws her longsword and attacks one of the goblins next to her. As she attacks, she continues talking to them. "Oh, you all don't happen to know who killed these horses, do you? We should be on the lookout for them, they might go after us too!"

Spoiler: Attack

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Longsword: (1d20+4)[20]
Damage: (1d8+2)[8]

[Luccan]

One of the goblin archers literally freezes in place and falls into the road with an icy crunch as A'lara's spell connects. Roxana splits another goblin in half with her strike and his ally sneers in response to her question, but his eyes betray fear

Spoiler

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Two dead goblins. It's James's turn

[Frendle]

James looks at the goblin who stuck an arrow in him and gives him a stern look, he hoped it was a stern look, he also hoped it wasn't his last.

Pointing his finger at the little beast he lets loose a bolt of flame.

Spoiler: Rolls

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Fire Bolt (1d20+6)[9] damage (1d10)[10]

[Luccan]

The bolt of flame flies wide as James recovers from the attack, narrowly missing the remaining goblin archer

It is Kudram's turn

[Selion]

Kudram

Kudram decides for a more direct approach, he braces his spear and charges the nearest goblin.
"This is not even a little feast to my mistress, but bloodshed is always welcome to her"

Spoiler: OOC

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Movement in G22
Attack:(1d20+6)[16]
Damage:(1d8+4)[11]

[Luccan]

Kudram's charge pierces the last goin archer through the chest and it slumps into the dirt. The remaining goblin engaged with Roxana lets out a scream of terror and bolts into the woods

Spoiler

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Goblin uses a bonus action to Nimble Escape: Disengage and action to Dash. Moves north west into the tree line and keeps running

If no one immediately gives chase, you have a moment to catch your breath and decide how to proceed

[Frendle]

James looks at his wound, "Ouch! Help?"

[Izzarra]

A’lara Raydawn Druid, Circle of the Moon HP: 10/10, AC: 14, Resistance: Charmed, Immunities: Magical Sleep Conditions: None Spell Slots: 1st 1/2

With the last goblin in retreat A’lara pulls the arrow out of her shoulder and heals the wound with magic.

She equips her shield, gets down from the cart, and checks to see if the goblins dropped any useful equipment.

"I think we should follow the goblin, see if the riders of these horses are still alive."

Spoiler: OOC

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Need a bow, hope they had a bow.
Cure Wounds: (1d8+3)[5]
Cast guidance on self before tracking: (1d4)[4]
Survival: (1d20+5)[6], Advantage in case somebody helps: (1d20+5)[25]
If the goblin tracks leave the trail she will spend a few minutes ritual casting speak with animals and tell the horses that to wait here.

Edit:
Seeing that the goblins dropped a short bow A’lara picks it up and gives it an inspection before collecting any remaining arrows in the area.

[Selion]

Kudram

When the goblin exhales their last breath Kudram experiences a burst of adrenaline, more than that, his body reacts surging dark life energy in his veins, he needs to fight back the pleasure, he needs to think this is just duty, otherwise he would crave for the next kill.

After just a few moments he's (mostly) in himself again. He reaches the druid as she's inspecting the ground

I agree, especially because they might very well be Gundren and Sillar, also I wish to know why the goblins are kidnapping people.
Let's see if I can be of any help, forests are definitely not an environment I'm comfortable with, but I still can lend a hand

Spoiler: OOC

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I gain 4 temporary HP for Dark One's Blessing
I help A'lara in searching for tracks

[Luccan]

With Kudram's help, A'lara easily picks up the tracks. There is sign of a dozen goblins having passed through here recently and it seems they've dragged two humanoids of roughly human size along with them. The horses ears prick up as A'lara's spell makes her words known to them and they relax, prepared to wait for your return. You pick up a trail heading north west and follow along

Spoiler

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For James' benefit, anyone wanna fix the hole in your wizard?

Also, what's marching order for the party?

[Frendle]

James follows along with the group third from the front. He look nervously around than says, "Can someone help me with my wound? I am afraid if a goblin breathes on me I could die." It took all the emotional strength he could muster to ask such a long question, but this is an emergency.

[CaoimhinTheCape]

Roxana shakes her head, having been distracted by the goblin running away. "Oh, I can help!" she runs over to James and uses 5 points of Lay on Hands to patch him up. "Unfortunately that's all the help I can give right now, for healing. Ohh, if we're following the goblin, I can stand at the front and get hit for you! Then we won't have to heal you!"

Roxana takes a place at the front of the party, following whatever path the others tell her to go down.

[Frendle]

"Thank you Roxana." James says, with a slight blush. He smiles and rubs the wound grateful for the help.

[Luccan]

With A'lara in the lead you easily follow the trail for the 5 miles it extends northwest. Along the way the druid leads you around some rather obvious traps: a snare and a pit the goblins must have set up to deter pursuers. The trail ends at a cave with a shallow stream flowing from its mouth, screened by dense briar thickets. A dry, narrow path enters into the cave, along the right side of the stream

[Frendle]

James points a the entrance of the cave, then shrugs his shoulders, "We can go in there, but..." He trails off. It seems he had more to say, but he blushes instead and looks away off into the forest as though something there interests him greatly.

[CaoimhinTheCape]

"Well, that's what we came here to do, right?" Roxana asks, pointing at the cave. "Follow the goblin that almost murdered us? Where else would we go?"

[Frendle]

James blushes a deeper shade of red, "I guess." he says quietly.

He nods his head toward the cave. "I'll go in, with you guys."

[Izzarra]

A’lara Raydawn Druid, Circle of the Moon HP: 10/10, AC: 14, Resistance: Charmed, Immunities: Magical Sleep Conditions: None Spell Slots: 1st 1/2

Whispering to the others A’lara says "If they thought to leave out traps there might be guards. We should approach quietly."

She puts her shield on her back and draws the bow she took from the goblins then nods that she is ready.

Spoiler: OOC

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Let somebody else take point now.
Ready action to shoot any attackers with a short bow.
Stealth (1d20+3)[23] + Guidance (1d4)[3] to hide.
Mask of the Wild: You can attempt to hide even when you are only lightly obscured by foliage.