Badlands and Broken Souls

Wolf save
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +2" :

15 + 2 = 17

Why is Zax saving with a D6?

ok, the wolf saved.

A very good point, Zax, I believe you need to re-roll that in all fairness.

Wolf AoOs
Rolling "1d20 +4" 2 times

1: 18 + 4 = 22
2: 6 + 4 = 10

Damage
Result of the throw of dice "2d4 +3" :

2 + 3 + 3 = 8

the wolf bloodies the hobgoblin but he continues to flee...

just waiting on Zax's reroll for his save and I will finish the baddies turn

Damn muscle relaxers...

Wed Aug 24 2022 21:00:10 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 0 to total : 6, TOTAL: 6

Derp

all good bro, you take the 17 damage then.

Ok, since the hobbies fled, the Formorian wakes up and mutters "master?" and flies into a rage.  He seizes a club and swing twice at the nearest enemy... which is Zax...

Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 9 to total : 17, + 9, TOTAL: 26

Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 9 to total : 18, + 9, TOTAL: 27

Rolling line 1 : 3d8 + 6 to total : 2, 1, 3, + 6, TOTAL: 12

Rolling line 1 : 3d8 + 6 to total : 1, 4, 6, + 6, TOTAL: 17

29 total damage to Zax



Warhol is now up!  Map is current (oh my poor monsters this round, lol)

29 and 17 = 46 total?

Chris wrote:

Gor'Zax
HP: 30/76
AC: 19/21
BM dice: 3/5d8
2nd wind:  1/1
Action Surge:  1/1
SV: str +8, con +6, wis +2
PP: 15
Necro resistant
BM DC = 16

ouch

in case you didn't see it (when I looked to see if I had actually posted it, I even missed it)


Warhol is up

Warhol

as a Tortle
Ac 20
Hp 64/64. (+12 temporary)
passive Perception 18

Wolf
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 11 15hp (+12 temporary hp)
Speed 40 ft.
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +4.
Senses passive Perception 13.
Languages —
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)

Special Traits

Magical attacks from Shepard Circle ability
+2 hp per HD from shepard circle ability

Keen Hearing and Smell: The wolf has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
Pack Tactics: The wolf has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the wolf’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Actions

Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

*Warhol’s resonating song changes tone invoking the bear spirit at 8H. All of the PC’s and the wolves gain 12 temp hp along with advantage on str checks and str saves.

The bear spirit grants you and your allies its might and endurance. Each creature of your choice in the aura when the spirit appears gains temporary hit points equal to 5 + your druid level. In addition, you and your allies gain advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws while in the aura.

*The owl begins to fly back to the battle. (Should have said so last round).

*healing word washes over Zax (4th level).

Result of the throw of dice "4d4 +5" :

3 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 5 = 13

*the wolves shift to attack again
8F and 8G to 5E and 6E attacking the tripod
8I and 8J to 7E and 7G attacking the tripod
7F stays put and attacks the tripod

Rolling "1d20 +4" 10 times

1: 17 + 4 = 21
2: 19 + 4 = 23

3: 4 + 4 = 8
4: 1 + 4 = 5

5: 2 + 4 = 6
6: 10 + 4 = 14

7: 17 + 4 = 21
8: 11 + 4 = 15

9: 20 + 4 = 24 CRIT
10: 2 + 4 = 6

Regular attack damage
Rolling "2d4 +3" 3 times

1: 3 + 2 + 3 = 8
2: 1 + 1 + 3 = 5
3: 2 + 3 + 3 = 8

Crit damage

Result of the throw of dice "4d4 +3" :

2 + 2 + 1 + 4 + 3 = 12

7H to 6H attacking the giant
7K and 8K to 5K and 6K attacking the giant

Rolling "1d20 +4" 6 times

1: 17 + 4 = 21
2: 4 + 4 = 8

3: 8 + 4 = 12
4: 14 + 4 = 18

5: 6 + 4 = 10
6: 20 + 4 = 24

Regular attack damage

Rolling "2d4 +3" 2 times

1: 2 + 1 + 3 = 6
2: 4 + 2 + 3 = 9

Crit damage
Result of the throw of dice "4d4 +3" :

3 + 4 + 4 + 1 + 3 = 15

Everyone hit requires a dc 11 str save or fall prone and suffer additional attacks.

*The resonance almost seems to maintain itself as Warhol shouts. “FLEE FOR YOUR LIVES! FLEE FROM ZAX THE LORD OF WOOOOOLVESSS!”

My post for Warhol’s turn (above) is now complete. Thanks for your patience. I had to keep sending and editing because it was too much to track, copy, and paste.

no worries mate, you have the more complicated turns to take, just wanted to make sure it wasn't something I had done

the tripod actually only gets hit by three of the wolves, including the crit. So 25 total damage to it

as for the trip attack for the tripod;

Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 3 to total : 7, + 3, TOTAL: 10

Thu Aug 25 2022 20:02:09 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 3 to total : 13, + 3, TOTAL: 16

Thu Aug 25 2022 20:02:09 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 3 to total : 19, + 3, TOTAL: 22

he misses one of them so he's prone.

The Formorian:

Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 6 to total : 19, + 6, TOTAL: 25

Thu Aug 25 2022 20:09:58 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 6 to total : 7, + 6, TOTAL: 13

Thu Aug 25 2022 20:09:57 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 6 to total : 19, + 6, TOTAL: 25

makes his str. checks. he is not prone but he takes the 30 damage.

There are only two enemies left in the fight... neither seems even remotely affected by Warhol's cry.



Top of the next round.

Marvin is up!

Warhol breaks the fourth wall and shrugs at the DM. “What. I read the books on war strategy in da King’s library. ‘When invading a hostile territory (he quotes) it is important to establish a mythology that fosters fear in the enemy and gives your sympathizers a figure head around which to rally.’  Those guys running’ away heard me. They’ll spread the word.”

oh, no doubt man. But the two left in combat don't care about that sort of thing... the hobbies, a different story.

Marvin will move his Hunter’s Mark and draw down on the Formorian from his hidden position:
Attack w/ADV:
Thu Aug 25 2022 20:52:33 GMT-0600 (MDT)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 10 to total : 12, + 10, TOTAL: 22

Thu Aug 25 2022 20:52:32 GMT-0600 (MDT)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 10 to total : 2, + 10, TOTAL: 12
Hit!
Damage, w/HM, SA, & CS
Thu Aug 25 2022 20:55:51 GMT-0600 (MDT)
Rolling line 1 : 4d6 + 6 to total : 5, 5, 4, 1, + 6, TOTAL: 21
Rolling line 2 : 1d8 + 0 to total : 2, TOTAL: 2

Attack2:
Thu Aug 25 2022 21:17:49 GMT-0600 (MDT)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 10 to total : 1, + 10, TOTAL: 11

Marvin’s feelin lucky! Halflings re-roll the 1s!

Thu Aug 25 2022 21:34:51 GMT-0600 (MDT)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 10 to total : 15, + 10, TOTAL: 25

Hit! Damage2, w/HM:

Thu Aug 25 2022 21:35:48 GMT-0600 (MDT)
Rolling line 1 : 2d6 + 6 to total : 2, 5, + 6, TOTAL: 13

37 Total Damage

Marvin will maintain his position. Done.

ok, the Formorian drops.

go ahead with your second attack

Ok, shift second attack to last remaining bad guy. Marvin’s done.

this is one of the most formidable groups we've ever had.

The tripod drops.  Both of the tripods disappear completely.

All enemies are dead.

Brock finally arrives on the field with a hobbie in tow.  He's disarmed and cowering before the dwarf.  You are now out of combat... damn guys, that surprise round helped ALOT but kudos to you!

Feel free to act accordingly and I will update tomorrow morning.

Just to cut to the chast on this, the warlock's body has a very nice ring and studded leather armor.

“Eat up Zax,” Warhol hands him a bag of goodberrys. “Use your fancy trick first if we’re going to rest here. Kinda funny how those three legged weirdos just vanished. Creepy if ya ask me…”

“Hey Brock, nice of ya ta join us. Whatcha got there? Looks like we’ll need a couple more of those if we want the wolves to get dinner tonight…”

The wolves will stick around for the hour duration setting up a perimeter for our rest (whether we rest here or a few more minutes down the path).

brock smiles, "he will tell us what we want to know... (then to the hobgoblin) - you WILL tell us everything you know! Or you will become food for wolves"

sorry, can't resist this image after that comment.  Love me some Subatai

2nd wind
Rolling line 1 : 1d10 + 8 to total : 5, + 8, TOTAL: 13


Plus 13 from Warhol
26 healing total

56/76

2 HD during rest

Rolling line 1 : 2d10 + 6 to total : 4, 4, + 6, TOTAL: 14

70/76


Short rest for 1 hour - we can ID both the ring and the armor during the short rest

Zax will again pile and burn the bodies.  "Glory to the fallen dead.  Glory to our enemies that gave their lives to test us in battle.  May they rest eternal and never return to haunt this world."

And since we are table talking.... Alan, I appreciate the healing mid-fight and your amazing action economy! Just a suggestion, its less efficient for Warhol to keep burning spell slots during the fight on Zax when he is hit. 5e has such wonky (bad design) death/dying mechanics that its actually more efficient to just Zax drop to 0 before using healing word. Use only a level 1 HW and Zax stands up from 0 to 1-4 and can take his turn.

At our current level, its almost impossible for Zax to die from massive damage, he would have to take more than 76 + his current HP to actually die.

Out of combat, spells like healing spirit, prayer of healing, goodberries and HD are much more efficient than up cast HW

Chris wrote:And since we are table talking....  Alan, I appreciate the healing mid-fight and your amazing action economy!  Just a suggestion, its less efficient for Warhol to keep burning spell slots during the fight on Zax when he is hit.  5e has such wonky (bad design) death/dying mechanics that its actually more efficient to just Zax drop to 0 before using healing word.  Use only a level 1 HW and Zax stands up from 0 to 1-4 and can take his turn.  

At our current level, its almost impossible for Zax to die from massive damage, he would have to take more than 76 + his current HP to actually die.

Out of combat, spells like healing spirit, prayer of healing, goodberries and HD are much more efficient than up cast HW

I failed to mention that the bag has 30 good berries in it. 🧐

ok, I will hold my HD then and eat 20 goodberries instead, since they expire after 24hrs, right?

76/76

Chris wrote:ok, I will hold my HD then and eat 20 goodberries instead, since they expire after 24hrs, right?

76/76

Correct.

Before a long rest, Warhol will usually burn about half of his remaining low level spell slots to make good berries.

navyik wrote:

Before a long rest, Warhol will usually burn about half of his remaining low level spell slots to make good berries.

Perfect!

what other, if any, actions does the party wish to take for the time being?

already announced:

short rest
ID 2 magic items
zax is burning the bodies
Alan was interrogating a hobbie


new:
search scene for any clues


anyone else?

ah, sorry, missed that one. Been a looong week.

Ok, I'll update later today.

items: +1 Studded leather armor, +1 ring of protection

other clues - where the sacrifice of the Formorian was taking place you see this symbol:



as for the hobbie:

What questions are you asking and how are you approaching the interrogation? Violently or with a Charisma skill? What questions? (this actually needs to be specific)

His common is very broken and confusing, but Brock knows Hobgoblin.

“The sacrifices. What are they supposed to be for?”

“And the big ugly dude was calling for his ‘’master’. Who’s that??”

The hobgoblin looks rather terrified as you ask him your question and Brock translates...

"we were told to obey the master or die, my people are being sacrificed to a demon... the mistress demands it and the master has had his monsters kill any who do not submit" He points to the 5 sacrificed hobgoblins that litter the field (and are almost unidentifiable). We obey or they will kill us all."

"the master is that one" he points to the dead Tiefling.  "The mistress looks like him, but is far more powerful. She killed over 20 of us when she first arrived. She destroyed our shrines to Maglubiyet (the hobgoblin deity). She killed our women and children and sacrificed our elders. She said that we would help her bring forth the ancient ones and we would be rewarded."

whit10 wrote:The hobgoblin looks rather terrified as you ask him your question and Brock translates...

"we were told to obey the master or die, my people are being sacrificed to a demon... the mistress demands it and the master has had his monsters kill any who do not submit" He points to the 5 sacrificed hobgoblins that litter the field (and are almost unidentifiable). We obey or they will kill us all."

"the master is that one" he points to the dead Tiefling.  "The mistress looks like him, but is far more powerful. She killed over 20 of us when she first arrived. She destroyed our shrines to Maglubiyet (the hobgoblin deity). She killed our women and children and sacrificed our elders. She said that we would help her bring forth the ancient ones and we would be rewarded."

“We’ll isn’t that just rich, I tell ya! Aw jeez! That’s just the worst! I’m gonna give that lady a piece of my mind, I am!” Warhol paces in outrage.

“Look buddy, we’re not here to hurt you. Have a seat.” Warhol motions. “Let him sit down Brock. That’s nice, right there. Have some food. Don’t be afraid, I’m not prejudiced because you’re a hobgoblin, look at me, I’m a talking tuhtle right?”

“We’re here ta help, I mean after what you have seen so far is there really any hope you won’t all end up dead letting this witch run yer lands? Please, fuh yer own sakes, let us help you. What does she got. Hostages? Where does she keep them?”

Something doesn’t quite add up for Marvin. The Formorian was chained down and being bled out by the “master”, but became enraged upon seeing his torturous master dead. The hobgoblins are clearly pawns in this whole affair, but the giants are either willing participants or being compelled to the point that they’ve got some kind of goofy inter-dimensional Stockholm Syndrome going on.

He turns to Brock “So…what if the giants are in on it? What do they stand to gain?”

Zax gets enraged by the tales of sacrifice and wonton murder of innocents.  " There is NO honor in killing women, children and elders!"  He relieves his fury by smashing the alter to bits with Shatterspike.  


Table talk - should we roll for the ring since it benefits everyone?
Marvin - the armor is yours if it helps you
Warhol - great job with interview, keep it up!

Marvin holds up the studded armor that is clearly a size too big, looks down at his magical chainmail shirt, then looks up, “I don’t think this is for me guys.”

Maybe magic armor shrinks to fit?
If not, we can always trade it when we find a magic shop some day

regarding armor, we are playing with the tried and true Whitney rule. Magical armor shrinks or enlarges for its wearer.... I think that was a very old 2E rule or something.

More responses coming in a little while

the hobgoblin sits down but still looks very spooked.  He very surprised that you haven't killed him. Brock continues to translate

"it started weeks ago, this horned woman showed up with some of those creatures (he points to where the tripod things were) and a few hill giants. The giants all had these purple streaks covering their bodies. She demanded our service and, when some resisted her, they slaughtered an entire village.  After that, we were told to serve or all of us would die.  Some woman and children were rounded up and taken to a pit as hostages. I don't actually know where the hostages are being held, I think it might be south of here."

"those of us that were enlisted to fight were required to kill some of our own people or the hostages would die... they made us sacrifice them in some ritual that involved that monster with the evil green eyes" (he points to the body of the Formorian).  "Then they sacrificed one of those monsters and some newly arrived hill giants became... stronger and covered in those purple streaks."

"some have said the woman resides in the caves to the NW... but I haven't been there."

"Foul magic is gathering! She taps the black mana for a dark ritual. Then she sacrifices target formorian to give the hill giants unholy strength."

Chris wrote:"Foul magic is gathering!  She taps the black mana for a dark ritual.  Then she sacrifices target formorian to give the hill giants unholy strength."

a good comparison!

Marvin doesn’t stand to benefit from the armor, his Chainmail shirt +1 is a point better.

I assume Brick wears heavier armor?

“One of you guys take da ring.”

“Okay, where were we, oh yeah, the horned lady and her giants. You did the right thing running away from that fight. You’ve seen that my friends and I can handle this. We don’t want to see any more of your people die.”

“That lady has bigger fish to fry now than pushing you around. Tell yer people what you’ve seen here. Convince them to stay outa dis. Buy us a little time if you can.”

Mike, roll for it? Straight d20, high roll wins

Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 0 to total : 8, TOTAL: 8


Lol, me and my bright ideas

Hostage hobbies = south
Tiefling witch = NW

Which way was Brock leading us?

“Do you know if there’s a pattern to the locations of these sacrifices? Will there be more today?”

you are being led NW...

Brock wears very fine looking chain mail

the hobgoblin doesn't know if there will be more sacrifices today or not. He comes across as a rather common warrior. But he's pleased that you are allowing him to leave.

Anything else?

(there will probably be some delays over the next couple days as I have to work today and have to get fingerprinted tomorrow morning for sub. teaching before I go to work again tomorrow after noon)

“At least one of those hobgoblins is going to tell the witch we’re coming, if she doesn’t already know.  Do we have enough momentum to take her by surprise? Or can harrying her other posts draw her forces out where we can choose our battlefield? She won’t expect us to backtrack or rescue hostages.”