Badlands and Broken Souls

gotcha, that's kinda what I thought but was just trying to roleplay the effect of Alan's character on mine.

Zax appreciates Brock's assurance.


I am still curious to see what Alan thinks the horse would say...

After his divination is finished, Warhol will talk to Arrod. Hey, get this buddy, your two-legged friend wants to know what YOU want. Ain’t THAT something. You can’t climb a mountain after all. You can wait here or go back to the stable you were in last night on your own. He even said he would set you free if you want, but I think he would really miss you.

whit10 wrote:stay with friend, but I will be safe here?

“Heh heh, what a maroon,” Warhol carries on out loud.  “Get a load a this horse; wants to stay with his ‘friend.’”  Aside, Yeah, I get it buddy, he’s a little formal and overzealous but he’s good to you. Boy have I seen waaaaay worse. You know you’re not really safe here. If there’s any trouble, you break your leads and make a dead run for the town of short two legs.

Arrod nods in agreement.

Everyone ready?

Red-eye

Zax appreciates Warhol's translation service. He gives Arrod a hearty thump on the flanks. He passes the stable hand a few extra coins, " Take care of my hors.... my 4-legged friend. Cut him loose at the first sign of trouble and jump on his back, if you can."

Ready

Unless Warhol has anything else he wants to do (which will be allowed) we will proceed. Zax' get the feeling that Arrod is just fine with the circumstances...


You set out in the mist and rain. This area, though rather beautiful, is very bleak in general.

You follow the path, Brock is rather good at guiding but you can tell that he is struggling to find the temple as it was so long ago and he has very little to go on.

After a few hours (near dusk) you come across a rather disturbing sight. 15 goblins and hobgoblins have been strung up by their feet and it looks like they have been sacrificed. Their throats are slit and there is the body of a Formorian giant that is spread eagle on a makeshift alter; it is quite dead.

This symbol is actually burned into a nearby rock:



Brock is very worried from the look on his face.

Anything the party would like to do?

What was the answer to the divination (different from the augury)? “Are the goblins involved with the temple?”

Though it seems that if the witch is, so are they.

Fuck off back home to the VinMarvin stronghold..? No?

Ok, Marvin takes a deep breath and collects himself. This is most unpleasant business. He’ll scout the area for traps first. Investigation?
Thu Aug 18 2022 21:17:30 GMT-0600 (MDT)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 5 to total : 12, + 5, TOTAL: 17

my apologies - yes, the goblins are involved with the temple.

Marvin - no traps that you can find

Any signs of tracks leading away from this place?
Survival/Tracking:
Thu Aug 18 2022 21:42:55 GMT-0600 (MDT)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 8 to total : 5, + 8, TOTAL: 13

yes, there are very strange tracks that you cannot identify; they appear to be three legged?

The are also one set of humanoid tracks as well. They lead to the NW

Three legged meaning a four legged animal that lost a limb or meaning three primary legs?

Zax curses in Shadarese, "quvHa’ Hegh SoH vIneH" (I do not wish dishonorable death for you). He begins to take the bodies down and piles them nearby on whatever flat rock area he can find. He treats the corpses with respect as he prepares a funeral pyre. After the fire is going, he asks Brock and his goat help dragging the twisted giant over.

* Zax won't search them for loot, since he didnt defeat them in battle, but he wouldnt stop anyone else from checking for clues or valuables. If he saw an obvious clue, like a map or symbol on their bodies or something, he will point it out of course to the others.

three legged - and a very strange three legged - almost like a tripod.


there is nothing but rags and discarded weapons around. Nothing really of value. Your pyre is going.

Marvin looks up from his tracking work and surveys the giant pile of burning bodies and the plume of smoke rising from it. He remarks casually to Zax “Well, if they’re still nearby they know we’re on their tail now.” He ducks into whatever cover he can find while he waits for the rest of the party to finish its business here.

Stealth:
Fri Aug 19 2022 09:02:36 GMT-0600 (MDT)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 11 to total : 8, + 11, TOTAL: 19

Once comfortably hidden he contemplates the tripod tracks with a mixture of dread and excitement about the nature of such a beast. Uncle Vinny would be fascinated by this turn of events.

“Might not want to be out in the open if someone comes to investigate the smoke…”. Is there any cover nearby? Or we can just keep moving.

there is no real cover here. Keep moving then?

Marvin is hidden

"GOOD! Let them come."


Zax approaches the stone slab alter and begins to destroy it using his magical maul Shatterspike.
*Shatterspike deals automatic crits against objects*

full power attack and crit is 4d6+17 per swing

Result of the throw of dice "4d6 +17" :

4 + 6 + 3 + 5 + 17 = 35


just as a reference, since the rules kinda suck in this department, Wall of Stone spell has 30 HP per inch of thickness

https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Wall%20of%20Stone#content

so at average 35 damage per swing, which is 6 seconds, that's 350 damage per minute or almost 1 foot of solid stone that Zax can destroy per minute. Zax is willing to spend 10-15 minutes to thoroughly trash this alter, if needed

we'll cut to the chase on this... Zax' destroys the altar.

Nothing happens after that. How long are you planning on waiting?

With the bodies burning and his rage satisfied, Zax is ready to go.

Marvin has a long look at Chopper and starts to think this may not be the best adventure for him. He sends him back to the border station with a note for the guards there to look after him.

When the group moves out he takes the lead, following the mysterious tripod tracks. DM would you like new Tracking and Stealth rolls?

Tracking yes. Why don't you hold off on the Stealth until there is a reason for it... unless you want to roll it anyway.

Suffice it to say we are moving carefully.
“I’ll take the rear”

Warhol

as a Tortle
Ac 20
Hp 64/64
passive Perception 18

(Marvin's stealth roll will still count when he makes it)

You continue your journey. If anything, things get more bleak as you go.. but the rain starts to slacken.

You travel for another 3 hours. The tracks continue until you come to rise in the terrain that is very rocky. it will require a climb check. (or something else)

Perception check please for Marvin, since you are on point.

Perception:
Sat Aug 20 2022 01:03:57 GMT-0600 (MDT)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 7 to total : 20, + 7, TOTAL: 27

Awww snap! Crit!

Marvin - you swear you can hear something like chanting coming from up somewhere on the bluff

How high is the top of the bluff or whatever we would need to climb?

Zax asks Warhol, "Time for some aerial recon?"

Chris wrote:Zax asks Warhol, "Time for some aerial recon?"  

“Sure thing bwoss.” Warhol summons the owl to investigate the top of the bluff. He’ll start from further away so as to scan for threats out of cantrip or bow range. As the owl closes in on a closer view, Warhol will eavesdrop on the owl’s senses.

not more than 20' up.

The bird flies for about 40'.

The owl - as you peer through it's eyes, you see someone very similar to the witch you saw. It's male and it's chanting. There are what look like hobgoblins gathered around a chained formorian, two of them are holding the chains that bind him to an alter. The male creature with the tail is making small cuts and chanting in a language you can't understand. This is all taking place in something of a large pit, the rim of which is nothing but sharp rocks and jagged edges. Its almost as if the ground and rock was ripped apart. The path lead into and out of the pit (no more than 10' deep)

There are also two of these present



one of the hobgoblins notices your bird and takes a shot at it with a light crossbow.


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

misses it by just a few inches... but he takes his time reloading and points it out to another hobgoblin.

Can Warhol map this for the group in the dirt?

The owl will make a run (but not towards us) to get out of range.

“I suspect we’re going to have trouble from this group either way. Might be best to take the opportunity to surprise them.”

positions could be slight different but for now, this is what it saw.



the owl flies out of range

We’re at like J14 but just off the map?

“If we spring the giant, maybe he’ll fight back and even up the fight.”

Is there a path to the top of the bluff or would we have to climb?

the path goes up the whole way but it requires a climb check (or something similar)

you're about 40' away from bottom of the map - the path is marked on the map

Zax studies the map and tactical information. He offers his assessment, "Glory to your bird and to your eyes! Primary target is the warlock, as he is likely the leader and most dangerous. Twisted giant might be a willing sacrifice, unclear if release would be a benefit but I suspect we will see by actions of hobgoblins if they free him or try to keep him down. This requires further observation, but he is second target from past experience, if he is indeed an enemy and becomes primary objective to release if he appears allied with us. Warhol, I recommend using your owl as a distraction, since they are keen for sport (fly over head, use dodge action). The terrain should mask our approach, so speed is more important than stealth." Zax winks at Marvin, "I recommend.... FULL FRONTAL ASSAULT!!"

Okay. The owl will ready an action to buzz the creepy priest dude with a dodge as soon as we reach the top.

“Do your thing, I can handle crowd control. Marvin, we’re clearing Zax a path. Ignore the ones holding the chains.”

Climb check
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +2" :

20 + 2 = 22
Ugh. Could’ve been my first attack instead…

Table talk, I agree we should take a turn to move and climb to the rim then spring our attack, which should give us a surprise round if they are distracted by the owl.

Athletics to climb
Sun Aug 21 2022 09:49:01 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 8 to total : 17, + 8, TOTAL: 25

Marvin’s on board with the plan. His climb check:

Sun Aug 21 2022 10:36:56 GMT-0600 (MDT)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 4 to total : 3, + 4, TOTAL: 7

Yikes.

ok. The owl buzzes the head of the tiefling... he is momentarily distracted and screams "kill that bird!"

Warhol and Zax' make it up the cliff quite easily... Marvin slips and only makes it part of the way up before his footing give out on a loose rock.

You are not quite on the map yet.... the baddies seem preoccupied with their ritual. Anything else Marvin would like to try before we basically take another round?

I think this is a good time for an initiative roll, just for the order of things.

Initiative for Zax
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 0 to total : 12, TOTAL: 12

Am I reading it that Zax and Warhol made it onto the map, up the hill and are now crouched behind the rim of rocks? If so, Zax will take point at H-13, crouched and waiting for Marvin....

Initiative for Warhol
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 -2" :

2 - 2 = 0

you're all still off the map... just off of it by 10'

Marvin will make a second attempt to climb the trail as he readies himself for the assault:

Initiative:
Sun Aug 21 2022 14:57:55 GMT-0600 (MDT)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 9 to total : 14, + 9, TOTAL: 23

Climb:
un Aug 21 2022 14:59:33 GMT-0600 (MDT)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 4 to total : 13, + 4, TOTAL: 17

When he reaches the top would like to cast Cordon of Arrows if there’s time before the fun starts. Totally understand if his biffed Climb check won’t allow for that.

cannot cast it yet. I gave you basically two movement actions to try and get up.

However, this is a new round as one of the goblins takes another shot at the owl. The tiefling can see that he missed and he shouts at the others "guard the area" - you two keep the formorian chained!

Rolling line

1 : 1d20 + 3 to total : 3, + 3, TOTAL: 6

well that guy can't shoot!


Ok, this will now be the top of the round. All of you are at the edge of the map on the path (I'll just put you on there to cut to the chase)



Initiative order:

Marvin: 23
Gor'Zax: 12
Baddies: 12
Warhol: 2

Marvin is up first as usual.

Marvin whispers “Give me a second to get set up!”
He will move using Stealth to E-14
Stealth: Mon Aug 22 2022 06:11:55 GMT-0600 (MDT)
Rolling line 1 : 1d20 + 11 to total : 8, + 11, TOTAL: 19

Marvin casts Cordon of Arrows, placing his 4 arrows at D-14 and protecting his party and the owl from the spell:
2nd-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 5 feet
Components: V, S, M (four or more arrows or bolts)
Duration: 8 hours

You plant four pieces of nonmagical ammunition – arrows or crossbow bolts – in the ground within range and lay magic upon them to protect an area. Until the spell ends, whenever a creature other than you comes within 30 feet of the ammunition for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there, one piece of ammunition flies up to strike it. The creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d6 piercing damage. The piece of ammunition is then destroyed. The spell ends when no ammunition remains.

When you cast this spell, you can designate any creatures you choose, and the spell ignores them.

As a bonus action Marvin will cast Hunter’s Mark and place it on the Tiefling.

He gives the thumbs up to Zax and Warhol.

Done.

Stats:
HP: 52/52
AC: 18
Attacks: 2
PP: 15

Saves:
STR +4
DEX +7
CON +1
INT +3
WIS +2
CHR +0

Spell Save: 13
Spell Attack: +5
Spell Slots:
1st: 3/4
2nd: 1/2

Arrows: 36/36

DM - just a couple clarification questions

Is this our surprise round or is it not until we trigger it?
ie Marvin's spell. we could wait another 6 seconds so he can just start the party, then we all get 1 surprise round, then initiative starts again. or is the spell his surprise action?

Remember, the owl is taking Dodge action, so all attacks are with Disadvantage

oh, right... dodge. Thanks for reminding me... had a really rough night last night so I was distracted.

THis is the surprise round, Marvin begins it; we're on initiative. Sorry for the muddled nature of those earlier posts.