Angus slowly raises both (empty) hands above his head and says loudly, "I simply want to assist my wounded friend while you negotiate. On my honor as a warrior, I will not attack without further provocation."
He will then move slowly toward where Walks fell, and cast cure wounds for 7 hp on the unconscious cleric.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Marlyth has been flinching nervously as a response to the piercing gaze of the half-elf woman. Anyway, she continues to reply:
"Nevermore! We're just a group of adventurers looking for trouble or resolving such kind of thing... that depends on the situation. We wanted to rescue you from the assault of the hobgoblins, but everything happened so fast and I couldn't figure out how to deal with it. Umm.."
Can Marlyth determine the distance between the Highstar Lake and the current location?
Marlyth is aware and the others have been told or know, themselves (Hamish certainly), that the lake is about a day's journey from here. (I think it's about 50 miles, iirc. It's on a map I gave you a while back. This spot is too, but I don't think it's highlighted on the map as such. Hiw well would you say Marlyth knows this area based on her background? I know she's from the Misty Forest right? Might know more than whats given, depending. I recall you said aomwthing about the Hybsils?)
Seeing no point in continuing the charade, and in the interest of making things clearer for the parties engaged in parlay, she drops the casting of disguise self, revealing that she has been a hobgoblin this whole time.
"We were sort of counting on that." she admits.
《He will then move slowly toward where Walks fell, and cast cure wounds for 7 hp on the unconscious cleric.》
The scarred captain holds an outstretched hand toward Angus, palm open in a universal sign of 'Stops. He grunts something in hobgoblin and the remaining warlock casts counterspell (4th level) in response to the cure wounds.
In common the hobgoblin captain continues, "This Cobalt mage had attracted much attention. He gathers humanoid armies, but hans so far failed to acknowledge our own martial prowess. The human, Gollis has offered us a place in the ranks of the Great army the mage raises. You do not bear the lion crested nor the Banner of Blades. In whose name do you fight, then?"
(It's hard to not just drop the friendliness when they're auditioning for a spot in an army and you open with "were here to kill the director")
(The introductory post contains most of the locations related to Marlyth's background, she's slightly familiar with the locations: 'Chondalwood', 'Abyss' and Southern Faerûn. Yes, she's raised by Hybsils.)
"Nobody, I believe we're independent, right?"- Marlyth replies to the enquiry while staring at the hobgoblin woman with a flabbergasted expression, then she observes the movement of a tiny toad that's been leaping forward and backward, finally settling on the unconscious body of Walks.
Angus grunts in irritation at having his spell countered.
"If the mage does not acknowledge your prowess, then why would you be invited to join his army? Sounds like you are being invited into a trap to me. They will make you think you are accepted, then when your guard is down, they will murder you in your sleep.
"This Cobalt mage is known to have ruthless ambition, and does not care whom he betrays. It's possible he even killed his own father. He does not 'share power' and when he has used you as a shield against his rivals, he will dispose of you."
Marlyth, being of the South, might actually be more familiar with the aforementioned Banner of Blades.
@Marlyth
Founded and led by Audra Drakesblade (female half-elf, lawful evil, gladiator) just ten years ago, the mercenaries of the Banner of Blades have a growing reputation in the Sword Coast. Some see them as troublemakers, others as troubleshooters, but they are undeniably effective. Supposedly trained and tested by battles throughout lands to the south, rumors claim they are an invading army in disguise. In truth, the Banner of Blades has attracted outcasts, survivors, and other remnants from broken armies—soldiers who crave regimented diligence and the capable leadership Audra provides. Soldiers of the Banner see themselves not as a single army of three-hundred mercenaries but as five- and ten-person squads with reinforcements throughout the Realms.
She probably knows a little less than that, but as a player, I think it's reasonable that you know the armies composition so you can see a bit more how the hobgiblins would perceive that group. They are effectively subcontracting for the Iron Lions. The armor still bears the symbol.
"The mage knows not of our deeds, yet. He is said to be newly arrived from a distant land. The human, Gollis tells that the Mage has made reference to goblins of his home world in much kinder terms than humans across Faerûn. He seems to appreciate their cunning and intellect. If true, the mage may prove a superior choice to the status quo." The hobgoblin captain replies to Angus and Calner. After the Sorcerer's words, the captain considers. After a while, he scowls "Wizards. Have been playing with forces beyond their co rrol here in the moors for centuries. If the Cobalt Mage builds an empire seared in the moors, it wouldn't be the first to be buried in the bogs, fire marshes or undead or some new horror the only mark of their former dominion. Strange of you, summoner, to point highlight the folly of mages, though. Why, by your own loguc, should i entrust ny life to you and lay down arms just for you to call another oddity to fire deadly beams of light at my remaining troops?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Yeah, even if Marlyth knew all of these information, she would interpret these according to her own perspective and remain less informed.)
Fivepoint delivers a powerful dose of healing salve (Cure Wounds) to Walks (29) in order to rescue her from imminent doom and moves away from the affected comrade after completing the clandestine mission. Meanwhile, Marlyth will explain the situation in simple terms:
"You seem frustrated with the action of the cobalt wizard, why don't you find someone better? We met him once and we're still uncertain about his capability."
(Yeah, even if Marlyth knew all of these information, she would interpret these according to her own perspective and remain less informed.)
Fivepoint delivers a powerful dose of healing salve (Cure Wounds) to Walks (30) in order to rescue her from imminent doom and moves away from the affected comrade after completing the clandestine mission. Meanwhile, Marlyth will explain the situation in simple terms:
"You seem frustrated with the action of the cobalt wizard, why don't you find someone better? We met him once and we're still uncertain about his capability."
<Marlyth used her next rounds action to make a (not very successful) investogstion check. The hobgo line made it clear they were not about to cede the restoration of thr cleric. They have not seen you as more than respectable opponents at best in present light. Marlyrhs act of aggression triggers a massive escalation of hostilities.>
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tauzen continues to listen to the exchange between his companions and this hobgoblin captain. Not having much to add to the discussion, he studies this captain as he speaks, trying to get a hint of why he might be parlaying with them. (Plus trying to get a read on if he's up to anything - Insight: 22; 2nd Insight if those things need 2 separate rolls: 20)
<Marlyth used her next rounds action to make a (not very successful) investigation check. The hobgoblins made it clear they were not about to cede the restoration of the cleric. They have not seen you as more than respectable opponents at best in present light. Marlyths act of aggression triggers a massive escalation of hostilities.>
(Alright, let's save this action for future rounds.)
(ooc: incidentally Plant Growth doesn't slow speed or movement by an amount like Ray of Frost does, ray of frost imposing a temporary reduction of 10 feet... plant growth simply taxes you 4 feet for every 1 foot you wish to move, so Freedom of Movement doesn't interact with it at all, they should still suffer the 4 feet for every 1 foot tax.)
I was interpreting this part of freedom of movement (FoM): "...spells and other magical effects can neither reduce the target's speed..." it might be RAW that the effect of a spell, such as plant growth (PG) is not a 'magical effect', but thats not the badis if the ruling. FoM has very precise wording, "Spells... can neither reduce the targets speed..." not movement, speed. Spells like ray of frost specifically say they reduce 'speed' by a fixed amount, which suggests the rules refer to movement when using the term 'speed'. I originally read it as natural language, where speed refers to displacement over time. I do still think that FoM negates PG. It is the most specific thing I can read from it, but I can see a case for other interpretations. Difficult terrain is canceled by it and underwater movement is treated as normal; both apply a 1ft for every 2ft of movement formula. PG applies a 4 to 1 penalty, but otherwise behaves just as the two listed, both of which the spell negates.
Of course, after I wrote all that, I Googled it and found GitP has an interesting discussion about it. I agree with this excerpt:
"Arguably this is a deficiency in the RAW. Per Principle of Least Surprise, I think I'd ignore the RAW here and treat it as super-difficult terrain, so Freedom of Movement would work. That's what a player would reasonably expect to happen if they weren't a rules lawyer, and it is what should happen."
It's also not totally impossible for NPC spells to function slightly differently than the text in the primary source. Earlier in this game, there were creatures in the Hidden Page who could cast a version of banishment that would send one to the last plane they were om rather than to their native plane, purely for plot convenience. This specific case actually even makes sense here, since these warlocks (who otherwise inexplicably have this spell at will) have as their patron a particularly pktent crimson mist who constantly relies on the hobgoblins for its blood meals and would orefer they could stumble through the often difficult to traverse plant growth found in the marshes of the high moor (not that it woukd help much with the fire marshes, but they're like 1 in every 10 marshes).
(Can we resume the combat encounter now? Actually, I wanted to know about the intention of the opponent and required some kind of clarification for their militaristic behavior. Also I lost track of their relative position.)
(Yeah, even if Marlyth knew all of these information, she would interpret these according to her own perspective and remain less informed.)
Fivepoint delivers a powerful dose of healing salve (Cure Wounds) to Walks (30) in order to rescue her from imminent doom and moves away from the affected comrade after completing the clandestine mission. Meanwhile, Marlyth will explain the situation in simple terms:
"You seem frustrated with the action of the cobalt wizard, why don't you find someone better? We met him once and we're still uncertain about his capability."
(It sounds like this was a stealthy action in the tall grass, is it possible the HG did not notice it going on?)
<combat is hard paused until someone says or does something to resume hostilities. Everyone can speak freely; this is not initiative based>
Angus slowly raises both (empty) hands above his head and says loudly, "I simply want to assist my wounded friend while you negotiate. On my honor as a warrior, I will not attack without further provocation."
He will then move slowly toward where Walks fell, and cast cure wounds for 7 hp on the unconscious cleric.
Marlyth has been flinching nervously as a response to the piercing gaze of the half-elf woman. Anyway, she continues to reply:
"Nevermore! We're just a group of adventurers looking for trouble or resolving such kind of thing... that depends on the situation. We wanted to rescue you from the assault of the hobgoblins, but everything happened so fast and I couldn't figure out how to deal with it. Umm.."
Can Marlyth determine the distance between the Highstar Lake and the current location?
Investigation/ Perception/ Survival 8
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
Do I continue to roll Death Saves?
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
《He will then move slowly toward where Walks fell, and cast cure wounds for 7 hp on the unconscious cleric.》
The scarred captain holds an outstretched hand toward Angus, palm open in a universal sign of 'Stops. He grunts something in hobgoblin and the remaining warlock casts counterspell (4th level) in response to the cure wounds.
In common the hobgoblin captain continues, "This Cobalt mage had attracted much attention. He gathers humanoid armies, but hans so far failed to acknowledge our own martial prowess. The human, Gollis has offered us a place in the ranks of the Great army the mage raises. You do not bear the lion crested nor the Banner of Blades. In whose name do you fight, then?"
(It's hard to not just drop the friendliness when they're auditioning for a spot in an army and you open with "were here to kill the director")
Death Save 11
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
(The introductory post contains most of the locations related to Marlyth's background, she's slightly familiar with the locations: 'Chondalwood', 'Abyss' and Southern Faerûn. Yes, she's raised by Hybsils.)
"Nobody, I believe we're independent, right?"- Marlyth replies to the enquiry while staring at the hobgoblin woman with a flabbergasted expression, then she observes the movement of a tiny toad that's been leaping forward and backward, finally settling on the unconscious body of Walks.
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
Angus grunts in irritation at having his spell countered.
"If the mage does not acknowledge your prowess, then why would you be invited to join his army? Sounds like you are being invited into a trap to me. They will make you think you are accepted, then when your guard is down, they will murder you in your sleep.
"This Cobalt mage is known to have ruthless ambition, and does not care whom he betrays. It's possible he even killed his own father. He does not 'share power' and when he has used you as a shield against his rivals, he will dispose of you."
Marlyth, being of the South, might actually be more familiar with the aforementioned Banner of Blades.
@Marlyth
Founded and led by Audra Drakesblade (female half-elf, lawful evil, gladiator) just ten years ago, the mercenaries of the Banner of Blades have a growing reputation in the Sword Coast. Some see them as troublemakers, others as troubleshooters, but they are undeniably effective. Supposedly trained and tested by battles throughout lands to the south, rumors claim they are an invading army in disguise. In truth, the Banner of Blades has attracted outcasts, survivors, and other remnants from broken armies—soldiers who crave regimented diligence and the capable leadership Audra provides. Soldiers of the Banner see themselves not as a single army of three-hundred mercenaries but as five- and ten-person squads with reinforcements throughout the Realms.
She probably knows a little less than that, but as a player, I think it's reasonable that you know the armies composition so you can see a bit more how the hobgiblins would perceive that group. They are effectively subcontracting for the Iron Lions. The armor still bears the symbol.
"The mage knows not of our deeds, yet. He is said to be newly arrived from a distant land. The human, Gollis tells that the Mage has made reference to goblins of his home world in much kinder terms than humans across Faerûn. He seems to appreciate their cunning and intellect. If true, the mage may prove a superior choice to the status quo." The hobgoblin captain replies to Angus and Calner. After the Sorcerer's words, the captain considers. After a while, he scowls "Wizards. Have been playing with forces beyond their co rrol here in the moors for centuries. If the Cobalt Mage builds an empire seared in the moors, it wouldn't be the first to be buried in the bogs, fire marshes or undead or some new horror the only mark of their former dominion. Strange of you, summoner, to point highlight the folly of mages, though. Why, by your own loguc, should i entrust ny life to you and lay down arms just for you to call another oddity to fire deadly beams of light at my remaining troops?"
(Yeah, even if Marlyth knew all of these information, she would interpret these according to her own perspective and remain less informed.)
Fivepoint delivers a powerful dose of healing salve (Cure Wounds) to Walks (29) in order to rescue her from imminent doom and moves away from the affected comrade after completing the clandestine mission. Meanwhile, Marlyth will explain the situation in simple terms:
"You seem frustrated with the action of the cobalt wizard, why don't you find someone better? We met him once and we're still uncertain about his capability."
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
Walks, shakes her head dazed and confused. She nods her thanks but stays lying in the grass.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
<Marlyth used her next rounds action to make a (not very successful) investogstion check. The hobgo line made it clear they were not about to cede the restoration of thr cleric. They have not seen you as more than respectable opponents at best in present light. Marlyrhs act of aggression triggers a massive escalation of hostilities.>
Tauzen continues to listen to the exchange between his companions and this hobgoblin captain. Not having much to add to the discussion, he studies this captain as he speaks, trying to get a hint of why he might be parlaying with them. (Plus trying to get a read on if he's up to anything - Insight: 22; 2nd Insight if those things need 2 separate rolls: 20)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
(Alright, let's save this action for future rounds.)
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
(@Wile_E_Coyote, Will that roll reveal whether the other hobgoblins are under the effect of disguise self or not?)
Marlyth feels emotionally exhausted by such kind of high profile socialization and mentally curses the cobalt-mage for starting all these things.
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
I was interpreting this part of freedom of movement (FoM): "...spells and other magical effects can neither reduce the target's speed..." it might be RAW that the effect of a spell, such as plant growth (PG) is not a 'magical effect', but thats not the badis if the ruling. FoM has very precise wording, "Spells... can neither reduce the targets speed..." not movement, speed. Spells like ray of frost specifically say they reduce 'speed' by a fixed amount, which suggests the rules refer to movement when using the term 'speed'. I originally read it as natural language, where speed refers to displacement over time. I do still think that FoM negates PG. It is the most specific thing I can read from it, but I can see a case for other interpretations. Difficult terrain is canceled by it and underwater movement is treated as normal; both apply a 1ft for every 2ft of movement formula. PG applies a 4 to 1 penalty, but otherwise behaves just as the two listed, both of which the spell negates.
Of course, after I wrote all that, I Googled it and found GitP has an interesting discussion about it. I agree with this excerpt:
"Arguably this is a deficiency in the RAW. Per Principle of Least Surprise, I think I'd ignore the RAW here and treat it as super-difficult terrain, so Freedom of Movement would work. That's what a player would reasonably expect to happen if they weren't a rules lawyer, and it is what should happen."
-MaxWilson
https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?564524-Does-Freedom-of-Movement-protect-against-Plant-Growth
It's also not totally impossible for NPC spells to function slightly differently than the text in the primary source. Earlier in this game, there were creatures in the Hidden Page who could cast a version of banishment that would send one to the last plane they were om rather than to their native plane, purely for plot convenience. This specific case actually even makes sense here, since these warlocks (who otherwise inexplicably have this spell at will) have as their patron a particularly pktent crimson mist who constantly relies on the hobgoblins for its blood meals and would orefer they could stumble through the often difficult to traverse plant growth found in the marshes of the high moor (not that it woukd help much with the fire marshes, but they're like 1 in every 10 marshes).
(Can we resume the combat encounter now? Actually, I wanted to know about the intention of the opponent and required some kind of clarification for their militaristic behavior. Also I lost track of their relative position.)
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
(It sounds like this was a stealthy action in the tall grass, is it possible the HG did not notice it going on?)
(Probably, but Marlyth used her action for the current round. She only has a bonus action and reaction left for her turn.)
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer