Burr is far more relaxed out among the rural areas, he doesn't pay a lot of attention to the unfamiliar man but is brought up be Zeflas words though he doesn't really comprehend the reasons for them.
Soren listens to Jhon's general discussion of werewolf 'tactics', unable to argue really, since what does he know. Something bothers him about it though. Has been bothering him in truth since the dinner the previous night and all the talk (much of it admittedly his own) of eating or being eaten.
He calls Silvanus' natural Guidance to help him understand the forces that underlie the wild.
"Thank you, Jhon Trollbark. So a werewolf's bite spreads their curse, they use pack tactics and silvered weapons harm them. But why do they attack? A pack of wolves fights to defend territory or young, or to put food in bellies. But if werewolves eat the humanoids they kill, how would lycanthropy spread? What is their purpose if not hunger? Simply to spread the curse? Mindless bloodlust? Sir Rowan Caskbow suggested they have intelligence."
As Madame Tourmaline Bauer stops to converse with the stranger, Soren is struck by much the same thought as Zefla. Unless the picture is of a werewolf in humanoid form? Nevertheless, he is glad the halfling is the one asking, as Soren himself has not yet apologized to the tiefling lady.
If the parchment scroll is unrolled again, Giles wanders over to have a look, wanting to memorize who they are looking for. “Is this the representation of a known lycanthrope, someone that we are looking for? If so, we should all have a look. I’m pretty good at faces…”
Jhon listens to Soren's deeper questioning on the motivations of werewolves. "Well..." he says, scratching the back of his head in thought. "They're monsters, right? And not just natural beasts, but creatures transformed by a curse. So... it makes sense that their motivation is to spread harm and evil. If they kill and eat a farmer, or if they only wound him and subsequently cause him to fall under the curse... either of those outcomes could satisfy the goals of a berserk, cursed and evil man-beast." Jhon sounds satisfied with himself with this response.
Soren:
Listening to the boy talk, you get the impression he is intelligent enough, but had never given any thought to your question on werewolf motivations before this moment. The answer he gave you is something he reasoned up right on the spot, rather than something recited from study.
Tourmaline peaks out from under her hood at Zefla and Giles line of questioning. She sighs but it sounds more tired than angered. "I serve the Lords of Waterdeep, and I have many responsibilities delegated to me. In addition to assisting on your wolf hunt, I am also seeking a thief who is known to have fled to these lands. With a little good fortune, I may be able to complete both tasks and satisfy my employers."
"And that man wasn't just a common wanderer from Tethyr... he wore the garb of a silent monk of omlarandin. By reputation they are supposed to be wise and perpetually observant of the world around them. I had to ask if he had seen my thief but... no such luck."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Soren nods at young Jhon's words but says nothing. I sense I am not the only one with much to learn about werewolves and their recent spate of attacks.
At Madam Tourmaline Bauer's explanation, Soren again has nothing to say but glances at Sir Rowan Caskbow, trying to ascertain whether the revelation of this secondary mission seems a surprise (or annoyance) to the knight. He also takes note of the traveler from Tethyr so that he can recognize such monks in the future, inclining his head respectfully to the man. Once the group are moving again, he muses aloud:
"If our guess at the werewolves' motivation is simply that they are evil monsters, then it sounds as if there are two choices. One approach is to pursue them through indirect traces, clues or word of their presence, as a pack of wolves might scent its prey. If I understand it, this is our current plan with inquiries at Gillian's Hill and Liam's Hold." (Soren struggles a bit to remember the names of the locations).
"The other approach would be to draw them to us by presenting ourselves as an attractive target, as a preying mantis disguised like a large leaf might with a smaller, plant-eating insect. Of course in our case, we are not necessarily so much more formidable than werewolves as a preying mantis is compared to its prey, so we may actually be an attractive target in truth, not just in pretense."
Burr nodded, " If they are particularly targetting humanoid prey, we are likely the only ones stupid enough to be tromping about in the dark so they likely have noted us already, an ordinary wolf can scent prey from a mile or more away....I can only assume werewolves have similar senses."
Zefla raises her eyebrows at Bauer's knowledge of the monk. More than she knew, but then again, she had never traveled that far. Maybe this lady was more well rounded then she appeared.
As they talk about the werewolves and different plans of actions, the only thing that comes to Zefla's mind she voices, "I ain't no ones bait! You all ain't going to set me out there for those stinking werewolves to hunt me. We is hunting them!"
Giles walks over to Tourmaline and says “Ma’am, could we see the depiction of this thief that you are hunting? If we can aid in that task as well we shall, or at least keep an eye out for them. Probably a flim flam artist who’s scheme went wrong, ended up on the wrong side of the law, made a few bad gambles I speck..” *ahem* (cough cough), clearing his throat. In the manner of a pious priest looking after his flock, “Not that I have been around such an unsavory person, but you never know, from whence our lost lambs may come… we go forth into the harvesting field, mayhap some lost soul could have come in looking for a little luck at our shrine with their next adventure, I may be able to recognize a face…”. Giles nods solemnly and then points his head toward the parchment to have a look. (And to make doubly sure that his own face in some other representation isn’t on that piece of parchment..)
Sir Rowan Caskbow enters the conversation. "You have the right idea, Soren. We indeed pursue the former strategy. We will hunt them, by word and track, until we find one or more of their number. Big packs like this... they will have scouts running all over and around their territory looking for the next farm or hamlet to raid. We will catch one of those scouts, eventually."
"Had we greater numbers, or did we know for certain the full measure of the wolves' strength, we could try to lure them as you suggest. Present a weak and juicy target, and then spring the trap once they took the bait. As it is now... I'd be concerned we'd swing that trap closed and find a dozen or more werewolves in there with us."
Giles, meanwhile, discusses things with Tourmaline. She sighs and pulls the parchment out again. "This is no 'flim flam artist.'"
The paper has a hand sketch of a bald man of indeterminate age. His right eye is squinted, or possibly missing. His bald head is tattooed with stars across his right temple, and on the left side of his jaw stretching back toward the ear there are more tattoos of mathematical or arcane symbols. Below the drawing is a small blurb of text.
Goratrix Bin
Known necromancer - Suspected agent of Thay
Wanted for theft of property belonging to the Masked Lords of Waterdeep
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Zefla nods at Sir Rowan's words, "Now that I can get on board with. So, where are we heading first again? You probably told us, but in all the excitement..." she smiles up at him innocently.
When Bauer opens the scroll again, she pulls on her arm so she will lower it a bit for Zefla to see. She gives a low whistle, "Now, ain't he a cutie."
“Hmmm.” Giles considers the parchment and commits the information to memory. “Goratrix Bin … never seen him. Don’t want to neither, by the look of him. Wonder what he nicked?” he muses to himself.
“Oh well. I guess let’s get back to our primary mission. Achieving peace and safety across our land and spreading enlightenment as we go. I have a feeling that these lycanthropes will only achieve enlightenment however at the tip of a sharp silvered bolt. Speaking of which, dear Jhon, do you have any extra silvered crossbow bolts in that massive trunk you are lugging around? I want to be ready, I feel that we could encounter them at any time…”
"I think it was Gillian's hill, then Liam's Hold as we go south?" The words mean nothing to Soren, but he repeats them to answer Zefla's question, having anxiously tried to memorize the waypoints when Sir Rowan Caskbow had described their route earlier.
"The map seemed to show 'The Misty Forest' to the east." A wistful look forms on Soren's face. "Is that the territory from which the werewolves seem to be making their attacks? I wonder if we will need to go there..."
Soren is puzzled at Giles the not-Father's words regarding the parchment, but chalks it up to his own usual lack of understanding. He has no idea what a Flim Flam artist is. Perhaps someone who draws flamingos? Wondrous birds in warmer climates which migratory birds in Neverwinter Wood had described to him. Nor does he know where Thay is or why lords wear masks. A vague memory prods him that necromancers are to be avoided, so he is unnerved that Madame Tourmaline Bauer appears to be hunting one. Then again, we are chasing werewolves whose motivations we don't know...
She takes back the parchment, rolls it and returns it to her bag. "Divination magic tracked the thief as far as the Misty Forest before he found a way to block the spells. There's a good chance he has already slipped on to points unknown, or handed off the stolen item, but while I am out this way I'm too ask after any sign of him. As a necromancer, there's a better than good chance he has a skeleton or two...".
"Sir?" The squire interrupts all the idle conversation. Something in his tone draws all of your attention to the path.
Up ahead, the wagon you've been slowly following has stopped alongside an old bridge at a stream crossing. You can see a handful of figures had exited the wagon, perhaps to relieve themselves or to settle down for a picnic lunch at this idyllic spot. Now, however, those figures are sprinting back towards the wagon. Moments later, two grey dog-like shapes emerge from the woods on one side of the trail, cutting through the tall grass in bounding leaps. Your hearts catch for a moment as you all wonder... werewolves?
But then arrows are flying from the wood on either side, and small greenish figures lope out from their hiding places under the bridge, their ambush sprung. "Goblins," says Sir Rowan, his voice thick with contempt. "Jhon! Stay here with Madame Bauer and the horse! The rest of you, with me! Looks like fate has given us a chance to test ourselves before the real hunt begins." He draws his longsword and dashes south toward the melee.
[The first combat of this little opening story. Typically I will roll initiative for everyone (I just like to save time that way) but as it happens I have to run out tonight and won't be able to get a map up until tomorrow anyway. So go ahead and roll your own initiatives. Have fun!]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
As you run toward the fray, you see that the occupants of the wagon have grabbed poles and quarterstaves and are trying to fend off the goblins and wolves but it is only a matter of time before they are overwhelmed. There are 6 goblins and 2 wolves around the wagon. At least 2 more goblins are in the brush on either side of the road, but based on the number of arrows sailing toward the wagon there must be more hidden there in the shadows and brambles.
Initiative:
Burr
Soren
Zefla
Giles
West Goblins + Wolves
Sir Rowan
East Goblins
[You can all go ahead and post your actions - you are all ahead of everyone else.]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Zefla runs her 30' towards the wagon and pulls out her shortbow. Seeing that the enemies are engaged with their prey, she takes her stance and fires off an arrow at one of the wolves.
(Since the goblins and wolves are focused on the wagon, is this a surprise round? I'll roll adv separately in case I'm wrong)
Soren remembers a few goblin hideouts in Neverwinter Wood. Nasty creatures, sometimes, though not without social order. Always sneaking and ambushing like the wolves that accompany them. He recalls that they use bows, as they are clearly doing now, but suspects that they are not big enough to draw a longbow with its greater range - like his own which he pulls from his shoulder and wields now as a free action.
He judges that he is still too far away for his magic to reach. Seeing that the wolves are the closest enemies who are not behind cover, he realizes a little sadly that he should probably target them as Zefla is doing.
Moving south-southeast down the path 30', Soren fires off a non-silvered arrow at one of the wolves using his longbow (range 150' / 30 hexes):
Burr is far more relaxed out among the rural areas, he doesn't pay a lot of attention to the unfamiliar man but is brought up be Zeflas words though he doesn't really comprehend the reasons for them.
Soren listens to Jhon's general discussion of werewolf 'tactics', unable to argue really, since what does he know. Something bothers him about it though. Has been bothering him in truth since the dinner the previous night and all the talk (much of it admittedly his own) of eating or being eaten.
He calls Silvanus' natural Guidance to help him understand the forces that underlie the wild.
"Thank you, Jhon Trollbark. So a werewolf's bite spreads their curse, they use pack tactics and silvered weapons harm them. But why do they attack? A pack of wolves fights to defend territory or young, or to put food in bellies. But if werewolves eat the humanoids they kill, how would lycanthropy spread? What is their purpose if not hunger? Simply to spread the curse? Mindless bloodlust? Sir Rowan Caskbow suggested they have intelligence."
Insight plus Guidance: 14 + 4 = 18
As Madame Tourmaline Bauer stops to converse with the stranger, Soren is struck by much the same thought as Zefla. Unless the picture is of a werewolf in humanoid form? Nevertheless, he is glad the halfling is the one asking, as Soren himself has not yet apologized to the tiefling lady.
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
If the parchment scroll is unrolled again, Giles wanders over to have a look, wanting to memorize who they are looking for. “Is this the representation of a known lycanthrope, someone that we are looking for? If so, we should all have a look. I’m pretty good at faces…”
Jhon listens to Soren's deeper questioning on the motivations of werewolves. "Well..." he says, scratching the back of his head in thought. "They're monsters, right? And not just natural beasts, but creatures transformed by a curse. So... it makes sense that their motivation is to spread harm and evil. If they kill and eat a farmer, or if they only wound him and subsequently cause him to fall under the curse... either of those outcomes could satisfy the goals of a berserk, cursed and evil man-beast." Jhon sounds satisfied with himself with this response.
Soren:
Listening to the boy talk, you get the impression he is intelligent enough, but had never given any thought to your question on werewolf motivations before this moment. The answer he gave you is something he reasoned up right on the spot, rather than something recited from study.
Tourmaline peaks out from under her hood at Zefla and Giles line of questioning. She sighs but it sounds more tired than angered. "I serve the Lords of Waterdeep, and I have many responsibilities delegated to me. In addition to assisting on your wolf hunt, I am also seeking a thief who is known to have fled to these lands. With a little good fortune, I may be able to complete both tasks and satisfy my employers."
"And that man wasn't just a common wanderer from Tethyr... he wore the garb of a silent monk of omlarandin. By reputation they are supposed to be wise and perpetually observant of the world around them. I had to ask if he had seen my thief but... no such luck."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Soren nods at young Jhon's words but says nothing. I sense I am not the only one with much to learn about werewolves and their recent spate of attacks.
At Madam Tourmaline Bauer's explanation, Soren again has nothing to say but glances at Sir Rowan Caskbow, trying to ascertain whether the revelation of this secondary mission seems a surprise (or annoyance) to the knight. He also takes note of the traveler from Tethyr so that he can recognize such monks in the future, inclining his head respectfully to the man. Once the group are moving again, he muses aloud:
"If our guess at the werewolves' motivation is simply that they are evil monsters, then it sounds as if there are two choices. One approach is to pursue them through indirect traces, clues or word of their presence, as a pack of wolves might scent its prey. If I understand it, this is our current plan with inquiries at Gillian's Hill and Liam's Hold." (Soren struggles a bit to remember the names of the locations).
"The other approach would be to draw them to us by presenting ourselves as an attractive target, as a preying mantis disguised like a large leaf might with a smaller, plant-eating insect. Of course in our case, we are not necessarily so much more formidable than werewolves as a preying mantis is compared to its prey, so we may actually be an attractive target in truth, not just in pretense."
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
Burr nodded, " If they are particularly targetting humanoid prey, we are likely the only ones stupid enough to be tromping about in the dark so they likely have noted us already, an ordinary wolf can scent prey from a mile or more away....I can only assume werewolves have similar senses."
Zefla raises her eyebrows at Bauer's knowledge of the monk. More than she knew, but then again, she had never traveled that far. Maybe this lady was more well rounded then she appeared.
As they talk about the werewolves and different plans of actions, the only thing that comes to Zefla's mind she voices, "I ain't no ones bait! You all ain't going to set me out there for those stinking werewolves to hunt me. We is hunting them!"
Giles walks over to Tourmaline and says “Ma’am, could we see the depiction of this thief that you are hunting? If we can aid in that task as well we shall, or at least keep an eye out for them. Probably a flim flam artist who’s scheme went wrong, ended up on the wrong side of the law, made a few bad gambles I speck..” *ahem* (cough cough), clearing his throat. In the manner of a pious priest looking after his flock, “Not that I have been around such an unsavory person, but you never know, from whence our lost lambs may come… we go forth into the harvesting field, mayhap some lost soul could have come in looking for a little luck at our shrine with their next adventure, I may be able to recognize a face…”. Giles nods solemnly and then points his head toward the parchment to have a look. (And to make doubly sure that his own face in some other representation isn’t on that piece of parchment..)
Sir Rowan Caskbow enters the conversation. "You have the right idea, Soren. We indeed pursue the former strategy. We will hunt them, by word and track, until we find one or more of their number. Big packs like this... they will have scouts running all over and around their territory looking for the next farm or hamlet to raid. We will catch one of those scouts, eventually."
"Had we greater numbers, or did we know for certain the full measure of the wolves' strength, we could try to lure them as you suggest. Present a weak and juicy target, and then spring the trap once they took the bait. As it is now... I'd be concerned we'd swing that trap closed and find a dozen or more werewolves in there with us."
Giles, meanwhile, discusses things with Tourmaline. She sighs and pulls the parchment out again. "This is no 'flim flam artist.'"
The paper has a hand sketch of a bald man of indeterminate age. His right eye is squinted, or possibly missing. His bald head is tattooed with stars across his right temple, and on the left side of his jaw stretching back toward the ear there are more tattoos of mathematical or arcane symbols. Below the drawing is a small blurb of text.
Goratrix Bin
Known necromancer - Suspected agent of Thay
Wanted for theft of property belonging to the Masked Lords of Waterdeep
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Zefla nods at Sir Rowan's words, "Now that I can get on board with. So, where are we heading first again? You probably told us, but in all the excitement..." she smiles up at him innocently.
When Bauer opens the scroll again, she pulls on her arm so she will lower it a bit for Zefla to see. She gives a low whistle, "Now, ain't he a cutie."
“Hmmm.” Giles considers the parchment and commits the information to memory. “Goratrix Bin … never seen him. Don’t want to neither, by the look of him. Wonder what he nicked?” he muses to himself.
“Oh well. I guess let’s get back to our primary mission. Achieving peace and safety across our land and spreading enlightenment as we go. I have a feeling that these lycanthropes will only achieve enlightenment however at the tip of a sharp silvered bolt. Speaking of which, dear Jhon, do you have any extra silvered crossbow bolts in that massive trunk you are lugging around? I want to be ready, I feel that we could encounter them at any time…”
"I think it was Gillian's hill, then Liam's Hold as we go south?" The words mean nothing to Soren, but he repeats them to answer Zefla's question, having anxiously tried to memorize the waypoints when Sir Rowan Caskbow had described their route earlier.
"The map seemed to show 'The Misty Forest' to the east." A wistful look forms on Soren's face. "Is that the territory from which the werewolves seem to be making their attacks? I wonder if we will need to go there..."
Soren is puzzled at Giles the not-Father's words regarding the parchment, but chalks it up to his own usual lack of understanding. He has no idea what a Flim Flam artist is. Perhaps someone who draws flamingos? Wondrous birds in warmer climates which migratory birds in Neverwinter Wood had described to him. Nor does he know where Thay is or why lords wear masks. A vague memory prods him that necromancers are to be avoided, so he is unnerved that Madame Tourmaline Bauer appears to be hunting one. Then again, we are chasing werewolves whose motivations we don't know...
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
She takes back the parchment, rolls it and returns it to her bag. "Divination magic tracked the thief as far as the Misty Forest before he found a way to block the spells. There's a good chance he has already slipped on to points unknown, or handed off the stolen item, but while I am out this way I'm too ask after any sign of him. As a necromancer, there's a better than good chance he has a skeleton or two...".
"Sir?" The squire interrupts all the idle conversation. Something in his tone draws all of your attention to the path.
Up ahead, the wagon you've been slowly following has stopped alongside an old bridge at a stream crossing. You can see a handful of figures had exited the wagon, perhaps to relieve themselves or to settle down for a picnic lunch at this idyllic spot. Now, however, those figures are sprinting back towards the wagon. Moments later, two grey dog-like shapes emerge from the woods on one side of the trail, cutting through the tall grass in bounding leaps. Your hearts catch for a moment as you all wonder... werewolves?
But then arrows are flying from the wood on either side, and small greenish figures lope out from their hiding places under the bridge, their ambush sprung. "Goblins," says Sir Rowan, his voice thick with contempt. "Jhon! Stay here with Madame Bauer and the horse! The rest of you, with me! Looks like fate has given us a chance to test ourselves before the real hunt begins." He draws his longsword and dashes south toward the melee.
[The first combat of this little opening story. Typically I will roll initiative for everyone (I just like to save time that way) but as it happens I have to run out tonight and won't be able to get a map up until tomorrow anyway. So go ahead and roll your own initiatives. Have fun!]
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Soren Initiative: 19
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim
Zefla’s initiative 18
Giles initiative : 16
Burr Initiative: 13
As you run toward the fray, you see that the occupants of the wagon have grabbed poles and quarterstaves and are trying to fend off the goblins and wolves but it is only a matter of time before they are overwhelmed. There are 6 goblins and 2 wolves around the wagon. At least 2 more goblins are in the brush on either side of the road, but based on the number of arrows sailing toward the wagon there must be more hidden there in the shadows and brambles.
Initiative:
[You can all go ahead and post your actions - you are all ahead of everyone else.]
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Zefla runs her 30' towards the wagon and pulls out her shortbow. Seeing that the enemies are engaged with their prey, she takes her stance and fires off an arrow at one of the wolves.
(Since the goblins and wolves are focused on the wagon, is this a surprise round? I'll roll adv separately in case I'm wrong)
Attack: 16 Damage: 10
2nd roll for attack: 8
Sneak attack (if adv is used): 3
Soren remembers a few goblin hideouts in Neverwinter Wood. Nasty creatures, sometimes, though not without social order. Always sneaking and ambushing like the wolves that accompany them. He recalls that they use bows, as they are clearly doing now, but suspects that they are not big enough to draw a longbow with its greater range - like his own which he pulls from his shoulder and wields now as a free action.
He judges that he is still too far away for his magic to reach. Seeing that the wolves are the closest enemies who are not behind cover, he realizes a little sadly that he should probably target them as Zefla is doing.
Moving south-southeast down the path 30', Soren fires off a non-silvered arrow at one of the wolves using his longbow (range 150' / 30 hexes):
To hit: 13
Damage: 5 piercing
Mud(Paladin2):Frandal's Scourge/Inge(Barbarian1):Krayveneer's After the Fall/Seri(Cleric1/Sorcerer1):Uhtred's Windward Isles/Shin(Wizard2):Dimir_MTG's Surviving
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric3):Vos' Beyond the Veil/Soren(Druid4):Bartjeebus' Ravenloft/Nivi(Rogue3):Raiketsu's CoS/Lyra(Warlock2/Bard2):BlameItOnWinter's Will of the Ancients
Joren(Fighter5):NotDrizzt's Simple Request/Quyen(Adept1):Constance's Nentir Vale/Rel(Warlock2):Uhtred's Phandelver/Xarian(Fighter1/Wizard1):ShieldHero's Drakkenheim