OOC: This module is specifically designed for complete beginners... players starting with zero knowledge of the mechanics. The module instructions read as follows:
If the characters are searching for traps, the character in the lead spots the trap automatically if his or her passive Wisdom (Perception) score is 12 or higher. Otherwise, the character must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check to notice the trap.
Going forward, now that you know traps exist and how they work, we can make this automatic, ie: Kitryn's job is to always check for traps. If you are not doing something else and don't say anything, I use your passive perception. If you feel there the area is a prime location for a trap, you can always roll perception to try and get a better result than your passive perception, ie: your passive will always be a minimum, even if you roll bad (but 1's are always fails!!)
Now, Erenaeth is going to say to me, "But I have 13 passive perception!". Yeah, but you were doing 2 other things, tracking and watching for ambush, so I gave you disadvantage. In the case of a passive check, a disvantage = +5 to the DC. So the trap had a DC of 17 for you.
What I did wrong: You always get a chance to avoid traps that are triggered. I was supposed to let you roll a dexterity save with a DC of 10 to evade the trap. My bad. But there is no harm since Kitryn has volunteered to catch you, so no fall damage. (Would have been 1d6 bludegeoning for he 10 foot fall).
As Leek's mouse chews through the hemp rope, Kitryn lowers Erenaeth down without incident. The party assume their marching order once again, but this time Kitryn and others are being much more vigilant to find further traps.
OOC: When on the move, if you want to actively look for traps, roll Perception. There's no reason to only limit this task to one party member. That being said... Kitryn and Katerielle both have 15 passive perception, so...
Ten minutes later, both Kitryn and Katerielle warn Erenaeth in unison about a wrongness in the trail ahead. The party carefully walk around the area and continue on. Following the goblins’ trail, you come across a large cave in a hillside five miles from the scene of the ambush. A shallow stream flows out of the cave mouth, which is screened by dense briar thickets. A narrow dry path leads into the cave on the right-hand side of the stream. The thickets on the west side of the stream are impenetrable.
OOC: Defeating the goblin Ambush and finding the hideout completes a story milestone. Each character is awarded 75XP. See Roll20 for a new map. What do you want to do now?
2. Impenetrable thickets.... Pffff! I set them on fire.. We will see how impenetrable they are! (Just kidding. I don't).
3. Does the goblin trail lead into the cave? (Seems like a silly question, but your paragraph doesn't state that. Just says we come across a large cave with a stream and path.)
4. If we choose to enter the cave, Druidcraft allows me to light a torch, which I will do.
2. Impenetrable thickets.... Pffff! I set them on fire.. We will see how impenetrable they are! (Just kidding. I don't).
3. Does the goblin trail lead into the cave? (Seems like a silly question, but your paragraph doesn't state that. Just says we come across a large cave with a stream and path.)
4. If we choose to enter the cave, Druidcraft allows me to light a torch, which I will do.
1) Right beside your name is a little green downward pointing triangle. Click on that to obtain a drop down menu.
I see Leek prepare a torch."A torch.. are you game to alert the goblys and volunteer as a target?" I can see without aid, what of the rest of you?" "This den might have us at a disadvantage of numbers, if the tide turns, whom can be turned to for aiding wounds?"
The Goblin tracks lead directly to the stream, where it exists from the cave. The entire party stops within sight and Leek begins pulling torches out of his pack. Kitryn sees this, and says, "A torch.. are you game to alert the goblys and volunteer as a target?" I can see without aid, what of the rest of you? This den might have us at a disadvantage of numbers, if the tide turns, whom can be turned to for aiding wounds?"
Leek shrugs and begins to put the torches back in his pack and answers, "I can cure wounds, and I have goodberries that will help too."
There is no further conversation. Everyone stands around awkwardly, in silence. The forest sounds pick up in volume, as the nearby animals and critters resume their lives, uninterrupted by your travels.
Kitryn waits a moment and having only received one reply turns to Leek, "fancy knife ears.. always with a head in the clouds." "come, let us get this underway."
I move into the cave-mouth in a quiet fashion (stealth: 11, focused on trap detection and allow my darkvision to adjust.
Kitryn and Erenaeth move up towards the cave entrance, attempting stealth and keeping an eye out for traps or other dangers. Kitryn carefully steps into the stream, which is about two feet deep and flowing lazily.
On the east side of the stream flowing from the cave mouth, a small area in the briar thickets has been hollowed out to form a lookout post or blind. Wooden planks flatten out the briars and provide room for guards to lie hidden and watch the area — including a pair of goblins lurking there right now! The goblins have scimitars, a round plank to use as a shield, a quiver of arrows and bows leaning up against the briars next to them. They are currently engrossed in some form of game where they each take turns throwing sticks and stones into a shallow depression in the dirt at their feet. They are slapping and pushing each other with every throw, apparently unaware of Kitryn or Erenaeth.
Kitryn spots the sentries, she motions to Erenaeth, first 2 fingers raised then a single finger to her lips and finally a sweeping stroke across her neck.
i move with intent to gain advantage and sneak attack ooc: what rolls?
Before anyone goes in to attack, I suggest we set up our own ambush. If people get set up on the edge of the briars on either side of the opening, I can lure them out with an illusion cantrip:
If you create a sound, its volume can range from a whisper to a scream. It can be your voice, someone else's voice, a lion's roar, a beating of drums, or any other sound you choose. The sound continues unabated throughout the duration, or you can make discrete sounds at different times before the spell ends.
If you create an image of an object--such as a chair, muddy footprints, or a small chest--it must be no larger than a 5-foot cube. The image can't create sound, light, smell, or any other sensory effect. Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an illusion, because things can pass through it.
I can make a lion roar to scare the shit out of them so they run out of the briar and then you guys can get free hits on them. Or I can make a rabbit appear at the mouth, and when they come out to eat it, you can attack. I unfortunately don't speak Goblin. Otherwise I would order them out with the illusion spell.
OR, people can just sneak up. At which point Leek will support with his sling.
Kitryn spots the sentries, she motions to Erenaeth, first 2 fingers raised then a single finger to her lips and finally a sweeping stroke across her neck.
i move with intent to gain advantage and sneak attack ooc: what rolls?
If you want to move again, you'll have to reroll stealth.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
oh. what about the illusion of the briar on fire?! a crack of lightning to spark a fire? such that they turn there backs to us to investigate or run in fear straight into us.
if you can distract them before the have a chance to arm themselves i'm down with that.
Eren creeps up another 5 feet to put his back to the escarpment, signals Kitryn to take a similar position away from the cave mouth, and takes aim at one of the goblins with his bow.
As his partners are sneaking up, Leek prepares a an illusion spell. A crack of lightning hitting the briar which will cause it to "catch fire". He will set it off once he gets the go ahead signal. If the goblins are alerted to our presence because of poor sneak rolls, I will set it off in the hopes of distracting them. (Hey look, an elf! Kill him! CRACK BOOM sizzle! Arghh! Get out of the briar, our only defensible position!!!)
Leek, Rindelk and Katerielle move up to stand near to Erenaeth, who now has a line of sight on the goblins playing their game. Kitryn realizes she's in a precarious position and attempts to move but steps on a loose stone beneath the surface of the stream and begins to stumble. Seeing this, Leek immediately casts Minor Illusion, trying to imitate a lighting strike directly behind the goblins. A flash of light and a loud cracking boom startles the goblins, who turn to look deeper into the briar.
OOC: SURPRISE ROUND, the Goblins have their backs to you and are not aware of your presence. You each get one "turn" (movement, action, bonus action) before rolling for initiative. Tell me what you want to do, and roll for initiative at the same time. Kitryn, moving out of the stream is difficult terrain, so your first square of movement will cost 10 feet to get onto dry land. Rindelk has ONE level 1 spell slot left and Katerielle has none. Cantrips are only limited by their requirements (speak, sign, material/arcane focus).
Surprise
A band of adventurers sneaks up on a bandit camp, springing from the trees to attack them. A gelatinous cube glides down a dungeon passage, unnoticed by the adventurers until the cube engulfs one of them. In these situations, one side of the battle gains surprise over the other.
The DM determines who might be surprised. If neither side tries to be stealthy, they automatically notice each other. Otherwise, the DM compares the Dexterity (Stealth) checks of anyone hiding with the passive Wisdom (Perception) score of each creature on the opposing side. Any character or monster that doesn't notice a threat is surprised at the start of the encounter.
If you're surprised, you can't move or take an action on your first turn of the combat, and you can't take a reaction until that turn ends. A member of a group can be surprised even if the other members aren't.
Also, FYI:
Knocking a Creature Out
Sometimes an attacker wants to incapacitate a foe, rather than deal a killing blow. When an attacker reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack, the attacker can knock the creature out. The attacker can make this choice the instant the damage is dealt. The creature falls unconscious and is stable.
OOC: This module is specifically designed for complete beginners... players starting with zero knowledge of the mechanics. The module instructions read as follows:
If the characters are searching for traps, the character in the lead spots the trap automatically if his or her passive Wisdom (Perception) score is 12 or higher. Otherwise, the character must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check to notice the trap.
Going forward, now that you know traps exist and how they work, we can make this automatic, ie: Kitryn's job is to always check for traps. If you are not doing something else and don't say anything, I use your passive perception. If you feel there the area is a prime location for a trap, you can always roll perception to try and get a better result than your passive perception, ie: your passive will always be a minimum, even if you roll bad (but 1's are always fails!!)
Now, Erenaeth is going to say to me, "But I have 13 passive perception!". Yeah, but you were doing 2 other things, tracking and watching for ambush, so I gave you disadvantage. In the case of a passive check, a disvantage = +5 to the DC. So the trap had a DC of 17 for you.
What I did wrong: You always get a chance to avoid traps that are triggered. I was supposed to let you roll a dexterity save with a DC of 10 to evade the trap. My bad. But there is no harm since Kitryn has volunteered to catch you, so no fall damage. (Would have been 1d6 bludegeoning for he 10 foot fall).
As Leek's mouse chews through the hemp rope, Kitryn lowers Erenaeth down without incident. The party assume their marching order once again, but this time Kitryn and others are being much more vigilant to find further traps.
OOC: When on the move, if you want to actively look for traps, roll Perception. There's no reason to only limit this task to one party member. That being said... Kitryn and Katerielle both have 15 passive perception, so...
Ten minutes later, both Kitryn and Katerielle warn Erenaeth in unison about a wrongness in the trail ahead. The party carefully walk around the area and continue on. Following the goblins’ trail, you come across a large cave in a hillside five miles from the scene of the ambush. A shallow stream flows out of the cave mouth, which is screened by dense briar thickets. A narrow dry path leads into the cave on the right-hand side of the stream. The thickets on the west side of the stream are impenetrable.
OOC: Defeating the goblin Ambush and finding the hideout completes a story milestone. Each character is awarded 75XP. See Roll20 for a new map. What do you want to do now?
1. How do we add experience to our characters?
2. Impenetrable thickets.... Pffff! I set them on fire.. We will see how impenetrable they are! (Just kidding. I don't).
3. Does the goblin trail lead into the cave? (Seems like a silly question, but your paragraph doesn't state that. Just says we come across a large cave with a stream and path.)
4. If we choose to enter the cave, Druidcraft allows me to light a torch, which I will do.
1) Right beside your name is a little green downward pointing triangle. Click on that to obtain a drop down menu.
3) Trail ends where cave begins.
4) Torch, got it.
I see Leek prepare a torch."A torch.. are you game to alert the goblys and volunteer as a target?" I can see without aid, what of the rest of you?" "This den might have us at a disadvantage of numbers, if the tide turns, whom can be turned to for aiding wounds?"
Yeah, sorry for the torch. Didn't realize I had good vision in darkness!
Leek has curewound spell and gooseberries
The Goblin tracks lead directly to the stream, where it exists from the cave. The entire party stops within sight and Leek begins pulling torches out of his pack. Kitryn sees this, and says, "A torch.. are you game to alert the goblys and volunteer as a target?" I can see without aid, what of the rest of you? This den might have us at a disadvantage of numbers, if the tide turns, whom can be turned to for aiding wounds?"
Leek shrugs and begins to put the torches back in his pack and answers, "I can cure wounds, and I have goodberries that will help too."
There is no further conversation. Everyone stands around awkwardly, in silence. The forest sounds pick up in volume, as the nearby animals and critters resume their lives, uninterrupted by your travels.
OOC: What do you guys want to do?
Kitryn waits a moment and having only received one reply turns to Leek, "fancy knife ears.. always with a head in the clouds." "come, let us get this underway."
I move into the cave-mouth in a quiet fashion (stealth: 11, focused on trap detection and allow my darkvision to adjust.
what do i see? perception : 14
Ereneath also moves towards the cave mouth.
OOC: I rolled 21 for perception on roll20. I'll also be stealthy: 14
Kitryn and Erenaeth move up towards the cave entrance, attempting stealth and keeping an eye out for traps or other dangers. Kitryn carefully steps into the stream, which is about two feet deep and flowing lazily.
On the east side of the stream flowing from the cave mouth, a small area in the briar thickets has been hollowed out to form a lookout post or blind. Wooden planks flatten out the briars and provide room for guards to lie hidden and watch the area — including a pair of goblins lurking there right now! The goblins have scimitars, a round plank to use as a shield, a quiver of arrows and bows leaning up against the briars next to them. They are currently engrossed in some form of game where they each take turns throwing sticks and stones into a shallow depression in the dirt at their feet. They are slapping and pushing each other with every throw, apparently unaware of Kitryn or Erenaeth.
OOC: What do you want to do?
Kitryn spots the sentries, she motions to Erenaeth, first 2 fingers raised then a single finger to her lips and finally a sweeping stroke across her neck.
i move with intent to gain advantage and sneak attack ooc: what rolls?
I should have set the briar on fire!
Before anyone goes in to attack, I suggest we set up our own ambush. If people get set up on the edge of the briars on either side of the opening, I can lure them out with an illusion cantrip:
If you create a sound, its volume can range from a whisper to a scream. It can be your voice, someone else's voice, a lion's roar, a beating of drums, or any other sound you choose. The sound continues unabated throughout the duration, or you can make discrete sounds at different times before the spell ends.
If you create an image of an object--such as a chair, muddy footprints, or a small chest--it must be no larger than a 5-foot cube. The image can't create sound, light, smell, or any other sensory effect. Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an illusion, because things can pass through it.
I can make a lion roar to scare the shit out of them so they run out of the briar and then you guys can get free hits on them. Or I can make a rabbit appear at the mouth, and when they come out to eat it, you can attack. I unfortunately don't speak Goblin. Otherwise I would order them out with the illusion spell.
OR, people can just sneak up. At which point Leek will support with his sling.
If you want to move again, you'll have to reroll stealth.
oh. what about the illusion of the briar on fire?! a crack of lightning to spark a fire? such that they turn there backs to us to investigate or run in fear straight into us.
if you can distract them before the have a chance to arm themselves i'm down with that.
otherwise i'm hoping the dice are nice..
stealth roll: 7
wow.. dice gods hate me
Eren creeps up another 5 feet to put his back to the escarpment, signals Kitryn to take a similar position away from the cave mouth, and takes aim at one of the goblins with his bow.
Stealth Roll from Roll20: 21
As his partners are sneaking up, Leek prepares a an illusion spell. A crack of lightning hitting the briar which will cause it to "catch fire". He will set it off once he gets the go ahead signal. If the goblins are alerted to our presence because of poor sneak rolls, I will set it off in the hopes of distracting them. (Hey look, an elf! Kill him! CRACK BOOM sizzle! Arghh! Get out of the briar, our only defensible position!!!)
OOC: I want to move to join the group and cast firebolt again. Can I do that?
OOC: Rosie will post when she gets home around 1pm. (hopefully)
OOC: I'll play for her, she also wants to move towards our party members.
Katariel and Rindelk both move to rejoin the party
OOC: D20 for a stealth roll?
Leek, Rindelk and Katerielle move up to stand near to Erenaeth, who now has a line of sight on the goblins playing their game. Kitryn realizes she's in a precarious position and attempts to move but steps on a loose stone beneath the surface of the stream and begins to stumble. Seeing this, Leek immediately casts Minor Illusion, trying to imitate a lighting strike directly behind the goblins. A flash of light and a loud cracking boom startles the goblins, who turn to look deeper into the briar.
OOC: SURPRISE ROUND, the Goblins have their backs to you and are not aware of your presence. You each get one "turn" (movement, action, bonus action) before rolling for initiative. Tell me what you want to do, and roll for initiative at the same time. Kitryn, moving out of the stream is difficult terrain, so your first square of movement will cost 10 feet to get onto dry land. Rindelk has ONE level 1 spell slot left and Katerielle has none. Cantrips are only limited by their requirements (speak, sign, material/arcane focus).
Surprise
A band of adventurers sneaks up on a bandit camp, springing from the trees to attack them. A gelatinous cube glides down a dungeon passage, unnoticed by the adventurers until the cube engulfs one of them. In these situations, one side of the battle gains surprise over the other.
The DM determines who might be surprised. If neither side tries to be stealthy, they automatically notice each other. Otherwise, the DM compares the Dexterity (Stealth) checks of anyone hiding with the passive Wisdom (Perception) score of each creature on the opposing side. Any character or monster that doesn't notice a threat is surprised at the start of the encounter.
If you're surprised, you can't move or take an action on your first turn of the combat, and you can't take a reaction until that turn ends. A member of a group can be surprised even if the other members aren't.
Also, FYI:
Knocking a Creature Out
Sometimes an attacker wants to incapacitate a foe, rather than deal a killing blow. When an attacker reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack, the attacker can knock the creature out. The attacker can make this choice the instant the damage is dealt. The creature falls unconscious and is stable.