The thickets shiver as the creature pushes through and disappears into the holly. The goblin seems to be running northwest.
There didn't seem to be any goblins on the south side of the road, which makes sense if their escape route was to the north. With Daph and Berry near the oxen and the two fighters north of him, Martin is satisfied that there's no immediate danger. If the oxen are alive, they may be able to clear the road and get moving toward Phandalin before the goblins return.
Marten leaves his hiding spot and moves to the horses, saying, "The goblins must have a hideout nearby. Else, why so eager to kill the oxen? Vidruth, could you help me search the horses for clues? We may not have much time before they return in greater numbers."
He tries to pull the scroll case from under the horse on the right, if he can, and then open the scroll case to see what's inside.
Movement: Moving to the horse at S14 and crouching down. Action: Take the scroll case. Bonus Action: None Free Action: Open the scroll case. Talking.
(OOC: Can Marten tell approximately how long the horses have been dead? Or would that require another action to check? Would it be Survival, Medicine, or Nature?)
"Hey Marten, did you see that shot? Glad I was there to save you from that joker, were you just trying to make him mad?"
Marten glances your direction blankly for a moment, but as he looks back to what he was doing at the horses, he says in a casual deadpane: "Nawp. Just tryin' to wound him enough so that he wouldn't be too much for you to handle, Nosam."
His intention is to get eyes on the G3 and if he's lucky, his warhammer.
(OOC: I'm pretty sure that g3 was the one blasted to death by Vidruth's thunderwave, and g4 was the one who got away.)
Berry finally sees the goblins, or one of them at least, but it’s breaking already. It looks like they’ve bit more then they could chew, ‘And we even haven’t got started for real. Tosken!’ Berry sheathes his sword, lowers and touches down near the oxen and Daphyra, “You may have saved one, thank you,” he says to her. Then he pets them both, whispering in Sylvan, “Dh’fhàillig mi thu agus tha mi duilich. An lorg thu duilleagan is flùraichean an-còmhnaidh ge bith càite an tèid thu.” To Daphyra he asks, “Will they live?” and offers his help to care for them.
Move: land at L12 Action: help Daphyra if needed or simply care for the injured or dying animals Bonus: None Free: sheathe his sword
Sylvan:
“I failed you and I apologise. May you always find leaves and flowers wherever you go.” - I used Scots Gaelic for Sylvan. Didn’t find much info on Sylvan and felt Celtic would be a nice fit and this was the closest to that.
(OOC: I'm pretty sure that g3 was the one blasted to death by Vidruth's thunderwave, and g4 was the one who got away.)
(OOC: Went back and reread, you are correct. G3 is finished from Thunderwave. I'm assuming my previous move to S12 is good and the attack is obviously not needed.)
Defensively positioned (S12), Nosam surveys the scene for the party. Between the horses, blood, goblin innards, it is tough to spot anything of value. "Vidruth, Kiselina, you see anything or anyone left to loot?"
Kiselina internally fights through the priorities of next action. He realizes he’s not agile or lithe enough to follow the goblin in any manner that would immediately be resolved. The little bandit has scampered away to get reinforcements. But he still wrestles with the dilemma between ensuring the oxen are healthy enough to move and the identity of the horses and their riders.
He can clearly see with a cursory head count and others’ actions that it appears no one else is injured.
He’s unsure of Daphyra’s healing ability, and hasn’t seen it in action yet. (ooc, I know she has, he just hasn’t seen it.) “Is she the type of cleric who does that?” he thinks to himself. Clerics of Bahamut are more martial focused, but what about those of Bastet?
He figures he will see about tending to the oxen first. He has just a bit of healing ability and the mission IS to get the supplies to Phandalin. The wagon can’t move if the oxen are out. If there is time to secure the saddles, perhaps they can determine more about their owners enroute to the town, or within the town itself.
(Free Action) “I shall return to assist with the horses post haste” to anyone up front.
(Move) He will move back his full 30’ to L14
(Action) Check/stabilize/heal oxen Medicine: 8, Lay on Hands for 3hp to most injured Oxen (moon?)
Nosam: Proceed with confidence to S12; surveys the scene (Investigation1)
Marten: Moving to the horse at S14 and crouching down, Take the scroll case, Open the scroll case.
Berry: Move: land at L12, help Daphyra if needed or simply care for the injured or dying animals
Kiselina: move to L14; Lay on Hands for 3hp to most injured Oxen (moon?)
(OOC: We now drop out of turn-based play into narrative play.)
Although visible to no one in the party, the fleeing goblin hears Vidruth’s words and its eyes pop with anger at the insult. It keeps running.
Nosam moves to S12 and surveys the damage. It is gruesome. Goblin flesh and bones, mostly big chunks of flesh containing pulped bones.
Nosam: Please roll a Survival (tracking) check to notice something in particular in this area.
Speaking of noticing, Nosam does not himself notice (due to his Investigation roll of Nat 1) what the other nearby party members now see: Just to the right of the dwarf, an area of holly which looked dense from farther away, but from up close, one sees that it is possible for a person to easily push through (at T11/T12).
Marten moves to the horses and removes the scroll case from the mud. It had been almost crushed under one of the horses, or perhaps was simply thrown there randomly and forgotten, into what perhaps was a puddle but is now rather dry mud. The cylindrical leather scroll case is unclasped – actually, unwound, as it had been clasped by a strong string wound around two buttons, one on the cap, which can flip open, and one on the tube. Inside the case, Marten finds nothing at a cursory glance, just a lining of beeswax paper. However, there is a small circle of parchment adhered to the lid which bears writing — two short sentences perhaps — in a language Marten cannot read.
At Kiselina’s miraculous touch, the arrows impaled in Moon’s forebody simply disappear, and the wounds self-cauterize. The beast’s breathing begins to deepen, and one big brown eye opens to survey the dragonborn.
(OOC: All may post at will as you investigate the scene. Expectation is minimum 1 engaged post per day.)
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DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
(OOC: Can Marten tell approximately how long the horses have been dead? Or would that require another action to check? Would it be Survival, Medicine, or Nature?)
Marten rolls the case back up and puts it in his pack for now. He goes about searching the bodies in the road and as efficiently as he can.
Marten first checks the horses and their saddlebags and tack, looking both for other valuables that the goblins missed and for clues to who the rider(s) were. (Were both horses equiped for riders? Or was it one rider with a pack horse?) Investigation23
Next, Marten retrieves his arrow (and Nosam's bolt) from goblin #2's body if they weren't broken. Marten will also check g2 for any valuables or clues about his affiliations. (Second check, if needed.) Investigation23
Assuming that he can use the goblins' arrows with his shortbow, Marten takes g2's quiver and fills it up with any unspent arrows from g1's and g3's quivers. Two quivers are better than one!
Marten's priorities in his search are
Figure out how long the horses have been in the road. (Did the party happen upon a recent battle, and the goblins decided to hide and add to their spoils? Or have the goblins been using the horses for days to block the road and rob passing travelers?)
Who were the riders? If he can find a family crest or monogram, they could at least take it to Phandalin to see whether people there recognize it.
Gather any valuables, gear, or info from g2'd possessions that could help the party if they encounter more of them (maps, keys, tattoos, badges, written orders, etc.).
Frustrated that one got away for now, he takes some satisfaction in knowing just how much damage this ragtag bunch inflicted. He knows there has to be something of interest based on Marten's focus and offers to follow along and let him take point. "What you need from me? Happy to follow your lead, and hey, I'll even let you keep that bolt of mine for good luck."
Marten: Figure out how long the horses have been in the road, Find out Who were the riders?, Gather any valuables, gear, or info from goblin possessions
Nosam notices drag marks on the ground leading up the path. It seems two persons were dragged away at some point within the last few days.
Marten, with two Investigation crits (!!??) determines the following:
The saddles are marked. The first saddle bears a monogram in a language Marten cannot read. The other saddle is marked with a family crest branded into the leather which Marten, (and perhaps, others in the group), is certain he remembers seeing on Gundren’s guard, Sildar Hallwinter’s tunic.
Marten has a nagging suspicion, after putting the map case away, that there is more to its story. As a result of the crit, we’ll say he thinks to ask the others, who speak different languages than he does, whether they can decipher the little note. The answer is yes.
Marten (letting the Investigation double crit ride) also notices that the beeswax paper seems a little loose in one corner. In fact it is not adhered to the inside of the cylinder at all.
Nosam (and anyone else who reads dwarvish):
is able to decipher the markings on the second saddle, for it is in the squared characters of dwarvish script. It is a monogram: “G.R.”
In the same language, Nosam (and anyone else who reads darvish) makes out the following inscribed on the little piece of parchment adhered to the cylindrical leather case Marten picked up:
“Map to XXXX” (these are actual X’s or their equivalent in dwarvish)
“Spell scroll for -----” (a name has been damaged by water and is illegible)
The party is able to determine that the horses have been dead for 2 or 3 days, which, yes, would correlate to when Gundren and Sildar would have traversed this road according to their plan.
The party is able to determine that at least a dozen goblins have come and gone, regularly, along the path which was g4’s exit route. In other words, it seems likely that this has been a staging ground for banditry even before Gundren and Sildar passed.
As for the poor dead horses, it looks like they were simply left where they fell. That they block the wagon’s progress entirely seems to be a coincidence, though a happy one for goblin bandits.
There is nothing else of value on the goblin corpses.
Marten can recover one-half of his arrows, and 1d6 arrows each from goblins 1 and 2.
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DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Daphyra watches as Kiselina lays his hands upon the ox and heals it. It seems similar to the way she asks for the Goddess' blessing on the sick and dying, but also somehow different. She resolves to ask him about it later.
She stands up and surveys the rest of the group (insight 15), checking to see if anyone is needing healing, but stays with the oxen to ensure they are not wounded too much to continue on their way once the party has finished investigating. Do they both seem capable of continuing? (nature 4 or medicine 22)
Daphyra watches as Kiselina lays his hands upon the ox and heals it. It seems similar to the way she asks for the Goddess' blessing on the sick and dying, but also somehow different. She resolves to ask him about it later.
She stands up and surveys the rest of the group (insight 15), checking to see if anyone is needing healing, but stays with the oxen to ensure they are not wounded too much to continue on their way once the party has finished investigating. Do they both seem capable of continuing? (nature 4 or medicine 22)
Daphyra studies the arrow wounds carefully in both oxen. Sun’s were deep in its shoulder. Still, the animal can probably make it to Phalandin before collapsing. But Moon… the injuries were deep, two arrows in its throat. Pushing it too hard could result in an artery bursting, internal bleeding, death. If she (or someone) were to heal it up to 11HP (½ of its total), however, Daphyra thinks the ox could probably make it.
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DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
vidruth looks around kinda helplessly before trying to see if he can tell what tribe the goblins are from (18 investigation if applicable)
vidruth would be able to read the initials but nothing else orc uses the dwarven script so he knows letters but not words) "whats th' case say"
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This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic byVitaly S Alexius
The saddles are marked. The first saddle bears a monogram in a language Marten cannot read. The other saddle is marked with a family crest branded into the leather which Marten, (and perhaps, others in the group), is certain he remembers seeing on Gundren’s guard, Sildar Hallwinter’s tunic.
Marten has a nagging suspicion, after putting the map case away, that there is more to its story. As a result of the crit, we’ll say he thinks to ask the others, who speak different languages than he does, whether they can decipher the little note. The answer is yes.
(OOC: Yes, that my plan, actually. :-) Marten just put the scroll case in his pack so that he and everyone else could finish searching independently first. He going to ask Nosam to take a look once Nosam was done with whatever that Survival check was for. Since they knew that Gundren had ridden this way and since Nosam and Marten seem to vibe earlier, he would ask Nosam to take a look first in case it was Dwarvish. If Nosam couldn't read it, Marten was going to ask the ones with more book learnin' to check: Vidruth, Daph, and Kiselina.)
When Nosam is done investigating the tracks and asks Marten about helping, Marten hands him the scroll case. He says, "I found this under one of the horses. There's writing here," pointing, "but I don't know that writin' nor the language neither. Can you read it?" Hearing that it's Dwarvish, Marten seems excited and asks Nosam to look at the mark on the second saddle. Then he grimaces, looks north into the woods, and then looks at Nosam and suggests, "Let's report in."
Marten looks around for Kesilina. He takes Nosam back to the wagon where Kiselina was talking to Daphyra. Marten directs the following to Kiselina, a little quietly at first, like he's afraid to interrupt: "Uh, sir? Beg your pardon. Keye-suh-lean-uh? We found something that may matter to the decision about what to do next."
Marten shares the news that it looks like the riders of the slain horses were Gundren and his guard, Sildar Hallwinter. (OCC: This would probably also be the time Nosam would want to share what he found with the drag marks. If so...) When Marten hears about all of the goblin tracks, he says, "Yep, they must have a hideout nearby. That's why they were gonna kill the oxen: no way for us to escape with the wagon, and not too far for them to carry the stolen goods."
Nosam (and anyone else who reads dwarvish):
is able to decipher the markings on the second saddle, for it is in the squared characters of dwarvish script. It is a monogram: “G.R.”
In the same language, Nosam (and anyone else who reads darvish) makes out the following inscribed on the little piece of parchment adhered to the cylindrical leather case Marten picked up:
“Map to XXXX” (these are actual X’s or their equivalent in dwarvish)
“Spell scroll for -----” (a name has been damaged by water and is illegible)
Finally, Marten shows the scroll case. "This was what I saw under one of the horses. Tell 'em what it says, Nos'm." Marten unwinds the binding on the scroll case to open it again and show the others, but then he notices that the beeswax paper seems a little loose in one corner. In fact it is not adhered to the inside of the cylinder at all.
"Hm. What's this?", he says, as he takes out one of his woodcarver's knives and then uses it to pry up the beeswax cover carefully. "Looks like a waterproof cover." He removes any papers that were under the beeswax and lays them on the cart seat for the party to examine together.
Once the others have a chance to share anything they've found and/or react to these findings, Marten says, "Beggin' yer pardon, Kay-see-lean-uh, but the goblin who got away might return with more archers. We don' wanna be sittin' in the road when they come back."
Berry listens to the report of discoveries while caressing the oxen and helping to dress their wounds. “I could scout around to see if I find where the goblins went, perhaps with you, Marten?,” he suggests as he feels that he’s not able to help much with the beasts. “If you really believe they are so close by, they may be returning before we finish to clear the road. Best we are prepared to receive them. We could prepare a trap for them, or an ambush, they might not be expecting to be ambushed half way to their ambush site.” With a powerful jump, Berry is in the air hovering at the party’s eye level, “They nearly killed one of us(for Berry the beasts of burden form an equal part of the team) and I have half a mind to bring the fight into their hideout. Anyway, even if we make it to Phandalin, where will we deliver the goods if Gundren has been taken? We could surprise them now with a bold move and get Gundren out of a tight spot. If we deliver the wagon first and then return, they might have throw him into the stew already before we get there.”
If the others agree he will scout where the goblin went and the accessible area around the path and the road to determine if there would be a good place for an ambush of their own, and to see if he can determine where the humanoids have been dragged towards.
Action: Scout vicinity with focus on the goblins’ escape path and possible ambush sites around it, (Survival: 12+1, somehow the phone scrolled up when pressing the skill check on the character sheet and I rolled Sleight of Hand. The roll was a 12 with a modifier of 3, I figured I can use the roll for the Survival check with the correct mod.)
Kiselina listens quietly to everything as it is shared, looking into the brown eye of the injured ox deep in thought. Marten’s report is most informative, but Daphyra’s input is crucial to how he wants to see this conclude. Complete the mission, get the wagon to Phandalin. “But is that even possible anymore, girl?” He whispers to Moon.
He could pump his remaining energy into Moon, but it would need more than he can provide. And he is still unsure of the clerics capabilities.
“Mistress Daphyra, can you help get Moon ready to travel? My apologies if I appear unfamiliar with your order, I had wanted to better understand your tenants in a more relaxed setting. But need has come upon us, and so I must be more direct. Do the servants of Bastet practice in the restoration of health? I have but just a bit more I could give to Moon, but I fear it would not be enough. I implore, tell if you believe you are capable of making the team if oxen ready?”
Without waiting for an immediate answer, concerned that she either has not the capability or the complete power to provide as much as needed, Kiselina continues explaining his thoughts.
“It is most likely, given the evidence of the markings on the saddles and the drag marks, that our esteemed employer and his escort have indeed gotten themselves captured. I would have liked to confirm they did not make it to town first, but the facts stand before us. And to deny them would be fool hearty. Sooner or later, I would still have to address the goblin’s actions. For even if Gundren were to be discovered at our destination, closure for some other family about the riders would be warranted.”
Here, the Dragonborn takes a moment to recap.
“If Mistress Daphyra doesn’t believe we can get the oxen ready to depart, then I will defer to Marten and Berry for how best to address the almost certain arrival of more goblinoid bandits, and whatever reinforcements they may bring.”
”You are most correct Master Marten, we don’t want to be ‘sittin-in-the-road’ when the goblins return.”
Daphyra looks at the Dragonborn. "I can heal, but I wasted some of what the goddess has blessed me with against the goblins. I should have held back, knowing that the rest of you were more than capable in routing them."
She moves back at Moon, murmuring soft words and binding the wounds on the ox's neck. She casts healing word, healing 5 HP.
Daph glances up. "I fear that is the last of my healing until the twilight replenishes the Goddess's gift. She needs a little more healing than I can provide to ensure she can continue tonight. Dragging the cart in her current state... she would not get far."
Daphyra looks at the Dragonborn. "I can heal, but I wasted some of what the goddess has blessed me with against the goblins. I should have held back, knowing that the rest of you were more than capable in routing them."
She moves back at Moon, murmuring soft words and binding the wounds on the ox's neck. She casts healing word, healing 5 HP.
Daph glances up. "I fear that is the last of my healing until the twilight replenishes the Goddess's gift. She needs a little more healing than I can provide to ensure she can continue tonight. Dragging the cart in her current state... she would not get far."
(she needs another 3HP)
Kiselina places his hands on Moon. He has laid his halberd down in the ground, concentrating on the task in front of him. He had hoped that Daphyra’s powers would have been enough. He understood there was only about a 50% chance this was going to work. His calculations banked on their combined efforts, and a bit of luck. He understands this gamble means the group will not have any remaining restorative powers should they need them in the near future. “Bahamut, lend me your strength to restore this innocent creature to health enough so that we may depart this scene and complete our mission. I swear to return Justice against those who have brought this humble servant low.”
He musters his remaining pool of restorative healing, hoping against all odds that it’s enough. (2HP to Moon)
“It’s all I have.” The paladin trails off as he looks to the others. “Moon, I am sorry if we haven’t done enough for you.” He address the creature with sadness in his eyes. Slowly, he stands, gathering his halbert and composure. He moves to the dead horses. “If this works, we still need to clear the road. Master Berry, Master Marten, please begin planning for this ambush should the need arise. Master Nolan, will you lend me your strength in clearing out path, please?”
Berry: Scout vicinity with focus on the goblins’ escape path and possible ambush sites around it, (Survival: 12+1=13.)
Berry loses the trail if he flies too high, so at no more than 20’ above ground, the fairy follows the path until it exits the wood. The trail then crosses a meadow beside a pond where a family of deer are bounding away, skirts a bog, and continues across another wide meadow where three boars are rooting in the sedge. From here, Berry, looking ahead, spots a goblin running along the trail, about ¼ mile ahead of him into a further copse of trees at the base of a line of low hills. The goblin does not see Berry -- the fairy is confident in this. Berry is now about 3 miles away from the party, having flown for about 30 minutes since leaving the Triboar Trail. The wilderness is filled with possible ambush sites, however, none offer obvious evidence of goblin use at a cursory glance. Does Berry pursue the goblin or turn back, or...?
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DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver// Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever//Dev Horndin Curious Critters//Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
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There didn't seem to be any goblins on the south side of the road, which makes sense if their escape route was to the north. With Daph and Berry near the oxen and the two fighters north of him, Martin is satisfied that there's no immediate danger. If the oxen are alive, they may be able to clear the road and get moving toward Phandalin before the goblins return.
Marten leaves his hiding spot and moves to the horses, saying, "The goblins must have a hideout nearby. Else, why so eager to kill the oxen? Vidruth, could you help me search the horses for clues? We may not have much time before they return in greater numbers."
He tries to pull the scroll case from under the horse on the right, if he can, and then open the scroll case to see what's inside.
Movement: Moving to the horse at S14 and crouching down.
Action: Take the scroll case.
Bonus Action: None
Free Action: Open the scroll case. Talking.
(OOC: Can Marten tell approximately how long the horses have been dead? Or would that require another action to check? Would it be Survival, Medicine, or Nature?)
Marten glances your direction blankly for a moment, but as he looks back to what he was doing at the horses, he says in a casual deadpane: "Nawp. Just tryin' to wound him enough so that he wouldn't be too much for you to handle, Nosam."
(OOC: I'm pretty sure that g3 was the one blasted to death by Vidruth's thunderwave, and g4 was the one who got away.)
Sylvan:
“I failed you and I apologise. May you always find leaves and flowers wherever you go.”
- I used Scots Gaelic for Sylvan. Didn’t find much info on Sylvan and felt Celtic would be a nice fit and this was the closest to that.
|| Tryncaryn - Halfling Monk/Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak || Berry - Fairy Barbarian - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver || Taya - Mysterious Fighter - Echoes of Empire || Myrla Stardust - Wood Elf Rogue - After the Fall ||
(OOC: Went back and reread, you are correct. G3 is finished from Thunderwave. I'm assuming my previous move to S12 is good and the attack is obviously not needed.)
Investigation1
Defensively positioned (S12), Nosam surveys the scene for the party. Between the horses, blood, goblin innards, it is tough to spot anything of value. "Vidruth, Kiselina, you see anything or anyone left to loot?"
Kiselina internally fights through the priorities of next action. He realizes he’s not agile or lithe enough to follow the goblin in any manner that would immediately be resolved. The little bandit has scampered away to get reinforcements. But he still wrestles with the dilemma between ensuring the oxen are healthy enough to move and the identity of the horses and their riders.
He can clearly see with a cursory head count and others’ actions that it appears no one else is injured.
He’s unsure of Daphyra’s healing ability, and hasn’t seen it in action yet. (ooc, I know she has, he just hasn’t seen it.) “Is she the type of cleric who does that?” he thinks to himself. Clerics of Bahamut are more martial focused, but what about those of Bastet?
He figures he will see about tending to the oxen first. He has just a bit of healing ability and the mission IS to get the supplies to Phandalin. The wagon can’t move if the oxen are out. If there is time to secure the saddles, perhaps they can determine more about their owners enroute to the town, or within the town itself.
(Free Action) “I shall return to assist with the horses post haste” to anyone up front.
(Move) He will move back his full 30’ to L14
(Action) Check/stabilize/heal oxen Medicine: 8, Lay on Hands for 3hp to most injured Oxen (moon?)
(Bonus) n/a
(Reaction) n/a
(OOC: We now drop out of turn-based play into narrative play.)
Although visible to no one in the party, the fleeing goblin hears Vidruth’s words and its eyes pop with anger at the insult. It keeps running.
Nosam moves to S12 and surveys the damage. It is gruesome. Goblin flesh and bones, mostly big chunks of flesh containing pulped bones.
Nosam: Please roll a Survival (tracking) check to notice something in particular in this area.
Speaking of noticing, Nosam does not himself notice (due to his Investigation roll of Nat 1) what the other nearby party members now see: Just to the right of the dwarf, an area of holly which looked dense from farther away, but from up close, one sees that it is possible for a person to easily push through (at T11/T12).
Marten moves to the horses and removes the scroll case from the mud. It had been almost crushed under one of the horses, or perhaps was simply thrown there randomly and forgotten, into what perhaps was a puddle but is now rather dry mud. The cylindrical leather scroll case is unclasped – actually, unwound, as it had been clasped by a strong string wound around two buttons, one on the cap, which can flip open, and one on the tube. Inside the case, Marten finds nothing at a cursory glance, just a lining of beeswax paper. However, there is a small circle of parchment adhered to the lid which bears writing — two short sentences perhaps — in a language Marten cannot read.
At Kiselina’s miraculous touch, the arrows impaled in Moon’s forebody simply disappear, and the wounds self-cauterize. The beast’s breathing begins to deepen, and one big brown eye opens to survey the dragonborn.
(OOC: All may post at will as you investigate the scene. Expectation is minimum 1 engaged post per day.)
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
(OOC: Can Marten tell approximately how long the horses have been dead? Or would that require another action to check? Would it be Survival, Medicine, or Nature?)
Marten rolls the case back up and puts it in his pack for now. He goes about searching the bodies in the road and as efficiently as he can.
Marten first checks the horses and their saddlebags and tack, looking both for other valuables that the goblins missed and for clues to who the rider(s) were. (Were both horses equiped for riders? Or was it one rider with a pack horse?) Investigation 23
Next, Marten retrieves his arrow (and Nosam's bolt) from goblin #2's body if they weren't broken. Marten will also check g2 for any valuables or clues about his affiliations. (Second check, if needed.) Investigation 23
Assuming that he can use the goblins' arrows with his shortbow, Marten takes g2's quiver and fills it up with any unspent arrows from g1's and g3's quivers. Two quivers are better than one!
Marten's priorities in his search are
Survival 19
Frustrated that one got away for now, he takes some satisfaction in knowing just how much damage this ragtag bunch inflicted. He knows there has to be something of interest based on Marten's focus and offers to follow along and let him take point. "What you need from me? Happy to follow your lead, and hey, I'll even let you keep that bolt of mine for good luck."
Nosam notices drag marks on the ground leading up the path. It seems two persons were dragged away at some point within the last few days.
Marten, with two Investigation crits (!!??) determines the following:
Nosam (and anyone else who reads dwarvish):
The party is able to determine that the horses have been dead for 2 or 3 days, which, yes, would correlate to when Gundren and Sildar would have traversed this road according to their plan.
The party is able to determine that at least a dozen goblins have come and gone, regularly, along the path which was g4’s exit route. In other words, it seems likely that this has been a staging ground for banditry even before Gundren and Sildar passed.
As for the poor dead horses, it looks like they were simply left where they fell. That they block the wagon’s progress entirely seems to be a coincidence, though a happy one for goblin bandits.
There is nothing else of value on the goblin corpses.
Marten can recover one-half of his arrows, and 1d6 arrows each from goblins 1 and 2.
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
Daphyra watches as Kiselina lays his hands upon the ox and heals it. It seems similar to the way she asks for the Goddess' blessing on the sick and dying, but also somehow different. She resolves to ask him about it later.
She stands up and surveys the rest of the group (insight 15), checking to see if anyone is needing healing, but stays with the oxen to ensure they are not wounded too much to continue on their way once the party has finished investigating. Do they both seem capable of continuing? (nature 4 or medicine 22)
Daphyra - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine
Cariadne - Forest of Celador
Daphyra Fuffletail - The City of Cats
DM - Geek Legends - Wild beyond the Witchlight
Leela Steadystone - Adventures in the Sands
Mirri Goldenhorn - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Lola Smythe-Whyte - Larkin Expedition
Daphyra studies the arrow wounds carefully in both oxen. Sun’s were deep in its shoulder. Still, the animal can probably make it to Phalandin before collapsing. But Moon… the injuries were deep, two arrows in its throat. Pushing it too hard could result in an artery bursting, internal bleeding, death. If she (or someone) were to heal it up to 11HP (½ of its total), however, Daphyra thinks the ox could probably make it.
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story
vidruth looks around kinda helplessly before trying to see if he can tell what tribe the goblins are from (18 investigation if applicable)
vidruth would be able to read the initials but nothing else orc uses the dwarven script so he knows letters but not words) "whats th' case say"
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic by Vitaly S Alexius
(OOC: Marten only fired one arrow, which rolled a 1 on the damage die. We'll day that's because it broke on impact, but Nosam's bolt is intact.)
Marten smiles and says, "Ah, yes! The mighty Goblin Bane! I'll keep it as a ward against goblins. Thank ye!" He puts the bolt in his quiver.
Then he gathers one of the goblin's quivers and collects 4 arrows.
(OOC: I know, right!!?)
(OOC: Yes, that my plan, actually. :-) Marten just put the scroll case in his pack so that he and everyone else could finish searching independently first. He going to ask Nosam to take a look once Nosam was done with whatever that Survival check was for. Since they knew that Gundren had ridden this way and since Nosam and Marten seem to vibe earlier, he would ask Nosam to take a look first in case it was Dwarvish. If Nosam couldn't read it, Marten was going to ask the ones with more book learnin' to check: Vidruth, Daph, and Kiselina.)
When Nosam is done investigating the tracks and asks Marten about helping, Marten hands him the scroll case. He says, "I found this under one of the horses. There's writing here," pointing, "but I don't know that writin' nor the language neither. Can you read it?" Hearing that it's Dwarvish, Marten seems excited and asks Nosam to look at the mark on the second saddle. Then he grimaces, looks north into the woods, and then looks at Nosam and suggests, "Let's report in."
Marten looks around for Kesilina. He takes Nosam back to the wagon where Kiselina was talking to Daphyra. Marten directs the following to Kiselina, a little quietly at first, like he's afraid to interrupt: "Uh, sir? Beg your pardon. Keye-suh-lean-uh? We found something that may matter to the decision about what to do next."
Marten shares the news that it looks like the riders of the slain horses were Gundren and his guard, Sildar Hallwinter.
(OCC: This would probably also be the time Nosam would want to share what he found with the drag marks. If so...)
When Marten hears about all of the goblin tracks, he says, "Yep, they must have a hideout nearby. That's why they were gonna kill the oxen: no way for us to escape with the wagon, and not too far for them to carry the stolen goods."
Finally, Marten shows the scroll case. "This was what I saw under one of the horses. Tell 'em what it says, Nos'm." Marten unwinds the binding on the scroll case to open it again and show the others, but then he notices that the beeswax paper seems a little loose in one corner. In fact it is not adhered to the inside of the cylinder at all.
"Hm. What's this?", he says, as he takes out one of his woodcarver's knives and then uses it to pry up the beeswax cover carefully. "Looks like a waterproof cover." He removes any papers that were under the beeswax and lays them on the cart seat for the party to examine together.
Once the others have a chance to share anything they've found and/or react to these findings, Marten says, "Beggin' yer pardon, Kay-see-lean-uh, but the goblin who got away might return with more archers. We don' wanna be sittin' in the road when they come back."
Berry listens to the report of discoveries while caressing the oxen and helping to dress their wounds. “I could scout around to see if I find where the goblins went, perhaps with you, Marten?,” he suggests as he feels that he’s not able to help much with the beasts. “If you really believe they are so close by, they may be returning before we finish to clear the road. Best we are prepared to receive them. We could prepare a trap for them, or an ambush, they might not be expecting to be ambushed half way to their ambush site.” With a powerful jump, Berry is in the air hovering at the party’s eye level, “They nearly killed one of us (for Berry the beasts of burden form an equal part of the team) and I have half a mind to bring the fight into their hideout. Anyway, even if we make it to Phandalin, where will we deliver the goods if Gundren has been taken? We could surprise them now with a bold move and get Gundren out of a tight spot. If we deliver the wagon first and then return, they might have throw him into the stew already before we get there.”
If the others agree he will scout where the goblin went and the accessible area around the path and the road to determine if there would be a good place for an ambush of their own, and to see if he can determine where the humanoids have been dragged towards.
Action: Scout vicinity with focus on the goblins’ escape path and possible ambush sites around it, (Survival: 12+1, somehow the phone scrolled up when pressing the skill check on the character sheet and I rolled Sleight of Hand. The roll was a 12 with a modifier of 3, I figured I can use the roll for the Survival check with the correct mod.)
|| Tryncaryn - Halfling Monk/Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak || Berry - Fairy Barbarian - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver || Taya - Mysterious Fighter - Echoes of Empire || Myrla Stardust - Wood Elf Rogue - After the Fall ||
Kiselina listens quietly to everything as it is shared, looking into the brown eye of the injured ox deep in thought. Marten’s report is most informative, but Daphyra’s input is crucial to how he wants to see this conclude. Complete the mission, get the wagon to Phandalin. “But is that even possible anymore, girl?” He whispers to Moon.
He could pump his remaining energy into Moon, but it would need more than he can provide. And he is still unsure of the clerics capabilities.
“Mistress Daphyra, can you help get Moon ready to travel? My apologies if I appear unfamiliar with your order, I had wanted to better understand your tenants in a more relaxed setting. But need has come upon us, and so I must be more direct. Do the servants of Bastet practice in the restoration of health? I have but just a bit more I could give to Moon, but I fear it would not be enough. I implore, tell if you believe you are capable of making the team if oxen ready?”
Without waiting for an immediate answer, concerned that she either has not the capability or the complete power to provide as much as needed, Kiselina continues explaining his thoughts.
“It is most likely, given the evidence of the markings on the saddles and the drag marks, that our esteemed employer and his escort have indeed gotten themselves captured. I would have liked to confirm they did not make it to town first, but the facts stand before us. And to deny them would be fool hearty. Sooner or later, I would still have to address the goblin’s actions. For even if Gundren were to be discovered at our destination, closure for some other family about the riders would be warranted.”
Here, the Dragonborn takes a moment to recap.
“If Mistress Daphyra doesn’t believe we can get the oxen ready to depart, then I will defer to Marten and Berry for how best to address the almost certain arrival of more goblinoid bandits, and whatever reinforcements they may bring.”
”You are most correct Master Marten, we don’t want to be ‘sittin-in-the-road’ when the goblins return.”
Daphyra looks at the Dragonborn. "I can heal, but I wasted some of what the goddess has blessed me with against the goblins. I should have held back, knowing that the rest of you were more than capable in routing them."
She moves back at Moon, murmuring soft words and binding the wounds on the ox's neck. She casts healing word, healing 5 HP.
Daph glances up. "I fear that is the last of my healing until the twilight replenishes the Goddess's gift. She needs a little more healing than I can provide to ensure she can continue tonight. Dragging the cart in her current state... she would not get far."
(she needs another 3HP)
Daphyra - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine
Cariadne - Forest of Celador
Daphyra Fuffletail - The City of Cats
DM - Geek Legends - Wild beyond the Witchlight
Leela Steadystone - Adventures in the Sands
Mirri Goldenhorn - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Lola Smythe-Whyte - Larkin Expedition
Kiselina places his hands on Moon. He has laid his halberd down in the ground, concentrating on the task in front of him. He had hoped that Daphyra’s powers would have been enough. He understood there was only about a 50% chance this was going to work. His calculations banked on their combined efforts, and a bit of luck. He understands this gamble means the group will not have any remaining restorative powers should they need them in the near future.
“Bahamut, lend me your strength to restore this innocent creature to health enough so that we may depart this scene and complete our mission. I swear to return Justice against those who have brought this humble servant low.”
He musters his remaining pool of restorative healing, hoping against all odds that it’s enough. (2HP to Moon)
“It’s all I have.” The paladin trails off as he looks to the others.
“Moon, I am sorry if we haven’t done enough for you.” He address the creature with sadness in his eyes.
Slowly, he stands, gathering his halbert and composure. He moves to the dead horses.
“If this works, we still need to clear the road. Master Berry, Master Marten, please begin planning for this ambush should the need arise. Master Nolan, will you lend me your strength in clearing out path, please?”
Berry loses the trail if he flies too high, so at no more than 20’ above ground, the fairy follows the path until it exits the wood. The trail then crosses a meadow beside a pond where a family of deer are bounding away, skirts a bog, and continues across another wide meadow where three boars are rooting in the sedge. From here, Berry, looking ahead, spots a goblin running along the trail, about ¼ mile ahead of him into a further copse of trees at the base of a line of low hills. The goblin does not see Berry -- the fairy is confident in this. Berry is now about 3 miles away from the party, having flown for about 30 minutes since leaving the Triboar Trail. The wilderness is filled with possible ambush sites, however, none offer obvious evidence of goblin use at a cursory glance. Does Berry pursue the goblin or turn back, or...?
DM for Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver // Story Guide for COYOTE and CROW: Cahokia Forever // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Co-creator: Princes of the Apocalypse - A DnD Story