I'm hoping Zeke's position is in between the goblins and the camp. If it is he'll stay in the shadows until they get close enough and then let loose with his ready action from my last post (attack roll was 23, think the damage was 13).
If he's not between them and the camp, he'll move to interpose himself as soon as he hears Tarja call out. Dropping his cloak, flaring his wings and unsheathing his blade.
Although they mostly look at Maxie with confusion at his accent, the captain of the men from Leilon calls out for them to form up and the soldiers follow suit. Both the yellow and the blue clad men grab shield and spear and form a shield wall fourteen men wide beneath the tree canopy about ten feet back from the start of the long grass. The Captain looks back at the commoner and asks him to watch their backs, then looks to the two halflings, who have been extremely quiet for hours since the site of the dragon attack, and asks "I assume you can do the same for us?" They nod, looking very nervous, and survey the other approach angles to the stand of trees and camp from some cover atop their wagons.
Zeke remains hidden near the edge of the camp facing the watchers in the grass.
Vincent swoops out from the cover of the trees and gets a slightly clearer picture of three hobgoblins and one goblin watching the group from afar, four worgs obediently waiting behind them. Another goblin is revealed just a bit off to their left when it decides to abandon its concealment enough to fire an arrow high at Vicent, missing by only a few feet.
The enemies do not advance, they only watch quietly.
Elra calls Vincent back and looks to the group. "It's three Hobgoblins, a goblin and four Worgs. They're just watching us for now. What do you think we should do?"
"What kind of creatures are goblins? Are they evil to the core, like some I have heard of, or are they much as other races, a little of both good and bad?"
"If they are inherently bad, should we not attempt to remove them from this region, to protect others?"
Ethanlooks among his friends for information, not finding Zeke, he asks,
"Ah, where is Zeke? I would trust that he would know how to approach this situation."
Maxieraises his voice and addresses the gathered pack from behind the shield wall.
"Travellairs! 'Old your fi-air! Zere is no need for violence 'ere zis night! We ask zat you move along from zis place in peace, lest we be forced to defend ourselves!"
Seeing the impasse, Tarja is somewhat confused. Why aren’t the goblins attacking? Is this a feint while others ambush from behind, or is there no attack coming?
Tarja looks around in other directions for a potential second ambush group, making sure to also look up in the trees and sky. (Perception: 21)
She thinks back- have there been any survivors of goblin attacks recently? Has anyone met goblins around here and lived to speak of it? Have they told any tales that may be relevant, or how the attacks happened? (History: 20)
You'd be able to hear Fae rummaging around on the ground. She'd take advantage of her black cloak and the night darkness to obscure what she was doing.
Tarja has heard that goblin attacks and the like are increasingly common in this region, much as bandit attacks would be near any populated area, and people do certainly survive often enough and thus can tell the tale. Many a caravan of traders with guards, etc. gets through, especially on main roads near large cities where patrols are common, at times at least. Piecing together various accounts she has heard, a lot seem to come from the Neverwinter Wood area in these parts, which is north and east of your current position (and on the map that has been posted.)
Fae does know that a goblin revealed itself to shoot at Vincent.
Arvel's words aren't met with much more than the hobgoblins looking at one another and staring again, that is until two arrows going streaking by and strike nothing but the bed of pine needles the party has set up camp on. They clearly came from the north, and Tarja's experienced eyes are quick to pick up on two new goblins scurrying back into the tall grass there (see map).
Anyone who hasn't, please roll initiative!
Sorry for the massive map scale to start. Hopefully I can use more fun artwork for tokens later, but for now I just wanted it to be clear. Ze=Zeke, S=Soldier, HG=Hobgoblin, Cs=Commoner's son, etc. Hope it all makes sense.
Sorry gang, couple of good rolls there that won't yield much, I hate to say (regarding the Persuasion and the History crit). For Arvel's roll I will take it into account for the bigger picture (yes that's intentionally vague), but he's not going to change the alignment of these guys with Persuasion and the threat that they may defend themselves.
The initial group of foes is still about 60 to 70 yards to your east. Happy to make minor adjustments to starting positions if anyone needs.
Zoomed in map of camp area: (soldier shield wall probably isn't this big as they aren't a full 5ft from one another, but had to do it to get them on the map clearly)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zeke steps out of the shadows, extends his wings and blade and roars (thaumaturgy) out a challenge to the Hobgoblins. He positions himself slightly in front of the shield wall, easily taking up the entire left flank.
Initiative: 22
Was hoping I was closer and could cut down one or two!
I took the liberty of rolling for Tarja as I said I might in some of my disclaimers to start the campaign. Hate to take the dice out of anyone's hands, but want to keep it moving. I'm not in any particular rush, but my day will likely get busy at any time now so hate to have all of you waiting on me for another 24 hours. If anyone absolutely hates me rolling their initiative from time to time, we can discuss.
Funny thing is, we didn't have many stellar rolls on both sides and then I rolled well for Tarja, so...she's up! ;)
INITIATIVE 18 Tarja 15 Hobgoblins 14 Elra 13 Zeke 12 Fae 9 Vincent 8 Ethan 6 Goblins 6 Worgs 3 Soldiers, etc. 2 Arvel
(OOC: Oh, I didn't realize you were waiting for me! I thought I'd given an initiative roll way back near the beginning. Oh well!)
Tarja moves right 25ft (5 squares, this puts her just in front of the shield wall) and then adopts a defensive stance, watching the hobgoblins to be ready to block their arrows with her shield (dodge action) .
I figure you wizards can reach the two bastards up north a bit easier... I'll help hold off the ones to the east.
The shield wall parts long enough for Tarja to move through and quickly closes ranks once again. Two of the hobgoblins, clad in chain mail, pick shields up out of the grass and advance just a few steps. Each calls out something in goblin, and hold their longswords out to one side, and raise their shields, not moving further. The center hobgoblin, armed in much the same way, does not advance.
Dodge action for each hobgoblin.
Tarja moved right and the two hobgoblins moved left by about ten feet. Will do a new map update after a few more people move.
The following are up. You don't have to post in order, unless someone thinks their action will greatly impact others, such as by casting a major buff, putting up a force wall, dropping a fireball to change the battlefield, etc.
Zeke moves 30ft over to the right to stand abreast of Tarja in front of the shield wall - still staying about 10 feet north of her. As he does, he calls to his other companions 'Keep your eyes open friends, it's very unlikely these goblins attacked us undermanned. There are almost certainly more of the foul creatures lurking about.'
Shield up, blade extended, wings unfurled, Zeke bellows another challenge to the Hobgoblins, this time causing the ground under their feet to tremble as he roars (thaumaturgy).
D.P/Zeke, go ahead and give me an Intimidation roll with Advantage, if you'd like to. I'll take it into account regarding their future behavior, much like with Arvel's Persuasion.
Is Zeke saying anything in particular to their foes, or just pounding his chest and growling and such? ;)
Elra stands up and looks to Ethan Zeke and Fae, holding out her amulet and speaking a prayer to Oghma to assist them in their attempts to protect everyone (Bless)
While she is doing this, Vincent swoops towards the center hobgoblin, trying to distract it so someone can hit it before flying out of their spear's range. (Help)
Tarja points her scimitar at the figures, pointing them out to her comrades.
They are there! They may be skulking creatures of the night, but we outnumber them, and we stand strong as mountains. Keep your eyes open for more!
To the figures, she shouts
Show yourselves with some light, or begone and befoul this grove no further!
I'm hoping Zeke's position is in between the goblins and the camp. If it is he'll stay in the shadows until they get close enough and then let loose with his ready action from my last post (attack roll was 23, think the damage was 13).
If he's not between them and the camp, he'll move to interpose himself as soon as he hears Tarja call out. Dropping his cloak, flaring his wings and unsheathing his blade.
Although they mostly look at Maxie with confusion at his accent, the captain of the men from Leilon calls out for them to form up and the soldiers follow suit. Both the yellow and the blue clad men grab shield and spear and form a shield wall fourteen men wide beneath the tree canopy about ten feet back from the start of the long grass. The Captain looks back at the commoner and asks him to watch their backs, then looks to the two halflings, who have been extremely quiet for hours since the site of the dragon attack, and asks "I assume you can do the same for us?" They nod, looking very nervous, and survey the other approach angles to the stand of trees and camp from some cover atop their wagons.
Zeke remains hidden near the edge of the camp facing the watchers in the grass.
Vincent swoops out from the cover of the trees and gets a slightly clearer picture of three hobgoblins and one goblin watching the group from afar, four worgs obediently waiting behind them. Another goblin is revealed just a bit off to their left when it decides to abandon its concealment enough to fire an arrow high at Vicent, missing by only a few feet.
The enemies do not advance, they only watch quietly.
Elra calls Vincent back and looks to the group. "It's three Hobgoblins, a goblin and four Worgs. They're just watching us for now. What do you think we should do?"
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
"What kind of creatures are goblins? Are they evil to the core, like some I have heard of, or are they much as other races, a little of both good and bad?"
"If they are inherently bad, should we not attempt to remove them from this region, to protect others?"
Ethan looks among his friends for information, not finding Zeke, he asks,
"Ah, where is Zeke? I would trust that he would know how to approach this situation."
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
"They shot an arrow at Vincent..." Fae would respond, "Can't say I'm a fan of them."
((If Fae saw the Goblin shoot it))
just an unstable unicorn.
Maxie raises his voice and addresses the gathered pack from behind the shield wall.
"Travellairs! 'Old your fi-air! Zere is no need for violence 'ere zis night! We ask zat you move along from zis place in peace, lest we be forced to defend ourselves!"
Using Inspiration
Persuasion: 18
DCI: 3319125026
Seeing the impasse, Tarja is somewhat confused. Why aren’t the goblins attacking? Is this a feint while others ambush from behind, or is there no attack coming?
Tarja looks around in other directions for a potential second ambush group, making sure to also look up in the trees and sky. (Perception: 21)
She thinks back- have there been any survivors of goblin attacks recently? Has anyone met goblins around here and lived to speak of it? Have they told any tales that may be relevant, or how the attacks happened? (History: 20)
You'd be able to hear Fae rummaging around on the ground. She'd take advantage of her black cloak and the night darkness to obscure what she was doing.
((How far are they from us?))
just an unstable unicorn.
Tarja has heard that goblin attacks and the like are increasingly common in this region, much as bandit attacks would be near any populated area, and people do certainly survive often enough and thus can tell the tale. Many a caravan of traders with guards, etc. gets through, especially on main roads near large cities where patrols are common, at times at least. Piecing together various accounts she has heard, a lot seem to come from the Neverwinter Wood area in these parts, which is north and east of your current position (and on the map that has been posted.)
Fae does know that a goblin revealed itself to shoot at Vincent.
Arvel's words aren't met with much more than the hobgoblins looking at one another and staring again, that is until two arrows going streaking by and strike nothing but the bed of pine needles the party has set up camp on. They clearly came from the north, and Tarja's experienced eyes are quick to pick up on two new goblins scurrying back into the tall grass there (see map).
Anyone who hasn't, please roll initiative!
Sorry for the massive map scale to start. Hopefully I can use more fun artwork for tokens later, but for now I just wanted it to be clear. Ze=Zeke, S=Soldier, HG=Hobgoblin, Cs=Commoner's son, etc. Hope it all makes sense.
Sorry gang, couple of good rolls there that won't yield much, I hate to say (regarding the Persuasion and the History crit). For Arvel's roll I will take it into account for the bigger picture (yes that's intentionally vague), but he's not going to change the alignment of these guys with Persuasion and the threat that they may defend themselves.
The initial group of foes is still about 60 to 70 yards to your east. Happy to make minor adjustments to starting positions if anyone needs.
Zoomed in map of camp area: (soldier shield wall probably isn't this big as they aren't a full 5ft from one another, but had to do it to get them on the map clearly)
Initiative: 2
DCI: 3319125026
Ethan's Initiative: 8
edit: also the map is great :)
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Elra's Initiative: 14
Vincent's Initiative: 9
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Zeke steps out of the shadows, extends his wings and blade and roars (thaumaturgy) out a challenge to the Hobgoblins. He positions himself slightly in front of the shield wall, easily taking up the entire left flank.
Initiative: 22
Was hoping I was closer and could cut down one or two!
I took the liberty of rolling for Tarja as I said I might in some of my disclaimers to start the campaign. Hate to take the dice out of anyone's hands, but want to keep it moving. I'm not in any particular rush, but my day will likely get busy at any time now so hate to have all of you waiting on me for another 24 hours. If anyone absolutely hates me rolling their initiative from time to time, we can discuss.
Funny thing is, we didn't have many stellar rolls on both sides and then I rolled well for Tarja, so...she's up! ;)
INITIATIVE
18 Tarja
15 Hobgoblins
14 Elra
13 Zeke
12 Fae
9 Vincent
8 Ethan
6 Goblins
6 Worgs
3 Soldiers, etc.
2 Arvel
(OOC: Oh, I didn't realize you were waiting for me! I thought I'd given an initiative roll way back near the beginning. Oh well!)
Tarja moves right 25ft (5 squares, this puts her just in front of the shield wall) and then adopts a defensive stance, watching the hobgoblins to be ready to block their arrows with her shield (dodge action) .
I figure you wizards can reach the two bastards up north a bit easier... I'll help hold off the ones to the east.
The shield wall parts long enough for Tarja to move through and quickly closes ranks once again. Two of the hobgoblins, clad in chain mail, pick shields up out of the grass and advance just a few steps. Each calls out something in goblin, and hold their longswords out to one side, and raise their shields, not moving further. The center hobgoblin, armed in much the same way, does not advance.
Dodge action for each hobgoblin.
Tarja moved right and the two hobgoblins moved left by about ten feet. Will do a new map update after a few more people move.
The following are up. You don't have to post in order, unless someone thinks their action will greatly impact others, such as by casting a major buff, putting up a force wall, dropping a fireball to change the battlefield, etc.
14 Elra
13 Zeke
12 Fae
9 Vincent
8 Ethan
Zeke moves 30ft over to the right to stand abreast of Tarja in front of the shield wall - still staying about 10 feet north of her. As he does, he calls to his other companions 'Keep your eyes open friends, it's very unlikely these goblins attacked us undermanned. There are almost certainly more of the foul creatures lurking about.'
Shield up, blade extended, wings unfurled, Zeke bellows another challenge to the Hobgoblins, this time causing the ground under their feet to tremble as he roars (thaumaturgy).
D.P/Zeke, go ahead and give me an Intimidation roll with Advantage, if you'd like to. I'll take it into account regarding their future behavior, much like with Arvel's Persuasion.
Is Zeke saying anything in particular to their foes, or just pounding his chest and growling and such? ;)
Elra stands up and looks to Ethan Zeke and Fae, holding out her amulet and speaking a prayer to Oghma to assist them in their attempts to protect everyone (Bless)
While she is doing this, Vincent swoops towards the center hobgoblin, trying to distract it so someone can hit it before flying out of their spear's range. (Help)
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard