Stormraider Keep (A M.E.T.A.L. Campaign)

"Thank you Fylanis but we brought our own rations." Elyria answers the elf with a warm smile. She makes herself comfortable by a tree, trying to find one near Flynt. "So, Flynt was it? I apologize for not really taking the time to get to know you earlier, can I make it up to you now?" She asks the human in the common tongue. "How did you get recruited to M.E.T.A.L?"

Elyria offers to take the first watch, keeping a good lookout for dangers together with Aelric.
Stealth: 22 Perception: 8 Aelric perception: 9

Flynt lounges on his bedroom as he snacks on a combination of dried fruit, nuts and venison. He smiles at Elyria as she strikes up a conversation.

"Set a watch if you like but as long as I am here none can surprise us."

Turning to Elyria he proceeds to answer her inquiry,  

"The patron wizard of my home town was a former agent. He has long retired from field work but does offer assistance if called upon. During a particularly long period of hardship for my town he recognized my resolve to help those in need and as well as my inquisitive nature. He thought I would be a good candidate for agent. So he contacted some old friends and here I am."

Lowering his voice a bit and looking around he makes sure nobody is listening. Pointing a finger in the air a pursing  his lips, he blows out softly before producing a compass from a puoch..

"Ssshhh, Nesben gave me an additional task beyond providing back up to you and Aurelius. This compass should show us the way to the Nature's Mantle. It is an item of power that seems to have attracted the attention of the agency."

He checks the compass to see if a direction is indicated.

Quote from MrJanuary812 >>

 

He checks the compass to see if a direction is indicated.

As a matter of fact, the compass does point in a direction.  You have been traveling roughly west, maybe very slightly northwest.  The compass is pointing much closer to a northerly direction and the distance indicates roughly 200 miles away. 

Flynt scrunches up his features with a look of consternation as he notes the compasses reading.

"Well so much for the hope we were already heading towards it.' he grumble under his breath.

Flynt takes the first 2 hours and it seems Elyria stays up as well and they converse.  Olcelle stays awake first, with Fylanis meditating at that time. She keeps a slight distance as the two speak in Common.  Nothing is noticed during this time. 

The pair awaken Aurelius for the second 2 hours. Olcelle is willing to talk with him, coming off as relatively pleasant but a bit reserved.  For her part she tries to teach Aurelius a song titled Winter's Knife.  It is a story of travelers caught out in the Wild facing the forces of nature in the winter.  It is a bit bleak, with most of the group perishing and only a handful surviving.  

After about an hour, Olcelle stands and alerts Aurelius she has spotted something in the distance. (Aurelius may roll Perception with advantage as well.)  She whispers quietly, "Hobgoblins," in Elvish.  

Aurelius expresses his appreciation to Olcelle for the song, and adds Winter's Knife to his repertoire.

Perception:(6)

Aurelius will touch Elyria's shoulder if she is meditating, to alert her to the danger, and gently rouse the unsurpisable Flynt if needed.  If the blink dogs are asleep he will attempt to wake them and communicate through hand signals that something is coming.

He will then prepare his javelin of lightning to be hurled at any hostile intruders.

For the first time since Rahkeshi left her Elyria relaxes a bit, listening attentively to Flynt's story while leaning back to an old oak.
"What do you mean, tell me more about this additional task." She asks with a confused look as Flynt checks his compass reading.

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As Aurelius touches her Elyria swiftly leaves her trance, grabs her elven longbow and nocks an arrow in one fluid motion, seeking cover if possible.
Stealth: 24 Perception: 21 Aelric perception: 11

Olcelle alerts Fylanis and they keep an eye out. Everyone is awakened and starting to look about. Blink dogs are now on alert.

(Flynt has no indication of 'danger'.)

Elyria is able to spot 3 Hobgoblins a short distance away. As the activity around the camp increases they seem to be backing away slowly.

Elyria shows three fingers, then pointing in the direction of the Hobgoblins, waiting for Olcelle to decide best course of action.

Olcelle nods at Elyria's signal and speaks quietly in Elvish, "They may get others. Let's try."

With that, she and Fylanis draw an arrow with their longbows then let loose a shot.

(No initiative yet. Everyone gets one ranged surprise shot - with advantage. Range 100 ft. or you could move closer if you wish.)

(Olcelle Attack: 18, Damage: 11; Attack: 22, Damage: 11)

(Fylanis Attack: 24, Damage: 6)

(Fylanis Attack: 19, Damage: 4)

Olcelle hits the larger Hobgoblin with both her shots. It appears heavily wounded but still alive.  Fylanis misses with both of his arrows.  

Elyria looses her arrow at the larger Hobgoblin.
Longbow: 26 Damage: 10

Aurelius will hurl his javelin of lightning at one of the uninjured Hobgoblins.  If any of the others is standing in a straight line between Aurelius and his target, they must make a DC 13 Dex save or take 12 lightning damage, half damage on save.

Javelin attack (with advantage) Attack: 20 Damage: 8 magical piercing + 10 lightning damage.

He will then move 30 feet closer to the hostiles.

Elyria's shot hits its target, leaving the Hobgoblin heavily wounded but barely alive.

Aurelius strikes his target and the Hobgoblin drops to the ground. (None of the others were in line.)

Flynt rolls up to a kneeling stance drawing Betsy as he does. The rune inscribed upon his chest begins to glow. (Giants might) With a deft hand he pulls a bolt from his nearby quiver and draws back the crossbow string. Invisible to the naked eye the bolt hardens as it is imbued with power from the rune. Flynt takes the blink of an eye to aim and fire at the unharmed hobgob 

Attack: 8 Damage: 8

If the attack hits it causes an additional 14

Flynt's attack misses.  

The two remaining hobgoblins turn and start to move away quickly.  They seem to be trying to weave amongst the trees for cover.  

(Again, not doing initiative yet. They do not seem to be attacking, but are using DODGE, so attacks would be with disadvantage this time.  I'll presume they move 30 ft. away before you take your own turn - 100 ft. from Aurelius and 130 ft. from the others.) 

Aurelius will advance 30 feet once again, and cast Eldritch Blast at the large hobgoblin (the "barely alive" one), directing both beams of energy at the seeming leader.  (If the first attack hits and fells the brute, he will direct the second beam at the other living hobgoblin, if this is allowed)

First Ranged spell Attack: 9 Damage: 10

Second Ranged spell Attack: 13 Damage: 6

(OOC- I don't suppose the Blink dogs would be running full speed at our opponents? :)
(P.P.S. OOC- Dammit, I guess Aure's going to have to learn Sylvan or Blink dog language at some point)

Elyria swiftly moves in pursuit (35´) before calling again on her friends Gere and Freke to stop the large Hobgoblin.(Conjure animals, two Dire wolves, 90´)

Gere Bite: 14 advantage due to pack tactics Damage: 7
If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. 

Freke Bite: 23 advantage due to pack tactics Damage: 9
If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

(OOC: Just realized they were dodging, so go with first roll which should still be a hit for Freke.)

The 3 Blink Dogs have been alert during all this activity. Once Aurelius moves forward they join him in the chase. A bit faster, they are in front of Aurelius. 

Both of Aurelius' blasts miss the target. Gere misses as well, but Freke is able to take down the larger of the hobgoblins.

(Olcelle Attack: 15, Damage: 8)

(Olcelle Attack: 17, Damage: 11)

(Fylanis Attack: 12, Damage: 7)

(Fylanis Attack: 6, Damage: 7)

Both Olcelle and Fylanis hit the remaining hobgoblin with one of their shots. It too falls to the ground. 

The blink dogs look around the perimeter of your camp area and Aelric flies overhead. They do not detect anything else.