This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Looking around the scene, you see a large piece of fabric on the ground. It looks like a wagon covering.
The fire is still smoking. It smells noxious. It's likely the Ogre doused it just before you arrived.
Kiteborne finishes documenting the Ogre's possessions. The Ogre is wearing several layers of deer hide armor and a deer hide cloak, both sized for a large humaniod. These he leaves on the dead creature. Some smaller items, he has arrayed on the ground beside it.
Three larger-than-normal scrolls.
A heavy bag filled with trinkets and shiny things. Most is of nil value, but Kiteborne digs out 25gp, 54sp, 75cp and a 5lb crystal geode worth about 25gp.
Another heavy bag full of cured meat strips of unknown origin.
A wineskin fashioned from a giant goat bladder. It is full of some kind of fermented but foul-smelling liquid.
A key ring with two Ogre-sized iron keys.
And the broken pieces of the stone disc.
Kiteborne and Cliff - willing to accept help from anyone else - set about separating the Ogre's head for transport. A few minutes later Kurt is up and ready to start traveling again. "So how are we going to divvy this up?" asks Kiteborne after talking it over with Cliff. "Even if we are the ones taking the head back to Silver Creek, we will go back to Malvern's Town for the night." He gestures toward Kurt and Cliff. "They both need a good rest before they will be fit for a long road."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"Agreed. I don’t fancy being out here once the sun sets.", simply adds the gnome. He makes a mental note to add an entry to his manuscript about ogres wielding magic.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
20
13
12
Cliff and Kiteborne cut a strip of the wagon cover and wrap the Ogre’s head for transport. The prize is then lashed to the pack of Dandelion, who has been dutifully munching grass just offscreen this whole time. With that taken care of, the other items from the Ogre’s person are gathered up and the 8 of you are ready to depart. Kurt rubs his badly bruised face and says to Grugga, “They tell me your little machine saved my life. I’m sorry to hear it was destroyed.”
The path back to the road is straightforward and you make it back to the Outer Loop Trail and turn east in the direction of Malvern’s town. Some of the water from the heavy rains has drained away and it is an easier walk; you cannot help but notice there is still the occasional rumble of thunder from off to the North.
There are three encounters as you walk back to the village.
You pass a lone hunter walking toward you headed the opposite direction. He is a young human male with curly blond hair. He is armed with a light crossbow and has a game bag with a variety of upland birds - he has had a good day afield. He greets you politely but continues on his was unless stopped by you.
A horse gallops up behind you. “On your left!” calls the rider as he races past. His riding cloak is up so you don’t get a good look at him, but the leather saddle bag is emblazoned with the name of a courier service. He does not stop, even to hails.
A half hour later, you are nearing Malvern’s Town. You expect to start seeing the outlying farms around the next bend. The sun is at the horizon, and the western sky is a blaze of deep orange. Then, from the south side of the road, you hear a scream. It is high, like a woman or child, but there are no words. It is an awful, pitiful sound like a person in unimaginable agony and it snaps you all out of your reminiscing about the day’s victory. It doesn’t sound very far away here, but the woods are thick here and you cannot spot it’s source, but you do see something… there is a path leading to the south here, and looking in that direction you spot something else. A horse. In fact, it is the horse of the courier who had recently ridden past you. The horse is alone on the path, 50 feet off the road; it’s reigns wrapped around a low branch. It glances nervously in your direction, then south in the direction of the scream, then back to you.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
((Sorry I couldn't post yesterday. Something came up and I never got around to hopping on the computer. Could I have grabbed Zip's pearl off the ground before we left?))
After a few moments to collect himself, Grugga nods to Aubrey. "I'm not sure what I saw... the sky and the snowy mountains... but I have a bad feeling that we messed up something's plans, just like we did when we saved Malia. I'll... let's talk about it in the morning. I think I could use some rest."He looks mostly at his feet as he walks back to town.
Grugga replies to Kurt's thanks, "It's really no problem, I'll have it fixed up in no time. You took quite a drubbing out there; how are you feeling?"
Grugga greets the hunter and warns him to be wary of ogre activity in the area. They got one, but they're not sure how safe the area is.
When the screams start, Grugga runs to the tied up horse and frees it, then looks to the south and prepares for anything. He agrees with Aubrey that they should investigate.
(Yes Grugga, I was hoping you would remember the pearl.)
Kurt nods to Grugga that he is ok, but points to his jaw indicating it is painful to speak.
The young hunter grimaces at the mention of ogres and looks up at the darkening sky. “Thanks for the warnings, sirs. Goblins have been awful this past winter and spring… ogres though… ugh.” He thanks you again and then continues on his way, at a quicker pace.
Aubrey steps onto the path and looks around carefully. He sees that the horse is standing aside a little earthen and stone bridge. The path crosses a narrow creek - not much more than a ditch - running parallel to the main road. He doesn’t see any source nearby for the screams.
Grugga loosens the horses reins. It steps back from the tree and then stands looking at Grugga. The saddle and bags are still here. The only thing missing is the rider.
At that moment there is a second scream. It sounds about the same distance away, south down the path. The horse whinnies at the sound and sidesteps back and forth, then trots north up the path to the main road where it stands beside Dandelion.
At talk of investigating the sound, Kiteborne agrees immediately. Cliff looks down for a moment but then nods in agreement. They both look to Kurt… who gives both of them a middle finger.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Grugga loosens his axe from its holster and heads off at a jog toward the scream. He says to his companions while they head there, "It could be those... what were they called, Aubrey? The Beneducci Boys?"
Your group heads of down the path to the south. Over the next minute, there are two more screams and then silence as you reach a clearing.
The path ends at an old farm. Hidden from the main road by the thick trees, it is not really that far. Cliff and Kiteborne soon arrive at your side. They left Kurt with Dandelion and the horse another 50 yards back down the path.
There is a small farmhouse to the west side of the clearing (on your right as you eye the clearing from the north). To the east is a barn, at least twice the size of the farmhouse. There is a small, overgrown garden just to your right in front of the home. Behind the two buildings is a large field. Clearly once tilled and maintained, it has gone back to nature and now weeds, wildflowers and small trees now occupy the space.
The barn has a large set of wooden double doors, which face toward the house and are closed. There are no ground floor windows but there are windows on the second level suggesting the barn has a loft. The single story home has one shuttered window and one open window facing you. The door lies on the ground, covered with dirt and weeds. The doorless entryway gapes dark and silent.
There is no sign of the courier. And there is no light from any windows in the home or barn, and the chimney stands quiet and without smoke. There is still light to see, though sun draws ever closer to the western horizon and the shadows deepen with every minute that passes.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"Could this be that farm where we would find the Beneducci boys do you think?" Aubrey asks the others in a lowered voice, trying to spot movements. Perception: 16
Rohuzar whispers to himself. “Although my enemies use the dark, it cloaks me just as well… the difference between Hunter and Hunted is only a single step…” It’s a mantra or a quote of some kind. He moves to the house, using the doorframe for cover and examines the entry way and interior before committing to go inside.
Rohuzarcreeps like a ghost through the twilight toward the farmhouse, using bushes and small trees as cover, until he is just outside the open door.
He looks back to see that his allies have taken cover on the edge of the clearing, while Cliff and Kiteborne are sneaking along behind him, following practically in his footsteps. And then he sees it. On his way to the house, he must have stepped right over it - a bear trap, carefully hidden among the weeds and grasses on the overgrown path. Then he sees another... and a third. The space between the house and the barn is littered with hidden traps. Keen to the danger, his eyes dart to the shadows, the edges of the buildings, the windows. And there... he sees it. Movement. Lithe, crooked shapes leering out from the loft windows in the barn, silently drawing back their bowstrings and targeting Kiteborne and Cliff....
Goblins! And more hidden inside the house! Thanks to Rohuzar's excellent perception, there is no surprise round! Sensing their trap is unraveling, one of the goblins cries out in a high-pitched voice - eerily similar to the plaintive screams you'd heard from the road - "Backa! Backa! Backa! Badmon!" And the goblin archers lean out from the windows to select their targets....
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Lying in wait, the goblins are still in position to strike first. The two goblins in the upstairs window of the barn target Kiteborne with their shortbows.
Goblin 1: Attack: 21 Damage: 6
Goblin 2: Attack: 5 Damage: 6
Kiteborne must have luck on his side, as both arrows land in the dirt on either side of him.
Two more goblins inside the house leer out, one from the window and another from the open doorway, and target Cliff (they missed Rohuzarsneaking up to the house).
Goblin 3: Attack: 8 Damage: 3
Goblin 4: Attack: 20 Damage: 3
Cliff isn't so lucky. He takes both arrows to the midsection and goes down in a heap.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
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Looking around the scene, you see a large piece of fabric on the ground. It looks like a wagon covering.
The fire is still smoking. It smells noxious. It's likely the Ogre doused it just before you arrived.
Kiteborne finishes documenting the Ogre's possessions. The Ogre is wearing several layers of deer hide armor and a deer hide cloak, both sized for a large humaniod. These he leaves on the dead creature. Some smaller items, he has arrayed on the ground beside it.
Kiteborne and Cliff - willing to accept help from anyone else - set about separating the Ogre's head for transport. A few minutes later Kurt is up and ready to start traveling again. "So how are we going to divvy this up?" asks Kiteborne after talking it over with Cliff. "Even if we are the ones taking the head back to Silver Creek, we will go back to Malvern's Town for the night." He gestures toward Kurt and Cliff. "They both need a good rest before they will be fit for a long road."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"We should discuss that back at the Tavern. Who knows what else we may find if we dally for to long." Guilim says as he goes stand by his own group.
"Agreed. I don’t fancy being out here once the sun sets.", simply adds the gnome. He makes a mental note to add an entry to his manuscript about ogres wielding magic.
20
13
12
Cliff and Kiteborne cut a strip of the wagon cover and wrap the Ogre’s head for transport. The prize is then lashed to the pack of Dandelion, who has been dutifully munching grass just offscreen this whole time. With that taken care of, the other items from the Ogre’s person are gathered up and the 8 of you are ready to depart. Kurt rubs his badly bruised face and says to Grugga, “They tell me your little machine saved my life. I’m sorry to hear it was destroyed.”
The path back to the road is straightforward and you make it back to the Outer Loop Trail and turn east in the direction of Malvern’s town. Some of the water from the heavy rains has drained away and it is an easier walk; you cannot help but notice there is still the occasional rumble of thunder from off to the North.
There are three encounters as you walk back to the village.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"We should investigate, right?" Aubrey says to the others and moves closer to the horse, peering down the path for movements.
Perception: 12
((Sorry I couldn't post yesterday. Something came up and I never got around to hopping on the computer. Could I have grabbed Zip's pearl off the ground before we left?))
After a few moments to collect himself, Grugga nods to Aubrey. "I'm not sure what I saw... the sky and the snowy mountains... but I have a bad feeling that we messed up something's plans, just like we did when we saved Malia. I'll... let's talk about it in the morning. I think I could use some rest." He looks mostly at his feet as he walks back to town.
Grugga replies to Kurt's thanks, "It's really no problem, I'll have it fixed up in no time. You took quite a drubbing out there; how are you feeling?"
Grugga greets the hunter and warns him to be wary of ogre activity in the area. They got one, but they're not sure how safe the area is.
When the screams start, Grugga runs to the tied up horse and frees it, then looks to the south and prepares for anything. He agrees with Aubrey that they should investigate.
"It sounds like somebody is in grave peril. I believe we should help if possible.", says Leelan looking expectantly at the others.
(Yes Grugga, I was hoping you would remember the pearl.)
Kurt nods to Grugga that he is ok, but points to his jaw indicating it is painful to speak.
The young hunter grimaces at the mention of ogres and looks up at the darkening sky. “Thanks for the warnings, sirs. Goblins have been awful this past winter and spring… ogres though… ugh.” He thanks you again and then continues on his way, at a quicker pace.
Aubrey steps onto the path and looks around carefully. He sees that the horse is standing aside a little earthen and stone bridge. The path crosses a narrow creek - not much more than a ditch - running parallel to the main road. He doesn’t see any source nearby for the screams.
Grugga loosens the horses reins. It steps back from the tree and then stands looking at Grugga. The saddle and bags are still here. The only thing missing is the rider.
At that moment there is a second scream. It sounds about the same distance away, south down the path. The horse whinnies at the sound and sidesteps back and forth, then trots north up the path to the main road where it stands beside Dandelion.
At talk of investigating the sound, Kiteborne agrees immediately. Cliff looks down for a moment but then nods in agreement. They both look to Kurt… who gives both of them a middle finger.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Grugga loosens his axe from its holster and heads off at a jog toward the scream. He says to his companions while they head there, "It could be those... what were they called, Aubrey? The Beneducci Boys?"
"Yes, I wouldn't be surprised Grugga." Aubrey says in lowered voice as they near where the scream came from.
Rohuzar flexes his bruised body and tries to shake off the pain, but draws his axe and leads the way after the screaming at a jog
Paladin - warforged - orange
Your group heads of down the path to the south. Over the next minute, there are two more screams and then silence as you reach a clearing.
The path ends at an old farm. Hidden from the main road by the thick trees, it is not really that far. Cliff and Kiteborne soon arrive at your side. They left Kurt with Dandelion and the horse another 50 yards back down the path.
There is a small farmhouse to the west side of the clearing (on your right as you eye the clearing from the north). To the east is a barn, at least twice the size of the farmhouse. There is a small, overgrown garden just to your right in front of the home. Behind the two buildings is a large field. Clearly once tilled and maintained, it has gone back to nature and now weeds, wildflowers and small trees now occupy the space.
The barn has a large set of wooden double doors, which face toward the house and are closed. There are no ground floor windows but there are windows on the second level suggesting the barn has a loft. The single story home has one shuttered window and one open window facing you. The door lies on the ground, covered with dirt and weeds. The doorless entryway gapes dark and silent.
There is no sign of the courier. And there is no light from any windows in the home or barn, and the chimney stands quiet and without smoke. There is still light to see, though sun draws ever closer to the western horizon and the shadows deepen with every minute that passes.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"Could this be that farm where we would find the Beneducci boys do you think?" Aubrey asks the others in a lowered voice, trying to spot movements.
Perception: 16
Rohuzar whispers to himself. “Although my enemies use the dark, it cloaks me just as well… the difference between Hunter and Hunted is only a single step…” It’s a mantra or a quote of some kind. He moves to the house, using the doorframe for cover and examines the entry way and interior before committing to go inside.
stealth 19
perception 24
Paladin - warforged - orange
Not trusting his ability to sneak, Grugga maintains a safe distance and waits for his leader to give a signal.
Aubrey stays with Grugga, taking cover behind a tree, ready to cover Rohuzar with his eldritch magic.
Stealth: 22
Leelan stands back as well, an arrow at the ready.
Stealth: 11
15
15
7
Rohuzar creeps like a ghost through the twilight toward the farmhouse, using bushes and small trees as cover, until he is just outside the open door.
He looks back to see that his allies have taken cover on the edge of the clearing, while Cliff and Kiteborne are sneaking along behind him, following practically in his footsteps. And then he sees it. On his way to the house, he must have stepped right over it - a bear trap, carefully hidden among the weeds and grasses on the overgrown path. Then he sees another... and a third. The space between the house and the barn is littered with hidden traps. Keen to the danger, his eyes dart to the shadows, the edges of the buildings, the windows. And there... he sees it. Movement. Lithe, crooked shapes leering out from the loft windows in the barn, silently drawing back their bowstrings and targeting Kiteborne and Cliff....
Goblins! And more hidden inside the house! Thanks to Rohuzar's excellent perception, there is no surprise round! Sensing their trap is unraveling, one of the goblins cries out in a high-pitched voice - eerily similar to the plaintive screams you'd heard from the road - "Backa! Backa! Backa! Badmon!" And the goblin archers lean out from the windows to select their targets....
Initiative
Goblins: 11
???: 1
Rohuzar: 3
Aubrey: 13
Leelan: 10
Guilim: 14
Grugga: 21
Cliff & Kiteborne (shared NPCnitiative): 16
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Lying in wait, the goblins are still in position to strike first. The two goblins in the upstairs window of the barn target Kiteborne with their shortbows.
Goblin 1: Attack: 21 Damage: 6
Goblin 2: Attack: 5 Damage: 6
Kiteborne must have luck on his side, as both arrows land in the dirt on either side of him.
Two more goblins inside the house leer out, one from the window and another from the open doorway, and target Cliff (they missed Rohuzar sneaking up to the house).
Goblin 3: Attack: 8 Damage: 3
Goblin 4: Attack: 20 Damage: 3
Cliff isn't so lucky. He takes both arrows to the midsection and goes down in a heap.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War