The merchant searches the tents, only to find a few dirty scraps of cloth. The caves are each fairly shallow; all but one is empty, and the last has food scraps tossed inside. The goblins indeed carried only their loincloths, and their makeshift bows, arrows and quivers... not very well-made, and certainly not sellable. The only item remotely interesting is a small glass vial set upright in the corner of a cave entrance... it is empty, but smells faintly of perfume when opened. Sadly, that appears to be the goblins' entire hoard.
After a good fifteen minutes of searching, the party finally settles down for a short rest, that passes by uneventfully. The nearly cloudless sky lets you know that it is just past one o'clock in the afternoon when you finally feel rested.
(( Now's the time to roll any hit dice, and to recover all resources triggered by a short rest. After everyone's responded (even if just to say they're ready to go,) I'll move us forward. ))
Faith sighs at the lack of saleable items for temple alms but feels his vigor return to him over the time they spend resting. When the others decide, Faith is ready to move out.
Drex stretches a bit after the food, drink and rest and disheartened with the lack of loot. "Ah the adventurers lift with loot so fickle. An interesting vial for sure. I have 1 empty vial already if either of you three want it. Mine doesn't smell like perfume though."
Locke waved his hand dismissively. "I have no use for the trinket," he said as he placed the cap back on his waterskin. "But I'm rested enough, now. Shall we move on?"
(( Alright, it's been a day since my post and 6 days since DH checked in; I'll go ahead and bot him until he returns. ))
Refreshed, the party soon set out to continue their quest up the mountain.
The incline varied as the adventurers proceeded; but true to its appearance from below, the mount was only so tall; within an hour of steady climbing, the party rounds a sizable boulder and sees the mountain summit ahead of them.
(( Encounter 4 ))
Oddly enough, on the mountain's summit you spy what appear to be high, stout walls, with turrets along the front, and a single tower inside the walls just peeking over from your angle. Common sense would dictate that there's likely at least one other structure within the walls, but it is not yet visible.
The sound of moving rock catches everyone's attention as three rough-looking men step out from behind nearby boulders, surrounding the party. They had been perfect assassins; there hadn't been a clue as to their presence.
"'S'bout time you spits made it up 'ere," says the largest of the men. "Now, you can drop yer weapons, and everything of value you got, and head back down the way ya came. This keep is OUR find."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gordon didn't move; he just kept a calm, relaxed poise, and gave the bandit leader a smile.
"I'd say you're making a mistake," he announced. "If you drop your weapons, you might actually come out of this alive."
Gordon is attempting to intimidate the bandit leader. I'll rule this requires an action during combat, and will involve Gordon's Intimidate check vs. the leader's DC (set fairly high, considering the circumstances) to influence his attitude, which is currently "quite hostile."
The bandits look at each other; their leader seems somewhat taken aback by Gordon's boldness. He gives a subtle glance to each of the other bandits, then speaks again, staring Gordon down.
"So you say," he growls, smirking as looks from Gordon over the rest of the party. "Maybe you'd take us. But I'd wager not. So I'll repeat myself: weapons down, and no one gets hurt. Otherwise... it's your life on the line."
Despite the hard line given, neither the leader nor his companions move, although it looks like they're certainly on the alert as they each carefully eye the party.
(( Players can roll Insightfor free on their turn to try to determine what they can tell about the bandits' current frame of mind. But you'll have to roll at the same time you determine your actions; the results will be revealed after you finish your turn. ))
Gordon - 19 Bandits - 18 Drex - 16 Gordon - 7 Faith - 6
Drex is unable to read the bandits; their faces look alert and hard, as if steeled to their goal. The leader seemed to ignore his words, while the other two assailants actually chuckledat him.
Locke stood still; almost awkwardly still, only letting his eyes move, flickering from bandit to bandit. He couldn't tell if Gordon's ploy had even worked, but regardless, he didn't want to start this; he had no desire to kill.
But he would if it came to it.
ACTION:Ready an action - * ACT: To Attack the first bandit who activates the trigger * TRIGGER: A bandit closes into melee range with Locke or a nearby teammate
(( Forgot to mention: the bandits surround the party, two toward the front, and the leader behind you. Each is about 60 feet away from the party. Each has a melee weapon somewhere on their person, but their crossbows are already halfway-raised toward you. ))
At the back of the adventurers, Faith is in the position to directly challenge the leader.
“Shame,” says the Aasimar. “Shame on you under the eyes of the celestial realms and the adherents of the Kirin-tor. Is there not danger enough in this forest, that you would attack fellow men? What in this keep is so valuable that you would kill those who have not wronged you for it?”
Faith spits on the ground. “It will not help you, there are more of us than you have noticed, and more to come. You will regret this, should you survive it.”
(Insight: 21)
(Deception: 9)
On saying what he has, and gleaning what he can of their motivations, Faith takes a few steps backwards, so that he is a little further from the leader. He turns the ring on his hand, ready to cast an illusion into the mind of his foe, to back up his words, should words not be enough.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Faith's words also elicit silence from the leader, and laughter from the other bandits. He can tell that Gordon's threat had had an effect, but only enough to make the leader cautious; and with his determination standing strong, the others also remained committed to their efforts.
(( Round 2 ))
(( Gordon is up! ))
The fighter thought for a moment. He'd hoped the others had been able to help whittle down their enemies' moral, but they weren't backing down. They appeared to be at a standoff. He'd already made his statement... but perhaps he could still tilt things in their favor.
With a sigh, Gordon shakes his head, then looks around at each bandit in turn as he... yes, as he begins to grow in size, quickly doubling to twice as tall as he was seconds ago!
"There is MUCH you don't know about us," he said simply and flatly. He then turned to squarely face the leader. "Last chance."
I'm ruling that since there's been no major shift in attitude (just a minor one,) players can retry their Intimidation checks by spending another action, and having the action be accompanied by something novel--new information, a previously-unseen intimidating display, etc. In Gordon's case, his transformation allows it.
BONUS: Gordon activates his Giant's Might to increase his damage, improve his Strength rolls and grow to Large size ACTION: Intimidation Check - 15
“I’ll have a look into the caves, I won’t go too deep,” says Faith.
(Investigation: 18)
His eagle lands on his shoulder to join its master as he limps over.
Drex
Drex looks over the bodies, tent, surrounding area and caves with the others.
"You never know what you'll find. There could be good stuff on these goblins that they didn't even know was good quality loot", comments Drex.
Investigation: 3 in the game log..
"Everyone is doing real good working together. Keep up the good work."
Signature
Levi Flint - DM - Mad Mage; Korvin - DM - Tyranny of Dragons; Player Lucan - The One Breath, Player Gildor Surion - Balder's Gate-Decent;
The merchant searches the tents, only to find a few dirty scraps of cloth. The caves are each fairly shallow; all but one is empty, and the last has food scraps tossed inside. The goblins indeed carried only their loincloths, and their makeshift bows, arrows and quivers... not very well-made, and certainly not sellable. The only item remotely interesting is a small glass vial set upright in the corner of a cave entrance... it is empty, but smells faintly of perfume when opened. Sadly, that appears to be the goblins' entire hoard.
After a good fifteen minutes of searching, the party finally settles down for a short rest, that passes by uneventfully. The nearly cloudless sky lets you know that it is just past one o'clock in the afternoon when you finally feel rested.
(( Now's the time to roll any hit dice, and to recover all resources triggered by a short rest. After everyone's responded (even if just to say they're ready to go,) I'll move us forward. ))
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Faith sighs at the lack of saleable items for temple alms but feels his vigor return to him over the time they spend resting. When the others decide, Faith is ready to move out.
Drex stretches a bit after the food, drink and rest and disheartened with the lack of loot. "Ah the adventurers lift with loot so fickle. An interesting vial for sure. I have 1 empty vial already if either of you three want it. Mine doesn't smell like perfume though."
Drex is ready to move and see more of the world.
Signature
Levi Flint - DM - Mad Mage; Korvin - DM - Tyranny of Dragons; Player Lucan - The One Breath, Player Gildor Surion - Balder's Gate-Decent;
Locke waved his hand dismissively. "I have no use for the trinket," he said as he placed the cap back on his waterskin. "But I'm rested enough, now. Shall we move on?"
(( Just waiting on DragonHeir at this point. ))
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
(( Alright, it's been a day since my post and 6 days since DH checked in; I'll go ahead and bot him until he returns. ))
Refreshed, the party soon set out to continue their quest up the mountain.
The incline varied as the adventurers proceeded; but true to its appearance from below, the mount was only so tall; within an hour of steady climbing, the party rounds a sizable boulder and sees the mountain summit ahead of them.
(( Encounter 4 ))
Oddly enough, on the mountain's summit you spy what appear to be high, stout walls, with turrets along the front, and a single tower inside the walls just peeking over from your angle. Common sense would dictate that there's likely at least one other structure within the walls, but it is not yet visible.
The sound of moving rock catches everyone's attention as three rough-looking men step out from behind nearby boulders, surrounding the party. They had been perfect assassins; there hadn't been a clue as to their presence.
"'S'bout time you spits made it up 'ere," says the largest of the men. "Now, you can drop yer weapons, and everything of value you got, and head back down the way ya came. This keep is OUR find."
(( Roll Initiative! ))
(( Locke: 7, Gordon: 19, Bandits: 18 ))
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Drex
Init: 16
Signature
Levi Flint - DM - Mad Mage; Korvin - DM - Tyranny of Dragons; Player Lucan - The One Breath, Player Gildor Surion - Balder's Gate-Decent;
Faith is puffing away when the assassins jump out, and with the sweat in his eyes he’s a moment behind the others in catching on to the situation.
(Initiative: 6)
This is my wife and I's anniversary weekend so I may not be able to post as much. It's ok to NPC Drex as needed. Thanks.
Signature
Levi Flint - DM - Mad Mage; Korvin - DM - Tyranny of Dragons; Player Lucan - The One Breath, Player Gildor Surion - Balder's Gate-Decent;
(( Thanks for the heads up! I'll still try to give you about a day to respond to any post. ))
Initiatives:
Gordon - 19
Bandits - 18
Drex - 16
Gordon - 7
Faith - 6
(( Round 1 ))
(( Gordon is up! ))
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Gordon didn't move; he just kept a calm, relaxed poise, and gave the bandit leader a smile.
"I'd say you're making a mistake," he announced. "If you drop your weapons, you might actually come out of this alive."
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
(( Secret bandit rolls... ))
Bandit 1 - Deception: 8, Insight: 4
Bandit 2 - Deception: 20, Insight: 8
Thug - Deception: 19
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
The bandits look at each other; their leader seems somewhat taken aback by Gordon's boldness. He gives a subtle glance to each of the other bandits, then speaks again, staring Gordon down.
"So you say," he growls, smirking as looks from Gordon over the rest of the party. "Maybe you'd take us. But I'd wager not. So I'll repeat myself: weapons down, and no one gets hurt. Otherwise... it's your life on the line."
Despite the hard line given, neither the leader nor his companions move, although it looks like they're certainly on the alert as they each carefully eye the party.
(( Players can roll Insight for free on their turn to try to determine what they can tell about the bandits' current frame of mind. But you'll have to roll at the same time you determine your actions; the results will be revealed after you finish your turn. ))
Gordon - 19Bandits - 18Drex - 16
Gordon - 7
Faith - 6
(( Drex is up! ))
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Drex
insight: 11
”You best lay your weapons and stuff down and we’ll let you live this time.”
intimidation: 18
if there’s room Drex position himself for a clear shot/spell
Signature
Levi Flint - DM - Mad Mage; Korvin - DM - Tyranny of Dragons; Player Lucan - The One Breath, Player Gildor Surion - Balder's Gate-Decent;
Drex is unable to read the bandits; their faces look alert and hard, as if steeled to their goal. The leader seemed to ignore his words, while the other two assailants actually chuckled at him.
Gordon - 19Bandits - 18Drex - 16Locke - 7
Faith - 6
(( Locke is up! ))
Locke stood still; almost awkwardly still, only letting his eyes move, flickering from bandit to bandit. He couldn't tell if Gordon's ploy had even worked, but regardless, he didn't want to start this; he had no desire to kill.
But he would if it came to it.
Gordon - 19Bandits - 18Drex - 16Locke - 7Faith - 6
(( Faith is up! ))
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
(( Forgot to mention: the bandits surround the party, two toward the front, and the leader behind you. Each is about 60 feet away from the party. Each has a melee weapon somewhere on their person, but their crossbows are already halfway-raised toward you. ))
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
At the back of the adventurers, Faith is in the position to directly challenge the leader.
“Shame,” says the Aasimar. “Shame on you under the eyes of the celestial realms and the adherents of the Kirin-tor. Is there not danger enough in this forest, that you would attack fellow men? What in this keep is so valuable that you would kill those who have not wronged you for it?”
Faith spits on the ground. “It will not help you, there are more of us than you have noticed, and more to come. You will regret this, should you survive it.”
(Insight: 21)
(Deception: 9)
On saying what he has, and gleaning what he can of their motivations, Faith takes a few steps backwards, so that he is a little further from the leader. He turns the ring on his hand, ready to cast an illusion into the mind of his foe, to back up his words, should words not be enough.
Faith's words also elicit silence from the leader, and laughter from the other bandits. He can tell that Gordon's threat had had an effect, but only enough to make the leader cautious; and with his determination standing strong, the others also remained committed to their efforts.
(( Round 2 ))
(( Gordon is up! ))
The fighter thought for a moment. He'd hoped the others had been able to help whittle down their enemies' moral, but they weren't backing down. They appeared to be at a standoff. He'd already made his statement... but perhaps he could still tilt things in their favor.
With a sigh, Gordon shakes his head, then looks around at each bandit in turn as he... yes, as he begins to grow in size, quickly doubling to twice as tall as he was seconds ago!
"There is MUCH you don't know about us," he said simply and flatly. He then turned to squarely face the leader. "Last chance."
(( Bandits are up! ))
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
All three bandits' eyes grow wide as Gordon enlarges. The subordinates quickly glance at their leader, whose face hardens as he growls:
"Screw it. Take him out!"
With that, three crossbows aim toward Gordon and fire.
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf