Nosam knows it should be about that time and heads out from the inn and back towards Barthen's shop. In the daylight he is able to pick out more of the scenery and points of interest he heard mentioned last night, specifically the shrine. Arriving at Barthen's he almost feels late and joins up with the rest of the bunch. He overhears most of the spiel and dialogue between Marten and the shopkeeper and decides to keep his trap shut. Rather than interrupting with a bombastic greeting, he gives a few silent nods as they begin to notice his arrival. Overhearing the part about "free" rations, he supposes this about the time to get his shopping list ready.
“I’ve seen a boar, just outside the brambles, we should definitely get a hunting trap! Might save us a few rations,”Berry comments when picking up his rations.
The time is early in the afternoon when you once again lay eyes on two dead horses and the concealed rise over the road where the goblins had lain in wait the prior day.
The fifteen miles or so between Phandalin and the spot have passed – not quickly, exactly, though the weather cooperated, not too hot, not too cool – but faster than the prior day when your attentions were diverted by looking over your shoulders, half expecting to be ambushed by Cragmaw goblins come to avenge their kin. Likewise, you were not now slowed by injured oxen, or as a result of your bearing heavy baskets of provisions on your backs. Today, you carried only your own traveling gear. Also, you didn’t notice it before, in the golden light of yesterday’s setting sun, but the road from the Triboar Trail to Phandalin is predominantly uphill. Though slight, almost imperceptible, the grade in itself, yesterday, added to the sense of a journey which might never end. But end it did.
And now, well rested and fed, having covered the same fifteen miles in the opposite direction, on the whole, was much easier indeed than it had been yesterday.
When you arrive at the spot, the place of dead horses, it too has changed, if only in two important ways, since yesterday. This time, the horse corpses buzz loudly with flies, and crawl with maggots and smell terrible. And you find the place where the goblin path leaves the road. This time, it is uninhabited. There is no sign of a return of the goblins here at all.
And so, it would seem, according to Berry’s recollection of his short flight the prior day, four more miles should bring you to the stands of trees at the base of a line of hills where Berry saw the lone surviving goblin, yesterday, turn and disappear.
(OOC: If you will take the trail, please establish a marching order right away, in case of wandering monsters, as the trail is narrow and you will have to proceed single file.)
When you arrive at the spot, the place of dead horses, it too has changed, if only in two important ways, since yesterday. This time, the horse corpses buzz loudly with flies, and crawl with maggots and smell terrible. And you find the place where the goblin path leaves the road. This time, it is uninhabited. There is no sign of a return of the goblins here at all.
And so, it would seem, according to Berry’s recollection of his short flight the prior day, four more miles should bring you to the stands of trees at the base of a line of hills where Berry saw the lone surviving goblin, yesterday, turn and disappear.
(OOC: If you will take the trail, please establish a marching order right away, in case of wandering monsters, as the trail is narrow and you will have to proceed single file.)
Marten says, "This trail is the only path that'll sure lead us to their hideout, but 'specially now 'en we gave 'em a day, I reckon that the goblins laid another ambush for us up the trail. Or at least put some traps along the way, snares or pits. We'll have to go slow and careful."
If anyone suggests not using the trail, Marten seems uncertain: "Berry can fly, but even with his directions, I 'spect that it'd take even longer to find a diff'ent route t' their hideout. Now as we're so close, I'm feelin' jumpy-like. I think we should get to Gundren quick as Quick."
Whichever way the party chooses to go to the Cragmaw hideout, Marten assumes that he'll be at the front since he has a combination of high stealth and high perception. In that case, he'd like to have one or two of the heavily-armored fighters close behind him so that he can get off the trail and let them pass in case the party encounters more goblins.
Otherwise, Marten will take a spot at the back of the line where he can listen for anything sneaking up behind them.
"Well here we are, the smell almost makes you forget what hunger is."Nosam eager and ready to hit the trail is listening careful to Marten, and so far hears nothing to argue or disagree with. Lining up signals his vote for hitting the trail sooner rather than later. "I'm happy to be right behind ya, just make sure to duck when my hammer comes flyin' by. I'll swing first and ask questions later."
"of course, i would rather head around but i dont know anything about the area, and the goblins mighta trapped tha surrounding area too" he lines up just behind the armoured people with a brief overview of his skills "if a bunch of them swarm i can crush them under the concept of a rockslide, though it would be rather loud, for more regular combat I can fire a series of bolts that dont miss easily, or launch a small object at probably two to three times the speed of a small crossbow bolt, for less combative abilities i could call up a cold fog that would hide our movements. all of those tire me significantly however. so most of the time ill just send small bolts of flame at them"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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
Kiselina remembers the transaction at the shop. “It would appear Master Barthen, that we have robbed you of your hard thought speech of motivation. And you offer to us, whom you know not, an incentive of supplies in these rations to work towards the master merchant’s relief.” He recalls Daphyra’s appearance. “It would appear that most of us are…” Kiselina paused here as Daphyra’s entered.Correcting himself at the clerics entrance with a smile, “…all of us are preparing to begin the search for Gundren. I appreciate the extra offer of prayer to Tymora, it can’t hurt our chances for success.
He conducted his resupply like everyone else, ensuring he paid the correct amount, then slipped an extra coin as a tip. He had to return to the inn to collect his gear, hoping he didn’t delay they others, it all appeared to have worked out. Plus it gave him an opportunity to thank Elsa and Toblin for the stay and meal.
Now at the trail head,he considers the groups options and offers the following.
“With my polearm in hand, I can reach around a single person in front of me and still provide direct combat. Though on the other hand, I’m about as stealthy as a Minotaurin a potion shop. Best to have a scout ahead of us. It sounds like Master Marten may be our best. Master Nosam, would you be more comfortable with me in front of or behind you? Or perhaps Master Berry should be near Nosam and I’ll watch the back, protecting our magical using members from the rear?”
The knight looks very shameful at the thought of being in the back but understands there will be time for all to shine.
Inspired by the others, Berry buys a few more general survival and utility items, and thanks Barthen for the extra supply of rations. When he pays his purchase, he adds a silver coin, saying "A tribute to Tymora, if you would be so kind."
"I could scout ahead in the air if that is needed but I don't really know what to look out for. I mean, I'm not sure I can spot a trap or an ambush as well as Marten, I think best Marten leads us. I could assist Marten and follow him stealthily a little bit ahead of the others, hopefully to avoid that the goblins know we are coming in case they lie in waiting. At a range of 30 feet I can signal you danger; listen for a woodpecker for a trap, or a cuckoo for an ambush that hasn't spotted us?" Berry suggests and and makes small animal sounds with Druidcraft asking the group if there is any other situation that they should be able to communicate with sounds of other animals, or smells or other sensory effects. Then, he draws (only) his scimitar in preparation to enter the small path.
(This is what Berry suggests: Marten first, Berry second, both sneaking (can they help each other?). Then, perhaps at some distance depending on how well Marten and Berry hide, Nosam, Kiselina (this way he could squeeze by Vidruth and help Daph in the rear if necessary, too?), followed by Vidruth and Daphyra last?)
Nosam offers some playful, perhaps ill-timed banter for the group, "makes no difference to me, I just want to be near the fun. If you cram me in the middle...I can't see that good with my little legs and all." Dwarven attitude and lightheartedness aside, Nosam fully supports his party members and doesn't question their leadership or logistical planning. He is engaged and ready.
Up the path you go. The thickets through which the trail pushes at first are tangled and slow going – difficult terrain – for any but small sized creatures to pass through. But after the first ten minutes, the path opens up, and it is possible to make better time.
(OOC: Is Berry flying or walking, mostly. He will have to touch down from time to time, regardless. When flying, at what altitude?)
Marten:
Just two minutes farther along, Marten spots the first sign of goblins since leaving the Triboar Trail. A snare. He sees it before it is sprung. It’s lIke this: One would have to be looking, or succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check to notice the trap. That’s under Marten’s passive perception, so he spots it. If one were to fail to notice the trap, the person in front would trigger the snare, which would cause a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, the character would be suspended upside down 10 feet above the ground, and restrained until 1 or more slashing damage is dealt to the snare’s cord. A character who isn’t carefully lowered down takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage from the fall.
Daphyra follows behind the rest of the group, keeping watch to the rear. She is watching high in the trees and in the undergrowth, and occasionally stops to sniff the air, her whiskery nose twitching.
I could assist Marten and follow him stealthily a little bit ahead of the others, hopefully to avoid that the goblins know we are coming in case they lie in waiting. At a range of 30 feet I can signal you danger; listen for a woodpecker for a trap, or a cuckoo for an ambush that hasn't spotted us?" Berry suggests and and makes small animal sounds with Druidcraft asking the group if there is any other situation that they should be able to communicate with sounds of other animals, or smells or other sensory effects. Then, he draws (only) his scimitar in preparation to enter the small path.
Marten recognizes the woodpecker and cuckoo calls and is duly impressed with Berry's spell. If someone is in immediate danger (goblins are attacking), then they can just yell, but Marten suggests a couple of variations on the situation / action:
Woodpecker
Situation: found a trap
Action: halt and wait for the trap to be disarmed or for the group to find a way around the trap, but be ready in case there are goblins nearby.
Cuckoo
Situation: goblin / ambush spotted, and they haven't seen the party. Berry will make the bird call originate from the direction of the ambush. (Listen carefully in case there are goblins on both side of the trail.)
Action: halt and wait quietly for the scouts to return to the group and report.
But after the first ten minutes, the path opens up, and it is possible to make better time.
Just two minutes farther along, Marten stops and raises his right hand, palm open in a signal that he told Berry would mean that they needed to "stop" walking.
Marten squats down and tilts his head to the side and then looks down at the ground and then up above. Marten glances back to Berry and says in a low voice, "Snare." He points a few feet ahead at the ground and then at a rope or vine that stretches up above. The snare is oriented so that anyone walking up the path would hit the "trigger." Maybe something like this (without the bait):
The party could walk carefully around, but Marten doesn't want to risk it. He looks into the woods around the trail first to see whether he sees any goblins or any blinds where they could be hiding. Perception25
If he doesn't see any other signs of goblins, he asks to borrow Nosam's pole. That way, he can stand back several feet and release the snare's trigger.
It's possible that the sound of the snare will draw goblins, so he recommends that Nosam and everyone else be ready for an attack once he triggers the snare.
(OOC: I'm not sure whether triggering the snare is automatic. Let me know whether Marten needs some sort of skill check to "disarm" the snare this way.)
using his staff to force his way through the bushes vidruth struggles to keep up with the others, he keeps a hand near the pouch by his side at all times and seems to be listening to something that isnt there "im afraid i will struggle to recognize those signals, but i am happy to follow along with the groups reaction" he explains, later, looking at the snare he sneers "goblins and their sloppy work, look at this thing, its rudimentary and non-lethal as well as easy to escape"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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
Berry signals the blackbird's call to the party so that they approach carefully and assist Marten in disabling the trap, while he keeps a look out for anyone approaching or observing them (Perception: 7). After another few minutes of crawling up the trail, Berry welcomes the wider sections where he has an easier time to manoeuvre behind Marten and help to keep an eye out for danger.
The party could walk carefully around, but Marten doesn't want to risk it. He looks into the woods around the trail first to see whether he sees any goblins or any blinds where they could be hiding. Perception11
If he doesn't see any other signs of goblins, he asks to borrow Nosam's pole. That way, he can stand back several feet and release the snare's trigger.
It's possible that the sound of the snare will draw goblins, so he recommends that Nosam and everyone else be ready for an attack once he triggers the snare.
(OOC: I'm not sure whether triggering the snare is automatic. Let me know whether Marten needs some sort of skill check to "disarm" the snare this way.)
Nosam is alert and on guard. He lets Marten know he has the pole ready to go if he chooses to use it. He scans along the trail the best he can, but the limited visibility and his shorter stature do not make the best combo.
Kiselina agrees to the marching order. He likes the idea of being versatile in both the front and rear. He considers if it would be better to switch to shield and javelin with his marching position but decides against it. Preferring to keep the halberd to help clear some of the closer growth.
He tries to move as quietly as possible, (Stealth:9) and keeps his attention as focused as can be (Perception:7).
He stands-by, prepared to act as Marten and Nosam deal with the trap.
Nosam’s pole does the trick, whether he or Marten uses it to spring the trap. With a groaning whoosh, the crown of a 3-year sapling jets upwards, pulling a lasso behind it grasping… nothing. The party is able to pass the spot without further incident, and no goblins materialize following the trap’s springing.
Not that you’ve seen the end of goblin cleverness. Something else unexpected occurs another 15 minutes down the trail, where you’re now about one mile from the Triboar Trail. Here, the thickets start to break up entirely. Berry has just settled down onto the ground for a moment to rest his wings when Marten notices something odd about the ground immediately in front of them. Does his warning come in time?
Berry & Marten
(OOC: Berry: You’ve stumbled onto a carefully camouflaged pit. You’ve stepped on the leaf-covered false ground over it, and are in danger of falling into the trap. Roll Acrobatics DC 8 in order to extend your wings in time to avoid the trap. If you fail, you must succeed on a DC 10 DEX save or fall in, taking 1d6 bludgeoning damage.)
Since Marten sees the pit, if Berry fails both saves, Marten may make a DC10 Athletics check to catch Berry before he falls. If Marten rolls this save and fails, he must roll DC 10 DEX save or also fall in, taking 1d6 bludgeoning damage.)
Both, if applicable: The pit’s walls are not steep, so no ability check is required to scramble out.
he explains, later, looking at the snare he sneers "goblins and their sloppy work, look at this thing, its rudimentary and non-lethal as well as easy to escape"
If Marten hears this, he says, "Yes, m'ybe. But they don' hav' t' be deadly. I seen it 'afore...crude traps along an escape trail. Troops spring an ambush and then run away. They assume their quarry will be chasin' 'em -- quick like -- not paying attention. The traps're jus' there to slow 'em down 'n' let the ambushers get away. Or get back to their base."
Under Marten's direction, Nosam springs the snare. Marten holds his breath for a moment, listening for goblins. As the sapling eventually stops swaying back-and-forth, and it's clear that there's no immediate danger, Marten pats Nosam on the shoulder and says, "Good un, Nosam!" Thinking of Vidruth's words, he wonders whether the goblins made the snare trap obvious so that pursuers would jump it or go around it just to fall into some other trap. Finally satisfied that it's safe, Marten starts forward again.
Not that you’ve seen the end of goblin cleverness. Something else unexpected occurs another 15 minutes down the trail, where you’re now about one mile from the Triboar Trail. Here, the thickets start to break up entirely. Berry has just settled down onto the ground for a moment to rest his wings when Marten notices something odd about the ground immediately in front of them. Does his warning come in time?
Marten notices the odd ground just in time to avoid the covered pit...
(OOC:
I have confidence that Berry is nimble enough to avoid the trap, too! :-) But in case he's not, Marten tries to grab Berry's arm before he falls into the pit. I'll put Marten's check here so that @1973 can resolve that situation before I post again.
Nosam knows it should be about that time and heads out from the inn and back towards Barthen's shop. In the daylight he is able to pick out more of the scenery and points of interest he heard mentioned last night, specifically the shrine. Arriving at Barthen's he almost feels late and joins up with the rest of the bunch. He overhears most of the spiel and dialogue between Marten and the shopkeeper and decides to keep his trap shut. Rather than interrupting with a bombastic greeting, he gives a few silent nods as they begin to notice his arrival. Overhearing the part about "free" rations, he supposes this about the time to get his shopping list ready.
“I’ve seen a boar, just outside the brambles, we should definitely get a hunting trap! Might save us a few rations,” Berry comments when picking up his rations.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Chapter 3: The Cragmaw Crag
The time is early in the afternoon when you once again lay eyes on two dead horses and the concealed rise over the road where the goblins had lain in wait the prior day.
The fifteen miles or so between Phandalin and the spot have passed – not quickly, exactly, though the weather cooperated, not too hot, not too cool – but faster than the prior day when your attentions were diverted by looking over your shoulders, half expecting to be ambushed by Cragmaw goblins come to avenge their kin. Likewise, you were not now slowed by injured oxen, or as a result of your bearing heavy baskets of provisions on your backs. Today, you carried only your own traveling gear. Also, you didn’t notice it before, in the golden light of yesterday’s setting sun, but the road from the Triboar Trail to Phandalin is predominantly uphill. Though slight, almost imperceptible, the grade in itself, yesterday, added to the sense of a journey which might never end. But end it did.
And now, well rested and fed, having covered the same fifteen miles in the opposite direction, on the whole, was much easier indeed than it had been yesterday.
When you arrive at the spot, the place of dead horses, it too has changed, if only in two important ways, since yesterday. This time, the horse corpses buzz loudly with flies, and crawl with maggots and smell terrible. And you find the place where the goblin path leaves the road. This time, it is uninhabited. There is no sign of a return of the goblins here at all.
And so, it would seem, according to Berry’s recollection of his short flight the prior day, four more miles should bring you to the stands of trees at the base of a line of hills where Berry saw the lone surviving goblin, yesterday, turn and disappear.
(OOC: If you will take the trail, please establish a marching order right away, in case of wandering monsters, as the trail is narrow and you will have to proceed single file.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Marten says, "This trail is the only path that'll sure lead us to their hideout, but 'specially now 'en we gave 'em a day, I reckon that the goblins laid another ambush for us up the trail. Or at least put some traps along the way, snares or pits. We'll have to go slow and careful."
If anyone suggests not using the trail, Marten seems uncertain: "Berry can fly, but even with his directions, I 'spect that it'd take even longer to find a diff'ent route t' their hideout. Now as we're so close, I'm feelin' jumpy-like. I think we should get to Gundren quick as Quick."
Whichever way the party chooses to go to the Cragmaw hideout, Marten assumes that he'll be at the front since he has a combination of high stealth and high perception. In that case, he'd like to have one or two of the heavily-armored fighters close behind him so that he can get off the trail and let them pass in case the party encounters more goblins.
Otherwise, Marten will take a spot at the back of the line where he can listen for anything sneaking up behind them.
"Well here we are, the smell almost makes you forget what hunger is." Nosam eager and ready to hit the trail is listening careful to Marten, and so far hears nothing to argue or disagree with. Lining up signals his vote for hitting the trail sooner rather than later. "I'm happy to be right behind ya, just make sure to duck when my hammer comes flyin' by. I'll swing first and ask questions later."
"of course, i would rather head around but i dont know anything about the area, and the goblins mighta trapped tha surrounding area too" he lines up just behind the armoured people with a brief overview of his skills "if a bunch of them swarm i can crush them under the concept of a rockslide, though it would be rather loud, for more regular combat I can fire a series of bolts that dont miss easily, or launch a small object at probably two to three times the speed of a small crossbow bolt, for less combative abilities i could call up a cold fog that would hide our movements. all of those tire me significantly however. so most of the time ill just send small bolts of flame at them"
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
Kiselina remembers the transaction at the shop. “It would appear Master Barthen, that we have robbed you of your hard thought speech of motivation. And you offer to us, whom you know not, an incentive of supplies in these rations to work towards the master merchant’s relief.”
He recalls Daphyra’s appearance. “It would appear that most of us are…” Kiselina paused here as Daphyra’s entered. Correcting himself at the clerics entrance with a smile, “…all of us are preparing to begin the search for Gundren. I appreciate the extra offer of prayer to Tymora, it can’t hurt our chances for success.
He conducted his resupply like everyone else, ensuring he paid the correct amount, then slipped an extra coin as a tip. He had to return to the inn to collect his gear, hoping he didn’t delay they others, it all appeared to have worked out. Plus it gave him an opportunity to thank Elsa and Toblin for the stay and meal.
Now at the trail head, he considers the groups options and offers the following.
“With my polearm in hand, I can reach around a single person in front of me and still provide direct combat. Though on the other hand, I’m about as stealthy as a Minotaur in a potion shop. Best to have a scout ahead of us. It sounds like Master Marten may be our best. Master Nosam, would you be more comfortable with me in front of or behind you? Or perhaps Master Berry should be near Nosam and I’ll watch the back, protecting our magical using members from the rear?”
The knight looks very shameful at the thought of being in the back but understands there will be time for all to shine.
Inspired by the others, Berry buys a few more general survival and utility items, and thanks Barthen for the extra supply of rations. When he pays his purchase, he adds a silver coin, saying "A tribute to Tymora, if you would be so kind."
"I could scout ahead in the air if that is needed but I don't really know what to look out for. I mean, I'm not sure I can spot a trap or an ambush as well as Marten, I think best Marten leads us. I could assist Marten and follow him stealthily a little bit ahead of the others, hopefully to avoid that the goblins know we are coming in case they lie in waiting. At a range of 30 feet I can signal you danger; listen for a woodpecker for a trap, or a cuckoo for an ambush that hasn't spotted us?" Berry suggests and and makes small animal sounds with Druidcraft asking the group if there is any other situation that they should be able to communicate with sounds of other animals, or smells or other sensory effects. Then, he draws (only) his scimitar in preparation to enter the small path.
(This is what Berry suggests: Marten first, Berry second, both sneaking (can they help each other?). Then, perhaps at some distance depending on how well Marten and Berry hide, Nosam, Kiselina (this way he could squeeze by Vidruth and help Daph in the rear if necessary, too?), followed by Vidruth and Daphyra last?)
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Nosam offers some playful, perhaps ill-timed banter for the group, "makes no difference to me, I just want to be near the fun. If you cram me in the middle...I can't see that good with my little legs and all." Dwarven attitude and lightheartedness aside, Nosam fully supports his party members and doesn't question their leadership or logistical planning. He is engaged and ready.
Up the path you go. The thickets through which the trail pushes at first are tangled and slow going – difficult terrain – for any but small sized creatures to pass through. But after the first ten minutes, the path opens up, and it is possible to make better time.
(OOC: Is Berry flying or walking, mostly. He will have to touch down from time to time, regardless. When flying, at what altitude?)
Marten:
Just two minutes farther along, Marten spots the first sign of goblins since leaving the Triboar Trail. A snare. He sees it before it is sprung. It’s lIke this: One would have to be looking, or succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check to notice the trap. That’s under Marten’s passive perception, so he spots it. If one were to fail to notice the trap, the person in front would trigger the snare, which would cause a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, the character would be suspended upside down 10 feet above the ground, and restrained until 1 or more slashing damage is dealt to the snare’s cord. A character who isn’t carefully lowered down takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage from the fall.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Daphyra follows behind the rest of the group, keeping watch to the rear. She is watching high in the trees and in the undergrowth, and occasionally stops to sniff the air, her whiskery nose twitching.
Past characters:
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 - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine
Marten recognizes the woodpecker and cuckoo calls and is duly impressed with Berry's spell. If someone is in immediate danger (goblins are attacking), then they can just yell, but Marten suggests a couple of variations on the situation / action:
Just two minutes farther along, Marten stops and raises his right hand, palm open in a signal that he told Berry would mean that they needed to "stop" walking.
Marten squats down and tilts his head to the side and then looks down at the ground and then up above. Marten glances back to Berry and says in a low voice, "Snare." He points a few feet ahead at the ground and then at a rope or vine that stretches up above. The snare is oriented so that anyone walking up the path would hit the "trigger." Maybe something like this (without the bait):

The party could walk carefully around, but Marten doesn't want to risk it. He looks into the woods around the trail first to see whether he sees any goblins or any blinds where they could be hiding. Perception 25
If he doesn't see any other signs of goblins, he asks to borrow Nosam's pole. That way, he can stand back several feet and release the snare's trigger.
It's possible that the sound of the snare will draw goblins, so he recommends that Nosam and everyone else be ready for an attack once he triggers the snare.
(OOC: I'm not sure whether triggering the snare is automatic. Let me know whether Marten needs some sort of skill check to "disarm" the snare this way.)
using his staff to force his way through the bushes vidruth struggles to keep up with the others, he keeps a hand near the pouch by his side at all times and seems to be listening to something that isnt there "im afraid i will struggle to recognize those signals, but i am happy to follow along with the groups reaction" he explains, later, looking at the snare he sneers "goblins and their sloppy work, look at this thing, its rudimentary and non-lethal as well as easy to escape"
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
Berry signals the blackbird's call to the party so that they approach carefully and assist Marten in disabling the trap, while he keeps a look out for anyone approaching or observing them (Perception: 7). After another few minutes of crawling up the trail, Berry welcomes the wider sections where he has an easier time to manoeuvre behind Marten and help to keep an eye out for danger.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Nosam is alert and on guard. He lets Marten know he has the pole ready to go if he chooses to use it. He scans along the trail the best he can, but the limited visibility and his shorter stature do not make the best combo.
Perception 11
Kiselina agrees to the marching order. He likes the idea of being versatile in both the front and rear. He considers if it would be better to switch to shield and javelin with his marching position but decides against it. Preferring to keep the halberd to help clear some of the closer growth.
He tries to move as quietly as possible, (Stealth: 9) and keeps his attention as focused as can be (Perception: 7).
He stands-by, prepared to act as Marten and Nosam deal with the trap.
(Adding Daphyra's Perception score: 21 in game log)
Daph stays at the back watching for anything taking advantage of the party's distraction with the trap.
Past characters:
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 - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine
Nosam’s pole does the trick, whether he or Marten uses it to spring the trap. With a groaning whoosh, the crown of a 3-year sapling jets upwards, pulling a lasso behind it grasping… nothing. The party is able to pass the spot without further incident, and no goblins materialize following the trap’s springing.
Not that you’ve seen the end of goblin cleverness. Something else unexpected occurs another 15 minutes down the trail, where you’re now about one mile from the Triboar Trail. Here, the thickets start to break up entirely. Berry has just settled down onto the ground for a moment to rest his wings when Marten notices something odd about the ground immediately in front of them. Does his warning come in time?
Berry & Marten
(OOC: Berry: You’ve stumbled onto a carefully camouflaged pit. You’ve stepped on the leaf-covered false ground over it, and are in danger of falling into the trap. Roll Acrobatics DC 8 in order to extend your wings in time to avoid the trap. If you fail, you must succeed on a DC 10 DEX save or fall in, taking 1d6 bludgeoning damage.)
Since Marten sees the pit, if Berry fails both saves, Marten may make a DC10 Athletics check to catch Berry before he falls. If Marten rolls this save and fails, he must roll DC 10 DEX save or also fall in, taking 1d6 bludgeoning damage.)
Both, if applicable: The pit’s walls are not steep, so no ability check is required to scramble out.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
If Marten hears this, he says, "Yes, m'ybe. But they don' hav' t' be deadly. I seen it 'afore...crude traps along an escape trail. Troops spring an ambush and then run away. They assume their quarry will be chasin' 'em -- quick like -- not paying attention. The traps're jus' there to slow 'em down 'n' let the ambushers get away. Or get back to their base."
Under Marten's direction, Nosam springs the snare. Marten holds his breath for a moment, listening for goblins. As the sapling eventually stops swaying back-and-forth, and it's clear that there's no immediate danger, Marten pats Nosam on the shoulder and says, "Good un, Nosam!" Thinking of Vidruth's words, he wonders whether the goblins made the snare trap obvious so that pursuers would jump it or go around it just to fall into some other trap. Finally satisfied that it's safe, Marten starts forward again.
Marten notices the odd ground just in time to avoid the covered pit...
(OOC:
I have confidence that Berry is nimble enough to avoid the trap, too! :-) But in case he's not, Marten tries to grab Berry's arm before he falls into the pit. I'll put Marten's check here so that @1973 can resolve that situation before I post again.
Athletics 1
And if Marten fails to catch Berry, he tries to leap aside at the last moment to avoid falling into the pit himself: DEX saving throw 22
)