Vimak is still holding as still as he can. Rather than trying to sneak, he watches how the hobgoblins enter the castle. Do they go up the stairs or do they go over the rubble on the south side of the building?
If Cirrus or Bastille are close enough he will say, "Either of you might be better at investigating this place than I am. Maybe you could look around? We could just walk in and challenge the king to a dual, but that would let many of them know at once that we are here. They might not like it if we beat the king. In fact, they might take revenge." He thinks for a moment. "I was thinking we could sneak in and reduce their numbers bit by bit, but I'm not so sure of that now."
Cirrus creeps up closer to be heard whispering, "Normally I wouldn't want to initiate a fight with an entire fortress, but I fear our escorts won't allow us to return unless the king is dead. The problem is this: how can we accomplish our missions without dying? Should we use our last invisibility potion to scout out the inside? or should we save it for a more apt time? It would be helpful in knowing the area, but it would also be helpful in getting a sneak attack on someone, unless attacking breaks the potion's effects." (I can't remember how we ruled that. DM, can you remind me?) "Unless... I ask a bird to scout it out for us? Do you guys have ten minutes? I really could have been doing that this whole time, sorry."
If they can stand to wait,
he will cast speak with animals as a ritual. If in the event it is the same bird as before and it is irritated that it didn't get anything for helping me, Cirrus will tell it, "Well hey there, buddy! You flew off before I could give you your reward." He gives the bird a nut from his ration box. "Now then, you see that big grey bird house, that's not for birds and isn't a house?" in reference to the castle, "If you go in there and tell me what the layout is and how many people are where, I'll whip up something extra special for you. Watch out for the people on the inside though, they're, uh, like big cats. Yeah, they might try to catch you if you're too close to the ground. But they also might not. They might just ignore you. You think you can do that? Go in there and give me a clear idea of what the inside of the stone box is shaped like? If I'm happy with the info you bring back I'll whip up something real special for you." While the bird is doing that, I think I will make a check to look for stuff that birds would like, like flower seeds and stuff. I'm not sure if that's Perception: 8 or Investigation: 5. In the meantime, he's whispering a game plan to his party members, "Once it comes back I guess we just go in and hope all of our sneaking skills are up to snuff. And once we're in, our goals are what? First, we need to get the redbrands, whether that means killing them here or taking them back to town. Also we need to meet with the goblin king. I would like to ask him about Gundren Rockseeker and if he's still alive and if so if we can have him. Which is a pretty big ask, I will admit, one that might require a Charm Person. Eerily reminiscent of our encounter with Klarg."
If not, then
"I get it, that's too long. Well in that case, it's either some invisible recon or we just go in blindly and hope all of our sneaking skills are up to snuff. And once we're in our goals are what? First, we need to get the redbrands, whether that means killing them here or taking them back to town. Also we need to meet with the goblin king. I would like to ask him about Gundren Rockseeker and if he's still alive and if so if we can have him? Which is a pretty big ask, I will admit, one that might require a Charm Person. Eerily reminiscent of our encounter with Klarg."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
You can't drown someone with Create Water. If your lungs are containers than your bones are objects. Any Siege monster that attacks you deals double damage because it’s attacking your bones.
"This armor seems especially squeaky. I need to oil it with the blood of our enemies," Vimak says. "I don't think I will be able to sneak up on them first, however." He squints toward the castle. "I say we send the bird in."
Cirrus manages to catch the interest of an Owl that comes over, listening in interest to the weird blue thing that can somehow speak to it. After hearing the request, the intelligent bird is curious about this request. And after deliberating with itself for a time.... It decides to assist. The bird flies around the stone fortress several times before finally deciding to go inside... The animal in there for several long minutes. Some shouting eventually being heard from inside and the owl flying out swiftly from the far side and out. Flying first away, then circling back to where Cirrus was.
It doesn't really know how to explain architecture, but it explains there are many many small areas. And many many green and red skinned creatures. Most of the rooms are empty but the ones that have things in them have a lot of them. It also explains it was chased out by a black skinned humanoid with blood red eyes. It didn't get to see everything, but it saw most of the base. And Cirrus gains a majority knowledge even if it is explained by a creature that can't fully explain it properly. Cirrus now knows there are roughly 25-30 enemies inside, all of them small greenskinned creatures or large red skinned creatures. One black skinned creature with red eyes, a large ugly yellow furred goblin, and atleast one wolf.
(In that case, Survival: 22. Hopefully with a high roll I can catch a little mouse.)
(Is there no chance that the owl gives me an idea of what small rooms lead to what other small rooms? Enough to update the map? Perhaps? Perhaps with some letters to denote what creatures are in some of the small rooms?)
Cirrus relates the information to the group, “Okay, so there are literally three times the number of enemies we fought in the redbrands’ base. We didn’t do so hot when they ambushed us, so I don’t think we have a prayer against the entire keep. The black-skinned humanoid is unnerving, I’ve never seen a person like that. I could attempt augury but I’m getting some major ‘woe’ vibes from everything about this situation. The owl did say that some rooms were empty and some rooms were populated, which sounds like an opportunity to utilize my caltrops, if need be. But I doubt they would slow anyone down for long. Something is still bugging me about the black-skinned humanoid with red eyes. Do you think that that could be the Black Spider that arranged to have Gundren kidnapped? If that’s the case… Klarg said that the Black Spider is weak and a spell caster. But Klarg probably thinks a lot of people are weak. So he might not be as fragile as I am, but fingers crossed.”
(Did the owl not say anything about any humanoids in red clothes?)
You can't drown someone with Create Water. If your lungs are containers than your bones are objects. Any Siege monster that attacks you deals double damage because it’s attacking your bones.
(Forgot to answer this last time but a potion of invisibility basically works like the spell. Until you've taken an action that would break it, such as attacking a creature, you will remain invisible for the duration. As for the other half of your request, as much as I really want to give you more.. I spoke with the DM of one of my campaigns and we kinda came to the same consensus: It's a bird. A smart bird, but a bird. It doesn't have the capacity to explain architecture, rooms, etc such as "In the dining hall there are X number of Y enemies because it doesn't understand the concept. It can give you a general idea of how many enemies there are and even that's a stretch since birds don't have a concept of 'math.' But I was trying to be as giving as I could so I allowed it to let you know there are between 25-30 enemies within the fort, and their skin colors are: Green, Red, Black, and Yellow. As for humanoids in red clothes. "Skin" colors. Not armor and humans have pink skin so... In any case, Like I said, I WANT to give you more but it's an animal.... it can point you in directions, lead you to things, find a person or a thing for you *potentially* but unless you're mind linking with it, seeing through it's eyes, etc, I can't see a justification for bird to be able to 'describe a layout and floorplan.')
You can't drown someone with Create Water. If your lungs are containers than your bones are objects. Any Siege monster that attacks you deals double damage because it’s attacking your bones.
"Hmm," Vimak says. "Because we are so out numbered we should either walk in hands high and hope for a duel or try and chip away at them over the next few days. You know, watch for a small group to leave or for someone to go potty in the night. Take them when their numbers are few." He looks over at Bastille. "You know, the way wolves hunt. We would have to hide out here and move our base often. Sneak in only rarely and be ready to run, I guess."
Wolfstille makes a combination of a nod and patting her paw on the ground twice. It seems she likes the second idea more than the first one. Chip away until their numbers come down to more manageable... numbers.
"I worry that the hobgoblin and orcs that brought us here will get impatient, but if they don't, then that plan sounds good. If they have to go into the castle to not look suspicious, we will tell them that we will not prey upon them when they step out."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
You can't drown someone with Create Water. If your lungs are containers than your bones are objects. Any Siege monster that attacks you deals double damage because it’s attacking your bones.
Vimak would like to move toward the best cover he can find that is fairly close to the castle. He will look for a spot that has room for his allies and wait, hoping for someone to ambush.
It takes four hours before anyone or anything leaves the fort. All of them simply heading out from the front entrance (the leftmost entrance with the two stairs) The owl long gone, having eaten two mice caught by Cirrus. Three goblins, and a Hobb make their way out. It seems like they're a small warband about to go out and raid the road or some other similarly devious task. Oblivious to the party, as they likely don't expect to be attacked in or near their own fort.
The small retinue heading out towards the main road. (you all have the benefits of a short rest)
"What do you think?" Vimak will whisper to Cirrus and Bastille. He will follow the group of goblins and the hobgoblin as they move away from the fort, waiting until they are too distant from it to be heard if they yell or for the sounds of battle to carry.
Watching the small war band, he will slide his favorite handaxe from his belt and ready an attack action. Once the others are ready, he will throw his handaxe at the hobgoblin: 12 for 11 damage.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Bastille follows Vimak's lead and wildshapes into a Dire Wolf and lies in wait. When Vimak gives the signal (And by that I mean throws his axe), Bastille will move in and attack the Hobgoblin.
Bite: 7 Dmg: 8 On hit make a DC13 STR save or be knocked prone
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Knowing how fast goblins can run, Cirrus fires a crossbow bolt at the goblin closest to the castle (I realize that they're all pretty far away, but even if it's a difference of less than 5 ft, I'm going for whichever one might take the least time getting back to the castle), 6 to hit; 10 damage. Then, afraid that if Bastille is the only visible target they will gang up on her and butcher her and also to potentially cut off any retreating goblinoids, Cirrus will take movement to be visible to the goblins, but not yet within melee range.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
You can't drown someone with Create Water. If your lungs are containers than your bones are objects. Any Siege monster that attacks you deals double damage because it’s attacking your bones.
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Vimak is still holding as still as he can. Rather than trying to sneak, he watches how the hobgoblins enter the castle. Do they go up the stairs or do they go over the rubble on the south side of the building?
If Cirrus or Bastille are close enough he will say, "Either of you might be better at investigating this place than I am. Maybe you could look around? We could just walk in and challenge the king to a dual, but that would let many of them know at once that we are here. They might not like it if we beat the king. In fact, they might take revenge." He thinks for a moment. "I was thinking we could sneak in and reduce their numbers bit by bit, but I'm not so sure of that now."
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
(they went in via the stairs)
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Wolfstille points a paw at the rubble, suggesting the party try to sneak in through there.
Cirrus creeps up closer to be heard whispering, "Normally I wouldn't want to initiate a fight with an entire fortress, but I fear our escorts won't allow us to return unless the king is dead. The problem is this: how can we accomplish our missions without dying? Should we use our last invisibility potion to scout out the inside? or should we save it for a more apt time? It would be helpful in knowing the area, but it would also be helpful in getting a sneak attack on someone, unless attacking breaks the potion's effects." (I can't remember how we ruled that. DM, can you remind me?) "Unless... I ask a bird to scout it out for us? Do you guys have ten minutes? I really could have been doing that this whole time, sorry."
If they can stand to wait,
he will cast speak with animals as a ritual. If in the event it is the same bird as before and it is irritated that it didn't get anything for helping me, Cirrus will tell it, "Well hey there, buddy! You flew off before I could give you your reward." He gives the bird a nut from his ration box. "Now then, you see that big grey bird house, that's not for birds and isn't a house?" in reference to the castle, "If you go in there and tell me what the layout is and how many people are where, I'll whip up something extra special for you. Watch out for the people on the inside though, they're, uh, like big cats. Yeah, they might try to catch you if you're too close to the ground. But they also might not. They might just ignore you. You think you can do that? Go in there and give me a clear idea of what the inside of the stone box is shaped like? If I'm happy with the info you bring back I'll whip up something real special for you." While the bird is doing that, I think I will make a check to look for stuff that birds would like, like flower seeds and stuff. I'm not sure if that's Perception: 8 or Investigation: 5. In the meantime, he's whispering a game plan to his party members, "Once it comes back I guess we just go in and hope all of our sneaking skills are up to snuff. And once we're in, our goals are what? First, we need to get the redbrands, whether that means killing them here or taking them back to town. Also we need to meet with the goblin king. I would like to ask him about Gundren Rockseeker and if he's still alive and if so if we can have him. Which is a pretty big ask, I will admit, one that might require a Charm Person. Eerily reminiscent of our encounter with Klarg."
If not, then
"I get it, that's too long. Well in that case, it's either some invisible recon or we just go in blindly and hope all of our sneaking skills are up to snuff. And once we're in our goals are what? First, we need to get the redbrands, whether that means killing them here or taking them back to town. Also we need to meet with the goblin king. I would like to ask him about Gundren Rockseeker and if he's still alive and if so if we can have him? Which is a pretty big ask, I will admit, one that might require a Charm Person. Eerily reminiscent of our encounter with Klarg."
You can't drown someone with Create Water. If your lungs are containers than your bones are objects. Any Siege monster that attacks you deals double damage because it’s attacking your bones.
"This armor seems especially squeaky. I need to oil it with the blood of our enemies," Vimak says. "I don't think I will be able to sneak up on them first, however." He squints toward the castle. "I say we send the bird in."
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Wolfstille sits down on the ground as a way to show Cirrus that she can wait for him to ask a bird to scout the area.
(Would be survival)
Cirrus manages to catch the interest of an Owl that comes over, listening in interest to the weird blue thing that can somehow speak to it. After hearing the request, the intelligent bird is curious about this request. And after deliberating with itself for a time.... It decides to assist. The bird flies around the stone fortress several times before finally deciding to go inside... The animal in there for several long minutes. Some shouting eventually being heard from inside and the owl flying out swiftly from the far side and out. Flying first away, then circling back to where Cirrus was.
It doesn't really know how to explain architecture, but it explains there are many many small areas. And many many green and red skinned creatures. Most of the rooms are empty but the ones that have things in them have a lot of them. It also explains it was chased out by a black skinned humanoid with blood red eyes. It didn't get to see everything, but it saw most of the base. And Cirrus gains a majority knowledge even if it is explained by a creature that can't fully explain it properly. Cirrus now knows there are roughly 25-30 enemies inside, all of them small greenskinned creatures or large red skinned creatures. One black skinned creature with red eyes, a large ugly yellow furred goblin, and atleast one wolf.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
(In that case, Survival: 22. Hopefully with a high roll I can catch a little mouse.)
(Is there no chance that the owl gives me an idea of what small rooms lead to what other small rooms? Enough to update the map? Perhaps? Perhaps with some letters to denote what creatures are in some of the small rooms?)
Cirrus relates the information to the group, “Okay, so there are literally three times the number of enemies we fought in the redbrands’ base. We didn’t do so hot when they ambushed us, so I don’t think we have a prayer against the entire keep. The black-skinned humanoid is unnerving, I’ve never seen a person like that. I could attempt augury but I’m getting some major ‘woe’ vibes from everything about this situation. The owl did say that some rooms were empty and some rooms were populated, which sounds like an opportunity to utilize my caltrops, if need be. But I doubt they would slow anyone down for long. Something is still bugging me about the black-skinned humanoid with red eyes. Do you think that that could be the Black Spider that arranged to have Gundren kidnapped? If that’s the case… Klarg said that the Black Spider is weak and a spell caster. But Klarg probably thinks a lot of people are weak. So he might not be as fragile as I am, but fingers crossed.”
(Did the owl not say anything about any humanoids in red clothes?)
You can't drown someone with Create Water. If your lungs are containers than your bones are objects. Any Siege monster that attacks you deals double damage because it’s attacking your bones.
(Forgot to answer this last time but a potion of invisibility basically works like the spell. Until you've taken an action that would break it, such as attacking a creature, you will remain invisible for the duration. As for the other half of your request, as much as I really want to give you more.. I spoke with the DM of one of my campaigns and we kinda came to the same consensus: It's a bird. A smart bird, but a bird. It doesn't have the capacity to explain architecture, rooms, etc such as "In the dining hall there are X number of Y enemies because it doesn't understand the concept. It can give you a general idea of how many enemies there are and even that's a stretch since birds don't have a concept of 'math.' But I was trying to be as giving as I could so I allowed it to let you know there are between 25-30 enemies within the fort, and their skin colors are: Green, Red, Black, and Yellow. As for humanoids in red clothes. "Skin" colors. Not armor and humans have pink skin so... In any case, Like I said, I WANT to give you more but it's an animal.... it can point you in directions, lead you to things, find a person or a thing for you *potentially* but unless you're mind linking with it, seeing through it's eyes, etc, I can't see a justification for bird to be able to 'describe a layout and floorplan.')
Occassional Dungeon Master.
(That is completely fair.)
You can't drown someone with Create Water. If your lungs are containers than your bones are objects. Any Siege monster that attacks you deals double damage because it’s attacking your bones.
"Hmm," Vimak says. "Because we are so out numbered we should either walk in hands high and hope for a duel or try and chip away at them over the next few days. You know, watch for a small group to leave or for someone to go potty in the night. Take them when their numbers are few." He looks over at Bastille. "You know, the way wolves hunt. We would have to hide out here and move our base often. Sneak in only rarely and be ready to run, I guess."
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Wolfstille makes a combination of a nod and patting her paw on the ground twice. It seems she likes the second idea more than the first one. Chip away until their numbers come down to more manageable... numbers.
(If everyone agree's with this plan, I will proceed using it)
Occassional Dungeon Master.
"I worry that the hobgoblin and orcs that brought us here will get impatient, but if they don't, then that plan sounds good. If they have to go into the castle to not look suspicious, we will tell them that we will not prey upon them when they step out."
You can't drown someone with Create Water. If your lungs are containers than your bones are objects. Any Siege monster that attacks you deals double damage because it’s attacking your bones.
Vimak would like to move toward the best cover he can find that is fairly close to the castle. He will look for a spot that has room for his allies and wait, hoping for someone to ambush.
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Wolfstille will go and sit next to Vimak, waiting to help him ambush someone.
4 7 47
It takes four hours before anyone or anything leaves the fort. All of them simply heading out from the front entrance (the leftmost entrance with the two stairs) The owl long gone, having eaten two mice caught by Cirrus. Three goblins, and a Hobb make their way out. It seems like they're a small warband about to go out and raid the road or some other similarly devious task. Oblivious to the party, as they likely don't expect to be attacked in or near their own fort.
The small retinue heading out towards the main road. (you all have the benefits of a short rest)
Occassional Dungeon Master.
"What do you think?" Vimak will whisper to Cirrus and Bastille. He will follow the group of goblins and the hobgoblin as they move away from the fort, waiting until they are too distant from it to be heard if they yell or for the sounds of battle to carry.
Watching the small war band, he will slide his favorite handaxe from his belt and ready an attack action. Once the others are ready, he will throw his handaxe at the hobgoblin: 12 for 11 damage.
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Bastille follows Vimak's lead and wildshapes into a Dire Wolf and lies in wait. When Vimak gives the signal (And by that I mean throws his axe), Bastille will move in and attack the Hobgoblin.
Bite: 7 Dmg: 8 On hit make a DC13 STR save or be knocked prone
Knowing how fast goblins can run, Cirrus fires a crossbow bolt at the goblin closest to the castle (I realize that they're all pretty far away, but even if it's a difference of less than 5 ft, I'm going for whichever one might take the least time getting back to the castle), 6 to hit; 10 damage. Then, afraid that if Bastille is the only visible target they will gang up on her and butcher her and also to potentially cut off any retreating goblinoids, Cirrus will take movement to be visible to the goblins, but not yet within melee range.
You can't drown someone with Create Water. If your lungs are containers than your bones are objects. Any Siege monster that attacks you deals double damage because it’s attacking your bones.