The group carefully avoids the snare trap and carries on up the trail for another ten minutes, Tarja nimbly moving from tree to tree in spider form. Soon there is a slight dip in the trail and Tarja notices that the rectangular covering of leaves looks a bit odd for a trail that is otherwise well traveled and clear of debris at the center. Zeke too notices the depression and the thick bed of leaves and comes to a halt. Closer examination and the brushing aside of a wet mat of leaves a few inches thick reveals a pit trap about six feet by ten feet, and ten feet deep.
*Once again Zeke rolled very well and Tarja's passive perception also does the trick. Feel free to RP and/or do something different with the trap but I'll include the next location to move things along since I've been away camping again.
Having carefully moved around the second trap, the group marches on uphill through the Neverwinter Wood for another five to ten minutes before arriving at what might just be their destination. Goblin footprints seem to head across a tiny clearing and into a small stream that is flowing out of a cave. Beyond the forest climbs more steeply and the terrain becomes more rocky. Dense briar thickets line the natural stone walls to the left and right of the cave, especially to the right where they block further travel along the rocky ledge there.
*This real life cave is pretty close to what the group sees, just add a healthy dash of thicket!
Fae would remain silent with her hood up. She'd just pick up a few spare pebbles, whispering light under her breath to them and place them in her pocket. If anyone reached for one, Fae would let them take one. She'd hold her position at the rear of the group, ready to follow them in.
As Tarja approaches and climbs up the wall she glances down to see two goblins sleeping amidst the dense thicket to the right of the stream. They seem to have created a watch post here, trimming back the vines and branches and using scraps of wood to build a small blind with good cover.
Tarja also notices a narrow rocky ledge on the right side of the stream as it enters the cave, saving the goblins the trouble of wading through the flowing water whenever they come and go.
(Nice rolls, you guys are breezing right through the initial perils here!)
Hah, nice! Seems like when we rolled terrible stealth way back at the start of the trail it didn't matter because there was nobody there, and then when there was somebody to avoid I rolled well.
I'll give the rest of the party time to post before posting any more actual actions...
Tarja pauses above the ledge, ready to drop and block off the goblins' path into the cave so they can't sound an alarm. If the rest of the party can see her, she'd bare her fangs at the goblins, indicating the threat.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zeke has already become accustomed to relying on Tarja's beast forms to alert them to danger and sees her fangs and posture change even as Ethan whispers behind him. A curt nod and Zeke strides purposely forward, blade out, eyes scanning for whatever threat the Spider-Tarja has spotted.
Investigation: 9 to see what Tarja is indicating 14 - this one with advantage if needed/available
Assuming Zeke spots the Goblins, he won't hesitate, trusting that Tarja will strike when he does:
Attack: 15 Damage: 8 (advantage because they are prone?)
Minor correction for Paradox, in case the mistake is OOC and not IC - I have a Giant Wolf Spider form, not Giant Spider form. It's smaller and less deadly (and lower CR) than a giant spider. https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/giant-wolf-spider
Go ahead and give me stealth rolls with advantage for anyone trying to cross the stream while the pair of goblins still live. DC10
If you can get to them without waking them we may not really need Initiative, but feel free to roll that anyhow just in case. You can call it a day on the rolls if enough people succeed to kill the sleeping victims before anyone botches it badly. (Zeke will already have a kill if he doesn't botch the Stealth. Yes regarding Advantage on Prone.)
You are correct regarding those poor Stealth rolls earlier on happening when there were no enemies around. Hopefully your luck continues regarding both good and bad rolls!
Zeke finds the stream to only be about knee deep and is able to make his approach without waking the sleeping sentries. He makes his way through the gap in the thickets and executes the first goblin.
Let's give another a chance to join in on the murdering if they'd like, but if the group chooses they can let Zeke continue his executions, risking fewer Stealth checks as the others hang back.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Knowing his armour and equipment can make for noisy travel, Ethanhangs back a ways from Zeke.
Ethanonly starts approaching, once Zekeis well on his way to the target location, and even then, only getting to an advantageous location, to cover his friends with his ranged attacks.
"Is this the only trap? And why is it here? Are we close to their..ahh...hideout?"
Ethan looks around for anything more.
Perception check to see if there are any other traps or clues: 12
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Zeke growls and agrees with Arvel 'Yes, we need to continue to be wary, but we need to keep moving.'
Stealth: 18
Perception: 22
Fae would go around the trap pointed out by Tarja, and continue down the path with the others.
just an unstable unicorn.
The group carefully avoids the snare trap and carries on up the trail for another ten minutes, Tarja nimbly moving from tree to tree in spider form. Soon there is a slight dip in the trail and Tarja notices that the rectangular covering of leaves looks a bit odd for a trail that is otherwise well traveled and clear of debris at the center. Zeke too notices the depression and the thick bed of leaves and comes to a halt. Closer examination and the brushing aside of a wet mat of leaves a few inches thick reveals a pit trap about six feet by ten feet, and ten feet deep.
*Once again Zeke rolled very well and Tarja's passive perception also does the trick. Feel free to RP and/or do something different with the trap but I'll include the next location to move things along since I've been away camping again.
Having carefully moved around the second trap, the group marches on uphill through the Neverwinter Wood for another five to ten minutes before arriving at what might just be their destination. Goblin footprints seem to head across a tiny clearing and into a small stream that is flowing out of a cave. Beyond the forest climbs more steeply and the terrain becomes more rocky. Dense briar thickets line the natural stone walls to the left and right of the cave, especially to the right where they block further travel along the rocky ledge there.
*This real life cave is pretty close to what the group sees, just add a healthy dash of thicket!
'Caves indeed. No surprise those foul creatures seek to avoid the light of day.'
He shakes his Kwando down to it's smaller size and slides his shield down onto his fist.
'This cave entrance is narrow, I'll take point and see if I can clear a path. Are you all prepared to follow?'
Fae would remain silent with her hood up. She'd just pick up a few spare pebbles, whispering light under her breath to them and place them in her pocket. If anyone reached for one, Fae would let them take one. She'd hold her position at the rear of the group, ready to follow them in.
just an unstable unicorn.
Tarja climbs up along the stone wall on the right and crawls in to the cave along its ceiling.
Stealth: 20
Perception: 14
As Tarja approaches and climbs up the wall she glances down to see two goblins sleeping amidst the dense thicket to the right of the stream. They seem to have created a watch post here, trimming back the vines and branches and using scraps of wood to build a small blind with good cover.
Tarja also notices a narrow rocky ledge on the right side of the stream as it enters the cave, saving the goblins the trouble of wading through the flowing water whenever they come and go.
(Nice rolls, you guys are breezing right through the initial perils here!)
Hah, nice! Seems like when we rolled terrible stealth way back at the start of the trail it didn't matter because there was nobody there, and then when there was somebody to avoid I rolled well.
I'll give the rest of the party time to post before posting any more actual actions...
Tarja pauses above the ledge, ready to drop and block off the goblins' path into the cave so they can't sound an alarm. If the rest of the party can see her, she'd bare her fangs at the goblins, indicating the threat.
Ethan raises his shield to cover his body, and pulls out his Fire Caster, giving Zeke a nod that he is ready.
Ethan watches Tarja, in her majestic Giant Spider form, delicately ascend the rocky wall and head towards the cave entrance.
When Tarja stops and starts baring her fangs towards the ground, Ethan taps Zeke on the shoulder and whispers.
"Look, Tarja, is she trying to indicate something do you think?"
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Zeke has already become accustomed to relying on Tarja's beast forms to alert them to danger and sees her fangs and posture change even as Ethan whispers behind him. A curt nod and Zeke strides purposely forward, blade out, eyes scanning for whatever threat the Spider-Tarja has spotted.
Investigation: 9 to see what Tarja is indicating 14 - this one with advantage if needed/available
Assuming Zeke spots the Goblins, he won't hesitate, trusting that Tarja will strike when he does:
Attack: 15 Damage: 8 (advantage because they are prone?)
Also, if needed, here's an initiative roll: 23
Go ahead and give me stealth rolls with advantage for anyone trying to cross the stream while the pair of goblins still live. DC10
If you can get to them without waking them we may not really need Initiative, but feel free to roll that anyhow just in case. You can call it a day on the rolls if enough people succeed to kill the sleeping victims before anyone botches it badly. (Zeke will already have a kill if he doesn't botch the Stealth. Yes regarding Advantage on Prone.)
You are correct regarding those poor Stealth rolls earlier on happening when there were no enemies around. Hopefully your luck continues regarding both good and bad rolls!
Stealth: 22
Initiative: 18
Booyah!
Zeke finds the stream to only be about knee deep and is able to make his approach without waking the sleeping sentries. He makes his way through the gap in the thickets and executes the first goblin.
Let's give another a chance to join in on the murdering if they'd like, but if the group chooses they can let Zeke continue his executions, risking fewer Stealth checks as the others hang back.
Stealth: 16
DCI: 3319125026
Knowing his armour and equipment can make for noisy travel, Ethan hangs back a ways from Zeke.
Ethan only starts approaching, once Zeke is well on his way to the target location, and even then, only getting to an advantageous location, to cover his friends with his ranged attacks.
Stealth check: 13
Perception check to look for a good vantage point: 5
Initiative in case it is needed: 5
Edit: Ethan cringes
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
In case it's needed - Zeke's second attack against the other Goblin - but I assume either Arvel or Tarja will have finished them off.
Attack: 22 Damage: 8
Fae would attempt to follow the others quietly.
Stealth: 8
Initiative if needed: 8
just an unstable unicorn.
Arvel draws a dagger and takes a few deep breaths to steady himself as he strikes.
Attack: 21
Damage: (autocrit from Unconscious) 7
DCI: 3319125026