Chapter 1, Day 5: The Council at Drellin's Ferry
Be sure to read and follow the guidelines for our forums.
Zaris steps out onto the street in front of the inn and looks towards the commotion. He can see signs of fire on the other side of the river. He sees a few boys with armfuls of weapons and armour running towards the ferry's landing, probably the town guard are assembling there in preparation for going across the river and meeting the goblin threat.
A few minutes later Pawetha makes he way down stairs.
To Ghunril, the gnome looks up and asks, "So, is this the sensitive news you had?"
OOC, I only yell as loud as to be heard, I'm not trying to blast her eardrums out.
The ferry heavily loaded with soldiers and warriors feels like it crawls across the river as the horses toil and struggle to pull it along. The journey is agonizingly slow as you have nothing to do but watch as houses erupt in flame on the opposite shore and slowly burn to the ground.
When the ferry lands Sorana says, "You sweep south, me and the guards will sweep north." With that she and hers are gone. You only get a hundred or so feet from the ferry landing when you spot a trio of goblin worg riders dashing down the street, whooping and shaking their bows in the air. A pair of powerful hell hounds bound along side them...
Player turn, post as you will. 3 Hobgoblin Worg Riders, 2 Hellhounds... They are about 30 feet away
The ranger then moves to the side, away from the charging enemy, for cover by the building.
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: Self
Components: V
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
The next time you hit a creature with a ranged weapon attack before the spell ends, this spell creates a rain of thorns that sprouts from your ranged weapon or ammunition. In addition to the normal effect of the attack, the target of the attack and each creature within 5 feet of it must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 1d10 piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Rolls
Shortbow vs Goblin rider - (1d20+7, 1d6+3)
1d20+7 : (2) + 7 = 9
1d6+3 : (1) + 3 = 4
Horde Breaker, Shortbow vs Worg - (1d20+7, 1d6+3)
1d20+7 : (2) + 7 = 9
1d6+3 : (5) + 3 = 8
Hail of Thorns - (1d10)
(6) = 6
Green (Poison) 15ft cone, 2d6 damage
They get a Con save throw for half damage
Rolls
Poison Breath attack - (2d6)
(21) = 3
Ghunril, steps to the side and gets a clean blast of breath weapon on the whole group. The cloud of poison is quickly inhaled and they all cough and sputter.
Rolls
magic missile #1 - (1d4+1)
(1) + 1 = 2
magic missile #2 - (1d4+1)
(2) + 1 = 3
magic missile #3 - (1d4+1)
(1) + 1 = 2
Rolls
Acrobatics - (1d20+5)
(10) + 5 = 15
Rolls
Attack - (1d20+5)
(9) + 5 = 14
Damage - (1d8+3)
(8) + 3 = 11
Cold damage - (1d6)
(1) = 1
"light!, Zaris, why didn't you wake me up?"
Note: shield isn't equipped atm for spell casting purposes. AC is 16,character sheet updated
Rolls
Magic missile d4+1 v Worg 1 - (1D4+1)
(3) + 1 = 4
Magic missile d4+1 v Worg 2 - (1D4+1)
(3) + 1 = 4
Magic missile d4+1 v Worg 3 - (1D4+1)
(2) + 1 = 3
Kaiakas closes with the hellhounds and lashes into one with his wintery blade. The hell hound squeals in pain as the cold enchantment bites into its warm flesh.
More magic missiles strike the worgs as Corban appears just in time to distract the charging hobgoblins from closing on Zaris.
Rolls
Attack! (w/advantage) - (1d20+5, 1d8+3, 1d20+5, 1d8+3)
1d20+5 : (10) + 5 = 15
1d8+3 : (6) + 3 = 9
1d20+5 : (6) + 5 = 11
1d8+3 : (5) + 3 = 8
Sneak Attack damage! - (1d6)
(5) = 5
Rolls
Shortbow vs Goblin rider - (1d20+7, 1d6+3)
1d20+7 : (6) + 7 = 13
1d6+3 : (5) + 3 = 8
Horde Breaker, Shortbow vs Worg - (1d20+7, 1d6+3)
1d20+7 : (3) + 7 = 10
1d6+3 : (6) + 3 = 9
Rolls
Attack on Hobgoblin - (1d20+4, 1d6+2)
1d20+4 : (13) + 4 = 17
1d6+2 : (5) + 2 = 7
Attack on Worg - (1d20+4, 1d4+2)
1d20+4 : (18) + 4 = 22
1d4+2 : (3) + 2 = 5
Rolls
Damage w/longsword - (1D8+6)
(3) + 6 = 9
Attack w/longsword - (1D20+8)
(15) + 8 = 23
Rolls
Attack - (1d20+5)
(20) + 5 = 25
Sword damage - (1d8+3)
(3) + 3 = 6
Cold damage - (1d6)
(6) = 6
Rolls
Ranged attack - (1d20+5)
(11) + 5 = 16
ice damage (and slowed to 10 feet for next round) - (1d8)
(1) = 1
The chilled worg lunges for Corban's side, (12 vs AC; 14 damage). The other hobgoblin riders, seeing that you are well equipped and skilled fighters, use their spears to parry your attacks (Disengage Action) while their mounts turn heel and flee down the street, wheeling around a corner.
Rolls
Shortbow vs Worg - (1d20+7, 1d6+3)
1d20+7 : (19) + 7 = 26
1d6+3 : (3) + 3 = 6
Rolls
Attack 1 - (1d20+5, 1d4+3)
1d20+5 : (12) + 5 = 17
1d4+3 : (4) + 3 = 7
Attack 2 - (1d20+5, 1d4+3)
1d20+5 : (3) + 5 = 8
1d4+3 : (1) + 3 = 4
Rolls
Cure Wounds - (1d8+3)
(6) + 3 = 9
Rolls
Perception - (1d20+4)
(1) + 4 = 5
The ranger secures her weapons and proceeds to search the slain hobgoblin. Perhaps the monster had something useful on his person.
Sorana starts towards the ferry, "It looks like the fight here is finished. I will see you in a few hours at the council meeting. Come to Wiston's home at daybreak."
Arriving as Wiston's home you find two guards stationed outside. They see you, bow their heads in polite deference and show you inside. There you are, as you were the first time you visited, seated at the table in the dining room. The guard who showed you in asks, "Can I get you a drink, or a bite of breakfast? The councillors will arrive shortly, I am sure."
"Well, you all know why we are here." Wiston says without preamble, "In a matter of days we're going to have an army of goblins, hobgoblins, and monsters on our doorsteps. What do we do? Fight? Try to talk to them? Abandon the town and flee? Or do nothing and hope to Pelor they don't come this way?" The councillors turn their gaze your way, waiting to see what you recommend before voicing their positions...
Wiston pipes up at this point, "Maybe.. I don't see what it could hurt to at least ask them what they want.. but maybe we should tell folks to get their children and elderly in wagons heading east, while we still can."
I can give you more details on the enemy force if that would be helpful if swaying you to evacuate."
Rolls
Insight - (1d20+1)
(16) + 1 = 17
Xara, looking around, gets the sense that of all those here Wiston was, when they arrived, the most indecisive... but now, given the arguments that have been made and the firm approval of Delora, his expression has become fixed, "It is decided. We evacuate the town. Iormel and Kellin, spread the word, while Delora, Sorana and I take record of the hoard's size and composition." With the decision made firmly, Iromel and Kellin bow their heads respectfully and grudgingly get to their feet, leaving to execute the town speaker's decision.
Wiston looks back to Ghunril, "Tell us, when you saw the hoard what did you see?"
Their encampment is large and mostly unorganized with hundreds of crude tents dot the valley floor, interspersed with siege engines, groups of wagons, and pens for draft beasts. There were bands of goblin worg riders patrol the camp's outskirts, battalions of fierce hobgoblins engage in mock battles. I also saw multiple giants dispersed throughout the camp and a red dragon circling overhead.
The advance parties we saw this morning aren't even a fraction of the force that is advancing on the river. That was all that I was able to obtain before I was forced to flee here."
Ghunril give a short bow to end his speech and folds his hands as he retakes his seat.
She returns her attention to the map as she speaks to Wiston. "We ought to warn these other settlements. I assume you're taking everyone to Brindol along the Dawn Way? Is there someone you can send to Dauth and Prosser?"
Wiston's brow is furrowed, he is clearly worried about these developments, "I am not sure there is more you can do for us. I'm afraid I'll I have for you is our thanks. With luck the whole village will be on the road to Brindol within a couple days. I do hope the road to Brindol is safe."
"Perhaps we can set some traps on the banks of the river and the road," she muses aloud. "It won't stop them, but it will at least delay them a bit as they try to avoid them."
The wizard is startled as he walks out the door by the apprentice. "I was just on my way to see you!" he exclaims. He thanks the boy kindly for the potions and slips them into his bag.
He makes his way across the bank to the reaches of the town from where the goblin raiding party had come earlier that morning. Quietly he pulls four arrows out and drives them into the ground, fanning out to cover a 45 degree region. He whispers a few words in elven and then mentions the word human. Satisfied, he covers them slightly with weeds and brush and returns to the Inn to sit and relax before what he realizes will be a hard journey.
Passerby will likely hear gruff snarling complaints... followed by the dwarf's reply.
"I don't care if you think these undergarments are private! I'm packing 'em so you can soil 'em later when you flee!"
In the morning, as you get up and make your way downstairs for your complimentary morning ale and breakfast, a black-haired woman, her face streaked with the dust of the road, trudges into the common room. She wears a soldier's tunic of blue and white over a shirt of mail, with the stylizing image of a golden lion over her heart. She signals the barkeep, "Ale," she rasps. "And send for your speaker. I've got ill news."
The ranger finally turns bleary eyes to the soldier, and after giving her a once-over, nods her head in camaraderie.
After popping her spine, the ranger says a bit more plainly, "This horde seeks to flatten the vale with an army and a battle plan. I figure they've taken precaution for the Rhest Trail. What lies that way?"
As her breakfast is served, Pawetha digs into her meal with her hands. "By the way," she says with her mouth full, "what's your name?"
The fox-head looks over at Xara. "If you want a high-ranked kill under your belt, I'll wager it's at Rhest."
After breakfast Pawetha returns to the blacksmith, as she has every day so far, to check on the armor and help him continue packing. Walking through the village she notes that all of the citizen's are hurriedly packing their families into carts and onto horses - looks like today is the day they leave. The town guard are also gathering, guiding people across on the ferry and anxiously waiting for the moment of departure.
She finds the blacksmith exhausted, worn, but smiling broadly, "I've done it! Decided it best to leave myself with the rest of the town today, so I worked through the night to finish this before I left me' forge behind. Afraid I didn't get to the daggers, got a start on them but you'll have to get another blacksmith to finish them. The modifications to the armor though, they're done." He gestures towards Xara's leather armor, which now looks a bit different. Green scales have been set into the weak points, the sides, shoulders, and the chest, providing extra protection for vital and hard to reinforce spots. The whole thing is now covered in bone-studs made of polished bone.
You also have 2 half-finished dragonbone daggers. They're useless as daggers, but a good smith could finish them with a day's work.
"This is bloody brilliant," she growls, grinning ear to ear. "You make your way straight to Brindol and set up shop. I'm looking for you when I get there."
Captain Soranna nods to you, "You've already done us good, heroes. Without your warning, we'd have all be asleep in our beds when the hoard arrived on our stoops. You've saved many lives already. For that you have my thanks. But I am afraid your work may not be done yet. There's nothing to stop the Red Hand before they reach the walls of Brindol."
"If there's anything more you can do to slow down the Red Hand, we'd be mighty grateful," the Speaker says, "I'll personally make sure Lord Jarmaath, the lord of Brindol, knows what you've done for us."
As the town takes its leave, Pawetha gives Sorana, Winston, and the soldiers a once-over. Her voice turns serious, and she stares at Sorana and Winston specifically. "You should really head all the way to Brindol. Try to convince Terrelton, Nimon Gap, and Talar of the same need. The battle plans of the Red Hand leave no room for mercy; the way they've set up their blockades and positioned their forces should already say as much. They want to destroy the Vale."
"I'll help with the boats, nothing like a good scuttling to start a new adventure... "
Corban flexes his gauntleted hands and moves to start ripping the boats apart.