Episode 1: The Salvaged Job

The path starts into a bend, with three tall outcroppings looming overhead and funneling you into an area with enough room to stand two people shoulder-to-shoulder. All of you catch the sudden glint of metal as it shifts amidst the rocks in front of you; it was enough to discern a silhouette that had just moved. Kalis catches the whiff of a dank, musky scent to the group's left, something animalistic yet not. Daniel senses that, too, but also detects a similar presence on the group's right.

As a result of your keen observations, your party is prepared for the sudden roar and appearance of two bugbears that leap out from the outcrops. Armed with large wooden clubs, they both descend to the path, one landing behind while the other approaches from the front, and each is 30 feet away.

A hobgoblin dressed in chainmail steps out from behind the rocks ahead, grinning as he draws a longbow. He laughs and says something harsh and guttural in a language none of you understand, nocking an arrow where he stands 50 feet ahead upon the outcrop. The bugbears make to charge.

The hobgoblin's bemused expression quickly turns into surprise as the flame strikes him in the chest. The burst of arcane fire almost sends him hurtling backwards, were it not for the rocks the cushioned his body's impact. The arrow falls to the ground as the hobgoblin furiously pats out the embers singing his chainmail.

The hobgoblin pauses as it hears the halfling's cry. There is a look of sudden realization, that despite his martial prowess and tactical superiority to these hapless adventurers, it was the lack of proper bathing that doomed this ambush. The shame and horror prove too much for the hobgoblin to take, as his eyes roll back into his head and blood runs from his ears and nose. He falls forward and lands with a thud onto the path, unmoving.

The bugbear in front of the party is briefly illuminated by a divine light as Maenor's radiant power strikes it full in the chest. It roars in immense pain and bloodlust, striding forward to the cleric to swing its club in anger. The club connects (18 vs AC 17), nearly crumpling Maenor's shield and the elf's arm (8 damage).

Geno's blast of arcane energy hits the bugbear behind the group in its abdomen, but it is not enough to slow it down. It rushes for the warlock and brings its club down in an overhead smash. Geno manages to avoid the brunt of the attack, but it clips his shoulder (22 vs AC 15) and almost topples the tiefling to the ground (9 damage).

Player Turn!

The bugbear lifts its club once again to strike, but its arm is thrown aside by the impact of Kalis' magic. Before it can cry out in retaliation, Daniel's thin blade sinks effortlessly into the bugbears heart. All at once aware of its own mortality, the bugbear staggers backward and makes to flee, before its legs give out and it falls to the ground, darkness overtaking it.

The remaining bugbear blinks dully as Coda's words and gestures assail its senses, not even understanding half of what the halfling means. It roars, shaking its head and taking one step back.