Chapter 2, Day 12

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Apr 17, 2018 3:00 am
You wake in the morning feeling rested and refreshed. You gather your things and bid farewell to the elves, who thank you again for your help and reassure you that in the next day or two your requested items will be delivered by owl rider. A mystic from the clan gives Paws a small gemstone on a thin black cord, "This will help us find you. Be safe."

You set out on the road, aiming to get out of the marshland as swiftly as possible. At the elves recommendation you head for the Rhest Trail, which is an easier passage south than walking through the Witchwoods. The elves informed you that once you reach the first river you will either be forced to trek directly through the woods if you insist on heading straight to your goal, or detour eastward and follow the trail until it the Witchcross, at which point you should take the west fork to Talar (the eastfork leads directly to Brindol).

Unfortunately, about an hour after you leave the elven camp, your plan for a quick departure is halted when you spot a thin plume of black smoke on rising from ahead of you. Following the smoke down you see, about a thousand meters ahead of you, a wooden blocked has been erected on the road. The smoke is coming from what is probably a cookfire. You see figures standing atop the blockade, but from this distance can't quite make out who, or what, they are other than humanoid.
Apr 17, 2018 4:59 am
"Doubt the elves want to block people from using the road," says Pawetha as she tucks the gemstone under her shirt and removes her pack. "But is it a Red Hand thing? Wait here; I'm going to check it out." She scuttles forward, trying to use cover and the natural environs to mask her approach.
OOC:
Using Natural Explorer to move Stealthily at a normal pace.

Rolls

Stealth - (1d20+6)

(20) + 6 = 26

Apr 17, 2018 4:59 am
"I'm gonna go take a look." I silently move forward, using the trees as cover as I try to figure out the situation ahead.

Rolls

Perception - (1d20+3)

(15) + 3 = 18

Stealth - (1d20+9)

(15) + 9 = 24

Apr 17, 2018 5:00 am
"Okay. We're going to take a look," Pawetha says in correction.
Apr 17, 2018 5:05 am
I give Paws the signal- I go right, she goes left.
Apr 17, 2018 5:08 am
Pawetha gives Xara the signal - Whose left? That left? Okay.
Apr 17, 2018 5:21 am
Up ahead a crude, ten-foot palisade of logs has been erected across the road, extending forty feet to either side and completely blocking all passage. A squat, twenty-foot tall watchtower looms in the middle of the palisade. The road ends at a large set of double doors in the base of the tower. You catch a glimpse of movement up in the tower and spy a hobgoblin archer leaning against a post, chin on his chest.
Apr 17, 2018 6:19 pm
It's troubling that the Red Hand might have already established outposts such as this. He says quietly to the remainder of the group as they wait for Paws and Xara to return.
Apr 17, 2018 6:50 pm
Pawetha tries to see if she can count how many hobgoblins or other humanoids might be in the area. She takes her time, concentrating on her surroundings, eyeing any visible tracks, gauging the cooking fires and the estimated size of the tower and blockade. She opens her other senses to discern any presence of her foe, sniffing the air for their scent and listening for their footfalls and voices.
OOC:
Using Primeval Awareness on Favored Enemy: Humanoids.
[ +- ] Primeval Awareness on Favored Enemy
Apr 17, 2018 7:02 pm
Pawetha determines that there are eight hobgoblins and two ogres stationed here. She can only see the one hobgoblin on the top of the watchtower. The others, including the ogres, are probably inside.
Apr 17, 2018 7:03 pm
I look around for a good spot to start a fire. Ideally somewhere I won’t be noticed.

Rolls

Perception - (1d20+3)

(7) + 3 = 10

Apr 17, 2018 7:11 pm
OOC:
What's the goal/purpose of this fire?
Apr 17, 2018 7:19 pm
OOC:
Can’t a girl just start a fire for funsies? She’s looking to try and set the barrier on fire, but is also open to setting something else on fire nearby as a distraction.
Apr 17, 2018 10:14 pm
OOC:
Of course she can!
The ground is pretty damp, and the logs the palisade is made out of, from this distance, doesn't look particularly dry. A small fire probably won't get it to start up. A fire anywhere might catch the attention of the guards. There are a few trees scattered along the sides of the road such a distraction could be concealed behind.
Apr 18, 2018 12:12 pm
Kaiakas waits for Paws to return before they formulate a plan. He watches Xara with mild amusement.
Apr 19, 2018 3:13 am
After a minute or two concentrating on the area, Pawetha glances around to see if there's further movement from the flanks. She then tries to make her way back to the others.

Rolls

Stealth - (1d20+6)

(11) + 6 = 17

Apr 19, 2018 4:42 am
Disappointed in the wet ground and the partially fire-resistant looking logs (who'd they get to build that thing anyway?) I take a closer look at the guards and see if I recognize anyone.

Rolls

Perception - (1d20+3)

(2) + 3 = 5

Apr 27, 2018 8:18 pm
Returning to the group, Pawetha passes along her findings. "Don't know if we can take out that lone guard up top without drawing attention, but it's a solid bet that these are Red Handers. They've got some muscle, too."
Apr 27, 2018 8:22 pm
Xara doesn't recognize the guard, he's a hobgoblin. Paws detects no movement outside the barraicade.
Apr 28, 2018 1:04 pm
Kaiakas thinks on this for a moment. "Is there any way we can take out the tower guard quietly? Paws, you have a bow. Do we have enough ranged firepower Between all of us?"
Apr 28, 2018 5:01 pm
"You've discovered my secret. I do have a bow! I can't believe you're the first to notice this!" Pawetha says, sarcastically. "The point is, whatever we throw at that tower guard, we have to be ready in case it's not enough."
May 1, 2018 12:45 am
I circle further away from where the rest of the group is and find a nice looking dead tree to set on fire. I dump some oil on it for good measure. Once I'm satisfied it'll look vaguely smokey, I head back to the group.

Rolls

Perception- a super flammable tree - (1d20+3)

(2) + 3 = 5

May 3, 2018 7:24 pm
A tree to the west is set alight as Xara flexes her pyromancy skills. A few moments later there is motion atop the barricade. Then, the gate opens and three hobgoblins with short spears and medium armor featuring bold red hands crudely painted on the front step out. The three guards make their way down the road towards the rising smoke, and you.
May 3, 2018 7:34 pm
"And now there's a fire," says Pawetha. She readies her bow and gauges the distance to the tower guard.
May 3, 2018 8:31 pm
Ghunril ready's a normal spear not wanting to give away their position by using the Javelin of Lighting. Hobgoblins shouldn't be an issue, its the bigger baddies that will follow them out that will be the problem....

The fire might cause an issue with the elves if it gets out of hand.
May 3, 2018 8:41 pm
Pawetha says, "Good, maybe they can help fight these guys, since they set the fire."
May 4, 2018 12:17 am
OOC:
It's 200 feet to the tower from your position, the hobgoblins are now at 100 feet and soon to veer off the path towards the smoke. Still holding, or acting?
May 4, 2018 3:03 am
Staying hidden as best as I can, I make my way back to the group. "Alright, so now we attack?"

Rolls

Stealth - (1d20+9)

(6) + 9 = 15

May 16, 2018 11:01 pm
Lets take out the one on top first then take these three out. I'll have to get closer if my spears will be needed though.
May 16, 2018 11:13 pm
"As much as I'd like it to be, my bow ain't going to reach that tower without some difficulty," says Pawetha. "What if we wait until it gets dark, then me, Boots, and Xara will try to sneak into a good spot to ambush the guard. Then the rest of you can follow up, and if Horns makes too much noise we'll be in a position to take out the tower before he can sound the alarm."
May 17, 2018 2:01 am
"We're waiting? But what about the fire? I thought it would be the perfect distraction..."
May 17, 2018 2:10 pm
If we take out the Hobgoblins now without being seen, we could watch for who else will come out of the blockade looking for them...
May 17, 2018 4:00 pm
"Fine," says Pawetha. "Then we'd better move fast." She readies her bow and tries to stealthily find a good firing position.

Rolls

Stealth - (1d20+6)

(13) + 6 = 19

May 17, 2018 4:30 pm
Ghunril nods and moves in the shadows besides Paws.

Rolls

Stealth - (1d20+5)

(8) + 5 = 13

May 17, 2018 9:09 pm
"Hold on. I just had the best idea ever. I’ll catch up to you later...wait for the signal. You’ll know." I circle back in the direction of the fire, staying hidden a hundred or so feet away from its light until I see the group move towards me/the fire.
Last edited May 17, 2018 9:15 pm

Rolls

Stealth - (1d20+9)

(11) + 9 = 20

May 18, 2018 1:33 am
You all, even Kaikas, manage to conceal yourselves from the hobgoblins. Xara darts into the marsh and even you lose sight of her. The hobgoblins, true to your expectation suddenly veer off the path and begin working their way through the marshland towards the rising plume of smoke.
May 18, 2018 2:58 am
I wait in whatever cover I can find, until I can see the group. I attempt to take note of how many there are.

Rolls

Perception - (1d20+3)

(17) + 3 = 20

May 18, 2018 3:03 am
There are three, and they don't seem to have noticed you.
May 18, 2018 3:28 am
When they start to get close, I stumble out in front of them as if I'm injured and head straight towards them. "Help! Fire! Thank the gods you're here! Please... we need your help!"

Rolls

Performance? - (1d20+1)

(19) + 1 = 20

May 25, 2018 2:10 pm
The hobgoblins halt for a moment. They look more confused than convinced.
OOC:
Your success of your roll allows you this brief moment of insight. They are about to attack you.
May 26, 2018 3:50 am
Taking the Horn of Blasting from my side, I blow the horn in the direction of the hobgoblins.
[ +- ] Horn of Blasting
Once that's done, I run, hoping to lead them away from the group.

Rolls

Thunder Damage? - (5d6)

(13415) = 14

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