[D&D 5e] Doomchild's Lost Mine of Phandelver IC

[Doomchild]

Lost Mine of Phandelver

OOC Thread

In the city of Neverwinter, a dwarf named Gundren Rockseeker recruited a few enterprising individuals, yourself among them, to bring a wagonload of provisions to the rough-and-tumble settlement of Phandalin, a handful of days' travel southeast of the city. Gundren was clearly excited and more than a little secretive about his reasons for the trip, saying only that he and his brothers had found "something big," and that he'd pay you ten gold pieces each for escorting his supplies safely to Barthen's Provisions, a trading post in Phandalin. He then set out ahead of you on horse, along with his warrior escort named Sildar Hallwinter, claiming he needed to arrive early to "take care of business."

You've spent the last few days following the High Road south from Neverwinter, and you've just recently veered east along the Triboar Trail. You've encountered no trouble thus far, but this territory is known to be dangerous. Bandits and outlaws have been known to lurk along the trail.

Introduce yourselves, come up with your own link to Gundren Rockseeker, personal or professional, and determine the marching order. One or two characters need to be driving the wagon (no proficiency necessary), while the rest may be riding along, scouting ahead, or walking alongside as they like.

[Sessadore]

As the wagon bumped along the road, Hadarai looked around from the seat, reflecting on the trip so far. It had been uneventful - which is never a bad thing when your job is protection. He had arrived in Neverwinter a week or so before, and soon found funds running low. After spending some time exploring the city, he happened to be in the right place at the right time to overhear Gundren trying to hire some muscle to protect his wagon. The tough Gundren had been talking to declined, so Hadarai approached Gundren afterwards and offered his services. It would be nice to get out of the city once again, and a few more gold pieces would be nice in his pouch.

Today - it was sunny, the trees were green, the birds singing. All told, a beautiful day. The half-elf smiled, a big, joyous grin; he sat back in the wagon's seat and sighed contentedly. "Such a beautiful day today, isn't it? Days like today I'm always glad to be outside." he commented to his nearest companion.

[SpeedWitch]

Samuel took his eyes off the road and looked at Hadarai, trying to push thoughts of home out of his mind and process what he had heard. "Yes, it is. Ironically, the city of Neverwinter was not as warm and welcoming during my stay there. That storm the other night nearly threw the hotel I was staying in into the sky." He looked back at the path. "Days like this my aunt Grendal and the court wizard would be playing cards up in the trees..."

The noble leaned back and stretched his legs out. "But I'm not really the outdorsey type. Bit of an introvert, and already picturing a real in to stay at in my mind when we get to town. By the way, anyone know how far the city is from here? He glances hopefully at his acquaintance in front of him.

[Dhavaer]

"Three good deeds and an original joke." Bai answers absently from her perch atop the crates as she lets her spell fade. It's not like it was doing any good, the cart hadn't gotten any more magical since the last time she'd cast it.

She puts her book aside, stands up and stretches before sitting back down, tugging her hood down to keep the sun off. She'd rather hoped to have stayed awhile in the city, long enough to enjoy spending time away from her family, but as luck had it she'd run into someone looking to retain an adventurer's services mere hours after being teleported to the gates. Even so it could have gone differently - had she followed her first impulse on hearing his offered price and laughed in his face - but she'd remembered firstly that she needed money, no longer being in Kara-Tur and needing to climb to the highest tower to see something her family did not own, and secondly her aunts' and uncles' advice that any hint of adventure, no matter how seemingly mundane, could lead to glory.

She rolls her shoulders and takes back her book. No more detecting magic, she thinks. There must be something on this wagon I haven't put an alarm on yet.

[Sessadore]

"Three good deeds and an original joke." Bai answers absently from her perch atop the crates as she lets her spell fade.

"Haha!" Hadarai chuckles at Bai's response. "Not the answer he wanted, I'm sure, but it is one I like."

"Anyway, I wouldn't hold my breath for any fancy inn at the end of this trip. You might just have to get used to roughing it." Hadarai glances at Samuel and winks, grinning all the while.

The half-elf absent mindedly whistles softly as the wagon bumps along; an old soldier's tune from Tethyr with some rather rude lyrics if anyone were to recognize it. Hadarai had never liked it that much, but it always came to mind when traveling, so he had stopped fighting it long ago and just enjoyed the music.

[roko10]

Rog was unusually silent for most of the ride. Usually, he tries talks or complains about something; however, his recent experience with a bandit ambush has left him more cautious then usual. Then again, it did allow him to go to Neverwinter, where he met Gunderen, who was offering a job guarding an caravan. He agreed, eager to see new enviroments. The 10 gold pieces was just icing on the cake.

After scanning the enviroment again for any kind of threat, he noticed the wizard obsessively casting some kind of spell on the objects. He doesn't know what the spell exactly is, but from the lack of explosions or spontanious fires that mark most destructive spells, he assumed it was some kind of utility spell. Still, it can't hurt to ask an question and simultaneously break the ice.

"..why are you actually casting spells on the cart? he asked. "Unless there is some kind of magical bomb here, which I doubt, I think the biggestst threat on the wagon isn't magic, it's the bad quality of the wheels."

[Dhavaer]

"If I had a spell that would change - whatever these are made of - sawdust and glue into masterly crafted yew I'd cast it, believe me." Bai says, looking up from her book. "These will inform me if anyone tries to make off with the goods. Which are not a magical anything, unless they're under an illusion." She considers for a moment. "If I had a magical bomb I'd hide it under an illusion. Perhaps I'll stretch my legs for a while." She shuts her book and starts putting it away.

[Doomchild]

"Indeed it is, Hadarai," Breoden replied casually as he guided the mules with the reins, grinning, "It's fine weather for an adventure."

The young bard recalled the day he first met Gundren Rockseeker. Times were confusing then, and he was just a small boy. How was he supposed to know it was so wrong? Some of the other boys laughed at him, some of them were mad at him. Girls wouldn't talk to him anymore after they knew what he'd done. Most of the village just shunned him, but Gundren, a dwarf merchant who had been passing through, was the only person to show him any compassion. I didn't mean to, he remembered saying, I didn't know! Breoden grimaced. He hated thinking about it. And yet here he was, almost a hundred years later, with a group of entertaining companions, on a job for none other than Gundren himself. It seemed only fair that Breoden pay him back the favor all these years later now that he had the chance.

"That storm the other night nearly threw the hotel I was staying in into the sky."

"Oh, you thought that a storm did you?" Breoden's eyes twinkled mischievously. The half-elf had endured more than his fair share of the worst that storms could offer and lived to tell the tale. And so did many others, due in no small part to his own efforts.

"I wish I'd brought my dulcimer instead of this horn," he said after Hadarai had started whistling, "It's tune simply doesn't suit this sort of leisurely jaunt."

...

You've been on the Triboar Trail for about half a day. As you come around a bend, you spot two dead horses sprawled nearly fifty feet in front of you, blocking the path. Each has several black arrows sticking out of it. The woods press close to the trail here, with a steep embankment and dense thickets of either side.

[Doomchild]

Spoiler: Don't Peek!

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Super Secret DM Roll: (1d20+6)[26]

Also, everyone roll Intelligence checks (plain Intelligence checks). Here's Breoden's: (1d20+0)[4]

[Sessadore]

Spoiler: Rolls

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Intelligence: (1d20+0)[16]
Perception: (1d20+4)[10]

"Not such a nice day for those poor beasts," Hadarai laments upon seeing the horses. His gaze lingers on the horses for only a moment before his training kicks in. He scans both embankments and into the trees as much as he can, trying first to see if there is any movement, then whether there are any other hidden threats. The paladin jumps down from the wagon and readies his shield, though he doesn't draw his sword. "Best prepare ourselves - whoever killed those horses may still be here. This is the perfect spot for an ambush, after all."

[Dhavaer]

"More so now that the path is blocked." Bai agrees, and raises her hands to encircle the gem hanging over her collar. It begins to glow gently as she chants words that seem to echo back from nowhere.

Int: (1d20+3)[5]
Bai casts mage armour.

[SpeedWitch]

Spoiler: Intelligence Roll

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(1d20+0)[4]

Spoiler: Perception roll

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[Roll]1d20+3[/roll] posted below

"I'll try to guide the horses around them, if I can," Samuel says, leaping off the cart. He marches towards the front of the cart and puts one hand on the bridle of the nearest horse, the other hanging free, ready to grab his Greataxe. It could be very likely this was just a hit and run, but with his luck, the culprits are certainly nearby. What could be hiding in those thickets? Bandits? Ogres?

[roko10]

Spoiler

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(1d20)[5]

"Of course there must be an bandit raid.", Rog muttered , while drawing his shield. "Couldn't have a escort job wihou it.". He scanned the enviroment for more signs of bandits.

[roko10]

Perception :(1d20+3)[22]

[SpeedWitch]

Spoiler: Perception roll

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(1d20+3)[11]

And the forum requires extra characters, of course.

[Sessadore]

As Hadarai sweeps his gaze from one embankment to the other, something about the horses catches his eye. That marking, he thinks, taking a better look at the face of the horse whose head points their way, ... I recognize that horse!

"Not good," he mutters under his breath, then adds loud enough for his companions to hear, "The horses - they're the ones Gundren and his escort rode out on." He is about to add more, but closes his mouth as he decides to let everyone draw their own conclusions for the time being.

The paladin glances at Samuel as he starts to lead the horses and cart forward. "Might be best to keep the cart back for a moment. Let us see if there is any trap before we put the goods in its jaws." Hadarai slowly approaches the dead horses, keeping his eyes and ears open all the while and his hand on his sword's hilt. "Any volunteers care to join me?"

Spoiler: OOC

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If I make it to the horses without getting ambushed, I'll take a moment to examine them and the arrows more closely. Feel free to roll for me if you want a roll of some kind.

[SpeedWitch]

The noble shrugged nodded and released his grip on the bridle.

Hearing Hadarai's request, Samuel responded "I'll go," and began to slowly approach the deceased mounts with the paladin, his eyes hovering over the woods in front of him.

[Dhavaer]

"I'll stay with the cart for now." Bai says, one hand over her focus and the other raised, ready to cast, as she peers off to the sides of the road.

Perception: (1d20+1)[19]

[Doomchild]

Gundren... Breoden thought to himself as his blood ran cold for a moment before he stood, ringing his sword from its sheath. He didn't say anything more to the Paladin that advanced on the horses, but he came to his side nonetheless.

...

Anyone taking a closer look at the horses can tell that the saddlebags have been looted. Nearby lies an empty leather map case.

As we're examining the bodies, two goblins come charging out of the woods, one to either side of the path, scimitars raised, and strike. Simultaneously, black arrows fly from the trees just a bit further off the trail. We are all quite surprised since I rolled a 20 for their stealth with my super secret DM roll above (d'oh!), so they get to attack us with impunity this first round (also, help me out here, in the rules it seems to indicate that Stealth is always just compared to Passive Perception, so what happens if the PCs use Perception actively? can PCs detect Stealth with an active Perception check?). Well, here's the first round.

Spoiler: Lots 'O Rolls

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To determine who the melee gobbos attack:
Hadarai = 1, Samuel = 2, Breoden =3
(1d3)[2]
(1d3)[1]

Melee gobbo attacks:
(1d20+4)[18]
(1d20+4)[18]
(1d6+2)[6]
(1d6+2)[5]

Ranged gobbo attacks:
1) vs Lao Bai
(1d20+4)[11]
(1d6+2)[8]

2) vs Rog Pine
(1d20+4)[10]
(1d6+2)[5]

After the surprise round, it's initiative time! I'll roll for Breoden and the goblins, everyone else roll for themselves separately.

Breoden: (1d20+2)[8] (standing somewhere between Hadarai and Samuel)
Gobbo 1: (1d20+2)[7] (standing right next to Samuel)
Gobbo 2: (1d20+2)[3] (standing right next to Hadarai)
Gobbo 3: (1d20+2)[12] (plinking away in the woods to the left)
Gobbo 4: (1d20+2)[11] (plinking away in the woods to the right)

EDIT: Both melee attackers hit for respectable damage. To clarify, the first goblin attacked Samuel, dealing 6 slashing damage, and the second attacked Hadarai, dealing 5 slashing damage. Both ranged attacks missed. The goblins seemed to melt out from the trees as if they were never even there before, their bodies painted in colors to match the woodsy surroundings. But now that they are attacking (the archers included), they are all quite easy to see. There is an archer sitting 10ft back in the woods to either side of the encounter.

EDIT: The melee goblins protect themselves with disheveled wooden shields.

[Sessadore]

Spoiler: Initiative

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(1d20+0)[14]

The goblin is upon Hadarai before he realizes it, even with his vigilance. The barest edge of reflex bringing his shield into the path of the goblin's scimitar is all that saves him from a severed femoral artery and slow bleed out. The half-elf curses under his breath, steeling himself and reaching for his sword...

Spoiler: Stat Block

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Hadarai Siannodel, Male Half-Elf Paladin 1
Speed: 30 ft; Passive Perception 14, Darvision 60 ft
AC: 18; Saves: Str +3, Dex +0, Con +1, Int +0, Wis +4, Cha +5
HP: 6/11, HD: 1d10
Death Saves - Successes [ ][ ][ ], Failures [ ][ ][ ]
Limited Use:
Divine Sense 4/4
Lay on Hands 5/5 hp

Character Sheet

[Dhavaer]

Bai is looking right at the clump of leaf litter when it abruptly moves and becomes a goblin, and she presses herself to the side of the cart. An arrow thuds into the splintering wood and she edges forward, looking for a clear shot.

Initiative: (1d20+2)[9]

[SpeedWitch]

Spoiler: Initiative Roll

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(1d20-1)[13]

"AGGHH! The hell-!" Samuel steps back and tries to recover from the gash left from the goblin's blade. Not bandits or Ogres, goblins. His father used to sip tea in the evenings and brag about how easy they were to kill. Samuel would have been relieved if there wasn't an open would pulling at his neck. Grinding his teeth, he fought through the pain and quickly pulled out his weapon.

[Doomchild]

DM's first round of actions
From highest initiative count to lowest:

Initiative 12 (Goblin Archer Left) - If he's unharmed, he will move to the edge of the woods, take another pot shot at a randomly determined character, and then end his turn by taking cover behind a slim tree (+2 AC/Dex saves). If he is harmed, he will retreat farther back into the woods before taking a shot (gaining 3/4 cover but granting his target the same; +5 bonus to AC/Dex saves) at whoever dealt him the most damage.

(Hadarai = 1, Samuel = 2, Lao = 3, Rog = 4, Breoden = 5)
(1d5)[5]
Attack: (1d20+4)[6] Damage: (1d6+2)[8]

Initiative 11 (Goblin Archer Right) - Same action as Goblin Archer Left.

Initiative 8 (Breoden) - "Goblins," Breoden snarled.

Bardic Inspiration: "Take heart, proud Samuel, at least the goblin hasn't marred your very fancy clothes," Breoden clapped his companion on the shoulder, smirked devilishly, and he added in a visceral tone, "Let's keep them that way."

Taken by a fury at the sight of the evil creatures that have harmed the dwarf who was once his only friend, Breoden takes up his sword in both hands and lashes out with it against the foe attacking Samuel. Attack: (1d20+4)[23] Damage: 1d10+2.

Initiative 7 (Samuel's attacker) - If she is unharmed, she will attack either Samuel or Breoden, determined at random, (Samuel = 1, Breoden = 2; (1d2)[1]). If she has been harmed, and is still conscious, she will either attack the person who attacked her, or, in the event of multiple attackers, the person who dealt her the most damage. Attack: (1d20+4)[15] Damage: (1d6+2)[4].

Initiative 3 (Hadarai's attacker) - If he is unharmed, he will continue to engage Hadarai. If he has been harmed, and is still conscious, he will either attack the person who attacked him, or, in the event of multiple attackers, the person who dealt him the most damage. Attack: (1d20+4)[20] Damage: (1d6+2)[8].

[Doomchild]

Whoops, missing some rolls there:

Goblin Archer Right's target, attack and damage

Target: (1d5)[2] Attack: (1d20+4)[8] Damage: (1d6+2)[4]

Breoden's damage roll: (1d10+2)[9]

If Sam's killed Breoden's target, then he'll try to attack the other melee goblin. If that one's already dead, then he'll move away and Viciously Mock one of those archers, because they can't hit the broad side of the bard a barn. And he'd like to keep it that way.

EDIT: Wow, hilarious typo.

[Sessadore]

Spoiler: OOC

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Going to roll first, then describe things depending on the rolls. :)

Draw sword and attack the goblin facing me: (1d20+5)[14], damage: (1d8+3)[6].
Then I'll try to maneuver around him to allow an ally to flank (I need to check if flanking is still a thing in 5e, I forget), assuming I can do so without provoking an opportunity attack.

Hadarai's sword leaps from his scabbard, the paladin swinging a hasty chop at his adversary while circling halfway around the goblin. "Goblins, just what we need," he mutters between clenched teeth, still rattled from the sudden attack. The swing is solid, but he has the sinking feeling of a miss as he watches the goblin start to dodge...

Spoiler: Stat Block

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Hadarai Siannodel, Male Half-Elf Paladin 1
Speed: 30 ft; Passive Perception 14, Darvision 60 ft
AC: 18; Saves: Str +3, Dex +0, Con +1, Int +0, Wis +4, Cha +5
HP: 6/11, HD: 1d10
Death Saves - Successes [ ][ ][ ], Failures [ ][ ][ ]
Limited Use:
Divine Sense 4/4
Lay on Hands 5/5 hp

Character Sheet

[Doomchild]

Spoiler: OOC

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You can move to flank without provoking, though it doesn't seem to do anything special. Now, if we had a Rogue in our party it would be of some help (in fact you wouldn't even have to flank, you just have to "gang up" on the same creature from any direction).

[SpeedWitch]

Spoiler: OOC

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Gonna follow Sessadore on this.

So if I got this right, it's (1d20+5)[11] for my attack roll and (1d12+6)[17] Actually 14 for my damage roll.

And I think I'll take a moment to activate my Second Wind ability, too. (I'm already halfway dead!) That's (1d10+1)[4], the bonus being my fighter level.

Bardic Inspiration: "Take heart, proud Samuel, at least the goblin hasn't marred your very fancy clothes," Breoden clapped his companion on the shoulder, smirked devilishly, and he added in a visceral tone, "Let's keep them that way."

Samuel smiled—or he tried to, at least. Probably came out more like a grimace from a drunk dragon. But no time to think about that—if he wasted too much time, these goblins would gut him. Just stay positive, pretend you're an adventurer, and slay monsters. Done and done.

Sam slashed his greataxe wildly through the air at the ugly who dared to attack him...

[roko10]

Spoiler

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Initiative: (1d20+1)[14]
Guiding Bolt: (1d20+1)[19] OR (1d20+3)[10]
Guiding Bolt Damage: (4d6)[17]
Healing Word:(1d4+6)[9]

As the arrows plinked harmlessly against his armor, Rog realized perhaps too late that the goblins are attacking the caravan. Muttering some words, he launched an magical bolt to the nearest goblin, and with some more, he healed the paladin.

OOC:

Spoiler

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I have zero idea which stat is used for an magical ranged attack, so I made two rolls: one with my Dexterity modifier and one with my Wisdom modifier

[Doomchild]

Spoiler: OOC

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You add both your spellcasting modifier and your proficiency bonus to any spell attack roll, whether its a melee or ranged attack, so that's good, but you added 6 to your Healing Word when you should have only added 3 (I don't know where you got 6 from, the spell heals 1d4 + your spellcasting modifier hit points). So, don't worry about that second attack roll, no need to roll a whole new d20 just because you didn't know what modifier to add to the first one. You rolled an 18 with the first d20 and that will stand with +5 to the spell attack roll from your Wisdom modifier and your proficiency bonus for a total of 23--a definite hit. You obliterated that goblin. Even if I were allowing the goblins death saves (and I'm not), it would still have died instantly. Good job! Also, I'm sure Hadarai will be glad for the extra 6 hit points. It's good you rolled well for Initiative. That means he gets healed before getting wailed on again. He'll survive another round...

[Dhavaer]

Bai edges a little way forward, hugging close to the cart. She cups her crystal in one hand and points the other towards a goblin as she chants more echoing words. A blue-white ray of light lances towards the little creature.

Spoiler: OOC

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Bai takes cover on the left side of the wagon and attacks the melee goblin on the left, or the ranged goblin on the left if the melee is down. If both are down she will break cover and attack a different goblin instead.

Ray of Frost Attack: (1d20+5)[10]
Ray of Frost Damage: (1d8)[6] + -10 speed.

Lao Bai, Female Human Wizard 1
Speed: 30 ft; Passive Perception 11
AC: 15 (mage armour); Saves: Str +1, Dex +2, Con +2, Int +5, Wis +3, Cha +2
HP: 8/8, HD: 1d6
Death Saves - Successes [ ][ ][ ], Failures [ ][ ][ ]
Spells
lvl 1: 1/2