Atlastrembles' Red Hand of Doom [5E]

[PeacefulOak]

Etienne Gloryflower - Human Shadow Monk

Eti screams with rage as the blade digs into her, then lashes out in a flurry of kicks and punches, feinting with her sword before each strike with her body. Each blow is aimed to strike the nerve clusters in her opponent's body, seeking to stun it and reduce the threat.

Spoiler: OoC

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(1d20+6)[9] to hit for (1d6+3)[4] damage (If hits and captain isn't stunned, Stunning Strike DC 12)
(1d20+6)[22] to hit for (1d6+3)[5] damage (If hits and captain isn't stunned, Stunning Strike)
Spending 1 ki point for Flurry of Blows
(1d20+6)[24] to hit for (1d6+3)[4] damage (If hits and captain isn't stunned, Stunning Strike if I have Ki left)
(1d20+6)[23] to hit for (1d6+3)[9] damage (If hits and captain isn't stunned, Stunning Strike if I have Ki left)

Advantage rolls are in OoC thread.

[atlastrembles]

Cael and Marcus, seeing their leader savaged by the hellhound, combine their might. Cael's necromantic energy distracts the hellhound so it doesn't see Marcu's glaive coming as it whips around and plunges deep into its neck. With a spurt of steaming blood and a guttural whimper, the hellhound slumps to the floor, the glaive releasing in a wet *thunk*.

[Cael and Marcus defeat the remaining Hellhound]

The hobgoblin captain's blades are batted aside under Etienne's furious assault. The monk headbutts the hobgoblin, then brings her knee into his face, crunching the edge of his helm into his face. He roars in pain and then pukes, concussed. In the split second Eti takes to catch a breath after gaining the advantage in the duel, one of the hobgoblin archers snaps off a quick shot, taking her by surprise.

[Eti does 18(!) damage to the Captain and he is stunned until Eti's EoNT. She takes 8 damage, though, from a hobgoblin attack.]

Across the battlefield, you see Tavi disappear into the treeline, drawing his bow. Outflanked, the wood elf doesn't make it five steps before three sets of red and black-feathered arrows sprout from his body. His nocked arrow falls to the ground a half-second before he does, his lifeless eyes staring up at the light shining dappled through the dry leaves.

[Dear Tavi departs this life, saving three attacks against the rest of the party. Spare a moment to thank your local meatshield.]

OOC - With the Captain stunned and unable to act, all the PCs get to go again before the Hobgoblin archers also get to act. Let's see if you can mop up. ;)

[DigoDragon]

Freya Ragnahild, Bard
[AC 15, HP 38]

First Vola, now Tavi! This battle was brutally bathed in the blood of the brave. The remaining pointed-coins will avenge their comrades! Freya turns and runs up alongside the bank of the road back toward the hobgob leader. Eti was now hurt bad and needed help.

"We shall prevail!"

Freya lets loose another two beams of her Eldritch Blast spell at the hobgoblin captain, taking advantage of his stunned state. She hums another hymn, this one to soothe Eti's pain.

Spoiler: Actions

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Since the Hobgoblin captain is stunned, it would be a shame not to take advantage of Advantage.

Eldritch Blast
Beam A: (1d20+7)[26] or (1d20+7)[17]
Damage (1d10)[10]

Beam B: (1d20+7)[17] or (1d20+7)[17]
Damage (1d10)[8]

Bonus Action, Healing Word (expending 3rd level slot) on Eti: (3d4+4)[10] hit points regained.

[ProudGrognard]

Noman the Dog

Noman looks with unbelieving eyes. A Praetor and an Associate dead, and a third of the cargo destroyed, by an ambush on a back road of a dusty valey. This is a disaster.

But grief will come later. There are still archers around.

Noman stands up again. The captain has been engaged. So that leaves him the archers.

"This is how you do it, pigsqueaks"

Noman transfers his focus to one of the remaining archers. He lets loose two arrows quickly, one after another.

Spoiler: Actions

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Standing up from prone. Targeting any of the remaining archers. If the first goes down, then targeting another
Atk1 (1d20+9)[28] dmg (1d8+8)[12]
and
Atk2 (1d20+9)[12] dmg (1d8+8)[9]

Hunter's mark dmg (1d6)[4]

[Sahe]

Dagna Karheim, Abjuration Wizard

A hit, but her foe still standing Dagna brings her hammer around once more, energy cackling on it's head, "Why won't you die!?"

Spoiler: rolls

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To hit: (1d20+6)[9]
Damage WH: (1d10+3)[4]
Damage BB: (1d8)[3]

[Man on Fire]

Marcus Lightspeed, Paladin

Marcus would want nothing more but to mourn his fallen commander, but seeing another of his companions slain by archers snaps him out of it. He realizes that the cover they have does put him at a disadvantage, but he still needs to get to them and do it fast.

Spoiler: actions

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Move to attack archers on the right side of the caravan. Due to all that elevation and difficult terrain, I doubt it will be possible to get to any of the archers with a simple move, so taking dash action.

[PeacefulOak]

Etienne Gloryflower - Human Shadow Monk

The flicker of shadow at her back has Etienne spinning to snatch the arrow out of the air, letting it slip from her fingers to the ground as she turns her attention back to the staggered captain. "I think we'll want you for later. So..." Her eyes narrow and she tightens her fist, aiming several blows to the temple of the leader with an eye to disable rather than slay.

Should he fall, Eti moves swiftly to the nearest archer and rains down her remaining strikes.

Spoiler: OoC

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Rolling advantage against the stunned captain:
(1d20+6)[19] or (1d20+6)[7] to hit for (1d6+3)[5]
(1d20+6)[18] or (1d20+6)[15] to hit for (1d6+3)[7]
Bonus Attack
(1d20+6)[24] or (1d20+6)[16] to hit for (1d6+3)[7]

If the captain falls, move to nearest archer and attack (or stand threatening if no more attacks). No advantage against people other than the Captain.

[Majin]

Caeldrim "Cael" Sylmaer AC: 21, HP: 22/27, Concentrating on: Haste There'd be time to mourn later, for now it was time to fight, and get revenge. "Let's surround them, I'll take the one further up!" The elf started running, his robes billowing as glided towards the northern hobgoblin archer, briefly disappearing and reappearing to get through the dense forest. His body was still hypercharged by the spell, ready to fight and move.

Spoiler: OOC

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Okay, so I hope I got the movement right, Cael can currently move 80 feet thanks to Bladesinging and Haste. First, move to S:18, then Misty Step through the trees, then run to S:7. This should cost 45 feet of movement, I think.

Attack 1: (d20+7)[13]
Damage: (d8+4)[11]


Attack 2: (d20+7)[11]
Damage: (d8+4)[8]

Also, if Attack 1 kills the hobgoblin in T:6, I think Cael should have enough movement left to get to the archer in V:10, if he moves diagonally.

EDIT: uh, if anything even hits

[atlastrembles]

The lead wagon burns, casting a long shadow of Volarine's prone form in the middle of the road. It divides the field of battle neatly in two, where steel and aether clash. The air, already oppressive in the heat, grips the combatants tighter as lifeblood and flames spills into the late afternoon.

To the west, Freya's bolts of energy crackle through the air, slamming into the hobgoblin captain a moment before Noman's arrow sprouts from his eyeball. His head snaps backward with the impact, sending the hobgoblin flying and clearing the way for Eti.

The shadow monk seems to flicker through the trees. A flying knee crunches into a hobgoblin archer's hip, bringing his head down to meet Eti's elbow, which snaps it with a neat *thk*. She wheels, momentum carrying her north, spying Dagna trading blows with her own foe, neither gaining nor giving ground on each other.

But behind her a hobgoblin archer draws a bead, preparing for a killing strike. Etienne launches herself in a diving tackle, connecting with the ankles of the intervening archer. They collapse to the ground, the monk grazed in the tumble by the misfired arrow.

[Freya and Noman slay the captain with a combined 34(!) damage. Dagna misses, but so does the hobgoblin attacking her. Eti moves, reserving her successful attacks to kill another hobgoblin after the captain dies and still has enough movement to reach and damage another hobgoblin. Three hobgoblins remain, one on Eti, one on Dagna, and one still choking in the Stinking Cloud.]

To the east, Cael is a blur, matching Etienne in speed as he flickers his own way through the forest, bearing down on an archer. Drawing his blade and preparing for the bladesinger's advance, the hobgoblin mutters a short prayer and closes his eyes. Relying on hearing alone, the hobgoblin intercepts the speeding wizard, betrayed by a cracked twig. The longsword bites deep along Cael's ribs and he feels hot blood running down his side, grievously injured.

Marcus turns helplessly to see this happen, but his heavy armour, glaive, and the thick undergrowth do not allow him passage to aid his ally. Two shapes bear down on the paladin, cold steel and sharp teeth both smiling in anticipation of violence to come. Slowed, but not defenseless, Marcus parries both of their blows, battle near impossible amid the grasping branches and rooty footing.

[Cael makes it to the archer, but misses, unfortunately taking a critical hit from the hobgoblin. He's still hanging in there, though. Marcus, you manage not to get hit, but you don't make it very far through the trees.]

The hobgoblins pause, weapons twitching as they glace at each other across the battlefield.

Spoiler: DC 16 Insight Check

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The hobgoblins are wavering. These are only regulars and their entire command structure, including their shock troops, have been wiped out in under a minute of fighting. Will they hold?

The moment is balanced on a knife edge as the remaining members of the House of the Sharpened Coin decide who will be leaving this dusty backroad of the Elsir Vale, smoke rising and cutting the sky in two.

OOC - Do you press the attack and finish it? Can your final attacks beat back the hogbolins? PCs, you're all up again!

COMBAT MAP

[ProudGrognard]

Noman

Noman stands up once again, and does not bother to get down. The tide is turning. He wants to make sure it turns for good.

"Don't let them get away! There might be more around!"

With that cry, he let's loose two more arrows, to put words to action. One arrow flies for the hobgoblin to the north of Marcus and the other to the One Freya is engaging.

Spoiler: Actions

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Attack 1 (1d20+9)[28] dmg (1d8+8)[13]
Attack 1 (1d20+9)[15] dmg (1d8+8)[13]

[PeacefulOak]

Etienne Gloryflower - Human Shadow Monk

Eti slashes twice with her shortsword, high and low to throw off the archer before snapping a tight left jab into the hobgoblin's face. She looks across the way at Marcus, wishing she had time to get there.

[Majin]

Caeldrim "Cael" Sylmaer AC: 21, HP: 5/27, Concentrating on: Haste Cael stumbles as he comes to an halt, holding his side and wincing. The hobgoblin had turned and struck just at the right moment, and with his momentum, Cael didn't even have time to dodge or put up a shield. "Lucky blow... Don't think that'll happen again!" Cael taunted the archer, striking again.

Spoiler: OOC

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Attack 1: (d20+7)[18]
Damage: (d8+4)[12]

Attack 2: (d20+7)[27]
Damage: (d8+4)[11] + 1

[DigoDragon]

Freya Ragnahild, Bard
[AC 15; HP 38]

Freya moves a bit farther north and to the left, keeping in parallel with Eti and continuing her magical support to take out the archers with Eti and Dagna. "We have this side in control, Noman. Support other side, yes?" She sees Dagna struggle with the hobgoblin archer upon her, so Freya lets loose her magical attack against that one. "Crescendo!"

Spoiler: Actions

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Freya moves up and left a total of 5 squares. She casts Eldritch Blast against the hobgoblin engaging Dagna.

Beam A (1d20+7)[13]
(dmg (1d10)[2] force)

Beam B (1d20+7)[22]
(dmg (1d10)[3] force)

[Man on Fire]

Marcus Lightspeed, Paladin

"For the foul murder of my comrades, I shall deliver the retribution!" Marcus proclaims as he decides to attack the other of Hobgoblins next to him, leaving the one attacked by Norman to taste his own medicine.

Spoiler: actions

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Full attack with advantage on the Hobgoblin on the right
Attack action: Attack 1 (1d20+2)[19] (1d20+2)[19] dmg (1d10+2)[7]
Attack 2 (1d20+2)[9] (1d20+2)[3] dmg (1d10+2)[12]
Bonus attack Attack 1 (1d20+2)[11] (1d20+2)[10] dmg (1d4+2)[5]

[atlastrembles]

The lead wagon's main axle *snaps*, sending a column of sparks soaring into the sky. Heralding victory - and more flames to come - the explosion spurs the battered guildmates to action.

Noman's torso is a blur, snapping one arrow off to the north then wheeling to fire at the hobgoblin trading blows with Etienne. The first arrow takes the hobgoblin closing on Marcus through the neck, felling him instantly. The second arrow grazes the hobgoblin, opening up an opportunity for Etienne to plunge her sword into fer foe's sternum, blade scraping along rib.

Reeling from a vicious wound, Cael returns with his own, savagely tearing into the hobgoblin with his keening blade. Marcus, freed to face only one opponent, stabs forward with his glaive, taking the hobgoblin by surprise. Marcus smiles to himself, knowing that opponents often assumed the glaive needed to be wielded in swinging arcs when a straightforward thrust was just as effective.

And when the flash of Freya's dual arcane blasts fades from your eyes, you can see the last hobgoblin, until recently choking inside the Stinking Cloud, sprinting full tilt due westward.

Smoke swirls into the bruised sky. The sole sounds the crackle and hiss of the burning lead wagon, thepanting of the House of Sharpened Coin, and the rapidly fading footsteps of the hobgoblin fleeing the consequences of underestimating their skill.

OOC - I ask you, adventurers, what do you do?

[ProudGrognard]

Noman

With no time to explain, Noman sends two arrows towards the receding hobgoblin, before it gets out of range. There were things to do here, but no messenger should warn others of what happened here.

Angling his arrows wide, he sends them after the goblin. He then shouts


"We must put out the fire! Save the rest of the cargo!"

Spoiler: OOC actions

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I will post more about the situation after seeing if Noman felled the last hobgoblin

Transferring HM to the hobgoblin. Ignoring first range increment due to Sharpshooter
Atk1 (1d20+9)[29] dmg (1d8+6)[14]
Atk2 (1d20+9)[10] dmg (1d8+6)[14]
HM added dmg (1d6)[4]

EDIT: A nat 20 and a 1 and max damage both times! Nice. Do I need to roll the extra damage?

[Man on Fire]

Marcus Lightspeed, Paladin


Marcus rides towards Cael, jumps off the horse and puts his hands on his wounds.
"All that was tainted - be made pure.
All that has bled - return to the heart
If you had despaired - find hope to endure.
Death become life, end become start
" He whispers.

Spoiler: actions

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Lay on Hands on Cael. My poll is 25 points, spend as many as needed.

Not wasting any time, he jumps back on the horse and rushes towards the burning wagon and smashes a side of it with his blade.

"If you have water, start close to the yet unburnt cargo! Save only what you can and let the rest burn! Do not put the cargo over your lives!" He gives orders, jumping off from the horse. "Is there any water nearby?!" He yells towards Norman. In moments like these he regrets not being on the boat, surrounded by sea.

[DigoDragon]

Freya Ragnahild, Bard

Freya dismisses the stinking cloud effect and then moves to the south end of the middle cart. She considers how to put out the fire, but cannot think of an effective idea. She looks through the middle cart then to find a heavy blanket to try and smother the flames with.

[Majin]

Caeldrim "Cael" Sylmaer AC: 21, HP: 27/27, Concentrating on: Haste Cael shivers as he feels his wound knit close, and lets out a relieved breath. "Whew, thank you! Shouldn't have let my guard down like that..." "Only fire related spell I have only makes more... Grueling manual labor it is then, I suppose." Cael sheathes his rapier and sprints to the wagon, stopping for a moment as wave of nausea washes over him, his body finally feeling the exertion from his spell. After regaining his composure, Cael goes to Freya to pat out the fire, and maybe pull something valuable out.

Spoiler: OOC

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Cael takes 22 points to get to full health.

[atlastrembles]

As the rest of the Sharpened Coin guilders race to try and put out the fire of the lead wagon, Noman takes aim down his bow, drawing a bead on the fleeing hobgoblin. Squinting, he adjusts for wind and looses, the bowstring *tzwing* unheard amidst the roaring flames. The arrowhead glints above the smoke and arcs downward, piercing the hobgoblin through the back of his neck. He takes one step, then falls.

In the middle wagon, Cael and Freya search methodically for something to quell the flames, but the second wagon is laden mostly with alcohol and furs. Marcus and Noman, turning their attention back to the burning wagon, watch helplessly as the flames race along one third of the profit of this venture. But then you realize...

Spoiler: DC 16 - Arcana

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In the third wagon is a collection of alchemical reagents. Among the reagents are several jars of a desert cactus wyrm's mucous sacks. They could be used to smother the flames, but the mucous is toxic to breather and corrosive to the touch. Make a DC 15 Sleight of Hand Check to handle it properly.

Spoiler: DC 18 - Athletics

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You can hack apart the lead wagon, breaking it into smaller, more manageable pieces to then put out independently. This will be grueling, hot, and dangerous work. Make a second Athletics check, this time at DC 16 and then a DC 14 Constitution saving throw.

Spoiler: DC 20 Survival

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Looking around, the wagon has caught fire in an ideal spot to spread. You also realize that a small section of the embankment is darker than the rest. Moist earth could be shovelled to put out the fire, but who knows what lies in the dirt. Make a DC 14 Nature check to avoid disturbing any creepy crawlies as you shift earth to smother the flames.

OOC - Who's feeling lucky? ;)

[ProudGrognard]

Noman

Satisfied that the last hobgoblin is down, Noman can turn his attention to the fire.

"Let's get the rest of the wagons out of the fire. Let's save the rest at least."

Noman steps up to the driver's seat of the nearest wagon and starts driving it away. As he does, he throws a shovel.

"Use the dirt around! Perhaps we can smother the fire."

[DigoDragon]

Freya Ragnahild

"I can shovel the dirt." Freya says to Norman. She will shovel the dirt around the burning wagon, tossing it over the flames.

Survival [roll]

[Man on Fire]

Marcus lightspeed, Paladin

"Stay back. I will try to hack it to pieces! It will be easier to put down the fires!" Marcus proclaims and then starts a brutal assault at the remaining part of the burning wagon.

[SPOILER=rolls]
Athletics (1d20+6)[25]
Con save (1d20+2)[18]

[DigoDragon]

"Stay back. I will try to hack it to pieces! It will be easier to put down the fires!" Marcus proclaims and then starts a brutal assault at the remaining part of the burning wagon.

This gives Freya a better idea than shoveling dirt. She will use Presedigitation to snuff out the fires on the smaller pieces that are no more than campfire sized, helping Marcus out.

[PeacefulOak]

Etienne Gloryflower - Human Shadow Monk

Looking around at the ruin of goblin-flesh about her, Eti quickly comes to the decision that her skills will be of little use to the saving of the burning goods. Instead, she whistles a sharp chorus towards Noman and begins to jog a wide circle around the stopped caravan. Her eyes alternate between scanning the ground for sign of where these monsters might have come from and scanning her surroundings for any potential of threat.

The Sharpened Coin will not fall today, so long as I have something to say about it. Her steps stutter for a moment as she remembers another battle with goblin-kin that had occurred not too far away from here. Not the same, Eti. Keep your head in the game.

Spoiler: OoC

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(1d20+4)[15] Survival looking for tracks.
(1d20+1)[6] Perception looking for threats.

[atlastrembles]

Working together, Marcus and Freya manage to get the blaze of the lead wagon under control, though the grueling work leaves them flash-burnt and physically wrung out. While they methodically smash and then magically douse the flames, Noman and Etienne patrol the caravan, guarding against further attack. Although they find no signs of further incoming attack, they do find ample indication of the hobgoblin raiding party's bivouac in the abandoned farmhouse. Seems like they had been here for a couple days, long enough that the direction of their arrival has been obscured or overridden by their daily patrol and scouting activity.

The lead wagon's fire now under control, what do the House of the Sharpened Coin do next?

[ProudGrognard]

Noman

Noman dismounts from his patrol. For the first time, he seems to shag , resting on his bow. He lays tired eyes on the what has become a battlefield.

"Coiners... we have been thrashed. And we still have work to do.

First, I will gather all the bodies of the pigskins. I say we search them. These fraggers had military discipline. Where did they come from?"

He lays a tired hand over his eyes.

"Second. We have dead comrades. I say we bury them here, where they fell, like true Coiners. Put the fraggers heads on spikes on top, as a testament. Keep their stuff for their next of kin, if they have any.

Third. We don't have a leader anymore. I don't know who is senior, and I don't care. But someone must have the greater picture in mind. I say we choose someone.

Fourth. We must push forward and deliver the goods. The merchandise always goes on, the Coiners way.

What do you say?"

If noone objects, Noman starts piling the bodies and searching them, then leaving them to rot. He then takes the shovel and starts digging.

[DigoDragon]

Freya Ragnahild, amused

Freya gives a very subtle giggle-snort in the back of her throat. "Freya thinks Noman is already contending for the leadership. Very take-charge attitude, but this one thinks they are all still good ideas." Other than that subtle giggle, Freya seems to respect Noman's temporary lead. She finishes the last incantations on the fire and steps back. Tired out and red from the heat, she would trade so much for a refreshing bath and change of clothes.

"Freya will help burying our dead comrades. Does anyone know their preferred gods?"

[Man on Fire]

Marcus Lightspeed, Paladin

"Your heart is in the right place, but I disagree." Marcus speaks calmly, addressing Norman. "If it is possible, we should prepare the bodies of our fallen comrades for the road and make room for them on the wagons. Burial here is justified if we lack means of transport, but leaving them here when we have to wagons would be disrespectful to both their memory and to their families. Their loved ones deserve to be reunited with them and condone funerals themselves." He explains. "I do agree with searching bodies of the Hobgoblins, especially their leader and the priest you have slain. If we do not find anything useful, their gear can be resold to at least partially make up for what of the cargo we have lost. We should also try to repack whatever supplies we managed to salvage from the burned wagon."

[ProudGrognard]

Noman

Noman, already in the process of searching the bodies, only makes a "OK, whatever" gesture, aimed at both Marcus and Freya.

"I nominate Freya for representing us" he says, without breaking stride in his looting.

"She is much better looking than me, and she seems to care about the politics."