The Treasure Map (iC)

[Starbuck_II]

"I can fake a sound with a spell...

I could also cast grease to maybe make them fall down?" Sonamy said.

[Chimaera]

"I know that cantrip as well! Listen", Urag keep messing with the spellcasters, letting out a powerful and loud fart, "As for Grease, I think I can work something out... Hehehehe".

[Metastachydium]

That's no cantrip. More like, inhaled poison. Torta jabs back. Hits the brains, apparently. The closest affected first. she adds, while turning to face the mine's direction even as she addresses those not called Urag, with a polite nod. May I proceed, then? All scouting, no scrolls.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spot: (1d20+17)[18] and
Listen: (1d20+17)[23].
I mean, maybe it was a really loud fart.

[animorte]

Haha- oof! William begins chuckling at Urag, but on the inhale, he receives an unfortunate waft of the poison cloud Torta mentions. He quickly covers his face, attempting to breathe through the scarf instead while muffling his cough.

You got that right. Go on ahead Torta, it's probably safer up there anyway at this point. He then dares an amused elbow at Urag's arm, still covering his face.

Anyway, best make a move while we're still at an advantage.

[MikelaC1]

Torta is able to get close enough to hear the bugbears talking but unfortunately, they are speaking in goblin, a language that she does not understand. She does hear the name Rocco being dropped, and right after the one finishes a statement, they both laugh and do a fist pump to each other.

[aReallyGreatAxe]

"Reconnaissance sounds like a good plan. we could really use an idea of the numbers. See if our boar plan is even feasible. "

While the others finish discussing, Garrett takes stock of his inventory, trying to think of what would be the easiest way to bait a boar. They seem to like sweet things....

Spoiler: how to bait a boar

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If the boar plan is to proceed, Garrett will track one down and bait it with the sweetest part of his rations, like maybe jelly or something. Might be a good way to flavor it, since wild hogs can be baited with jello in real life.

If this is ruled as wild empathy, it is plus five, if it is ruled as handle animal, it is plus eight.

(1d20)[12]

[Metastachydium]

By the time Garrett figures out what to bait the hog with, Torta already begins to slink back towards the group, although not before she'd spend a couple more moments staring intently from her advanced position to make sure there's no more hostile presence than it is immediately apparent. As she moves to break away, however, she's way too busy committing the exact sequence of sounds she intercepted to memory (one of the wizards must know the language; Sonamy mentioned something like that before, she figures) to be sufficiently careful – and graceful as she should be, she slips.

Freezing, she pulls herself up into a tense crouch, ready to jump, but hoping she won't have to. That could… Complicate things.

Spoiler: OOC

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Another Listen: (1d20+17)[30] and Spot: (1d20+17)[31] before that atrocious attempt at stealth (to see if there's more hostile presence than the three bugbears) and
(1d20+17)[37] and Spot: (1d20+17)[35] for T. to see if she was noticed (assuming the gobs take some more sneaky approach to reacting than a screaming charge).

[MikelaC1]

Hoping to pull back from the bugbears and remain unseen and unheard, as well as keep what sounds she heard the bugbears speaking, Torta has too many things on her plate and twigs snap under her feet. The bugbears are dull but they arent that dull, their weapons are out and they start advancing towards where they heard Torta.

Round one
Bugbears are 40 feet from Torta, they dont know exactly where she is because of her second set of hide rolls, but they know someone is there
Rest of the party is 100 feet from the bugbears.
Initiative and actions.

[spectralphoenix]

I suppose I wasn't really looking forward to wrangling a wild boar anyway Felix whispers wryly to himself. Let's do this!

Spoiler

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Initiative: (1d20+7)[21]

Felix delays until after the bugbears have moved.

He moves forward 30 feet and takes cover behind a sturdy tree if one is nearby. If the enemy is within 40 feet casts Scorching Ray. He gets two rays* and splits them between two bugbears, favoring any already injured. Otherwise, he readies an action to cast if two or more bugbears get within range.

Ranged Touch: (1d20+5)[15] Damage: (4d6)[20]
Ranged Touch: (1d20+5)[13] Damage (4d6)[9]

*Caster level is 7 due to Fiery Blast feat

[Chimaera]

Seeing that the bugbears got startled, Urag stop laughing amd dashes forward, greataxe in hands and not even caring on being stealthy.

Spoiler: Actions

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Initiative (1d20+3)[7]

Actions: full round to dash 60ft closer to the bugbears.

[aReallyGreatAxe]

Garrett drops his sweet boar treat to the ground as things begin to hit the fan. "you wouldn't have had to do the wrangling," Garrett observes to Felix, before dashing forward and arcing his primary shortsword at the nearest bugbear.

Viper William follows suit, arcing across the ground like a deadly ribbon.

Spoiler: Initiative

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Initiative: (1d20+2)[21]

Actions: hold turn until after the bugbears have moved closer

Move action: run up to a bugbear

Attack action: slice and dice
Attack: (1d20+9)[27]
Damage: (1d6+5)[6] piercing + 1 acid

Viper William only has a 20' movement, so he will hold his turn until Garret moves, then simply double move to chase Garrett.

Viper William Initiative: (1d20+7)[19]

[Starbuck_II]

Sonamy draws his bow while moving and fires at one of the Bugbears hoping he can get a sneaky arrow off.

Spoiler

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Too far for sneak attack (30 ft)). Moving 30 ft with while drawing bow and firing 70 ft away (just within 1st ranged increment happily)

AC: 20 () HP: 31/31()
touch: 14, ff: 16,
Saves: +3/+8 /+5
Speed: 30 ft

Init: (1d20+4)[23]

Attack: (1d20+8)[17]
Dam: (1d6+2)[4]

[animorte]

Oh, that's not good. William was sincerely hoping on bringing the n for an ambush, but the numbers are in their favor... For now.

The quicker we can dispatch them, the better. No telling what else is in there. That thought urges him to the front of the rest of the group.

Spoiler

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Initiative: (1d20+3)[14]

Move action: Move the full 30 feet closer.

Standard action: cast Shield Other on Garrett. (+1 AC, +1 saves, half his damage damage taken instead goes to me, 5 hours)

rings have been accounted for, as he is the leader

[Metastachydium]

Groaning, albeit only internally, Torta makes a few quick, cold calculations. She could wait for the bugbears to close and hit them hard when they least expect it; but she cannot take all three: indeed, downing even one would be a fluke. So she must move. But which way? Maybe if she bolted into the brush, away from the others the brutes would follow. She can shake them. But she knows her companions all too well. She's not a boar, perhaps not even to Urag. They wouldn't let that be. And should the bugbears fail to take the bait… The others would be a pair of arms short. Hers, specifically.

Hissing an indistinct curse, the lanky fae springs up and bolts forward, swirling around a good thirty feet further away, drawing bow and arrow. She locks eyes with a bugbear, the closest. And she looses.

Spoiler: OOC

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Initiative: (1d20+7)[25]
Move action break cover and move 30' back towards the crew as requested, drawing shortbow;
free action Listen: (1d20+17)[25] and Spot: (1d20+17)[26] to take a measure of the battlefield (see where everyone is, check for threats T. wasn't aware of yet &c.);
standard action attack a bugbear (70' away, so just outside the first increment): (1d20+5)[20] for (1d6)[2] piercing.

[MikelaC1]

(Garrett and Urag do not get attack actions as they had to close distance, bugbears also moving as well, next round full attack options)

Torta attempts to sprint back to the party to lure the bugbears into following her, she also turns and fires a bow at one, piercing its furry hide. Sonomy also fires at the same bugbear, dealing him a bit more damage, at which point the scorching rays connect. The bugbear who had been hit by two arrows is dropped immediately, while the one closing with Garrett takes a major hit but not enough to drop him. William shield Garrett with a spell, while Garrett, Urag and the bugbears move into melee range

Round two
One bugbear down
Garrett engaged with extremely damaged bugbear, Urag engaged with undamaged bugbear
(if bow or ranged spell casters fire, they are firing into melee)

[spectralphoenix]

Yeah, that's what you said about the dire rat nest. I had to throw that cloak out, you know.

Redirecting his attention to the task at hand, Felix lightens up a little. Still, we seem to have gotten our ambush after all. Let's finish this up, shall we?

Spoiler

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Initiative: (1d20+7)[17]
Fiery Blast, 5ft radius burst
If I can hit both bugbears without hitting the party I do so, otherwise I go for the most wounded enemy still on its feet.
Fire Damage: (3d6)[10] reflex DC 18 half

[Chimaera]

"Urag to the rescue!", the barbarian yells as he swing his axe in the bugbear's torso, hoping to taking him down in a single swing.

Spoiler: Urag's Actions

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He'll 5ft step to flank if possible and power attack with his greataxe:
Initiative (1d20+3)[18]
PA 4 (1d20+6)[16] (add +2 to attack if he ca get into flanking position)
dmg (1d12+15)[27]

[Metastachydium]

As the actual warriors charge into the fray, Torta assumes a more relaxed posture and lowers her bow. She extends her free arm towards Garrett and utters a single, garbled syllable. That should do more than brandishing a club could; she's been sufficiently inefficient as it is.

Spoiler: OOC

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Initiative: (1d20+7)[23]
T. takes a 5' step if needed to not be withiin any hostile's melee reach;
standard action casts Snake's Swiftness, granting Garrett an extra melee attack on her initiative count;
free action maintains vigilance through Listen: (1d20+17)[35] and Spot: (1d20+17)[35].

[animorte]

Yeah, we need to get you another cloak. William then readies his mace and shield while closing in the remaining distance, taking his place on the front line.

Spoiler

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Initiative: (1d20+3)[16]

Free action: holds breath when passing by Urag and the lingering trail of flatulence.

Move: up to 30 feet, attempting to flank the unharmed enemy with Urag, if possible.

Standard: attack (1d20+5)[23] (+2 if flanking), damage (1d8+2)[3]

[Starbuck_II]

Sonamy moves 30 ft closer and fires again to damaged bugbear

Spoiler

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AC: 20 () HP: 31/31()
touch: 14, ff: 16,
Saves: +3/+8 /+5
Speed: 30 ft


(1d20+4)[23] Includes -4 from hitting into melee
(1d6+2)[3]

[aReallyGreatAxe]

Garrett feels the rush of the spell, flicking his blade out with renewed vigor at the bugbear. But he doesn't acknowledge Torta's effort- not just yet, he's a little busy with the bugbear in his face.

Once the burst of adrenaline fades, he attacks with the caution he is used to.

Spoiler: Actions

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On initiative count 23 thanks to the amazing Torta:

Attack: (1d20+11)[18]
Damage: (1d6+5)[10] piercing +1 acid

On initiative count (1d20+7)[21]
-- Viper william will double move to flank.

On initiative count (1d20+2)[7]

Attack: (1d20+9)[10]
Attack 2: (1d20+9)[25]
(Both +2 if Viper William is providing flanking)

Damage1: (1d6+5)[6] piercing +1 acid
Damage 2: (1d6+4)[5] Piercing

[MikelaC1]

bugbear init
(1d20+1)[10]

[MikelaC1]

The lack of speed for the bugbears proves to be their undoing, the flank position of William gives Urag the opening he needs to hit and he cleaves the bugbear, while the combined strikes of Sonomy and Garrett take down the wounded one. Given that the shots went off before Felix had even began his casting motions, he is able to hold his spell and not waste the power.

[Chimaera]

"Any more threats, Torta?", Urag says as he begins (poorly) cleaning up his magic axe, "If all opposition is gone, where should we head next, Garret?"

The barbarian looks at the dead bugbears and begin to help checking them for any useful thing that could be later sold.

[animorte]

William also makes it a point to check for anything worth keeping, still pretty glad about not really having gotten his hands dirty just yet. He puts away his mace, still keeping his shield at the ready as they prepare to move forward.

Nicely done. I suggest we use our momentum wisely. And Garrett, keep close by. He rubs at the ring on his own hand.

Spoiler: OOC

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By the way, these two benefits are still in effect. I will periodically check in to see when the time has run out.

Torta:

Protective Ward: for 1 hour, target gains +5 bonus on next saving throw.

Garrett:

Standard action: cast Shield Other on Garrett. (+1 AC, +1 saves, half his damage damage taken instead goes to me, 5 hours)

[Metastachydium]

Nothing else, I believe. Torta shakes her head slightly, in response to Urag's surprisingly relevant question. That being said, however. she reminds, first of all, herself. Sonamy, you speak Goblin? Or is that you? she flicks a quick, green glance each at the two arcanists, motioning to them to come closer. The bugbears, they talked. Now, listen to this. she explains, her face stiffening with concentration before she'd repeat the conversation she overheard, sound by sound, the meaning hidden from her.

Spoiler: OOC

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Listen to This! T. memorized the gobs' talking and with this handy skill trick, she recounts it with uncanny precision!
Also, Listen: (1d20+17)[27] and Spot: (1d20+17)[19].

[MikelaC1]

In contrast to the orcs who had some masterwork items, the bugbears have no such items, but do have 150 silver and 75 gold between them all. The map clearly indicates a descent into the mine tunnels underneath the rotting structure of Frontiere.
Torta relays the words she heard the bugbears speaking and Sonomy, who speaks goblin provides a rough translation. One of the bugbears is griping about sharing some of this treasure with the half orc Rocco (whom they refer to as half breed as well as several other unpleasant terms) but the other bugbear says that Slagh, an unidentified being, is going to back stab Rocco and cut him out of the deal, which is the point where the bugbears laughed and did the fist bump.

[spectralphoenix]

Well, sounds like we haven't brought down the army's attention, at least Felix muses. I suppose we can handle a little unfriendly competition. Nice work, Torta!

Felix carefully commits the map to memory.

Well, the faster we move in, the better chance we have of taking them by surprise. Shall we?

[aReallyGreatAxe]

In contrast to the orcs who had some masterwork items, the bugbears have no such items, but do have 150 silver and 75 gold between them all. The map clearly indicates a descent into the mine tunnels underneath the rotting structure of Frontiere.
Torta relays the words she heard the bugbears speaking and Sonomy, who speaks goblin provides a rough translation. One of the bugbears is griping about sharing some of this treasure with the half orc Rocco (whom they refer to as half breed as well as several other unpleasant terms) but the other bugbear says that Slagh, an unidentified being, is going to back stab Rocco and cut him out of the deal, which is the point where the bugbears laughed and did the fist bump.

Well, we'd best be on the lookout for this 'Slagh' then. I wonder what kind of creature they have for a leader, he muses, bringing to mind the rumors of ogres and worse within the castle walls.

Well, sounds like we haven't brought down the army's attention, at least Felix muses. I suppose we can handle a little unfriendly competition. Nice work, Torta!

Felix carefully commits the map to memory.

Well, the faster we move in, the better chance we have of taking them by surprise. Shall we?

Given the many questions posed to him, Garrett finally nods to Felix. We should get going.

He takes a look at the mineshaft, curious as to how the bugbears were getting up and down the perilous descent.

Spoiler: ooc

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Barring any objections, I think everyone is right and we should proceed!

[Chimaera]

"So should we leave a trail of corpses or ashes?", Urag asks grimly, ready to pile the corpses or hide them in another hall in the ruined building, "I don't think the missing sentinels will go unnoticed should any of them check here".

Spoiler: Hobgoblins' Fate

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He's good to go and wont mind leaving, hiding or incinerating the corpses.