Lost Mine of Phandelver - Gundren's Ward

[Luccan]

A week ago, seven of you were hired by Gundren Rockseeker, a dwarven prospector, who has promised you all steady work and good pay if you can bring a wagon load of supplies and his young ward, Maria, safely to the town of Phandalin. Gundren rode out ahead of you with his own bodyguard, Sildar Hallwinter, promising to meet you with his brothers when you arrived. Once preparations for the supplies were made (to be delivered to Barthen's Provisions in town), you went south down the High Road until you reached the Triboar Trail.

You've been on the trail for half a day now, the journey largely monotonous to this point, but you've been warned the Triboar is rife with bandits and worse. As the party makes their way down the trail, what is everyone doing? Whose driving the oxen? Is anyone scouting ahead or is everyone staying near or on the cart?

OOC Thread

[JNAProductions]

Lonnie is sitting on one of the oxen, patting their muscles. "You keep going strong, big buddy. I'll have some nice tasty berries for you when we break for the day."

[Infernally Clay]

Sigrún Bonegrinder Goliath Barbarian 1 HP: 15/15, AC: 15 Conditions: None Rages: 2/2 Stone's Endurance: 1/1

“I could do with something stronger than berries,” Sigrún laughs, her voice deep like the earth, “but I’m glad to see you’ve made a friend Lonnie.”

Sigrún is walking ahead of the oxen, eyes keenly watching for any potential threats. This was her chance to prove she was worthy of joining the Lord’s Alliance and if she couldn’t protect a caravan along a road like this she’d never be granted a position within the group.

[NontheistCleric]

Yorrel lounges on the seat of the cart, content with the feel of fresh air in her lungs and all around. The goad stick lies beside her, mostly forgotten. No need to prod these lovely animals when the druid girl seems to have them in hand.

She takes a long, lazy drink from her waterskin.

[Lentrax]

There is a dark skinned tiefling woman walking alongside the wagon. She doesn't seem to be paying much attention to the world around her, and spends quite a lot of time looking down at the ground, her eyes lowered.

Though a slow grin does spread on her face at the mention of something stronger than berries.

But then she gives a glance around, and lowers her eyes back to the ground, trying to get the smile from her face.

[Matt4]

An old woman sits on the cart, in front of the girl with the shaved head. She is sewing up a few holes in one of the few dresses she is carrying with her. White hair slightly covering her bright blue eyes, but apparently not obstructing her work.

Della chuckles as the women in front talk. - "Oh honey, if you ever pass by Kheldell remind me of letting you try my husband's limoncello. I should still have a few bottles left." - she says to Sigrùn.

[onlie2005]

Maria may be part of the 'package' to be delivered to Phandalin but she has no airs about her. She may be the consummate professional and serious about her job but she is willing to pull her weight and is quite friendly to her fellow travelling companions. Blue collar work ethic and attitude with a kind and helpful tone. She was willing to dole out instructions and even orders if need be but it was always in a polite, if not enthusiastically friendly but businesslike tone. She goes out of her way not to be derogatory or dismissive of her guards and treats them with respect.

Maria is the one driving the cart. She maintains a reasonable pace that is not so fast that the others who are walking might get tired out just trying to keep up.

[Phyzor]

Smelkie walks along the rear, keeping to himself but keeping an eye out on possible ambushes as well

[JNAProductions]

Lonnie lazes back a bit, her hair flopping down across the ox's hide. "They're magic berries, guys! They taste good and are satisfying!" She picks herself back up, almost tipping over the other way, but manages to steady herself before any kind of catastrophe occurs. "I might have some seeds for lemons, if you want to try the recipe yourself. Lemme check..." she says while scrounging around in one of her many pockets. "Apple, dandelion, sunflower... No, no lemon, sorry."

"Hey Maria-want a flower?" Lonnie asks. "I bet a nice rose would look great in your hair!"

[Infernally Clay]

Sigrún Bonegrinder Goliath Barbarian 1 HP: 15/15, AC: 15 Conditions: None Rages: 2/2 Stone's Endurance: 1/1

"Keep yer magic berries away from the kid," Sigrún called back, gesturing air quotes with her hands, "The last thing we need is for Gundren Rockseeker to ask us why the kid is seeing talking trees and flying cows. Or flying trees and talking cows."

[NontheistCleric]

"If the young mistress needs a taster now..." Yorrel says dryly. "I'll try anything once. Can't be worse than sewer fish."

[JNAProductions]

"Berries, coming up!" Lonnie says, and holds out her hand. A small sprig of holly in there flourishes and grows, budding into ten good-sized berries. The bush dies down, leaving nothing but the food. "Keeps you fed, full, and healthy! Anyone who wants one can have one, but I'm saving at least two for these good boys here," she pats the flanks of the oxen.

Spoiler: OOC

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Casting Goodberry, if that needs to be spelled out. :P

[NontheistCleric]

"Thank you, Lonnie," Yorrel says, leaning forward to take a berry.

She pops it into her mouth and bites into the juicy flesh of the fruit.

"Mm. You know, that is some proper magic."

She washes the berry down with a drink of water and leans back again.

"Well," she says, "I suppose you all had better wait an hour or two before you try yours. See if I start growing wings or suchlike."

Spoiler: OOC

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There she goes, hedonistically wasting the healing berry...

[onlie2005]

Maria is just listening and concentrating on driving the cart. She shrugs at Lonnie's suggestion for the rose but declined having berries.

[Lentrax]

When Yorrel mentioned the possibility of sprouting wings, Netish missed a step.

She catches herself quickly, and steps quickly to where she was in the line before her stumble.

[Phyzor]

All that berrie talk puts a small smirk on Smelkies face, but he's not here for smalltalk. "Focus on the job" he says to himself.
Allthough there is an urge to look at the cargo, he scans for any valueables without going through stuff. Just a glance while walking and keeping en eye out.

[Vorpal Glaive]

Myrus Hearthgold


Myrus came out of his mental haze, blinked and sniffed the air while looking around at the others. When Netish tripped says, "Watch out for rocks, Netish ..... they're deadly." He laughed and patted his barbarian ally on her armored shoulder. "This is a glorious day Tempus has granted us. It feels good getting out of town and back into the wild. Hopefully we'll be blessed with battle and run into some bandits. Netish what are you going to do with your cut of the money once we're done playing escort for the Rockseekers?"

Hearthgold walked beside the Tiefling warrioress as the two trailed the caravan guarding the rear. Every few seconds, Myrus glanced around the terrain looking for anything out of the ordinary.

[Lentrax]

Sorry, Netish says at the warning about the rocks.

And then at the question, her head comes up slowly. I? Have money?

Spoiler: OOC note

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Just for reference, Netish is only wearing some simple clothes, with the only other clothing she has her 'costume' for fighting in the arena.

[Luccan]

"Thank you, Lonnie," Yorrel says, leaning forward to take a berry.

She pops it into her mouth and bites into the juicy flesh of the fruit.

"Mm. You know, that is some proper magic."

She washes the berry down with a drink of water and leans back again.

"Well," she says, "I suppose you all had better wait an hour or two before you try yours. See if I start growing wings or suchlike."

All that berrie talk puts a small smirk on Smelkies face, but he's not here for smalltalk. "Focus on the job" he says to himself.
Allthough there is an urge to look at the cargo, he scans for any valueables without going through stuff. Just a glance while walking and keeping en eye out.

Sorry, Netish says at the warning about the rocks.

And then at the question, her head comes up slowly. I? Have money?

As you all debate the safety of magical berries, wonder at the idea of having your own coin to spend, and scan the mundane sacks and barrels for pocketable valuables, you round the next bend in the trail.

Ahead of you, about fifty feet, you can see two dead horses riddled with black-feathered arrows. They block the path and the close woods and steep embankments on the sides of the road here make taking the wagon around impossible

[NontheistCleric]

"That looks... bad," Yorrel says, wincing slightly at the sight. "Quick, stop the wagon. Let me just send out a decoy before we trundle over there."

Standing up, though remaining on the wagon, she draws her sword with one hand. The other traces magical patterns on the inside of her fleece-lined cloak, and as she intones a word of power, another Yorrel materializes standing on the path.

This Yorrel looks somewhat different from the first. Her clothes are a shade finer, her features softer, and she sports a scalpful of tousled blonde hair. In short, she is richer and weaker, a riper victim for any bandits that might be lying in wait. Even the blade the image holds looks like a good blow might snap it in two.

With the poise of a practiced sneak, the false Yorrel pads towards the horse carcasses, 'her' attention apparently focused on the carnage. Reaching the bodies, 'she' bends down as if to inspect them.

Spoiler: OOC

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Casting Silent Image and moving it forward within the 60' range. A creature that uses its action to examine the image can determine that it is an illusion with a DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation) check. If a creature discerns the illusion for what it is, the creature can see through the image.

[JNAProductions]

Lonnie's first instinct is to rush forward and check on the (probably dead) horses. But Yorrel's words stop her-What if whatever hurt them is still here? she thinks.

So, she stands just in front of the oxen, nervously shifting from foot to foot.

[Infernally Clay]

Sigrún Bonegrinder Goliath Barbarian 1 HP: 15/15, AC: 15 Conditions: None Rages: 2/2 Stone's Endurance: 1/1

To say Sigrún didn't entirely get magic would be an understatement and it took considerable control for her not to exclaim "This is getting out of hand, now there's two of them!"

So instead Sigrún focused on the trees among the woods and embankment to watch for any movement. Getting the jump on any bandits that may have set this trap would be vital.

Spoiler

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Perception check: (1d20+3)[16]

[Lentrax]

Netish wasn’t addressed so she keeps silent, and instead looks about to see if a potential ambush is coming.

Perception: (1d20+3)[20]

[Luccan]

As Yorrel's silent clone stalks up to the horses, it would seem that the attackers are long gone. However, Netish notices movement in the trees and with a little focus, makes out 6 goblins. 4 of them begin to run at the illusion, drawing scimitars and shouting war cries. The other 2 goblins are holding short bows and take aim, but do not fire. It seems, with your cart stopped at the edge of the bend, they haven't noticed the main party. As the goblins hack away at the illusory bard in the road, you all see you have a chance to take action before they realize their foe is fake. It's Initiative!

Spoiler: Initiative

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Goblins got a 19 Stealth, so only Netish beat it. For now the rest of you can see just the 4 that charged out

For the sake of speed, I'll roll everyone's initiative this combat. If that works for everyone then I can do that every combat and if anyone objects we can discuss how we'll do it going forward in the OOC.

The goblins will share 1 initiative roll. Given the circumstances, the goblins are treated as surprised this first round and will skip their actions and movement
Goblins (1d20+2)[6]
Lonnie (1d20-1)[18]
Netish (1d20+2)[14]
Maria (1d20+2)[21]
Myrus (1d20+6)[26]
Sigrun (1d20+2)[16]
Della (1d20+4)[5]
Smelkie (1d20+5)[12]
Yorrel (1d20+2)[14]

[JNAProductions]

"You killed them!" Lonnie shouts, summoning a biting chill against the nearest goblin.

Spoiler: OOC

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Frostbite, for (1d6)[3] cold damage on a failed DC 14 Con Save. If they fail their save, they also have disadvantage on their next attack roll made within a round.
(1d20)[8] Save for the goblin, apply modifiers as needed.

[Lentrax]

Netish’s eye catches the movement. Then others. She sees them in the blink of an eye. Sees them ready to attack.

Ambushing caravans. I have heard of this, but not many would attack a gladiator troupe. Not enough coin. This must be what it means to have money. How different.

And then, pulling the heavy blade she used in the arena from its place on her back, so was she.

Battle. Where I am free…

And then with a wordless cry in her throat, she is running to engage the goblins.

Spoiler: Actions

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Bonus action: Rage.
Move: Netish will run to engage the first goblin she can.
Attack: (1d20+5)[17] damage on hit: (2d6+5)[9]

[Infernally Clay]

Sigrún Bonegrinder Goliath Barbarian 1 HP: 15/15, AC: 15 Conditions: None Rages: 2/2 Stone's Endurance: 1/1

Sigrún charges forward, looking to sink her axe into the first goblin she can reach.

Spoiler

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Sigrún moves to the closest goblin and attacks. To hit: (1d20+6)[11], to damage: (1d12+4)[11]

[Vorpal Glaive]

Myrus Hearthgold


When he sees the slain horses, Myrus immediately draws his crossbow and loads a bolt while scanning the area for danger! Then as the goblins attack revealing their positioning Myrus shouts, "GOBLIN RAIDERS! TO ARMS!" He then takes aim and fires a bolt at one of the goblin archers!

Spoiler: Roll

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(1d20+3)[22]

[NontheistCleric]

"Astute lot, aren't you?" Yorrel calls in goblin-tongue to the goblins. On her voice is borne a spell to cause befuddlement and pain in enemy minds.

Then she jumps down from the wagon and moves behind it for cover.

Spoiler: OOC

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Casting Vicious Mockery on a different goblin from the one Frostbitten by Lonnie.

The goblin takes (1d4)[3] psychic damage on a failed DC 14 Wis Save. If they fail their save, they also have disadvantage on their next attack roll made before the end of their next turn.

(1d20)[8] Save for the goblin, apply modifiers as needed.

[onlie2005]

If anything Maria is alert. She may be only partly listening to the others talk of berries because she was concentrating on the road which was why she stopped immediately once she saw the dead horses. Then she saw the goblins. She immediately put her palms together, slowly moved them apart and rotated her hands towards each other while muttering an incantation. Soon a small flame appears in between them which she hurls towards the nearest goblin.

Spoiler: Actions

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Fire Bolt Spell Attack: (1d20+5)[8]
Damage if Hit: (1d10)[4]