Chapter One: Into the hill

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Leitz · #1 Post by **Leitz** » Fri Dec 04, 2020 1:51 am

Crisp morning air bit into the lungs. Everyone spoke in hushed tones. You were too close to the entrance. Though the old trees might protect you from being seen, you were too experienced to trust your life to luck.

The young farm girl who had shown you the way was long gone. She had earned her pay; the locals knew about the lair but were powerless to do anything about it. That's why Baron Nalas asked you to look into the matter. People were losing stock and the goblinoids, whatever type they might be, were growing stronger and bolder. People were starting to go missing, now. For all his faults and struggles, Baron Nalas took care of his people. If you can end this threat then the local folk will live safer and you will pass the winter with wealth to spend.

Brother Stephanos leaned against a huge oak tree. His chiseled jaw was set; he watched and waited. He struck fear in the hearts of his foes and lifted the spirits of his friends. You knew his mace had ended lives that needed to be cut short. Baron Nalas had empowered Stephanos with authority for this task. The priest could dispense justice as he saw fit. He could also blush like crazy, the farm girl had asked for his blessing, and then kissed him square on the lips before she sprinted off.

A light snore came from underneath a fallen log. Dale, warrior, could sleep any where and at any time. His muscles rippled, even in sleep. Stuffed into his pack was Pookie, the brave warrior's stuffed owlbear doll. Dale was muttering to Pookie in his sleep.

Half an hour passed, and then Stephanos smiled. He stepped away from the tree as Rialto trotted back to the group.

"Wake him, please." Stephanos nodded towards Dale. "It is time."

You know waking Dale is best done with a long stick or a tossed rock.

"Rialto the Buggered, begs to report, sair." The halfling gave an exaggerated bow, as always. He was center stage for the moment, and there was no denying he liked that spot. His clothing had wet mud on the knees and arms. "Found the hole, just like the lass said. One guard, sadly, relieved itself for the last time. Kobold, it was. Bunch more of them, inside a bit. There's an open spot even you giants can stand up in. They've banked the fire and are doing their nasties before passing out."

"Excellent work," Stephanos said. "What's your opinion of the situation?"

"Not sure it's easy. I mean, we can take the kobolds even if they were awake when we got there. But they're just a gate guard for someone else. Small tribe of 'em, pretty scrawny. None o' the usual petty court trappings. Caves go way back. If we can get in and deal with them quickly then it'll sound like they're just rutting wildly. Shouldn't bother anyone else, and we can explore some more."

Stephanos looked at you. "Opinion?"

Leitz · #2 Post by **Leitz** » Fri Dec 04, 2020 12:38 pm

Next Step (Monday, 7 Dec 20)

The party will leave the wood, head down a small valley and up a hill, and then enter a well hidden cave mouth. The cave entrance is easy enough for a large person to crawl through. The party's usual method is that Rialto sneaks in first, then Dale, then Stephanos. Dale and Stephanos have lanterns, and they set them in different places before engaging in combat.

In your post, detail how your character fits into the group and the marching order. What weapon do you have ready? Include two rounds worth of to hit and damage rolls with your post.

Leitz · #3 Post by **Leitz** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 2:42 pm

Characters
PC
Tinwendil E Thief
Kurzuk 1/2 O Ranger/Magic-User
Xavril Darkstone 1/2E Cleric
Parnell Stonebreaker Dw Fighter
Duarte Amberson, H Cleric

NPC
Rialto, 1/2 Thief
Dale, H Fighter
Stephanos, H Cleric

Marching Order

Code: Select all

Tinwendil			Rialto

		Kurzuk
		Xavril


		Parnell, Dale
		Duarte
		
		Stephanos

It is time.

The party falls into its usual order; Tinwendil and Rialto stealthily scouting forward flanks, Kurzuk's watchful eye in support. Within moments, Tinwendil and Rialto are impossible to hear. Kurzuk's gait mimicking the irregular movement of a woodland creature. Xavril, warrior priest, just behind Kurzuk. Parnell and Dale, the heavy combat portion of the group, a dozen paces behind. Ready to move to wherever they are needed. Duarte is their immediate support. Stephanos brings up the rear.

Out from the old trees, down a hill covered with wild grass. Cross a small stream, and then up a hundred paces to a jutting rock, flanked by two withered trees. A lone kobold lays, as if asleep, in the curled roots of the rightmost tree. He does not stir as the party members approach.

A gentle stench wafts out of the shadow, left of the rock. Kurzuk sees traces of many things dragged towards the rock. Traces of blood. Preparing themselves, each pair of adventurers carefully brushes aside a dried vine at the portal, and moves into the darkness. For large folk it is a short crawl; half a dozen paces at most. Then the cavern opens up, such that the ceiling is twice as high as a full sized human. Pillars of rock jut up from the floor, making normal movement difficult. Each step must be carefully placed and set firm, lest the slick mud covering cause a slip. Those who are used to moving with grace and stealth find their ability significantly enhanced, it is easy to wind between the columns and hide.

Everyone can hear the kobolds in their lair. Vile cursing, loud snoring, and other noises gentlefolk do not want to interpret. Smoke hangs heavy in the air, though a faint breeze pushes it outwards. The party moves right, towards the open area where the kobolds are. Piles of rotten furs and various stacks of bones make getting an exact count of the enemy impossible. A skeleton, looking to be the last remains of a small child's rib cage, dangles from a branch propped over the remains of the cook fire. A fattened kobold breaks a thigh bone with a rock and sucks out the marrow.

With a few short whispers, everyone confirms the risks are within their abilities. Dale and Stephanos, as the only humans in the group, will hang black slightly so those with infravision can begin the attack and attain maximum surprise. Everyone knows to yell 'Brother Light' if support is needed. That will signal Dale and Stephanos to open lanterns, then they will join in the fray.

The Bindoner · #4 Post by **The Bindoner** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 7:13 pm

Tinwendil picks his way carefully through the cavern and selects a position from which to pick off the filthy little animals with his bow, making sure of his path to retreat if they swarm his way. Aiming in he tensions and relaxes the bow, sighting a different target each time, as he waits for everyone to get into position. As soon as the others are ready he picks his first target and fires. Being on the left of the line he starts with the kobold on the outer edge of the group on that side, planning to work his way in.

Posture: "Cautious"

Combat Rolls: Initiative [1d6] = 2 To Hit (Bow) [1d20] = 18[1d20] = 17 Damage [1d6] = 4[1d6] = 5

Suggested Example Dice: Two d20 [1d20] = 6[1d20] = 3 Two d6 [1d6] = 3[1d6] = 4 One percentile [1d100] = 73

GreyWolfVT · #5 Post by **GreyWolfVT** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 10:36 pm

Parnell Posture: Bold
props his lucern hammer outside the cave fearing he wont have room to use it well and does similar to Tinwendil just on the opposite side of the cavern entrance (i.e opposite direction to cover both sides from the entrance.) finds a good spot and takes up his hand axe and attacks the first kobold before him then works his way from there once it is defeated.

Hand Axe init [1d10] = 10, [1d20+3] = 17+3=20 to hit, [1d6+6] = 1+6=7 [1d4+6] = 4+6=10 dmg
Hand Axe init [1d10] = 2, [1d20+3] = 19+3=22 to hit, [1d6+6] = 6+6=12 [1d4+6] = 2+6=8 dmg feel free to ignore init in the 2nd attack roll.I only made 1 macro with everything in it.
Two d20 [1d20] = 2 [1d20] = 19 Two d6 [1d6] = 3 [1d6] = 2 One percentile [1d100] = 28

cybersavant · #6 Post by **cybersavant** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 10:52 pm

Kurzuk, HalfOrc R/M
combat posture will be "Steadfast" since he has no armor and is an easy target

Kurzuk mimics Tinwendil, using his short bow
[1d6] = 1[1d20] = 13[1d6] = 4[1d20] = 8[1d6] = 4

standard rolls:
[1d20] = 7[1d20] = 4[1d6] = 6[1d6] = 1[1d100] = 93

- Kurzuk then slings his bow and draws his bastard sword
[1d6] = 4[1d20] = 19[2d4+1] = 5+1 = 6

DexterWard · #7 Post by **DexterWard** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 5:23 am

Xavril Darkstone (Half-Elf Cleric)
Posture: Bold

Surprise [1d6] = 5
Standard Rolls: Two d20 [1d20] = 13[1d20] = 10; Two d6 [1d6] = 2[1d6] = 1; Percentile [1d100] = 100
Mace Attack 1: Initiative [1d6] = 3; Attack [1d20+1] = 10+1 = 11; Damage [1d6+2] = 6+2 = 8
Mace Attack 2: Initiative [1d6] = 2; Attack [1d20+1] = 13+1 = 14; Damage [1d6+2] = 3+2 = 5

Xavril glides in line behind Tinwendil and Kurzuk, paying close attention to their posture and approach. Having seen the child’s rib cage and heard the crack of the bones, Xavril’s pace and heartbeat quicken. An almost silent growl reverberates in his chest, his face showing all of the pain of that anger. He raises his Mace targeting the center-most Kobolds. These vile creatures cannot be allowed to continue their evil acts, he says in his mind. There must be a reckoning; the balance cannot shift to darkness. There are regulations to freedom, and these creatures are clearly in opposition. It ends here!.

Marullus · #8 Post by **Marullus** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 9:40 pm

Dorni Glitterstone (Wandering Gnomish Prestidigitator)
Posture: Cowardly (he prefers "Sneaky"

)

The wandering, irrascable old gnome has been a fixture in the small human villages nearby since long before the grandparents' grandparents were children, more likely to spend his days delighting urchins in the marketplace than pursuing any great deeds. When children go missing, however, he hones his swords and sets to more serious occupations. The wizened tiny man has little patience for for the predations of kobolds and goblins.

He looks up as Rialto returns, lowering his small mirror and pausing the trimming and shaping of his beard to listen. When Stephanos puts the question to him, he sucks his teeth a moment and then answers. "Sneaking in and dealing with the kobolds quickly is always an option... but if you wish some finesse, a distraction to set some trap or positioning of you bigfolk, I would be glad to oblige." He pauses, adjusting the floppy brim of his big green hat. "Perhaps against whatever is calling the shots."

Despite his apparent age, the nimble little codger slips quietly in after the halfling, passing deftly through the shadows as the group creeps up on the kobold camp. He draws his short sword, the glint of the well-loved and honed blade concealed in the folds of his cloak. He positions himself to the side as the group prepares to execute their quick-and-direct approach to the kobolds, hoping to get the drop on one of the little beasts as it runs past him. Quiet in the darkened cave, he hopes to overhear what the kobolds are saying amongst themselves. He stands there, regarding the fat kobold cracking the child's legbone, ticking in his mind through the names of the children gone missing from his prestidigitation merriments. "Perhaps that one first." he thinks to himself.

#9 Post by **dmw71** » Thu Dec 10, 2020 6:52 am

Thukk, Half-Orc, Fighter 3
Posture: Bold

Thukk has no love for kobolds, and looks forward to harvesting some of their hides to incorporate into his hodgepodge scale armor. Or at least try.

Readying his large shield in front of him, Thukk balances his trident in his right hand. Once the companions in front of him scatter left and right, the warrior rushes forward with his three-pronged spear looking to skewer the first kobold he sees.

He releases his grip on his trident and slides a knicked-up dagger from the sheathe he wears on his right thigh and jabs at the nearest non-dead adversary.

Rolls
Initiative: [1d6] = 5
Trident: [1d20] = 18, s/m [1d6+1] = 3+1 = 4, lg [3d4] = 9
Dagger: [1d20] = 18, s/m [1d4] = 3, lg [1d3] = 2
Requested: Two d20 [1d20] = 9[1d20] = 6 Two d6 [1d6] = 5[1d6] = 5 One d100 [1d100] = 15

Leitz · #10 Post by **Leitz** » Thu Dec 10, 2020 11:23 pm

The combat results are in left to right order. That is, we start with Tinwendil because he is on the far left.

We re going into a full combat now. The Kobold AC drops to 7, and they have short swords. They also have poison. If you get hit, roll a standard save vs poison. If you pass, you take 1 point of damage. If you fail you take 1d3 (you roll) points of damage, but there are no other effects. If you get hit twice (looking at you, Parnell), then you have to save vs each hit separately.

I have rolled and provided the results of the NEXT round of kobold attacks in OOC color Their Initiative is 4, on a d6. If you beat their roll and kill one of them, you take the hits off in order. For example, There are three kobolds on Parnell: the first hits for 1 damage (plus save), the second hits for 3 damage (plus save), and the third misses. If Parnell rolls a 5 initiative, and does 3+ points to a kobold, then the first hit (1 point) does not happen.

Of course, if you choose to ignore the kobolds and go for the snake, that's an option. However, the snake has surprise, and can't be targeted this round.

Please update your character sheets with your armor class. I may have missed something, and it could be deadly...

visual, bottommost image

Imagine everything covered in a slick coat of mud.Ignore the spelunkers.

For those who choose to listen, and who understand kobold, there is a raid planned in two days time. "The Big Ones" will join and the eating will be good. You also hear one of the creatures nagging about not getting enough attention, and the usual noxious bodily functions.

The lair opening is a flattend oval, taller than a man in the middle and at least twenty paces wide. Inside the lair there are no rock formations, but piles of brush and trash.

Kobold Initiative: 4

Tinwendil's bow sings as two kobolds fall, never even knowing they were in trouble. He has a good position, nestled between two stone pillars almost as tall as he is. He can cover the larger open area where more of the creatures are stirring. No attacks on Tinwendil

Xavril moves forward with determination. One of the creatures manages to be knocked away, instead of being crushed under the mace head. A second creature is not so lucky, and its evil days are finished. He is still fifteen paces from the chieftain, though, as three vile things draw their weapons and attack. No successful attacks on Xavril

Kurzuk moves slightly forward as a center anchor. He kills one with an arrow and another with his sword. However, one of the creatures charges him, swinging a short blade. One attack on Kurzuk, 3 points damage plus S.T.

Thokk is barely slowed down by the two scrawny creatures that stood in his way. More rise to stop him, but none have the skill to penetrate his armor. No successful attacks against Thokk

Parnell, right most of the party, moves easily past the two beasts he dispatches quickly. Several more sense the dwarf, and rabidly attack. Hit on Parnell for 1 point + s.t., second hit for 6 + s.t.

I'm not sure if Dorni is attacking or not. None of the kobolds will run past him they are rallying in their lair. If Dorni is moving forward to attack, then he easily kills two. However, he will be hit for 6 (plus s.t.) unless he kills his attacker first. If his does not move forward to attack, then he does not kill anyone but does not get attacked, either.

Screams of anger become wails of pain as kobold after kobold is wrested from this world. Yet there are more of the creatures, perhaps half a dozen yet unengaged, stirring. The fat chieftain throws a greasy clothe onto the fire and it blazes up. Sparks glitter off the mud and the walls. Behind the chieftain, the wall moves slightly. Yet it is not a door, but the scaly side of a huge serpent. It's tail reaches behind the chieftain, against the far wall, while it's head is no more than six paces to the right of Parnell.

It moves, and the dwarf sees eyes as large as serving bowls. It opens its mouth, and fangs that can pierce a body through are clearly visible in the firelight. Faster than the eye can follow, the snake lunges forward. It catches Rialto in its maw, and the halfling screams in pain as fangs bite deep.

The snake has an AC of 5. The party is disciplined enough to stay close to each other and prevent flank attacks by the kobolds. However, the snake can go over their heads, and if you attack the snake in melee then you will be exposed to a kobold flank or rear attack. Unless you come up with a good plan.

GreyWolfVT · #11 Post by **GreyWolfVT** » Thu Dec 10, 2020 11:53 pm

Save v Poison 13 [1d20+1] = 20+1 = 21
Save v Poison 13 [1d20+1] = 1+1 = 2
poison dmg[1d3] = 1

Parnell feels the burn of the second hit he took a bit more than the first but fights on retaliating against the one that hit him hard.
Hand Axe init [1d10] = 5, [1d20+3] = 2+3 = 5 to hit, [1d6+6] = 4+6 = 10 [1d4+6] = 1+6 = 7 dmg
Hand Axe init [1d10] = 9, [1d20+3] = 16+3 = 19 to hit, [1d6+6] = 6+6 = 12 [1d4+6] = 3+6 = 9 dmg
Two d20 [1d20] = 12 [1d20] = 9 Two d6 [1d6] = 3 [1d6] = 2 One percentile [1d100] = 38

cybersavant · #12 Post by **cybersavant** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 1:58 am

Kurzuk stays where he is and swings his bastard sword
poison save 14: [1d20] = 14
bastard sword attack: [1d6] = 3[1d20] = 2[2d4+1] = 3+1 = 4
standard rolls: [1d20] = 3[1d20] = 20[1d6] = 2[1d6] = 3[1d100] = 69

The Bindoner · #13 Post by **The Bindoner** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 5:27 pm

Tinwendil watches the serpent rise and strike Rialto with dismay. He is torn between wanting to help the halfling and the need to break the kobolds. He quickly decides that his arrows will do more good killing kobolds, so the warriors can concentrate on the snake.

The indecision and concern for Rialto distract him from his aim at the small swarming targets.

Initiative [1d6] = 3 To Hit (Bow) [1d20] = 6[1d20] = 5 Damage [1d6] = 5[1d6] = 5

Standard Dice: Two d20 [1d20] = 14[1d20] = 11 Two d6 [1d6] = 3[1d6] = 2 One percentile [1d100] = 40

Marullus · #14 Post by **Marullus** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 10:06 pm

Leitz wrote: ↑Thu Dec 10, 2020 11:23 pm I'm not sure if Dorni is attacking or not. None of the kobolds will run past him they are rallying in their lair. If Dorni is moving forward to attack, then he easily kills two. However, he will be hit for 6 (plus s.t.) unless he kills his attacker first. If his does not move forward to attack, then he does not kill anyone but does not get attacked, either.

He fully intended to attack; I was just describing his attempt to get surprise for a backstab.
Saves v Poison (13) and damage [1d20] = 14[1d3] = 1 [1d20] = 11[1d3] = 2

A pang of dismay passes through Dorni as the halfling is attacked by the snake, his fondness for the saucy shortfellow motivating him to push through his own injuries to aid his friend. The gnome dodges around one of the tall stalagmites, popping out in the serpent's direct line of sight. The gnome pulls his face into a wide-mouthed grimace and waggles his tongue. "Bleeeeaaaaagh!" he says, taking a step towards the snake.

Pile of rolls:

#15 Post by **dmw71** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 10:27 pm

Thokk pays no mind to the snake and continues his efforts to dispatch the kobolds. He unskewers the first kobold he struck and wrests his trident free -- then jabs it at the nearest kobold in his immediate area.

Rolls
Trident: [1d20] = 11, s/m [1d6+1] = 2+1 = 3, lg [3d4] = 8
Requested: Two d20 [1d20] = 19[1d20] = 16 Two d6 [1d6] = 6[1d6] = 5 One d100 [1d100] = 25

I don't remember if you reroll initiative every round in 1e, so just in case:
Initiative: [1d6] = 5

DexterWard · #16 Post by **DexterWard** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 3:59 am

Xavril Darkstone (Half-Elf Cleric)
Posture: Bold

Since the snake has surprise and cannot be attacked this round…

The appearance of the giant snake gives Xavril a momentary pang of concern, but the Kobolds must be stopped, and quick. If he can take out the chieftain it might just give everyone a chance to focus on the snake as one unit, giving them advantage.

Xavril shifts his gaze from the crushed Kobold to the fat Kobold chieftain with a glare (assuming he perceives the fat Kobold as the chieftain). He focuses his attacks in the chieftain’s direction, intent on taking him out sooner rather than later. He will flank with Kurzuk, Thokk, and Parnell where possible.

Standard Rolls: Two d20 [1d20] = 16[1d20] = 13; Two d6 [1d6] = 3[1d6] = 2; Percentile [1d100] = 63
Mace Attack 1: Initiative [1d6] = 6; Attack [1d20+1] = 7+1 = 8; Damage [1d6+2] = 3+2 = 5
Mace Attack 2: Initiative [1d6] = 5; Attack [1d20+1] = 8+1 = 9; Damage [1d6+2] = 2+2 = 4

Marullus · #17 Post by **Marullus** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 2:17 pm

DexterWard wrote: ↑Mon Dec 14, 2020 3:59 amSince the snake has surprise and cannot be attacked this round…

Oh, sorry. Thought the snake already used its surprise round on Rialto. If I need an action prior to being able to act on the snake:

Leitz · #18 Post by **Leitz** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:22 pm

Order of events

Thokk, Xavril, and Parnell move into the open area, a Bold move, and engage directly. Rialto and Dorni also move in, albeit with a bit less show. Kurzuk moves to the center opening, not "in" the open area, but close enough to skewer a kobold.

Surprise attacks by the group.

The next round, the Kobolds roll a 4 Initiative.
Thokk has Init 5 and one kit, killing a kobold.
No one else hits.
Dorni casts his spell on the snake.
Kurzuk and Parnell are hit, as described.

And now the fun begins!

The giant snake begins to writhe in fear. Bones, branches, and bodies are effortlessly tossed about as the creature moves to the deepest part of the area.

Imagine an oval on it's side. The party entered from the bottom. The fire pit was half-way "up", slightly right. The snake was lounging from the top edge, all the way around the right side; basking in the warmth of the fire.

Thokk, Xavril, and Parnell: Save vs Breath Weapon, with your armor as a modifier.
That is, if your armor, without shield or Dex, gives you a 4 AC, then you add +6 to your saving throw. The armor is helping protect you. If you pass the saving throw, you will be free to act next round. If you fail, take 1d6 of crushing damage as the snake's writhing knocks you about. If you fail, your Initiative next round is a "1", and you'll need to get off your keister.

The Kobolds scream and cower into the left most round edge of the oval. They are knocked about by the snake, as it heads there too. Rialto lays crumpled against the right most wall, roughly a dozen paces from the entrance.

Everyone is disengaged. The six remaining kobolds are not putting up a fight. There is no real place for them or the snake to get any further from the party.

#19 Post by **dmw71** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:42 pm

Thukk, Half-Orc, Fighter 3
Posture: Bold

Thokk escapes the snake's writhing and continues his focused efforts against the now-cornered kobolds. "Nowhere to run, cowards!" he scolds the scattering pests as he jabs at them with his trident.

Rolls

Marullus · #20 Post by **Marullus** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 11:32 pm

Dorni Glitterstone
Posture: Cautious

Dorni nods firmly with a satisfied expression as the gargantuan snake turns and flees before him. Then the diminutive gnome looks about to see Rialto's body slumped against the right wall. He chuffs over hurriedly, checking on his small-sized friend. "Xavril!" he shouts, hoping to call the cleric to Rialto's aid.

He will also shout Rialto's status if needed.

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