Barrowmaze: BRAGging Rites

[Spearmint]

This expedition will be for the team forming with Sven to go explore the rooms and corridors to the north of 'the Long Corridor'.

I will edit here an introduction as players confirm their character is ready to go.

[Spearmint]

Helix Village, Duchy of Aerik.

June 27th 1066.

Sunshine, light breeze, visibility: excellent.

After dining well the night before, the combined associates of the recently formed Barrowmaze Reclamation Adventurers Guild arrive in good spirits, armed with new spells, enchanted armours and for Vann Hector at least, a sword that doesn't give him migraine. Sir Dewey leads any morning vespers at the chapel for those who pray, gifts of holy water from the recently dedicated Truro Memorial Font handed out.

Orgoth head counts and sergeants the mercenary hires and NPC's into line. A now well travelled trek to the Barrow Mounds via the wilderness camping site at the Standing Stones.

There is no need for a marching order, at least not until the trek becomes a single file caravan across narrow boggy trails.

Sven & wolf Smokie, Orgoth, Amos, Isvand, Gnimish & Treyvor, Bucko & Yardie, Gerdal and familiar Harkazz, Sir Dewey, Moorheeth, Sigrid, Vann Hector, Sundance, Martell & Cosmo if things are resolved.

The plan is to trek together and then once the secret entrances are located and made safe, to split into two separate adventuring teams.

Barrow Moor: BRAG trek to mounds: random and even more random vs 1 [1d6]=1 [1d6]=2 [1d6]=2 [1d6]=5 [1d6]=1 [1d6]=3 option [1d10]=6

The first hour is a slow paced trek through the outer woods that surround Helix, passing small holdings and little cottages. The further away from the village the more stark the change as stone built dwellings give way to simple log cabins; villas surrounded by lush gardens become barbed fences of corn and vegetable plots.

And it is on the fringe of civilization that a first encounter is generated. Those in front smell the burning smoke, a swirl of black cloud coming from a ravished cabin. Offset a little ways from the main path, a little track by a stream goes over a rise to a woodcutters cottage. A little thatched 'gingerbread' type dwelling with a pen of squealing hogs and from the noise, several growling lupine like beasts.

A sneak closer by the vanguard, creeping tree trunk to trunk and through the undergrowth brings them to a view a scene of destruction. Four large wargs and riders line up outside the dwelling, watching with glee as other Hobgoblin raiders, dismounted are setting the cottage ablaze. Screams are heard from inside which suddenly abate. You can see windows smashed, a man felled in the doorway with a lance through his back. Two wargs chase hogs around the pen, smashing the sty apart. One Hobgoblin is loading a boar carcass upon the back of his warg. Another exits over the man's body, a long string of onions around his neck, bottle of wine in one hand, scalp in the other.

actions here please.

[Darkmane]

Moorheeth

If close enough Moorheeth hurls his hammer at the nearest Hobgoblin!

Throw hammer [1d20]=18 , damage sm [1d4+1]=3+1=4 , l [1d4]=2

[OGRE MAGE]

Could all (or most) of the wargs/riders be targeted in…..say….a 20’r. sphere?

[Spearmint]

possibly

[OGRE MAGE]

I feel like I’m being baited, but you know I just can’t help myself. Hold my beer.

Sven watches the little farmstead under attack, the buildings already ablaze, becoming absolutely furious at the sight of the innocent victims being murdered.

Knowing at least some of his new friends will not tolerate such mindless slaughter, the disgusted mage warns the others of what he is about to do, before pulling a tiny pungent ball from his recently expanded spell component pouch. “Do NOT get in the way of this spell!”

Targeting as many of the riders and mounts as he can in one place, he unleashes the newest weapon in his growing arsenal. A slim streak of orange flame shoots from his pointed fingertip, heading directly into the hobgoblin pack.

FIREBALL [5d6]=22

3rd Level Spell Retention (15) [4d6+3]=13+3=16

[redwarrior]

Is Isvand along, or still in training with the monk?

[Spearmint]

yes he is. Sorry I edited you out the list.

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth will target the hobgoblin farthest from Sven's spell. Charging up to short range (2") and throwing a javelin.

Thrown Javelin [1d20]=4 to hit [1d6+3]=5+3=8 damage

[Stirling]

Vann Hector

Sees or hears the reports of murder and mutilation. He draws his sword intending to sneak around the boundary, over the barbed fence and into the back of the burning house if there is a back door.

Sneak attack on an unsuspecting Hobgoblin.

Vann Hector's: Crypt Knight's longsword melee vs s/m [1d20+2]=18+2=20 [1d8+1]=7+1=8

[Monsieur Rose]

Sir Dewey

His anger rising as the scene unfolds, he is only restrained by the apparent futility of rescue. That and something in Sven's manner tells him to wait. After the extra destruction, the Knight whistles appreciatively and steps into the clearing.

He bangs his shield and calls out: "Lay down your arms and surrender! Your crimes will be judged by the court. If you resist, I will be forced to judge you myself." He is calling out any leader he can spot.

[redwarrior]

Isvand unlimbers his bow and puts an arrow into the Hobgoblin with the Onions & scalp. It's too late for the farmers to be saved, but vengeance is still on the table....



Short Bow THAC018 [1d20+1]=15+1=16 Damage [1d6]=6
Short Bow THAC018 [1d20+1]=7+1=8 Damage [1d6]=3

[sastaz]

Gerdal just stares wide eyed at the havoc created by Sven's fire blast, memories of Sven worrying about any poor soul trying on her necklace flashing by as she watches the inferno of screaming burning bodies and buildings before her.

"Sven DO NOT let that thing fly in the maze!"

[ateno]

Cosmo follows Vann to back him up.

[Spearmint]

Cosmo follows Vann to back him up.

Hi ateno. Unfortunately Cosmo declined joining the party as his last action in the tavern thread. His present location is in Helix and by chance or design, another character is looking to recruit fellow adventurers like yourself to go to the Barrow Mounds.

So post in the Brazen Strumpet Tavern thread. Thanks.

[Darithe]

Sigrid

Sigrid waits before taking any action, amazed frankly at the fiery destruction she sees from the previously underestimated Sven. She pauses waiting to see who survived the blast and what action the warriors will take after Hobgoblin flambe.

[Spearmint]

The Hobgoblin Raid

After hearing the screams, from inside the cabin and from the hog pen as the wargs ravish the swine, the group instantly go on the offensive.

Moorheeth hurls his hammer and a godly rebuke. It strikes the nearest rider on the back of his head and he crumples over his saddle. -4hp It is the signal for more attacks and an array of weapons assail the Hobgoblins raiders. 'Onion' takes a shaft in his torso and staggers backwards into the cabin. -6hp Vann Hector creeps around the side, trying to remain unseen and unheard. Twigs snap underfoot but that noise is deafened by a sudden and terrible eruption of flame and fury. A blistering ball of hellish fire blasts among the warg riders and they rear in panic as they burn alive. -22hp

In the rear back courtyard of the cabin, Vann Hector confronts a Hobgoblin who having heard him creeping up is not otherwise taken unawares. He is however taken by a trio of blades as Bucko and Yardie follow behind the elf. -10hp

The two wargs in the pen stop their destruction once the blast goes off. They see and smell their kin on fire, squealing worse than the hogs being torn apart. Those two leap over the fences and away, failing any morale or loyalty check.

Warg 14+ and Rider 17+ saving throw vs Fireball: A [1d20]=11 [1d20]=14 B [1d20]=9[1d20]=1 C [1d20]=11[1d20]=3 D [1d20]=17[1d20]=15Bucko and Yardie: [1d20]=17[2d4]=2[1d20]=5[2d4]=3Gnimish & Treyvor light crossbows [1d20]=2 [1d20]=12 [2d4]=8 [2d4]=2Hobgoblin archer [1d20]=16 [1d6]=4 [1d20]=4 [1d6]=2Hobgoblin archer [1d20]=10 [1d6]=4 [1d20]=10 [1d6]=6Wargs morale [1d100]=57 57 +55 modifiers vs 69 loyalty = +43% 'flee in panic'.

Sir Dewey advances to arrest the raiders, promising clemancy and a fair trial. Judgement, fair and swift lies within his grasp, the shaft of his blessed weapon. His answer is swift and sharp. An arrow fired by an archer who mounts a warg trying to make good his escape. -4hp

Gerdal, Sundance, Amos and Martell draws weapons or watch the encounter ignite.

next actions please

The trio behind the house can face off against one Hobgoblin. A second is in the burning cabin. Two archers are mounting wargs to escape, two riderless wargs driven off. Off those caught in the Fireball, three wargs are burning alive, one is only half injured, four charred skeletons frazzle on the floor.

[redwarrior]

Isvand quickly sends two shafts in the general direction of the the 2 hobgoblins trying to mount wargs and escape. But maybe a bit too quickly, as it turns out!

Short Bow THAC018 [1d20+1]=3+1=4 Damage [1d6]=2
Short Bow THAC018 [1d20+1]=12+1=13 Damage [1d6]=2

[Darkmane]

Moorheeth will try to get to the cabin, if he can get through any secondary fires caused by the fireball, and heal anyone needing help (if any yet live). He will have his mace ready in case there are hobgoblins inside.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven looks down at his finger with eyes as wide as saucers, feeling little remorse for the murderous humanoids he just fried.

With a smirking glance over his shoulder, he mutters. "Oh, you ladies cant do that yet? I could teach you how, once you're ready."

Seeing the marauders trying to flee their demise, the mage strikes again, rushing towards the pair who are mounting their wargs.

Squishing a bit of spider silk between his fingers, he evokes magic syllables to create a mass of sticky strands, anchoring them within the trees, trying to contain those fleeing.

Casts: Web

2nd Level Spell Retention (INT 15) [4d6+2]=7+2=9 there's the low roll