(You know the drill. Every group gets the same mission.)

You are all allowed the rest of the day off. You had the chance to explore the city a little bit and buy some odds and ends. The dwarven blacksmith might be glad to see others of his ilk, since the current dwarven population of Phlan counts exactly three - "An' he ain't on good terms with dem two bitches."

(Make any simple weapon and armor purchases you want - all costs are standard as listed in the PHB)

The night offers some restful sleep in the communal barracks (or elsewhere in the city if you prefer). The poisonous river and high wall form enough of a barrier that monster incursions are a rarity. However, Boros is not taking his duty lightly, and there are plenty of patrols around.

Your day's work is already planned in advance for you. Boros opens a partial map of the slum area. It's a parchment crawling with additions, corrections and smudges from food. The slums seem a mess of collapsed houses and blocked streets. The dragonflight left the entire area in ruins, and it will take considerable time to clear the area once you make it safe. Boros jabs his finger at a particular spot and mutters something about scouts spotting the centre of kobold activity there. After you take care of that and prove your worth, you'll be free to pick your next assignment. He spits on the floor and grumbles that you seem like you could handle this.


Each square is about 250 meters.
+ marks cleared area ("Good work, team!")
- marks mapped but not cleared area ("Might still be some beasties there.")
? marks unmapped area ("Will get to that later.")
The spot Boros indicates is in C2.

The trip to the target area is uneventful. The guards, of course, don't leave the wall or escort you out into the slums. Orders, they say. But you get the impression Boros simply doesn't want to lose his soldiers.

Navigating through the narrow passageways and collapsed houses takes almost half an hour. You get the distinct impression of being watched, but can't quite spy anyone following your movement. The center of kobold activity Boros wants taken out turns out to be a largish, still standing two-storey house with a collapsed roof. It's built of thick stone blocks, and looks more like a fortification than a townhouse. A thin wisp of smoke rises from the place, and even from afar you can smell some sort of stew.



shaded = wall
shaded "+" = barred window
shaded "-" = open window
"I" = door (action or reaction to open or close)
. = rubble (difficult terain)

A single kobold guard paces around the house, muttering about how hungry it is and how unafir life is and how he needs to find a new band to hang on to.

(You can start anywhere on map edge. If you need to run away, you cn do so from a map edge as well. The kobold guard hasn't spotted you yet. He has AC12 and HP5 and is armed with a rusty blade and a sling.)

Ghere looked sad when Torwyn told them that he could no longer adventure with them but understood that it was difficult for a clanless dwarf to work with clanned ones. Fortunately, there was already a singleton adventurer in the barracks, who readily agreed to work with them. In addition, the looks on the Dwarves faces when they learned that they were expected to work with an Elf was priceless!

He did his usual fuss over everyone then followed Boros's crude map to the site. Peering round the corner, he could see a gobbo on guard. "They are there all right. Anyone got any last-minute blessings or potions to do?"

Everyone have +5 Hp.

Rurik was not entirely surprised when Torymyn informed them that he was leaving the mercenary company. The term of Torymyn's contract was up, and he had previously mentioned needing to do some things for his family. Rurik well knew that that could mean a variety of things, but he suspected that Torymyn had figured out a way to restore some of his family's honor.

He wished Torymyn well, but restrained himself from using any of the traditional Dwarven words of parting -- for Torymyn was a clanless outcast, and under Dwarven law he was no longer entitled to be treated as a fellow-Dwarf.

And now, 'twas time to move on. They needed to replace Torymyn on the strike-team, and Rurik was frankly a bit curious as to who their captain would assign. He looked a more than a little crestfallen when he learned that it would be an Elf named Risshil, but consoled himself that At least it wasn't one of the Orcs -- it could have been worse . . . I suppose.

But rather than mope about things that were beyond his pay-grade, Rurik soon turned to readying himself for their next mission. He had bought some new gear over at the market-place, and he needed to find room for everything -- either inside his backpack or secured to the outside of the pack -- or, mayhaps carried on his belt, attached to leather loops.

When all was ready, he made a point of speaking to Risshil. "Ye might not've been my first choice to join us, Risshil, for yer folk have a reputation amongst my folk of being skittery and undependable. But I'm willing to give you a fair chance to prove yerself. And know this -- by joinin' our strike-team ye have become one o' my sword-brothers now, and I'll nay hesitate to stand at yer side, an' to fight an' shed blood alongside ye."

Rurik nodded his head in appreciation when Ghere went through his same pre-battle activities as he had before their first mission. The Dwar could not explain it, but he always felt better -- more energetic, somehow -- after Ghere had finished his doings.

After the strike-team had moved forward to the position shown on Boros's map, Rurik shook his head silently when Ghere asked if anyone had any last-minute blessings or potions to use before they went into battle. He hefted one of the javelins that he had recently purchased, testing its balance. I suppose that I'll use this on that sentry, if he doesn't fall to ranged magicks first.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Thu 08 Oct 2015.

Brak shrugged indifferently at Torymyn's news, "Cycles, right? Beasts and birds migrate. Our paths will cross again." He went back to working his club without further comment.

The dwarf spent his time between missions wandering nearby gathering what roots and berries he could preferring them to the faire severed in the town. When he finally made his way back to the barracks he discovered an elf had been added to their roster. He nodded, a bit sceptically as he listened to Rurik's speech. "Hrumph, what he said," Brak mumbled around a slender piece of root. Flecks of dirt showed around his lips and on his teeth when he gave a forced smile.

When Risshil found himself transferred to a different group he didn't mind it, the dragonborn having rubbed him the wrong way. Having pretty much everything he needed he had no reason to go shopping with his pay. Once he had the freedom to go exploring through the ruins he would take time to prepare, however he wondered if that was even possible anymore with the way this military was acting.

The dwarf's reaction was typical of his race, and Risshil simply shrugged in response. "That's funny Rurik, as your people have the reputation among my people of being obstinate, rude, bull-headed, and quick to anger and violence. Let us not put too much stock in stereotypes though shall we? It will make working together much smoother." he replied as he took out his spyglass from his belt and viewed the building in question.

"Just one guard outside. While I disdain unnecessary violence, things could get hairy if he alerts everyone. Does anyone have a non-lethal way to handle him? A sleep spell or something perhaps?" he explained, looking at his new companions. "I could use a command spell to get him to come to us, and then we could subdue him. We'd be able to get information about the group inside that way. When we are ready to attack I can ask Labelas' blessing."

"Another tactician..." Brake grumbles picturing long discussions before each battle. "If you can get him over here without raising the alarm, do it. We'll beat him into submission and threaten to take his thumbs, his eyes if he doesn't talk. Course you understand we'll have to kill him either way."

Risshil's eyes narrow at Brak. "No, we don't. If he's subdued murder is not necessary. Any that surrender will be unharmed in my presence, and torture will not be tolerated. Do you understand dwarf?"

Brak's grin is ferocious, "That's not some elvish lass beguiled by a wizard, that's a kobold. They got no capacity for anythin but evil and fear. You'll not make nice wit em. To leave it alive goes against our mission and common morality... bah! Enough of this!"

Brak hefts his club, straightens his shield and charges the sentry without another word.

Quickly closing the distance and crushing the kobold's skull.

OOC: Assuming we're just off the map Brake moves to 25' to L18.
Bonus Action: cast Shillelagh.
Attack the Sentry
 10:55, Today: Brak rolled 21 using 1d20+6 ((15)).
 10:57, Today: Brak rolled 10 using 1d8+4 ((6)).


If for some reason my assumption is incorrect he'll close as much of the distance as he can. Entering the map at Q18.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:15, Sat 10 Oct 2015.

"Subtle." Ghere nevertheless moved up to maintain formation, darkfire waiting on his fingertips for the first kobold to react.

Ready Action- Fire on first target.

Rurik listened as his companions discussed whether to attempt to subdue the Kobold sentry -- and then Brak, with typical Dwarven aggressiveness, decided to end the discussion and take action. He moved up and downed the sentry before it could raise an alarm by crushing its skull.

With his shield and one of his newly-purchased javelins readied, Rurik moved up to protect Brak's flank. Ghere had preceded him and stood calmly surveying the battlefield, ominous magicks held at the ready on his fingertips.

If any other Kobolds show themselves, I'll take down any that Ghere doesn't kill first with his magicks, Rurik thought to himself.

OOC:

Round 1

Move Action: Rurik will enter the map at Q-17 and move straight forward to L-17 (25 feet)

Action: Readied Action: Throw his javelin at the first Kobold that appears that is not taken down by Ghere's Darkfire (I think that since Ghere posted before Rurik, his readied action will also occur before Rurik's). If a Kobold appears to be closing, he will wait until it gets to 30 feet before throwing his javelin.

09:17, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 24 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 18.  Readied Attack (Javelin).

09:18, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 5 using 1d6+4 with rolls of 1.  Damage (Readied Attack).

Rurik's Stats: AC: 18; HP: 13(+5T)/13.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:58, Tue 13 Oct 2015.

  Getting quickly to the others had entailed a scope of speed Librand hardly expected. One moment he was turning to head out, the next, smoke seemed swirl about him and he was standing in one of the many ruined areas. Rather than fright or bewilderment, Librand's uniquely silver hued eyes were wide with excitement and eagerness.

  Having appeared just in time to see one of the dwarves move up behind a kobold and club it, Librand tried to fall quickly in line As to what it looked like they were doing. He whistled a sort of bird call to get his fellow mercenaries' attention nodding his acknowledgment to them before stalking into the ruinous cover of the near by building, nocking an arrow on his short bow as he moved.

<small><small>
B=Brak R=Rurik L=Librand G=Ghere
shaded = wall
shaded "+" = barred window
shaded "-" = open window
"I" = door (action or reaction to open or close)
. = rubble (difficult terrain, cost 2 squares of movement)</small></small>

Brak charges the poor, unobservant, defenseless kobold. And smashes the creature's head in with a swift and powerful strike. Gore and blood splatter everywhere, and for a second it is painfully obvious why some druids have a poor reputation as far as people skills go. Then again, kobolds aren't people, right?

Ghere holds a spell, Brak having stolen the kill from him. (please place yourself on the map.)

Rurik charges in as well, javelin at the ready.

It seems nobody in the house is aware of the team. Instead you can smell a tasty stew being prepared on open fire, the fine smell overpowering the usual malodor of the slums. A deep voice can be heard, singing some sort of misbegotten shanty stitched together from several other songs you might have heard. There's also the skittering and yips of the kobolds, occasionally interrupted by the sound of a ladle hitting a kobold head or paw.

It sounds as if you're about to interrupt a meal.

OOC: DM, are Brak, Ghere, and Rurik aware of Librand? He looks to be out of their line of sight at the moment (well . . . depending on where Ghere is on the map, I suppose).

I'm not clear on when he "magically" joined the Team. :)

PS. Meh, never mind! I see from re-reading Librand's IC post that he signaled to the rest of the Team before taking cover.

I'll wait to see where Ghere is before posting IC. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:07, Fri 16 Oct 2015.

He absolutely magically totally joined the team, and you weren't surprised. It's as if a giant hand reached from above to remove Risshil and placed Librand down. And you're aware of eachother, being the super duper team you are.

From M18

Ghere moved up to the door, motioning Librand in behind him and pointing Rurik and Brak to the window. (K16) Still holding darkfire ready, he set the other one on the latch and counted down on his fingers 3-2-1...

Moving to L14, readied action.

OOC:

DM,

Is the open window (K-16) large enough for medium-sized PCs to fit through, or are we limited to making ranged attacks through it? I'm assuming the latter, but thought that I would check.

Rurik saw Ghere motion towards the open window, then position himself in front of the door to the building. I'd rather be blocking the door myself, he thought to himself, since I'm thinking that our attacking through this window is going to have about the same effect as kicking an anthill. But we'll play it this way. I'll move in front of the window on Ghere's count, throw my javelin at a target, and then go through it.

Rurik waited for Ghere to count down on his fingers, then on "zero", he stepped in front of the window, with his javelin at the ready. Flinging his javelin at a likely target, he moved in through the window, stepping far enough into the room to both clear a line of fire for Brak and to allow his Stone-Brother sufficient space to move in behind him, if he so desired.

OOC:

Move: Rurik will wait for Ghere's count, then will move from L-17 to L-16 (difficult terrain, 10' of movement), throw his javelin through the open window, then move through the window. Once he is inside the room he will step to the right (towards the door at K-14), to clear a line of fire and provide space for Brak.

Action: 19:02, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 7 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 1. Ranged Attack (Javelin). Well, that was a waste of time.

Object Interaction: Rurik will ready his warhammer after he has thrown his javelin.

Communicate: Once Rurik is inside the house, he will shout(!) out through the open window to Brak and Ghere, regarding the number and type of foes that he sees. Meh, just consider this to be the Dwarven version of scouting. :)

Rurik's Stats: AC: 18; HP: 13(+5)/13.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:52, Sat 17 Oct 2015.

  Seeing the human motioning him forward, Librand quickly tries to wave him off as he starts counting down. Stepping carefully through the rubble of the collapsed wall he had been taking cover behind, he joins Ghere and takes quick account of the situation.

  Remaining utterly silent, he taps Ghere on the shoulder then half turns, gesturing to the length of coiled rope lashed to his pack, an more notably, the grappling hook hanging from its end.  The halfling pointed up at the collapsed roof of their objective then a climbing-like gesture, and lastly, holding his bow as though sighting a shot. Librand offered a sort of cock-eyed grin that asked 'What do you think?'
This message was last edited by the player at 18:30, Sat 17 Oct 2015.

Brak waits for Rurik to scramble trough the window and quickly follows suit. Standing atop the window sill, waving his gore-coated club menacingly. "Have at ye filthy Kobold scum!" he shouts.

OOC:
Move: Hopefully his full move will get him through the difficult terrain and up on the window sill. Should have 10 feet to move through difficult terrain + up to 7 feet of climbing to spend.

Action: Ready. Trigger enemy reaches clubbing range. Reaction: melee attack.

Brak rolled 14 using 2d8+4.  critical damage from club (if triggered)
Brak rolled 26 using 1d20+6.  melee attack shillelagh enhanced club (if triggered)

gonna be really sad if that's wasted! oh well, c'est la vie!

AC: 14 (maybe 12 if shield can't come into play from standing in the window)
HP: 11+5t

This message was last edited by the player at 05:50, Sat 17 Oct 2015.

Ghere noted Librand's signs, then gave him a thumb's-up, turning back to dart through the door in front of him. He didn't bother with finesse, simply blasting the leg of the goblin nearest him off at the hip.

B=Brak R=Rurik L=Librand G=Ghere
shaded = wall
shaded "+" = barred window
shaded "-" = open window
* = fireplace & kettle
T = table (difficult terrain)
K = shaded figure (AC13 HP15)
k = starving kobold (AC12 HP5)
"I" = door (action or reaction to open or close)
. = rubble (difficult terrain, cost 2 squares of movement)

Ghere stands ready at the door, one hand on the latch, the other ablaze with darkfire ready to scourge whatever poor kobold comes into sight.

Rurik half-stumbles through the window, hurling a javelin blindly, then rolling into the house with a grunt and dwarven curse. (nb: you used up 30' of movement there - 2 difficult terrain + 2 regular squares - but I'll let it slide because of the coolness factor ;) ) There is a meaty thunk as the javelin impacts something fleshy. It takes a second for Rurik's eyes to adapt to the gloom inside the house. Now that he's inside, the smell of blood overpowers the sweet aroma of the stew. Along the barren inside wals, dozens of humanoid corpses are hung upside down, from big iron hooks driven through their heels. There are elves, humans, even a dwarf, all fresh and still bleeding from slit throats into broad-rimmed pans set up beneath them. Blood is a valuable nutrient, after all. In the south niche of the house, a big fireplace holds a huge kettle that's the source of the yummy smell -  although now that you know what's cooking, your appetite might not be quite what it was a moment ago.

The insides of the house are mostly barren, apart from a few half-functional tables in its middle. There are a dozen clean bowls with wooden spoons waiting on the table, in two neat rows.

Oh, there are eleven kobolds waiting for the stew as well. They turn to the invading dwarf, yipping in surprise. Some move towards Rurik, but most are too surprised to react.

The fire in the fireplace outlines a shadowy humanoid form; the figure is still busy with the stew, and butchering a song with its raspy voice. From closer up, it seems the voice is... female?

Brak bursts through the window the next second in a flurry of hands, feet, beard and cudgel. The latter connects solidly with a very surprised kobold. There is a sickening sound as the little creature's head explodes under the assault of the magically enhanced weapon, painting Brak and the surrounding squares with blotches of blood and brain matter.

To add insult to injury, Ghere opens the door and darts in as well, the darkfire in his hand reaching out to end another kobold. This one has time to scream in agony while darkfire consumes him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:38, Sun 18 Oct 2015.

  Now this was a team he could get behind! With the trio vaulting through doors and windows he immediately forgot about his half-baked idea of scaling the building.

  The fuse was lit, now to seek a bit of advantage. Rather than get underfoot of the human to enter the fray, Librand quickly searched for an equally impressive and dynamic means of entering. Dashing north along the building's perimeter, he found himself a nice vantage point for firing through another window...he just needed to get up there first.

OOC-

 AC 15 : HP 14/14 (+5 temp)
Move: L13-L12-L11-L9
Action (Dash): L9-K9-J9^RT-I9
I assume Librand is too short to see through the window. Once he gets an angle though, he'll keep targeting enemies adjacent to the team to gain Sneak Attack damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:40, Sun 18 Oct 2015.

Brak snarls and barks as he swings his club at another kobold felling another foe

OOC:

Move: to I16

Attack kobold @ I17

Brak rolled 10 using 1d8+4.  damage shillelagh blunt magical.
Brak rolled 21 using 1d20+6.  melee attack shillelagh enhanced club.

AC: 14
HP: 11+5t = 16

Now this is the way to do battle, Rurik thought to himself, with plenty of foes to slay and a Stone-Brother fighting at my shoulder!

As luck would have it there was a Kobold within easy reach of Rurik's warhammer,  and he growled "Too bad for you!" as he swung the heavy hammer at the little lizard. The Kobold tried to skitter out of the way but was not quite quick enough, and collapsed in a heap with a crushed left leg.

Glancing to his left and right, Rurik was uncertain whether he should reinforce Brak or Ghere. There were more Kobolds over near Ghere, but there was some sort of creature over by the fireplace that was out of his line of sight that the Dwarven warrior suspected might prove to be worthy of his attention. Rurik decided to serve as the Team's mobile reserve and hold his position for the moment, until the flow of the battle became a trifle clearer.

Edit: Soon enough Rurik's patience was rewarded, as he heard Ghere yelling at him -- with some urgency -- to break left. Rurik did so, moving so that he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Brak once again.

OOC:

Action: 11:27, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 22 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 16. Melee Attack. Hit! Rurik attacks the Kobold at I-15.

11:28, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 7 using 1d8+4 with rolls of 3. Damage (Warhammer).

11:32, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 3 using 1d10 with rolls of 3. Hit Location (Bludgeoning). (Left leg).

Move: Rurik will ready an action to move when it becomes clearer (either through Ghere's actions or the foes' actions) that he is needed more on the right flank or the left flank. Edit: Upon hearing Ghere urging him to "Break left", Rurik will move from J-15 (starting square) to J-16, then J-17, and will end his turn in I-17 (15' of movement).

Notes: Rurik's stats: AC: 18; HP: 13(+5T)/13.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:49, Mon 19 Oct 2015.

Ghere spellcast, no quick cantrip this, but sonorous rolling Words of power. A veritable swarm of flailing black tentacles burst from him as he paced into the room, one of them even smashing at Rurik, who was not where he had expected him to be. Four of the Kobolds went down with tentacles latched onto them, sucking the life from them with horrible slurping noises as Ghere hastily warned Rurik away. "Break left! Now now now!"

Suddenly, the odds were even.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:05, Mon 19 Oct 2015.

B=Brak R=Rurik L=Librand G=Ghere
shaded = wall
shaded "+" = barred window
shaded "-" = open window
* = fireplace & kettle
T = table (difficult terrain)
K = shaded figure (AC13 HP15)
k = starving kobold (AC12 HP5)
"I" = door (action or reaction to open or close)
. = rubble (difficult terrain, cost 2 squares of movement)

Librand dashes around the house, looking for an opportune spot to practice his deadly skills.

Brak's attack brains yet another kobold. The druid obviously enjoying this kind of work.

Rurik flings a screaming kobold over the table, then moves to the side to give Ghere space for the deadly magic the warlock weaves.

There's the overpowering stench of the grave, and dull thuds as lifeless corpses of the kobolds fall to the ground. The warlock looks smug as the deadly tendrils of dark magic he summoned dissipate lazily.

The three remaining kobolds glare at the invaders. Their indecision lasts for but a moment, murderous rage overtaking the little lizards. They charge, one even vaulting over the table, another one attacking while standing amidst the earthenware on the table. They hack at Brak with their dull, rusty blades. Two of them connect, graying the druid's arm and leg, drawing blood. Then again, those are just minor nuisances for a warrior of his caliber. (4 damage to Brak)

The cloaked figure turns. It's a female half-orc, powerfully built yet with a motherly figure, clad in furs and skins. A large amulet hangs by a silver chain from her neck - a black, polished stone with an orcish rune inscribed deep in its surface. It glows with an unholy light as she moves closer. Her skin seems too black for an orc. There is a soft smile on her misshapen face, as she puts her hands together, thumbs touching, and incants words of Draconic. Flames spring forth from her hands, leaping towards Rurik and Brak! (Brak and Rurik need to Dex save vs. 10; 14 damage on a fail, 7 damage on a success)

Hammer and anvil, 'tis an Orcish shaman! Rurik thought to himself as the creature over by the fireplace turned towards the adventurers. He suspected that the foul creature would cast a spell at his companions and him, and tried to ready hiimself as best he could to avoid the Orc's magicks.

His anticipation was rewarded as he was able to duck under the worst of the flames that spewed from the Orc's hands, even though he could still feel a considerable bit of heat through his chain-mail.

"Bitch!" he snarled at the Orc as he swung his warhammer at her. He initially thought that his hammer-stroke had struck true but the Orc's armor seemingly absorbed the hit, with no hurt being dealt to their foe.

"Bollocks!" Rurik muttered under his breath.

OOC:

Save: 19:11, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 22 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 20. Dex Save v. Burning Hands Damage. Success.

Action: 19:16, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 12 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 6. Melee Attack v. Orc. Miss.

Rurik's Stats: AC: 18; HP: 11/13
This message was last edited by the player at 01:59, Thu 22 Oct 2015.

The melee was too close for another great spell, so Ghere simply raised his hand and blasted the kobold on Brak's shieldless right.

Brak fights through the attacks from the kobolds howling,"What? is that all you've got you mealy-mouthed foul-smelling idgits!"

When the matronly half-orc unleashes her evil spell the druid calls upon the powers of Marthammor Duin, the Watchful Eye to protect him from the flames. He emerges badly burned but still standing.

He draws his club back and swings at the sorceress dealing a solid blow and returning a bit of her flame back to her.

Despite all his instincts screeching for him to withdraw he stands his ground.

OOC:
Brak rolled 5 using 1d20+1.  DEX save vs DC 10. 14 fire Damage.

Reaction: Cast Absorb Elements reducing damage to 7.

Action: Attack 1/2 Orc.

Brak rolled 2 using 1d6.  extra fire damage from adsorb elements.
Brak rolled 9 using 1d8+4.  damage shillelagh blunt magical.
Brak rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  melee attack shillelagh enhanced club @ 1/2 orc


AC: 14
HP: 5
Spell Slots: 1 - 1st level

This message was last edited by the player at 16:34, Thu 22 Oct 2015.

 The sudden flare of firelight from within the room hurried Librand all the more. The little halfling grabbed hold of the window frame and hoisted himself up into a crouch. Sure enough, magic had expedited the battle in their favor, though the older looking dwarf had seen the brunt of whatever fire was being cast about.

 All their attention being on the blackened orc, Librand sighted his arrow on her and loosed...only to miss by inches in the midst of their fray.


OOC:
 AC 15, HP 14/9+5
Move: I9 - I10 (10ft for rough terrain)
Action: Attack- Shortbow (12) MISS

B=Brak R=Rurik L=Librand G=Ghere
shaded = wall
shaded "+" = barred window
shaded "-" = open window
* = fireplace & kettle
T = table (difficult terrain)
K = shaded figure (AC13 HP15)
k = starving kobold (AC12 HP5)
"I" = door (action or reaction to open or close)
. = rubble (difficult terrain, cost 2 squares of movement)

Rurik ducks underneath the worst of the firespray the sorceress conjured; the resulting change in position made his warhammer swing wide.

Ghere removed another kobold with almost contemptuous, surgical precision.

A swirl of magic erupts from Brak, pushing the flames of the spell aside, then feeding on them. His magic-infused club explodes with fire as he retaliates, sending the half-orc sorceress stumbling back and howling in pain. The shillelagh had produced a satisfying crunch as it impacted the half-orc's flank, probably breaking a bone or three. (11 damage to h-orc)

Librand crouches in the window, shortbow making a barely audible twang, launching an arrow accross the room. The arrow makes a neat hole through the half-orc's clothes.

The two remaining kobolds shriek and stab at Brak, but their blades find but empty air.

The sorceress (AC 13 HP4/15), her face contorted with pain, falls to one knee. She clutches the talisman hanging on her neck; the despair on her face is washed away in that instant, replaced by anger. "Luthic will still have her fill!" she screams, bringing her hands forward again to blast her assailants with the last of her magic. Fire shoots forth from her hands, again, frying the still quite raw dwarves. (Rurik and Brak - Dex save vs. 10; fail gets you 13 fire damage, success a mere 6)

Rurik had no idea who Luthic was, but of more immediate concern was the motion that the Half-Orc was making with her hands -- 'twas the same as what had sent the scorching magicks flaming out from her finger-tips only a short while before.

His suspicion was correct, and Rurik tried to time his movements so as to side-step the flaming magicks. His efforts were only partially successful, and he felt the heat of the magicks through his armor on the portion of the left side of his body that wasn't protected by his shield. Better that than to have caught it full in the face, he thought to himself.

No sooner had he side-stepped some of the Half-Orc's magicks than Rurik was  back on the attack, and he caught the mage full in the chest with a heavy-handed swing of his war hammer. It was satisfying to see her collapse and die, for she had proved to be the most dangerous foe that he and his companions were facing in this battle.

Rurik took a deep breath and tried to steel his resolve to finish the fight.

OOC:

Save: 10:42, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 11 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 9. Dex Save v. Burning Hands (DC 10). Success!
Note: Rurik will take 6 points of damage from the Half-Orc's Burning Hands magicks, dropping him from 11 to 5 Hit Points prior to his taking his Second Wind bonus action (below).

Action: 10:44, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 23 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 17. Melee Attack v. Half-Orc (AC 13). Hit!

10:45, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 12 using 1d8+6 with rolls of 6. Warhammer Damage (+2 to Damage due to the Duelist Fighting Style).

10:47, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 7 using 1d10 with rolls of 7. Hit Location (Bludgeoning). Torso.

Bonus Action: 10:51, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 2 using 1d10+1 with rolls of 1. Second Wind.
Note: This will raise Rurik's Hit Points from 5 to 7.

Move: Rurik will ready himself to move out of the way of Ghere's magicks, if Ghere calls out for him to do so.

Rurik's Stats: AC: 18, HP: 7/13.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:42, Mon 26 Oct 2015.

Brak, braces for a second blast of flames from the half-orc and is better prepared for her onslaught. He once again attunes himself to the natural element, shapes and absorbs a portion of it.

His plan to clobber the sorceress is thwarted when Rurik slays her. He vents his frustrated rage on the kobold directly in front of him. His club a flame, slams into the creature reducing it to a singed, crumpled lump upon the floor.


OOC

Brak rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  save vs. Burning Hands

Reaction: Cast Absorb Elements, takes 3 fire damage.

Action: Brak rolled 19 using 1d20+6.  melee attack shillelagh enhanced club @ kobold located h16.
Brak rolled 6 using 1d8+4.  damage shillelagh blunt magical.
Brak rolled 3 using 1d6.  extra damage from absorbed fire.

for a total of 9 damage.

AC: 14
HP: 2/11
Spell Slots: 0 - 1st level

Ghere aimed carefully, Rurik's watchfulness making him determined not to repeat his earlier mistake, removing the remaining kobold's arm and the kobold from the fight.

Relaxing from his ready stance, he tut-tutted at the two dwarves. "Damn, that bitch toasted you two good! Brak, can you heal up or shall I dig out the burn salve?
Librand, um, thanks for the assist. Will you keep an eye out for response please while we heal up?"

Brak furiously pats his beard making sure any fire has been fully extinguished. He lets go with a... "Raawr! That was fun!"

"Where'd the halfling go? Thought I saw an arrow fly by earlier. I've no way to heal myself or others 'til I get a chance to put me head down. Maybe this thing here has something useful or valuable."

"Behind that window, shooting into their flanks. I guess he is the sneaky type. Tomorrow then maybe." Ghere dug out his burn salve and bandages, doing what he could for the two dwarves.

Brak, have 3 hp, Rurik 5.

 "Aye, sure...call if you need me." Librand replied to Ghere with a somewhat dejected tone. The skirmish done and over with and he only managed a single shot. And missed! Kicking his legs out from the window sill, he dropped back outside the building and began circling its perimeter. Tymora clearly did not favor his deciding to be in this husk of a city.

 Librand's silvery gaze surveyed his surroundings, but just as he barely made the effort to remain quiet, his thoughts of being back in the woods distracted him from his purpose.

OOC:
AC 15, HP 14/9+5

Action: Stealth (9), Perception (7)
Librand will continue circling the building in a counter-clockwise direction until he spots something or gets called back.

"Thank you," Rurik said as he accepted the healing salve and bandages from Ghere, favoring the Human with a small bow. "Ah, much better!" he muttered after he had applied the salve to the areas where the Half-Orc's magicks had burned him.

"And whatever it is that you do to bolster our fortitude before we go into battle is also much appreciated," Rurik remarked to Ghere. "But for your efforts, Brak and myself might have fallen victim to that Orc's foul magicks."

"You know," the Dwarven warrior continued, cocking his head to one side as he thought, "for a Human, you really are doing quite well, Ghere. I'd say that if you keep up the good work, why, in seventy-five or a hundred years or so, you may well be eligible to be named a Dwarf-Friend."

If Ghere thought that Rurik might be joking, a glance at the Dwarf's absolutely serious expression made that seem unlikely. After a moment, Rurik nodded his head and added, "'Tis a wondrous-fine honor for a Human, as I'm sure you realize."

After Ghere had replied, Rurik put his hand on Brak's shoulder and nodded towards the dead Dwarf who was hanging upside down from a meat-hook along one of the interior walls of the room. "We need to get our Stone-Brother down from there, and see to it that he is given the proper death rituals. Mayhaps he was carrying some identification, and we can get word of his death to his family and clan."

Grinning now, Rurik replied to Brak's victory-yell. "Aye, 'twas a worthy battle. Everyone fought bravely and well . . . and one needs only glance around at the many corpses hanging from the walls to know that this Half-Orc and her minions richly deserved the fate that we meted out to them today."

Rurik took a deep breath, then his expression turned serious again as he added, "I'm going to see to getting our Stone-Brother's body down from the wall. We'll also need to scour the room for the spoils of battle before we leave, of course."

Seeing the Halfling scout passing by one of the open windows, Rurik moved over and called out to him, "And thank you for serving as our eyes out there, Librand. 'Tis a critical job, for 'twould not do for us to be surprised in here if the Kobolds or their allies decide to bring up reinforcements."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:03, Tue 27 Oct 2015.

Ghere grinned. "I am unlikely to live that long, but thanks."

With his team seen to, he moved along the bodies on the wall, checking methodically on off the chance that any of them were still alive.
"You know" he said conversationally. "There are more than a score of bodies here, all fresh. there is no way that those few kobolds took all of them. Many of them look like fighters too. Put their gear together, it makes a huge pile. There is more that we have not seen yet."

Rurik shrugged at Ghere's protestation that he would most likely not live long enough to be named a Dwarf-Friend, as if to say "Don't blame me if you Humans are so short-lived".

When Ghere mentioned the number of bodies hanging from hooks along the walls and observed that there was more going on than what they had seen thus far, Rurik nodded his agreement. "Aye, ye make a good point. Did you hear what the Half-Orc yelled out after Brak had driven her to her knees? She called out that Luthic would still have her fill. After we return to the barracks, we should ask Boros if that name means anything to him."

"Aye, Ghere. Well done. We'll take this sorceresses medallion along with her head. Perhaps there are other bookish-types to tell us what is what," also helping pull the victims down before turning his attention back to their fallen enemies.

Similar to his behaviour in during the aftermath of the first battle, he takes an unusual amount of time examining the dead kobolds and half-orc. He uses a piece of cutlery from the table to hold back the tongue peering down the throat, brushes hair away to get a close look at the ears. He holds his hand or a finger up to compare and note sizes. Mumbling to himself as he "works."

His treatment of the dwarven corpse is different, reverent, but still his examination is unusually detailed. He exposes covered skin looking for clan tattoos or brands. He notes any distinguishing scars.

When he is satisfied with his search of the bodies, he turns his attention to their possessions. This is a much more haphazard affair. Tossing items of interest into a sack, "If any of this stuff is useful or the kind of thing that should be returned to families, we can sort that out back at the barracks, yeah?"





AC: 14
HP: 5/11
Spell Slots: 0 - 1st level

"Do you seriously thing Boros sent us out after less than a dozen kobolds? This is the kitchen. Somewhere nearby is the barracks, and the storehouse, and the meeting hall, for the hundreds of kobolds that it would take to kill this many people so fast. Our day is just beginning."

Treasure and oddities:

1. a jet (semiprecious stone) talisman inscribed with the orcish symbol for "home". It glows softly with some sort of magic.
   
2. each kobold had the usual weapons - a worthless dagger, and a sling with several stones.
   
3. in a leather pouch on the halforc's corpse, there are three large platinum coins, obviously ancient and quite valuable. Two gemstones are in the same pouch, an agate and a hematite (each worth 10 gp to the right buyer)
   
4. the clothes and equipment of the victims are piled up in one corner of the house. Most of it is just refuse, but there is a thin lacquered case, containing a magical scroll. The rolled paper practically thrums with restrained magic. (Wizard spell 3rd level)
   
5. a thorough search reveals a total of 45 copper coins more on the kobolds
   
6. the fireplace holds a large cauldron in good repair, and the nice-smelling broth within. Well, it's nice if you ignore the severed hands and feet floating up to its surface from time to time...
   
7. in case anyone wondered, the sorceress was pregnant.

The team is having a merry time searching the house. Might there be something they have forgotten? Librand paces around on the perimeter, distracted by his own thoughts.

The female sorceress is unlikely to have wandered into these slums alone... Come to think of it, orcish females are never out and about on their own, and this half-orc certainly seemed like part of an orc clan.

Just as these thoughts come together, you hear a shout from the outside.

Daddy is home.



B=Brak R=Rurik L=Librand G=Ghere
shaded = wall
shaded "+" = barred window
shaded "-" = open window
D = Daddy. A big, ugly orc with numerous scars and a huge axe. AC13 HP15
* = fireplace & kettle
T = table (difficult terrain)
"I" = door (action or reaction to open or close)
. = rubble (difficult terrain, cost 2 squares of movement)

Librand can place himself wherever on the map he wants.
The rest of the party can pick any spot inside the house.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:10, Tue 27 Oct 2015.

Brak moves around the table and positions himself by the northern door g11 or h11. He takes a look at the handle and hinges making sure which way it opens so he doesn't get bonked.


ready action close and attack, triggered by Daddy entering the building

Rurik silently motioned towards the direction of the shout with his chin, and it seemed clear that Ghere and Brak had heard it also. Rurik wasn't quite sure where Librand was, but he felt certain that if the threesome inside the house had heard the  shout, then the Halfling scout who was outside on guard duty certainly would have, too.

The Dwarven warrior nodded to Brak as his Stone-Brother took up a position by the northerly door, then picked up the javelin that he had thrown in through the window during the earlier fight. Rurik wasn't sure how this would play out, and he wanted to be able to attack from range if need be -- but hopefully whoever was approaching would blunder in through one of the doors and could be surprised.

Since Brak had the northerly door covered, Rurik chose a position by the southerly door -- which was also near one of the open windows, which gave him the option of moving in front of the window and tossing his javelin at whoever -- whatever -- was approaching.

But for the time being, Rurik flattened himself against the wall, taking care to be out of the line of sight of anyone peering in the window . . .

OOC: Rurik will position himself at G-16, and will wait to see what the approaching Half-Orc does before deciding on his action and move.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:10, Wed 28 Oct 2015.

Ghere moved to cover behind the table, ready for either door...

I14. Ready action-Fwakoom! AC 14 Hp 36

 When the orc's pressence was made known, Librand had been poking around in the rubble of near-by ruined buildings, loosely remembering a reward being offered for old books. He silently kicked himself for getting distracted and readied his bow, scooting along the wall to remain out of sight but still see the source of the shouting. He hoped the others had heard the loud orc, for he had little chance of warning them now.

 Throwing caution to the wind, he pivoted around the corner with arrow nocked and drawn. "Surprise!" he laughed, letting the arrow fly and catch the beasty deep in his left leg before sprinting away, and hopefully buying his comrades a moment more to prepare.

OCC:
ACTION: Sneak Attack! (24) Damage (9)
MOVE: E-22 to I-22
AC 15, HP 14/9+5

So much for ambushing the new arrival. Rising from his crouch, Ghere moved toward the north door to support Librand.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Wed 28 Oct 2015.

Can't fault the lad for being aggressive,  Rurik thought to himself as he heard Librand laughingly call out "Surprise!" from somewhere outside the house, and he felt certain that the Halfling scout had attacked their newly-arrived foe from ambush. And he had no way of knowing about the plans that the three of us here inside the house had come up with. Good thing I have my javelin readied.

The Dwarven warrior moved over and climbed up into the nearby window, took aim, then threw his javelin at the approaching creature -- which he now saw to be a hulking Half-Orc -- and was pleased to see the monster collapse when the javelin struck him high up on the left thigh.

"'Twas another Half-Orc," he called out to Brak and Ghere, whom he knew did not have the benefit of his line of sight. "Librand and I got him, but there could be more foes out here."

OOC:

Move: G-16 (starting square) -->G-17 (5') -->F-17 (Climbing up into window: 10' or 15'?). Total movement: 15' or 20'.

Action: 18:47, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 17 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 11. Javelin Attack v. Half-Orc (AC 13). (Str.-based Attack.) Hit!

18:47, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 8 using 1d6+4 with rolls of 4. Damage.

18:49, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 3 using 1d10. Damage Location (Piercing). Left leg.

Incidental Communication: Speak to Brak and Ghere.

Notes: Rurik's Stats: AC: 18; HP: 12/13.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:25, Wed 28 Oct 2015.

"Nicely done." Ghere left it open who he was speaking to, gathering up the bundle of loot and calling Librand in. "So, are we happy with our day's work, or do we go looking for the other kobolds?"

Brak comes trotting out to join his compatriots, "Huh... another half-orc, eh? Male of the species. Give us a moment to have a look see. But yeah back to barracks. Mission's complete?"

Rurik jumped down out of the window and joined Ghere and Brak. Drawing another javelin from the elongated quiver on his back, he glanced about and cautioned, "'Ware, these big bastards oft have a gaggle of little bastards tagging along with them."

Raising his voice, he called out to the Halfling scout who was somewhere nearby, he felt certain, "Damn-fine shot Librand! Ye surely got us started off on the right foot."

Then, addressing the question that Ghere had asked and Brak had already responded to, Rurik added, "Aye, my vote would also be to return to the barracks once we gather up any additional spoils of battle. We've done well, but have taken a few wounds and have expended some magicks. In my opinion, we're better off re-grouping and returning after a good rest."

"Brak, I think that we should take our dead Stone-Brother back with us, so that we can provide for a proper death-ritual. You and I can fashion a make-shift carry-all for him using a cloak, methinks."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:25, Thu 29 Oct 2015.

Well, that was rather anti-climactic as fights go. The arrow surprised Daddy quite a bit; then the dwarf hurtling out from the house launches a heavy javelin that ends up severing a main artery of the leg. There's barely time to blink and try staunching the flow of blood before Daddy collapses in a sorry heap.

Daddy turns out to be a big, nasty looking and soon-to-be quite dead half-orc. He has a hide armour in remarkably good repair and a fine (as orcish weapons go) battleaxe, as well as a canvas sack full of groceries. Alas, all his money seems to have been spent on carrots, lettuce and similar treasure.

There are half a dozen corpses still in the house - or at least what remained of them. The dwarvish one is not recognizable, but the style of bears-braids would suggests he came from one of the holds in the Dragonspine mountains to the north.

XP:

12 kobolds * 25 = 260
1 halforcish Mommy = 100
1 halforc Daddy = 100
bonus for being entertaining = 150 per character

=265 XP per character. This should put you on level 2. Feel free to chat and so on, there will be no more combat. Once you're done here, don't forget to account for the head bounty and so on. See y'all in the Barracks or Campfire thread.

"Well then, if you don't object I would like to give those corpses to the pyre? It does not sit well with me to leave them to rot or for the remaining kobolds."

"Ye make a good point, Ghere," Rurik replied with a nod.

OOC:

I have to admit that OOC, I am unfamiliar with Dwarven death-rites. I would assume that given their affinity for stone and earth they would bury their dead, but I don't know that for a fact. Can any one help me out on this point?

Depending upon the answer to this question, Rurik may still wish to carry the mortal remains of the dead Dwarf back to the civilized portion of Phlan, so that he can be given the proper rites in accordance with usual Dwarven practices.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:26, Thu 29 Oct 2015.

what's the difference between a dwarf wedding and a dwarf funeral?

One less drunk. *rimshot!*

A cursory googling points to http://frc.proboards.com/thread/8705 which seems rather useful.

"Cover me then if you would." Ghere set to work, laying out the dead (kobolds as well as others) in neat rows, hauling wood from the nearby ruins into the shell of the building and tipping the cauldron out to add those parts to the mix.

Raising his head, he made a short prayer. "Tempus, these men and women died in battle. Take them to your side and let them know eternal war." Stepping forward, he set a torch to the pyre then turned away. "Right, let's go."

"By the Great Beard, I can't agree with burning a Stone-Brother on the same pyre as a gaggle of foul Kobolds and a couple of unclean Orcs," Rurik grumbled as Ghere set about building the pyre. "Besides, our people believe in interrment in the earth with a stone cairn set atop the grave, if the family's ancestral crypt is not available."

Rurik set the remains of the dead Dwarf over to the side, atop a blanket that had been spread out on a wooden table-top from inside the house. "Brak, if you will carry one end of this, I will carry the other. I propose that we take our Stone-Brother's remains to the shop of Erudin Strongarm. He should know how to go about interring the remains of our people with the proper dignity and honor, in accordance with local procedures and customs."

OOC: Although the Campaign Background does not specifically say, I am assuming that Erudin Strongarm (the local smith) is a Dwarf (the name certainly *sounds* Dwarven). If that is not the case, DM, please let me know and I will edit. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 04:32, Fri 30 Oct 2015.

"Aye, I've got the other end. If we can't find a proper dwarf to assist in the rites we'll just take care of it ourselves," Brake said taking up his share of the burden.

"Don't forget we need those heads to claim the bounty," he calls out to Ghere.

"Got that covered. Although really, I am not sure that pissing off whatever gods kobolds have is worth the minuscule bounty. When we were proving ourselves was one thing, but now I say we just ignore the bounty."

"Ignore the bounty!?" Brak sputters, "Did you take a blow to your head when I wasn't lookin?"

"Don't bullshit me Brak, you didn't even bother to collect your share last divvy."

Rurik grinned at Brak. "It seems like Ghere has mistook us for something other than Dwarves. Of course we want to wring every last copper out of these misbegotten, ill-favored little piss-ants."

 While the team set about building a pyre for the dead, Librand retrieved his arrow and javelin from one of the orc corpses. "Sure, sure. Happy to contribute, boys." he responded to their calls and compliments.

 Giving the bled-out corpse a once over, he scooped up the sack or assorted produce and chose the cleanest looking carrot he could spot and helping himself to a snack, hoisting the crude looking orcish chopper over his shoulder as he walked back to the house. "Any of y' gents keen on 'is?" Librand asked around a mouthful of carrot as he gestured to the battleaxe.

In reply to Librand Silver-Eyes (msg # 64):

Rurik held his hand out for the javelin that Librand had retrieved. "I'll take that, lad. Thanks."

When the Halfling asked about the big axe that the male Half-Orc had not had a chance to ready before he was struck down, Rurik looked a little skeptical. "That seems a mite large for the likes o' ye, lad. Are ye sure that appeals to ye?"*

OOC: *The DM has described the male Half-Orc's weapon as a "huge axe" (Msg. # 43), which I took to mean a greataxe (a "heavy" weapon, per the PHB). If that is not the case (and the weapon is, say, a battle axe) Rurik (IC) will be interested in looking at it. :)

"I don't think he meant for himself Rurik" Ghere said amused. He turned to Librand. "We normally put the loot together in a common pile and take equal share. Anybody wants to claim out of that, well we have priority of course. Since some of this stuff needs Identifying, that will be tomorrow. Work for you?"

In reply to Rurik Ironhand (msg # 65):

It is, in fact, a greataxe.

 Hearing Ghere's explanation on how they would split the spoils, Librand nodded and dropped the (for him) over-sized axe near their accumulated pile. He paused for a moment to chew on the carrot some more before setting down the sack of vegetables as well. "Sorry. Got a bit eager, I guess." he said after swallowing the bite.

 "So...y'think these two were jus' runnin' this place like some tavern fer all them scaley buggers? Most of 'em look pretty starved." Librand asked of no one in particular, sitting aside to finish his carrot while the burly mercs handled the bodies and heavy lifting.


OOC: My apologies, it was described as a "fine battleaxe" in post #53.

"I think that this was the kitchen. A kobold, given its size, needs half a pound of meat or one pound of general foodstuffs per day. Their ration was probably half that given how starved they were, a humanoid corpse has about 110 pounds of usable meat, times six, doubled for veg, and this meal was expected to feed approximately 2600 kobolds. That is for a daily meal. If we assume that they are starveling because their meals are irregular, say four days, you can't hang meat for much longer than that, we still have 800 odd kobolds eating off this. Where are they?"

"Given kobold habits, probably scattered in small camps throughout the ruins. I suspect we haven't seen the last of them."

 "Uh-huh..." Librand absently agreed, making it obvious the halfling's attention wandered as Ghere started calculating the approximate total. "Lots more kobolds, got'cha. Guess I will need more." he added, glancing at his full quiver of arrows. He resumed eating the carrot he had taken, now with silver hued eyes surveying their surroundings in case more of the beasts showed up.

nb: Ghere's calculations, besides being wildly optimistic about usable meat, fail to account for the two halforcs, and other visitors.

"Well, fire is going nicely, let's head back."

After Ghere and Librand had gathered up the spoils of battle and Ghere saw to seyting fire to a pyre to burn all of the corpses save that of the dead Dwarf, Rurik nodded to Brak across the table top where the body was stretched out.

"Ready, Brak? Let's lift him up on three, and be on our way."

"One, two, three . . ."

Brak grunts his agreement as they heft the dead dwarf and head back to the barracks.