ooc: I believe it was behind us. That was from a description by the DM.

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"Whatever it was, it did not sound natural. Happily, it was off in the distance, but even so, there was some spark to it that I found unusual. It might behoove us to have a watch in the back. I'll be happy to keep an eye out for anything that seems off or strange. I will consider that my watch for tonight."

There's a gleam of small humor as he declares such.

 (I've added a game map of the area. Note that the forested parts shown on the map are the literal forest, but there are many trees in all of the apparent grasslands around it as well. This map is technically from a different point in time, so it's not entirely accurate which is good for fresh adventurers who don't know all of the details anyway.)

Akyra helped to organize the group's positions for travel as others discussed the storm and the unusual thunder. Describing the location of the thunder was nearly as difficult as describing where it had come from. It certainly came from the general direction of the storm, but it was a large storm. Those who were awake at the time that it happened might say that it was almost came from beside the storm, a bit more to the west, but with canopies dispersing the sound and trunks bouncing it every which direction, it hard to tell exactly where.

With everyone in agreement that finding the exact source and location were not going to happen, equipment packed up and ready for travel once more, and the oxen yoked back up, the group took up their respective positions and proceeded toward Phandalin once again.

Birdsong increases and more signs of wildlife are seen as the morning progresses. Soon you come to the fork in the road that will take you eastward toward the town that you seek. You head more heavily into the woods with this road, and even though the sun shines brightly this morning in a mostly cloudless sky, the forest canopy blocks a large portion of it and you enter a world of shadow and shafts of light where it does happen to pierce.

Evidence of the storm becomes more apparent as you move east as the ground becomes softer with the rain, and temperature and humidity increase significantly. Those of you who are not used to life in a forest find your armor and clothing starting to stick to your skin and breathing the moist air may feel a bit odd or unpleasant. The smells of wet earth and compost become dominant.

This path winds much more than the road you were on yesterday, and around one of those bends and up a bit of a hill, lies a surprise that puts everyone on full alert. Akyra instinctively calls a halt as the sight of two dead horses pierced with arrows awaits some sixty feet ahead of you.

As the party stops to inspect the dead horses, BonThot turns and looks back up the trail from whence they cam. He finds a bit of cover in the trees and studies the surrounds with all senses.

14:57, Today: BonThot rolled Perception 11 using 1d20-1 ((12)).

Bharkel quickly spun around upon seeing the dead animals. Not that she immediately anticipated a threat; leaving out evidence of violence is a really bad way of creating an ambush. She could feel her blood racing at the sight, the anger of unnecessary death. She let her mind race, relishing in the thoughts and emotions that coursed through her. She tried to hold onto as much of it as possible, and by tying it all to faces, names, places, she would be able to hone in on this when she needed. She would channel her fury at whatever poor fool stood in her way, even if they have nothing to do with this.

And if they did? That would be fine too.

1:24, Today: Bharkel rolled 15 using 1d20 ((15)) Perception.

Akyra was used to heat....being a dragonborn her blood was more cool than warm, and preferred warmer weather, but even she was unused to the travel of this heat in her armor. She, however, made no indications of discomfort. She walked stoicly as they went along, her eyes moving along the path ahead.

Rounding the corner, her eyes fell on the horses, and she instantly took her axe from her hip, alert as she looked ahead. Trained with a more military mind than most clerics, the way the horses fell she thought an ambush.

"Spread out, stay sharp." She whispered. She saw Bonthot checking behind and nodded in affirmation, hoping Sakamoto would follow his lead. She looked at Bharkel and indicated she should follow. She finally looked at Rosalyn and Pavel. "Guard"

She then stepped forward, staying close to the left side of the path, her eyes scanning the area for movement.

<OOC: Akyra Clethtinthiallor rolled 22 using 1d20+2 (*Natural 20!) - Perception roll>

Pavel nocks an arrow, and looks at the scene.


"Must be goblins, cruel things and they have been known to use bows."

Ooc:23:43, Today: Pavel Marsk rolled 11 using 1d20+6.  Active Perception in a forest. –
This message was last edited by the player at 03:46, Mon 31 May 2021.

Sakamoto had been enjoying the quiet speculative conversation with BonThot as they'd proceeded on their journey. The rear of the wagon was comfortable and provided a lovely view of where they'd been. This land was so different from his homeland and - mission aside - he was often in awe at the nature here.

When the wagon ground to a halt and they were called to alert by the front party members, he watches as BonThot retreats to one side of the rear of the wagon, then he moves quietly to the other side.

[OOC: Today: Sakamoto rolled 25,23 using 1d20+5,1d20+5 ((Stealth, Perception)). Ai-yah, too bad I don't get any bonuses, yet, from attacking from Stealth!!]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:11, Mon 31 May 2021.

Pavel keeps scanning.

"No offense intended about the goblin remark, just had run ins that were bad before."

The party went on alert and immediately started scanning the area for the source of the arrows. Pavel makes an educated guess that it might be goblins, and catching a better look at the arrows themselves, he sees the black shafts and feathers confirming his suspicions. He doesn't think it was goblins - he knows.

Pavel's trained eyes and ears seek out for the goblins. He knows they're here.

Sakamoto ducks behind the wagon quite easily with his small frame, and spots something straight away.

Akyra's eyes aren't made for spotting things in the dark, but Bahamut guides her and blesses her efforts.

Bharkel and BonThot are at the mercy of the others, and they have no idea of their own where the assailants might be hiding.

Normally I would have everyone roll initiative here, or I'd roll it for you. But, the goblins rolled a nat 1. So instead, I'm going to give initiative to the party.  The three people who are able to spot the goblins will have a link to the map with the goblins on it. For my B's, you two can roll Perception with advantage. If you can hit a DC 15, you see the goblins and can act normally. If not, you have no targets, so post actions accordingly.

01:43, Today: Psynister, for the NPC Goblin, rolled 3 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

Sakamoto's alert, trained eyes miss little. Somehow, he's able to notice that other's seem to have not noticed some of their assailants. Quickly, he thinks a message to Bharkel and BonThot. He then returns his eyes to the rear area behind the wagon, alert for any approaching danger.


[OOC: I'm assuming we're all within 30 ft of each other? -Ken]

Perception: 9 & 13

BonThot is surprised at the voice in his head. The feeling is a bit unnerving. But, he puts the information to good use and readies a spell.

The Dragonborn looked around the road, then north, and snarling, spoke in the draconian language as she stuck a claw into her own palm, a drop of blood on her hand. at the last, her shielded arm reaching out to the tree line to the north.

....and the three goblins within.

She stalked forward, shield and axe in hand towards them. “Come face your doom, little cowards!” She snarled

<OOC: movement: moves closer to the three goblins she spotted

Action: cast bane at three goblins. Charisma dc 12 save or whenever making a saving throw or attack, they must roll a d4 and subtract from their roll>
Bonus action: none>

BonThot calls out, "Akyra, where are they?"

The dragonborn snarls. "Trees, north of the horses"

BonThot follows the tree line to the north, careful as he can be to stay in cover. His eyes are seeking where the goblins might be.

Tried another Perception check - rolled an 18. Woo hoo!
This message was last edited by the player at 03:19, Fri 04 June 2021.

Pavel sights on the goblins to the south.

"Akyra! Goblins to the south of the horses as well!"
Pavel prepares a shot at any goblin trying to flank Akyra from the rear.

Edit

22:37, Today: Pavel Marsk rolled 7 using 1d20+2 ((5)).
This message was last edited by the player at 02:38, Fri 04 June 2021.

BonThot moves at half speed, halts in the trees and readies an action (Magic Missile)

Akyra calls upon the power of the mighty platinum dragon to defend the group from the northern goblins. The sound of a dragon's roar fills the space around the dragons, unheard by those more than 30 feet away from them, but the sound of it fills them with terror and an unsteady hand as Akyra makes her way cautiously toward them. (All 3 fail their saves)
21:47, Today: Psynister, for the NPC Goblin, rolled 8,5,1 using d20-1,d20-1,d20-1.  Save vs Bane.

Bharkel (DM) takes heed from the voice inside her head and rushes off into the trees to the east. Luckily, doing so allows her to see two goblins ready to fire their bows at the party, and draws (a melee weapon) as she closes the remaining distance to put their aim off of the others. (move & dash)

BonThot moves toward the trees for cover of his own, as well as in hopes of spotting where the goblins have hid themselves. Though none are in a position to see it, the color drains from his eyes leaving only silver orbs. His hands and fingers move, playing out a series of arcane gestures as they pull apart from one another leaving three darts of silver-white energy floating in front of him. He holds the energy, ready to unleash it as soon as he sees a goblin, but as his eyes scan from his new location, he spots a shoulder and elbow drawing back on a shortbow, and the unerring darts are unleashed. (Action already triggered - Magic Missile deals 9 damage to Goblin 1, killing it)
22:35, Today: Psynister, on behalf of BonThot, rolled 3 using 1d4+1.  Magic Missile.

Pavel plants his feet upon the wagon's seat in order to leverage the bow properly, and knocks an arrow in wait for a goblin to close with Akyra. (Ready Attack, Trigger: goblin moves to flank Akyra)

Rosalyn calls out to Bharkel with a playful tease, bolstering the barbarian's resolve. (Bharkel gains Bardic Inspiration, allowing you to add 1d6 to any single d20 roll you make in the next 10 minutes)

Sakamoto keeps a watchful eye to the rear, hoping the others can handle those in the front well enough for the time being.

Monster numbering is basically left to right, top to bottom, or somewhat clockwise from the top

Goblin 1 is dead.

Goblin 2 fires a black arrow at Akyra, with near perfect aim. Rather, it would have been perfect, had the little goblin not been shaking in his scrap-leather boots. The arrow flies true but is released a moment too late as Akyra has more than enough time maneuver her shield to intercept it. (miss) The little creature then ducks back into the bushes and attempts to hide once more. (Goblin 2 is hidden. Perception DC 19 to spot them.)
22:49, Today: Psynister, for the NPC Goblin, rolled 2 using 1d4.  Bane.
22:48, Today: Goblin rolled 19,4 using d20+4,d6+2.  Goblin Shortbow.
22:52, Today: Goblin rolled 19 using 1d20+6.  Goblin Stealth.

Goblin 3 fires at the cleric as well. The arrow does slip past the warrior priest's shield, but grazes the chain armor, catches, and bounces harmlessly away. (miss) This goblin also falls back further into the wood, though you hear it trip and stumble through the brush as it moves off to the northeast. (Goblin 3 is poorly hidden. Perception DC 7 to find them.)
22:57, Today: Goblin rolled 2 using 1d4.  Bane.
22:57, Today: Goblin rolled 16,3 using d20+4,d6+2.  Goblin Shortbow.
22:59, Today: Goblin rolled 7 using 1d20+6.  Goblin Stealth.

The goblin's movement does, however, give (Pavel) a clean shot, which the ranger takes. The arrow flies into the brush just after the goblin does, leaving you uncertain of the attack's result. (miss)
23:14, Today: Psynister, on behalf of Pavel Marsk, rolled 11,8 using d20+3,d8+1.  Attack w/ Longbow.

Goblin 4 ducks back into the bushes (Disengage) to get away from the elven warrior, sends an arrow at her, then moves off further to the east. The arrow is sure to hit her, but Bharkel growls as she knocks the arrow away at the last moment with her (melee weapon). (Bharkel takes 5 Piercing damage)
23:05, Today: Goblin rolled 19,5 using d20+4,d6+2.  Goblin Shortbow.

Goblin 5 sees the effectiveness of such a tactic and follows suit, tumbling through the brush and around trees (Disengage) to avoid Bharkel's attacks before firing an arrow at her while she's otherwise distracted. The arrow flies true and cuts into the barbarian's tricep. (Bharkel takes another 5 Piercing damage)
23:05, Today: Goblin rolled 23,5 using d20+4,d6+2.  Goblin Shortbow.

Round 2 - Targets with more than 2 trees/bushes between you are considered to have Half Cover. Both goblins on the south side of the road are visible without Perception checks, while both on the north side are hidden and require Perception (Action). You can post contingent actions, so if you're going to move into the woods in search of the goblins, you can have an action like "If I can see a goblin, (do this). If I can't see any goblins, (do that instead)."



This message was last edited by the GM at 04:37, Sat 05 June 2021.

Keen senses detecting no goblins approaching from the rear, Sakamoto turns his attention to the front of the wagon and the scuffle going on there. He's lost some idea of placement for the Northernmost goblins, but can see the Southernside ones easily enough. His Barbarian companion was outnumbered and outmaneuvered. I think time to bring the fight to my level. he thinks, moving off with amazing speed and agility. He bounces up onto the wagon, then across it, launching, even, from one of the horses' heads before the poor horse even knew what had happened.

Touching down in the roadway, yet leaving nary a footprint or cloud of dust behind, Sakamoto continues to move for the closest goblin to him. He knows he won't be able to land a strike, but the sudden distraction of the bowman was his ultimate goal.

When he arrives beside the goblin, he projects his thought at the creature, hopefully startling and distracting it from its intended target - it can be very confusing to have a voice suddenly in your head with no apparent direction, after all!

"It is time for you and I to fight, now, yes?"

[OOC: This should be Base Movement + Dash Action to get into melee range with the Goblin. I don't believe I'll get an attack action this round. -Ken]

Pavel knocks another arrow, aims at the goblin near the acrobatic halfling and prepares to protect the martial artist from a flank.

Action Hold attack to cover Sakamoto against Goblin 5 from reinforcements. Most likely Goblin 4

From where he stands on the northern side, BonThot is delighted to find that he has a clear view of at least one of the goblins to the south. Without thought, he looses three magic missiles at the unfortunate humanoid: 14 pts damage.

Akyra saw the goblins fire at her then hide, the arrows glancing off her shield and armor.  She strode into the forest, her shield and axe ready.

<OOC: moving towards the goblins. If she sees them she will engage and attack.

Movement: move towards the goblins (or where they were)
Action: if close enough to attack - attacks

Akyra Clethtinthiallor rolled 9 using 1d20+5.  Attack - battleaxe >
This message was last edited by the player at 08:37, Sat 05 June 2021.

Akyra moves into the woods with axe and shield at the ready. He knows roughly where one of them is, but not the other. As she moves in, though, the spots the more stealthy one and closes in to strike. The nimble sucker ducks out of the way, and the head plants itself into the tree's bark instead. (Miss) With a frustrated tug, Akyra pulls the axe free once more.

Bharkel (DM) feels the warrior blood of her ancestors burn hot, and she embraces that feeling as she lays into the goblin with all she's got, swinging the massive greataxe with wild abandon. (retroactively Rage, Reckless attack - kill G4 with 17 slashing damage)
20:01, Today: Psynister, on behalf of Bharkel, rolled 22 using 1d20+5.  Reckless.
19:59, Today: Psynister, on behalf of Bharkel, rolled 8,15 using d20+5,d12+3.  Attack w/ Greataxe.

BonThot had sought to slay the furthest goblin with his Magic Missile spell, but as it dropped from Bharkel's strike, he aimed for the other one instead. Three magical darts shot from his hands, slamming into the goblin one after another. (G5 is dead from 14 Force damage)

Pavel knocks an arrow to protect Sakamoto's southern route, but he sees the goblins slain as well. He pivots to the left and retrains the arrow there watching for goblin movement. Moments later, he is not disappointed as the furthest goblin runs to the north through a small clearing. The arrow sinks into the creature's side, causing it to stumble, but the little creature regains his footing and flees to the north. (7 damage to G3)
(I rolled your attack in D&DB since it was handy. Hit AC 17 for 7)

Rosalyn cheers at Akyra, bolstering the dragonborn's confidence. (Bardic Inspiration to <purple>Akyra</purple for 1d6 to a d20 roll)

Sakamoto rushes toward the southern goblins to aid Bharkel against he pair of goblins. As he reaches the back of one of the oxen, ready to spring forward, he sees both of the southern goblins killed in an instant, and mid-stride, changes the trajectory of his intended jump, to go after the northern pair instead. (move & dash)


Goblin 2 does not have line of sight on any of his companions, and fights on thinking that the odds are still in their favor. Still spiritually shaken from Akyra's curse, the goblin shows his teeth in an attempt at aggression that comes across only as fear. (Miss)
20:18, Today: Goblin rolled 1 using 1d4.  Bane.
20:17, Today: Goblin rolled 7,8 using d20+4,d6+2.  Goblin Scimitar.

Goblin 3 flees to the north, taking one of Pavel's arrows in his stomach as a souvenir. (Leaves combat, fleeing to the north at a speed the group cannot match)

Goblin 4 is dead.

Goblin 5 is dead.

Round 3 - Targets with more than 2 trees/bushes between you are considered to have Half Cover. Both goblins on the south side of the road are visible without Perception checks, while both on the north side are hidden and require Perception (Action). You can post contingent actions, so if you're going to move into the woods in search of the goblins, you can have an action like "If I can see a goblin, (do this). If I can't see any goblins, (do that instead)."



This message was last edited by the GM at 03:35, Tue 08 June 2021.

BonThot moves 3 squares to the right and searches for goblins in the southern portion of the forest. If he can see a live goblin, he'll cast magic missile again. If not, he'll hold steady where he winds up, scanning the southern portion of the forest.

Pavel moves closer to Akyra, keeping an eye out for returning combatants, while moving he pulls out his handmade.

OOC: Move to Akyra, switch to handaxe to provide flanking on combatants