Return of the Runelords, Book 1: Secrets of Roderic's Cove [IC]

[Blackhawk101]

Perplexed, Alandra slings her bow over her shoulder.
"That foe did not seem strong enough to defeat the three town watch. Let's examine the bodies to see if we can determine how they died."

Alandra moves forward to see what she can see of the watch corpses.

[lostsole31]

Feiya says, "I noticed that your arrow had a little trouble penetrating, but not so Ranghen's sickle or Rodrigo's sword. Look at the guards. They had short swords, and likely are not as accurate or strong as you with your bow. They probably could not do enough damage against its hide - a hide that seemed to resist the thrusting weapons of the guard and your bow, Alandra - but not cutting weapons."

Each of the three guards still wear their chain shirts, carried a short sword, a light steel shield, and a bow and quiver with 10 arrows each remaining, along with a pouch with 5 gold for each guard.

Bořek says, "We will loot neither coin nor gear, but return them home for burial and for their families who no doubt are each at a loss without their sons, daughters, brothers, and wives. We need to let the Lord-Mayor know as well."

The silver amulet hanging from the branch is covered in angular geometric shapes that refract light randomly, and with ethnic Varisian motifs and appears to be a Desnan holy symbol. Feiya and Ranghen both seek to detect magic on everything, and the amulet detects as magic with a faint aura of abjuration. Feiya and Ziggy determine that it is a mind sentinel medallion, an item which protects against domination and confusion.

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra nods to Borek,“We can notify the town when we return. We must make haste to find the captured dwarves.”

She address the group, “Can we tend to these bodies so that the risk of them becoming undead is mitigated?”

[lostsole31]

"Yes," Bořek says, "as stated ... we return them to town for proper burial."

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra scowls at the young knight,“We have neither the time nor the manpower to transport three corpses. We must focus our efforts on saving the living.”

”We will see to their recovery as soon as we return to town…after looking for the captured dwarves.”

[lostsole31]

Though Bořek and Rodrigo both seem uncomfortable with leaving the bodies, they acquiesce to Alandra's argument.

The party continues south to the treeline, and then it opens into grasslands and a hill to the south.

So, tell me again what you are looking to find? Not based on end desires, but based on what is shown on the map.

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra gathers the group together to reassess their goal.
“I think we have to return to the main road and take the Ferry across the river and continue East along the road. Our priority is to locate the missing dwarves and I don’t think they were traveling this path in the woods.”
”From the description provided by Galdsbredtha Morgmon, they walked a night and a half a day to get to Roderick’s Cove keeping to the Southern shore of the river and skirting the woods. Considering the slower pace of dwarfs, we should find the scene of the attack today or early tomorrow.”
Alandra thinks a bit before speaking, “Unless the guards were tracking something into the woods.”
”Does anyone have the tracking skill?”
”Are there any signs of goblins?”

[lostsole31]

Ranghen says, "My specialty is tracking man or tracking underground, but I'm still good all around. I might need an hour to tell if I can find goblin signs around here."

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra nods to Ranghen, “I think that is worthwhile. Please do so.”

[lostsole31]

"Yes," Feiya quips, " 'goblins' aren't on the map, so I guess looking for physical evidence of goblins is the best we can do."

After an hour of Ranghen looking around with Ziggy's help, they find scant evidence ... scant, but present ... that are smaller humanoids moving about, despite an effort of hiding their tracks as they go. The direction of the tracks is southwest, following the treeline. The party follows the trackers. After a little over a mile, their appears to be a cave opening on the western slopes of a low ridge in the Churlwood. Lush and prickly blackberry vines creep across every surface and obscure the dark mouth of the cave if viewed from a long distance, but the stale smell of goblin sweat and the sight of smoke drifting up from the cave entrance makes locating the opening easily enough. Finally, you are there.

Thick blackberry vines grow from the ground here and sneak up the walls of a ridge. Among the thorny vines, curls of smoke waft up from a cave entrance.

"We will need what lights you may offer, much as before at Roderic's Wreck," says Bořek.

[Blackhawk101]

"Asking to see a map doesn't mean go traipsing off into the woods. Let's try to communicate better!" Alandra snarls at Feiya. "Nonetheless, we have found our quarry."

"A fast, hard strike to locate and extract the prisoners seems best. Bořek and Feiya take the lead. I will be right behind you. The others behind me with Rodrigo rear guard, but leave a gap behind me. I can create an aura of fear that should keep the goblins from overwhelming us with superior numbers. Everyone ready?"
Alandra will cast a spell and light will emanate from her bow. Once everyone is ready, they will move towards the cave quickly.

Spoiler: crunch

Show

Mesmerist Rider=Psychosomatic Surge: Feiya, Ranghen, Rodrigo, Ziggy, Daji + Self. Trigger is taking damage.

[lostsole31]

Ranghen says, "That's a bad plan, Alandra. My specialty is underground. We have to assume for goblins that it is limited passage width like the Wreck was. I recommend how you started, but swapping out myself and Feiya. The only thing I ask - since I am your spelunking expert, is either a torch in my hand or an hour to pray to Nocticula for a light against the shadows."

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra nods in contemplation and responds to Ranghen, “Good point! Take point and switch with Feiya.”
Alandra addresses the group, “Does anyone have a torch to give Ranghen or I can cast my light spell on her.”

[lostsole31]

Bořek takes out one of his torches and hands it up to Ranghen. Rodrigo drops his pack at the front under a tree, covering it up some.

As the party gets closer, Alandra, Ziggy, & Daji notice something in the bushes on each side of the entrance.

Surprise Round ...

ST24: "Goblin archers, mama!" squeaks out Ziggy as she steps a little to the northeast and spits at Red, who dodges to only take 3 acid.

ST17-16: Red shoots at Ziggy, missing, and Blue shoots at Ranghen, hitting her in the left hand with a crit for 16. They each step together while dropping their bows.

ST15: Alandra, what do you do? This is a surprise round, with all that means ...

[Blackhawk101]

Strange, distorted images of twisted fanged horses and growling slavering dogs swirl around Alandra as she activates her aura of fear; including the two goblins as her enemies.
"Your Fear comes..." she says to the goblins.
She takes a 5 ft. step to the SE and enters a martial stance.

Spoiler: Crunch

Show

SA= activate Aura of Fear and includes the two goblins as her enemies. All enemies within 10’ get -4 penalty on saves vs. fear
SwA= enter Battle Mantra Stance : +1 to hit

Triggered Actions:

• Psychosomatic Surge: Feiya, Ranghen, Rodrigo, Ziggy, Daji + Self. Trigger is taking damage.
  
• If Ranghen is hit again with an attack, spend IA to use Body of Delusion counter [SG1-C; IA, Autohypnosis vs. attack roll, 1/2 dmg] and spend Psionic Focus and augment three PP for +3 to AH roll (+10 total) to prevent all damage. Total =4 PP spent.

• If Alandra is attacked in melee between her turns, she will use an IA and spend Psionic Focus (if available) to manifest Untouchable Aura (1 PP base + 3 PP augmented for +3 rnds duration. Save DC is Will 17. 4 PP spent. Anyone trying to make a melee attack against her must succeed on a Will save or lose their attack action as they recoil in fear from the images inside their mind.

[lostsole31]

ST15: Alandra thinks about things goblins are known to fear - horses and dogs - and cultivates that energy as she activates her aura of fear against the goblins, saying, "Your Fear comes..."

She takes a 5 ft. step to the SE and enters a martial stance.

S7: Daji yips in alarm!

End Surprise Round, Begin Round One ...

R1T27: "Daji, stay," says Feiya as she steps behind Alandra and glances at one of the goblins. The diadem she wears flashes and Blue shakes their head but seems to resist whatever was attempted.

R1T24: Ziggy steps into Red's square and bites Red in the belly for 7, claws the chest for 5 + disabled, and continues the climb up the goblin to claw its throat for 7 as the goblin falls over.

R1T16: Blue steps back, readying its shield and short sword.

R1T15: Alandra, what do you do?

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra grins savagely and moves 5’ towards the retreating goblin. She reaches out toward the little green bastard and clenches her hand into a tight fist.
“You’re mine!” she snarls.
The nightmare shapes swirling around her suddenly dart at the goblin as it cowers in fear.

Spoiler: crunch

Show

stance: Battle Mantra +1 attack
SwA: Frightful Claim the goblin.
FA: Use Martial Terror to channel a Terror through her Devastating Touch. 5’ step East
SA: use Devastating touch and Fear’s Reach to attack the goblin. RTA
to hit - (1d20+5)[13] stance bonus not included
to damage - (1d6+3)[8] plus will save DC 16 (+6 aura and claim) or next successful attack by Alandra causes shaken 1-4 rnds.

Triggered Actions:

• Psychosomatic Surge: Feiya, Ranghen, Rodrigo, Ziggy, Daji + Self. Trigger is taking damage.
  
• If Ranghen is hit again with an attack, spend IA to use Body of Delusion counter [SG1-C; IA, Autohypnosis vs. attack roll, 1/2 dmg] and spend Psionic Focus and augment three PP for +3 to AH roll (+10 total) to prevent all damage. Total =4 PP spent.

• If Alandra is attacked in melee between her turns, she will use an IA and spend Psionic Focus (if available) to manifest Untouchable Aura (1 PP base + 3 PP augmented for +3 rnds duration. Save DC is Will 17. 4 PP spent. Anyone trying to make a melee attack against her must succeed on a Will save or lose their attack action as they recoil in fear from the images inside their mind.

“Ranghen! Stay back and see to your wound.”

[lostsole31]

R1T15: Alandra grins savagely and moves 5’ towards the retreating goblin. She reaches out toward the little green bastard and clenches her hand into a tight fist.

“You’re mine!” she snarls as she steps a few feet forward, but not far enough to actually attack the goblin.

R1T14: Rodrigo darts forward, and in stance unsheathes his sword to cut through and open the goblin's abdominal activity, spilling its guts and killing it outright.

Combat Ends!

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra lets out a breath she didn’t know she was holding and goes to check on Ranghen.
“How are you?” ​she asks.

[lostsole31]

Ranghen prays to Nocticula and her wounds are healed. "All good."

[Blackhawk101]

“Great job everyone!” Alandra gushes with a smile.
“It will get harder from here. We need to make haste.”

”Borek, please stash the bodies in the bushes and let’s move! Same marching order as before.”
Alandra readies her bow and moves in formation with the others.

[lostsole31]

Bořek makes no move to do what Alandra just asked.

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra ignores the blatant insubordination and haughtily follows the others into the tunnel. Ignores…but does not forget.

[lostsole31]

Ranghen and Ziggy lead the way in, followed by Rodrigo and Alandra, then Feiya,

Surprise Round ...

Sounds from within the cave ...

Begin Round One ...

R1T23: "Contact!" shouts Ranghen with the sounds of fighting within. "Two goblin sneaks. I've been hit twice."

R1T22: Combat sounds ....

R1T17: Alandra, what do you do?

[Blackhawk101]

“Ranghen, withdraw if seriously injured.”
Alandra makes a dramatic extension of her arm towards Borek with a Gleam in her eye.
”Borek, I have faith in you!”

Spoiler: crunch

Show

SwA: Fanatical stare at Borek.
Ready an action to move forward up to Behind Borek if he moves]
Triggered Actions:

• Psychosomatic Surge: Feiya, Ranghen, Rodrigo, Ziggy, Daji + Self. Trigger is taking damage.
  
• If Ranghen is hit again with an attack, spend IA to use Body of Delusion counter [SG1-C; IA, Autohypnosis vs. attack roll, 1/2 dmg] and spend Psionic Focus and augment three PP for +3 to AH roll (+10 total) to prevent all damage. Total =4 PP spent.

• If Alandra is attacked in melee between her turns, she will use an IA and spend Psionic Focus (if available) to manifest Untouchable Aura (1 PP base + 3 PP augmented for +3 rnds duration. Save DC is Will 17. 4 PP spent. Anyone trying to make a melee attack against her must succeed on a Will save or lose their attack action as they recoil in fear from the images inside their mind.
  

[lostsole31]

R1T17: “Ranghen, withdraw if seriously injured.”Alandra makes a dramatic extension of her arm towards Borek with a Gleam in her eye. ”Borek, I have faith in you!”

R1T16: Daji delays ..

R1T15: Brown goblin shoots Ranghen in the chest, and yet the arrow goes through her body as if she isn't there, hitting the wall behind her.

R1T14: Bořek flexes in his metal armor, scaring Green. He attacks with his guisarme, but the rock wall throws off his attack.

R1T13: Scared and badly wounded, Green gives a harsh whistle and withdraws, but Ziggy's long neck manages to reach him, biting the goblin in the back for 5 and dropping him.

R1T11-10.5: "Daji, come," says Feiya and she closes to where Ziggy is (where Green just vacated), and Daji follows, but is waved back to be a few feet behind her. "No more space here."

R1T10: Rodrigo delays ...

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T23: Ranghen quick draws a dagger and throws it, but the sound of it hitting stone indicates failure.

R2T22: Ziggy moves forward carefully, getting underfoot of the standing goblin, snapping at it with her little snaggle-beak.

R2T17: Alandra, your readied action didn't go off, and you are without your SwA this turn as you protected Ranghen. What do you do?

Brown on deck, standing over his fallen, and Bořek in the hole ...

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra readies and action and continues her Fanatical stare on Borek.
“Ranghen, be careful! I can’t do that again now!”

Spoiler: crunch

Show

Readied action: use Devastating touch w/ Fear’s Reach (feat) on goblin if there is a clear shot.
to hit - (1d20+5)[12]
to dam - (1d6+3)[7]

• Psychosomatic Surge: Feiya, Ranghen, Rodrigo, Ziggy, Daji + Self. Trigger is taking damage.

• If Alandra is attacked in melee between her turns, she will use an IA and spend Psionic Focus (if available) to manifest Untouchable Aura (1 PP base + 3 PP augmented for +3 rnds duration. Save DC is Will 17. 4 PP spent. Anyone trying to make a melee attack against her must succeed on a Will save or lose their attack action as they recoil in fear from the images inside their mind.

[lostsole31]

R2T17: Alandra readies and action and continues her fanatical stare on Borek. “Ranghen, be careful! I can’t do that again now!”

R2T15: The goblin sneak steps back, draws a dogslicer, and slashes at the tiny dragon.

R2T14: Bořek pushes in, but then calls out, "I need light! I also got hit!"

Doing so also broken Alandra's LOS to him.

R2T11-10: Feiya moves in acrobatically and Daji follows.

R2T4-3: There are sounds which are reminiscent of dogs barking, but a strange quality to that sound. It comes closer, though echoing, and then snapping sounds.

R2T2: Rodrigo disappears inside.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T23: Ranghen moves in and swings her sickle, and hits a goblin for 8.

R3T22: Ziggy doesn't close in, but snaps at a goblin.

R3T17: Alandra, your fanatical stare on the boy was broken when he disappeared deeper into the caves. What do you do?

Brown Goblin sneak on deck, Bořek in the hole ...

[Blackhawk101]

Alandra enters a Martial stance before advancing into the cave 20’ or so and taking a shot with her bow at a goblin if there is a target.

Spoiler: crunch

Show

SwA: enter martial stance Battle Mantra +1 attack
MA: 20’ East +\- following the tunnel.
SA: shoot bow at goblin, Risky strike
(1d20+4)[19] +1 from Battle Mantra not included
(1d8+3)[4] includes damage from psionic shot

Psychosomatic Surge: Feiya, Ranghen, Rodrigo, Ziggy, Daji + Self. Trigger is taking damage.

[lostsole31]

R3T17: Alandra enters a Martial stance before advancing into the cave 20’ or so, following the bending of the tunnel.

R3T14: ...

R3T11: Feiya is heard casting a spell.

R3T4-3: Sounds of the strange, barking noises with snarling and snapping.

R3T2: Sound of sword cutting through flesh and a cry of pain from a goblin.

End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T23: Ranghen steps back and casts a spell on herself for 4 healing.

R5T22: Ziggy steps back with Ranghen, but is more protective of her mama than retreating.

R5T17: Alandra, what do you do?