Season 1 - Episode 4: The Goblin Caves

[Birthright]

Tannen grasps his sword and with a torch in his off-hand (I assume he can't hold a torch and a shield at the same time?) he follows the others up the cave tunnel, pausing to glance tentatively towards the daylight behind him.

[JoeCarr28]

(I assume he can't hold a torch and a shield at the same time?)[/i]

[Having never attempted to carry a shield and a burning torch at the same time, I'm not suitably qualified to judge whether this is a practical proposition or not. However, from a gameply perspective, I think it's more interesting if we say no, you can't carry a torch and shield at the same time; it's one, or the other].

[JoeCarr28]

As Paladin languishes in his new home, the others advance up the tunnel towards the guard post on the right. Nivek leads the way, followed by Hiker and Karl (shield arm high), with Tannen and Doughbert bringing up the rear. The flickering light from the torches of Hiker and Tannen boosts the illumination within the cave significantly and you can now, just about, make out the end of the main entrance tunnel some 30' beyond the guard post; it appears to end in a T-junction, with passages leading off to the north and to the south.

But first there are the goblins to deal with and Paladin to rescue. Ahead, you can see the two goblins peering around the corner of their alcove. They seem in no way inclined to rush out and meet you. As you close to within about 10' of the guard post, one of them shouts something (Nivek understands it to be "Now!”) and, from his position within his prison, Paladin see's the other goblin jerking on a rope which leads up towards the roof of the cave.

The approaching party sense movement from above. Glancing up, you see a net falling from the ceiling. It's sufficiently big that, unless you take evasive action, it's likely to entangle Nivek, Hiker and Karl.

[Nivek, Hiker and Karl must make a Dexterity Ability Roll or become entangled in the net. As level 1 characters the target is 17. Hiker may add his Dexterity Ability Bonus. I roll 9, 2 and 20 respectively.]

In the nick of time Karl manages to throw himself to one side of the tunnel and evade the net, but Nivek and Hiker are enveloped.

Having boosted their odds, the two goblins leave the cover of their alcove and advance on the adventurers with their short swords drawn …


Nivek: No ‘0’ level spells remaining today
Tannen: HP 5/9
3 pm, 27th day of Harvestide

[actingkeith]

"I. Hate. Goblins," Karl hissed as he prepared to face stinky creatures... knowing that if he didn't hold them for a little bit at least, his squad was doomed.

[Eevans]

Hiker looked up as the net smashed down upon him. Hiker fell back but quickly tried to burn his way out of the rope with his lit torch (assuming it is still lit)

[Iain_IF]

With the goblins leaving him alone, Paladin hurriedly attempts to pick the lock on his little cage so that he can help the others.

[SmootRK]

Nivek struggles to free himself as best he can. "Fires of the Forge Lord be upon Ye!!," Nivek barks towards the goblins (Forge Lord version of "Damn You")

[JoeCarr28]

Initiative
Doughbert: 3 + 1 (dexterity) + 1 (halfling) = 5.
Goblin 6: 4.
Nivek: 4.
Paladin: 1 + 2 (dexterity) + 1 (halfling) = 4.
Tannen: 4.
Goblin 5: 3.
Hiker: 2 + 1 (dexterity) = 3.
Karl: 1.

As he’s at the rear of the party and doesn’t have a clear shot with his throwing dagger, Doughbert waits to see what transpires.

Goblin 6 doesn’t hang around though. Ignoring the temporarily helpless Nivek and Hiker, it runs at Karl with its short sword [6: miss]. However, it’s a wild swipe that misses Karl comfortably.

Nivek struggles to free himself from the net, but is unable to do so this round.

Paladin pulls out his thieves’ tools and begins to work on the lock.

Tannen is somewhat helpless. Karl is between him and the attacking Goblin 6, and he can’t easily get to the other goblin as his way is blocked by Nivek and Hiker writhing in the net. Like Doughbert, he waits to see if an opportunity presents itself.

Equally, Goblin 5 is unable to reach any of the non-snared members of the party, so instead it strikes at Nivek with the flat of its blade in an attempt to subdue the dwarf [3 damage to Nivek]. Nivek takes a thudding blow to the head.

Hiker tries to burn through the strands of the net with his torch, but only succeeds in becoming further entangled.

The pressure is on Karl. One of his party is imprisoned, two are struggling beneath a net, and the others are blocked from the action by a combination of the confined space of the tunnel and the bundle of netting. He swings at Goblin 6 with his longsword [17 + 1 (attack bonus) + 1 (strength) = 19: hit! for 8 + 1 = 9 damage]. It’s a mighty blow that separates the goblin’s head from its shoulders. There’s an audible sigh of relief from Karl as he makes the breakthrough.

Now there’s an opportunity for Tannen to get to the remaining goblin. He barges past Karl, pushing him roughly against the cave wall, and lunges at Goblin 5 [15 + 1 (attack bonus) + 2 (strength) = 18: hit! for 4 + 2 = 6]. The remaining guard is vanquished.


Nivek: HP 4/7. No ‘0’ level spells remaining today
Tannen: HP 5/9
3 pm, 27th day of Harvestide

[Birthright]

With his blood still running hot from the fury of the short battle, Tannen holds his torch out towards the darkness of the tunnel ahead. With a quick glance at his companions, he barks in a horse whisper:

"Quick, get those two out of that net. But be quiet about it."

Tannen will move cautiously forward in search of Paladin (he doesn't know for sure what fate befell the Halfling) although he won't stray more than 10-20' in front of the group. If this means he can see Paladin in the cage, he will attempt to break open the cage with the back of his hand axe.

[Eevans]

Hiker stamps emphatically at the burning torch and managed to get his arm and leg entangled together and fell down to the rough cave floor in a heap. Feeling like a fly in a web, Hiker foolishly struggled even more, hoping to somehow remove the creeping claustrophobia.