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Story Hour
Hard Core Adventurers- KOTS 20.06 The Cathedral of Shadows
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 6166205" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 18px">KOTS Part 16: The Hobgoblin’s Revenge.</span></p><p></p><p>[sblock=Party Line Up]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 22px">The Hard Core Adventurers Level 3</span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8712669468/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8712669468_19fbb34957_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“Blooooood!”</p><p>“Revenge!”</p><p></p><p>The war cries come from the chamber beyond, a gaggle of hobgoblins spill in to the chamber- screaming and hollering; the first four grunts in leather armour and with longswords drawn, they charge in to the adventurers.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Hobgoblin Grunt]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8142730809/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8331/8142730809_a887140431.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Hobgoblin Grunt</p> <p style="text-align: center">Minion Level 3</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682043530/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8535/8682043530_427b91a553.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>The first pair smash in to Ramm, the closest target, the minotaur is cut but manages to roll with the blow.</p><p></p><p>“For the platinum dragon!” Tonka screams and vengeful longsword in hand charges in to the grunts, cuts one down but is knocked back, uninjured, by another.</p><p></p><p>Gokan reacts, hollers and shouts, the half-orc charges in to the mix and cuts another grunt down, yet another grunt slices at Gokan- a shield bearing the image of the platinum dragon momentarily appears and almost nullifies the blow.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy’s vicious dagger flies out and the third grunt drops to the floor clutching its gut, destined to bleed out.</p><p></p><p>Three of the four hobgoblins are down, at which point the veterans arrive. </p><p></p><p>The first on the scene is clad in scale armour and wielding a wicked looking longspear, the hobgoblin grimaces and lances out its great weapon and cuts Ramm in the side, the minotaur bellows its anger.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- The Hobgoblins attack]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8893105591/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3825/8893105591_5d5e08ffb4_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin deathwatcher grins as and curses- “Fight me, big ugly!” it hisses at Ramm.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Hobgoblin Deathwatcher]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8882751226/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3781/8882751226_b0a5f5fd72.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Hobgoblin Deathwatcher</p> <p style="text-align: center">Soldier Level 3</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8680931897/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8541/8680931897_423515f246_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>A second veteran hobgoblin soldier rushes in to the chamber, this fellow is clad in chainmail, a heavy shield in one hand and a hefty looking flail in the other.</p><p></p><p>“Des…” is about as far as it gets.</p><p></p><p>Ramm launches himself in-between the two new arrivals, en route he cuts down the last grunt, then smashes his battleaxe in to the newly arrived hobgoblin battle guard, cutting off its warcry.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Hobgoblin Battle Guard]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8882751704/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5446/8882751704_97d9b3cd4f.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Hobgoblin Battle Guard</p> <p style="text-align: center">Soldier Level 3</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682044054/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8682044054_20ee96debc.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Ramm has to immediately dodge hard left as the deathwatcher’s pike jabs out, a miss- by inches. Alas the minotaur’s momentum leaves him off-guard for a moment, the battle guard smashes its flail in to Ramm, who staggers- almost falls.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>The Hobgoblin Battle Guard delivers a critical hit for 15 points of damage, Ramm is bloodied.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“Take this one down! Revenge! For BLOOD!”</p><p></p><p>The third veteran, the leader of the pack rushes in and hacks at Ramm, the fighter brings his shield around just in time. The new arrival is a masked hobgoblin bladebearer, armed with twin scimitars and clad in an incredibly well-made suit of hide armour.</p><p></p><p>“FOR BLOOD!” It screams again.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Hobgoblin Bladebearer]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8882129575/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/8882129575_37a291a8bf_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Hobgoblin Bladebearer</p> <p style="text-align: center">Elite Skirmisher Level 5</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8680932029/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8526/8680932029_64b3da8f4b_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>At which point the last of the hobgoblin veteran warriors charges in, attempting to get past Ramm and to Tonka, the minotaur has other ideas, he lashes out and cuts the hobgoblin soldier- stopping it in its tracks.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Hobgoblin Soldier]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8142761280/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8142761280_4866286f42.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Hobgoblin Soldier</p> <p style="text-align: center">Soldier Level 3</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682043316/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8397/8682043316_acd777671a.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Hard Core hold the line]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8893723640/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/8893723640_ecd06a173d_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Ahead is a scrum of hacking and slashing combatants, Sigur stays well back- looks hard left- then hard right, trying to separate friend from foe.</p><p></p><p>“Ah! Let Moradin sort them out…”</p><p></p><p>Suddenly the ruck is swathed in sparkling silver leaves- paper thin leaves that shimmer and blink as they fall like gentle rain, at which point the hobgoblins start screaming- in particular the battle guard who seems to be suffering tremendously. The hobgoblin screeches and hollers till its throat is raw, it is also burnt and blistered, left smouldering by the power’s radiant fire.</p><p></p><p>“Encore maestro…” Sigur whispers to himself and grins- then claps his hands.</p><p></p><p>At the same time a thunderclap explodes above the fracas, the shockwave seems to be incredibly selective- the hobgoblin soldier is pushed away and left staggering, unable to clear its head. The chief, the bladebearer is likewise affected, the blast however lays it low and leaves it sprawling on the floor. The already burnt and much abused battle guard is not so lucky… the hobgoblin is flung across the chamber by the shock wave, it flails wildly out of control and straight down the well in the centre of the chamber.</p><p></p><p>“Aaaaaaaarrrggghhhh…” It screams.</p><p></p><p>“Hey Jimmy!” Sigur shouts, “I feel more experienced.” The dwarf proffers a thumbs up sign and grins.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Well visit]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8893722758/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/8893722758_746fd60645_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Tonka is quickly to Ramm’s side, muttering prayers and inspiring words, “May the strength of Bahamut preserve you- fight on great warrior!” The warlord declares, Ramm feels a surge of energy and roars.</p><p></p><p>Tonka grins and breathes out, a ragged fan of lightning scorches the nearest hobgoblin, the soldier- there are however only three of the fiends left standing, not including the battle guard in the well -shedding armour furiously while treading water.</p><p></p><p>Gokan rushes past the dragonborn and smashes his battleaxe in to the hobgoblin soldier, the second hit is a monster, decapitating the creature and sending its heading flying.</p><p></p><p>PLOOOOP!</p><p></p><p>And straight down the well.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Gokan hits the Hobgoblin Soldier with a Howling Strike critical hit for 23 points of damage- it’s dead Jim.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Jimmy creeps over to the bladebearer, still sprawled on the floor, the halfling rogue seems to spirit in to the action- he strikes, stabbing down hard and puncturing the hobgoblin’s left chest, and then like a ghost- is gone. The bladebearer spews blood and looks frantically left and right- trying to spot his assailant.</p><p></p><p>Moments later the pike wielding deathwatch hobgoblin clutches at its side, spies Jimmy close in- too close for it to wield its great weapon effectively, it bleeds too.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- The Hobgoblin Clear Out]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8893102923/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/8893102923_27cdec9546_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Ramm sees his opportunity and races forward and smashes his shield straight in to the face of the deathwatch hobgoblin, which is otherwise engaged with keeping Jimmy at bay; the goblinoid thumps hard in to the cold stone floor- just as the bladebearer finally manages to regain its feet.</p><p></p><p>The minotaur is not done however, at his feet the deathwatch attempts to rise.</p><p></p><p>“OOOOoooF!”</p><p></p><p>The minotaur warrior has other ideas, it kicks the creature as hard as he can in its midriff, all the air goes out of the hobgoblin as it is launched the five or so feet necessary to…</p><p></p><p>SPLOOOOOSH!</p><p></p><p>And in to the well.</p><p></p><p>There’s a strangled cry from below, the last words- actually sounds, of the hobgoblin battle guard who looks up at the last moment and suffers a broken neck as 200lbs of armour clad hobgoblin smashes down in to it.</p><p></p><p>The battle guard sinks beneath the water, gone forever.</p><p></p><p>Ramm grins, snorts and shuffles over to the bladebearer.</p><p></p><p>WONG!</p><p></p><p>His shield reverberates furiously, having just made heavy contact with the side of the bladebearer’s skull.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Ramm’s Shove & Slap Daily proves to be a winner.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“Have you… I mean…” The bladebearer starts and then trails off- the creature staggers left and right, attempts to clutch its head in an effort to stay still just for a second.</p><p></p><p>“I like mushrooms.” It adds.</p><p></p><p>The chief lashes out with its scimitars, and doesn’t come close.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Guess where you’re going?]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8893720886/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5347/8893720886_43d726766f_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Gokan knows no mercy, the half-orc screams and charges in to the staggering, dazed bladebearer- the creature is cut once, twice… three times in quick succession, left a bloody heap deposited back on the stone floor.</p><p></p><p>The forlorn hobgoblin tries again to gain its feet…</p><p></p><p>“Aaaarrgghh!” It screams, Jimmy dodges back again, still not spotted by the now almost spent goblinoid warrior.</p><p></p><p>Suddenly over the top of the well the deathwatch hobgoblin appears; braced across the span of the construction it has used all of its strength and power to climb to the top of the water source.</p><p></p><p>Ramm steps up to the bladebearer, swishes his axe once- a practice swing and then smashes it in to the chief’s gut, with immense force.</p><p></p><p>The bladebearer is cut deep, sent spinning back and…</p><p></p><p>“Arrrgggghhh…”</p><p></p><p>Joined by-</p><p></p><p>“Noooooooo…”</p><p></p><p>The hobgoblin bladebearer smashes in to the deathwatch, the latter plummets in to the water again- the bladebearer teeters on the brink for a second, still dazed and disorientated it paws the air- once, twice and then states-</p><p></p><p>“Good hit…”</p><p></p><p>Nods its head, and then tumbles backwards over the lip and in to the well.</p><p></p><p>THUMP!</p><p></p><p>Locating the deathwatch hobgoblin at the bottom.</p><p></p><p>The pair however are both still alive- they thrash around for a moment or two- as faces above gather to stare down, and then- stupidly, they both try to climb up and out of the well.</p><p></p><p>Clearly the pair are not thinking straight.</p><p></p><p>“They’re not thinking straight.” Tonka states and shakes his head, “clearly…” he adds and shakes his head some more.</p><p></p><p>“Here- let me.” Sigur wrestles his way past Ramm to the well and then leans over the edge, he gurns and pulls faces- while muttering unintelligible dark threats.</p><p></p><p>Suddenly, and seemingly for no reason, the deathwatch hobgoblin squirms and clutches at its head- at which point gravity gets involved, the thing plummets back in to the well- writhes and thrashes there, mostly face down, and in short order dies.</p><p></p><p>“Well?” Tonka asks.</p><p></p><p>The bladebearer hobgoblin looks up, it’s nearly half-way back to the top of the well.</p><p></p><p>“Pax.” It shouts, and pleads with its eyes.</p><p></p><p>“What lies ahead?” Tonka shouts down, the hobgoblin bladebearer shivers and shakes- the cold of the water and muscle strain as it attempts to maintain its balance and hold, braced against the walls half way up the well.</p><p></p><p>It doesn’t think long, or hard.</p><p></p><p>“A portal. A door of some kind- to the Shadowfell, I think.” It splutters.</p><p>“Now, let me up?”</p><p></p><p>Tonka looks at Sigur, Sigur shakes his head.</p><p></p><p>“No.” Tonka plainly states, and then adds, “Is the portal guarded?”</p><p></p><p>“Nooooo! Now let me up, please…” The bladebearer chief begs.</p><p></p><p>Tonka looks at Sigur, Sigur shakes his head again.</p><p></p><p>“No.” Tonka states and stares down at the bladebearer, the hobgoblin meets the dragonborn’s gaze.</p><p>“You might as well fall back in to the water…” Tonka adds, and then to himself “you’re not getting out until you tell us what we need to know- got it?</p><p></p><p>Tonka looks at Sigur, Sigur nods his approval.</p><p></p><p>SPLOOSH</p><p></p><p>The bladebearer falls back down in to the water, surfaces and then shouts back up-</p><p></p><p>“Right, ask.”</p><p></p><p>Fifteen minutes later the bladebearer with hands tied is being prodded along the corridors of the dungeon; the guys are looking for somewhere convenient to stash the nasty looking hobgoblin, actually semi-naked hobgoblin, Gokan has taken the creature’s fine looking armour.</p><p></p><p>The guys have also acquired some new and interesting information.</p><p></p><p>The portal lies within the chambers ahead, it is unguarded- there are no more troops within the complex, although there are guards beyond, through the portal- in the Shadowfell. The bladebearer has never entered the portal so he doesn’t know what lies beyond, however he has seen undead creatures pass through from the other side. He also witnessed his master Kalarel’s passage through the portal. It’s therefore likely, the guys think, that there are several groups of enemies in the Shadowfell- waiting for them.</p><p></p><p>The last piece of information, the final snippet is the fact that the portal is closed, the bladebearer explains that only Kalarel knows how to open the portal, and he’s already within it.</p><p></p><p>Victory, tinged with worry, is the over-riding emotion for the adventurers, another battle has been won, but the war is clearly not yet over.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Encounter #16 Synopsis, PC XP & DM’s thoughts]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8893123305/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5447/8893123305_58a13856d3_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">Encounter #16 The Hobgoblin’s Revenge, starring-</span></p><p></p><p>Hobgoblin Grunt (Minion 3) x4</p><p>Hobgoblin Soldier (Soldier 3) x1</p><p>Hobgoblin Battle Guard (Soldier 3) x1</p><p>Hobgoblin Deathwatcher (Soldier 3) x1</p><p>Hobgoblin Bladebearer (Elite Skirmisher 3) x1</p><p></p><p>1002 XP Level 5 Encounter.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">PC XP</span></p><p></p><p>200 XP each for a total of 2736 XP in total (PCs Level 3).</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">DM Thoughts-</span></p><p></p><p>Level three for the PCs is proving to be incredibly powerful, particularly when the dice fall in the PCs favour- that encounter was a massacre from start to finish. And what a let-down the Bladebearer proved to be, although in truth the poor guy got swamped and smashes on his backside more or less all of the time. I allowed the guy to attack twice per round with his scimitars more or less from the start, all to no avail, and when one of the hobgoblins ended up down the well… The players were giggling like fools towards the end.</p><p></p><p>Also noticeable is the new concord (of sorts) which exists between Sigur and Tonka, the two were the most vocal characters previously- although Sigur could run silent for quite a while at times. They’ve now decided to start talking to each other, less talking ‘at’ each other.</p><p></p><p>This is also the start of the major(-ish) change to the scenario, my variation which is much more to do with the keep and the events that took place here during Sir Keegan’s time as commander, which I thought would add somewhat to the plot. </p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8045385824/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/8045385824_b9d8e34957_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 6166205, member: 16069"] [CENTER][SIZE="5"]KOTS Part 16: The Hobgoblin’s Revenge.[/SIZE][/CENTER] [sblock=Party Line Up] [CENTER][SIZE="6"]The Hard Core Adventurers Level 3[/SIZE] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8712669468/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8712669468_19fbb34957_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] “Blooooood!” “Revenge!” The war cries come from the chamber beyond, a gaggle of hobgoblins spill in to the chamber- screaming and hollering; the first four grunts in leather armour and with longswords drawn, they charge in to the adventurers. [sblock=Hobgoblin Grunt] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8142730809/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8331/8142730809_a887140431.jpg[/img][/url] Hobgoblin Grunt Minion Level 3 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682043530/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8535/8682043530_427b91a553.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] The first pair smash in to Ramm, the closest target, the minotaur is cut but manages to roll with the blow. “For the platinum dragon!” Tonka screams and vengeful longsword in hand charges in to the grunts, cuts one down but is knocked back, uninjured, by another. Gokan reacts, hollers and shouts, the half-orc charges in to the mix and cuts another grunt down, yet another grunt slices at Gokan- a shield bearing the image of the platinum dragon momentarily appears and almost nullifies the blow. Jimmy’s vicious dagger flies out and the third grunt drops to the floor clutching its gut, destined to bleed out. Three of the four hobgoblins are down, at which point the veterans arrive. The first on the scene is clad in scale armour and wielding a wicked looking longspear, the hobgoblin grimaces and lances out its great weapon and cuts Ramm in the side, the minotaur bellows its anger. [sblock=Picture- The Hobgoblins attack] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8893105591/][img]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3825/8893105591_5d5e08ffb4_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] The hobgoblin deathwatcher grins as and curses- “Fight me, big ugly!” it hisses at Ramm. [sblock=Hobgoblin Deathwatcher] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8882751226/][img]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3781/8882751226_b0a5f5fd72.jpg[/img][/url] Hobgoblin Deathwatcher Soldier Level 3 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8680931897/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8541/8680931897_423515f246_z.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] A second veteran hobgoblin soldier rushes in to the chamber, this fellow is clad in chainmail, a heavy shield in one hand and a hefty looking flail in the other. “Des…” is about as far as it gets. Ramm launches himself in-between the two new arrivals, en route he cuts down the last grunt, then smashes his battleaxe in to the newly arrived hobgoblin battle guard, cutting off its warcry. [sblock=Hobgoblin Battle Guard] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8882751704/][img]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5446/8882751704_97d9b3cd4f.jpg[/img][/url] Hobgoblin Battle Guard Soldier Level 3 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682044054/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8682044054_20ee96debc.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Ramm has to immediately dodge hard left as the deathwatcher’s pike jabs out, a miss- by inches. Alas the minotaur’s momentum leaves him off-guard for a moment, the battle guard smashes its flail in to Ramm, who staggers- almost falls. [sblock=Info] The Hobgoblin Battle Guard delivers a critical hit for 15 points of damage, Ramm is bloodied. [/sblock] “Take this one down! Revenge! For BLOOD!” The third veteran, the leader of the pack rushes in and hacks at Ramm, the fighter brings his shield around just in time. The new arrival is a masked hobgoblin bladebearer, armed with twin scimitars and clad in an incredibly well-made suit of hide armour. “FOR BLOOD!” It screams again. [sblock=Hobgoblin Bladebearer] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8882129575/][img]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/8882129575_37a291a8bf_o.png[/img][/url] Hobgoblin Bladebearer Elite Skirmisher Level 5 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8680932029/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8526/8680932029_64b3da8f4b_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] At which point the last of the hobgoblin veteran warriors charges in, attempting to get past Ramm and to Tonka, the minotaur has other ideas, he lashes out and cuts the hobgoblin soldier- stopping it in its tracks. [sblock=Hobgoblin Soldier] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8142761280/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8142761280_4866286f42.jpg[/img][/url] Hobgoblin Soldier Soldier Level 3 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682043316/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8397/8682043316_acd777671a.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] [sblock=Picture- Hard Core hold the line] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8893723640/][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/8893723640_ecd06a173d_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Ahead is a scrum of hacking and slashing combatants, Sigur stays well back- looks hard left- then hard right, trying to separate friend from foe. “Ah! Let Moradin sort them out…” Suddenly the ruck is swathed in sparkling silver leaves- paper thin leaves that shimmer and blink as they fall like gentle rain, at which point the hobgoblins start screaming- in particular the battle guard who seems to be suffering tremendously. The hobgoblin screeches and hollers till its throat is raw, it is also burnt and blistered, left smouldering by the power’s radiant fire. “Encore maestro…” Sigur whispers to himself and grins- then claps his hands. At the same time a thunderclap explodes above the fracas, the shockwave seems to be incredibly selective- the hobgoblin soldier is pushed away and left staggering, unable to clear its head. The chief, the bladebearer is likewise affected, the blast however lays it low and leaves it sprawling on the floor. The already burnt and much abused battle guard is not so lucky… the hobgoblin is flung across the chamber by the shock wave, it flails wildly out of control and straight down the well in the centre of the chamber. “Aaaaaaaarrrggghhhh…” It screams. “Hey Jimmy!” Sigur shouts, “I feel more experienced.” The dwarf proffers a thumbs up sign and grins. [sblock=Picture- Well visit] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8893722758/][img]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/8893722758_746fd60645_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Tonka is quickly to Ramm’s side, muttering prayers and inspiring words, “May the strength of Bahamut preserve you- fight on great warrior!” The warlord declares, Ramm feels a surge of energy and roars. Tonka grins and breathes out, a ragged fan of lightning scorches the nearest hobgoblin, the soldier- there are however only three of the fiends left standing, not including the battle guard in the well -shedding armour furiously while treading water. Gokan rushes past the dragonborn and smashes his battleaxe in to the hobgoblin soldier, the second hit is a monster, decapitating the creature and sending its heading flying. PLOOOOP! And straight down the well. [sblock=Info] Gokan hits the Hobgoblin Soldier with a Howling Strike critical hit for 23 points of damage- it’s dead Jim. [/sblock] Jimmy creeps over to the bladebearer, still sprawled on the floor, the halfling rogue seems to spirit in to the action- he strikes, stabbing down hard and puncturing the hobgoblin’s left chest, and then like a ghost- is gone. The bladebearer spews blood and looks frantically left and right- trying to spot his assailant. Moments later the pike wielding deathwatch hobgoblin clutches at its side, spies Jimmy close in- too close for it to wield its great weapon effectively, it bleeds too. [sblock=Picture- The Hobgoblin Clear Out] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8893102923/][img]http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/8893102923_27cdec9546_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Ramm sees his opportunity and races forward and smashes his shield straight in to the face of the deathwatch hobgoblin, which is otherwise engaged with keeping Jimmy at bay; the goblinoid thumps hard in to the cold stone floor- just as the bladebearer finally manages to regain its feet. The minotaur is not done however, at his feet the deathwatch attempts to rise. “OOOOoooF!” The minotaur warrior has other ideas, it kicks the creature as hard as he can in its midriff, all the air goes out of the hobgoblin as it is launched the five or so feet necessary to… SPLOOOOOSH! And in to the well. There’s a strangled cry from below, the last words- actually sounds, of the hobgoblin battle guard who looks up at the last moment and suffers a broken neck as 200lbs of armour clad hobgoblin smashes down in to it. The battle guard sinks beneath the water, gone forever. Ramm grins, snorts and shuffles over to the bladebearer. WONG! His shield reverberates furiously, having just made heavy contact with the side of the bladebearer’s skull. [sblock=Info] Ramm’s Shove & Slap Daily proves to be a winner. [/sblock] “Have you… I mean…” The bladebearer starts and then trails off- the creature staggers left and right, attempts to clutch its head in an effort to stay still just for a second. “I like mushrooms.” It adds. The chief lashes out with its scimitars, and doesn’t come close. [sblock=Picture- Guess where you’re going?] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8893720886/][img]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5347/8893720886_43d726766f_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Gokan knows no mercy, the half-orc screams and charges in to the staggering, dazed bladebearer- the creature is cut once, twice… three times in quick succession, left a bloody heap deposited back on the stone floor. The forlorn hobgoblin tries again to gain its feet… “Aaaarrgghh!” It screams, Jimmy dodges back again, still not spotted by the now almost spent goblinoid warrior. Suddenly over the top of the well the deathwatch hobgoblin appears; braced across the span of the construction it has used all of its strength and power to climb to the top of the water source. Ramm steps up to the bladebearer, swishes his axe once- a practice swing and then smashes it in to the chief’s gut, with immense force. The bladebearer is cut deep, sent spinning back and… “Arrrgggghhh…” Joined by- “Noooooooo…” The hobgoblin bladebearer smashes in to the deathwatch, the latter plummets in to the water again- the bladebearer teeters on the brink for a second, still dazed and disorientated it paws the air- once, twice and then states- “Good hit…” Nods its head, and then tumbles backwards over the lip and in to the well. THUMP! Locating the deathwatch hobgoblin at the bottom. The pair however are both still alive- they thrash around for a moment or two- as faces above gather to stare down, and then- stupidly, they both try to climb up and out of the well. Clearly the pair are not thinking straight. “They’re not thinking straight.” Tonka states and shakes his head, “clearly…” he adds and shakes his head some more. “Here- let me.” Sigur wrestles his way past Ramm to the well and then leans over the edge, he gurns and pulls faces- while muttering unintelligible dark threats. Suddenly, and seemingly for no reason, the deathwatch hobgoblin squirms and clutches at its head- at which point gravity gets involved, the thing plummets back in to the well- writhes and thrashes there, mostly face down, and in short order dies. “Well?” Tonka asks. The bladebearer hobgoblin looks up, it’s nearly half-way back to the top of the well. “Pax.” It shouts, and pleads with its eyes. “What lies ahead?” Tonka shouts down, the hobgoblin bladebearer shivers and shakes- the cold of the water and muscle strain as it attempts to maintain its balance and hold, braced against the walls half way up the well. It doesn’t think long, or hard. “A portal. A door of some kind- to the Shadowfell, I think.” It splutters. “Now, let me up?” Tonka looks at Sigur, Sigur shakes his head. “No.” Tonka plainly states, and then adds, “Is the portal guarded?” “Nooooo! Now let me up, please…” The bladebearer chief begs. Tonka looks at Sigur, Sigur shakes his head again. “No.” Tonka states and stares down at the bladebearer, the hobgoblin meets the dragonborn’s gaze. “You might as well fall back in to the water…” Tonka adds, and then to himself “you’re not getting out until you tell us what we need to know- got it? Tonka looks at Sigur, Sigur nods his approval. SPLOOSH The bladebearer falls back down in to the water, surfaces and then shouts back up- “Right, ask.” Fifteen minutes later the bladebearer with hands tied is being prodded along the corridors of the dungeon; the guys are looking for somewhere convenient to stash the nasty looking hobgoblin, actually semi-naked hobgoblin, Gokan has taken the creature’s fine looking armour. The guys have also acquired some new and interesting information. The portal lies within the chambers ahead, it is unguarded- there are no more troops within the complex, although there are guards beyond, through the portal- in the Shadowfell. The bladebearer has never entered the portal so he doesn’t know what lies beyond, however he has seen undead creatures pass through from the other side. He also witnessed his master Kalarel’s passage through the portal. It’s therefore likely, the guys think, that there are several groups of enemies in the Shadowfell- waiting for them. The last piece of information, the final snippet is the fact that the portal is closed, the bladebearer explains that only Kalarel knows how to open the portal, and he’s already within it. Victory, tinged with worry, is the over-riding emotion for the adventurers, another battle has been won, but the war is clearly not yet over. [sblock=Encounter #16 Synopsis, PC XP & DM’s thoughts] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8893123305/][img]http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5447/8893123305_58a13856d3_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [SIZE="4"]Encounter #16 The Hobgoblin’s Revenge, starring-[/SIZE] Hobgoblin Grunt (Minion 3) x4 Hobgoblin Soldier (Soldier 3) x1 Hobgoblin Battle Guard (Soldier 3) x1 Hobgoblin Deathwatcher (Soldier 3) x1 Hobgoblin Bladebearer (Elite Skirmisher 3) x1 1002 XP Level 5 Encounter. [SIZE="4"]PC XP[/SIZE] 200 XP each for a total of 2736 XP in total (PCs Level 3). [SIZE="4"]DM Thoughts-[/SIZE] Level three for the PCs is proving to be incredibly powerful, particularly when the dice fall in the PCs favour- that encounter was a massacre from start to finish. And what a let-down the Bladebearer proved to be, although in truth the poor guy got swamped and smashes on his backside more or less all of the time. I allowed the guy to attack twice per round with his scimitars more or less from the start, all to no avail, and when one of the hobgoblins ended up down the well… The players were giggling like fools towards the end. Also noticeable is the new concord (of sorts) which exists between Sigur and Tonka, the two were the most vocal characters previously- although Sigur could run silent for quite a while at times. They’ve now decided to start talking to each other, less talking ‘at’ each other. This is also the start of the major(-ish) change to the scenario, my variation which is much more to do with the keep and the events that took place here during Sir Keegan’s time as commander, which I thought would add somewhat to the plot. [/sblock] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8045385824/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/8045385824_b9d8e34957_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/QUOTE]
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