The Unexpected in the Caves of Chaos.
Session #0017: '1'- Two & Three.
PCs (in alphabetical order)
Krago of the Mountains (Pete) Male Mountain Dwarf Ranger (Folk Hero) Level 3.
Lappoy the Unexpected (Rob) Male High Elf Wizard (Sage) Level 3.
Mohag the Wanderer (Pete) Male Human Barbarian (Outlander) Level 3.
Sho-Rembo (Dave) Female Stout Halfling Druid (Hermit) Level 3.
Sir Glen (Dave) Male Human Paladin of Lathander (Noble) Level 3.
Sosspan (Dave) Male Dragonborn Wizard (Spy) Level 3.
Trebbelos (Pete) Male Tiefling Sorcerer (Charlatan) Level 3.
Sidekick (played mostly by the DM).
Corbis Male Human Sidekick Warrior (Soldier) Level 1.
Scrubs Male Human Sidekick Expert (Soldier) Level 2.
Tribbits Male Human Sidekick Warrior (Soldier) Level 1.
Dead PCs (in alphabetical order)
Afton Barr (Dave) Male Half-Elf Bard (Entertainer) Level 1.
Estra Zo (Pete) Female Wood Gnome Rogue (Urchin) Level 1.
Farned of the Leaf Lord (Dave) Male Wild Elf Cleric of Rillifane Rallithil (Acolyte) Level 1.
Tassit (Dave) Female Human Monk (Hermit) Level 1.
The Mystical One (Pete) Female Human Warlock (Outlander) Level 1.
Yor (Pete) Male Dragonborn Fighter (Folk Hero) Level 2.
Dead NPCs (in alphabetical order)
Wormwood Male Human Guard.
Note, you can click on the pictures here to make them bigger (if you didn't know this already).
Day 28: Being the 28th Day of Mirtul, in the year 1493 by Dale Reckoning, known as the Year of the Purple Dragons, about 8-ish.
So, the decision is the Unexpected are going to go on to the Caves of Chaos, and see what they can see. The plan is to get some action in and then skedaddle back to the Keep in time for the end of the month (at the latest), maybe pick up the contract to hunt the bandits in the region.
There's still at least two sides (at least) to the above option.
But for now, onwards.
Back to the ravine...
Although that doesn't go as planned either.
Just to say, I rolled a '1' for a random encounter as soon as the Unexpected left the Keep, and... another '1' at the start of this session.
And I have just the fellows.
So, the Unexpected take a leisurely stroll up the road all the way back to the Caves of Chaos, almost, while wending their way through the small hills and hummocks (drumlins) at the head of the ravine, well...
Gnolls! And Hyenas!
And for the most part the Unexpected are surprised- only Corbis and Lappoy spot the attack before it happens, and so, this is what goes down.
Wheezer, the gnoll boss of this pack (they're actually gnoll slavers), orders the attack the moment after he sinks and arrow into Krago, the dwarf ranger is bloodied in an instant.
More arrows whiz in.
Lappoy survives a similar fate as he's able to raise his Shield spell.
A gnoll darts out of hiding and manages to snare Mohag in its net, the barbarian is restrained, and seconds later one of a pair of hyenas is also chewing on the big feller's leg.
Corbis gets bitten by a hyena, and then again- and the second bite's a Crit, the sidekick is suddenly down to one hit point, but not for long. The warrior glugs down his one and only potion of healing, and then with an inspiration point (I figure I should get these too for my sidekicks) he cuts down one of the hyenas, and with a Crit of his own.
Lappoy meantime unleashes a Thunderwave, sculpting the spell around the flailing Mohag, the gnoll with the net barely notices the blast, but both hyenas here are blown apart.
The Unexpected weather the gnoll-storm!
However, a second later and Krago is netted by a gnoll too.
Wheezer, still co-ordinating the pack's attack, manages to sink a second arrow into the now restrained Krago, he's really not doing very well, the ranger.
Mohag, also restrained, rages and attempts to recklessly scupper the gnoll before him- the barbarian flails wildly and misses. The gnoll, while Mohag is struggling, grabs out its club and attempts to bludgeon the big feller into unconsciousness, that's a tough ask. There's a lot of flailing but no actual hitting going on.
Sho-Rembo becomes Sho-B-Bear, but the large ursine just waves its great paw at the gnoll attacking her friend, Krago- who, for his troubles, gets clubbed in the face by the gnoll.
Corbis slices, but fails to kill, the other hyena that bit him.
Lappoy meantime disengages and staggers back out of the melee, then with an inspiration point the wizard launches a series of Scorching Blasts, the first (a Crit) and the second into the gnoll attacking Mohag. The last to burn the gnoll attacking Krago.
Both gnolls are now badly wounded, the one holding the net wrapped around Mohag is barely able to stand.
When he's good he's great- Lappoy.
Krago, the (restrained) dwarven ranger, manages to connect with his attacker using his magical black mace (but then rolls minimum damage).
It's a bit of a brawl.
Sir Glen rushes over and slices the gnoll attacking Mohag, the beast is now critically wounded.
Sir Glen rolls a '1' or '2' (+2 bonus) for his damage almost every time.
Tribbits cuts down the last of the four hyena's, the badly wounded creature that was attacking Corbis.
Note, the hyena is Tribbits' first actual kill*, the joy however doesn't last long when the gnoll this pair are facing stabs Corbis with its spear, and the sidekick warrior is quickly back down to just one hit point.
*We have a stat engine thing on FGU which pings us when such events occur.
A gnoll up on one of the drumlins shoots an arrow into Sho-B-Bear, she's hard to miss.
Sosspan launches a Scorching Ray into the badly wounded gnoll trying to beat down Mohag, the creature (at bloody last) dies. Then another Ray for the gnoll attacking Krago, this gnoll is now heavily wounded, alas the dragonborn wizard's third attack is off-target.
Mohag, still caught up in a net, but now sans enemy (but still raging and reckless) rushes off to confront the gnoll attacking Corbis and Tribbits, the barbarian (once again) is way off target.
Sho-B-Bear bites the face off the gnoll attacking Krago, and then scrambles up the nearest drumlin and claws the gnoll with a bow up there.
Shouldn't be long... just to note that's Wheezer to the far north on the drumlin.
Corbis slices the gnoll that just speared him (but for minimum damage).
Lappoy rushes over and fires three Magic Missiles into the beast, now that hurt.
Scrubs fires a crossbow bolt into it too.
Sir Glen rushes up to the top of one of the drumlins, to the gnoll archer up there, only it involves a lot more scrambling and sliding than optimal, he's out of breath (and options) when he gets to the brute.
The gnoll being threatened by Sho-B-Bear ducks clear of the ursine, slides back down the rear slope of the drumlin, and then flees into the woods.
Krago meantime has managed to wrestle the net off himself, and then fail to scramble up onto the drumlin atop which he can hear Sho-B, but now there's no enemy to be seen.
The gnoll facing off against Corbis, Tribbits and the restrained Mohag also decides that now is the right time to flee, somehow Mohag smashes it down with his handaxe- dead.
Sosspan climbs up to the top of the nearest drumlin (note the dragonborn has no athletics skill to talk about, and he managed it easily enough) and spots Sir Glen struggling with a gnoll on the drumlin opposite. The wizard fires a Fire Bolt into the creature. The gnoll rushes off- although it gets sliced (minimum damage) en route to freedom by the paladin.
Mohag attempts to run the last fleeing gnoll down (but he's still restrained in a net), the barbarian connects once with his flailing handaxe (for min damage- there's a lot of this) but the hairy brute races off to freedom.
The gnolls are gone, the Unexpected are... peeved, beaten-up, peeved (again).
More remarkably the three dead gnolls have in the region of 50gp, in a variety of coins, between them, and one of the hyena's was wearing a very manky gem-studded collar. The PCs concur however, they're the toughest buggers they have fought so far, and they're not looking forward to finding the gnoll cavern in the Caves of Chaos.
They know that there is one in the ravine, from the rumours-
- The big dog-men (GNOLLS?) live very high in the caves. INTERESTING.
[Gnoll hunting party 340 XP]
The decision is swiftly made, the Unexpected pull back out of the ravine and go and find themselves a place to hide in the nearby wooded wilds.
Then rest, and chatter.
The subject of the discussion, dead easy- should we abandon the Caves of Chaos and hunt the bandits like the authorities want us to?
Supplementary question- should we abandon the Caves of Chaos attack right now? Or should we have one last crack at them?
The debate rages- there's one for the Caves of Chaos all the way (Pete); one for doing the Caves until the 30th, then back to the Keep and take the contract (Rob); and another who doesn't much care (Dave).
But here's thing...
I just rolled another '1'.
Random encounter payback.
And so the Unexpected find a shallow pool in the woods, and relax and chat, for a while...
It's a warm day, if it wasn't for all of the ambushes... it'd be lovely.
Speaking of ambushes...
It's a DC 12 perception check to spot the goblins closing in on the resting Unexpected, alas only four of the ten adventurers are ready when the tide hits.
The goblin wolf riders arrive.
The first goblin wolf rider rushes Corbis, fails to connect with its scimitar, and has its mount slashed by the warrior as it departs at speed.
Corbis heard the goblins coming.
Bogus, the goblin boss is the next to attempt a ride-by-slashing, the result, equally frustrating (for the DM). Bogus misses his attacks and then gets his mount badly wounded by Trebbits as the pair depart.
Trebbits also heard the enemies approaching.
Just to note, Bogus is constantly shouting and screeching throughout what follows, keeping up a running commentary for his fellow goblins, he's that kind of goblin boss- also he's just swigged down a potion of speed.
A third goblin wolf rider races into the clearing and almost guts Sir Glen with a ride-by scimitaring, the paladin is left staggering.
The fourth wolf rider leaps from its mount and slashes Mohag, while it's wolf companion rushes over to bite Sho-Rembo, the druid is almost dragged off her feet.
This is going badly is the consensus around the VTT.
Lappoy to the rescue.
The High Magicker wades into the pond, figuring (he's smart) that he's less likely to get run down by the wolves there. Then he unleashes three Scorching Rays, the first Ray leaves the goblin menacing Mohag barely holding on to life. The second Ray leaves the same goblin's wolf mount yowling and still licked by flame, and now no longer snapping at Sho-Rembo.
The last Scorching Ray is for the fifth goblin wolf rider, as it rushes into the clearing, the goblin's mount is so badly singed that it shucks its rider, and is not keen to hang around.
Lappoy is Magick!
But the Unexpected are still fighting for their lives, the last goblin wolf rider tumbles off his badly singed mount and slices Krago in the gut.
Corbis chases after one of the departing wolf-riders, and cuts the mount from beneath the goblin, who goes over the front of the wolf and lands hard (Dex check '1'). Alas the goblin picking himself out of the dirt, and getting ready to rush back to face Corbis is... Bogus, the goblin boss.
We'll return to this.
Tribbits tries the same trick, chasing after a different mounted goblin he cuts the wolf's flank, but the duo rush on.
Sosspan launches a Thunderwave, a badly wounded wolf and its recently unseated rider and caught in the blast, and destroyed.
Remember Bogus versus Corbis- well, the goblin boss picks himself up, stomps back over to the warrior (chatting all the while) and cuts Corbis down- no contest. Another one of the goblin wolf riders pulls up beside Bogus- at his instruction, and is swiftly kicked off his mount. Bogus sounds a hunting horn, to call in the goblin runners, and then scrambles to get on board his newly acquired wolf.
Remember Tribbits was also chasing after one of the riders- well, the enemy pair quickly turn to face the warrior, the goblin is high and wide with its scimitar but the wolf bites and savages Tribbits' leg, he's down to just one hit point.
Scrubs shoots the goblin hassling Mohag dead with his crossbow.
Note he's also giving out a little Help every turn, it's what Scrubs does.
Lappoy, he's only got one spell left- and he's saving it, Fire Bolt's the goblin chief's new wolf. Bogus has to get off the beast immediately, and he's not very happy, so he let's everyone know.
The goblin boss sounds his horn again.
Krago smashes a wolf down with his black mace, and then rushes towards the goblin boss, screaming threats- Krago hates goblins.
Trebbelos helps Krago out by firing a Colour Spray into the goblin chief, who has since grabbed another passing goblin rider, and is just about to take this fellow's less-singed wolf mount. However, the swirling lights of Trebbelos' spell cause the goblin and the wolf to screech and holler, the pair are instantly blinded.
But not Bogus.
The goblin boss is however, and once again, sans mount.
Sho-Rembo uses the distraction to get close enough to get a Healing Word into Corbis, and the warrior is conscious again, although he's lying just behind the chatty goblin chief, and his two now blinded companions.
Everything is going to be okay... that's Bogus and his blind friends to the south, oh and Corbis playing doggo (pretending to be dead).
Then however the goblin runners start catching up with the riders, and in a matter of seconds half-a-dozen or more goblins rush into the clearing, firing their shortbows as they arrive.
Trebbelos gets shot, he's bloodied, however the silly bugger goblin doing the shooting is engulfed by the tiefling's flaming Hellish Rebuke, and snuffed out like a candle.
Seconds later Sosspan gets stabbed, the dragonborn wizard is bloodied and beyond, but only for a brief moment as another goblin rushes in and shoots him down.
Corbis, trying to play the hero, gets straight back up to his feet and attempts to slice Bogus down, somehow he misses the goblin boss and instead connects with the blind goblin ex-wolf rider, he doesn't even manage to kill the suffering greenskin.
Busy isn't it.
Sir Glen shouts a lot, and then fires up his Divine Favour and cuts the nearest goblin- he rolls minimum damage (on both dice).
There's quite a lot of laughter.
Mohag gets to raging, and he's reckless, and in a frenzy, the barbarian wades across the pool and to the three goblins that have just cut down Sosspan, and... rolls a '1' & '2' for his first attack, but hits with his second, and then rolls minimum (6) damage.
Do you remember when Mohag used to be a stone-cold killer?
Meantime over the other side of the pool Bogus, the goblin boss, blows his horn repeatedly, and then kicks his newly acquired but now blind and mewling (badly wounded) wolf away from him. He harrumphs, and then races (on foot) after Corbis, he misses the badly wounded warrior repeatedly with his scimitar.
Remember Bogus is still on speed.
He's also yet to land a hit.
Scrubs wades into the pool and to Lappoy's side, it seems to be the safest place at present, the sidekick expert then shoots down dead one of the three goblins slashing at Mohag.
Lappoy however has a plan, he wades off- to the edge of the lake, and then hits the largest concentration of goblins (and a wolf) with his Thunderwave, his last spell- this is what he was saving it for. And, what a hit! Two goblins and the wolf are blasted into pieces, another goblin (still blinded) is left barely capable of standing.
Another fresh goblin comes rushing out of the foliage and straight at Krago, the dwarven ranger races to meet it, and then blats it with his black mace- dead.
Trebbelos, badly wounded, swigs down a healing potion (using an inspiration point) and then strides over to hit the last two goblins attacking Mohag with a Burning Hands- the pair are incinerated.
Note, the Unexpected are going all out now.
Sho-Rembo uses a Healing Word to awake Sosspan, who was moments ago sprawled unconscious.
Corbis cuts Bogus, the goblin boss, but then is attacked from behind by another fresh goblin- he fends the little bastard off.
At which point yet more goblins come rushing from the foliage- another half-a-dozen new enemies.
That's eighteen goblins, five wolves and the boss- Bogus, that are (or have been) in this attack.
But, there's lots of rolling and an almost equal amount of missing going on at times, that said- Sir Glen, who is now fighting four goblins on his own, gets stabbed. While Scrubs, still stood in the middle of the pond, gets shot.
Tribbits meantime finds a bit of cover and swigs down a potion of healing, he was down to one hit point.
Mohag, still frenzied and raging, cuts down a goblin that comes rushing at him, and then stalks off to find more to kill.
Sosspan, like Tribbits, swigs down a healing potion and gingerly gets back to his feet.
That's all of the goblins in action now.
A goblin rushes over and cuts Corbis down, the warrior sprawls unconscious and dying, yet again.
At which point Bogus rushes over and grabs up the dying Corbis, and then screams to be heard, in the common tongue-
“Stop fightin'. Pay now or beard-man gets dead!”
Bogus holds his scimitar poised at Corbis' throat.
Lappoy starts up with the call- for his colleagues to cease their attacks, but... that doesn't work because Krago is already in motion, he hates goblins, and so grabs out his magical dagger and lets it fly, straight at Bogus.
The missile is high and wide.
Bogus cuts Corbis' throat (two automatic death save failures, that's one to go).
We get back to fighting...
And the first thing that happens is a wolf leaps at Krago- still charging towards Bogus, the beast bites the dwarf ranger, and drags the him off his feet.
Scrubs shoots a goblin dead, he was aiming for the boss- the bastard moved out of the way at the last moment, Bogus has a habit of doing this.
Trebbelos fires another Colour Spray at the goblin boss, but alas the light show (as previously) only affects the two goblins that are supporting Bogus, the pair stagger away blinded.
Sho-Rembo races around the pool and fires yet another Healing Word into Corbis, Bogus doesn't notice the spell take effect, and so is surprised when Corbis launches himself to his feet and stabs the goblin boss in the gut.
Bogus is bloodied and beyond, and screaming blue murder.
Tribbits, meantime, rushes to defend the fallen Krago, he cuts the wolf threatening the dwarf ranger down dead.
Sir Glen Crits a goblin dead, the goblin was only on one hit point, but shhh... don't spoil his fun.
Mohag decapitates yet another goblin, and then rushes to Sir Glen's side, just in time to be stabbed by one of the three remaining goblins facing off against the paladin.
Sosspan staggers into the centre of the pool, and then fires three Magic Missiles into Bogus, and it takes all three.
The goblin boss falls.
The rest of the goblins attempt to flee the encounter, all five of them, of those- Corbis cuts one down, Sir Glen another, and the last three- all wounded, get away.
The fight is over.
[Bogus' Goblin Gang 1200 XP]
The Unexpected are spent, and now they have a decision to make, this after searching the goblin's bodies, and a little more healing.
Do they really want to go back to the Caves of Chaos, because right now they're broken.
Decision next time.
The pot is up to £78.
Stay safe and well you lovely people.
Toodles for a bit.
Cheers the Unexpected and goonalan.
