KOTS Part 4: The Kobold Lair- Irontooth.
[sblock=Party Line Up]
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[sblock=Picture- Through the waterfall…]
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Gokan charges in to the thick of the kobolds, screaming for all he’s worth. The terrified creatures react badly- not at all like front line soldiers, they shriek and yap fumbling for their weapons, their defences down. The half-orc lashes out with his battleaxe as he rushes forward, a kobold minion falls, and with his hand axe, and another falls, then pulls up short before a worthy enemy.
[sblock=Kobold Minion]
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The kobold skirmisher stands his ground not in the least intimidated, or else frightened by the snarling barbarian- Gokan winks at the kobold, who for a moment is at a loss. Then he swings his hand axe, full force, the skirmisher juggles its spear and with great skill intercepts Gokan's attack. It yaps, and is about to wink back when it notices for the first time the trajectory of its enemy’s battleaxe.
[sblock=Kobold Skirmisher]
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Gokan's almost lazy over-hand swing comes down, crunches in to the kobold's skull and splits its head in two, the skirmisher flops to the cold stone floor.
[sblock=Picture- Gokan leaves a trail of destruction]
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[sblock=Info]
Gokan Crits with his brand new +1 Vanguard Battleaxe for 33 HP damage, the Kobold Skirmisher had 32 HP- bingo, result!
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Hedda pokes her head through the waterfall, ahead of her- with its back to her -is another kobold minion. She taps the reptilian on its shoulder, it jumps with fright and turns around only to meet the minotaur priestess’s terrifying gaze. The minion's legs turn to jelly; Hedda with her hand still on the creature's shoulder applies just a little pressure, drawing the petrified kobold towards her. She deftly steps aside, the kobold keeps on coming, and with a flick of Hedda’s wrist the reptilian is ushered through the waterfall and over the edge- crashing down on to the rocks below, it lies still.
Hal charges a little way in, swishes once with his greatsword and cuts another kobold minion down; Jimmy steps in to the chamber and spins a dagger out- and yet another minion falls. Sigur grumbles, mumbles and invokes and a single ghostly hand appears and gets to work, the last kobold still standing is tagged- it bursts in to ash, scorched by radiant energy.
The cavern has a number of shadowy exits, barely visible in the guttering torch light.
Gokan sniggers and crouches- footsteps, more kobold defenders approach, the half-orc turns to shush his compatriots.
[sblock=Picture- The surprise is over…]
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A pair of kobolds lurch around the corner, straight in front of Gokan, the half-orc whirls and smashes in to them, but not before being stabbed in the thigh. The first kobold- a minion - falls, the second- another skirmisher - is left bleeding, bruised and battered. Gokan howls- ecstatic in the thick of battle.
The skirmisher however has other ideas, it lances its spear forward at just the right moment and skewers Gokan through his shoulder, the half-orc gulps and staggers as the blood spurts and gushes, he breathes in hard and then growls and screams some more.
[sblock=Info]
Gokan is bloodied
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Another minion rushes in from one of the myriad exits from the chamber, Hedda tries to shout a warning but spots movement close to her and has to turn away. Gokan is speared again- this time in his left thigh, the half-orc staggers and almost falls.
[sblock=Picture- Gokan takes a beating]
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The minotaur priestess of Bahamut, having taken a few steps in to the chamber, has to suddenly give ground, as out of another of the exits a third kobold skirmisher comes running- spear in hand. Too slow, the minotaur is much too slow- she takes the full force of the blow and is left flailing, gasping for air.
But there's no time, another minion follows the skirmisher’s rush, this time Hedda is ready- her mace deflects the reptilian’s spear, even as she gives ground again- she can feel the cold of the water on her back, one more step and she's over the edge.
Hedda scrabbles at her chest, grabs her holy symbol and holds it aloft, she bellows as glowing rays spring from the symbol of the platinum dragon. The nearest skirmisher ducks just in time and is merely singed, the other targets are either much too quick or else the minotaur’s aim is off.
Yet another minion dashes in from the opposite side of the chamber and Hedda is speared again, she lurches forward but stays on her feet- slightly away from the edge, “Bahamut preserve!” Her healing energies wash over Gokan; she sacrifices herself so that the half-orc can carry on his work.
[sblock=Picture- Hedda takes a beating]
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[sblock=Info]
Hedda is bloodied
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Gokan has no time to acknowledge the minotaur’s aid, the half-orc is struggling to keep his enemies at bay, alas he fails and is speared again.
Hal rushes over to help Hedda, the metal man lashes out with his greatsword, and in one stroke almost severs the kobold skirmisher’s right arm, which is left broken and cut to the bone. Hal reverses his blade, and suddenly stabs behind him, a kobold minion is skewered, and falls.
The reinforcements arrive just in the nick of time, while Gokan continues to hold the line, one of Jimmy’s daggers suddenly appears in the middle of a kobold minion’s chest, it slumps to the cold wet stone floor- dead.
In the same instance yet another trio of ghostly radiant hands are invoked, one misses its target, another takes out the last minion left standing, the third hand leaves the skirmisher Gokan is facing with radiant energy burns- yawping and staggering, and not long for this world.
Sigur marches in to the centre of the chamber and shouts for all to hear- “Is that the best you’ve got? Is it? Pathetic.”
[sblock=Picture- Hard Core back in control]
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Over the sounds of battle Gokan, by far the furthest forward, can hear yet more hurried footsteps approaching- the battle is clearly far from over.
Gokan stares at the staggering kobold skirmisher before him, the creature sways under the half-orc’s gaze, he grunts, looks right- a shadowy cavern leads further in to the cave complex, sounds. Gokan listens intently- just for a second, he can hear the sound of footsteps, armoured footsteps, worthy enemies- in the moment he decides.
The half-orc glances over his shoulder, spots Hal and nods back towards the staggering skirmisher he was fighting, the metal man nods back and moves forward to engage the creature, Jimmy meanwhile rushes to Hedda's side to take Hal's place.
Gokan lopes forward, into the darkness; the half-orc disappears from sight.
Hal grips his greatsword tight and faces the skirmisher, which staggers, and yet somehow manages to connect with its spear- the metal man is again scratched and dented, not happy he cuts with his blade and the skirmisher falls.
The last kobold skirmisher, facing Jimmy and Hedda, tries for the smaller less well-armoured attacker, but the Halfling rogue is much too quick. The kobold's attack provides the minotaur with the opening she needs- her mace arcs up, and swiftly down, smashing in to the kobold’s chest, caving in its ribcage and sending it sprawling to the floor. The creature wheezes and tries desperately to suck in air, to no avail, like a fish out of water it flops and wriggles for the next ten or so seconds and then lies still.
[sblock=Picture- The chamber is clear]
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Gokan follows the passage, there are lights ahead; around a corner, he turns in to a smaller torch-lit cavern chamber. Two short sword wielding kobolds dressed in scale armour- denwardens, adept soldiers, approach- yapping and snarling. Over the far side of the chamber, standing in an opening to yet another cavern is a skull-mask wearing kobold wyrmpriest. Gokan recognises the creature, from the first encounter with the kobolds on the road to Winterhaven.
[sblock=Kobold Denwarden]
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Bad Derek is back.
[sblock=Kobold Wyrmpriest- Bad Derek]
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Gokan smirks, makes a rumbling sound in his throat and then bursts in to action, rage fills him and he is lost to the world- he becomes a killing machine. The half-orc leaps at the denwardens, his battleaxe whirls low, smashing into the reptilians’ armoured legs, the pair are sent sprawling on to the floor.
[sblock=Picture- Gokan locates some worthy enemies]
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The half-orc lurches over and between the stranded prone denwardens, he continues to whirl, his blades oscillate high and low, both kobolds are smashed, and bashed, and slashed- they flounder, moan and pathetically wave their blades.
[sblock=Info]
Gokan unleashes his Macetail Rage on the Kobold Denwardens, his Daily power, followed by an Action Point and Whirling Frenzy- four attacks, four hits. The Kobold Denwardens take 27 HP damage each, and are both left prone.
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Jimmy, having followed Gokan out of the chamber, peeks around the corner to watch the half-orc in action.
The wyrmpriest reacts quickly, yaps and gestures furiously; a shadowy protective layer outlines the denwardens on the floor. The creature continues to shape and circle its hands- an all too familiar looking acid green ball is conjured. The kobold spell-caster launches the energy orb at Gokan who, flat-footed by his rage, is unable to dodge the burning missile.
Gokan screams in pain as the acid burns, he looks up but the wyrmpriest is gone.
In the main chamber, now empty save for Hedda, Hal and Sigur, all breathing hard, and looking triumphant, the moment of respite is suddenly shattered. Screaming from one of the darkened passages comes a... goblin, armed with a pair of nasty-looking battleaxes, the charging terror looks half-crazed.
[sblock=Goblin Chief- Irontooth]
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The goblinoid smashes in to Sigur, who takes an axe blow to his chest; the dwarf's armour suddenly shines brilliant purple and strikes back, although the goblin seems not to notice. Sigur flails wildly, and staggers, trying to stay on his feet.
[sblock=Info]
Sigur is bloodied, in one hit.
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Hal dashes across the chamber, slams his greatsword in to the goblin’s side, spinning the creature around to face him- “Fight me squishy one!” The warforged intones with all the threat and menace he can muster. The goblin seems immune- to pain or threat, it blinks once, twice in reply, and then curtly nods.
[sblock=Picture- Irontooth!]
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“Irontooth kill.” The goblin simply states.
[sblock=Info]
Several of the players around the table (three to be exact) have been through KOTS before, they know all about Irontooth. I don't mind this, and I didn't want to change the encounter- it's a terror. I figured- who cares that they know what's coming; it doesn't make Irontooth any less of a killer. Which is why Hal opened up with his Daily- Lasting Threat on the goblin, and for 20 damage, it seems the metal man is keen to take some hits- let's see how that works out for him.
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Sigur, hammer in hand, spins like a top- mumbling odd-shaped words as he does so- his warhammer turns to solid stone in his hands, it thumps in to Irontooth, with all the force the dwarf can muster. The goblin barely reacts to a blow that would have sent any one of the other enemies sprawling.
Sigur's face betrays a new emotion- fear, or else trepidation. The dwarf takes a step back, out of the melee, concentrates hard- desperately trying to figure out what to do next. The dwarf gets his second wind, and then looking up to the damp stone ceiling, he intones angular words- a thunderclap sends flecks of rock spitting out as it bursts above the crazy goblin- Irontooth doesn't even blink, Sigur's invocation has no effect.
Jimmy, still peering around the cavern corner at Gokan in action, decides that now is the moment- two daggers fly in out quick succession- both denwardens are hit with pinpoint accuracy- in their faces. The effect is nearly too much for Jimmy, the halfling almost has to look away; the creatures are wailing, screaming, flailing- blinded by their own blood- or worse.
Jimmy shrinks inside a little, makes himself look again at the terrible wounds he has inflicted- “hard core”, the halfling whispers, and then launches a third dagger which catches one of the denwardens in the throat. It stops screaming and flailing, forever.
[sblock=Info]
Jimmy goes for his Daily- Blinding Barrage there, to great effect.
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The remaining denwarden waves its short sword feebly, vaguely in Gokan's direction, the half-orc snarls and watches the pathetic display, treads on the kobold's arm and with his other foot stamps down on its hand- breaking fingers and smashing the reptilian's wrist- the kobold spills its blade.
Gokan hawks, and spits at the pitiful, but seemingly not pitiable, broken reptilian.
[sblock=Picture- The Kobold Denwardens suffer]
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Gokan stares down, grins and smashes his battleaxe in to the blind and broken denwarden. The half-orc still overcome by blood-lust lopes forward- searching for the wyrmpriest, Jimmy gulps and watches him disappear in to the dark of the exit opposite.
Hedda bellows, “Bahamut preserve!” Many of her wounds instantly heal over- she mutters a simple prayer to the platinum dragon and then unleashes her best shot. The minotaur priestess’s mace leaps in to furious flame, she dodges left and then swings heartily- thumping the blunt weapon in to Irontooth's side, the goblin's armour blackens and begins to burn, seconds later the creature is on fire.
[sblock=Info]
Hedda goes for her Daily power- Avenging Flame and hits Irontooth for 16 damage and ongoing 5 Fire- good hit.
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The minotaur swings again, her follow up attack thumps in to Irontooth's opposite side, the goblin's eyes flicker rapidly, its grin fades a little, for the first time the terrifying creature looks worried, if only a little.
[sblock=Info]
Irontooth is bloodied.
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The goblin reacts with fury, its twin battleaxes lash out in a flurry- the first blow crashes in to Hal, cutting clean through the metal man's right arm and following through to rip in to his chest. The lights go out of Hal's eyes instantly, he concertinas and collapses.
[sblock=Info]
Hal is down again, and on -7 HP after being hit for 23 damage with one attack. Irontooth's battleaxes deal 2d8+6 damage with an extra 1d10 when, as now, the goblin is bloodied- nasty.
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The next axe attack is aimed at Hedda, the minotaur blocks with her mace but it’s not enough, her weapon is shattered and broken. Irontooth's axe thuds in to the minotaur's chest, splitting her armour- she staggers.
[sblock=Info]
Hedda is bloodied, actually reduced to 7 HP, after being hit for 18 damage.
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Hedda bellows forlornly, tries desperately to turn side on, to make herself a smaller target, her eyes widen as she watches Irontooth's battleaxe come again- she has no defence, the blade crashes in to her shoulder, she falls.
[sblock=Info]
Hedda is on -9 HP after taken a second hit for 16 damage- Irontooth rocks.
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Sigur, now alone in the chamber with Irontooth looks terrified, the goblin- still burning, stomps forward as the dwarf scuttles back.
[sblock=Picture- Sigur vs Irontooth]
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“Irontooth kill.” The goblin simply states as his armour continues to blacken and smoke.
Gokan dodges around another corner, staggers out in to yet another large torch-lit chamber; an acid green energy orb bursts on the cavern wall a few feet to the half-orc's right. Gokan spies the fleeing wyrmpriest- lopes off after the deadly spell-caster.
Jimmy meantime scurries back along the passage, back towards the first chamber- the halfling crouched low spies within and takes in the scene of destruction- only Sigur still standing, with a strange looking goblin stalking the dwarf.
Jimmy reacts in an instant, his dagger flies and thuds in to the goblin's back, Irontooth stops, looks back over his shoulder at the halfling and grins.
“Irontooth kill.” The goblin points with one of its axes at Jimmy, the halfling’s legs quiver and shake, like jelly.
“You will fall!” Sigur suddenly declares, with certainty- Irontooth turns back to the dwarf as a hazy red curtain blasts out from the wrathful invoker. The goblin takes a hurried step backwards as its mind is suddenly filled with terrifying bloody visions- Irontooth's broken bloodied body shattered and bleeding on the cold stone floor.
For a second, perhaps less than second, Irontooth doubts. Then the goblin grins and begins to spin its twin battleaxes.
“Irontooth kill.” The goblin reaffirms and stalks forward.
[sblock=Picture- The final confrontation]
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Ahead of Gokan the kobold wyrmpriest scurries in to the waterfall chamber, and once again around a corner and out of sight. Gokan stops, shakes his head, flecks of spittle fall from the half-orc's lips, he can see the destruction meted on his friends.
Screaming, Gokan lurches in to a charge, full pace he smashes in to Irontooth's back- both axes biting deep and levering the flaming goblin to its knees.
[sblock=Info]
Irontooth is on 6 HP after being hit for 28 damage by Gokan's Howling Strike combined with Takedown Strike to knock the Goblin prone- surely the end is in sight...
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Hedda meantime lying on her back blinks her eyes open- staring up at the stone ceiling of the cavern, she coughs and chokes, the minotaur is surrounded by a slick of her own blood.
[sblock=Info]
Hedda fails her first Death Save.
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Irontooth is not beaten however, the goblin levers himself to his feet- fighting Gokan every inch of the way, the half-orc trying desperately to push the goblin back down. The goblin’s armour is still smouldering and burning, at last Irontooth stands- facing Gokan.
“Irontooth kill.” The goblin declares one more time and lashes his twin battleaxes round in a low arc. The leading blade smashes in to Gokan's legs, shattering one of the half-orc's knee caps. Gokan falls- thumps hard on to the cold stone floor, unconscious before he hits the deck.
[sblock=Info]
Gokan is on -10 HP after taking 22 damage in a single hit, note each time Irontooth connects, the goblin heals 5 hit points.
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The kobold wyrmpriest grins and sends yet another acid energy orb thudding in to Sigur's chest, the dwarven invoker staggers backwards- his robes and armour burnt, blasted and smoking.
“Surrender and my master will let you live...” The wyrmpriest states in perfect common.
[sblock=Info]
Sigur is bloodied, again.
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Jimmy, still hidden from sight, makes his decision- the halfling creeps forward and with both hands plunges his dagger deep in to the crazy goblin's back. Irontooth blinks once, and then without a sound falls forward and slaps hard on to the wet stone-dead.
[sblock=Picture- Irontooth is dead]
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Sigur staggers backwards, the dwarf mumbles and grumbles again as a shadowy red curtain bursts from him and engulfs the wyrmpriest- the kobold suddenly looks terrified as it experiences dark visions of its bloody death, the moment passes in an instant but the creature still looks panicked.
“Throw down your weapons, you stupid stinking lizard.” Sigur spits and snarls.
The kobold wyrmpriest looks left at Jimmy, then right at Sigur- the mouthy dwarf, its hands all the while circle and shape to form yet another green orb- the creature lets fly and moments later the acid missile bursts on to Sigur's body.
The dwarf looks down at his singed and blackened form, his armour and robes now completely burnt away from his chest and upper body, Sigur opens his mouth as if to speak, looks up at Jimmy, and then topples forward and crashes head first in to the cold stone floor.
[sblock=Info]
Sigur is on -2 HP, it’s just Jimmy and the Kobold Wyrmpriest left.
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Jimmy gulps, grips tight to his dagger, dashes forward and stabs out- the kobold wyrmpriest twists and turns and avoids the blow; Jimmy pulls up just short of the waterfall, close to the edge. To the right of the halfling Sigur violently and suddenly shivers and shakes, the dwarf convulses, his body and spirit almost fatally broken.
[sblock=Info]
Sigur fails his Death Save.
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Jimmy takes a step to his side, intent on trying to do something to aid the fallen dwarf.
“I wouldn't do that...” The kobold states, again in perfect common, the creature grins and stalks forward drawing a jagged-edged vicious looking dagger from its belt.
“Two can play that game, little one…” The wyrmpriest spins the blade from hand to hand, expertly.
[sblock=Picture- Jimmy vs the Kobold Wyrmpriest- Bad Derek]
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Jimmy and the wyrmpriest manoeuvre, the pair circle each other- both having to step gingerly between the myriad fallen bodies.
The wyrmpriest with its vicious-looking curved dagger darts forward and strikes, Jimmy twists and turns and avoids the blade. The halfling stabs back but the wyrmpriest is no slouch, the kobold's reactions are lightning fast- it dodges the halfling's deft strike.
The pair break and go back to circling, a few feet away from Jimmy Hedda suddenly coughs and splutters, lets loose a slick of dark red blood- it sounds like she is choking, drowning.
[sblock=Info]
Hedda fails her second Death Save.
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Jimmy looks terrified as he watches the minotaur's dying breaths. The kobold wyrmpriest stops too, to take in the moment.
“You could try to save her.” The wyrmpriest nods at the fallen Hedda, “or we could watch her die?”
Jimmy turns back, grimaces at the wyrmpriest, who smiles back and spins its dagger in its hand, the halfling watches, waits, and then pounces...
Jimmy catches his foot on a dead kobold minion's bloody hand, the halfling stumbles, and the wyrmpriest darts forward and slashes with its vicious blade. The two desperate combatants collide, Jimmy's off hand grips tight to the kobold's wrist- preventing its blade from completing its terrible arc. The kobold's free hand is likewise employed- keeping Jimmy's dagger at bay.
Jimmy pushes, grits his teeth and strains, the kobold pushes back, the pair wrestle and circle, the kobold's blade inches closer to Jimmy's neck. The halfling suddenly shifts his weight, trying to turn the blade aside; the wyrmpriest however is ready and twists in time to the halfling's movement.
Its vicious dagger inches closer still, until its keen edge pricks the halfling’s skin. This time it’s the kobold which shifts and redistributes its weight, drawing a line of red across the halfling's throat.
Blood wells, and drips, or rather slicks in a curtain down Jimmy's leather armour- the halfling gasps as his blood bubbles and froths in his throat.
“Noooo!” Jimmy screams and suddenly lurches forward. The pair clash, and then as suddenly pull apart; Jimmy staggers backwards clutching at his wound, blood seeping through his fingers.
The kobold takes two steadying steps backwards, and grins as the halfling staggers.
“Not long now...” The kobold spits out, and nods towards Jimmy, “there's no shame- you fought well.”
Jimmy sinks to one knee, looks down at the pooling blood, then looks up, breathes hard, and nods at the kobold- the wyrmpriest follows Jimmy's gaze.
The halfling's dagger is lodged deep in the small reptilian humanoid's gut; the wyrmpriest drops his vicious blade, staggers backwards and forlornly hisses. The kobold takes another step back, now clutching on to the hilt of the blade- with a gasp he draws Jimmy’s dagger out, gasps, and steps backwards through the waterfall and off the edge.
[sblock=Picture- The end of the Wyrmpriest]
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Jimmy drops to one knee, then all fours, and then somehow with the last of his strength propels himself forward towards salvation- Hedda.
Jimmy arrives just in time. Hedda's eyes blink open, the minotaur grabs out and clutches the halfling's hand, with an iron grip, she chokes and spits, and speaks in a harsh wet whisper “the keep... cultists...”
The minotaur's body suddenly shudders, as if seized and squeezed by some terrible foe. Jimmy struggles to control the convulsions- Hedda gasps, her eyes suddenly wide-open in absolute terror, and then she dies.
[sblock=Info]
That’s her third failure and Hedda is gone, Stu needs a new PC.
But we’re not finished yet…
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“NOOOO!” Jimmy screams again, louder this time, his tiny fists thump in to Hedda's chest- the great bull-headed priestess does not stir. Jimmy cries- great jagged sobs, goes to strike Hedda again and then suddenly looks about him- Gokan is the next nearest.
The halfling, now with a greater impetus, crawls over to the half-orc as fast as he can, desperately feels for a pulse, his hands shaking, it takes a while. Jimmy works methodically now, he fetches out water and bandages from his pack, his hands search out Gokan's wounds- staunch the flow of the half-orc’s slick red blood.
The result is startling, Gokan stirs, blinks hard and then nods, very slightly, at the halfling- Jimmy grins and sobs.
Through his tears Jimmy looks up to see Sigur, slumped in the corner, the dwarf's eyes suddenly blink open- he goes to speak but as with Hedda is beset by tremors. The dwarf's head thwoks repeatedly in to the stone cavern wall, the quake passes and Sigur’s eyes close again. The dwarf slumps forward- no longer breathing.
[sblock=Info]
Sigur fails his second Death Save.
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Jimmy is back in action, the halfling shuffles over as quick as he can to Sigur, behind him Gokan manages to roll on to his side, and then slowly, with one leg hanging limp, crawl forward. The half-orc follows Jimmy over.
The pair combine their efforts, Jimmy having already ascertained that Sigur has a pulse, although it’s fading fast. The pair work together, quickly and quietly, to patch and staunch the dwarf's myriad wounds, and yet...
Sigur seems not to be responding, his pulse continues to fade, now and then it skips a beat.
Jimmy's tears come again, the halfling rocks back and forth making mewling sounds as he continues to work.
And still Sigur's pulse fades, and fluctuates.
Until...
Until it’s gone.
The forlorn pair, the halfling and the half-orc look down at Sigur's broken body. Jimmy continues to rock back on forth, still crying quietly.
Gokan slides himself next to Jimmy, the half-orc's expression serene.
“He's gone.” Jimmy snuffles.
Gokan suddenly and unexpectedly acts; the half-orc with lightning speed locks his hand together raises them high above his head and then thumps them down, as hard as he can, on to Sigur's chest- a thudding hammer blow.
The effect is instantaneous.
Sigur coughs.
Once.
Twice.
And then blinks open his eyes.
“Do that again, and I'll kill ya.” The dwarf states in a voice with such menace that even Gokan's face registers, for a brief moment, fear.
Then Sigur grins.
[sblock=Encounter #4 Synopsis, PC XP & DM’s thoughts]
Encounter #4 The Kobold Lair, starring-
Kobold Minion (Minion Level 1) x10
Kobold Skirmisher (Skirmisher Level 1) x3
Kobold Denwarden (Soldier Level 2) x2
Kobold Wyrmpriest (Artillery Level 3) x1
Goblin Chief- Irontooth (Elite Brute Level 3) x1
Total 1250 XP for a Level 6 Encounter.
The same as the module, why mess with this encounter when 75% of the time it’s a PC killer.
That said I did dock the PCs 150 XP- why you ask, well that’s because Bad Derek the Kobold Wyrmpriest… well, you’ll see.
PC XP
220 XP each for a total of 689 XP in total (PCs Level 1).
DM Thoughts-
It’s never dull the Irontooth encounter, but for this run it played out like a dream. In game the guys were constantly aware that the big bad goblin- Irontooth, would be coming out to play some time very soon- and they knew I’d fixed the damage (more not less). As I’ve stated previously three of the players have been in this encounter before, although for one of them it proved to be terminal. The other two players were aware of this encounter also- it seems to have taken on an almost legendary (good or bad- you decide) status.
A fantastic outcome, I couldn’t have asked for any more- obviously the death of Hedda is a bad thing, but in some ways I enjoy it when one or two PCs die, particularly at low level, it emphasises to the players just how tough the game can be. The fact that the encounter was almost a TPK- but for Jimmy none of them would be around was also excellent.
The encounter lit a fire beneath the players- no bad thing, you’ll hear more about this in the story. The guys were mad (Hedda’s dead) and excited (I killed Irontooth/Jimmy saved us) in about equal quantity.
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