[D&D] The Lost Mines of Phandelver

[Plutonius]

Well, that didn't go too well last time around but hey, no risk no fun so why not.

Agreed but with the rest of us along, there would be no chance of Portia sneaking in.

 

[ravenvii]

Portia silently and slowly wades across the shallow stream to the other side. Landing on the dry path, she creeps towards the cave entrance.

On the east side of the stream flowing from the cave mouth, a small area in the briar thickets has been hollowed out to form a lookout post or blind. Wooden planks flatten out the briars and provide room for guards to lie hidden and watch the area -- including pair of goblins lurking there right now!​

*** CHECK ***
To check if Portia surprised the goblins, a contest between her dexterity (stealth) and the goblins' passive wisdom (perception) must take place -- the goblins' passive wisdom (perception) is 9, and Portia has a +7 modifier for her dexterity (stealth) -- yeah, she's that good -- so Portia will need roll a 2 to beat that:

Portia: 18

Uh, yeah. She more than succeeds.
*** CHECK ***

As Portia approaches the cave mouth, she spots a opening in the briar thickets to her right -- and two goblins. They are arguing, pointing fingers and spitting at each other while shouting obscenities. More importantly, they are paying no attention to their guard duties.

*** BATTLE SETUP ***
The battle begins! There are two goblins and the party. Initiatives roll:

Bartholomeus: 7 - 1 = 6
Veit: 5 - 1 = 4
Portia: 1 + 3 = 4
Syllin: 15 + 2 = 17
Claus: 17 + 3 = 20
Goblins: 4

re-roll for goblins, Portia and Veit:
Veit: 16 - 1 = 15
Portia: 16 + 3 = 19
Goblins: 12

So the turn order will be: Claus, Syllin, Bartholomeus, Portia, Veit and finally the Goblins.

Since Portia has surprised the goblins, she has effectively two turns this round, and goes first.

Portis is at the opening of the hollowed out briar thickets, in full sight of the two goblins. The rest of the team is approximately 20 feet away, across the stream. You *could* go through the briar thickets directly to the blind, making it only 15 feet to reach the edge, but the thickets are difficult to across and is effectively double the distance. So the effective distance directly through the thickets is 30 feet (the thickets being approximately 10 feet deep). The blind itself is roughly circular and approximately 15 feet in diameter. The goblins are roughly in the middle of that circle, the closest one being about five feet away from Portia.
*** BATTLE STATUS ***

>>> @Moyank24 it's your turn. What do you do?

 

[Don't panic]

*whispering to the rest of the company

> well, well, looks like your buddy back there also 'forgot' to mention armed guards...
let's make sure these two forget how to stay alive, before they warn their comrades inside.​

 

[Moyank24]

I'm envisioning a Braveheart-like run up to them. But, it's probably better for a Shortbow sneak attack!

 

[Plutonius]

I'm envisioning a Braveheart-like run up to them. But, it's probably better for a Shortbow sneak attack!

I believe you are right there with them so I would probably use your sword. DP can correct me if I'm wrong, but using a bow in melee combat is not a good idea. You should be able to use a sneak attack with your short sword and count on the party to kill the second goblin (i.e. don't be timid ).

 

[Moyank24]

I believe you are right there with them so I would probably use your sword. DP can correct me if I'm wrong, but using a bow in melee combat is not a good idea. You should be able to use a sneak attack with your short sword and count on the party to kill the second goblin (i.e. don't be timid ).

Even better! This way I can actually braveheart their a****!

 

[Plutonius]

Even better! This way I can actually braveheart their a****!

Whatever you decide, let @ravenvii know what your orders are .

 

[Moyank24]

Whatever you decide, let @ravenvii know what your orders are .

Yeah, yeah! You're so bossy!

Raven - shortsword sneak attack the guards - Braveheart style!

 

[Don't panic]

I believe you are right there with them so I would probably use your sword. DP can correct me if I'm wrong, but using a bow in melee combat is not a good idea. You should be able to use a sneak attack with your short sword and count on the party to kill the second goblin (i.e. don't be timid ).

yes, range attack when engaged have disadvantage. in the description it says you are at "about 5 feet", so this needs a clarification from the DM. Also, later if the goblins still alive and are engaged with another one of us, you can use your Sneak Attack ability!

 

[ravenvii]

*** NOTE I've re-did the initiative rolls -- I forgot the characters' modifiers, so the order is slightly different -- check the post above.

Yeah, yeah! You're so bossy!

Raven - shortsword sneak attack the guards - Braveheart style!

You rush the goblins, attacking the one closest to you. The goblin broke off mid-obscenity and instinctually raised its shield as you --

*** CHECK ***
The goblin has an AC of 14, and Portia has proficiency for simple weapons, so she gets a +5 attack bonus, which means she has to roll a 9 or above to hit the goblin:

Portia: 8

Nope, no hit.
*** CHECK ***

-- swing your shortsword, and metal meets metal as the blade bounces off the goblin's shield.

>>> @Plutonius it's your turn -- what do you do?

yes, range attack when engaged have disadvantage. in the description it says you are at "about 5 feet", so this needs a clarification from the DM. Also, later if the goblins still alive and are engaged with another one of us, you can use your Sneak Attack ability!

Yep.

 

[Plutonius]

@ravenvii, Are there any penalties for shooting them with my bow ?

Orders: If there are no penalties, shoot the goblin that Portia didn't attack.

 

[Moyank24]

I feel like the dice you are using hate me....

 

[twietee]

I feel like the dice you are using hate me....

At least they didn't see what hit them!


Unfortunately they didn't feel it either..

 

[ravenvii]

@ravenvii, Are there any penalties for shooting them with my bow ?

Orders: If there are no penalties, shoot the goblin that Portia didn't attack.

>>>The briar thickets are blocking your view of the goblins so they have cover. Your chance of hitting them is almost nil. Moreover, if you move to see them, you're close enough that a disadvantage is likely.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Is there a version of that pair of dice that may favour our endeavours?

 

[Plutonius]

>>>The briar thickets are blocking your view of the goblins so they have cover. Your chance of hitting them is almost nil. Moreover, if you move to see them, you're close enough that a disadvantage is likely.

In that case, move over to them with sword in hand.
[doublepost=1457298517][/doublepost]

Is there a version of that pair of dice that may favour our endeavours?

We could always take a collection for @ravenvii .

 

[ravenvii]

In that case, move over to them with sword in hand.

>>> Skipping the attack action? Or is there a specific goblin you'd like to attack, perhaps?

 

[Plutonius]

>>> Skipping the attack action? Or is there a specific goblin you'd like to attack, perhaps?

The way I read it, it sounded like I needed to double move to reach them ? If I can attack with the sword after the move, use my sword to attack the goblin (the one Portia did not attack if possible).

 

[ravenvii]

The way I read it, it sounded like I needed to double move to reach them ? If I can attack with the sword after the move, use my sword to attack the goblin (the one Portia did not attack if possible).

you're 20 feet to where Portia was, and 5-8 more feet to the goblins, and with your movement speed of 30, you can reach both goblins easily. It's taking a direct line through the thickets that will hinder your movement.

 

[Don't panic]

@ravenvii, wouldn't we see them as soon as we cross the stream, so still at more than engaging distance? or would that already bring us at melee distance? can we position ourselves to be able to use ranged attack

also, this is why using a 'status' infoblock after every turn resolution is helpful, so we don't have to continually go back and read and adjust the info based on what occurred. it is very cumbersome in forum format, especially on mobile.
and if you do it, at least it is official

example, current situation:

Portia Thorngage, 9/9, engaged with one of two goblins in the opening
>Claus Fletcher, 12/12, next to SS, CBL, VF, on the far side of stream, ~20' from portia, 25' from goblins, who are hidden from direct line sight by thicket
Syllin Siannodel, 8/8, next to CF, CBL, VF
Count Bartholomeus Lochaber, 12/12, next to CF, SS, VF
Portia Thorngage, 9/9, in the opening, engaged to one goblin, next to other goblin
Veit Frostbeard, 11/11, next to CF, SS, CBL
Goblins (2), in the opening, one is engaged with Portia, the other next to them

 

[Plutonius]

you're 20 feet to where Portia was, and 5-8 more feet to the goblins, and with your movement speed of 30, you can reach both goblins easily. It's taking a direct line through the thickets that will hinder your movement.

Orders: Move to the goblins and use my sword to attack a goblin (the one Portia did not attack if possible).

 

[ravenvii]

Orders: Move to the goblins and use my sword to attack a goblin (the one Portia did not attack if possible).

When Portia disappeared behind the briar thickets, you run across the stream after her, water splashing around your calves, and land on the narrow dry land at the opening to the blind. You see Portia engaged with one of the goblins, and you decide to engage the other goblin to keep him from teaming up on Portia. Unsheathing your sword, you rush towards the second goblin and --

*** CHECK ***
The goblin has an AC of 14. You have a attack bonus of +4, so you need a 10 to hit the goblin:

Claus: 14

You hit the goblin for 2d6 + 2 damage:

Claus: 5
Claus: 1

So that's 8 damage, killing the goblin.
*** CHECK ***

-- run it through with your greatsword. The goblin thrashed before falling slack, held up by your greatsword. You kick the goblin off, letting it fall to the ground in a pile.

>>> @Scepticalscribe it's your turn. You know what to do You have a 30 feet walking speed, so you can easily reach the remaining goblin across the stream.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Er, no, I don't quite know what to do. What does 30 foot walking speed actually mean in this context?

 

[Don't panic]

that you can move 30 feet

 

[ravenvii]

that you can move 30 feet

per turn.