[D&D] The Lost Mines of Phandelver

[ravenvii]

if we want to go that way, climbing a wood and rope structure should be easier than a rock wall.
in such case, it should be me or Veit to do the climb, since we have the highest athletics modifiers (+5 and +4). then we can drop the rope from top
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Veit cast the Light that blinded the goblin and made him visible to us, thus his action is not a combat action.

Since we surprise attacked while being hidden, we get 'advantage' to hit the goblin.
it means you roll a d20 twice to hit, and keep the better roll (with 14 needed to hit).
in your case it was
roll 1 (d20): 5 (+5 modifier) -> miss
roll 2 (d20): 15 (+5) -> hit!

since you hit, you roll for damage, which for Ray of Frost is 1d6
roll 3 (d6): 2 damage

minor technical note for @ravenvii: when someone attacks with advantage, you always rolls both dice, even if the first is a hit, because the second could be a crit (natural 20) with automatic hit and double damages

True, good point. Noted.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

if we want to go that way, climbing a wood and rope structure should be easier than a rock wall.
in such case, it should be me or Veit to do the climb, since we have the highest athletics modifiers (+5 and +4). then we can drop the rope from top
[doublepost=1457992530][/doublepost]

Veit cast the Light that blinded the goblin and made him visible to us, thus his action is not a combat action.

Since we surprise attacked while being hidden, we get 'advantage' to hit the goblin.
it means you roll a d20 twice to hit, and keep the better roll (with 14 needed to hit).
in your case it was
roll 1 (d20): 5 (+5 modifier) -> miss
roll 2 (d20): 15 (+5) -> hit!

since you hit, you roll for damage, which for Ray of Frost is 1d6
roll 3 (d6): 2 damage

minor technical note for @ravenvii: when someone attacks with advantage, you always rolls both dice, even if the first is a hit, because the second could be a crit (natural 20) with automatic hit and double damages

Thanks a lot for your explanation.

 

[Don't panic]

is the light still on or was just a short flash?
if it is dark, than the climb should be attempted by Veit, so at least when he gets on top he can see what he is doing!

OTOH, if we are going up the main passage (along the stream) or in the side tunnel, we need some light

 

[Scepticalscribe]

is the light still on or was just a short flash?
if it is dark, than the climb should be attempted by Veit, so at least when he gets on top he can see what he is doing!

OTOH, if we are going up the main passage (along the stream) or in the side tunnel, we need some light

A quick review of my currently available cantrips indicates that they are of little use, alas, for this particular task.

While in the future, I should be more than able to summon illumination at will, for now, this is beyond me.

 

[Plutonius]

To all: My vote is to take the passage to the left (side passage) rather than the bridge. If we take the bridge, we could be attacked from two directions. If we do take the bridge, let's head to the left.

 

[Don't panic]

Veit, can you put Light on one of the pieces of equipment of one of us vision-challenged folks (me, claus, portia)?
i keep turning around and banging on someone.

in alternative portia has a hooded lantern, which is better then a torch because it can be used in a 'low-light' mode of only 5 feet of dim light. the obvious drawback is that we have to hold it with one hand
also note that even dark vision only allows to partially see in full darkness (while it allows to see well in dim light)

btw, i am back donning shield and scimitar

 

[Plutonius]

@ravenvii, Once we got our arrows, javelin back was there anything else on the goblin ?

 

[ravenvii]

is the light still on or was just a short flash?
if it is dark, than the climb should be attempted by Veit, so at least when he gets on top he can see what he is doing!

OTOH, if we are going up the main passage (along the stream) or in the side tunnel, we need some light

The light persists.

@ravenvii, Once we got our arrows, javelin back was there anything else on the goblin ?

No.

 

[Plutonius]

To the group: I'll get things going. Do you want the left hand passage or try to climb the bridge ?

 

[twietee]

> Wait, who would have thought I'm one of the most athletic of us?? I should have tried that garbage chute then..

I'm fine with going down the left entrance, will likely lead to the bridge anyway.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

This is the sort of decision I am more than happy to leave in the hands of my vastly more experienced companions.

 

[twietee]

Although I have to say that it would be way more badass to climb up the bridge! Would make the whole arrangement before a tad bit more relevant too.

Are we badass? I say yes.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Although I have to say that it would be way more badass to climb up the bridge! Would make the whole arrangement before a tad bit more relevant too.

Are we badass? I say yes.

Some of us are scholars, and, while we had much experience climbing up to retrieve books and scrolls, unstable bridges are another matter entirely, methinks….

 

[Don't panic]

Some of us are scholars, and, while we had much experience climbing up to retrieve books and scrolls, unstable bridges are another matter entirely, methinks….

So Syllin, of the non-bridge options, do you favor the main passage or the small side tunnel?

Veit, how about turning off the beacon on the bridge rail?
it might soon attract some much un-needed attention.
if you were so kind to place it on my scimitar, i would be much obliged.

 

[Moyank24]

I'm cool with the side entrance!

 

[Plutonius]

This is the sort of decision I am more than happy to leave in the hands of my vastly more experienced companions.

@Don't panic map: View attachment 621002

There is no correct answer since we don't know what is ahead. You are a member of the group so what is your preference.
1) Side passage to the left before we reach the bridge.
2) Attempt to climb up on the bridge.
3) Continue to follow the stream under the bridge.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Unfortunately, I actually think that we may need to climb up on to the bridge, as I suspect that - one end of it - may lead us to the the path which may point us to where we may need to go. People don't choose to build bridges without good cause.

However, my prior life has been distinctly of the non-athletic variety……..which makes the challenge of climbing onto an unstable structure such as the bridge in front of us……all the more daunting.

Failing that, an exploration of the side entrance may also yield useful information.

 

[twietee]

People don't choose to build bridges without good cause.

That's an excellent point!

Anyway, I will carefully cross the stream and lurk around the entrance to the left. What do I see? If nothing I'll scout ahead a bit.

 

[Plutonius]

Syllin: first choice bridge second choice side passage
Portia: side passage
Veit: bridge or side passage (what is your first choice ?) .
Claus: side passage
Count @Don't panic What is your choice ?

 

[twietee]

But before I do that I will switch off the lights at the rail and cast 'light' again on Claus' sword.

 

[Plutonius]

But before I do that I will switch off the lights at the rail and cast 'light' again on Claus' sword.

Thank you but I would probably recommend instead throwing it on the Counts scimitar since he will be in front.

What we need now is a second cleric so we both can have light .

 

[Don't panic]

Syllin: first choice bridge second choice side passage
Portia: side passage
Veit: bridge or side passage (what is your first choice ?) .
Claus: side passage
Count @Don't panic What is your choice ?

main passage?

jokes apart, I am not going to cast a decisive vote on strategic decisions, for the reasons already mentioned.
I am on board with any decision you guys take.

just a note for syllin: notwithstanding your scholarly propensities, your built in not at all un-athletic (average strengh, above average constitution and dexterity).
in term of climbing the bridge (and of climbs in general) that likely require an athletics check, as mentioned that should be tried first by me or Veit. if a rope can then be secured in place, than the task would be much easier and -depending on circumstances-, a check might not even be required (this would be up to ravenvii's judgement).
I am not saying this is what should be done now, just clearing the misconception that you can't succed at physical feats. your athletics mod is 0, which means you are average, so you would beat a DC15 task 30% of the times, a DC10 task 55% of the time and a DC5 75% of the times. If we are in position to Help you, you get advantage on the roll

 

[Scepticalscribe]

main passage?

jokes apart, I am not going to cast a decisive vote on a strategic decisions, for the reasons already mentioned.
I am on board with any decision you guys take.

just a note for syllin: notwithstanding your scholarly propensities, your built in not at all un-athletic (average strengh, above average constitution and dexterity).
in term of climbing the bridge (and of climbs in general) that likely require an athletics check, as mentioned that should be tried first by me or Veit. if a rope can then be secured in place, than the task would be much easier and -depending on circumstances-, a check might not even be required (this would be up to ravenvii's judgement).
I am not saying this is what should be done now, just clearing the misconception that you can't succed at physical feats. your athletics mod is 0, which means you are average, so you would beat a DC15 task 30% of the times, a DC10 task 55% of the time and a DC5 75% of the times. If we are in position to Help you, you get advantage on the roll

Thank you, and I accept that.

However, when surrounded by the lithe and spry, and the athletic and dexterous, even mere competence appears (almost) inadequate.

Nevertheless, on this matter, I am more than happy to take sage - and experienced counsel form those who offer it.

Notwithstanding that, I do think that we may need to investigate that bridge, howsoever I haul myself up it (and proffered help, is always welcomed).

This is because something tells me that it may lead somewhere that we need to know more about. Not least because there are always good reasons to build bridges, and this stream - of itself - does not present an insuperable obstacle to crossing, hence, the bridge may have been constructed for other (more pressing?) reasons.

 

[twietee]

let's move on guys!

I thought the idea cool to enter the bridge but whatever, let's take the side passage that will most likely be either a dead end or lead to the bridge anyway. I'm scouting into that direction already anyway.

I wouldn't worry about being caught in the middle though since that can happen either way.

Btw, let me go first. There is no point in that when a guy with a glowing sword stands right besides me.

 

[Don't panic]

@ravenvii, since the light was on for a good time, i am guessing we could take a good look at the bridge>
how hard does it look to climb?
is it a beam/suspension/truss bridge that connects the two apertures high on the walls, so to get up we need to climb the cave walls, or is it more like a trestle bridge with a timber lattice that can be climbed directly?
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let's move on guys!

I thought the idea cool to enter the bridge but whatever, let's take the side passage that will most likely be either a dead end or lead to the bridge anyway. I'm scouting into that direction already anyway.

I wouldn't worry about being caught in the middle though since that can happen either way.

Btw, let me go first. There is no point in that when a guy with a glowing sword stands right besides me.

ok, then, off we go!
so we wait for you to scout ahead.
the first 20 feet are lighted, since Master Fletcher is standing here with his blazing blade (btw, can i have a blazing saddle next time we ride?), the next 20 are dim (so normal light for you) provided the tunnel is more or less straight.
so you have up to a full forty (straight) feet of perfect visibility before it gets dim (for you)