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Hoard of the Dragon Queen Episode 0: Journey to Greenest


Zergrinch

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Rolls


Erwin
Shield Bash: [1d20+5] = 16+5 = 21 Athletics vs [1d20+2] = 20+2 = 22 BEAR wins
Attack [1d20+5] = 17+5 = 22. Damage: [1d8+3] = 2+3 = 5 Crit: [1d8] = 4 HIT. 5 damage to Bear 1

Morganor
Warhammer: Attack [1d20+4] = 15+4 = 19. Hit: [1d8+2] = 3+2 = 5 Crit [1d8] = 7 HIT. 5 damage to Bear 2

Garanth
Crossbow: Attack [1d20+5] = 7+5 = 12. Hit: [1d8+3] = 4+3 = 7 Crit [1d8] = 3 MISS (due to partial cover)

Black Bear 2 vs Morganor
Bite: Attack [1d20+3] = 6+3 = 9. Hit: 5 plus [1d6] = 4 crit MISS
Claws: Attack [1d20+3] = 6+3 = 9. Hit: 7 plus [2d4] = 7 crit MISS

Black Bear 1 vs Erwin
Bite: Attack [1d20+3] = 4+3 = 7. Hit: 5 plus [1d6] = 3 crit MISS
Claws: Attack [1d20+3] = 16+3 = 19. Hit: 7 plus [2d4] = 8 crit HIT. 7 damage to Erwin.

 

Erwin tries his favorite tactical maneuver on the bear, but it easily resists his shove.  Undaunted, the fighter slashes into the beast, drawing blood.

 

The dwarf jumps to his feet, with warhammer in hand.  He tries to imitate Erwin's maneuver, but apparently the feat requires a complicated sequence that he couldn't quite imitate.  {{OOC: You need to take the "Shield Master" feat in order to do it as a Bonus action; you can do this at Level 4 at the earliest.}}  He sends his warhammer crashing down into the bear's skull.  It bounced off against the creature's fur, but Morganor could tell it did some damage.

 

Garanth loads his crossbow and takes a shot at the bear the dwarf was fighting.  Unfortunately, the bolt struck the cleric's shield, missing the bear by inches.  Sighing in frustration, the elf drops the crossbow at the ground, and then takes out his sword and shield while moving towards Morganor.  The crossbow's cocking stirrup strikes the ground, and becomes slightly bent from the impact.  The crossbow is still usable... for now.

 

Arjan, bless his tired dragonborn soul, was sleeping like a hatchling.  At least until Perrin slaps him awake.  The bard then prepares to shout an insult at a convenient bear.

 

The bears rear in pain, and in the distance, everyone hears more reciprocating roars.  Both bears swipe violently with their teeth and claws.  While Morganor easily dodges the clumsy strikes, a lucky swipe catches Erwin by surprise.  The fighter coughs up blood, clearly wounded by the animal.  He can't take much more of this.

 

ORDER: >> Erwin, Morganor, Garanth, Arjan, Black Bear 2, Perrin, Black Bear 1

 

NOTES: Erwin is engaging Bear 1 in melee; Morganor and Garanth are adjacent to each other and are engaging Bear 2 in melee; Erwin is 15 feet from Morganor; Bear 2 is not adjacent to Erwin.  Arjan is 30 feet behind Erwin, but still prone.  Perrin is standing besides Arjan.

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Erwin:

 

Erwin forced himself forward again, attacking with his shield to force the bear over.  Taking advantage of the bears prone state, he lashed out with his sword with wicked accuracy, doing even more damage to the beast.

 

{{ Bonus Action: Shove, successful role }}

 

{{ Regular action: Attack, with advantage, 4 damage }}

 

Arjan:

 

Arjan unleashed a blast of biting cold at the bear.

 

{{ Action: Frostbite cantrip }}

 

Perrin:

 

Perrin, meanwhile, let loose a string of insults.

 

{{ Action: Vicious Mockery -- preferentially targeting a non-disadvantaged bear }}

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Morganor swings his war hammer again this time aimed at the left shoulder then steps back.

 

Garanth steps in as Morganor steps back and slashes at the bear's right shoulder using his shield to protect Morganor and himself.

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ROLLS


Morganor
Warhammer: Attack [1d20+4] = 17+4 = 21. Hit: [1d8+2] = 3+2 = 5 Crit [1d8] = 1 HIT.  5 damage to Bear 2.
 
Garanth
Shortsword: Hit: [1d20+5] = 2+5 = 7. Damage [1d6+3] = 1+3 = 4 Crit [1d6] = 2. MISS.
 
Arjan
Frostbite: Bear [1d20+2] = 10+2 = 12 CON save vs DC 13. On fail, [1d6] = 6.  BEAR FAILS.  6 damage to Bear 1.
 
Bear 2 (vs. Morganor)
Bite: Attack [1d20+3] = 10+3 = 13. Hit: 5 plus [1d6] = 4 crit MISS.
Claws: Attack [1d20+3] = 13+3 = 16. Hit: 7 plus [2d4] = 5 crit MISS.
 
Perrin
Vicious Mockery: [1d20+1] = 14+1 = 15 WIS save vs DC 13, else [1d4] = 4 damage. BEAR SAVES.
 
Bear 1
Bear Hug: [1d20+2] = 17+2 = 19 Strength vs. Erwin's [1d20+5] = 10+5 = 15 Athletics.
Bite: Attack [1d20+3] = 19+3 = 22. Hit: 5 plus [1d6] = 3 crit.  Disadvantage is canceled out by advantage from Erwin being prone.  HIT, 5 damage.  Erwin is dying.
 
Erwin
Death Save [1d20] = 6 plus Bardic Inspiration [1d6] = 2 if <6.  FAIL. 

 

The Fighter's vicious swipe leaves a gaping wound at the creature's side; a wound that the newly-awakened sorcerer targets his biting cold magic.  The spell was on target, and the bear thrashes on the ground as a layer of frost forms over the injury.  It rears up, enraged and in pain, knocking the fighter to the ground.  The pain from the frostbite seems to matter little as the bear viciously bites into the fighter's chest.  For the third time in a few hours, the fighter finds himself blacking out into unconsciousness!

 

Morganor and Garanth work together to attack both sides of the bear at once.  While Morganor's warhammer finds purchase with a satisfying CRUNCH, Garanth's shortsword stroke hits nothing but air. It wasn't his fault.  It was totally the bear's fault for moving sharply due to the dwarf's solid hit.  Roaring in pain, the bear snaps and swipes at the cleric, but was unable to land a solid hit.  The claw swipe was a close one though, thank Bahamut.

 

{{OOC: Stepping back would have incurred an unnecessary opportunity attack.  You can step to the side, staying within the creature's reach, and still be safe.  Also, I have Garanth attack with the shortsword because you can't use a shield to attack in 5th Edition, unless you want to use it as an improvised 1d4 weapon without proficiency.}}

 

The bard looses a couple of vicious insults at the bear engaged by the dwarf and elf.  The bear doesn't seem to understand anything.  Maybe he ought to insult it in the bear's language?

 

ORDER: >> Morganor, Garanth, Arjan, Black Bear 2, Perrin, Black Bear 1, Erwin (dying)

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Arjan:

 

Arjan fires off another frostbite, swearing as the battle begins to swing against them.

 

{{ Action:  Frostbite }}

 

Perrin:

 

Perrin, not ready to give it up, unleashes another string of insults, mixing it together with a song to encourage Erwin to, well, not die before someone can save his ass.

 

{{ Action:  Vicious Mockery }}

{{ Bonus Action: Bardic Inspiration, Erwin }}

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{OOC: The slash was meant to be with the sword and the shield purely protective since Garanth's fighting style is Protection enabling him to aid a close ally with his shield.}

 

Out of the corner of his eye Morganor sees Erwin go down; taking a chance he retreats behind his shield to go to Erwin's aid. When/if he gets there use Spare the Dying and cast Guiding Bolt whenever he can go again.

 

Garanth steps over toward Morganor as he again slashes with his sword hoping to keep the bear's attention on him.

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ROLLS

BEAR 2 Opportunity Attack
 
MORGANOR
Guiding Bolt: [1d20+5] = 13+5 = 18. Hit: [4d6] = 14 radiant..  HIT.  Bear is incinerated (had 4 HP left).
 
GARANTH
 
ARJAN
 
BEAR 2
 
PERRIN
 
ERWIN

 
As Morganor backs away from the bear, it snaps at him.  The attack would have most certainly been a hit if Garanth hadn't interposed his shield on time.  A clang reverberates as jaws impact metal.  Morganor summons the power of Bahamut, and channels it into a brilliant bolt of light.  The bear atop Erwin is instantly incinerated.
 
Arjan flings biting cold towards the remaining bear, but it easily shakes it off, having no open wound to exploit.  The bear, enraged at the elf's interference, tries to knock him into the ground - twice.  But each time, the elf's superior acrobatics training allows him to avoid both shoves.
 
Perrin insults the bear to no effect.  However, at least Erwin's condition appears to have stopped deteriorating, for now...
 
Leosin sticks his head out of a tent.  "Attack?  Who's attacking us?"
 
ORDER: >> Morganor, Garanth, Arjan, Black Bear 2, Perrin, Erwin (dying)
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Morganor leans down to Erwin touching him to cast Spare the Dying cantrip. {If he gets a bonus action then Sacred Flame cantrip at remaining bear.}

 

After missing with two slash moves Garanth changes tactics and tries a stab into the armpit of the bear.

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Rolls
 
"Don't die on me, ye big baby," Morganor admonishes as he stabilizes Erwin.
 
Meanwhile, Garanth switches tactics and stabs deep into the bear's armpit.  It is super effective.
 
The bear wobbles unsteadily, but is still on its feet.  It is now up to Arjan to finish the job and prevent the elf from being harmed by the enraged creature!
 
ORDER: >> Arjan, Black Bear 2, Perrin, Erwin (stable; unconscious), Morganor, Garanth
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Arjan:

 

Arjan throws another frostbite spell.  Sooner or later it has to work, dangit!

 

{{ Action: Frostbite }}

 

Perrin:

 

Perrin gives up the insults, which clearly are not working, and focuses his magic to improve his aim.

 

{{ Action: True Strike }}

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ROLLS
 
Arjan aims directly at the bear's maw, and hits it right in the eye!  Temporarily blinded, the bear snaps at the elf, but misses.  Garanth flashes a thumbs-up at the sorcerer - but it was a costly mistake!  A huge swipe from the animal opens a tremendous gash at the half-elf's abdomen.  It's all the poor elf can do to hold in his own entrails, as he fights to remain conscious!
 
At first, Perrin can only watch with dumbfounded fascination as he sees the elf struggle to maintain consciousness.  A surge of anger fills him, and he points his finger at the animal.  "BEAR!" he declares, "I, PERRIN, SHALL KNOCK YOU DOWN!"
 
The bear is on its last legs; what will the party do?
 
ORDER [HP]: >> Morganor [12], Garanth [1], Arjan [9], Black Bear [3], Perrin [11], Erwin [0]
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ROLLS
 
The cleric invokes fire from the heavens, but the bear manages to dodge!
 
The elf draws deep from his reserves.  An aura suffuses him as he wills his body to heal itself.  When the light fades, the elf appears to be none the worse for wear.  He pokes the bear once again with his shortsword, but the stroke brushed only against the bear's thick pelt.  {{OOC: Note that Second Wind takes a Bonus Action, so I took the liberty of automating your attack for you.}}
 
Ultimately, it was the dragonborn that dealt the coup de grace to the wounded animal.  With a swift evocation, he cakes its throat with frost, causing it to suffocate and finally expire.
 
Leosin warily approaches Erwin with a healer's kit in hand when everyone hears more roars incoming!
 
DM Notes:

By now, you should have a pretty good idea of what your characters can do.  I will give you a special one-time offer to retrain as many cantrips and spells as you want, as long as you haven't used it yet.  This means Arjan is stuck with Frostbite and Sleep, Morganor must keep Sacred Flame and Spare the Dying, and Perrin must keep True Strike, Vicious Mockery, Healing Word, and Sleep.
 
The encounter is over... for now!  Please describe what you are going to do next.

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Arjan:

 

"More of them?" Arjan sighed and rested himself against the side of a cart.  "We could barely handle two!"

 

Perrin:

 

Perrin groaned in agreement with Arjan, but moved over to help Leosin heal Erwin.

 

Ajran:

 

Ajan forced himself back to his feet.  "We need to find some way to fortify ourselves," he looked over the area around the carts.  "Something, some way..."

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"Can we move the wagons together so that they form a barrier? The horses and drivers could be kept inside. Ranged weapons could be used from atop the wagons until the bears are in melee range." Gar looks around at the rest hoping his suggestion at least doesn't get laughed at.

 

Morganor pulls on his beard, "That's a thought. Erwin, do you think it will work?

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Erwin:

 

"Might work," Erwin nods, "but I'm not sure it'll be enough.  Great idea Gar, I hope you have more.   Leosin, can you get that ready?  I think the five of us should move into the woods a little bit, try to ambush them before they get into the clearing.  Shoot as soon as we see them, then fall back on the wagons."

 

Arjan:

 

Arjan nods slowly.  "Works for me.  And we could probably build up a good fire, give ourselves better light to fight by."  {{ OOC: I assume that mechanically we're in dim light thanks to stars & moon or similar, but...  it makes story sense, so there! }}

 

Perrin:

 

Perrin nods reluctantly.  "We need to do more than just slam into them this time, or we're going to get our asses handed to us.  Again.  And I'm not sure how much more of that Erwin can take!"  Erwin winces, but nods in reluctant agreement.

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Leosin puts a hand on Erwin's shoulder.  "Hold, young friend.  You are not in any condition to fight!  Stay here, and snipe from afar!  The bears can smell you coming, especially with all that blood on you."
 
As if to punctuate the monk's words, angry roars fill the air, as the unseen bears seem to hone into the campsite with unerring accuracy.  The elf reckons that based on the sound of the footfalls and shrubbery being brushed aside, an unknown number of bears will be there in about 30 seconds.
 
DM Notes

  1. You don't have enough time to move the wagons or the horses.  You can start a couple of fires, but that's it.  What do you do?
  2. Erwin still has his Second Wind ability.
  3. Garanth doesn't have his crossbow.

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"We don't have time to move the wagons now; the bears are almost here. Erwin, Leosin is correct. Why don't you and I shoot from atop the wagons while Morganor and Arjan try to get out of sight on the sides and hit the bears from there when they get closer. Perrin, you would probably do best from atop or behind a wagon as well. Erwin, I think you still have your Second Wind. So how does that sound for a plan?" Garanth climbed atop the nearest wagon and notched an arrow onto his longbow."

 

Morganor nods his agreement, "If that meets with Erwin's approval I'm for it." Morganor begins to move off (if Erwin approves).

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Ewin:

 

Erwin shrugs off Leosin's hand.  "Shape or not, I have a duty," he growls, pulling himself upright and taking a deep breath.  "I'm not going to lie down on my job.  Not now, not ever."

 

Walking over to the side of a wagon, he pulls his light crossbow out and readies it, laying it steadily at the forest beyond.  "We engage from range the moment we see their faces.  We close to melee as they approach, to keep them away from the wagons."

 

{{ Bonus Action:  Healing Surge for 4 HP}}

 

{{ Action:  Ready action -- firing light crossbow at first enemy he sees }}

 

{{ OOC:  Even if in some ways it makes more sense to stick him in a safer position, fact is Erwin is our best AC -- he'll go ahead and take advantage of tactics and try to attack from afar, but it actually makes sense for him both in tactics and character to be the one to be in the front lines.  He's got the armor class to hopefully stop the bear for more than a single turn, even if his HP are burned out... }}

 

Arjan:

 

Arjan climbs up onto a wagon and prepares to call his magic.

 

{{ Action: Ready Action -- frost bite cantrip at first enemy to come into sight }}

 

Perrin:

 

Perrin climbs into another wagon, following Arjan's lead.

 

{{ Action: Ready Action -- Vicious Mockery at first target to come into sight }}

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Morganor sighs as he sets up and readies his Sacred Flame cantrip; he mutters a quick prayer to Bahamut for better results.

 

Garanth raises his longbow into position as the sounds of the bears draws closer. {OOC: I plan to have Garanth fire his bow as often as his turn comes until the bears are too close or others have closed in on the bears.}

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Leosin picks up a slightly bent crossbow, and takes cover behind his fellow Bahamut worshipper behind a wagon.  The group waits with baited breath as the footfalls and roars grow louder and closer.
 
ROLLS

GARANTH
 
ARJAN
 
PERRIN
 
ERWIN
 
MORGANOR
 
LEOSIN
 
INITIATIVE
Erwin [1d20] = 4 
Perrin [1d20+3] = 5+3 = 8
Morganor [1d20+1] = 14+1 = 15
Bear 2 [1d20] = 5 
Bear 3 [1d20] = 5 
Bear 4 [1d20] = 5
 
ORDER [HP]: >> Arjan [9/9], Morganor [12/12], Leosin [10/15], Garanth [10/12], Perrin [11/11], Bear 2 [9/19], Bear 3 [19/19], Bear 4 [19/19], Erwin [5/12]

 
The elf's sharp eyes saw it first - the eyes of a black bear glinting in the night.  As it charges into the clearing, he looses an arrow that hit it dead center.  This was the signal for everyone to join in.  
 
The bear valiantly tries to dodge.  Unfortunately, too many was happening at once, and it blundered into the heavenly flames summoned by the Light Cleric.  The bear dies, its snout still smoldering from the heat.
 
Leosin barks a warning - more bears incoming!  He nocks the crossbow, and fires a bolt.  The projectile strikes the bear dead center in the face.  
 
The bear roars, and two others come swarming in!  The battle is joined!
 
DM Notes:

It is now your turn.  Bear 2 is 50 feet from the wagons.  Bears 3 and 4 are 10 feet behind Bear 2, on either side.  The bears  will need at least a round to fully get into melee range.  You no longer have advantage on your attacks.

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Arjan:

 

Arjan fired off another crossbow bolt.

 

{{ Action: Attack, hit for 4 damage }}

 

Perrin:

 

Perrin joined the barrage with an attack of his own.

 

{{ Action: Attack, hit for 4 damage }}

 

Erwin:

 

Erwin's shaking hands made him slow and clumsy reloading, allowing the bears to nearly close the distance before he managed to fire.  He tossed his crossbow up into the wagon behind him before preparing to face the bears in melee again.

 

{{ Action:  Attack, miss (but would have done 8 if I'd hit :( }}

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Garanth fires his longbow again aiming for the lead bear (#2). Thenhe drops the bow in the wagon, jumps down and draws his shield and sword to stand beside Erwin.

 

Morganor lets another Sacred Flame cantrip go at the bear nearest his side before drawing his war hammer.

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ROLLS

ARJAN 
Damages Bear 2 (-4 HP)
 
MORGANOR
 
LEOSIN
 
GARANTH
 
PERRIN
Damages Bear 3 (-4 HP)
 
ERWIN
Misses Bear 3

 
The party unleashes another fusillade of missiles at the bears.  The already-wounded lead bear is grazed by Arjan's bolt, and dodges Morganor's Sacred Flames.  This made it vulnerable to another well-aimed shot by Leosin, and it goes down to the half-elf's next bolt.  Shots fired by Garanth and Perrin found their mark on the same bear, although it remains standing.
 
The remaining bears charge for the wagons; a third bear heads for Erwin, and the final bear beelines towards Morganor.  
 
INITIATIVE
Arjan [9/9], Morganor [12/12], Leosin [10/15], Garanth [10/12], Perrin [11/11], Bear 3 [4/19], Bear 4 [19/19], Erwin [5/12]
 
NOTES

It is now your turn.

Bear 3 is directly next to Erwin and Garanth, with Arjan close by inside the wagon.
Bear 4 is directly next to Morganor, with Perrin close by inside the wagon.  Leosin is next to Morganor, but not adjacent to the bear.

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