Hoard of the Dragon Queen Episode 0: Journey to Greenest

[Jeikor]

{OOC: Garanth didn't fire a crossbow; he didn't get it back after dropping and damaging it.}

 

Garanth slashes at the wasp next to him trying to slice it in two.

 

Morganor  tries to smash the wasp between his hammer and shield.

Edited May 20, 2015 by Jeikor

[Rilbur]

{{ OOC:  Jeikor, Morganor can't cast Guidance (which is useless in this situation) and then do a melee attack in the same turn.  Both require an action.  You could cast a (badly needed) cure wounds, or you can attack.  I'd recommend the later, and just apply the healing later -- focus on downing the enemy until and unless someone goes down. }}

 

{{ OOC: Also, I believe Zerg is running this where things like recovering dropped weapons occur automatically.  There's no point to making everyone say "I recover all my arrows" every fight, and it just slows things down. The only things you'd need to specify doing are things that have an opportunity cost, like taking a shield on (or off).  }}

[Jeikor]

{OOC: Thanks Rilbur. I can't remember which are actions and which can be bonus actions so leave it to the DM to correct. As to the crossbow I think he actually had Leosin pick it up during that fight and use it so I assumed Leosin is still using it.}

[Zergrinch]

ROLLS

GARANTH

Shortsword: Hit: [1d20+5] = 19+5 = 24. Damage [1d6+3] = 5+3 = 8 Crit [1d6] = 4. HIT! 8 damage to Wasp C.

 

ARJAN

> Damages Wasp D by 7.

 

WASP D

Wasp: Sting. [1d20+4] = 11+4 = 15 to hit. 5 plus [1d6] = 4 crit damage. [1d20+4] = 19+4 = 23 CON save vs poison. Fail = 10 damage.  HIT! Arjan takes 5 damage.

 

WASP A

Wasp: Sting Perrin. [1d20+4] = 1+4 = 5 to hit. 5 plus [1d6] = 5 crit damage. [1d20+3] = 4+3 = 7 CON save vs poison. Fail = 10 damage. MISS!

 

PERRIN

> Damages Wasp A by 3.

 

WASP C

Wasp: Sting. [1d20+4] = 12+4 = 16 to hit. 5 plus [1d6] = 3 crit damage. [1d20+4] = 2+4 = 6 CON save vs poison. Fail = 10 damage..  HIT! 5 damage to Garanth. SAVE FAILS! 10 damage to Garanth; Garanth is unconscious and poisoned.

 

LEOSIN

Monk Fist: [1d20+5] = 20+5 = 25. [1d4+3] = 2+3 = 5 and crit [1d4] = 4. CRITICAL HIT!  Wasp C dies.

 

MORGANOR

Warhammer: Attack [1d20+4] = 1+4 = 5. Hit: [1d8+2] = 3+2 = 5 Crit [1d8] = 4.  CRITICAL MISS!

 

NUGMARK

Shortbow vs Wasp A (half cover): [1d20+4] = 6+4 = 10 [1d20+4] = 4+4 = 8. Hit: 5 plus [1d6] = 5 crit.. MISS!

 

ERWIN

Kills Wasp D.

 

INITIATIVE

Wasp E [1d20+2] = 6+2 = 8 

Wasp F [1d20+2] = 7+2 = 9 

Wasp G [1d20+2] = 13+2 = 15

 

Arjan slashes into the remaining wasp near him with his twin daggers, while Garanth gently sets his longbow down and slashes at the incompetent wasp with his shortsword.  Both heroes find their mark, and both wasps are left barely able to fly.

 

The wasp next to Erwin retaliates, plunging its stinger deep into a gap in Arjan's draconic armor.  The dragonborn gasps as venom courses through his veins, but his superior immunity fights off the poison, for now...

 

Sensing a chance to finish off the half-elf, the wasp withdraws its stinger and plunges it in, but the half-elf in his delirium redirects the slash deep into the wagon's wood.  The bard laughs uproariously at the wasp's incompetence; it even looks embarrassed.

 

The prospect of an embarrassed wasp distracts Garanth so much that he fails to see the stinger come his way.  The wasp pumps a full complement of venom into the elf's bloodstream, and he swoons.  The elf appears to be stable, but he will be poisoned for a while.  Leosin immediately steps up with a terrific punch which knocks the wasp under the wheels of the last wagon.  It gets thoroughly trampled by the wheels into a fine paste.

 

Morganor steps forward to relieve the embattled bard with a warhammer to a bug.  His blow ricochets off the creature's carapace, and rebounds against his own armor.

 

As Erwin finishes off the wasp next to him, Nugmark takes aim at the last remaining wasp besides the bard.  He misses horribly, due to the fact that it's quite hard to aim at moving targets while one has allies beside it.

 

Although the immediate threat has been greatly reduced, it appears more wasps are on the way to feast on goblins and elves!

 

ORDER: Arjan [9/9], Wasp G [13/13], Wasp A [8/13] DIS, Perrin [1/11], Leosin [15/15], Wasp F [13/13], Morganor [12/12], Wasp E [13/13], Nugmark [7/7], Erwin [7/12], Garanth [0/12] stable but poisoned

 

DM NOTES:

1. Jeikor is right - I made a mistake with his attack.  Leosin currently has his light crossbow.  I'm ruling that Garanth used his longbow instead.  Same damage and proficiency anyway
2. The new wasps are over 60 feet away in the air; it will take them more than 1 turn to reach you.
3. Wasp A is adjacent to Perrin and Morganor in the third wagon.  
4. Wasp E appears to be heading towards the wagon with delicious goblin on it.
5. Wasps F and G appear to be heading towards the wagon with Garanth on it.
6. Garanth is not dying, but he will remain poisoned and paralyzed (can't move or speak, can't take actions or reactions, automatically fails STR and DEX saving throws, grants advantage to all attacks, any attack from 5 feet that lands is a critical hit, disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks) for one hour even after regaining hit points.  For all intents and purposes, he is out of this fight.

[Rilbur]

Arjan:

 

Arjan turns and snaps off an ice knife at the approaching wasps, hoping to catch them in a cluster.

 

{{ Action: Ice knife the approaching wasps }}

 

Perrin:

 

Perrin snaps off another string of insults, encouraged by their effectiveness in this encounter.

 

{{ Action: Vicious Mockery }}

 

Erwin:

 

Erwin really didn't see any options other than to continue with sword and board.

 

{{ Move to engage }}

 

{{ Bonus: Shove }}

 

{{ Action: Attack }}

 

{{ OOC: Sorry, short on time can't write out all the relevant rolls, gotta get going... }}

[Jeikor]

Trying for a wasp away from the others Morganor uses his Sacred Flame cantrip. He would like to use Burning Hands but can't close to the others and not sure if it will be effective enough to use a spell slot on when he might need both for healing spells.

[Zergrinch]

ROLLS

Arjan
Ice Knife. [1d20+5] = 2+5 = 7 to hit. %5B2d6%5D = 8 cold damage unless DEX save - F: [1d20+2] = 8+2 = 10 G: [1d20+2] = 4+2 = 6  MISS!  Saves fail!  8 damage to Wasps F and G!
 
Wasp G
> Buzz!
 
Wasp A
Sting Perrin. [1d20+4] = 14+4 = 18 [1d20+4] = 17+4 = 21 to hit. [1d6] = 5 crit. [1d20+4] = 7+4 = 11 CON save DC 11. HIT! 5 piercing and 5 poison damage to Perrin!  Dying.
 
Leosin
Light Crossbow [1d20+5] = 3+5 = 8 [1d20+5] = 5+5 = 10. Hit: [1d8+3] = 3+3 = 6. Crit. [1d8] = 4. MISS!
 
Wasp F
> Buzz!
 
Morganor
Sacred Flame: Wasp DEX save [1d20+2] = 8+2 = 10 vs DC 13. On fail, [1d8] = 7 radiant damage. FAIL! Wasp A is incinerated.
 
Wasp E
> Buzz!
 
Nugmark
Shortbow vs Wasp E: [1d20+4] = 11+4 = 15 [1d20+4] = 8+4 = 12. Hit: 5 plus [1d6] = 2 crit. HIT! Wasp E takes 5 damage!
Nimble Escape: Bonus action to Hide. 

Erwin
Shortbow vs Wasp [1d20+2] = 5+2 = 7. Hit: %5B1d6%5D = 1 and Crit [1d6] = 3 MISS!

 

Arjan chants an arcane spell as he unleashes an icy knife at the wasps heading towards Garanth and Leosin.  The shard explodes in mid-air, and visibly damages both beasts.

 

The wasp alongside Perrin and Morganor unleashes another sting at the Half-Elf.  The bard gets a matching puncture on the other half of his body, and crumples into a heap as the venomous stinger plunges deep into his muscles.

 

Leosin and Morganor react almost instantaneously - the monk's crossbow bolt clips off the insect's carapace, but Morganor's Sacred Flame catches it directly, completely incinerating the wasp.

 

As the three wasps draw closer, Nugmark lets off a frightened squeak and looses a shortbow arrow at the wasp approaching him.  Seeing the human unable to target the insect, the goblin hands him its shortbow.

 

"Here, humans!  Kills it before it gets close!"

 

Nugmark's arrow sticks into the insect's abdomen, causing it to flinch, while Erwin was way off the mark.  Fortunately for Erwin, Nugmark had already gone into hiding and did not see how much he actually sucked at shooting arrows at things. 
 
ORDER: Arjan [9/9], Perrin [0/11] dying, Leosin [15/15], Wasp F [5/13], Morganor [12/12], Wasp E [8/13], Nugmark [7/7], Erwin [7/12], Garanth [0/12] stable but poisoned

 

DM Notes

It is now your turn! Perrin was reduced to 0 HP not by poison, but by the piercing damage.  Hence, he doesn't get auto-poisoned and auto-stabilized.  However, he has to make death saves.

[Jeikor]

Morganor quickly reaches down to touch Perrin and cast Spare the Dying cantrip while trying to keep an eye on the remaining wasps.

[Rilbur]

Arjan:

 

Arjan fires off another crossbow bolt.

 

{{ Action: Fire crossbow bolt, to-hit 10, damage 8 }}

 

Perrin:

 

Perrin groans as he twitches on the ground, unconscious.

 

{{ Death saving throw: success! But alas, not a consciousness-raising critical one.  }}

 

Erwin:

 

{{ OOC:  No clue how close the bugs have gotten, but I'm going to assume they got close enough to sword&board! }}

 

Erwin once again lays out with his shield and his sword.

 

{{ Bonus Action: Shove! (Probable success: he gets +5 from his athletics skill, and while I don't have the stat block up I don't think the wasps have athletics or acrobatics worth mentioning...) }}

 

{{ Action: Attack! A hit for 9 damage! }}

[Rilbur]

{{ OOC:  Mechanically, it's probably best for Morganor to focus on doing damage, not stabilizing.  (The character may feel otherwise, of course).  Perrin is at least two death saving throws away from death, and a natural 20 can get him back up on his feet.  And doing damage may help keep someone else from going down. }}

[Zergrinch]

ROLLS

LEOSIN

Crossbow: Attack [1d20+5] = 1+5 = 6. Hit: [1d8+3] = 3+3 = 6 Crit [1d8] = 4 MISS!

 

Leosin's Opportunity Attack!

Punch a Wasp! [1d20+5] = 8+5 = 13. Hit: [1d4+3] = 3+3 = 6 and Crit [1d4] = 1. HIT! 6 damage to Wasp F; Wasp F dies!

 

WASP E

Sting Erwin. [1d20+4] = 9+4 = 13 to hit. [1d6] = 2 crit. [1d20+4] = 11+4 = 15 CON save DC 11. MISS!

 

Both Leosin and Arjan and Leosin take careful aim at the cloest approaching wasp -- but both miss!  The wasp approaching the unconscious elf ignores the luscious half-elf monk, and instead opts to spirit away Garanth for food.  Unfortunately, the monk charges up his deadly fist, and rips the creature as it was about to fly away!

 

Morganor administers his cantrip to Perrin, while Erwin faces off against the last remaining wasp.  It lunges at the fighter, but Erwin skillfully forces it to the ground, and pierces its soft underbelly with his longsword.  a squeal later, the wasp is dead.

 

"What's happening back there?" the caravanmaster asks.

 

DM NOTES

Combat is over, and there are no other wasps incoming. Everyone gains

100 XP!  Update your sheets, and inform me when you reach 300. Be warned that episode 1 is much, much worse than this!  Gotta step up the game, and kill the enemies before they kill you...

[Rilbur]

Erwin:
 

Erwin takes a deep breath {{ second wind for 5 }} and looks over the caravan.  "An attack by native wildlife," he shouts back at the caravanmaster.  "Lets keep moving.  Where there's one giant wasp, there's an entire nest full and I'd really rather not have their brothers find us!"

 

"Get the wounded up onto the wagons and move it people!" Erwin added, probably unnecessarily.

 

{{ OOC: Can we get the benefits of a short rest while riding, so I can spend one of Perrin's HP die? }}

[Zergrinch]

"A wasp attack?"  The caravan master looks skeptical until he sees a couple of the creatures' corpses in the wagon.  

 

Then he changes his mind.  "Right, let's keep moving!"

 

From each of the wagons, a goblin pokes its head up from the hiding place.  "We dids it - we took down giant wasps!" one crows in triumph.

 

 

DM Notes

Your turn!  What do you want to do?  Do you want to take a long rest?  Take the goblin shortcut instead?  Harvest the wasps for poison?  Ask the goblins a question?  Reconsider the offer of the studded leather armor?  Look at the magic potions you looted from the goblins the previous day?  Whatever you choose, do specify it here.

[Rilbur]

Erwin:

 

"Get moving people!" Erwin repeats.  "I really do not want to be here for round two!"

 

Erwin helps kick a wasp out of a wagon as the caravan gets moving, then moves over to Garanth to check on his condition.

 

Arjan:

 

With nothing special to do, Arjan leans back and watches the woods for any further signs of trouble.

 

Perrin:

 

Perrin was dead to the world, but hopefully he could spend a hit die recovering some HP once he wakes up...  Sitting in the back of a wagon is awfully restful after all!

[Jeikor]

Garanth continued to lay in the wagon while wasp poison coursed through his veins.

 

Morganor checked on Perrin again noting that he was stable and resting. He decided to wait on doing any healing spells since more wasps, bears, goblins or who knew what else could still show up and they were currently down two guards. He turned to keep watch as they traveled.

[Zergrinch]

The hour passes uneventfully, and the unconscious guards all wake up nursing a really bad headache (Perrin and Garanth have 1 HP each).

[Rilbur]

Perin groaned as he pulled himself upright.

 

"Just take a while longer and rest," Erwin ordered firmly.  "You took a nasty blow."

 

Finding it hard to concentrate, Perrin just slumped against the side of the wagon and rested for a while longer.

[Jeikor]

Garanth heard Erwin tell Perrin to just rest some more but he had no intention of doing the same. He had a job to do. Steeling himself as best he could Gar attempted to stand up; he got as far as putting his feet under him when his body gave out and a groan escaped his  tightened lips. Maybe I should try Second Wind first he thought and took several deep breaths (second wind).

 

Morganor shook his head at the two trying to get up after such an ordeal and chuckled silently when Garanth collapsed back to the wagon floor.

He reached over, clasped Perrin on the shoulderand told him, "Relax, we are fine for now. If you aren't better by the time we stop for a rest and I have a spell left I will do some healing on you. Okay?"

[Zergrinch]

Garanth's meditative breathing allows him to settle into a healing trance which mends his wounds and restores part of his vitality.

2PM Second Wind: [1d10+1] = 4+1 = 5 healing

3PM Second Wind: [1d10+1] = 6+1 = 7 healing

 

After an hour's rest, Perrin's condition improves as well, although he still looks a little shaky.  Perrin regains [1d8+3] = 1+3 = 4 HP.

 

Four hours after midday, Nugmark signals for the group to stop.  The goblin looks surprised at the speed, fully expecting the trek to take a day.  Likely, it conflated the gallop of a horse with the walking speed of a goblin.  

 

The young goblin turns to Erwin and speaks in Goblin.  “That tree marks end of Cragmaw lands.  You now in Klarg territory so Cragmaw symbol will not help.  Took over Madhunters after killing chief.  He claims this land all the way until near Halfling city.  Madhunters also set ambush and attack travelers.  Maybe six hands goblins in tribe, plus many wolfs.” Nugmark says as it holds up its two hands and wiggles its ten fingers.  

 

As the two escort goblins remove the Cragmaw standard from the lead wagon, and prepare to disappear into the brush, Nugmark hangs back and asks, "Any last questions?"

 

DM Notes

HP Counts: Arjan (9/9) Erwin (12/12) Garanth (12/12) Morganor (12/12) Perrin (5/11)

All short-term resources are recovered; even for Garanth.

[Rilbur]

Erwin:

"No questions. Go."

[Zergrinch]

Nugmark nods, and the three goblins vanish into the dense brush besides the path.

 

It is now around 4 PM, with a good 2 hours of travel before sunset.

[Rilbur]

Erwin:

Wincing at his own rudeness, Erwin adds a quick "Thank you," to their departing backs.

"Lets keep moving!" Erwin added. "A moving caravan is hard work."

[Zergrinch]

An hour later, the caravanmaster slows the horses into a trot.

 

"Do you hear that?  Sounds like arguing." he asks.  "What do you think, lad?  Is it safe to go?" 

 

Everyone can hear several voices in the distance:

1. Erwin hears several screeches that can only come from goblins.
2. Morganor can make out two gruff voices arguing in the Orcish tongue.  His keener senses tell him that based on the sound of heavy breathing, there is also a half-ogre nearby.
3. Garanth hears the telltale yip of a wolf.

[Rilbur]

Erwin:

Erwin sighed. "I'm going to venture a guess of 'no, probably not.' I hear goblins, and according to Nugmark the local goblin tribe in this area is even worse than usual."

"We could try and fort up and drag them to us, but our best bet is probably to push on and try to get out of their territory before they can respond. If Tymora gazes on us, we might get out of their territory before they can even start mobilizing."

[Jeikor]

"There are a couple arguing in Orc and probably a half-ogre as well." Morganor adds to the conversation.

 

Garanth chimes in, "There's at least one wolf, too."