A Long Way Home - game thread, players only!

The Game Room
61

I’m resolving the first round of combat without Tasha’s input. It seems in character for her to be too shocked at the first time she’s seen such violence, anyway.

The kobolds ignore Cobar’s warning. It’s possible they didn’t even recognize what he was saying, so overcome with fear they are. The creatures attack, as Maxwell roars in challenge, and Clayton inspires his allies!

Taunt -

Maxwell taunts the entire kobold party, daring them to attack him. He rolls his SOCIAL of 8 two times, and picks the better result. His results are 1 and 5, for a final result of 5. The kobolds have a SOCIAL of 4, meaning they can not possibly overcome the urge to direct their attacks toward Maxwell!

Inspire-

Clayton tests his SOCIAL of 8. He rolls a 5. Since he passed the 4+ threshold, for the remainder of this combat the party will have any rolls of 1 or 2 improved by +1!

Initiative -

[spoiler]The goblins have a WITS of 4. Their rolls are 1, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4
Maxwell has a WITS of 6. His roll is 2
Clayton has a WITS of 6. His roll is 5
Cobar has a WITS of 10. His roll is 7
Moftar has a WITS of 8. His roll is 2
Gerald has a WITS of 10. His roll is 1

Iniative order: Cobar-Clayton-Kobold X4-Kobold X1-Maxwell-Gerald-Kobold X1 (Gerald won the tiebreaker with the kobold)[/spoiler]

Cobar immediately recognizes that his threats will not deter these beasts. As the skittish creatures hold their weapons high and rush forward, Cobar is the first to respond with violence. He releases his bowstring, sending an arrow sailing directly into one of the pitiful creatures’ neck. The kobold is knocked off its feet, never to rise…

Cobar has HAWKEYE talent, which allows him to roll his ACTION twice and pick the better result when attacking with a bow. His ACTION is 8. His rolls were 3 and 8, for a final result of 8. The kobold rolls its ACTION of 4, and gets a result of 2. Cobar hits, for 8(his roll) - 2(the kobold’s roll) damage, a total of 6. His bow adds +2 to this result, causing a staggering 8 damage total. The kobold is not wearing armor, and so must suffer the full amount of damage from Cobar’s attack, easily dispatching the creature.

Clayton slashes at the first kobold to reach Maxwell, but he can’t get the perfect angle to stop the monster in its tracks. His sword cuts the creature deeply, but does not stop it.

Clayton rolled his ACTION of 10, for a result of 1. The kobold also rolled a 1. Clayton’s sword adds +2 damage, for a total of 2. Clayton’s inspire effect gives him +1, for a total of 3. The kobold has 4 HITS, and has taken 3 damage. He is still able to fight!

While the others are engaged with the kobolds, Moftar slips around the fight and quickly reaches the horses. They absolutely do not like the current violence and are prancing nervously, but have not completely panicked yet. If he releases them now, the horses may bolt, causing even more confusion. But if he waits until the battle is over, the horses will probably be easier to calm.

Four kobolds seem to smash simultaneously into Maxwell’s shield. For a moment, it seems like the warrior must collapse under the weight of them, but the mighty soldier simply shrugs them off, scattering the kobolds like children. He emerges unhurt from beneath his shield, laughing boistrously as he casually blocks another timid attack from the last surviving kobold.

Maxwell is blocking with a shield. He rolls his ACTION of 10, with a result of 8. The kobolds have an ACTION of 4. They can not possibly overcome his block ability this round. Each attack normally would reduce Maxwell’s block of 8 by 1 point, but his BULWARK ability forces enemies to spend 2 attacks to reduce his block by 1. The first 4 kobolds reduce Maxwell’s block from 8 to 6, still higher than the last kobold can hope to overcome. Maxwell has blocked all 5 attacks this round and takes no damage.

Maxwell’s sword lashes out at the kobold Clayton has already hurt, sending the creature sprawling. It’s no longer a threat.

Maxwell’s ACTION is 10. He rolled a 3 for his attack. The kobold also rolled a 3. Maxwell’s sword adds +2 damage, for a total of 2. Combined with Clayton’s earlier damage, this is enough to finish off the kobold.

Gerald sees the rest of the group has the battle well in hand. He turns his focus to the group’s flanks and rear, wary of enemy reinforcements. Thankfully, he sees none.

Round 1 in this combat is finished. Each round, initiative is rolled anew. Clayton’s inspire effect will remain. Maxwell’s taunt effect is over. He must taunt again if he wants the kobolds to continue focusing on him.

62

Moftar carefully positions himself against a wall of the cavern, near the horses and away from the fighting. He begins frantically tearing at his clothing, ripping the already tattered rags he’s wearing into even smaller bits! He then begins furiously kneading the shreds he’s removed between his hands, nervously glancing around the room as he does so, obviously trying to determine the best escape route should the ceiling come crashing down!

63

Maxwell swings his shield in a short, brutal arc, sending a kobold flying. He laughs in uproarious delight, dragging his blade free from the corpse it’s impaling. The remaining kobolds stare at him uncertainly and he grins wildly at them, twirling his sword.

Maxwell will attempt to taunt each round. If he fails, he’ll attack the first kobold that goes for any weaker member of the party.

64

Cobar looses another arrow aiming the kobold for which he has the clearest shot.

65

I will be updating the game in approximately 8 hours with whatever info I have. See you then!

66

Clayton continues to slice and dice any enemy near him and if none are, he will rush to any ally and kill anything attacking anyone.

67

Gerald stays on the fringe of the battle, still watching the entrances to the room. He intends to avoid combat, but will strike any enemy that gets too close, especially if they have their back turned.

68

Round 2

Taunt-

Maxwell rolls a 3 and a 3 for his taunt effect. The kobolds roll 1, 1, 2, and 4. One of the kobolds is able to resist Maxwell’s taunt effect!

Initiatve-

[spoiler]The kobolds roll 2, 2, 3, and 4
Maxwell rolls a 5
Clayton rolls a 1
Gerald rolls a 10!
Moftar rolls a 6
Cobar rolls a 3
Tasha sits out this round of combat.

Order -> Gerald, Moftar, Maxwell, Kobold 1, Kobold 2, Cobar, Kobold 3 and 4, Clayton [/spoiler]

Gerald sees one of the kobolds attempting to maneuver around Maxwell, looking intently toward Tasha (who is the juiciest target in the group). Gerald knows an opportunity when he sees one! He lunges at the unsuspecting kobold, driving his dagger deep into the kobold’s back. The creature squeals in surprise, and Gerald kicks the beast to the ground as he withdraws his blade. The kobold is no longer a threat.

Gerald rolls a 4, and the kobold rolls a 2. Gerald’s dagger adds +1, for a total net of 3. His backstab talent triples this damage, causing Gerald to do 9 total damage, dispatching the kobold.

Moftar’s frantic, seemingly panic-stricken actions start to show some kind of actual purpose! The bits of material come together to form crude blinders that he attaches to the horses. Maybe now that the horses can’t see the commotion, they’ll be easier to handle. Already the nervous prancing and stomping has settled down…

Maxwell is like a machine, his shield smashing aside multiple kobold attacks, and his sword lashing out at the creatures unlucky enough to draw his wrath. Maxwell cuts down another one of the monsters in his path as if it requires no effort at all.

Maxwell rolls a 2 for his blocking attempt. His attack rolls a 7, vs. the kobold’s 3, for a net of 4. His sword adds +2 damage, for 6 total. The kobold is finished. The two kobolds who would have attacked next have already been slain!

Cobar lets loose another arrow, stopping yet another kobold in its tracks.

Cobar rolls a 5 and a 6 for his attack, vs. the kobold’s defense of 4, for a net of 2 damage. +2 damage for Cobar’s bow brings the total to 4, just barely enough to finish off another kobold.

The last standing kobold swings its rusty blade for all it’s worth! Maxwell turns to meet the attack with his shield, but he isn’t quite fast enough to stop this last attack. The kobold’s blade nicks an exposed area on Maxwell’s underarm, drawing blood. The wound isn’t life threatening, but the suddenness of it is shocking.

Maxwell’s block value this round is 2. The kobold rolled a 4 for its attack, meaning Maxwell wasn’t fast enough to stop it! Maxwell rolls a 1 against the kobold’s attack, bringing the net damage to 3. Maxwell’s armor provides -3 damage (medium armor + shield) and the kobold’s weapon adds +1 damage, for a grand total of 1. Maxwell has suffered 1 damage.

The kobold draws back in surprise, seemingly baffled that he was able to hurt the mighty Maxwell. As the creature gapes in amazement, Clayton’s sword skewers it, and it falls to the floor.

Clayton rolls a 7, and the goblin rolls a 1. Clayton’s sword adds +2, for a total of 8 damage. The final kobold is slain!

All of the kobolds have been dispatched, and the horses have been brought under control. These pitiful, clumsy things almost certainly couldn’t have been the actual horse thieves, though. The group can either depart, or investigate the caves further in pursuit of the real power behind the baffling kobold attack.

69

Moftar to Tasha: “I gotta say, kid, that’s the best impression of a lamp post I’ve seen in a while!” He reaches up and gently lowers her torch hand to a more comfortable height, leading her towards the horses. “How 'bout you keep our equine friends company, now, instead. And you might wanna close your mouth before a fly lands in there” he says with a smile and a wink.

Moftar to Maxwell: “And you, nice wall impression. Stopped 'em dead. Get it? Dead! ha!”

Moftar then begins wandering about, looking at the ground; occasionally he’ll pick something up off the floor, examine it, then discard it and continue his search. After a few moments he seems to have found what he wanted: A small piece of limestone from the cave wall, about the size of a child’s fist, in a vaguely oblong shape. He sticks this into one of his many pouches, then re-approaches the group as they prepare for whatever is to come next.

First blood! Maxwell’s been injured and may need healing. I never specified an exact number of healing supplies; Mosier, could you tell me how many I have, and if any are ‘magical’ as opposed to mundane bandages.

70

Maxwell seems to be in a better mood than at any time in the last few days. He even laughs at Moftar’s joke as he leans over to wipe his sword clean on a kobold corpse.

“Heh, heh. Heh. You’re seein’ what was meant by assumptions, yeah?”"

The sword clean, he sheathes it and takes a look around the cave.

“We’ve got our houses. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

Then he reaches into his pouch, pulls out a marshmallow peep, and eats it.

71

“Let’s investigate these caves further. I want to know what is going on.”

Clayton begins to walk further into the caves, expecting others to follow.

72

I’ll give everyone another day to respond, and then tomorrow I’ll update the thread with Clayton and the rest of the party exploring further in the caves while Maxwell sits out, unless players give other input.

73

Moftar plops himself down on the cave floor near a dead kobold, and reaches for a knife. Humming happily to himself as the rest of the party decides what to do, he begins cutting into the dead corpse!

Gross stuff you might not want to read:

Despite your better judgement, you lean in to see what Moftar is doing. He begins by flaying off a piece of the kobold’s skin, about 3"x4", which he coats with a powder from one of his bags. He then wraps the skin in some green leaves, and stuffs the bundle in a pocket. Next, he takes out a small glass vial and gathers about an ounce of kobold blood; he caps the vial and puts it in the same pocket. Finally, with the help of a large nearby rock, he bashes the dead kobold’s skull open. Carefully, like an expert sushi chef preparing fugu, he selects and cuts out a tiny sliver of kobold brain… which he then eats.

Moftar rubs his knife on his clothes to clean it, adding nothing to his level of personal hygiene, and hides it away in the folds of his clothing. Leaning back against a cave wall, he packs a pipefull of… something… and sets it alight with a straw lit from Tasha’s torch, taking a few relaxing puffs.

“Nothing like a meal and a smoke to kick off adventure, am I right folks?” :smiley:

74

Cobar to the Blakes:

“This trip is your joyride, so what we do next is your decision. I do recommend that we all stick together, though whichever decision you all make. Kobolds don’t act like that. Moftar might not be too far off with his demon ideas.”

75

Gerald calls out to Clayton:

"Clayton! Stand your ground!

Tell me, what exactly do you plan to do once you round that next curve in the passage? You have no idea, do you?
***Never *** go into action without a plan, boy.
Now, I’m of half a mind to agree with Mr. Grey that we should ‘get the fuck out of here’…but I am concerned about the prospect of leaving an unknown enemy on our rear flank. Perhaps further investigation *is *in order…

Cobar, do you have any knowledge of this cave system? I do not relish the prospect of getting lost in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike."

76

Clayton stops when Gerald cries out to him.

“The plan is to search and destroy. Why don’t you order everyone to come with me(us)?”

77

Cobar will be able to successfully lead everyone out of the caves, assuming you all don’t die in there…

:slight_smile:

78

Moftar’s eyes begin to glaze over as he slips deeper into his meditative trance…

“Not all’s as it seems, not even in dreams:
The way forward is not the way forward, it seems.
The path up leads below, the way outside is in;
without power the Tower will fall from within!”

He slowly stands as his eyes clear, leaning against his staff for balance, and approaches Clayton. “This tunnel… you feel it too, do you not? A sense of evil, a sense of dread? Sovin the Righteous has sent me to provide what aid I may to the Blake family, just as you have been sent. Perhaps this is what we were meant to do.”

Moftar begins to shuffle towards the tunnel Clayton has chosen, moving slowly and sniffing the air as he approaches.

79

Gerald peers past Clayton and Moftar down the passageway, into the darkness.

"Well, it seems that *something *is down this passageway. And personally, I believe I’d rather meet ‘something’ head-on, rather than have it creep up to us in the night.

Mr. Grey, are you ready for another possible encounter?"

80

One of the horses lets out a whinny, and Gerald turns toward the sound:

"We must do something with them…we can’t lead horses down this tunnel; even if we could persuade them to move forward, we would lose any chance we might still have to remain undetected. But we can’t afford to split the party so that someone can look after them.

We can lead them back outside, but will they will still be here when we return for them?"