Greetings. Welcome to the first session of /mlpol/'s first running of the classic third edition d&d campaign Red Hand Of Doom.
On this adventure, our heroes, currently three strong, will encounter dozens of trials that will test their strength, cunning, and friendship as they face an army of goblins.
If you'd like to join, there's still room for more in the party. Don't be shy to ask.
Our story begins in Elsir Vale, with our three heroes on the road to the town of Drellin’s Ferry. The three are seasoned adventurers, and exated heroes to boot. Having fought many battles together before, they are confident in their strength. Legend has it of a vast treasure in the Vault of Vraath Keep, hidden deep in the Witchwood; our heroes, have journeyed all this way to seize the vault for their own.
Despite that, they all have their own motivations to travel to Drellin's Ferry:
Sir Whiskers, a cunning and charismatic Tibbet Jester, is travelling to meet up with an old friend of his: Princess Princess Bagel Jennifurr Fluffykinz the fourth. He hasn't met his old friend since he was a kitten, and he's eager to meet with her again. She has arranged to meet up with him in Drellin's Ferry, and to accompany him on his adventure.
Sir Brozal, a mighty Orc Crusader of Pelor, has received a mission from a high-ranking Cleric of his order has received a powerful vision of war descending on Elsir Vale under the banner of a clawed red hand, and has sent Brolaz to the far reaches of Elsir Vale to avert impending disaster... Brozal isn't exactly sure if the vision was real, or if his master just wanted to get rid of him for the year, but he never turns down a good crusade.
Brother Chad, a wise and powerful Druid, has chosen to accompany his companions on their hunt for the lost treasure in the Witchwood. Sir Whiskers requested his aid because Chad is the most experienced woodsman he knows. Chad is wary of this region, for he's heard that it is ruled by a fierce and territorial Druid, but he embarks upon this jouney nonetheless, the secrets of the Witchwood too tempting to ignore.
...So tempting that he seems to have drifted off somewhere with his horse; probably fucking it again or something. Stupid hippie.
And so, let's begin:
>The afternoon sun beats down on you; the air is hot and still. The sparsely settled lands of Elsir Vale are starting to grow monotonous, with a seemingly endless line of dusty flyspecks of towns. The town of Drellin’s Ferry lies a few miles ahead of you. It’s a settlement hard on the borders of the Witchwood, and the best place from which to begin exploring the nearby forest.
This is the part where the players ask obvious questions that I thoughtlessly ignored in the first post, as well as implore about their surroundings.
1970 replies and 81 files omitted.
Lets look around for things to explore.
>>133944Brozal is marching in the front most rank
Appearance and backstory:
>mlpol.net/vx/132102#133785 >>133949It's "Dice 1d20+modifier"
Also, since I neglected to print maneuver cards for you, I'm going to allow you to manage them yourself for this encounter alone.
>>133942>>133944The bold black and white housecat is content with strutting behind Brozal, items jingling on his quadruped body. He made extra sure to brush his coat with his tongue extensively before setting off in the hopes not to come to his friend in an uncool, dirty fashion.
With an excited strut and raised up tail, Whiskers seems pretty happy to let the orc do the scouting while Chad did his human stuff.
(...Humans are a curious bunch, I must say,) he thought to himself.
The kitty simply looks around the path, mainly to avoid any tiny pebbles that could hurt his paws as well as ensure not to mess up his hard grooming work.
>>133949>>133952[ 1d20+mod ] (without the spaces also works - if you want to roll in text)
[1d20+9000 = 9005] [1d20 = 8] [1d20-3 = 1]
>>133955
It goes in the email field.
I'm going to roll for you.
>>133959My mod for listen is -8. I think this is hilarious.
And so, it begins.
Whiskers feels like he see's some rustling in the bushes beside him. He is not flat-footed this round.
Brozal, you take...
13 damage as multiple projectiles wiz out of the bushes from either side of the road, followed by a flash of bright hot light, only two arrows meeting their mark. You suddenly feel great that you invested so much in that Banded Mail.
This of course triggers furious counterstrike.
Bro, you're going to need to roll 2 reflex saves, at a -2 penalty because you're a Water Orc.
Whiskers, I'm going to need you to roll one to avoid the fire.
Everyone roll initiative.
I'm sorry. That's only one reflex save.
Whiskers you don't need to roll.
>>133963
It's "dice 1d20+4" in the email field, no quotations.
>>133969My initiative roll was 13.
>>133967Indeed.
The road crests a small rise and descends into a dusty grove in a large, shallow dell. An abandoned farmhouse, partially visible through the trees, stands on one side of the road. You’ve passed a dozen spots much like this one already today, but this one feels wrong.
Brozal, however, is nonethewiser, and your nervousness is confirmed as he's suddenly shot.
Following the source of the arrows, you glimpse the glint of mail through the brush by the side of the road. Eight fierce warriors—tall, hairy humanoids with wide mouths and flat faces—are lying in wait!
>>133968Fail.
You take 7 fire damage as a burst of fire launches towards you from ahead of the path. A barking growl sounds ahead of you and you hear shouting.
Whiskers turn.
The road is roughly ~20 ft across, with yourself in the middle of it. Marauders appear to be lurking some 15-25 ft away, only barely recognizable with partial concealment.
Gosh, this is not going nearly as well as I had hoped it would...
>>133974It can be salvaged... I drew fire riposte, mountain hammer, and stone bones for my first three moves.
>>133973With a swift arc of the back as the hairs on his tail poofen up in the surprise and fear of being attack, Whiskers moves his tiny body to hide somewhere in order to stealthily approach the band of marauders.
"Green human! Get to cover!" The cat tells the orc, mostly hoping he could weaken or lure the marauders to them for an easier battle.
>>133975I meant in terms of speed and clarity... Perhaps it would be better done in voicechat.
Anyway, a farmhouse is barely visible to your left
>>133976There is no cover that you can see, or at least none that wouldn't lead you closer to the enemy. The enemy has partial concealment, but you can make out nine of them.
[Barking sounds]
No, ten creatures, at least four on either side of you.
It's still your turn. If you may elect to take the total defense action if you please.
>Anyway, a farmhouse is barely visible to your left
Up a steep hill
>>133977Quickly taking a defensive stance to the extreme, mostly to recover from the shock, the kitty casts Instant of Power on Brozal, enhancing his next attack roll by +4.
After this, the kitty draws his small crossbow, getting ready to battle.
>>133979That's an immediate action. I'll let you hold that until he attacks, while giving you the benefit of the total defense action.
Roll slight of hand to draw your crossbow discreetly.
Brozal charges forward and makes a full attack against any enemy in distance. Using Stone Bones for my strike, and keep in mind that I will be using fire riposte against any enemy that attacks me. So if an enemy hits me, let me make my touch attack then roll 4d6 fire damage for the one that hit me.
>>133981None of the marauders see the tabby cat draw his weapon.
>>133982Left or right?
More arrows rain down on you, but none manage to pierce your armor.
Rolled 20 on both attack rolls. If both hit, I deal 26 damage. I will be getting +5 DR on my next round.
>>133985Which way are you running?
>>133984Either left or right. I don't mind either way. I have 23 AC for fighting defensively.
I went ahead and rolled the melee touch attack for fire riposte when it comes up. Rolled a 17. Fire riposte will deal 8 damage.
Whiskers hears annoyed shouting in a language he doesn't understand. Around the curve of the road, one of pic related makes itself visible, while another steps out of the bushes to his left.
>>133985*+5 dr until my next round
I'll go left. Also my attack rolls were actually 24 on both. Fire riposte is still 17.
>>133992Fire riposte uses touch AC though, so it should land.
>>133987You need to specify which way you are charging.
Youu can perceive four creature to the left, and
at least four to the right, and a doglike monster out in the road right ahead of you.
Also, roll a reflex save. I never announced your turn.
Whiskers, you're going to need to roll too this time.
>>133996Alright. You spot three humanoid archers behind cover and a doglike monster that just shot fire at you, dealing 3 additional fire damage. The dog appears to be staring down the cat.
Assume I am in the martial spirit stance
>>133984>>133990>>133994With a startled look, Whiskers casts Grease by the right side of their position, hoping to slow down any attackers from that direction while the orc dukes it out with the leftmost individuals.
[1d20+7 = 25]<Reflex Save
>>133998>>133998Who/what do you target? The archers or the dog?
>>133999Pass, you only take three damage as the canine attempts to roast you.