[D&D] The Lost Mines of Phandelver

[Don't panic]

Do you remember what post that was? I'd like to download the pdf fillable file. I've gone back several pages and don't see it. Thanks!

here is a copy of the parchement you speak of. Although it is marked in Kai'Syllin's name, you need but a small scraping blade and some fresh ink.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

here it is again. it is customized for Syllin, but you just need to change names and spells

A rather useful piece of parchment, that one. Very useful.

Indeed, I believe that you had thoughtfully reminded me that I had inadvertently dropped it some time ago, and it appears that it slipped my mind to properly convey to you my warm thanks.

 

[Moyank24]

> very well, Master Fletcher. Enough with the philosophical meditations!​

even allowing that these marauding goblin have souls, it is probably of the blackest persuasion.

*Count Bartholomeus, moves quickly back to the clearing just outside of the cave's entrance, and grabs each of the two small goblins by their ankles. Then unceremoniously drags them to where Master Fletcher is standing.

>who wants to do the honors?​

DO IT!!

 

[Plutonius]

> very well, Master Fletcher. Enough with the philosophical meditations!​

even allowing that these marauding goblin have souls, it is probably of the blackest persuasion.

*Count Bartholomeus, moves quickly back to the clearing just outside of the cave's entrance, and grabs each of the two small goblins by their ankles. Then unceremoniously drags them to where Master Fletcher is standing.

>who wants to do the honors?​

Say to the Count: Those wolves almost look big enough to be ridden by the goblins. I wonder if they are mounts ?

Orders: I take the goblin corpses and heave them into the room. I then use animal handling to see if I can sooth the wolves.

 

[Huntn]

correct, and then you can use an action, which can be an attack (by magic or with the sword you carry) or some other sorts of actions.

if you decide to use magic, it would be not a great idea to use up one of your slots, since we are ganging up on this poor fellow 5 on 1, and ha has a very slim chance to escape alive.

you can use a cantrip, for example Shocking Grasp, for 1d8 damage, or you can use your sword, for 1d6+2 damage (if you hit the goblin).
your odds of hitting the goblin are slightly better with the cantrip (+5) than with the sword (+4), but on a hit the swords makes more damage on average (5.5 vs 4.5). with both you could kill the goblin right away. if the goblin is wearing metal, your Shock-attack has advantage

Ok, I'll give it a try (mostly to be corrected 🙂):

Using your sword would mean "you" will need to throw a 10 or above on a D20 (Goblin has an armor class of 14 but since you have an attack bonus with your sword of +4 it's 10 (not sure how to handle "ties" so whether you have to roll a 11 or 10..)). By the description of your sword I'd say you deal 3 points of damage at minimum (2 by piercing and then one additional roll of a dice with six sides (D6). So basically between 3-8 points of damage. The goblin will most likely have about 8 hitpoints.

Using your spell Shocking Grasp would mean you still have to overcome the AC 14 of the goblin. I believe you have to accumulate the modifiers of intelligence (+3) and Proficiency (+2) and add to that one roll of a D20. So you'd basically have to roll a 9 or above to succeed. In case the Goblin wears an armor made out of metal you get an additional bonus but I don't know if the goblin does. Once succeeded, you would inflict 1-8 points of damage but also forcing the goblin to wait one turn (if I read that right).

I would do two things if I were you:
1) cast your spell since we all want to see some magic in action!! and
2) wait for a more experienced advise before doing 1).

FMI, I understand for a spell, Syllin as a wizard uses her intelligence modifier +5, but on the sword, a melee attack my impression the calculation would be her strength modifier (+0), but because she is proficient with the weapon, that would be +2. What have I overlooked? Thanks!

 

[Don't panic]

FMI, I understand for a spell, Syllin as a wizard uses her intelligence modifier +5, but on the sword, a melee attack my impression the calculation would be her strength modifier (+0), but because she is proficient with the weapon, that would be +2. What have I overlooked? Thanks!

the short answer is because it says so on her character sheet 😉
the longer one is that i think shortswords can use dexterity as modifier (+2), and she is Proficient (+2), thus +4
[doublepost=1457405117][/doublepost]

Say to the Count: Those wolves almost look big enough to be ridden by the goblins. I wonder if they are mounts ?

Orders: I take the goblin corpses and heave them into the room. I then use animal handling to see if I can sooth the wolves.

> Hey Portia, you wanna give it a try?

 

[ravenvii]

the short answer is because it says so on her character sheet 😉
the longer one is that i think shortswords can use dexterity as modifier (+2), and she is Proficient (+2), thus +4
[doublepost=1457405117][/doublepost]

> Hey Portia, you wanna give it a try?

Correct, sir.
[doublepost=1457405598][/doublepost]

Say to the Count: Those wolves almost look big enough to be ridden by the goblins. I wonder if they are mounts ?

Orders: I take the goblin corpses and heave them into the room. I then use animal handling to see if I can sooth the wolves.

You grab both corpses by the ankles and drag them up the stairs. The snarling wolves are so close to your face you could smell their rank breathes. With your full strength, you haul both corpses as far as you could so that they land about a foot beyond the last step, right among the wolves.

You notice that the wolves pay no attention to the bodies, other than jerking out of the way as they landed. Nonetheless, you slowly approach one until you could reach out to touch its head. You slowly reach out and --

*** CHECK ***
Unfortunately the wolves have been trained to not eat or otherwise maul goblins, so the wolves have no interest in the corpses as food. Hence you'll have to overcome a DC of 15 to calm the wolves. You have a +3 for animal handling, so you'll need to roll a 12:

Claus: 9
*** CHECK ***

You jerk your hand back as the wolf snapped at it, its mouth frothing. It became even more agitated, jumping up and baring its teeth.

 

[Huntn]

Sorry but I probably missed it: what's the limit of how much we can carry?

And I assume we can sell this stuff once we get an opportunity.
[doublepost=1457382342][/doublepost]I go to the entrance and keep guarding it while my friends carefully and silently check out the spot.

There is an encumbrance factor allowed for in D&D (which you probably know), but is the DM going there? 🙂
[doublepost=1457407195][/doublepost]

the short answer is because it says so on her character sheet 😉

Short swords have finesse. You are correct sir. 😳 🙂
- Proficiency Bonus add (BRv0.3,P7) +2
-Melee Attack use Strength modifier must be within 5 feet. However hand weapon that have thrown quality like a Battle Axe also uses Strength. (BRv0.3,P60)
-Ranged Weapon (bow) uses Dexterity modifier and must be in range.
-Weapon with Finesse uses Dexterity modifier. (BRv0.3,P60)- Dagger, Rapier, Dart, Scimitar, Shortsword, Whip.

Attack Rolls and Damage (BR, p60)
You add your Dexterity modifier to your attack roll and
your damage roll when attacking with a ranged weapon,
such as a sling or a longbow. You can also add your
Dexterity modifier to your attack roll and your damage
roll when attacking with a melee weapon that has the
finesse property, such as a dagger or a rapier.

post updated...

 

[Don't panic]

Correct, sir.
[doublepost=1457405598][/doublepost]
You grab both corpses by the ankles and drag them up the stairs. The snarling wolves are so close to your face you could smell their rank breathes. With your full strength, you haul both corpses as far as you could so that they land about a foot beyond the last step, right among the wolves.

You notice that the wolves pay no attention to the bodies, other than jerking out of the way as they landed. Nonetheless, you slowly approach one until you could reach out to touch its head. You slowly reach out and --

*** CHECK ***
Unfortunately the wolves have been trained to not eat or otherwise maul goblins, so the wolves have no interest in the corpses as food. Hence you'll have to overcome a DC of 15 to calm the wolves. You have a +3 for animal handling, so you'll need to roll a 12:

Claus: 9
*** CHECK ***

You jerk your hand back as the wolf snapped at it, its mouth frothing. It became even more agitated, jumping up and baring its teeth.

>Stinking useless goblins...
Back to plan A? or just move along?​

*meanwhile, I ready the longbow, just in case
(do we have enough distance to use ranged, for example by positioning ourselves a little farther away or in the stream)

 

[ravenvii]

>Stinking useless goblins...
Back to plan A? or just move along?​

*meanwhile, I ready the longbow, just in case
(do we have enough distance to use ranged, for example by positioning ourselves a little farther away or in the stream)

>>> Should've mentioned that the tunnel is approximately 7 feet wide, while the stairs is approximately 3 feet wide. That makes the distance between the wolves and the opposite wall of the tunnel to be approximately 10 feet.

 

[Plutonius]

>>> Should've mentioned that the tunnel is approximately 7 feet wide, while the stairs is approximately 3 feet wide. That makes the distance between the wolves and the opposite wall of the tunnel to be approximately 10 feet.

Is 10' far enough to not be a disadvantage with a bow ?

Also, does my greatsword have reach (i.e just out of range of their bite, could I smack a wolf in the nose with my sword) ?

 

[twietee]

I can use my sacred flame cantrip! Not sure killing those wolves is a good idea, it would make an hell of noise!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

*To myself: Wolves with a discerning palate? How extraordinarily interesting. The world continues to present us with unforeseen gifts of unexpected knowledge.*

 

[Don't panic]

>Well folks, are we all agreed we are going to slaughter these overgrown puppies?
or should just move on?
i suppose we could still go back and fetch some of the horse meat and try again that way, but it would set back at least a couple of hours, or sacrifice some the rations , although at this point i am not sure they can be calmed at all.

* meanwhile the Count to decides to switch his preparations from the longbow to the Greataxe.
Ready an action: if, before we set a new course of action, any of the wolves is freed of the chain and attacks us, i step forward and attempt to stop them with the greataxe

 

[Moyank24]

>Well folks, are we all agreed we are going to slaughter these overgrown puppies?
or should just move on?
i suppose we could still go back and fetch some of the horse meat and try again that way, but it would set back at least a couple of hours, or sacrifice some the rations , although at this point i am not sure they can be calmed at all.

* meanwhile the Count to decides to switch his preparations from the longbow to the Greataxe.
Ready an action: if, before we set a new course of action, any of the wolves is freed of the chain and attacks us, i step forward and attempt to stop them with the greataxe

I vote for slaughter! Better to be done with them now. That way no surprises later !

 

[Don't panic]

A note that i meant to make some time back, but then forgot:

some weapons are supposed to be restricted to certain races because of size/inclinations. in particular small creatures like, halfling or goblins and to an extent dwarves are not supposed to be using large weapon designed to be used by larger people, or that are heavy and bulky. if they do so they would use them at a disadvantage, since they wouldn't have the strength, height and arm length.
so in principle the goblins would have not be using longbows but shortbows (this is not meant as a criticism of Raven, just a learning moment, as i said many times, the DM is in charge of this world and if the goblins used these longbows proficiently, it simply means they could. No need to go back and change stuff. maybe they were particularly well-trained, or tallish goblins)

Both me and Veit picked up the longbows (did he get also the goblin's arrows? how many?).
I can use it without disadvantage and with proficiency (it is a martial weapon), although i prefer strength-based weapons like the javelin (+3+2=+5 modifier) than dexterity-based ones like the longbow (-1+2=+1 modifier).
However, Veit would use it at a disadvantage, without proficiency, and with a negative dex mod, which hurts him a lot (-1+0=-1, for the longbow). If he picked up a shortbow instead, which he is proficient with, he would have -1+2=+1 as a modifier to hit, and no disadvantage.
in addition, Veit already has strength-based medium-range weapons, his two throwing axes, which give him (+2+2=+4 modifier), so these should be his ranged weapons of choice

of course if it hits, the longbow can procure more damage (1d8+3) than a shortbow (1d6+3), javelins (1d6+3), or throwing axes (1d6+2) and have much more range.
in short, the only reasons for us to use our new longbows are if:
a) we used up our other ranged weapons, like the 3 javelins or the 2 handaxes
b) we need more range
c) for Veit, if he needs piercing vs slashing damage
d) we need to maximize the amount of damage vs lowering the chance to hit the target

 

[ravenvii]

so in principle the goblins would have not be using longbows but shortbows (this is not meant as a criticism of Raven, just a learning moment, as i said many times, the DM is in charge of this world and if the goblins used these longbows proficiently, it simply means they could. No need to go back and change stuff. maybe they were particularly well-trained, or tallish goblins)

>>> Actually, the monster manual explicitly state that they have longbows.

 

[Don't panic]

>>> Actually, the monster manual explicitly state that they have longbows.

mm, you might want to double-check on that one

Actions​

Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target.
Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.​

 

[twietee]

I'd rather use Sacred Flame, no? Deals 1D8 dmg. I think the wolves should get an extra penalty for having fur too. 😉

 

[ravenvii]

mm, you might want to double-check on that one

Actions​

Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target.
Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.​

>>> DAMN it, why did I think they have longbows? In fact, where did I see longbows in the first place? Well, retcon: y'all have shortbows now. 😛
[doublepost=1457451974][/doublepost]

You grab a scimitar, shield and a shortbow. [Add those to your inventory in the character sheet post!]

Hey @twietee please don't forget to add those to your entry in the wiki. If in the future you suddenly want to use something and it isn't in the entry, I'll say you don't have it.

 

[Don't panic]

I'd rather use Sacred Flame, no? Deals 1D8 dmg. I think the wolves should get an extra penalty for having fur too. 😉

yes, for you that will always be a good alternative

>>> DAMN it, why did I think they have longbows? In fact, where did I see longbows in the first place? Well, retcon: y'all have shortbows now. 😛
[doublepost=1457451974][/doublepost]
Hey @twietee please don't forget to add those to your entry in the wiki. If in the future you suddenly want to use something and it isn't in the entry, I'll say you don't have it.

arrows?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

*To myself: I regret that our attempt to communicate with these creatures appeared doomed to failure.*

To the others: As a sort of thoughtful aside: Ahem. Why the sudden passion for lupine slaughter? Why kill them? Will not their senseless howling serve to cover the possible noise of our approach to the other cave mouth? That is, assuming that the goblins are attuned to ignoring the noise of frantic lupine howls, rather than responding to it as an alert that demands a response?

More to the point, what happens if we don't kill them? They howl…….but are their chains likely to hold them fast and chained to that wall?

 

[twietee]

Hey @twietee please don't forget to add those to your entry in the wiki. If in the future you suddenly want to use something and it isn't in the entry, I'll say you don't have it.

Thanks for the reminder, I was on mobile only yesterday (and won't touch a wiki with that). Will do that later when back home (2-3h). Ok?

 

[Plutonius]

More to the pout, what happens if we don't kill them? They howl…….but are their chains likely to hold them fast and chained to that wall?

Reply to Syllin: Two possibilities.

1) The goblins have a way of releasing them.
2) We leave them chained, they are not released, and they starve to death with nobody to feed them.

@ravenvii questions,
1) How many arrows did we just find ?
2) Can we safely and without penalty shoot the wolves (10') ?
3) Can I attack the wolves with my greatsword by staying just out of bite range (i.e. my sword has reach) ?

 

[ravenvii]

yes, for you that will always be a good alternative

arrows?

Dunno, let's say they have five each.
[doublepost=1457455622][/doublepost]

Reply to Syllin: Two possibilities.

1) The goblins have a way of releasing them.
2) We leave them chained, they are not released, and they starve to death with nobody to feed them.

@ravenvii questions,
1) How many arrows did we just find ?
2) Can we safely and without penalty shoot the wolves (10') ?
3) Can I attack the wolves with my greatsword by staying just out of bite range (i.e. my sword has reach) ?

1. You didn't pick up any, but twietee has five from the goblin he looted. 2. All ranged attacks have disadvantage at 5 feet or less, so at 10 feet you're fine. 3. The wolves have the same range as you (5 feet) so if you get close enough to attack, he'll be close enough to attack you as well.