Chapter 2 [Marching Inland]

[reefwood]

Marching Inland

Following an unprecedented victory across the Hydrahead Peninsula, allied forces spent two days fortifying their position and preparing to march inland. The bulk of the army is heading straight for major cities which will take at least a week to reach - Ione, Verdas, Min'tath. Meanwhile, smaller divisions are being dispatched to search the countryside for hidden outposts, quash minor resistance, establish control in settlements, and then, rejoin the main army for the next major offensive.


The Scene

Gulls squawk overhead. The ocean breeze cools your back even as the dawning sun delivers warmth. From atop high dunes, the lay of the land is visible for dozens of miles. Low rolling hills give way to fields of tall yellow grasses that sway like the sea. In the distance sit islands of green and brown. Even further, faint trails of rising smoke lend evidence of habitation.

A growing thunder begins to fill the air. It comes not down from the heavens, but rather, up from the ground. Thousands of men and woman. Hundreds of horses. Scores of armaments and wagons. Vibrations jostle the armor even of those standing still. The army is marching forward...


[OOC: Your assignment takes you along a stone road that passes through two known villages (Gharn and Longtree) and eventually leads to the city of Verdas. Each destination will take roughly two days to reach on foot, and you are expected to rendezvous with the main army outside of Verdas in 8 days.

The stone road is 15 ft wide and in fair condition. It winds only slightly through the hills. Through the fields, the tall grass is at waist level and looks like it normally ran right up to the edge of the road but has been flattened for 5 ft at each side of the road. Travel on the road or flattened grass is at regular speed. Travel through the tall grass is at three-quarters speed (i.e. 30 ft = 20 ft and 20 ft = 15 ft).

Your main objective is to make known and enforce the change of power that is sweeping across Hydrahead Peninsula. You are expected to meet with village leaders and inform them that allied forces now control this land. This is to be done under the spirit of cooperation, and concessions within reason may be made to form bonds of good faith, but hostile resistance is to be put down. Secondary objectives are to keep an eye out for enemy troops, take note of resources, report any new settlements, and investigate any matters relevant to allied forces' success.

Sergeant Nero (Enric) is the officer in charge this division. Reporting to him are Corporal Preston Shaw (Michael) and 4 others (healer, mage, scout, archer) who in turn each have 3 privates under their command.]

[reefwood]

*Place holder for NPC stats*

4 out of 5 Corporals
15 Privates: 12 soldiers and 3 archers
*FC = favored class
**All are human

A - Corporal Archer
Str 11 (+0)
Dex 15 (+2) [13+2 racial]
Con 12 (+1)
Int 08 (-1)
Wis 10 (+0)
Cha 09 (-1)

Fort: 3+1 = +4
Ref: 0+2 = +2
Wis: 0+0 = +0

HP: 16 (2d10+2 +2 FC)
AC: 10+2 Dex +4 armor +1 shield = 17
BA: +1
CM: 15 +1 BA +2 Str = DC 18
Sp: 30 ft

Weapon 1: +1 longsword (1d8; 19-20/x2)
Weapon 2: +4 lt. x-bow (1d8; 19-20/x2) @ 80 ft
- - - - - - - -: +5 lt. x-bow (1d8+1; 19-20/x2) @ 30 ft

Skill Points: (2-1 Int) x2 = 2
Skill: Rank+Mod+Train+Misc
ACP: -1
Per: 2+0+0+0 = +2

Simple & Martial Weapons
All Armor & Shields

Feats
1) Point Blank Shot [1st]
2) Precise Shot [human]

Equipment (40 lb, light load - 66/133/200):
Chainshirt, MW (25 lb)
Buckler, MW (5 lb)
Longsword, MW (4 lb)
Light Crossbow, MW (4 lb)
- Bolts x20 (2 lb)
Potion of cure light wounds x3
Oil of magic weapon x3


C - Corporal Healer
Str 09 (-1)
Dex 13 (+1) [11+2 racial]
Con 12 (+1)
Int 10 (+0)
Wis 13 (+1)
Cha 08 (-1)

Fort: 2+1 = +3
Ref: 0+1 = +1
Wis: 2+1 = +3

HP: 16 (1d6+1+1d10+1 +1 FC)
AC: 10+1 Dex +4 armor +2 shield = 17
BA: +1
CM: 15 +1 BA -1 Str = DC 15
Sp: 20 ft

Weapon 1: +1 longsword (1d8-1; 19-20/x2)
Weapon 2: +3 light x-bow (1d8; 19-20/x2) @ 80 ft

Skill Points: (2+0 Int)x2 = 4
Skill: Rank+Mod+Train+Misc
ACP: -2
Hea: 2+0+3+3 = +8
Per: 0+1+0+0 = +1
Spe: 2+0+3+0 = +5/+9 cast defensively

Simple & Martial Weapons
All Armor & Shields

Feats
1) Skill Focus: Heal [1st]
2) Combat Casting [human]

Divine Spells (dawn, 1st level caster):
0-level (3) - stabilize x3
1st-level (2) - cure light wounds x2

Equipment (52 lb, medium load - 30/60/90):
Chainshirt, MW (25 lb)
Heavy Steel Shield, MW (15 lb)
Longsword, MW (4 lb)
L. X-bow, MW (4 lb)
-Bolts x20 (2 lb)
Spell pouch (2 lb)
Wand of cure light wounds (25 charges)


D - Corporal Mage
Str 09 (-1)
Dex 12 (+1)
Con 11 (+0)
Int 10 (+0)
Wis 13 (+1)
Cha 10 (+0) [8+2 racial]

Fort: 2+0 = +2
Ref: 0+1 = +1
Wis: 2+1 = +3

HP: 10 (1d6+1d10 +1 FC)
AC: 10+1 Dex +4 armor +2 shield = 17
BA: +1
CM: 15 +1 BA -1 Str = DC 15
Sp: 20 ft

Weapon 1: +1 longsword (1d8-1; 19-20/x2)
Weapon 2: +3 light x-bow (1d8; 19-20/x2) @ 80 ft

Skill Points: (2+0 Int)x2 = 4
Skill: Rank+Mod+Train+Misc
ACP: -2
Spe: 2+0+3+2 = +7/+11 cast defensively
UMD: 2+0+3+2 = +7

Simple & Martial Weapons
All Armor & Shields

Feats
1) Magical Aptitude [1st]
2) Combat Casting [human]

Divine Spells (dawn, 1st level caster):
0-level (3) - detect magic, guidance, read magic
1st-level (2) - bless, cause fear

Equipment (52 lb, medium load - 30/60/90):
Chainshirt, MW (25 lb)
Heavy Steel Shield, MW (15 lb)
Longsword, MW (4 lb)
L. X-bow, MW (4 lb)
-Bolts x20 (2 lb)
Spell pouch (2 lb)
Wand of burning hands (25 charges)


E - Corporal Scout
Str 11 (+0)
Dex 12 (+1)
Con 10 (+0)
Int 10 (+0) [8+2 racial]
Wis 13 (+1)
Cha 09 (-1)

Fort: 2+0 = +2
Ref: 0+1 = +1
Wis: 2+1 = +3

HP: 17 (1d8+1d10)
AC: 10+1 Dex +3 armor +1 shield = 15
BA: +1
CM: 15+1 BA +0 Str = DC 16
Sp: 30 ft

Weapon 1: +2 longsword (1d8; 19-20/x2)
Weapon 2: +3 light x-bow (1d8; 19-20/x2) @ 80 ft

Skill Points: (6+2)=8 +1 FC
Skill: Rank+Mod+Train+Misc
Acro: 1+1+3+0 = +5
Clim: 1+0+3+0 = +4
Kdun: 1+0+3+0 = +4
Kgeo: 1+0+3+0 = +4
Knat: 1+0+3+0 = +4
Ling: 0+0+0+0 = +0
Perc: 1+1+3+0 = +5
Stea: 1+1+3+3 = +8
Surv: 1+1+3+3 = +8
Swim: 1+0+3+0 = +4

Simple & Martial Weapons
All Armor & Shields

Feats
1) Skill Focus: stealth [1st]
2) Skill Focus: survival [human]

Equipment (35 lb, light load - 38/76/115):
Studded Leather, MW (20 lb)
Buckler, MW (5 lb)
Longsword, MW (4 lb)
Light Crossbow, MW (4 lb)
- Bolts x20 (2 lb)
Potion of cure light wounds x3
Oil of magic weapon x3



Human Soldier
Str 15 (+2) [13+2 racial]
Dex 11 (+0)
Con 12 (+1)
Int 08 (-1)
Wis 10 (+0)
Cha 09 (-1)

For: 2+1 = +3
Ref: 0+0 = +0
Wis: 0+0 = +0

HP: 1d10+5 +1 FC
AC: 10+0 Dex +4 armor +2 shield = 16
BA: +1
CM: 15 +1 BA +2 Str = DC 18
Sp: 30 ft

Weapon 1: +5 longsword (1d8+2; 19-20/x2)
Weapon 2: +2 light x-bow (1d8; 19-20/x2) @ 80 ft

Skill Points: (2-1 Int) = 1
Skill: Rank+Mod+Train+Misc
ACP: -2
Cli: 0+2+0-2 = +0
Int: 1-1+0+3 = +3
Per: 0+0+0+0 = +0

Simple & Martial Weapons
All Armor & Shields

Feats
1) Weapon Focus: longsword [1st]
2) Toughness [human]

Equipment (45 lb, light load - 66/133/200):
Chainshirt, MW (25 lb)
Heavy Wooden Shield, MW (10 lb)
Longsword, MW (4 lb)
Light Crossbow, MW (4 lb)
- Bolts x20 (2 lb)


Human Archer
Str 11 (+0)
Dex 15 (+2) [13+2 racial]
Con 12 (+1)
Int 08 (-1)
Wis 10 (+0)
Cha 09 (-1)

For: 2+1 = +3
Ref: 0+2 = +2
Wis: 0+0 = +0

HP: 1d10+1 +1 FC
AC: 10+2 Dex +4 armor +1 shield = 17
BA: +1
CM: 15 +1 BA +0 Str = DC 16
Sp: 30 ft

Weapon 1: +2 longsword (1d8; 19-20/x2)
Weapon 2: +4 light x-bow (1d8; 19-20/x2) @ 80 ft
- - - - - - - -: +5 light x-bow (1d8+1; 19-20/x2) @ 30 ft

Skill Points: (2-1 Int) = 1
Skill: Rank+Mod+Train+Misc
ACP: -1
Per: 1+0+0+0 = +1

Simple & Martial Weapons
All Armor & Shields

Feats
1) Point Blank Shot [1st]
2) Precise Shot [human]

Equipment (40 lb, light load - 66/133/200):
Chainshirt, MW (25 lb)
Buckler, MW (5 lb)
Longsword, MW (4 lb)
Light Crossbow, MW (4 lb)
- Bolts x20 (2 lb)

[reefwood]

Below are the AC and hp of all the NPCs in your division.

During combat, the Sergeant and each Corporal roll initiative. Corporal Archer (A0) has the same initiative as the Private Archers (A1, A2, A3). All the other Private Soldiers have an initiative that is 1 less than their Corporal. For example, if Corporal Shaw gets a 15 for initiative, Privates B1, B2, B3 act on initiative 14, or Corporal Shaw may Delay so that he acts on 14 with his soldiers.

Part of this adventure will be along the lines of the wartime combat scenario/strategy style in the first adventure, and part of it will be more run-in-the-mill D&D.


Corporal Archer - Init +2
A0 (AC 17, 15f, 12t) - 16 hp
A1 (AC 17, 15f, 12t) - 8 hp
A2 (AC 17, 15f, 12t) - 7 hp
A3 (AC 17, 15f, 12t) - 10 hp

Corporal Shaw - Init +1
B1 (AC 16, 16f, 10t) - 11 hp
B2 (AC 16, 16f, 10t) - 16 hp
B3 (AC 16, 16f, 10t) - 10 hp

Corporal Healer - Init +1
C0 (AC 17, 16f, 11t) - 16 hp
C1 (AC 16, 16f, 10t) - 8 hp
C2 (AC 16, 16f, 10t) - 14 hp
C3 (AC 16, 16f, 10t) - 12 hp

Corporal Mage - Init +1
D0 (AC 17, 16f, 11t) - 10 hp
D1 (AC 16, 16f, 10t) - 9 hp
D2 (AC 16, 16f, 10t) - 13 hp
D3 (AC 16, 16f, 10t) - 7 hp

Corporal Scout - Init +1
E0 (AC 15, 14f, 11t) - 17 hp
E1 (AC 16, 16f, 10t) - 15 hp
E2 (AC 16, 16f, 10t) - 9 hp
E3 (AC 16, 16f, 10t) - 10 hp

[reefwood]

Thanks again for playing, and if you have any questions about story or tech stuff feel free to ask. Although, some questions I may not be at liberty to answer

Anyway, I'm going ramble a bit (or a lot, heh) over explanations and slip-ups and where to go from here. Most likely in chronological order and split up into multiple posts since I may not have time to do it all at once.

Booby Trap

The one you encountered was a glyph of warding with a fireball spell (caster level 5) built into it. I'm pretty sure this is legal. It takes Clr levels to cast one and Sor/Wiz to cast the other, but in the glyph description it says "You can store any harmful spell of 3rd level or lower that you know," so it seems like it doesn't have to be a Clr spell. At minimum, this requires a Clr5/Wiz5, so a 10th-level character, and that seems pretty high level for this world, so I didn't bother boosting it any more to increase the damage via higher caster level.

One minor conundrum was the fact that things happen in turn order. So even if a line of troops are marching 3 abreast at the same time with another row right behind them, technically, first one troop moves, then another, and so on. Which means that when one troop triggered the glyph, those that were supposed to be right next to him might technically still be a whole double-move behind him and out of range. After some thought, however, I decided to nix that technicality and simply have the group move as one unit until something happened to disrupt it, especially given the style of this game, and the formation you came up with averted greater disaster anyway.

The second trap was a 20-ft deep 15x15 pit trap with spikes at the bottom (2d6 falling damage, 1d6 piercing damage) that was set to collapse when 6 out of its 9 squares were occupied. You passed it while going through the tall grass, but given your spread out formation, you may have passed over that one without triggering it.

For whatever reason, I just assumed your formation would be much tighter, but good job in coming up with something that thwarted both of them well.

[reefwood]

Gharn

Sending the scout ahead into town was a good idea and something I hadn't planned for. He received the spiel that was intended for the PCs to hear and reported back the gist of it. When he went a second time with the message from Nero, a hostile response seemed the most appropriate.

I hadn't put too much thought into Mayor Gharnell (even the name came after I thought of the town name, but I didn't have a good reason for it at first), but I knew he saw the invaders as hostile, and saying that they were just passing through with peaceful intent seemed like a lie to him. The invaders had already killed and/or captured people from this town who went to help defend the coast, so it was easy for him to get the villagers fired up too.

His "boys" were actually his two sons and one daughter. The part about them being his personal bodyguard is just something that popped into my head when asked if they belonged to the town militia cos they didn't. They were actually the local heroes/adventurers, but it made sense that they'd also be his personal guard.

One thing I forgot to mention/put into effect is that the tall grass did run right up to the edge of the road starting a few miles outside of town. This may have given you a clue that there was a druid around, and this was done tactically to narrow the path into town, but the formation you used at that time meant this wouldn't have come into play anyway. Also, I meant for the combat to begin when the entire division was about 80 ft from the mayor and his axe-wielding son, and therefore, sandwiched between the hidden druid and archer. The scout and fireballs allowed this sticky situation, so kudos!

I'm glad that Enric made a Knowledge/Int roll to find out about the mayor ahead of time, and I liked Michael's idea later on of using Knowledge(military) to determine what kind of intel he had been given about Longtree. One thing I had hoped to put into this adventure was more non-combat rolls. Didn't have much time to work on it for this one but hope to do so more in the future. At least for the sessions that mix war & adventuring. Anyway, I didn't have much figured out about the mayor ahead of time, but since the town name came from his name, it made sense that his family was in charge of it, at least at some point, and that added to the idea that he didn't want to give it up to invaders.

Once combat was over, that was pretty much the end of my script. I had the Longtree scene roughly sketched out in my head from a while ago, but just yesterday, I realized that if the mayor was killed (or even if he survived), that someone new was going to have to be in charge of Gharn, so I'm glad that notion came up on your end too. For a while, I thought this challenge might take up the rest of the night, which would have been fine. Strauss (elf, militia leader) was the second best selection - someone who held the rule of law and survival of the town in this thinking - but not someone who would have necessarily stepped up on his own, so good job in asking the innkeeper. Had it taken longer to figure this out, you would have been first approached by Durbin - a wealthy merchant dwarf - who had his own interests in mind and would have taken advantage of the town. The best selection was Reena - older farm woman - who held the people's interests above all else, but it would have taken some digging to hear out about her, and I even thought that Durbin may have imprisoned her, so finding Reena could have been another challenge.

Finally, I didn't expect any of Gharnell's children to escape. At least not with the rest of the family getting killed. This could have been an interesting loose end, but seeing as how the change of town leader was wrapped up quickly and you were ready to move on, I just left it alone and proceeded onto something I had at least sketched out in my head already - Longtree.

[reefwood]

Due to the current adventure, it is best if this post is no longer read by any players. It could give you too much info just as well as get you thinking in the wrong direction.

Longtree

I don't want to give up all my secrets about this scene, but I do want to clear up what may have seemed like discrepancies and point out errors. Also, I'm glad we had time for this one and that it creeped you out. ;D

I had intended for your division to reach this town around sunset and spend the night in or around it. During the night, most of your troops would have wandered off. Maybe Corporal Healer and Corporal Scout would have resisted the effect since they had higher Will saves. One key thing about the mojo going on was that the effect was dependent on your HD. The higher HD folks had less to worry about (as is the case with some spells) which brings up something I forgot. If the battle outside of Gharn went well, Preston was supposed to level up, and you guys did good, but seeing as how Preston was pretty cowardly, I suppose it is fitting that he did not.

Anyway, I didn't have time to get too detailed with all the mojo parameters ahead of time, but I knew that it kicked in at midnight and anyone with at least 3 HD was NOT in danger of wandering off, and failure simply meant that you slept until the next nightfall, which could be dangerous in other ways. Also, I hadn't thought about it at the time, but I suppose just about everyone in Longtree of a decent level would have gone off to help with the war effort, so that's why those still in town succumbed to it.

Inside the forest, there was a 20% miss chance when you started fighting the moaners from a distance, but it was forgotten once melee broke out. Although, I could see how fighting from a distance through the thick forest might require a miss chance but face-to-face it doesn't have an effect, and by that point at the night's end, the less rolls the better. I do like tossing new factors into the mix, but it would probably be smoother if it came up when not so many rolls were happening. For example, if it was only Nero and Preston squaring off against the moaners, and the miss chance was for low light (which didn't bother the moaners) instead of undergrowth. Then, only two characters would have to spend time making that roll instead of the 10+ on each side (and luckily, the roll only happened a few times, especially since the moaners never reached you).

Also, I allowed the giant to move at regular speed instead of half-speed, partially because my brain was tired and partially because I wanted that part to play out, but it could make sense that a large creature doesn't get caught up in undergrowth that affects medium creatures. And if it was just the PCs fighting the giant, he wouldn't have had the tree trunk and just used his less damaging claw.

Oh, and something I forgot to enforce in the Gharn battle was the +4 bonus to AC for cover from standing in the tall grass. And having the druid get caught in her own entangle spell was pretty silly.


Post-game

That's about it from my end about what happened in this session. I don't have the award for this one hashed out yet, but last time, it was based on a point system that counted survivors and accomplishments. I'll probably base this one off the first one. Obviously the score will be pretty low, but you did good work in Gharn (victory and installing a decent leader), and that won't be overlooked. Preston is out of luck, but the next time Michael makes a character, it will be of a higher level and with a higher starting package anyway.

As far as storyline, I'll post something with the awards, but roughly... with his triangulation, Nero met up with the main army before they reached Verdas. Enric may propose ideas for his fate. As for Longtree, the troubling report will likely lead to a higher level unit being sent to check it out (perhaps via giant eagle ), especially since the main army hasn't reached Verdas yet, so there's a bit of time before that offensive is launched, and it would be best not to have a hoard of moaners pop up on their flank.

I'm open to additional suggestions as well. For example, if Michael would still like a character tied into Nero, a surviving troop could be found in the forest. Or jumping back to the first session, his new character could be one that stormed the beach under Nero's command.