[D&D 5e] Not KotS 4b Chatting with Chopper.

[Goonalan]

Not KotS​

Session #003b: The Kobold Throne Room.

The Adventurers.
Chromium Malifax aka C-Fax (Rob), Male Silver Dragonborn (Noble) Paladin of Bahamut Level 1
Mavis Golightly aka Mave (Sandy), Female Half-Elf (Acolyte) Cleric of Chauntea Level 1
Arbuthnot McGow aka McGow (Al), Male Mountain Dwarf (Soldier) Fighter Level 1
Snakebite (Kenji), Female Half-Orc (Outlander) Monk Level 1
Travis Pickle (Yui), Male Lightfoot Halfling (Criminal) Rogue Level 1

Dead PCs
The Inspector aka Spek (Kenji), Male Rock Gnome (Charlatan) Sorcerer Level 1- Killed in Session #2 by Eggnog the Kobold Dragon Priest.

To-do list/Quests-
#001 Save Dicky Bird aka The Fat Pidgin, and bring him home safely to Edna Gingster, keep in mind Dicky could be travelling incognito. Reward: 2000 XP & 1000gp each.
#002 Find and investigate the ancient dragon burial site Dicky was looking for, he might be there. Reward: 250 XP. COMPLETE
#003 Destroy the kobold menace, including their leader- ‘Chopper.’ Reward: 500 XP & 75gp, with 1gp paid for every kobold tail handed in.
#004 Stop Orcus-worshipping Karl’s ritual to bring an undead army to Kirkgate. Basically, save the village, begs (eventually) Lord Crumble. 1000 XP & 250gp reward.

And so, the last twenty-five minutes or so of the third session…

And with pictures- now that I have remembered.

The journey to the kobold’s lair takes two and half hours, with Fionulla pointing out various landmarks on the way- this in case she doesn’t come back, at least the PCs will be able to find their way back to Kirkgate, the ranger says.

Fionulla is not a cheery person, it seems.

Mavis takes a moment or two enroute to try to find out why Fionulla is so unhappy/sorrowful, but- save for the info already given there’s nothing much to add. The priestess of Chauntea is convinced that Fionulla is suffering, or else carrying a heavy load- there’s more to her story.

The kobold’s lair is in a wooded ravine, or else the cavern entrance is located there, the secret way in follows a stream located about 500 yards around the side of the ravine, tucked away in a scrambling rocky gorge. To enter the lair from here the PCs must go underwater, very briefly (for just six feet), and then on into a narrow but high-ceilinged passage down which a gentle stream runs. It’s a natural fault in the rock- McGow notes, that leads them in a slightly roundabout way into the kobold’s lair.

The above required a few checks to navigate, but teamwork (and several ropes) saw them through- easily.

Ignore the big #1 on the map here, it served another purpose in a previous version of this scenario, or at least that’s what I told the players.

The chamber is empty, and the route to the throne room- and Chopper, is likewise clear.

The PCs, led by Fionulla, creep towards their target- unmolested, although the sounds of kobold activity elsewhere in the lair echoes down the halls.

Travis peeks into the throne room, there’s light there, and at least ten kobolds that he can see- all mooks, he thinks- Chopper’s guards? The throne itself cannot be seen, there’s no line of sight, but it looks like everyone is at home.

Ready.

Then- after a very brief chat (reminder), Fionulla cautions against massacre, C-Fax makes clear- Chopper needs taking alive, if that’s impossible to do (for whatever reason) then they need to find an alternative, they need info remember.

Steady.

Duly cautioned.

Go!

Travis skips into the throne chamber and starts shooting, not to be out done several other PCs also jog around the corner and unleash whatever they’ve got in the way of missile weapons.

Note, Travis took a light crossbow and plenty of bolts from Hagrid’s dead bandit pals.

In swift order the four nearest kobold mooks get killed in a variety of missile-related incidents.

The kobolds start screaming, and then briefly attempt a fight back- there are another nine of the little buggers in the chamber here, although initially many of them are out of sight of the arriving PCs.

Spoiler: The Bad Guys

Enc#4 The Kobold Throne Room 370 XP CR 4 Deadly.
10 x Kobold Mooks (25xp each) As per MM Kobold except AC 13 (Padded), Resist: Acid & better HP spread = 2d4+2.
1 x Kobold Sneak (35xp) As per MM Kobold except AC 14 (Leather), Resist: Acid, Str 10, Dex 16 (+5 To Hit), Con 10, 1d6 Sneak Attack, & better HP spread = 2d4+4.
1 x Kobold Stoner (35xp) As per MM Kobold except AC 14 (Leather), Resist: Acid, Dex 16 (+5 To Hit), Con 10, Special Fire & Glue shots with Sling, & better HP spread = 2d4+4.
1 x Kobold Warrior (50xp) As per MM Kobold except AC 15 (Leather & Shield), Resist: Acid, Str 11, Con 12, armed with Shortsword instead of Dagger, 3 HD & better HP spread = 3d4+9.
Tactics- Kobold Warrior- shout and give orders, slay the PCs- defend the throne room, get Pack Tactics going; Kobold Sneak- stab or sling a PC and then get into cover to do it again, run off if things look bad; Kobold Stoner- sling- sling- sling, with Pack Tactics and special shots, run off if things look bad; Kobold Mooks- get rumbunctious, charge in to melee- defend the throne room.

The kobolds attempt a fight back, and keep in mind that the kobold sneak, and the warrior, have still not got into action.

Also, there ain’t no Chopper in here. The PCs are not aware of this yet, but soon after it becomes apparent.

Then- it all goes a little awry, the PCs keep on killing kobold mooks, and the kobold stoner is shot through the throat by Travis (a crit).

But the kobolds are indeed fighting back- Fionulla is hit by the kobold sneak and left heavily wounded (that was something like 14 damage- I rolled max, with sneak attack too). The elf ranger is reduced to a screaming wreck, she certainly isn’t cut out to be an adventurer.

Snakebite takes a sling stone to the head, he too is bloodied and beyond, and then C-Fax gets stabbed by the kobold warrior.

It’s all kicking off.

And in the midst of the semi-chaos there’s not much instruction from the management committee (usually C-Fax and Mavis) who are still trying to fathom where the flip-dicking Chopper is at.

C-Fax is mostly yelling versions of-

“Chopper?”

Only in different voices/inflections- angry, enquiring, exasperated, and finally as if trying to coax a cat from under a sofa.

“Here Chopper-Chopper…”

But Chopper there is none.

Then C-Fax cuts down the kobold warrior- with a hit- IP- crit- combo, there is cheering, this after the paladin also delivered his icy breath weapon (for max damage- killing two more mooks in the attack).

C-Fax is having the fight of his life, he’s enjoying his prowess, and not crowing at all.

But here’s the thing- where’s the mad goblin- “Where’s Chopper?”

Which is the question being raised- and now shouted at Fionulla- by C-Fax and McGow.

Fionulla you’ll remember is a screaming wreck atm, so, no reply is forthcoming.

McGow and Snakebite divert their respective charges and between the pair of them cut the kobold sneak menacing Fionulla in two.

Travis does what Travis does- he moves forward- fires, hits (no misses for the entire encounter) and more often than not- kills.

All that can be seen of Travis skirting in the shadows is his grin.

He’s loving life.

The last fleeing kobold mook is shot in the back by Travis- it dies, the halfling rogue accounted for five of the enemies.

In swift order the following events take place-

C-Fax, with help from Mavis, try to get some sense from Fionulla- or else get her to answer the question- “Where is Chopper?”

Travis starts robbing the dead.

McGow and Snakebite run around the chamber- looking for a hidden (perhaps) Chopper, or else some clue as to where the kobold’s boss is.

The pair, in the process, both hear and see movement down all the passages that lead into the throne room.

Kobolds, lots of them, and they’re all heading this way.

“We’re trapped! Again!” McGow shouts and then goes on to repeat the phrase for a while.

Fionulla stops crying long enough to add to McGow appraisal of situation-

“Chopper is coming!”

And then, at last, C-Fax takes control- he orders folk to retreat to the central section of the throne room (the place with the most cover) and once there to ready their attacks.

The kobolds are on their way. The paladin also distributes all but one hit point of his Lay on Hands- Snakebite looks relieved. She nods her thanks.

“You help now! We are circle.”

In the background the approaching kobolds are chanting- as they come-

“Get to da Chopper!” Also, on repeat.

But the kobold/Chopper finale is for next time.

That’s 74 XP for each PC.

Cheers goonalan and the Tokyo Massive.

 

[Goonalan]

Session #003: Tables

The Adventurers (in no particular order).
Chromium Malifax aka C-Fax (Rob), Male Silver Dragonborn (Noble) Paladin of Bahamut Level 1
Mavis Golightly aka Mave (Sandy), Female Half-Elf (Acolyte) Cleric of Chauntea Level 1
Arbuthnot McGow aka McGow (Al), Male Mountain Dwarf (Soldier) Fighter Level 1
Snakebite (Kenji), Female Half-Orc (Outlander) Monk Level 1
Travis Pickle (Yui), Male Lightfoot Halfling (Criminal) Rogue Level 1

Dead PCs.
The Inspector aka Spek (Kenji), Male Rock Gnome (Charlatan) Sorcerer Level 1 Killed in Session #2 (Enc#3) by Eggnog, the Kobold Dragon Priest. Spek's head melted to nothing when hit by an acid flavoured Chromatic Orb, it didn't help that the gnome sorcerer was on one hit point at the time, twenty-three acid damage later and Spek was spent. Not even time to scream.

To-do list/Quests-
#001 Save Dicky Bird aka The Fat Pidgin, and bring him home safely to Edna Gingster, keep in mind Dicky could be travelling incognito. Reward: 2000 XP & 1000gp each.
#002 Find and investigate the ancient dragon burial site Dicky was looking for, he might be there. Reward: 250 XP.
#003 Destroy the kobold menace, including their leader- ‘Chopper.’ Reward: 500 XP & 75gp, with 1gp paid for every kobold tail handed in to Lord Crumble at Kirkgate.
#004 Stop Orcus-worshipping Karl’s ritual to bring an undead army to Kirkgate. Basically, save the village, begs (eventually) Lord Crumble. 1000 XP & 250gp reward.

XP Table
520 Mavis
470 C-Fax
440 McGow & Travis
269 Spek & DECEASED
211 Snakebite

Book of the Dead:

25 XP each
4 x Bandit (Enc#2x4)

Spoiler: Bandit

As per MM Bandit except a better HP spread = 2d5+8.

15 x Kobold Mook (Enc#1x5 & #4x10)

Spoiler: Kobold Mook

As per MM Kobold except AC 13 (Padded), Resist: Acid & better HP spread = 2d4+2.

4 x Mastiff (Enc#2x4)

Spoiler: Mastiff

As per MM Mastiff except a better HP spread = 1d5+4.

35 XP each
2 x Kobold Sneak (Enc#3x1 & #4x1)

Spoiler: Kobold Sneak

As per MM Kobold except AC 14 (Leather), Resist: Acid, Str 10, Dex 16 (+5 To Hit), Con 10, 1d6 Sneak Attack, & better HP spread = 2d4+4.

3 x Kobold Stoner (Enc #1x1, #2x1 & #4x1)

Spoiler: Kobold Stoner

As per MM Kobold except AC 14 (Leather), Resist: Acid, Dex 16 (+5 To Hit), Con 10, Special Fire & Glue shots with Sling, & better HP spread = 2d4+4.

50 XP each
6 x Kobold Warrior (Enc#1x2, #3x3 & #4x1)

Spoiler: Kobold Warrior

As per MM Kobold except AC 15 (Leather & Shield), Resist: Acid, Str 11, Con 12, armed with Shortsword instead of Dagger, 3 HD & better HP spread = 3d4+9.

100 XP each
1 x Hagrid, Deep Gnome (Enc#2x1)

Spoiler: Hagrid

As per MM Deep Gnome except Wis 11, Cha 11, 5 HD & MAX HP = 40. Hagrid also wears a magic item, an amulet, that acts like a +1 Ring of Protection (+1 to AC & Saves).

200 XP each
1 x Eggnog, Kobold Dragon Priest (Enc#3x1)

Spoiler: Eggnog

As per MM Kobold except AC 15 (Robes & Mage Armor), Resist: Acid, Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 10, armed with Claws (1d3 slashing) & Quarterstaff, 1st level Spellcaster (Wizard), 5 HD & better HP spread = 5d4+15.

 

[Goonalan]

Not KotS​

Session #004a: Get To Da Chopper!

The Adventurers.
Chromium Malifax aka C-Fax (Rob), Male Silver Dragonborn (Noble) Paladin of Bahamut Level 1
Mavis Golightly aka Mave (Sandy), Female Half-Elf (Acolyte) Cleric of Chauntea Level 1
Arbuthnot McGow aka McGow (Al), Male Mountain Dwarf (Soldier) Fighter Level 1
Snakebite (Kenji), Female Half-Orc (Outlander) Monk Level 1
Travis Pickle (Yui), Male Lightfoot Halfling (Criminal) Rogue Level 1

Dead PCs
The Inspector aka Spek (Kenji), Male Rock Gnome (Charlatan) Sorcerer Level 1- Killed in Session #2 by Eggnog the Kobold Dragon Priest.

To-do list/Quests-
#001 Save Dicky Bird aka The Fat Pidgin, and bring him home safely to Edna Gingster, keep in mind Dicky could be travelling incognito. Reward: 2000 XP & 1000gp each.
#002 Find and investigate the ancient dragon burial site Dicky was looking for, he might be there. Reward: 250 XP. COMPLETE
#003 Destroy the kobold menace, including their leader- ‘Chopper.’ Reward: 250 XP & 75gp, with 1gp paid for every kobold tail handed in.
#004 Stop Orcus-worshipping Karl’s ritual to bring an undead army to Kirkgate. Basically, save the village, begs (eventually) Lord Crumble. 1000 XP & 250gp reward.

We’re in the throne room in the kobold’s lair.

In the background the kobolds are chanting- as they approach-

“Get to da Chopper!” On repeat.

And here we are for the kobold/Chopper finale.

Here’s a pic with the PCs spread out so that everyone can see the numbers 1-4 indicating the four passages into the throne room. The kobolds are coming, and they will be appearing (in initiative order) starting on the numbered squares in passage 1d4, randomly determined.

The PCs have each got a readied action.

Keep in mind the PCs are waiting on the arrival of the kobold chief- Chopper, who they’ve been told is a crazy goblin. They need to take this guy alive- they have questions that need answers.

Then, they come…

Spoiler: The Bad Guys

Enc#5 Chopper & the Kobolds 855 XP CR 7 Deadly.
10 x Kobold Mook (25xp each) As per MM Kobold except AC 13 (Padded), Resist: Acid & better HP spread = 2d4+2.
3 x Kobold Sneak (35xp each) As per MM Kobold except AC 14 (Leather), Resist: Acid, Str 10, Dex 16 (+5 To Hit), Con 10, 1d6 Sneak Attack, & better HP spread = 2d4+4.
THEN DROPPING INTO INITIATIVE AT THE END OF TURN #3 (OR SOONER IF ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE DEAD) COME-
2 x Kobold Warrior (50xp each) As per MM Kobold except AC 15 (Leather & Shield), Resist: Acid, Str 11, Con 12, armed with Shortsword instead of Dagger, 3 HD & better HP spread = 3d4+9.
1 x Kobold Dragon Priest (200xp) As per MM Kobold except AC 15 (Robes & Mage Armor), Resist: Acid, Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 10, armed with Claws (1d3 slashing) & Quarterstaff, 1st level Spellcaster (Wizard), 5 HD & better HP spread = 5d4+15.
1 x Chopper, Goblin Boss (200xp) As per MM Goblin Boss except Str 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 12, MAX HP = 6d6+12 = 48.
Tactics (Part 1)- Kobold Sneak- sneak into throne room and stab or sling a PC and then get into cover/hiding to do it again, to the death- unless Chopper falls- then flee; Kobold Mooks- get rumbunctious, charge into melee- kill the invaders. (Part 2)- Chopper- attack and Kill! Kill! Kill! No surrender- you are toughest and meanest bad ass ever; Kobold Dragon Priest- shout a lot, get Mage Armour up and then target Chromatic Orb, then more blasting- run away if Chopper falls; Kobold Warriors- Kill! Kill! Kill!

Although the first enemy into the chamber is a kobold sneak, who rolls a ‘1’ for its stealth check. Travis (and everyone else looking in that direction) spots this fellow’s tippy-toes exaggerated sneak-move. The halfling rogue shoots the dumb kobold through its neck. Dead.

Then, lots more kobold mooks come charging in, several of them take hits- although very few are killed in the initial barrage. But then Snakebite takes a sling stone to the side of the head and… she’s down, or else she would be if it wasn’t for her healing HD (1st level only).

And she’s up again- and charged with adrenaline.

C-Fax skewers a kobold mook dead with a javelin, Fionulla with her arrows kills another.

Moments later the paladin, defending Snakebite, skewers yet another mook with his longsword, also dead.

Note, a second kobold sneak has just snuck into the throne room, alas its stealth check is a ‘2’, and so it too is visible to any PC that looks in its direction.

I’ll save you the suspense- a moment or two later and the third, and last, kobold sneak also arrives, hidden in the shadows- stealth ‘3’ (plus bonuses), so not quite- sequence complete.

The kobolds charge- McGow, Mavis & Travis are getting busy.

Note, Travis is loving his crossbow, and he seems to have found his sweet spot for combat, behind the mail-wall and kill stealing everything he can.

It’s funny how every player with a rogue PC works this out.

Snakebite takes it to the enemy, the half-orc monk jogs out from behind cover, brains the kobold that just got her with a sling stone and then kicks the head off its kobold comrade- two mooks dead, she jogs back into cover. Job done.

McGow is taking a lot of attacks, most of them with advantage (pack tactics) but not one hit so far, the dwarf smashes another kobold mook down, he seems to be building a dead-kobold-barricade around himself.

Mavis, in the meantime, gets her Bless spell running.

“The Blessings of Chauntea, for you… and you, and…”

That’s McGow, C-Fax (natch) and Travis.

The end of the second turn and eight of the thirteen kobolds unleashed are dead already- seven mooks and a sneak will never go kobolding again. Snakebite is going toe-to-toe with another kobold sneak to the south, the little bastard just stabbed her, the half-orc monk is on just one hit point.

So, just five kobolds left.

The PCs think.

Note, and obviously, there’s still no sign of Chopper. The PCs have noted this but, they expect his/her arrival soon- they think/hope.

Travis shoots and kills another mook.

“Schwing!”

Although the next three PCs in initiative fail to land a hit, which creates a little more tension- but not a lot.

Mavis burns a kobold mook to death with her Sacred Flames.

And then back to the top of the initiative table, and… Travis points and clicks and another kobold mook dies.

“Woo-hoo!” The halfling rogue is playing his own game here and racking up a high score.

A halfling rogue and his crossbow- best of friends.

Fionulla kills the kobold sneak that is menacing the badly wounded Snakebite- good arrows.

And in swift order the rest of the kobolds fall- the last sneak cut down by C-Fax.

At which point there’s a rattling noise behind the PCs, they turn to see- the bone adorned throne suddenly tips back and down, as a slab of the stone wall behind the skull adorned seat also pivots backwards, revealing an unlit passage.

Stepping out of which come the management- four more enemies- Chopper, a swivel-eyed snarling goblin loon armed with a scimitar, with two kobold warriors flanking him, and bringing up the rear a robed kobold dragon priest.

“Bugger!” Is the consensus.

Kobold warriors hold no fear for the PCs, but another dragon priest, the last one killed Spek, and then there’s Chopper, of course.

But the PCs have managed to trigger the arrival of the big bad guys before the start of the 4th turn, and so they get the rest of their initiative-

Snakebite flings a dart, McGow throws a handaxe, while Mavis fires off another Sacred Flame- all of them targeting Chopper.

All misses.

The level of concern/tension increases.

“I yam Chopper! Time for yew DIE! Ka-AH-Ar-ah-UL-LA-LA-LA has sedden it!”

McGow and Snakebite also close with the chain shirt wearing and scimitar wielding Chopper.

Chopper cuts Snakebite down, although- not quite (again), Relentless Endurance kicks in and Snakebite resumes her watch on just one hit point, which has been the case for a while.

Travis grins, levels his crossbow, and… misses Chopper with a ‘16’ to hit.

Hang on!

This news spreads like wildfire, Chopper is at least AC 17.

Then, one of the kobold warrior’s joins his master, Chopper, and with a swish of its shortsword cuts down Snakebite. No, really- this time for real, the half-orc is down and dying.

Kenji looks like he’s going to be sick.

“Target the kobolds! Target the kobolds!” C-Fax hollers and then climbs over the recumbent throne and into the dark passage beyond, the paladin gets in the face of the kobold dragon priest there- who has just fired up its Mage Armour. Not enough, the paladin stabs the dragon priest, but alas it’s only a scratch.

The kobold warrior accompanying the priest dodges in and stabs C-Fax right back, and now the paladin is down to just one hit point.

Things are on a knife edge.

McGow, while this is going on, smashes the kobold warrior guarding Chopper down, and then thumps his warhammer hard (with an IP- the last one any of the PCs have) into the kobold/goblin boss.

Note, the PCs spent a lot of inspiration points at the start of this fight, which also explains how they managed to knock down thirteen kobolds in 2.5 turns.

Mavis follows C-Fax into the passage, to block off the reinforcement’s route to their boss, in the process she spends her last spell- Cure Wounds, to tap the recumbent Snakebite on her head, the monk quickly scampers back to her feet.

“I will am back!” She menaces.

Chopper slashes and cuts McGow, the dwarven fighter is left bloodied and blowing hard.

Note, there’s a bit of back and forth at this point- with C-Fax (on his turn) letting Chopper know that they (the Inspectors) are on to him- and his schemes, and that surrender is, as always, an option.

Chopper is an uncomplicated fool, or else he’s adept at violence and so that’s his go to move. He makes a few half-hearted threats of his own.

“I will use yor head as foot stool!”

That kind of thing.

The artillery- Travis and Fionulla, have yet to land a hit, they’re both still targeting Chopper.

C-Fax cuts the dragon priest again, and then again, as the robed kobold dodges back (AoO) and… fires off its Chromatic Orb- straight at the dragonborn paladin who is stood just five feet away.

It can’t miss.

And as was the case with Spek, C-Fax is on just one hit point atm- so, this could hurt. A lot.

The players are screaming at this point- there’s a fair amount of- “I can’t watch.”

High wide and handsome, the Chromatic Orb flies over the head of Chromium Malifax.

Which causes the outbreak of a fair amount of delight around the gaming table.

“We can do this!” McGow shouts out, forgetting for a moment that he is a dour dwarf.

Snakebite dodges, dives and ducks- manoeuvring her way around Chopper so that she can get to the last kobold warrior- stab with her shortsword followed up by a kick to the head and now the last warrior is almost broken.

But still not enough- the kobold warrior stabs right back and… Snakebite is back down to just one hit point.

Mavis fires a Sacred Flame into the kobold warrior who, at last, falls.

“We CAN do this!” She screams.

Chopper keeps on grunting, keeps on dodging, keeps on swinging- but it’s a ‘1’ followed by a ‘1’ this turn- much to the delight of the audience.

Travis has had enough, the halfling rogue scrambles up the bone pile next to the recumbent throne and fires a crossbow bolt into the chest of the dragon priest, which is also now on just one hit point.

They can do this.

The dragon priest, now being menaced by Mavis- who really doesn’t know what she’s doing with her mace, thumps its staff into the human priestess- but it’s only a half-hearted swat. Mavis however stumbles over her words and her Bless spell is no more.

The PCs are going to have to do this the hard way.

“You little bastard!” The priestess snarls down at the dragon priest and then in the same half-hearted manner clonks the little guy on the head.

The dragon priest drops.

Remember it only had one hit point left. Mavis had forgotten this.

The priestess of Chauntea is briefly ecstatic, she too “Woo-Hoo’s”, and then skedaddles out of the dank passage, and back into the throne room.

Chopper is on his own, but still toughing it out, it doesn’t help that his to hit rolls this turn are a ‘4’ and another ‘1’.

McGow is at this point giving the goblin boss grief, which only seems to make Chopper madder still.

“What’s-a-matter littul feller, all yer littul frends gone away?”

Although the dwarf can barely be heard over the roars of C-Fax.

“SURRENDER MISCREANT!”

“SURRENDER NE’ER-DO-WELL!”

He’s loving it too.

I think all the PCs are aware that this was a fight that they could have easily lost.

Travis gets back to missing Chopper with his crossbow, while Fionulla tags the goblin boss with a Crit, even she’s shouting with joy now- although the language is a little fruity, she doesn’t much like Chopper it seems.

Which brings us to Snakebite.

The half-orc monk head-nods a bow and then offers the following-

“We haf got to da Chopper!”

Swish of shortsword- draws blood, followed by another roundhouse kick, and- “Thunk!”

Chopper is out cold.

There is cheering.

Actual cheering- followed by a round of applause (for themselves) and then a five-minute excited debrief, or else a series of “do you remember when…” conversations.

I let the PCs go for a while.

That was 171 XP each earned for this encounter- it was a whopper.

And another 50 XP for finishing Quest #4- capture Chopper and put and end to the kobolds, and the PCs now have some gold to collect from Lord Crumble.

The following happens in quick time-

McGow goes on guard duty- running between the various tunnels, with a little help from Mavis here and there- there are plenty of kobolds still about in the lair, but very few of them hanging around- particularly when it becomes apparent that Chopper isn’t shouting his mouth off anymore (and kicking them around).

Chopper, still out cold, is tied up securely by Fionulla & Travis.

The latter also spends his time searching the goblin boss, and any of the fallen he can scamper too.

Meantime C-Fax and Snakebite follow the dark corridor behind the throne into a stinky but comfortable chamber, and there secure a chest- Snakebite carries it, and a few other bits and bobs.

Five minutes later and the gang- with Chopper stuffed in a sack- the goblin chief’s lolling head popped out of the top, and being hefted by McGow- come running, screaming and shouting a variety of things mostly unrepeatable here- all the way back to the river entrance. Or rather exit.

They’re unmolested- after a few Intimidate checks, although there are only half-a-dozen kobold mooks left to witness their egress.

Then… they’re out of the lair and off and running.

Back to Kirkgate- maybe, or else back to somewhere semi-safe/defendable enroute to the village, after all Fionulla knows the area well.

The elven ranger’s mood has lifted, a little, but that could just be the adrenaline.

Next time- still in this session, the above represented nearly two hours of play- the spoils, and a chat with Chopper.

Cheers goonalan and the Tokyo Massive.

 

[Goonalan]

Not KotS​

Session #004b: Chatting with Chopper.

The Adventurers.
Chromium Malifax aka C-Fax (Rob), Male Silver Dragonborn (Noble) Paladin of Bahamut Level 1
Mavis Golightly aka Mave (Sandy), Female Half-Elf (Acolyte) Cleric of Chauntea Level 1
Arbuthnot McGow aka McGow (Al), Male Mountain Dwarf (Soldier) Fighter Level 1
Snakebite (Kenji), Female Half-Orc (Outlander) Monk Level 1
Travis Pickle (Yui), Male Lightfoot Halfling (Criminal) Rogue Level 1

Dead PCs
The Inspector aka Spek (Kenji), Male Rock Gnome (Charlatan) Sorcerer Level 1- Killed in Session #2 by Eggnog the Kobold Dragon Priest.

To-do list/Quests-
#001 Save Dicky Bird aka The Fat Pidgin, and bring him home safely to Edna Gingster, keep in mind Dicky could be travelling incognito. Reward: 2000 XP & 1000gp each.
#002 Find and investigate the ancient dragon burial site Dicky was looking for, he might be there. Reward: 250 XP. COMPLETE
#003 Destroy the kobold menace, including their leader- ‘Chopper.’ Reward: 250 XP & 75gp, with 1gp paid for every kobold tail handed in. XP GIVEN, REWARD TO COLLECT
#004 Stop Orcus-worshipping Karl’s ritual to bring an undead army to Kirkgate. Basically, save the village, begs (eventually) Lord Crumble. 1000 XP & 250gp reward.

So, the PCs attack on the kobold’s lair has been a marvelous success, they have Chopper (goblin boss/loon) ko’d and bagged- McGow is carrying him. C-Fax and Snakebite are hefting a rather nice-looking (& heavy) chest- they’ve also got the key for this container. Travis found it (they think it’s the right key) on Chopper. But they’re not going to stop running away from the kobold’s lair until they think that they are safe. Just in case.

Note, the PCs initial thought was to head back to Kirkgate, but then Mavis suggested that taking Chopper back to the cells there might not be a good thing- what happens if the killer shadow comes back?

Therefore, Fionulla has been directed to take the PCs to somewhere closer to Kirkgate but still out in the wilds, somewhere with a bit of cover that they can defend- if need be.

Note, the PCs are worried that the remaining kobolds are going to try to hunt them down.

And so…

Fionulla leads the PCs to an old Owlbear cave she uses, this after confirming that the Owlbear has been away from its den for at least six months now, so- it’s safe. She thinks.

The PCs are, at last, getting to like Fionulla. She’s proved her worth.

Then- chatting with Chopper, and in the end that’s what it amounts to, let me explain.

The PCs, well some of them, get a bit het up about how they are going to squeeze Chopper until he squeaks- basically, how are they going to get away with inflicting pain and torture on the goblin when C-Fax and Mavis are in proximity.

No need.

It goes a little like this.

C-Fax and Mavis take it in turns to explain to Chopper that a) he’s very badly beaten up, he’s unemployed and he’s broke, furthermore- b) he’s going to be thrown into the town gaol in Kirkgate- that’s the PCs next stop, and summary to the whims of the villagers there. Which probably means he’s going to be executed.

The above is a given, there is nothing that Chopper can say or do to change it, however- c) if he sings like a canary now, and promises to mend his ‘foul and wanton ways’ (C-Fax’s clause) then they will both personally guarantee his safety, they will not allow the villagers to kill him, and when Kirkgate’s problems with Karl et al are resolved. They will set Chopper free.

The pair promise this.

So, the choice is yours.

It helps that the pair’s persuasion checks are (before bonuses) a ‘18’ and a ‘19’. That’s ‘22’ and ‘23’ after bonuses are applied.

Chopper immediately signs up for the sing like a canary option.

Snakebite, McGow and Travis are sore amazed. No unpleasantness at all.

Travis makes a meal for everybody, so flummoxed is he by the paladin and priestesses chatter here.

Over the next hour or so the PCs learn the following-

Pretty much everything that they thought was going on is, in fact, going on.

Ka-ah-ar-ah-al-la-la (Karl), or whatever he’s called is the big bad boss, a wizard or more likely a priest devoted to some fat devil pig called (Chopper thinks) Orcus-Porcus.

Karl has a contract with the Bloody Heck, in fact his contract is with- Bloody Heck, who is the leader of the Bloody Heck (a terrifying battle-scarred hobgoblin, apparently).

The Bloody Heck are slavers, when it pays- like right now, otherwise they are a bunch of mercenary goblins that do a variety of ‘jobs’ to make money.

Chopper is (very) low level management in the Bloody Heck. Very low level.

It’s Cpl. Chopper-Chop, to give him his full rank and name.

The Bloody Heck got involved with Karl about three months ago, or at least that’s when Chopper and his pals were sent to the region.

Note, the group that came to the Kirkgate region included thirty or so goblins, including two bosses- Big Fat Ron- head honcho, and (Sgt.) Groan, a nasty bastard hobgoblin in charge of discipline.

The goblins got situated in an abandoned (small) ruined castle hidden away in some woods- the place had a few broken towers and a wrecked dungeon beneath. They were led to the place (during the night) by a very small deep gnome and a bunch of grisly looking humans with dogs.

Chopper has no idea where this place is, and no idea what it’s called. He’s never been to this region before and never seen a map (of anywhere or anything). He was only at the ruined castle for one day, the deep gnome came back the next night to take him to meet the kobolds.

Note, at this point the PCs ask Fionulla if she knows where this place is- her answer- maybe. There are lots of ruins in the Kirkgate region, she can think of two, both within 15-20 miles of the village, one to the north- the other to the south. From the description given it could be either one of them, she further explains that this region was heavily defended in the dim and distant past, with a series of keeps and fortified structures dotted along what were then either borders or else trade routes.

So, not enough information to pinpoint the exact location of the Bloody Heck.

Back to the Chopper chat…

Chopper has been with the kobolds ever since.

Chopper and the Bloody Heck trained and motivated the kobolds.

The crazy deep gnome generally co-ordinates stuff and delivers messages (Karl’s orders), when the kobolds took prisoners, it was the deep gnome that came to pick them up.

And that’s about all that Chopper knows.

Chopper has no idea where Karl is based, never met him, never even seen him.

To clarify, Chopper’s boss (Bloody Heck) gave him a present to give to Karl (see later, the present is in the chest that the PCs stole), but no-one knows where Karl is at.

Regarding Dicky Bird, the PCs long lost halfling friend, Chopper has never seen or heard of him.

If Dicky was captured then he’s either been sent to Karl, or else he’s been taken by the Bloody Heck.

Lastly.

Chopper has no idea who the spy in Kirkgate is, he didn’t know there was a spy in Kirkgate, point of fact.

Then we move to the Fionulla interlude- we’ll catch up with this in a bit, but I want to get finished with the Chopper chat for now.

C-Fax delivers a stern lecture to Chopper, about good, and right, and stuff like justice.

Chopper promises to change.

Note, Chopper isn’t a bright goblin- but he’s survived thus far, and so he’s not stupid. He therefore plays the game.

Further note Travis, McGow and Snakebite were not silent throughout all of the above, they had a few questions of their own to ask, but Mavis and C-Fax had worked out their routine in their kitchen about an hour before the session started (they told us later). It was a pretty slick show, and I/Chopper hit all (or most) of my lines, and I hadn’t even seen a copy of the script.

That went much easier than I thought it would.

Although, keep reading.

In Chopper’s chest (the key works) are 210 gold coins, and a suit of +1 Chainmail (good quality dwarven manufacture- McGow says), Chopper explains that the magical Chainmail was to be used to bribe Karl, but- as stated above- nobody knows where Karl is at.

Note, McGow later lays claim to the magical chainmail, it’s dwarven- he’s a dwarf, it’s a no-brainer- he should have it.

Plenty of PCs make a variety of checks (throughout the Chopper chat) to see if Chopper is lying, or else dissembling, they’re all (mostly) good- Chopper was (they think) not trying to hide anything.

There, now that we’ve done all of that let’s skip back a bit to the seemingly random point in the conversation between Mavis, C-Fax and Chopper, when this happens-

Fionulla stands up, rage in her eyes and screams.

“CHEGGERS!” Follwed swiftly by- “Where is my Cheggers?”

And then the slight elven ranger dives on Chopper- trying (badly) to pummel the already badly injured goblin to death.

McGow and C-Fax quickly get her off the now sprawled goblin.

There’s a kerfuffle for a while and then…

Fionulla explains.

She and Cheggers were lovers. He was/is a smooth-talking forester- she was supposed to be protecting the forest. They met- said angry things to each other, and then- eventually- fell in love.

Fionulla was happy.

Then Cheggers just disappeared from the woods, that was two months ago.

Fionulla has been searching for him ever since, although…

At first, she thought that Cheggers had just left her. Flighty humans etc. Perhaps he didn’t love her after all.

Then, when it started to become apparent that the kobolds were getting fractious- attacking folk, or else- and eventually- kidnapping folk, then she started to fret that they had taken him.

She’s not an adventurer, she reminds the PCs, and so she took to spying on the kobolds, and spying on the folk in Kirkgate, she became… isolated. A little… paranoid.

At which point the PCs all turn to look at Chopper.

“Where is Cheggers?”

Chopper hasn’t the first clue. The Bloody Heck are slavers- they don’t take a register. As previously explained- Cheggers (like Dicky Bird) has either been sacrificed (or is about to be) by Karl, or else he’s a slave of the Bloody Heck.

There’s not a lot to be said to that.

Although Mavis tries.

The Priestess of Chauntea promises that she and her companions- the Inspectors, will do everything they can to find/save Cheggers.

The DM, because he’s a big softy, decides to make this Quest #5.

#005 Find/Save Cheggers. That's it really, the PCs just need to find/save Cheggers, for Fionulla. Reward 100 XP.

Fionulla still isn’t happy, but then again- nobody is.

There’s still more to do, however.

Then, because this all took a lot less time than the PCs anticipated- they thought they’d be here in the cave for the night, instead they all head back to Kirkgate, it’s very late when they get there- just after 10 bells.

It’s the cells for Chopper, Rondo, the guard captain, has been expecting them, she stayed up. She’s also going to put a guard on Chopper’s cell and will be making sure that there are plenty of lit torches in the area.

Chopper, obviously, doesn’t know about the shadow assassin.

Then back to the inn for food and sleep.

The Inspectors have another busy day tomorrow.

Which comes to pass, and we’re moving very swiftly now because we’re in the last thirty minutes of the session, and so-

Chopper is still alive; the PCs take the goblin (hidden in a crate) to meet with Lord Crumble.

Lord Crumble gets an update- Chopper spills the beans for the ‘great Lord’ and then pleads for forgiveness. Crumble is for execution, but Mavis and C-Fax (and then McGow, and Snakebite) have their say. Chopper is for the cells. For now.

The PCs get paid, and then hired again- basically the same deal as the kobolds except the target is the goblins, the Bloody Heck. Find them and put paid to them. Recover any prisoners- and find out where this Ka-ah-Ar-AH-Ul-La (Karl) is. This is Quest #6.

#006 Find and kill/capture the Bloody Heck- including any leaders. Recover any prisoners they have kidnapped. Find out where Karl is based. Reward: 400 XP & 100gp, with 1gp paid for every member of the Bloody Heck confirmed dead or captured.

Then, a bit more chat- Lord Crumble is not for telling the people of Kirkgate what’s going on yet, at least not while there’s still a chance that the PCs can make this whole thing go away. Hubris, maybe- we’ll see, but the PCs concur with Crumble’s position- they’re on it.

Next, the PCs head off to meet with Jefron Puddleduck, this meeting has been organised by Lord Crumble- Jefron has been examining the artefacts the PCs brought back to Kirkgate (the mirror and jade dragon statuette).

Note, Jefron obviously doesn’t know anything about the Karl problem that Kirkgate is presently experiencing, and so-

Jefron confirms that the symbol scratched into the jade reclining dragon statuette is indeed a symbol used by Orcus worshippers, the sage is curious as to where the PCs found this item.

It’s the PCs turn to dissemble.

The mirror is a valuable artefact of Netherese construction, not magical, but from a magic-infused society. Undoubtedly it could have been used as part of some sort of scrying ritual, although the mirror is so tarnished that actual scrying (seeing) would be very limited. It could however serve as a two-way communication device, which is what Lord Crumble told the sage.

Jefron has further questions about the mirror (like, where did the PCs get it etc.), but- the PCs are in a rush, they therefore warn Jefron to keep the mirror safe/covered-up/locked away. The sage heeds their warning, although- more questions arise…

The PCs flee the sage, the LG-folk are keen to tell no lies.

And this is the last bit of this session.

It’s about eleven bells, the village is in full swell- the gentle folk about their business, and the sun is shining.

But the Inspectors know that in just six days time an army of the undead is coming to Kirkgate.

The Bloody Heck are the next bad guys on the Inspector’s list. They need to be taken care of.

Ideally today- the PCs are heading to the market, even now, to stock up for their next trip.

But which way do they go- there are two possible answers to the ‘Where the bloody heck are the Bloody Heck?” question. Both ruined castles (in dense woods) are maybe five hours away from Kirkgate- but in opposite directions.

Mavis 80 XP, C-Fax 60 XP, McGow 50 XP, Snakebite & Travis 40 XP each.

Cheers goonalan and the Tokyo Massive.

 

[Goonalan]

Session #004: Tables

The Adventurers (in no particular order).
Chromium Malifax aka C-Fax (Rob), Male Silver Dragonborn (Noble) Paladin of Bahamut Level 1
Mavis Golightly aka Mave (Sandy), Female Half-Elf (Acolyte) Cleric of Chauntea Level 1
Arbuthnot McGow aka McGow (Al), Male Mountain Dwarf (Soldier) Fighter Level 1
Snakebite (Kenji), Female Half-Orc (Outlander) Monk Level 1
Travis Pickle (Yui), Male Lightfoot Halfling (Criminal) Rogue Level 1

Dead PCs.
The Inspector aka Spek (Kenji), Male Rock Gnome (Charlatan) Sorcerer Level 1 Killed in Session #2 (Enc#3) by Eggnog, the Kobold Dragon Priest. Spek's head melted to nothing when hit by an acid flavoured Chromatic Orb, it didn't help that the gnome sorcerer was on one hit point at the time, twenty-three acid damage later and Spek was spent. Not even time to scream.

To-do list/Quests-
#001 Save Dicky Bird aka The Fat Pidgin, and bring him home safely to Edna Gingster, keep in mind Dicky could be travelling incognito. Reward: 2000 XP & 1000gp each.
#002 Find and investigate the ancient dragon burial site Dicky was looking for, he might be there. Reward: 250 XP.
#003 Destroy the kobold menace, including their leader- ‘Chopper.’ Reward: 500 XP & 75gp, with 1gp paid for every kobold tail handed in to Lord Crumble at Kirkgate.
#004 Stop Orcus-worshipping Karl’s ritual to bring an undead army to Kirkgate. Basically, save the village, begs (eventually) Lord Crumble. 1000 XP & 250gp reward.
#005 Find/Save Cheggers. That's it really, the PCs just need to find/save Cheggers, for Fionulla. Reward 100 XP.
#006 Find and kill/capture the Bloody Heck- including any leaders. Recover any prisoners they have kidnapped. Find out where Karl is based. Reward: 400 XP & 100gp, with 1gp paid for every member of the Bloody Heck confirmed dead or captured.

XP Table
821 Mavis
751 C-Fax
711 McGow
701 Travis
472 Snakebite
269 Spek & DECEASED

Book of the Dead:

25 XP each
4 x Bandit (Enc#2x4)

Spoiler: Bandit

As per MM Bandit except a better HP spread = 2d5+8.

25 x Kobold Mook (Enc#1x5, #4x10 & #5x10)

Spoiler: Kobold Mook

As per MM Kobold except AC 13 (Padded), Resist: Acid & better HP spread = 2d4+2.

4 x Mastiff (Enc#2x4)

Spoiler: Mastiff

As per MM Mastiff except a better HP spread = 1d5+4.

35 XP each
5 x Kobold Sneak (Enc#3x1, #4x1 & #5x3)

Spoiler: Kobold Sneak

As per MM Kobold except AC 14 (Leather), Resist: Acid, Str 10, Dex 16 (+5 To Hit), Con 10, 1d6 Sneak Attack, & better HP spread = 2d4+4.

3 x Kobold Stoner (Enc #1x1, #2x1 & #4x1)

Spoiler: Kobold Stoner

As per MM Kobold except AC 14 (Leather), Resist: Acid, Dex 16 (+5 To Hit), Con 10, Special Fire & Glue shots with Sling, & better HP spread = 2d4+4.

50 XP each
8 x Kobold Warrior (Enc#1x2, #3x3, #4x1 & #5x2)

Spoiler: Kobold Warrior

As per MM Kobold except AC 15 (Leather & Shield), Resist: Acid, Str 11, Con 12, armed with Shortsword instead of Dagger, 3 HD & better HP spread = 3d4+9.

100 XP each
1 x Hagrid, Deep Gnome (Enc#2x1)

Spoiler: Hagrid

As per MM Deep Gnome except Wis 11, Cha 11, 5 HD & MAX HP = 40. Hagrid also wears a magic item, an amulet, that acts like a +1 Ring of Protection (+1 to AC & Saves).

200 XP each
1 x Chopper, Goblin Boss (Enc#5x1)

Spoiler: Chopper

As per MM Goblin Boss except Str 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 12, MAX HP = 6d6+12 = 48.

2 x Eggnog plus one other, Kobold Dragon Priest (Enc#3x1 & #5x1)

Spoiler: Eggnog/Kobold Dragon Priest

As per MM Kobold except AC 15 (Robes & Mage Armor), Resist: Acid, Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 10, armed with Claws (1d3 slashing) & Quarterstaff, 1st level Spellcaster (Wizard), 5 HD & better HP spread = 5d4+15.