Middle Earth FA63 D&D Game: Second Adventure - Goblin Guerrillas.

[glee]

Macsalin reviews our instructions: "seek out and destroy Goblin camps".
We don't have any information to investigate, so it's the usual ... Croak in the air, Giles looking for tracks on the ground and Little Bear checking for any interesting smells.

[CatInASuit]

Well given the mention of a stealthy group of goblins around, I believe we should be looking around for them.

Lanellen has now left, it is time for us to move on. Are there any other tracks from this area other than those from this cave?

Otherwise, I believe we will be looking around for fresh tracks or signs of life.

I will send Croak out to look around further and see if he can spy anything.

[What Exit?]

The party spends the rest of the day and the next searching. They find little fresh enough to help, but a few traces of goblin passage. They are now close to the plateau called the Giants Table and circled in red on there map.


November 24[sup:2q2giz2f]th[/sup:2q2giz2f]: They sight a Great Eagle early this day. Croak goes up to greet him and the Eagle reports several items.
* Lanellen was picked up and flown to safety.
* They spotted goblin activity on the plateau last night on the Northern of the two Eastern spurs. Nothing specific, but fire light out of two cave openings winking a few times last night.
* The Eagle is willing to fly Croak there and back so Croak can escort you in.

You could reach this by tonight, but that might be a bad idea.

[glee]

Macsalin checks that Lyall is agreeable, then (if so), accepts the Eagle's kind offer to fly Croak in.
Also although we are keen to pursue Goblins, we have been clearly warned about Giants. So visiting a place called 'Giant's Table' means we need to be especially careful.

[CatInASuit]

If Croak is so willing, then we will be happy to accept the Eagle's assistance.

I shall await his return so we can guide the party onwards.

[What Exit?]

Croak returns as the party picks their way up the steep but usable path to the top of the Giant's Table. At one point farsighted Macsalin sighted some dark shapes overhead but 7 large white birds swept out of the north in a deep dive and scattered the smallish black cloud.

Mellowbeorn finds a few squirrels to talk to on the way up and a few birds. The squirrels report that the path has not been used by goblins or any other bipeds. The birds have no clue but are happy to accept a few goodberries and to look around.

Does the party wish to travel to the caves today and reach their near dark or travel part way? If so how close in time?

[CatInASuit]

I believe it would be in our best interests not to travel all the way to the goblins and attempt to fight them on their own ground in the dark. We are hardly ready for it and who knows what other enemies may abound in the area that may seek to stop us.

I would suggest travelling a little further and finding shelter before dark sets giving us a secure base and hopefully staying away from the prying eyes of the goblins in this area. Then, come morning, we travel to where they are and oppose them whilst they are unaware.

What say you, my friends?

[OneCentStamp]

I agree. Let us travel until we find a likely camping spot, then wait out the night.

[What Exit?]

If so how close in time?

[CatInASuit]

I would say that half an hour away from this path up and then find camp, leaving us a few hours to travel to the goblin caves at first light.

[What Exit?]

Does the party agree?

[NAF1138]

I can't speak for the rest of the party, but the plan sounds sensable to me.

[OneCentStamp]

I agree.

[Malacandra]

Yes

[What Exit?]

The night passes quietly in the cold camp. November 25[sup:w5pt8i3n]th[/sup:w5pt8i3n] dawns and the party should reach the cave by noon. The weather should be cold and rainy and around 43°.

The party finds the rough path require single file marching. Giles finds signs of the goblins when he estimates the party is only a half hour from the cave. The activity was from the night before but the rain is ruining most details. It is now only 11:15am. Advancing cautiously, he observes the cave, keeping all but Macsalin a good 10 minutes back.

He notices what is probably a well disguised watch blind in the rocks and scrub above the cave. The area has a rocky bed of gravel and pebbles that looks a little too well distributed to be completely natural and would prevent close tracking to the cave. It goes about 120' out at the most. The opening is roughly 5' tall and 4' wide. It is rough looking and looks natural. A Dwarf could make a better judgement on this part. We are at 11:45am

[CatInASuit]

Croak is available to have a look at the area if required, although he might be a bit obvious.

[RoOsh]

Sabert will stretch and inspect his weapons and armor in preparation for the day ahead. He's been daydreaming quite a bit and lost in his thoughts these last few days, but now is ready to once again assist the party in any way he can.

[glee]

Macsalin appresiates the party's patience in the approach.
If Croak would not betoo incongrous it would be helpful for him to look around.
DoesGilesthink he sneak up to the watch blind?
Macsalin will accompany if required (although heis still nervous about his ability to hide in shadows).

[What Exit?]

Croak may well be able to come in unobtrusive. Giles knows that with his Elven Cloak and Boots he has a chance to sneak around to the blind. Macsalin would have a fair chance. He is very quiet.

What is the plan?

[OneCentStamp]

Are we talking about Croak and/or Macsalin actually trying to sneak inside, or simply get an up-close look at the outside?

[CatInASuit]

Croak will look around the outside, but will not be going into the cave. I will ask him to fly around towards the back of the blind and see if there are any goblins within it. If Giles and Macsalin are still around at that point, I can relay to them what Croak has seen.

He is not to get too close however.

[Whtwulf]

If i can observe the cave from a distance without being seen i will attempt to figure out if its man made or just a natural one. Odds are that i will have to get up close to the cave to figure it out however.

[What Exit?]

You will have to get closer.

[Malacandra]

As usual... any wildlife around who are disposed to be at all chatty?

[glee]

Macsalin suggests that we stay hidden until Croak reports back on any guards in the Blind.
Then if either Giles (or Giles and Macsalin) can take the guard(s) silently, that should be our best move.

Otherwise we'll need to see what else we can find out.

[What Exit?]

Croak does a casual fly over. Dives down on a vole and tosses it in the air near the blind and eats it. He flies back and reports 2 goblins in the blind with crossbows.

[CatInASuit]

There you are, 2 bloodthirsty goblins waiting for you in the hide, probably on alert from all their comrades being killed in the area, so I would suggest a modicum of caution when approaching.

[RoOsh]

"In the Blind... with crossbows." Sabert only gives a slight frown at this point and clenches at his shield a bit more.
But honestly... crossbows?

[CatInASuit]

Well it seems that our two scouts share your concern about the crossbows, Sabert, as they do not appear to be ready to head up there.

[Malacandra]

Is it possible to edge around to the side of the blind, remaining out of sight of the crossbowmen?

[What Exit?]

It might be possible to edge around for those that can hide in shadows or have elven cloaks.

[RoOsh]

Sabert cannot be of any real use in this cloak and dagger business. He'll just stand at the ready and meditate at the camp while the others come up with a plan.

[NAF1138]

Giles sighs. "Alright. I'm game if no one else is. I'll climb up out of sight using my cloak and see what I can do to take out the guards without anyone noticing."

[What Exit?]

Giles heads out very cautiously. He comes down on the blind from the shadier side and slowly. He sees the only way in appears to be from the front though. They probably have an entrance inside.

[CatInASuit]

Is there any chance of getting close enough to the blind to cast Sleep in it and so deal with the two goblins inside.

[What Exit?]

Possible but dangerous for one without any stealthy skills. It took a skilled Hobbit Ranger in elven gear and trained in moving silently and hiding in shadows all his stealth to approach close, you would need to be fairly close to get them hidden in their blind. However it does cast very fast and you might be able to get it done before the set off and alarm or fire.

[OneCentStamp]

I'm willing to approach the blind and get the two goblins to (hopefully) waste their shot at me. While they reload, or whatever it is they decide to do, it might be easier to approach and sleep them.

[CatInASuit]

Theogrim, your courage is admirable, but if they have an entrance within the blind to to the other goblins we will lose the element of surprise. One to fire and one to warn will be their action.

I believe that with patience and the guidance as such, I should make my way close to the blind. Croak will also provide a view of them as well, so we will know if they are alerted.

And I intend to be very patient.

[glee]

Macsalin appreciates Theogrim's bravery but revealing ourselves and thusalerting the whole camp is not worth doing. (Any slept goblins can be aroused by their colleagues once they know we are here for example.)

Since it took all Giles skill to remain unseen Macsalin regretfully cannot risk accompanying him (as Macsalin is noticeably weaker at hiding).
He wishes Giles good luck.

[What Exit?]

So what is the plan?

[CatInASuit]

Barring anyone else saying anything, Giles will lead Lyall as close to the blind as possible, hopefully without raising suspicion where Lyall can then cast sleep on the goblins in the hide.

Croak to keep watch from above.

The others to get ready to rush in as required when it all goes horribly wrong.

Ash wand at the ready, away we go.

[NAF1138]

Giles isn't thrilled with this plan, he would rather take the risks himself, but he doesn't have any better ideas. He will do his best to get Lyall within range without anyone noticing.

[CatInASuit]

Just before I go, does anyone have a spare Elven Cloak I might borrow?

[glee]

Macsalin is very nervous about Lyall being spotted.

If Giles does not wish to tackle the Goblins on his own, then Macsalin will accompany him (as he is far stealthier than Lyall).
The joint backstab is likelier than the Sleep.

[OneCentStamp]

If the sleep fails, there's still a chance for the joint backstab. If the joint backstab fails, the jig is up. I say we let Lyall give it a try.

[What Exit?]

The only way into the blind is via some smallish holes they look out of. How do you plan to backstab?

[CatInASuit]

Actually something just occured to me. The chances are that the blind has a passage into the cave, otherwise they would have to come out the front of it.

Howabout Macsalin and Giles sneak into the cave and cut off their exit.

We give you 15 minutes and then head up. Hopefully you can deal with the rather surprised goblins when they try to alert the others.

What do you think?

[Malacandra]

All sounds good to me, but I'm not pretending this is any of my business, especially as I am now the only healer (bar a little herbology). Do as you think best and I will help patch up the wounded.

[NAF1138]

Is there a way into the cave that doesn't pass in front of the blind? If not can we set up a distraction?

[What Exit?]

Is there a way into the cave that doesn't pass in front of the blind? -> Of course not. :wink:


If not can we set up a distraction? -> Worth a try. The sleep had a chance of working though, it does have some range to it.