Notes about the game from the GM.

This is about Game 4 of our D&D game.

The players left Winterhaven to go to the waterfall. They got directions from Eilian. They met up with Kobolds near the base of the falls and took care of them pretty well but one escaped and ran through the waterfall to a cave inside yelling, "Irontooth must be warned!" The players were concerned that whoever was inside the cave behind the waterfall could come out and attack so they chose not to take their short rest. They went through the waterfall and encountered another group which they were doing pretty well against but then a third group from deeper inside the cave were warned and they came out and attacked. In a short time it became clear that the players were out-matched. They were able to maneuver in such a way to safely make their escape and go back to Winterhaven.

Assuming that the players choose to go back to the cave, I have told them that they will encounter the same NPC's that they left there. There won't be any added. With fresh powers and fully healed the players shouldn't be overwhelmed again.


New things we learned.
- The players attempted to use stealth to surprise the Kobolds outside of the cave. It nearly succeeded. One player moved that didn't have a high enough stealth roll and that alerted the Kobolds.

- There was some discussion about what constituted an encounter. The players had no more Kobolds to fight outside the waterfall and so Heath wanted to take his Second Wind heal "out of combat" and have it available to use again after going into the cave. Technically, the second wind isn't an encounter power but it can only be done once per encounter. I didn't allow it. After talking with a friend of mine that has GM'd a D&D 4E game for a while now I have a better understanding of the situation. The general rule is that until you take a short rest, the encounter isn't over. In the case of the game last Friday, the players continued to follow their turns which also indicated the encounter wasn't over. So last Friday, all of the action that took place outside and then inside the cave was a single encounter.

- We had a discussion at the end of the evening about what the players could have done about needing a short rest. I was torn about what to do during the game because I knew the Kobolds inside weren't going to come out but I didn't want to give any obvious hints to that effect. I ended up saying nothing during the game and, in hindsight, I'm pretty sure that was the right thing to do. I hope to get better about giving you a chance to discover helpful things without giving away the farm. One thing I mentioned in our after game talk was that you could have started your short rest and just waited to see if the enemy came out. You probably would have been no worse off than you were going in without the rest. You still should consider though that there will be times you really want to chase down an NPC to stop it from warning others and that you will need to weigh the risk of chasing it without taking a short rest.

- Finally, I learned that you provoke an opportunity attack any time you leave a square adjacent to an enemy. I was under the impression that you only provoked the attack if you moved in such a way that you were no longer adjacent to that enemy but that was wrong. A move to any other square will provoke the attack. Of course, shifts don't provoke an attack.

D&D: Game 4

Character(s) I am playing today: Winward and Nyctrian

We go to Bairwin Wildarson at his store.
We get a Healing Poition, see what the cost of the mirror (110gp) and sell it.

We see Old Elian about directions and/or a map to the waterfall.

We rest and head out the next morning.

Perception: Nyctrian (24), Winward (21)
We see and hear some Kobalds close by. We tell the others.
We roll for nature. Minion (x10). Dragon Sheild, Slinger & Skirmisher
Roll Stealth: Winward (22), Nyctrian (11)
We try to move closer, but Nyctrian is not so quiet.



Roll Init: Winward (17), Nyctrian (7)

Round 1 (outside)

• Winward: miss Dragonshield on AC of 12
• Bogging: misses
• Thava: hits Dragonshield on 19 vs AC
  
• Braum: hits Dragonshield on 17 vs Ref
  
• Nyctrian: miss Dragonshield on AC of 12
• Minions: hit on 16 vs AC, hitting Nyctrian, Bogging & Thava
• Skirmisher: waited, going last, moved and misses
• Dragonshield: waited, going last and moved
• Slinger: waited, going last and moved

Round 2 (outside)

• Winward: hits Minions for 13/18, 18 took out one.
• Bogging: hit Dragonshield with magic
• Thava: get +2 to attack from Bogging, move and breath acid (13 vs Ref), took out 6 Minions
  and miss Dragonshield / roll nat 20 to take out Dragonshield and 1 Minion
  
• Braum: with magic, took out 2 Minions
• Nyctrian: miss with Shuriken on 11 vs AC
• Skirmisher: moves
• Slinger: runs away towards the waterfall

Round 3 (outside)

• Winward: hits Skirmisher with 19/16 for 10 damage
• Bogging: missed Skirmisher
• Thava: runs towards the waterfall
  
• Braum: magic, 17 vs Ref doing 8 dam, runs towards the waterfall
• Nyctrian: miss with 12 vs AC, moves towards the waterfall
• Skirmisher: hits Winward for 2 damage

Round 4 (outside)

• Winward: shift, rolls 17/4, hits once for 15 damage on Skirmisher, kill him
• Bogging: moves towards the waterfall
• Braum: moves towards the waterfall
• Nyctrian: moves towards the waterfall, used Second Wind for some healing

Round 5 (outside/behind waterfall)

• Winward: move twice
• Thava: waiting and will move into the waterfall, Kobalds are waiting,
  will use Total Defence
  
• Bogging: Moves twice into the waterfall
• Minions: misses Thava
• MOB2: misses Thava
• Braum: moves into waterfall and magic 16, 19 & 5 vs Ref, hits 2,
  hits for 8 damage
• Nyctrian: attact MOB1 and miss
• MOB3: misses Nyctrian

Round 6 (behind waterfall)

• Winward: moves into waterfall, roll 9/15, hits 1 Minion
• Thava: roll 13 to miss MOB2
• Bogging: power, to weaking some and heal team
• Minions: hits Nyctrian and Bogging
• MOB2: misses Thava
• Braum: magic took out 1 Minion
  
• Nyctrian: hits MOB2(#1) with 21 vs AC for 15 damage
• MOB3: misses Bogging

Round 7 (behind waterfall)

• Winward: roll 9/20, hit for 1 Minion
• Thava: misses MOB2(#1)
• Bogging: power, misses, heal himself
• Minions: hits Nyctrian and do 12 damage
• MOB2: miss Thava
• Braum: hits Minions for 3 damage
• Nyctrian: hit for 21 vs AC for 16 damage for MOB2(#1), killing him
• MOB3: misses Bogging

Round 8 (behind waterfall)

Iron Tooth show up with others.

• Wyrm Priest: magic on Winward for 6 damage
• Winward: hit once for 12 dam on Wyrm Priest
• Thava: hits for 9 dam for MOB2(#2)
• Bogging: hits 8 dam on the Slinger
• Minions: 1 hits Winward for 4 damage
• MOB2: hits Thava for 2 damage
  
• Braum: misses
• Nyctrian: misses MOB2
• MOB5: moves
• Slinger: misses Bogging
• Boss: moves
• MOB7: misses Bogging

Kobalds, Wyrm Priest: Energy Orb(acid), Insite Fath (+ HP, shift), Dragon Breath (acid), Shifty

Round 9 (behind waterfall)

• Wyrm Priest: does Insite Faith, hits Nyctrian for 4 damage
• Winward: roll 9/18 for 2 damage on a Minion
• Thava: misses
• Bogging: hits 16 vs Ref for 8 damage, killing him
• Minions: hits Nyctrian and Bogging
• MOB2: hits Thava for 2 dam
• Braum: magic on WP for 5 dam / magic on Wyrm Priest for 7 dam
• Nyctrian: miss on a 17 vs AC on Boss / miss the Boss
• MOB5: misses Thava and Bogging
• Slinger: miss Bogging
• Boss: hits Bogging for 11
• MOB7: hits Bogging for 5

Round 10 (behind waterfall)

• Wyrm Priest: miss Braum
• Winward: shift, hits on 2 as leave, for 10 & 16 to two different targets / runs away
• Bogging: shift, shift / runs away
• Minions: hits Braum for 4 damage and misses Thava
• MOB2: misses Thava
• Braum: magic, hits MOB2 and kills it, miss, hits MOB5 for 14 dam and runs away
• Nyctrian: Fey Step to run away.
• Thava: delay, hits Minion for a kill and MOB5 for 6 dam / hits MOB5 for 4 dam and runs away

We all run away to fight another day.

We go back to town.

D&D: Game 3

Character(s) I am playing today: Winward

Still in the morning.

As we get to town, we do not see too many people out and about.

We go to see Valthrun.
Says there is a bad vibe in the area causing unrest.
Will talk to Valthrun about the keep and show him the Necklace.

Surprised to see the necklace.

Shadowfield Keep was built over the shadow rift. Demon Lord Orcus came from there. Said sealed the rift. Goblins in the ruins? Not sure. There are passage under the keep. Damaged by earthquake.

We go to Bairwin Wildarson store. Says has 2 healing potions.

Religion roll (18) for skeletons and zombies:
Skeletons : min INT, attack any live person
Zombies: they will kill

Go to the Inn. We see Old Elian and ask about the unease. Says some door has been opened per a dream.
Talk to the Lord. To rid the Keep of the pests, we will get 250 gp.

We get a good night sleep and then go to the Dragon Burial Site.
We search for tracks. Find some.
Hear something. Sneak up to listen. We are spoted.



The others:
Gnome, Skulk (Small Fay): Combat Adv, Fade Away
Human, Rabble (Med Human): Mob Rule
Ground Drake (Small Nat Beasts)

Winward rolls Init: 9

Round 1

• Nyctian: miss
• Braum: miss
• Skulk: miss
• Thava: hit
• Winward: roll 8 & 19, hit 1 of 2, for 2 damage
• MOB3: hit Thava
• Rabble: hit Nyctian
• Drake: miss/hit
• Boggins: some hits

Round 2

• Nyctian: miss
• Braum: hit some
• Skulk: hits Thava
• Thava: miss / Acid Breath hits
• Winward: roll 9 & 15 for 1 hit of 6 damage
• MOB3: hit Thava
• Rabble: miss
• Drake: miss/hit for half dam
• Boggins: miss and heal

Round 3

• Nyctian: miss
• Braum: miss
• Skulk: hits Thava
• Thava: hits
• Winward: miss
• MOB3: hits Nyctian
• Rabble: hits Boggins
• Drake: miss/hit Thava
• Boggins: miss and heal Thava

Round 4

• Nyctian: miss
• Braum: miss
• Skulk: hits Thava
• Thava: hit
• Winward: roll 13 & 19 for 1 hit of 6
• MOB3: miss Thava
• Rabble: miss
• Drake: miss/miss
• Boggins: hit

Round 5

• Nyctian: miss
• Braum: hits
• Skulk: miss Thava
• Thava: hits
• Winward: roll 17 & 16 for a kill
• MOB3: hit Winward
• Drake: hits Thava
• Boggins: miss

Round 6

• Nyctian: hits
• Braum: hits
• Skulk: miss
• Thava: hits
• Winward: roll 1 & 21 and kill him
• Boggins: hit

Halfling Slinger (small nat halfling): Stone Ring (3x at -2), Combat Adv, Second Chance

Round 7

• Nyctian: miss
• Braum: hit
• Skulk: hits
• Thava: nothing
• Winward: rolls 20 and kills it

Battle Ends.

Loot:
+1 Amulet of Health (given to Thava)
Ancient Mirror (Nerath Wizards)
65gp 13 sp (party gold)

XP: 370 per character (total XP 590)

We find Douven Staul tied up in a bag.

Note: With the Brutes (one hit kill), could have taken care of them early. Winward's Twin Shot taken them down faster. We just had to id the creature as a one hit wonder.

Notes about the game from the GM.

This is about Game 2 of our D&D game.

The group went out from town in the morning, headed on the southwest trail looking for Douven Staul. I forgot to mention last week that Eilian gave you all a map showing how to get to the dragon burial site. You go about 1 mile SW then bushwhack about a half mile SE. The group only got about a half mile SW down the road and got ambushed by more Kobolds. These were a bit heftier than the first encounter but the group prevailed. In the process they had to use a lot of daily powers and "action points". They headed back to town to rest and talk to NPC's.

So far they know they want to talk to Valthrun about the keep.

D&D: Game 2

Character(s) I am playing today: Winward and Nyctrian

Names the town where we came from: Stony Ridge

Winward will check his Nature knowledge (roll 20) from the prev battle:

• Kobalds (Minions): Dark Red Color Scales, Powers: Shifty
• Kobalds (Slinger): Rust Color Scales
• Kobalds (Dragon Shield): Red Color Scales, Dragon Shield Tactics (shift), Mob Attack (+1 attack)
  

Roll Initiative: 9 (Winward), 19 (Nyctrian)

Per knowledge roll, Winward found out the following info about our current attackers:

• Kobalds, Dragon Shield: Res: +5 to acid , Shifty
• Kobalds, Skirmersher: Power: Combat Adv, Mob Attact, Shifty
• Kobalds, Wyrm Priest: Energy Orb(acid), Insite Fath (+ HP, shift), Dragon Breath (acid), Shifty

Round 1

• Kobalds surprised us and attacks.
• Winward get attacked mult time and is down to 3 HP.

Round 2

• Nyctian: 22 vs AC, hits for 17
• Braum: area attack and misses, but get some damage with the surounding guys.
• M1: attacks the Braum
• Thava: misses
• M3: hits Boggins
• Winward: Second Wind and Shift
• M2: Winward goes down
• Boggins: attacks and heals Winward / Action Point to attacks a Kobald

Round 3

• Nyctian: 24 vs AC, hits for 20 / AP to attacks, Nat 20 for max dam of 20
• Braum: misses / AP attacks with a spell on one Kobald
• M1: hit Thava
• Thava: misses
• M3: attack for minor damage
• Winward: misses
• M2: attacks
• Boggins: miss damage, healing 5 HP in a 3 blast area

Round 4

• Nyctian: 19 vs AC, hits for 12 dam
• Braum: attacks
• M1: attacks Braum
• Thava: misses
• M3: misses on Nyctian
• Winward: 23 vs AC, hits for 13 dam
• M2: misses
• Boggins: misses and heals Thava

Round 5

• Nyctian: Nat 20 for max dam of 27
• Braum: attacks
• M1: misses and runs towards M3
• Thava: hits with breath weapon (acid) and misses
• M3: attacks Thava
• Winward: misses
• Boggins: misses

Round 6

• Nyctian: R:19 vs AC for 19 dam
• Braum: misses
• Thava: misses
• M3: misses
• Winward: Nat 20 for for max dam of 16
• Boggins: misses

Round 7

• Nyctian: R:23 vs AC for 16 dam, killing the last creature.
  

All foes defeated.

Loot:
5 GP, 23 SP (Braum is holding for the party)
Necklaces: Dragon made of Obsidian (Skull w/ Ram's horn), Demon Lord Orcus

Got attack about a half mile out of town.

Old Elian had also given us a map to the Dragon Burial Site.

XP: 125 per character

Will be doing Q&A with Valthrun thru e-mail.

Gamer Aids

Digging thru the web I found something that might be of some aid (to someone). I have printed out a copy out and will pass it out at our next game.

It was found at Dragon Avenue web site under the 4th Edition Character Sheets and Power Cards post.

I found the Kiznit’s 4th Edition D&D Combat Crib Sheet, to view a sample smaller version, go to the main post, here to see it.

You can download it here.
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D&D Mini News

D&D Miniatures Changes Announcement

More than anything else, D&D players have been asking us for more PC (player character) minis. The D&D Heroes line features high-quality miniatures representing iconic player character races and classes described in the Player’s Handbook and Player’s Handbook 2 core rulebooks. Now players will be able to find the miniature that best represents their PC, and Dungeon Masters can use these figures to represent non-player characters in their adventures.

Launching in Spring 2009, the first D&D Heroes series features six different packs (18 figures total):

• Martial Heroes 1
• Martial Heroes 2
• Arcane Heroes 1
• Arcane Heroes 2
• Divine Heroes 1
• Primal Heroes 1

Each package contains 3 PC minis: 2 males and 1 female, and 3 unique power cards featuring brand new class powers. All three of the figures in the package will be visible so you’ll know exactly which pack to pick for your game.

The D&D Heroes will be refreshed regularly in order to continue to deliver new PC options to players. There are two series scheduled for 2009 and three scheduled for 2010. MSRP $10.99.

D&D Miniatures Changes Explained (further details, and examples of 2 forthcoming minis)

D&D Podcast: Episode 28 (November 2008) - D&D Minis
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D&D: Game 1

The Characters and the players that play them (in order in the above picture) :
Thava the Dragonborn Fighter played by Janielle
Winward the Elvin Ranger played by Heath
Braum the Human Wizard played by Norm
Nyctian the Eladrin Rogue played by Dennis
Boggins the Half-Elf Cleric played by Bill

Marching order: Thava (Fighter), Winward (Ranger), Braum (Wizard), Nyctian (Rogue) and Boggins (Cleric). Will be used unless stated or changed.

While on King's Road we are attacked by 5 Kobalds.
Roll initiative: 16



Round 1: Braun takes one down. Winward with Longbow, attacks and miss. Thava took down two. Boggins takes down one. The enemy misses. Nyctian takes down one.

Thats all 5 Kobalds (or one hit wonders).

Perception: 25
3 new Kobalds show up and look a little stronger than the others.

Round 2: Braun hits one of the two targets and does damage. Winward with Longbow, attacks and miss. Boggins hits his target. Thava misses. Nyctian hits and does some damage.
Kobalds hits Thava.

Round 3: Braum uses spell and misses. Winward with Longbow, attacks and hits. Boggins misses. Thava cleaves two attacker. Nyctian misses. The Kobalds hits Thava twice for some damage.

Round 4: Braum uses spell and hits. The Kobald goes down. Winward with Longbow, attacks and hits (does some damage). Boggins misses the attack, but is able to heal Thava some.
Thava misses the attack, but does some damage. Nyctian misses. The Kobalds misses Thava.

Round 5: Braum uses a spell and hits. Winward with Longbow, attacks and hits. He goes down. Boggins misses. Thava misses. Nyctian misses. The Kobalds missies Thava.

Round 6: Braum uses a spell and hits. Winward withLongbow, attacks and misses. Boggins attacks and hits. Thava attacks and kills it.

The batte is over the other 3 Kobalds are dead.

Loot:
1 dagger (given to a party member)
1 sling with 3 rounds special ammo, 2x fire ammo, 1x Glue ammo (given to a party member)
2x Short Sword
5x Spear
5x Javelin
34 Silver

We head out to Winterhaven.

Spent 10 SP for the Common meal for us, leaving 24SP in party money.
Bairwin Wildarson would be at the Weapon Shop (a good place to see our loot).
Found out that Douven Staul spoke to Old Elian

We turn in the 2x Short Sword, 5x Spear and 5x Javelin. Sold for 14GP.
After the selling and splitting of loot, we each get 3GP 2SP

Old Elian said Douven Staul went to Dragon Burial Site, SW of here, was here over a month and half and has not been seen.

From the bar at the inn, we find out that the Keep is NE of here.
Will see Valthrun The Prescient for more info on this Dragon Barrel Site. He is in the tower.

From the elf Hunter, we found out that the cults are at a cave behind a waterfall, East and South from the town. Said spotted Kobalds there. It was felt that see was not telling the whole truth.

Will spend 2SP 5CP for the room for the night. Leaves 2GP 9SP 5CP

Will see Valthrun The Prescient.
The Keep is a old watch tower, now in ruins. A possable den for Goblin.
Does not know about cults.
Said Lord Padraig may have a job dealing with the Kobalds with a possable payoff.

Will see Lord Padraig about a job killing the Kobalds to the East and South of the town.
Does not know about cults.
For proof, bring the tooth of Old Iron Tooth for the 100GP fee.

Black Smith: Thair Coalstriker
Market Day: Sunday, in two days

Summary of options:
SW is the Dragon Burial Site
NE is the Keep
E/S are the Kobalds and/or the Cult, behind the waterfall

XP: 95 per character

Some history.

You are in the realm of Nerath. It was a once powerful and thriving kingdom that collapsed about a century ago. You have heard stories about the kingdom and their many deeds in the fight to wipe out the evil in their midst. With the fall of Nerath, evil has had a chance to creep into the civilized places and make some strides in the wild and abandoned places.

BACKSTORY
You all know each other and are already an established adventuring group. I have no other specifics for your shared history or various relationships within the group. I imagine that is something you can come up with together when we are getting ready.

PLOT HOOKS (from the Adventure Book)

Missing Mentor
You seek news of your old friend and mentor, Douven Staul. The man who trained you for a life of adventure bade you farewell three months ago and headed for Winterhaven. Douven, a rabid explorer of old ruins, had found a map that revealed the location of a dragon's tomb not far from the village. He figured if a dragon was buried there, why not also its hoard?
He should have returned some time ago and his continuing absence bodes ill. You fear the worst and are determined to find out what happened to your mentor.

Ominous Signs
Marla of the Great Church, an earnest young priest of the good deity Pelor, contacted you before you set out. She has been studying the history and activity of various demon and death cults. According to Marla's research, witnesses saw a small group of death cultists traveling toward Winterhaven about a year ago. She has since learned that the head of this group is a dangerous and twisted priest named Kalarel. Marla fears that Kalarel has set up a secret cult in the area and is conducting unholy ceremonies. She asks you to travel to Winterhaven, determine if there is any death cult activity in the area, and, if so, to stamp it out. She will pay 250gp for bringing back proof that the cult has been destroyed and its plan disrupted.


AT THE START OF THE GAME
You are walking on the King's Road on your way to Winterhaven. This is little more than a wide dirt path now and you know that you are traveling through a dangerous wilderness to get to Winterhaven.