DM Note: I didn't like the fact that the first two combat encounters in this module, as written, are almost identical. Both are roadside kobold ambushes, both using the exact same battle map. That's why I had Susan Wrafton mention the missing merchant wagons while the PCs were in town. That gave me the opportunity to exchange the encounter from the module with a substitute encounter from Dungeon Magazine, called Wagon Ambush. It was written as an add-on to Keep on the Shadowfell, so it fit into the adventure perfectly.
Also--and this is huge--this morning and early afternoon, I worked on building out this adventure in Fantasy Grounds II. On Thursday, we played at the table with paper and pencil, and hand-drawn maps. That worked fine, and we had fun. But, it got uncomfortable after a while, and the set-up / clean-up was kind of a drag. Today, M, X and Z sat around the bed and signed in to FGII using M's laptop, while I ran the show from my PC (at my desk, at the foot of the bed). All RP interaction and action description was verbal, face-to-face. We only used FGII for the incredible combat tracking utilities, and battle maps. It worked splendidly! We had a wonderful time, and once I found my DM groove, the game action flowed like milk and honey. In fact, we played for more than six hours! No set-up / clean-up to speak of. What's more, FGII's text log will enable me to provide more detailed combat encounter descriptions in this Story Hour blog. It's win-win!
It's super late. For now, here's the raw FGII log from the first of our two combat encounters, this evening. I'll work on editing it into an interesting Story Hour tomorrow. Well... sorta raw. I cleaned it up a bit and organized it into clear turns and rounds. If you understand D&D, it's actually very readable, and if you care to take the time to read through it, it'll give you a good idea of what 4E meta is like.
Phoebe: [SKILL] Perception [1d20+3 = 21]
[TURN] Phoebe
Phoebe: Power [Beacon of Hope] [std]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Bakbuk] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Paget] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Gildras] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Raxil] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Phoebe] [by Phoebe]
[TURN] Kobold Slyblade
[TURN] Guard Drake
[TURN] Kobold Minion
GM: [GM] [ATTACK (R)] Javelin (vs. AC) (Charge attack +1) [1d20+6 = 14]
[TURN] Kobold Minion
GM: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Javelin (vs. AC) [1d20+5 = 15]
[TURN] Bakbuk
Bakbuk: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Cleave (vs. AC) [1d20+6 = 24]
Bakbuk: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Cleave [2d6+3 = 6]
[GM] Damage [6] -> [to Kobold Minion] [DYING]
Bakbuk: [GM] [DAMAGE #2 (M)] Cleave [1d6+3 = 3]
[GM] Damage [3] -> [to Kobold Minion] [DYING]
[TURN] Kobold Minion
[TURN] Paget
Paget: [GM] [SKILL] Athletics [1d20+11 = 14]
[TURN] Kobold Minion
[TURN] Goblin Sharpshooter
Goblin Sharpshooter: [GM] [ATTACK (R)] Hand Crossbow (vs. AC) [1d20+9 = 16]
Goblin Sharpshooter: [GM] [DAMAGE (R)] Hand Crossbow [1d6+4 = 6]
[GM] Damage [6] -> [to Paget]
[TURN] Gildras
Gildras: [ATTACK (M)] Viper’s Strike (vs. AC) (Charge attack +1) [1d20+6 = 26]
Attack [26] -> [at Kobold Minion] [AUTOMATIC HIT, CHECK FOR CRITICAL]
Gildras: [DAMAGE (M)] Viper’s Strike [MAX] [CRITICAL] [1d8+3 = 11]
Damage [11] -> [to Kobold Minion]
Gildras: [DAMAGE (M)] Viper’s Strike [MAX] [CRITICAL] [11]
Damage [11] -> [to Kobold Minion] [DYING]
[TURN] Raxil
Raxil: [ATTACK (A)] Scorching Burst (vs. Ref) [1d20+4 = 24]
Attack [24] -> [at Guard Drake] [AUTOMATIC HIT, CHECK FOR CRITICAL]
Raxil: [DAMAGE (A)] Scorching Burst [TYPE: fire] [MAX] [CRITICAL] [1d6+4 = 10]
Damage [10] -> [to Guard Drake]
Damage [10] -> [to Goblin Sharpshooter]
[TURN] Kobold Minion
[TURN] Kobold Minion
[ROUND 2]
[TURN] Phoebe
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Bakbuk] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Paget] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Gildras] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Raxil] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Phoebe] [by Phoebe]
Phoebe: [ATTACK (R)] Lance of Faith (vs. Ref) [1d20+5 = 12]
Attack [12] -> [at Kobold Minion]
[TURN] Kobold Slyblade
Kobold Slyblade: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Short Sword (vs. AC) [1d20+9 = 18]
Kobold Slyblade: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Short Sword (vs. AC) [1d20+9 = 12]
Kobold Slyblade: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Short Sword [1d6 = 6]
[GM] Damage [6] -> [to Phoebe]
[TURN] Guard Drake
Guard Drake: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Bite (vs. AC) (Charge attack +1) [1d20+7 = 24]
Guard Drake: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Bite [1d10+3 = 11]
[GM] Damage [11] -> [to Raxil]
[TURN] Kobold Minion
[TURN] Kobold Minion
[TURN] Bakbuk
Bakbuk: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Reaping Strike (vs. AC) [1d20+6 = 21]
Bakbuk: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Reaping Strike [2d6+3 = 11]
[GM] Damage [11] -> [to Kobold Slyblade]
[TURN] Paget
Paget: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Sly Flourish (vs. AC) (Combat Advantage +2) [1d20+10 = 18]
Paget: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Sly Flourish [1d4+7 = 8]
[GM] Damage [8] -> [to Guard Drake]
Paget: [2d8 = 8]
Damage [8] -> [to Guard Drake] [BLOODIED]
[TURN] Kobold Minion
[TURN] Goblin Sharpshooter
Goblin Sharpshooter: [GM] [ATTACK (R)] Hand Crossbow (vs. AC) [1d20+9 = 21]
Goblin Sharpshooter: [GM] [DAMAGE (R)] Hand Crossbow [1d6+4 = 10]
[GM] Damage [10] -> [to Paget]
[TURN] Gildras
Gildras: [ATTACK (M)] Viper’s Strike (vs. AC) (Charge attack +1) [1d20+6 = 15]
Attack [15] -> [at Guard Drake]
Gildras: [ATTACK (M)] Lead the Attack (vs. AC) (Tactical Presence +2) [1d20+7 = 15]
Attack [15] -> [at Guard Drake]
[TURN] Raxil
Raxil: [ATTACK (C)] Burning Hands (vs. Ref) [TARGET 1] [1d20+4 = 15]
Attack [15] -> [at Guard Drake]
Raxil: [ATTACK (C)] Burning Hands (vs. Ref) [TARGET 3] [1d20+4 = 23]
Attack [23] -> [at Paget]
Raxil: [ATTACK (C)] Burning Hands (vs. Ref) [TARGET 2] [1d20+4 = 23]
Attack [23] -> [at Gildras]
Raxil: [DAMAGE (C)] Burning Hands [TYPE: fire] [2d6+4 = 9]
Damage [9] -> [to Guard Drake]
Damage [9] -> [to Gildras]
Damage [9] -> [to Paget] [BLOODIED]
Damage [9] -> [to Gildras]
[TURN] Kobold Minion
Kobold Minion: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Javelin (vs. AC) [1d20 = 1]
[TURN] Kobold Minion
Kobold Minion: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Javelin (vs. AC) [1d20+5 = 12]
[ROUND 3]
[TURN] Phoebe
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Bakbuk] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Paget] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Gildras] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Raxil] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Phoebe] [by Phoebe]
Phoebe: [HEAL] Healing Word [COST 1] [HSV 1] [1d6 = 3]
Heal [HSV+3] -> [to Gildras]
Gildras: Healing surge used.
Phoebe: [ATTACK (R)] Lance of Faith (vs. Ref) [1d20+5 = 23]
Attack [23] -> [at Guard Drake]
Phoebe: [DAMAGE (R)] Lance of Faith [TYPE: radiant] [1d8+3 = 6]
Damage [6] -> [to Guard Drake]
[TURN] Kobold Slyblade
Kobold Minion: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Short Sword (vs. AC) [1d20+9 = 16]
Kobold Minion: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Short Sword (vs. AC) [1d20+9 = 22]
Kobold Minion: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Short Sword [1d6 = 6]
[GM] Damage [6] -> [to Bakbuk]
[TURN] Guard Drake
Guard Drake: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Bite (vs. AC) [1d20+6 = 25]
Guard Drake: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Bite [1d10+3 = 10]
[GM] Damage [10] -> [to Paget] [DYING]
[TURN] Bakbuk
Bakbuk: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Spinning Sweep (vs. AC) [1d20+6 = 15]
[TURN] Paget
Paget: [GM] [SAVE] Saving Throw [1d20 = 4]
[GM] Saving throw [4] -> [for Paget] [FAILURE]
[TURN] Kobold Minion
Kobold Minion: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Javelin (vs. AC) [1d20+5 = 15]
[TURN] Goblin Sharpshooter
Goblin Sharpshooter: [GM] [ATTACK (R)] Hand Crossbow (vs. AC) [1d20 = 1]
Goblin Sharpshooter: [GM] [DAMAGE (R)] Hand Crossbow [1d6+4 = 8]
[GM] Damage [8] -> [to Kobold Minion] [DYING]
[TURN] Gildras
Gildras: [HEAL] Inspiring Word [COST 1] [HSV 1] [TARGET 2] [1d6 = 4]
Heal [HSV+4] -> [to Paget]
Paget: Healing surge used.
Gildras: [ATTACK (M)] Viper’s Strike (vs. AC) [1d20+5 = 24]
Attack [24] -> [at Guard Drake]
Gildras: [DAMAGE (M)] Viper’s Strike [1d8+3 = 6]
Damage [6] -> [to Guard Drake]
[TURN] Raxil
Raxil: [ATTACK (A)] Scorching Burst (vs. Ref) [1d20+4 = 19]
Attack [19] -> [at Guard Drake]
Raxil: [DAMAGE (A)] Scorching Burst [TYPE: fire] [1d6+4 = 5]
Damage [5] -> [to Guard Drake]
[TURN] Kobold Minion
Kobold Minion: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Javelin (vs. AC) [1d20+5 = 22]
Kobold Minion: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Javelin [1d6+4 = 4]
[GM] Damage [4] -> [to Bakbuk]
[ROUND 4]
[TURN] Phoebe
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Bakbuk] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Paget] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Gildras] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Raxil] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Phoebe] [by Phoebe]
Phoebe: [ATTACK (R)] Lance of Faith (vs. Ref) [1d20+5 = 20]
Attack [20] -> [at Kobold Slyblade]
Phoebe: [DAMAGE (R)] Lance of Faith [TYPE: radiant] [1d8+3 = 5]
Damage [5] -> [to Kobold Slyblade]
Effect ['TRGT; ATK: 2 power'] -> [to Bakbuk] [by Phoebe]
[TURN] Kobold Slyblade
Kobold Slyblade: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Short Sword (vs. AC) [1d20+9 = 21]
Kobold Slyblade: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Short Sword (vs. AC) [1d20+9 = 20]
Kobold Slyblade: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Short Sword [1d6 = 1]
Kobold Slyblade: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Short Sword [1d6 = 3]
[GM] Damage [1] -> [to Bakbuk]
[GM] Damage [3] -> [to Bakbuk]
Effect ['DMGO: 5'] -> [to Bakbuk] [by Kobold Slyblade]
[TURN] Guard Drake
Guard Drake: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Bite (vs. AC) [1d20+6 = 23]
Guard Drake: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Bite [1d10+3 = 9]
[GM] Damage [9] -> [to Paget] [BLOODIED]
[TURN] Bakbuk
Bakbuk: [GM] [DAMAGE] Ongoing damage [1d6+5 = 5]
[GM] Damage [5] -> [to Bakbuk]
[GM] Damage [5] -> [to Bakbuk] [BLOODIED]
Bakbuk: Power [Spinning Sweep] [std]
Bakbuk: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Brute Strike (vs. AC) [1d20+6 = 12]
Effect ['DMGO: 5'] -> [ALLOWS SAVE] [on Bakbuk]
Bakbuk: [GM] [SAVE] Saving Throw [1d20 = 19]
Effect ['DMGO: 5'] -> [EXPIRED] [on Bakbuk]
[TURN] Paget
Paget: [GM] [HEAL] Second Wind [COST 1] [HSV 1] [1d6 = 0]
Paget: Healing surge used.
Effect ['DEF: 2'] -> [to Paget] [by Paget]
[TURN] Kobold Minion
Kobold Minion: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Javelin (vs. AC) [1d20+5 = 22]
Kobold Minion: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Javelin [1d6+4 = 4]
[GM] Damage [4] -> [to Bakbuk]
[TURN] Goblin Sharpshooter
Goblin Sharpshooter: [GM] [ATTACK (R)] Hand Crossbow (vs. AC) [1d20+9 = 11]
[TURN] Gildras
Gildras: [ATTACK (M)] Viper’s Strike (vs. AC) (Charge attack +1) [1d20+6 = 7]
[TURN] Raxil
Raxil: [ATTACK (R)] Magic Missile (vs. Ref) [1d20+4 = 12]
Attack [12] -> [at Guard Drake]
Raxil: [DAMAGE (R)] Magic Missile [TYPE: force] [2d4+4 = 9]
Damage [9] -> [to Guard Drake] [DYING]
Raxil: [SKILL] Athletics [1d20 = 14]
Raxil: [ATTACK (A)] Scorching Burst (vs. Ref) [1d20+4 = 10]
Attack [10] -> [at Goblin Sharpshooter]
[TURN] Kobold Minion
Kobold Minion: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Javelin (vs. AC) [1d20+5 = 9]
[ROUND 5]
[TURN] Phoebe
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Bakbuk] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Paget] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Gildras] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Raxil] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Phoebe] [by Phoebe]
Phoebe: [HEAL] Healing Word [COST 1] [HSV 1] [EFFECTS +5] [1d6+5 = 11]
Heal [HSV+11] -> [to Bakbuk]
Bakbuk: Healing surge used.
Phoebe: [ATTACK (C)] Divine Glow (vs. Ref) [TARGET 3] [1d20+5 = 18]
Attack [18] -> [at Kobold Minion]
Phoebe: [ATTACK (C)] Divine Glow (vs. Ref) [TARGET 1] [1d20+5 = 9]
Attack [9] -> [at Kobold Slyblade]
Phoebe: [ATTACK (C)] Divine Glow (vs. Ref) [TARGET 2] [1d20+5 = 17]
Attack [17] -> [at Kobold Minion]
Phoebe: [DAMAGE (C)] Divine Glow [TYPE: radiant] [1d8+3 = 9]
Damage [9] -> [to Kobold Minion] [DYING]
Damage [9] -> [to Kobold Minion] [DYING]
[TURN] Kobold Slyblade
Kobold Slyblade: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Short Sword (vs. AC) [1d20+9 = 23]
Kobold Slyblade: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Short Sword (vs. AC) [1d20+9 = 25]
Kobold Slyblade: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Short Sword [1d6 = 4]
Kobold Slyblade: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Short Sword [1d6 = 6]
[GM] Damage [4] -> [to Phoebe]
[GM] Damage [6] -> [to Phoebe]
Effect ['DMGO: 5'] -> [to Phoebe] [by Kobold Slyblade]
[TURN] Bakbuk
Bakbuk: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Reaping Strike (vs. AC) [1d20+6 = 21]
Bakbuk: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Reaping Strike [2d6+3 = 9]
[GM] Damage [9] -> [to Kobold Slyblade] [BLOODIED]
[TURN] Paget
Effect ['DEF: 2'] -> [EXPIRED] [on Paget]
Paget: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Deft Strike (vs. AC) (Combat Advantage +2) [1d20+10 = 16]
[TURN] Goblin Sharpshooter
Goblin Sharpshooter: [GM] Original attack = 20+9=29
Goblin Sharpshooter: [GM] [ATTACK (R)] Hand Crossbow (vs. AC) [1d20 = 20]
Goblin Sharpshooter: [GM] [DAMAGE (R)] Hand Crossbow [MAX] [CRITICAL] [1d6+4 = 10]
[GM] Damage [10] -> [to Raxil]
[TURN] Gildras
Gildras: [SKILL] Athletics [1d20+7 = 15]
Gildras: [ATTACK (M)] Viper’s Strike (vs. AC) (Charge attack +1) [1d20+6 = 23]
Gildras: [DAMAGE (M)] Viper’s Strike [1d8+3 = 11]
Damage [11] -> [to Goblin Sharpshooter] [BLOODIED]
[TURN] Raxil
Raxil: [ATTACK (R)] Ray of Frost (vs. Fort) [1d20+4 = 18]
Attack [18] -> [at Goblin Sharpshooter]
Raxil: [DAMAGE (R)] Ray of Frost [TYPE: cold] [1d6+4 = 8]
Damage [8] -> [to Goblin Sharpshooter]
Effect ['Slowed'] -> [to Goblin Sharpshooter] [by Raxil]
[ROUND 6]
[TURN] Phoebe
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Bakbuk] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Paget] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Gildras] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Raxil] [by Phoebe]
Effect ['Heal 5'] -> [to Phoebe] [by Phoebe]
Kobold Slyblade: [GM] [DAMAGE] Ongoing damage [1d6+5 = 5]
[GM] Damage [5] -> [to Phoebe]
Phoebe: [ATTACK (M)] Healing Strike (vs. AC) [1d20+3 = 22]
Attack [22] -> [at Kobold Slyblade]
Phoebe: [DAMAGE (M)] Healing Strike [TYPE: radiant] [2d8+1 = 14]
Damage [14] -> [to Kobold Slyblade]
Effect ['Marked'] -> [to Kobold Slyblade] [by Phoebe]
Phoebe: [HEAL] Healing Strike [COST 1] [HSV 1] [EFFECTS +5] [1d6+5 = 5]
Heal [HSV+5] -> [to Paget]
Paget: Healing surge used. (+3)
Effect ['DMGO: 5'] -> [ALLOWS SAVE] [on Phoebe]
Phoebe: [SAVE] Saving Throw [1d20+1 = 14]
Effect ['DMGO: 5'] -> [EXPIRED] [on Phoebe]
Saving throw [14] -> [for Phoebe] [VS 'DMGO: 5'] [SUCCESS*]
[TURN] Kobold Slyblade
Kobold Slyblade: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Short Sword (vs. AC) [1d20+9 = 13]
[GM] Attack [13] -> [at Phoebe] [MISS]
Kobold Slyblade: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Short Sword (vs. AC) [1d20+9 = 11]
[GM] Attack [11] -> [at Phoebe] [MISS]
[TURN] Bakbuk
Bakbuk: Power [Reaping Strike] [std]
Bakbuk: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Reaping Strike (vs. AC) (Combat Advantage +2) [1d20+8 = 15]
Bakbuk: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Reaping Strike (vs. AC) [1d20+6 = 8]
[GM] Attack [8] -> [at Kobold Slyblade] [MISS]
[TURN] Paget
Paget: Power [Deft Strike] [std]
Paget: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Deft Strike (vs. AC) (Combat Advantage +2) [1d20+10 = 21]
[GM] Attack [21] -> [at Kobold Slyblade] [HIT]
Paget: [GM] [DAMAGE (M)] Deft Strike [1d4+4 = 7]
[GM] Damage [7] -> [to Kobold Slyblade] [DYING]
[TURN] Goblin Sharpshooter
Goblin Sharpshooter: [GM] [ATTACK (M)] Short Sword (vs. AC) [1d20+6 = 17]
[GM] Attack [17] -> [at Gildras] [MISS]
Gildras: [ATTACK (M)] Melee attack (vs. AC) [1d20+3 = 6]
Attack [6] -> [at Goblin Sharpshooter]
[TURN] Gildras
Gildras: [SKILL] Intimidate [1d20+6 = 26]
END OF COMBAT
Gildras: [SKILL] Intimidate [1d20+6 = 12]
Raxil: [SKILL] Intimidate [1d20 = 5]
Phoebe: [SKILL] Diplomacy [1d20+5 = 21]
Gildras: [SKILL] Intimidate [1d20+6 = 19]
Raxil: [SKILL] Intimidate [1d20 = 6]
Phoebe: [SKILL] Diplomacy [1d20+5 = 15]
DM: Party taking short rest
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