Our bold adventurers answered a bill posted in a tavern and found a grizzled Dwarf looking for mercenaries to protect a caravan of goods headed to Phandalin. He said the goods belonged to his cousin, Grunden Rockseeker, a silver miner. He also said you would be paid upon delivery of the goods to the small town of Phandalin. A haughty Elf approached the table where the Dwarf was sitting and announced that he would honor the party with his presence and aid the party with his great arcane skill. A nobleman dressed in fine chain armor and carrying a huge axe took the bill from the wall and read. He then also joined the table. An attractive human female also read the posted bills and started eyeing the grizzled Dwarf from her own table. While her face and bosom caused a stir in the loins of more than one of the bar patrons, her masculine arms and obvious strength appealed more to the Dwarfs than to the men in the room. (Frankly she rather scared the Elf, even though he wouldn't admit it) Then a vivacious young ginger-haired lass of less than 17 summers entered the Tavern. Her small body, no more than 5' tall and a 7 stone when dripping wet, gave the promise of things to come. Her growing hips and firm bosom spoke of future pleasures. Her pale white skin, covered in freckles, proclaimed her innocence, while at the same time inviting lips and hands to caress it. Her wide set Hazel eyes promised intimacy to every Man, Dwarf, and Elf in the place. (Frankly she rather scared the Elf, even though his Elven loins stirred as much as any Man or Dwarf) At this point the Elf, somewhat taken by the presence of this breath of Spring, ordered ale for everyone at the table. The barmaid served the ale, while the other female, the one with the scar on her face, came closer to the table. The grizzled Dwarf briefly distracted from the beauty of youth gave a wink to the dark haired woman who then sat down at his table. After she joined the party plans were made to meet in front of Barthen's Provisions at 6:00 the next morning. The grizzled Dwarf tried to make head way with both the vivacious young ginger and the more mature, though strikingly handsome, dark haired woman. He soon realized that if he didn't change tacks, he would end up like the dog with two bones, so he concentrated his efforts on the dark haired woman. Unfortunately for him she had already had enough of his lingering stares on the vivacious young ginger and retired to her room for the night. While a smart move on the part of the Dwarf, he should have realized earlier that the vivacious young ginger was giving most of her attention to the two apparently noble gentlemen to her right and to her left. The next morning the dark haired woman grabbed an ale to go, while the more pragmatic accepted coffee from the tavern keeper's daughter. All of our intrepid adventurers eventually made it to Barthen's. There they had a chance to meet their patron in person before he rode off with a human companion, already known to some in the party as Sir Sildar Hallwinter, captain of the now defunct Griffon Calvary of Waterdeep. Their patron, Grunden Rockseeker, hailed his little cousin, Glanbir before he rode off and bid them all to take his goods to Phandalin where they would be compensated. Without delay the party set forth on the High road south. They traveled for an entire day before making camp. The grizzled Dwarf went to collect firewood, though he told the party that he was going looking for a forest fire. This seems in retrospect to be a divine prophecy of his deity Lathander, because the haughty Elf not long after set ablaze last year's grasses and nearly caused a grass fire that might have burned its way into Neverwinter Wood. While the Elf might have been hasty because of the nervousness that he felt in the presence of such a strong woman, his actions weren't without cause. He had perceived the howling of wolves and they were getting closer. Due to the level headed thinking of the dark haired woman and her experience with nature, she was able to pacify the Wolves with the rest of the deer she had slain for dinner. The next day the our brave adventurers were able to make it all the way to the cross roads where the Triboar Trail ends. They made camp again and passed the entire night without any disturbances. After two days of beautiful weather, they started heading East the next morning, but with an ugly looking storm brewing to the West. They made good time, but came upon a natural depression in the terrain. Unfortunately the trail led down into the depression and between two precipices. They might have just continued their journey but the dark haired woman, who had been driving the wagon, noticed what seemed to be a fallen horse up ahead and brought the two massive oxen to a halt. When the party investigated they were ambushed by Goblins. Our noble Elf was nearly slain during the opening volley from the Goblins. He smartly retreated to a distance where he could employ his arcane arts and not be the target of paltry Goblin arrows. The battle raged on,for some time. There were moments when we worried our stalwart adventurers might succumb to this Goblin threat. Two actually were on death's door, but due to the keenness of Beulah and Sir William's axes, with the help of Bryndon's arcane fire, the Goblin threat was eliminated. After careful examination of the area, it was determined that their patron and friend and cousin, Grunden, along with Sir Sildar, were most likely captured the day before by the Goblins and dragged back to their lair. A heated discussion ensued and almost ended with Beulah driving the oxen off to Phandalin without the rest of the party. Luckily for our loyal adventurers, cooler heads prevailed and a decision was made to launch a rescue mission for their patron, Grunden Rockseeker. A Goblin campsite was found, as well as a trail heading to the North-East. Following the trail, rather lackadaisically, our grizzled Dwarf was caught in a snare. The haughty Elf saw an opportunity to display his great knowledge of evocation magic and poured forth a mote of fire that burned through the rope holding the Dwarf. He then fell 10 feet to the ground taking some damage. (Might have been Beulah who shot him down, I don't remember. Sorry) After that trap the party proceeded more cautiously with Sir William taking the lead and checking for traps. (That is what happens when your Rogue is unconscious in the back of the wagon) After only another 10 minutes he came upon and detected a pit trap. He was easily able to direct the party around the trap. The rest of the 5 mile journey to the Goblin lair was uneventful. Arriving at the clearing in front of the Goblin Cave, our noble Elf made another hasty decision and drove the ox cart right up to the cave mouth, thus awakening two sleeping guards. What followed was a hail of arrows out of the brambles that could hardly be contested. Luckily Sir William and Glanbir went around and found an enclosure where the Goblins were firing from. They were both deftly dealt with leaving only the question of what to do then. It was finally decided to conceal the body and take the other, unconscious Goblin, back to a clearing they had past and to rest and then interrogate the Goblin. The injured members of the party slowly regained consciousness and another debate raged as to whether they should attack now that they had the element of surprise or wait until morning when they would be more rested and refreshed. Eventually there was a consensus that resting was the most prudent plan and that they would wait until morning. The next morning the wagon was driven to the clearing that is within 300 meters of the Goblin cave. A sultry, yet stealthy spy was sent forward to gather intelligence. When she gave the word that the way was clear, (oddly enough) the wagon was brought forward again and the party ventured into the cave system. The captured Goblin proved to be worth his wieght when he calmed the wolves and warned of a sentry that was posted to the West of the rope bridge. Well, gentlemen, that was a good game. You played well. Well, you played well after learning a few lessons the hard way. ;) I will say this. After running this same adventure five times, your party took better advantage of a captured Goblin than any of the other groups I have run. You wrung all the possible info out of him and are still finding uses for him. You were a little slower than some groups getting into the cave complex, but that is just because of the bad luck that you had. The bad rolls created a situation where you were all low on hit points. That led to a discussion about whether or not to go or to rest, which took up more time. You did eventually make it, but unfortunately our time was at an end. One thing to remember, the fighters have Second Wind . I don't remember either one of you using your Second Wind . It's just a bonus action I believe and it gives you quite a few hit points back. Another thing I'll admit, I was very worried at one point about the first encounter turning into a TPK. I might have fudged the rules a little because of that. I believe the rule is that you only stabilize at 0 hp after the 3rd death save is passed. I told Alex he was again conscious and at one hp after his save. I knew better, but I was just scared for you. "Defeating the goblin ambushers and finding the Cragrnaw hideout completes a story milestone. When the party arrives at the hideout, award each character 75 XP. Make sure the players record this gain on their character sheets." The above is from Wizards of the Coast. I'm also awarding an additional 15 XP to each player for their efforts and contributions. The following is also available in the game. You can see it in the Quests accepted folder. It is in the document named "2. X Goblin Ambush." The "X" represents the fact that this quest or encounter has been dealt with. The number "2" represents that it is the second quest, mission, or planned encounter. As you meet and talk to different NPC's you will have access to many different quests. They will all be numbered from easiest to harder. With low numbers being easier. Beulah: For her handling of the wolves. Which could have been deadly for you. They get advantage when in a pack formation. So Congrats Ivan. Take your XP and an inspiration (advantage on one roll) for your part and for playing your character according to her traits and flaws. . Glambir: You were indispensable. Someone owes you their life. You protected the squishy Wizard with your body and kept someone in the fight with your well timed Healing Word . You also showed yourself to be selected by you god. You brilliantly passed all you death saves, bringing you back to life. Please accept your reward of 15 XP and an inspiration. Bryndon: You charged forward into the fray. Then you got your ass handed to you and made a tactical withdrawal which is exactly what a Wizard is supposed to do. You had some epic fails which made the game much more fun than if you would have actually killed the enemy. I feel like you wanted to try a little more "Role playing." I hope I wasn't the reason you didn't. You also burned some Goblins with arcane fire. So please take this small reward for the excellent job you did. 15 XP and an inspiration. Sir William Winters, Viscount Corlin Hill: You played your character well. I'm sure you will get into the swing of things soon. Remember he is haughty and believes in his blood's superiority and his right to rule. To him all the party members are below him socially, except for the Elf who he views somewhat suspiciously. You will have a chance to give him more of a personality as the game progresses. We are starting to get to know him. He is starting to take a lead. For everything you did I'm awarding you 15 additional XP and an inspiration. Sweetness, oh I'm sorry, I mean Scarlet: You were unfortunately unconscious for much of the game. Before that you managed to embarrass your self in front of the more mature and martial woman in the party, but you soon recovered by felling the Goblin in front of her, much to her chagrin. You were much in need of a potion of healing. Too bad none of the Goblins had one on them. ;) Please accept your reward of 15 XP and an inspiration. Thank you all for playing today and let me welcome you again to my table, Andy