Solo LMoP - 03. Goblin Ambush

After having a bit of basic character development it is now time for the actual adventure to begin. Reading the flavor text at the beginning of the next section we now know the following: 

You’ve been on the Triboar Trail for about half a day. As you come around a bend, you spot two dead horses sprawled about fifty feet ahead of you, blocking the path. Each has several black-feathered arrows sticking out of it. The woods press close to the trail here, with a steep embankment and dense thickets on either side

Now, none of our characters has a more than mediocre connection to nature or animals which leads me to believe they would probably not rush in blindly. They would also probably realize that the horses would need to be removed to pass through. 

Seeing dead horses can mean several things, an ambush not necessarily being the first thing that comes to mind. But I read a bit further on that there are actually four goblins hiding in the woods. According to the book I should roll just one stealth-check for all the Goblins, but as a DM I would rather roll individual ones. 

🎲 Stealth checks goblins: 16, 10, 10, 18

That means that with their passive perception all players except for Egart would notice at least some rustling in the leaves, guessing that someone is keeping an eye out. This in turn would mean that the adventurers are ready, their weapons at hand, a shield around Tarbeks arm, instead of them walking up to the horses and being ambushed blindly. 

Given the fact that we have a rogue in the party, that would be warned by the others of there being movement in the bushes, there is a different approach they might take. Having not fully turned the corner Egart might try to enter the underbrush and see for himself if he can sneak up on anyone. His personality traits clearly states he does like to improvise, so I'll roll a Stealth check for him against the goblins' passive perception (9): 🎲 Stealth Check Egart: 19

So, slinking off the wagon, scrambling up the embankment and entering the bushes, slowly moving towards where he finds a green-skinned figure lurking. Now he could go for a grapple, trying to disarm the goblin but he is of halfling size and also of a criminal background. In his case I'd say he'd go for the easy solution, being a quick stab with the shortsword.

🎲 Goblin's HP, 2d6: 8
🎲 Shortsword attack Egart (with advantage due to being hidden): 20 (hit)
       ->🎲Damage, 1d6+3 piercing + 1d6 sneak attack: 9 

Slitting the goblins throat from behind without anyone noticing, Egart has cleared one of the four threats already without combat ensuing. But, having not communicated much about what he was up to Egart now has no way of letting his friends know what has ensued. He would need to sneak back to their cart first. But, having killed his prey easily and not having seen the movement in the bushes himself first he'd have no idea that there are more goblins hiding. So he would probably make a rash decision here, either misinforming his friends or alerting the goblins. I'll roll for that.
🎲 1d2, Misinformation or Alert: 1 (Misinformation)

Egart comes back out out the bushes, shooting his compatriots the 'finger crossbows' (thumbs up) and, assuming that the threat has been dealt with heads onward towards the dead horses. And here is, where we roll initiative as his fellow adventurers start shouting: "Ho, there Egart, wait! There's more...", just as the remaining goblins attack. 

Download Battle Overview (Rolls and Maps)

It all happens in less than a few seconds. Arrows flying from the underbrush, Egart giving a grunt of pain before firing his shortbow into the bushes, Haunui letting loose another arrow and before the ladies can join in the fray there is silence again as the small bodies of a few goblins roll down the slopes besides the road. 

The book does not give any indication of any loot, but I'll say that Egart can retrieve his arrow (since the Goblins use Shortbows as well) and I'll roll three times on the individual treasure table: 
🎲3x1d100: 21, 34 and 46
🎲10d6 copper and 4d6 silver: 23 copper and 13 silver
I divide this as equally as possible between the adventurers. 

Now, since they did not get hurt badly they would inspect the scenery and realise that the horses belong to Sildar Hallwinter and Harbeks cousin Gundren Rockseeker. They'd find an empty leather case near the dead beasts that Harbek would pocket. While he does that Harbek and Haunui would search the area for any signs of where Gundren and Sildar have gone to.

🎲Survival Haunui, advantage because of aid from Harbek (DC10): 16 (success)

The two men manage to find a trail leading to the North. It seems that it has been heavily trafficked by goblins and apparently two larger creatures have been dragged along it. 

Note to self: One goblin has escaped from the fight, I will not forget him. The book says that any survivor heads for the trail and so will he, but he'll instead follow the party at a save distance, attacking them from behind when he gets a chance. 

Now to determine the marching order we'll need to have a look at the personal preferences. Egart would not want to go first, but Drusa would. Haunui might want to take charge, but he looks up to Drusa and will therefore let her lead on. Now Quillathe would not mind staying in the middle of the group so the only one doubting Drusa's leaderships position would be Harbek. They discuss it for a while. 

🎲Persuasion Drusa: 6
🎲Persuasion Harbek: 21 (natural 20)

So Harbek would be the one in the lead and with his passive perception score of 13 he would easily spot the hidden snare that they encounter after about 10 minutes of hiking along the trail. He'd keep his eyes open after avoiding that trap. 

🎲Perception Harbek (DC 15): 13 (fail)
However he does not notice the camouflaged pit the goblins have dug a bit further on, paying more attention to the tree-branches to see if another snare has been hung. His foot hits the cover of the pit and the branches break. 
🎲Dexterity Save Harbek (DC 10): 2 (fail)
🎲Fall Damage, 1d6: 3 

The dwarf topples over forward and with a muffled curse falls down into the 10 feet deep hole. Red-faced and grumbling under his breath he climbs out, breaks off a branch from one of the trees and continues, tapping the trail with the stick. Luckily for him he is in front and cannot see the grinning faces of his compatriots.