Phandalin or Bust - Part 2

So, as the DM for this new (and I mean new) group of gamers, I admit that I have fudged some of my monster attack and damage rolls for the sake of fun and interaction.  This is not uncommon at low levels since after all a hobgoblin could easily kill a gnome sorcerer.....twice.

Let me clarify Brocc's situation:  he was killed but as DM, I knew the momentum of the game would be dissolved with the death of a character so instead, I opted for his unconscious body to be kept "barely alive" while the player used Sildar as his character - who had no armor and very few hit points.  

Yemeek advised the party to where Klarg could be found and the best way to surprise him.  Well, they screwed that up pretty good by being loud and clanky.  Two goblins were waiting for them behind the stalagmites in the pool area where half of the pool had previously been released when the party got partly washed away, before the gnome got killed.

The party was whacked pretty good by just 2 goblins, but surprise generally does that and being the conscientious DM that I am, I made sure no one died.......except the goblins.

The party, now assuming they had the upper hand, snuck into Klarg's quarters in an attempt to hide and surprise him unknown that the third goblin from the pool area had already warned Klarg so the hobgoblin chief was prepared.

What a battle - Klarg, his wolf and 3 goblins were all at 1/2 cover so they were damn hard to hit.  The wolf was taken out by the Ranger, Brynwyyn, with much remorse.  Klarg presented himself in the open once his wolf went down and with the other 3 goblins quartering to take advantage, well, let's say the dice rolls were on the side of the party and yes, again I fudged some rolls to prevent a TPK - for the sake of the future.  Everyone got really low on hp except the dwarf, Bruenor, who is hard to hit with his 19 AC.  I've also subbed out some treasure for a few 2d4+2 healing potions.

This wasn't even the big ending!  They had to get back to Yemeek with evidence that Klarg was dead so their end of the bargain was complete - except Yemeek is a double crossing no good hobgoblin!  Hehe.....

Now the team gets into role play more than just being murder hobos because they are basically whipped.  With Yemeek holding Brocc's life in his hands, the party negotiates enough to get Yemeek distracted so Bruenor can lay in to the goblins and Brynwyyn can get a shot off at Yemeek - with a really good roll she hits him, thus turning the tide of the skirmish.

Long story short, the party survives and gets some loot but the best part - they all want to know when we can play again and start looking at the upcoming calendar.  

It's great being the DM!

- DM Dave