Ansirus Maseo |
I was criticizing Mirasha for refusing to assist on a simply request. She then responds by calling me a slave. Cut a tongue out. Not that hard. Just sayin.
Wrong. You passed a job that you asked for to someone else, then complained when they didn't do it. Not to mention you didn't bother to pass along his safety precaution.
Ansirus lowers his voice so as not to be heard, hopefully, from the kitchen.And it would be greatly appreciated if you would not draw your damn sword on an ally while we're house guests of a new friend who's been hiding in a safe room for the past day.
Not waiting for some childish reply Ansirus turns back to follow Walthus to the guest chambers.
Abandoned Arts RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 |
"Yeah, I'll take a look at those guest spaces. Or the floor. I'm not picky, but I do need some rest."
Brigitte returns her longspear to its holster and makes to follow the group upstairs.
Brigitte yawns.
Walthus rises from his seat, and follows wearily after Brigitte.
"I have a spare room just upstairs; a few cots and sleeping bags. I'll sit up with you for a bit - oh my, I still haven't asked your names. Some formal introductions, then we'll all have a rest. I'll see you off with some food, tomorrow."
The halfling looks thoughtful for a moment.
"Some food, and another gift I think.
The warden halts at the base of the staircase, waiting for the party to gather, whole. Frowning at the blood on the floor, he nods to Thurgood, in particular.
"Thank you for taking care of that... thing. I hope my information and my shelter show my gratitude well enough - I haven't got much else. Unless you like vipers."
We don't need to play out individual introductions, once you've all indicated that you're ready to see the room, rest, and whatever else, I'll gloss over those events and (barring any surprises) we'll move on.
Sarn Yando |
Not to mention you didn't bother to pass along his safety precaution.
I doubt the oils from his skin could have damaged the tongue all that much
I will be out on watch
Good good. Let us know when you need to switch out with someone.
Rest would be quite welcome Mr.Proudstump. We've all had an exciting day.
Abandoned Arts RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 |
The guest room upstairs is a lightly-cluttered storage space, but sports plenty of room for sleeping bags and cots.
Walthus plays host just long enough to learn your names and properly welcome you, then hobbles off to bed, offering to show Sarn the secret chamber (which he claims is adjacent to his bedroom) in the morning. He even stops downstairs to wish Thurgood a safe night.
We're gonna need a watch cycle for resting. Can everyone input their thoughts/needs for watch order in the Discussion Thread? I think 4/5 of you are casters who need 8 straight hours.
In this instance, anyone can take watch after Thurgood - you have all the rest of the day and all of the nighttime to rest. I assume you'll want a shorter resting schedule for wilderness camping, though.
Fortunately, the evening passes uneventfully. The Brinestump is quiet, and your rest is uninterrupted. You wake to the smell of spices coming from the kitchen.
For saving Walthus and keeping him alive, everyone gains a "Story Award" of 120 xp.
@ Everyone: After posting your watch cycle thougts / needs over in Discussion, you can post your morning / waking actions, over here.
Abandoned Arts RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 |
Walthus looks cleaner and less nervous than he did last night, but he's still looking gaunt, pale, and sickly. It looks like the shapeshifter got at quite a bit of his blood. Still, he might be a shade healthier this morning. He prepares breakfast - spiced and sauteed squash, spinach, and a bit of pork jerky - almost cheerfully.
"So Walthus my friend, you going to be alright here while we handle the goblin fellas?"
"Yes, I think so. I'm fairly sure that thing was alone. If you're successful with the goblins and you pass by here on the way out of the Brinestump, however, I wouldn't be adverse to following you. Heal for a while, back in Sandpoint."
Because there is only one stool in the kitchen, the halfling simply hands Thurgood a plate.
Sarn Yando |
After feeding his mule and securing it's saddlebags Sarn heads back inside to discuss todays plans.
It is my understanding that our destination is where everyone believes us to be headed. If we go missing for any length of time they will most likely assume we are dead at the hands of the goblins or to something worse along the way that would be even harder to find. Doubtful many creatures out here will capture us long enough for a rescue to be of any use. Unless there is a more practical reason to head back to Sandpoint I suggest we head to the goblin camp.
Abandoned Arts RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 |
After breakfast, Walthus sees you off. Speaking to him about the trip confirms the directions that the shapeshifter gave you - those, at least, were accurate: you'll have to walk back up the New Fish Trail and take the Lost Coast Road to the old trail, or you'll have to cut through the marsh to the southeast, crossing three outlets of the Soggy River. The second route would be faster, and would get you straight there. It would also be less convenient, and may be more dangerous.
You could also take the Lost Coast Road all the way to the Witch's Walk, if you were inclined to meet the supposed witch.
Abandoned Arts RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 |
"Walthus, I don't suppose you would happen to have any maps of the area that we could take with us?"
"I do keep a map, but I'm afraid it isn't very extensive. I'd be happy to send you off with it, if you'll give me a few minutes to copy it."
The warden produces a folded cloth object from his haversack.
"I also want to send you off with this. My cloak. It's magical, but I'm afraid it's stained with that thing's blood, and mine, and that of my perished viper. I've cleaned it a bit, but I can't bear to look at it. Especially after spending the night in that hidey-hole, having to smell the damn thing. I don't want it anymore, but I thought it's minor magical properties might be a help to you. It generally brings the wearer some small measure of protection from bad mojo, spells, unfortunate happenings, and the like."
What Walthus is describing is some variety of cloak of resistance.
He offers the folded cloak to Ansirus, along with five trail rations of jerky and dried vegetables.
Abandoned Arts RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 |
Sarn Yando |
"So, Lost Coast Road seems safest.
"Agreed. Best not wander though the swamp without a good reason. We don't seem pressed for time. Mr. Proudstump it was certainly exciting to meet you."
Sarn walks to his mule and has it start following after the others whils his eyes dart back and forth not focusing on anything for more than a moment
...will need to increase ocular acuity as well as aural and tactile sensitivity to facilitate...
Something to increase blood flow? Adrenal extracts?
Alchemical postulation: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
No something more potent with less detrimental side effects
Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Diluted cockatrice venom perhaps?
Ansirus Maseo |
After receiving the cloak and map, Ansirus follows his party out along the new fishing trail, back towards the lost coast road.
Once out of sight and earshot of the hut he stops, surveying the surrounding area to make sure it's safe to spend a full minute casting, then attempts to identify the cloak.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Spellcraft with Detect magic: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
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With your new map, your party navigates back to the Lost Coast Road, arriving at...
the Old Fish Trail, 9:26 AM
Your party stands at the beginning of the New Fish Trail, supposedly a straight shot to the Licktoad's village. If Walthus' hand-made map is anywhere close to accurate, you should be able to arrive at the village in a little under an hour.
Some notes about the map: the red "x" represents the supposed location of the Licktoad's village. The green "x" represents Walthus' shack. You currently stand at the beginning of the New Fish Trail, approximately where the first "o" in "Lost Coast Road" is written.
Abandoned Arts RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 |
Abandoned Arts RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 |
Your journey down the Old Fish Trail is a quiet one, until you reach the first footbridge on the path. Near midway across the bridge...
Ansirus' Perception check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Brigitte's Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
mastodon’s Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Mirasha's Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Sarn's Perception check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Thurgood's Perception check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
sniper's initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
...Thurgood is attacked by an unseen assailant.
Since you've spotted it, post-sniping: It's just an ordinary goblin. Small, stealthy, criminally insane, tragically self-destructive.
Surprise Round
07 . . . sniper
An arrow flies from the nearby treeline (standard action), striking Thurgood squarely in the chest. The tiny projectile pierces a weakness in the human's armor, lodging itself in the tissue of his pectoral muscles.
sniper's shortbow attack vs. Thurgood: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
sniper's shortbow damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Thurgood takes 3 points of damage.
Springing into action...
Ansirus' initiative check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Brigitte's initiative check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Mirasha's initiative check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
mastodon’s initiative check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Sarn's initiative check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Thurgood's initiative check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
...your party attempts to spot the sniper, who attempts to remain hidden, sniping at you without giving away his precise location (free action to snipe).
[dice=sniper's "sniping" Stealth check]1d20-10[/dice]
Ansirus' Perception check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Brigitte's Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Mirasha's Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
mastodon’s Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Sarn's Perception check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Thurgood's Perception check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Round 1
23 . . . Mirasha
17 . . . Ansirus
09 . . . Thurgood
07 . . . sniper
05 . . . Brigitte
04 . . . Ricardo
03 . . . Sarn
Ansirus, Mirasha, and Thurgood may act.
Map link. If you manage to attack it, you can roll your own concealment checks. On a 1-20, you miss.
Ansirus Maseo |
Ansirus looks around at the party, seeing the only one with any kind of bow is Sarn, whose previous shots have been near tragedies.
Looks like you might want to climb up after it Thurgood, or chop down whichever tree it's in.
Ansirus moves up the bridge (move action to Q15) and looks around for the mystery archer.(standard action perception)
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
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Abandoned Arts RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 |
@ Mirasha: Not that it's going to matter, but you can only draw a weapon as a free action as part of a movement if your base attack bonus is +1 or higher. You'll have to draw a weapon next turn.
The goblin bobs excitedly on its branch as it readies another arrow and fires (free and standard actions, respectively), this time at Mirasha. It sings to itself in it's warbly, garbled, sing-song language, as it fights.
You're not sure what "bones-shanks" is supposed to mean. Goblins often refer to enemies by their "shanks," (the length of their legs). Most commonly, "long-shanks" refers to humanoid foes like elves and humans.
goblin's shortbow attack vs. Mirasha: 1d20 ⇒ 16
goblin's shortbow damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Your goblinoid opponent is turning out to be one hell of a sniper. His second shot grazes Mirasha's ribs. Attempting to disappear back into the foliage after each shot (using Stealth to hide with a -20 penalty for sniping).
[dice=goblin's "sniping" Stealth check]1d20-10[/dice]
Ansirus' Perception check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Brigitte's Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Mirasha's Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
mastodon’s Perception check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Sarn's Perception check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Thurgood's Perception check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Even Ansirus spots him, this time.
EDIT: Map updated.
Brigitte, Sarn, and Ricardo are next. I'll take a turn with the mastodon in a little while.
Sarn Yando |
Sarn moves up the bridge Move action to R,17 and consumes his extract of True strike. Standard action
Sarn shouts in goblin (Attempting to goad him into staying within sight)
Bones-Shanks? Dead people? No, doubtful goblins care about corpses. Unless...
"He has information we(I) need(want) if we can take him alive"
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Ricardo, trundles past Mirasha and Brigitte, coming to a halt in the heavy undergrowth at the base of the goblin's tree. Snuffling with determination, it rears back, intent perhaps on attacking the tree, or trying to walk up it.
Ricardo double moves to P12.
Seeming more insane than ever, the goblin bobs more animatedly upon it's branch. It blinks rapidly. After a moment, it yells back "I can hits her! And she can't hits ME! I can hits her, and hits her, and hits her! AHhahaHAhahA HA!"
The goblin's grin threatens to split it's face open.
Round 2
23 . . . Mirasha
17 . . . Ansirus
09 . . . Thurgood
07 . . . sniper
05 . . . Brigitte
04 . . . Ricardo
03 . . . Sarn
Ansirus, Mirasha, and Thurgood are next.
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Ansirus' ray nearly blasts the creature off of it's feet, halting the goblin's song with an abrupt fwoosh of flame. The little sniper staggers, blinks, and slumps against the base of the tree. He rambles in his muddy, squawking language.
The goblin is disabled.
The muttering trails off, and the goblin stares at his bow, blankly.
The party is awarded 135 xp; or 27 xp each.
Sarn Yando |
Have there been any reports in Sandpoint of skeletons or skeletal looking creatures recently?
Inspired Knowledge local: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 9 + (5) = 22
"Are any of you adept at gathering information from reluctant participants?"
Non lethal attack: 1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 20 - 4 = 27
Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 34
Non Lethal Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3
"If he survives the fall that is"
Abandoned Arts RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 |
In a burst of clean-but-sudden violence, Sarn's arrow seems to blossom from the goblin's thigh. The little humanoid's gaze shifts vacantly from his bow to the arrow sprouting from his thigh.
The goblin passes out, almost serenely, and falls onto his face with a soft thump. The branch supports his small frame, easily.
Since Sarn put him down with non-lethal damage, the goblin isn't bleeding out; he's stable.
Abandoned Arts RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32 |
Sarn Yando |
Sarn takes the rope and tosses it over the branch. After securing a loop and pulling the rope taut (as close to the trunk of the tree as possible) he begins his ascent.
"Once I reach the branch I am going to retie the rope to myself. I need at least one of you to lower us down. Gently"
Climb Check: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6
DC 5 for a regular rope with a bracing surface?