The piercing shriek of Belric's spell wakes Thaddeus out of a sound sleep. He lies awake for a second wondering if he heard thunder or if it was something more serious. Belric's alarm confirms the latter and Thaddeus rolls to his feet, hastily tugging on his boots and catching Jacques' eye in the process.
Thaddeus looks around. Seeing no immediate threat, he loads his crossbow, and motions to Edgar that he should do the same. "My first rule of waking to an alert: if there is time, load your crossbow!", he will say quietly.
He will peer into the darkness, straining his senses and waiting for more information. Thaddeus will stay behind Agathon but will move off to his right about 20', looking to take cover behind a tree or boulder if one is available.
The wolf explodes in gobbets of flesh. Belric detects no other targets at this time.
The rest of the party takes their actions as indicated. No one detects anything hostile or unusual. The sound lance echoes fade off the hilltops nearby.
Belric will scout about ready with his axe, while shouting out a warning of possible invisible enemies.
Holding a finger up to indicate that the others should both remain silent and where they are, Agathon will begin creeping toward the fake camp taking a route that is to the left and not directly toward the ‘camp’…
“Hmmm. Belric shouted something about ‘invisible enemies’. Pelor! Grant me stealth and vision enough to see what may be stalking us this night!” Agathon will think to himself…
As he angles away to come to the fake encampment from a direction other than the real camp (to better confuse whatever enemy may be lurking about), Agathon will take great care with each step and use the brush for what concealment there may be so as to keep himself as invisible as well as his wood craft will allow.
A Conceal Roll: +4 (Dex/prev), +9 (9th lvl), -5 (moving 1/4 spd and moving silent): (1d20+8=15)
A Move Silently Roll: +4 (Dex/Prev), +9 (9th lvl), -5 (1/4 spd concealing): (1d20+8=27)
Belric is in hex 04.08 (wooded hills)with Verlik.
The rest of the party is 02.06 (wooded hills).
Belric and Verlik detect the sound of movement, quite briefly, below their position in the same hex.
The rest of the party does not detect anything.
Agathon is able to move to hex 03.06 by the end of this 'frame' of action.
Agathon does not detect anything at this time.
Judging that he can now approach the fake camp without directly revealing the path to the real one, Agathon will forgo the attempts to slowly conceal himself as well as move silently and will proceed at a slightly quickened pace to Belric and Verlik’s position…
Tightening his grip upon the huge blade and being careful not to allow the metal to brush against the foliage as he silently stalks forward, Agathon will find pride and amazement at his own stealth…
”You have certainly come a long way from sneaking about the Gnolls Head in that squeaky scale mail, boy!”, he will think to himself as a lopsided grins begins to tug its way across his silent features…
A Move Silently roll: (1d20+13=29)
Thaddeus motions to Jacques, his mouth near the monk's ear. "I need to get within sixty or seventy yards of Belric. Then I can cast a message spell so they can tell us where the invisible creatures are without them hearing it".
The wizard will point in the general direction of 3.06 and 3.07, letting Jacques lead the way and pick the path. When he feels he is in range to Belric and Verlik, he will cast message on all party members in range.
For the benefit of those who have not operated with this spell before, if he has the chance to cast it, Thaddeus will whisper this introduction: "This is one of our standard spells. If you whisper, we can all hear what you say - but I must respond for you to be able to speak again, so keep the chatter to a minimum please. Belric and Verlik - as soon as you think you know where the invisible enemies are, please let me know through the spell and I will try to dispel their magicks."
Jaques nods in assent to Thaddeus words, and moves out in front of Thaddeus by 10', before motioning Thaddeus to follow. Jaques moves as stealthily as time will permit, for them to reach Belric and still be of assistance. Jaques stays attuned to any movements around them, not relying solely upon vision, ready to leap upon anything that approaches either himself or Thaddeus. A brief, strange, thought crosses his mind. You know, I'd look better for this job, if I wore a dark suit, tinted nightvision goggles, and a little wired earpiece to help transmit the message spells...
"Verlik, be a good lad and start throwing stones we might hit the sneaky coward"
Belric will take his own advice and sling his axe, pick up a handfull of pebbles and zing them out in a fan like pattern as much as he can seeing if any of them are stopped in mid air.
Belric and Verlik throw their pebbles, striking nothing. Something stirs in the bushes, however. Beyond the rocks, something skitters and they hear the sound of a claw scratching on rocks.
Verlik is able to string an arrow when three wolves bust out of the thickets and are among Belric and Verlik in seconds.
Initiative order: Verlik, Wolves, Belric
Verlik is able to fire off an arrow at one of the wolves, missing. "Sh*t!" he drops the bow and unslings his heavy mace.
Wolf #1 attacks Agathon and misses. He is big, ferocious and has a gleam in his eyes that looks intelligent.
Wolf #2 attacks Verlik, missing also. Wolf #3 tries to bite Verlik's achilles heel area, missing again.
Belric AC 25 HP 59/59
Belric thinks Ach invisible wolves? He pulls his waraxe and takes a swing at the smart One 1d20+8=13, 1d10+4=5
He yells out “We got doggies ‘ere!”
Hearing Belric cry his warning, Agathon will curse under his breath, "Blast! So much for sneaking up on them!"
Tightening his grip on the Great Sword further, he will forgo his efforts to be silent and will move to his maximum speed allowed in this terrain setting as he sets out toward Belric and Verlik's position (moving in the dark terrain, knowing the layout of the land after spending the time earlier to set noise traps and such, trying to get there as fast as possible without running himself into a tree or two in the process...).
"Pelor, make me swift!" He will pray silently as he dodges around a boulder narrowly avoiding twisting his ankle... Turning onto one of the many walking paths that lead to the mining area, he will put on his best speed leaping over one of the 'wires' (really just a piece of thin string) he set for one of his traps.
All his focus will be on movement to the battle and the terrain he must pass on the way there...
Initiative: Initiative (1d20+4=12)
If Thaddeus has not gotten to within range for the message spell (190'), he will advance into 3.06 following Agathon's path.
If he is in message range (including Belric and Verlik) he will cast and send the introductory message as previously posted.
Jaques moves along 10' ahead of Thaddeus, matching his speed. At this much slower rate than Jaques normal movement, he has time to be cautious and stealthy. He remains alert to attack anything that threatens himself or Thaddeus as they advance.
Initiative order now: Agathon, Verlik, the henchmen (I roll all their initiatives at once to keep it less complex), Jacques, Wolves, Thaddeus and Belric.
Agathon moves through the forested hills at as much of a rapid pace as he can manage. He is is 04.07 at the end of this round.
Verlik attacks a wolf with his mace, missing. The rest of the henchmen are in square 03.06, moving up at a combat ready trot.
The three wolves
Thaddeus and Jacques move up as well. It's too dark and the terrain too rough to see Belric and Verlik.
Wolf #1 attacks Belric, missing. Wolf #2 attacks Verlik, missing.
Wolf #3 is obviously alerted to the presence of more incoming opponents and moves away to the northwest about 30 feet, sniffing and giving forth a series of rapid piercing yips.
Belric misses.
Agathon will continue his dash through the woods... Listening as he moves, he will home in on the sounds of Belric and Verlik's combat...
As Agathon approaches the camp, he will pull a sun rod from his belt pouch and silently congratulate himself for having taken Jacques advice and actually attaching it to his weapons belt instead of trooping about with it on a separate lanyard...
"Like the man said, you never know when you will need it..."
Belric AC 25 HP 59/59
"DIE!" Belric yells out swinging his waraxe 1d20+8=26, 1d10+4=12
The feel of his axe biting into the wolf, brings a grin to his face "OVER 'ERE LADS"
I really should cast darkvision on Jacques and send him forward. He wouldn't go though; he'd insist on staying with me. Probably better that way with invisible foes about.
Thaddeus will continue to move towards the 'fake' camp and the sounds of combat at a trot, trying to follow in Agathon's path if he can see him or at least catch glimpses to know vaguely which way he went. Going the right way at a good speed and not tripping are more important than stealth.
Again, if he gets to within 190' of both Belric and Agathon, Thaddeus will cast message.
Moving forward matching Thaddeus's pace, Jaques peers into the gloom. He stretchs his hearing. Ears are the eyes of night
Agathon continues to move into the fight, making a lot of noise along the way. [ooc]Dex check to run at full speed in the dark. He arrives at the melee at the end of this round.
Verlik attacks wolf #2 with his heavy mace
Edgar hangs back with Thaddeus, obviously very apprehensive about the whole concept of battle in the dark forests. He has a death grip on his staff.
Garsh continues to jog up in a battlefield strut, his heavy crossbow loaded and his battleaxe loose in its frog on his back.
Jacques stays ahead of Thaddeus. for wisdom check to spot hidden threats. He spots nothing unusual
Wolf #1 attacks Belric Belric takes 6 pts of damage
Wolf #2 attacks Belric
Wolf #3 attacks Verlik
A previously unseen wolf creature, a bipedal thing with a wolf's head and lots of fur appears on Agathon's side and arc swings a massive halberd at him
Thaddeus jogs on. At the end of the round he can hear Belric up ahead and casts message on Belric and Agathon.
Belric's attack hits wolf#1. The creature yelps in pain, as the attack slices open an impressive wound.
So, at the end of the round, Thaddeus, Jacques, Edgar and Garsh are still a round out, but can hear the battle through the trees up ahead, probably about 70 feet away.
Agathon is in melee with a wolf man wielding a halberd. Belric and Verlik are next to each other fighting three wolves, about 30 feet from Agathon. The terrain is rough mixed forest hills. There is plenty of available terrain and foliage cover.
Agathon screeches to a halt as the axe blade of a halberd appears, as if from no where, in the air right in front of him. Hearing the grunt of frustration caused by the near miss, Agathon can now see his new foe.
Standing tall and lean, the Man-Wolf creature pivots and swings the great pole arm about for another strike its eyes glowing with the sheen of murder…
Agathon will strike the Sun Rod and drop it at his feet while simultaneously dropping the Great Sword of Dancing into the air to attack.
Whirling in place and moving inside his opponent’s attack as the great blade does its wondrous magic, Agathon will pull both his Battle Axe and his Keen Short Sword Attacking with them as well. Spinning in place, he will drag both weapons across his foes front . Feeling his own power here in his natural element, Agathon will allow a tight grin to appear on his features…
Belric grunts off the slight discomfort of the wolf’s slavering attack. How’d the darn beastie get under ma shield that quickly?
He takes a step back trying to get back to back with Verlik and yells out “Moradin, let ye Holy Forge light up our enemies so that we may smite ‘em!”
The clear pure white light bathes the area around Belric and Velrik revealing the enemy and showing their position for the others.
Thaddeus sees the flare of Agathon's sun rod up ahead, and hears Belric curse and begin to chant. Through the message spell: "The fight is joined! Hope you left something for us!"
The wizard will then cast mage armor. Otherwise he will watch and develop situational awareness.
Turning to Edgar: "There are times when we are called upon to act immediately, and times when we should first enhance our defensive posture. All identified foes are in melee. It seems to go well for our side, but there are likely invisible foes that are not accounted for. Thus at this moment, I believe the correct course of action is to cast a long-lasting defensive spell and wait for more information. Bear in mind that spellcasters are priority targets, and as soon as we cast offensive spells, we paint a target on our heads. Painful as it may be for our friends, sometimes it is best to wait for the enemy spellcasters to identify themselves."
I made a mistake. Belric did not get hit. I was looking at the wrong PC sheet for his AC.
Jaques holds position with the spell casters, ready to respond against any new opponent that reveals themself. When they attack our mages, they won't be expecting fast footed physical counterattack. Jaques grins fiercely in anticipation.
Agathon attacks the possible werewolf and his dancing sword and battleaxe hit. The creature gives forth an ungodly howl and drops to the ground, unmoving. Verlik misses. Jacques takes his action.
The remaining wolves flee the fight, bounding into darkness, yelping.
As his foe hits the ground, Agathon will stand very still and listen intently to the sounds of his surroundings. He smiles as Belric shouts something nearly incomprehensible (but warrior spirited) at the fleeing wolf-men. He closes his eyes and tries to focus on the direction the yelping creatures are taking in their haste to flee the combat.
As their sounds fade quickly into the night, Agathon will return his weapons to his belt, snatch the hovering Great Sword from the air and crouch down to examine the foot prints of his foe in the dirt and undergrowth. “Is everyone all right?” He will call out to his compatriots. “Come hither! But, be of caution! Do not step on their tracks! And be wary of further attack. I killed one and have his body here!”
While awaiting everyone’s arrival, he will use the sun rod to light the ground and being very careful not to touch his foe or the ground on which it stood moments before, he will memorize these impressions.
As the others arrive at his position, Agathon will caution them all to remain at a short distance while he takes a few moments to ‘back track’ the creature to familiarize himself with the impressions he made in the undergrowth as he hid and then ambushed Agathon.
After doing so, he will check to ensure that all are well and will address the group…
“Sir Belric,” Agathon will address the priest formally. “I can track these beasts. Perhaps we might eradicate their existence from your lands this night. As master of this place, the decision is yours. How shall we proceed?…”
“This one has cleverly disguised his tracks making it nearly impossible to follow his foot treads back to their lair. I must examine the tracks of the others to see if in their haste to flee they perhaps were not so clever…” Turning to Belric, he will declare: “Sir Belric,” “If I can track these beasts, perhaps we might eradicate their existence from your lands this night. As master of this place, the decision is yours. How shall we proceed?…”
The rest of the night is uneventful. Distant howling keeps you on edge, but you are not attacked further.
The wolfman's halberd is a +1 magical weapon, upon further evaluation.
A party post about how you all want to proceed is what's needed.
Don't make it too complex.
Belric thinks things through for a bare moment before concurring with the rest of the group that these beasts must be destroyed.
Before another word can be spoken, a transformation begins to take place. Agathon takes a step back in shock and is immediately grateful his blush is hidden in the shadows as the other veterans stand fast before the strange sight befalling the group.
On the ground the wolf man's body begins to deform and grow lighter in color. By the jaundiced light of the sun rod burning a few feet away, the hair begins to recede, the long claws pull back into its hands in fits and jerks, the chest gets smaller and with a final spasm, before them lies the cut up body of a human man. His unkept and blood soaked hair obscuring his features, Agathon is struck with a sudden sense of pity for the poor man that he has killed.
Once the prayers are done, Agathon will scout the site to pick up the locations of the main trail of both this individual and those that were fighting Verlik and the priest. Once satisfied that he can once again find these prints by daylight, Agathon will report this to Thaddeus.
The wizard will advise all to return to the watch and to sleep so that we might be fresh at dawn to pick up the trail and find the lair of these Lycans.
Forgoing the fake camp for the remainder of the evening and despite the order to sleep, the newest members of the band can not help but remain awake and discuss in low tones the adventure of the night with Verlik the central figure. Finally an hour before the sun rise, Thaddeus has had enough and provides just the admonishment necessary to quiet the conversation and to allow all to go either back to sleep or at least to rest quietly with their thoughts of the hunt coming...
You track the wolves for a few hundred yards before the trail goes cold, but it leads in the general direction of the abandoned mines in the area. Moving with caution, the party approaches a clearing that has paths leading up to the mines leading from it. Crude wooden huts and tents dot the clearing. From about 100 yards away and concealed among the fern and trees, you can see that there are a couple of longbow armed humans on guard duty and there are children playing and women and older men working among the huts and tents. There are chickens, deer carcasses and a about a half dozen very large wolves scattered about. The wolves are releaxed but several of them sniff the air at times.
These folks are on your land.
Jaques looks on at the tabeau with consternation. A village of people infected with contagious Lycanthropy. A ruler with little conscience would simply eradicate plague exposed, to stop the spread. Why are the nasty solutions so easy? He then cocks his head sideways, staring at the ground. Struck by a thought, he turns to Thaddeus. "Where would vagabond lycanthropes get a uniform supply of magical Halberds? There may be more to this".
Belric addresses his fellow nobles “Ach these puir fowk are here tae get away from the troubles o the war” He pauses taking in the others’ attitudes, “Ma take on it tis that this be ma land and as the Laird tis ma responsibility tae see thair intentions”
Seeing that all are in agreement, he will lead on his horse to the village telling the hirelings to stay back and keep an eye out for any sign of any threat.
“Hallo the Village” Belric will yell out “I am Sir Belric Silveraxe, my fellow knights and I wish to speak with whoever is in charge”
[ooc] GM Note, Thaddeus has mage armor and protection from normal missiles up, Jaques will be hanging back a bit ready to leap off his horse and knock any missiles out of the air. Agathon will try to appear noble and keep his lopsided grin off of his face.
If the leader is willing to talk Belric will explain on how he wants to meet with them and explain his position and weigh their intentions. He plans on giving them a choice of swearing fealty to stay on his land with the possibility of owning land. He will first want to see what kind of people they are and whether or not they are lawful in their nature. If they satisfy his judgement and swear fealty he will let them stay. He thinks that the process will take about 3 days, while he sets up a temporary heirachy of authority appointing a headman/woman, listening to their wishes and leaving them to get things going. He will explain that he will help pay for supplies to start a proper village.
If things go south the party will respond to your post individually.
When Belric reveals himself, the guards ready their longbows (not drawing them yet) and call for someone named "Mettara!"
You note that two of the wolves disappear into the woods at the back of the camp, while another two take up flanking positions and seek cover near some of the huts.
The women hustle the kids into the huts, while several of them also position themselves near bows leaning against some of the huts.
"Mettara" arrives within a few seconds. He's a burly man wearing leather armor and carrying a massive club. He stands off about 50 feet and listens to Belric's claims of being their liege lord.
"I don't know what mushrooms you've been eating dwarf, but this is our land. The Count of Knurl hasn't been this way in many years and we've settled this land now. We hunt and fish and raise our children here. We want no trouble with anyone. We want to be left alone."
Belric will stare at the man for a bit, then in an even tone, “I have let ye know aboot the changes tae come, so when they do ye will either be an asset or be a brief problem, so hae a good day tae ye and yours”
Belric and the others will move back to the mines to explore for the day before making another camp in a different location though with similar but not exactly the same preparations for security.
Leaving the camp behind, the party approaches the abandoned mines. Mining equipment and debris is scattered all around the entrances. As you check the exterior for signs of intruders, three men wearing studded leather armor, heavy crossbows, battleaxes and torches emerge from one of the mine shafts.
A brief discussion with them reveals that they are from the same camp and searching the mines for scavengable items.
One of them, Garin, seems a bit more approachable and reveals that the camp's leader's name is Yurzag and that many of them are reformed bandits and outlaws who sought a new life away from strife so their children might be able to grow up. He admits they've had mixed results.
Upon hearing that Belric is the new appointed lord of the land, Garin states that he and the others will talk to Yurzag and discuss the implications. Garin says that they figured this day was inevitable, especially after hearing of the defeat dealt to the Bone March forces in the siege of Knurl.
Thaddeus will listen attentively, letting Belric do most of the talking initially. When it is becoming clear the dwarf is ready to end the conversation he will nudge Agathon. "Invite them to stay and have lunch with us", he will murmur to the larger man. They must know something of the local area, these hills and mines. I need more time to get the information out of them!
Over lunch, Thaddeus will begin with asking Garin questions about what kinds of interesting things they have found during their scavenging excursions, being certain to compliment their resourcefulness. That would lead to further questions about what their settlement might want in trade and what skilled tradesmen (if any) live in the settlement. Finally he will pull out the map of the fiefdom he has been working from. "Most of what we are doing out here is the simple gathering of information - an inventory, if you will, of what is in Sir Belric's lands. Since you live here and range about looking for scavengeable goods, I'm sure there is much you can tell us about the surrounding area. For example" - Thaddeus points to a place on he map - "can you tell me if Farhand's Bridge still stands?". He will continue asking questions about roads, trails, bridges, mines, monsters, terrain features, and so on as long as they will answer. Thaddeus will also make sure their mugs are kept reasonably full of wine, ale, or whatever other tongue-loosening substances we have with us.
When it is finally time to part ways, Thaddeus will urgently whisper something to Jacques, then deliver a friendly warning to the men. "I thought you should know that last night we were attacked by a werewolf and a couple of wolves. The wolves at your own camp seemed particularly well trained, and you yourselves seem stout and well armed, but I would counsel vigilance nonetheless."
On cue, Jacques will interject, "It is a pity that the afflicted must live that way."
Thaddeus nods. "Yes, especially when there are those such as us who can at least give the afflicted a chance to be cured and live normally again. Be at peace, gentlemen, and we hope to see you again."
A party discussion of what was just learned will then ensue, with the eventual decision to perform a quick inspection of the mine. We will determine how much equipment is left, what condition the tunnels are in, and if possible, what was mined there and what it might take to restore the mine to production. Thaddeus and Belric will both take notes on these subjects.
We will then spend 3-4 days in a patrol of Belric's lands to check on the accuracy of the information Garin provided to us. The search will focus on infrastructure and production items, as well as locating population - both friendly and hostile.
Thaddeus will attempt to gather information on these guys. He has CHA as a prime stat at +2 and has a +2 cloak of charisma. He is trying to get information both about their settlement and the surrounding area.
He will also attempt diplomacy on Garin and the other two. Thaddeus wants to plant the idea that we are powerful and friendly, and willing to at least try to cure those afflicted with lycanthropy rather than kill them outright.
The party will make a brief inspection of the mine to gather information pertaining to how serviceable it is and what would be required to restore it to production. If we don't know ourselves then at least we have information to give to an expert when we find one.
Finally, the party will spend 3-4 days patrolling Belric's lands in a general survey of infrastructure and population. Night camp SOP is per this post.
CHA check
Spectacular success! Your plan with the interjection by Jacques works very well and Garin spills the beans.
Mettara and Yurzag are the leaders of their clan, which are mostly refugees from the Bone March and the lands of Knurl that fell under humanoid sway. Many of the men in the group are wanted for petty crimes in various jurisdictions, or had no skill or money to make a living behind the protective walls of one of the nearby cities.
Garin suspects that Mettara and Yurzag and several other men in the group are werewolves. Mettara and Yurzag are not cruel and treat the clan members well, but they are despots and assert their will through force.
The hints about possibly curing the lycanthropy brings "significant looks" from the scavenging party.
Garin says that the clan members would love to stay on this land and become normal citizens again if given a chance. He is not sure about Mettara and Yurzag and their immediate followers, but he knows they don't want to fight unnecessarily.
Your checks of the mines, with Belric's knowledge, reveal that they will need significant work to get them productive again, many having collapsed in numerous places.
A survey of the land reveals much devastation, destroyed farmsteads, spoils of war. It will take a couple of years, maybe longer, to begin settling the land effectively again. The clan of 40-50 refugees you found would be a great boon to kick start that process.
At night, nothing unusual happens. Some wildlife sniffs about.
The original four companions sit around a small campfire. The day's explorations are complete; in fact the party's survey of the steading of Darzog has been completed over the last few days. The followers are away on guard duty or tending to their own business as the 'old hands' settle on a way forward.
Agathon argues passionately that the lycanthropes must be dealt with immediately - cured or killed is no matter - and that the rest of the settlement could be relocated to the nearby ruined farmsteads. In this way the reclaiming of the Bone March could begin.
Thaddeus agrees (less passionately), pointing out that it is barely past Midsummer. If the settlement moved now they would have time to patch up the farmsteads, hunt and gather enough food to get them through the winter, and possibly even bring in a late vegetable crop.
Belric firmly declines these courses of action and insists we continue exploring the other steadings. "Lads, we hae mooch to learn yet aboot our lands. I'll nae risk us spillin' blood o'er this lot just yet. They'll still be here in a moonth or e'en next spring. There be nae call tae rush in! Ye bairns should learn some patience!"
Thaddeus and Agathon exchange unhappy looks. Agathon makes another attempt to convince Belric, but Jacques chimes in. "This is his fiefdom. When we're out in the wilderness a group consensus makes sense. But here, in Darzog, Belric is the lord of the land." The wizard thinks a moment, nods, and leans forward to stir the stew. Agathon senses the shift and falls silent, poking at the fire. Belric inclines his tankard ever so slightly at Jacques in salute.
"So...on to Ferin then?", Thaddeus will ask the group, receiving assents in reply.
DM Summary 2: here is the watch list again (so you don't have to go hunt for it in previous postings):
1st watch
Thaddeus, Edgar, Jacques
2nd watch
Agathon, Garsh
3rd watch
Belric, Idnae,Verlik
17 Reaping CY 577--party sets off on the approximately 20 mile overland trip west to the holding of Ferin, centered around a fishing village. Rain lashes them on the trip, making progress very slow. By nightfall, only a couple of miles seperate them from the mines.
As you are making camp, Jacques and Agathon spot a very large troll loping at the party from the north.
Your campsite was being set up in a copse of dense trees with a small clearing on the inside. Around you is broken terrain with a fairly steep slope down to the west. Trees and bushes give plenty of potential cover, but there are only a few spots dense enough to conceal completely.
Seeing the troll running toward the party, Agathon will drop the hammer he was using to help erect the lean-to to provide a dry shelter for the gear and move to interpose himself in the Troll’s path.
Pulling both his Great Sword and his Battle Axe (intending to drop the dancing weapon and pull the Short Sword once engaged), he will shout to the others, “Verlik! Garsh! Get on either side of the camp to protect the wizards! Someone prepare fire to burn the troll!”
Leaving the remaining tactical disposition of the group to Thaddeus and the others, Agathon will calm himself and prepare his mind for the coming battle…
“Pelor! Allow me to shine your light even here beneath these blocking clouds. Make me your hammer to strike down this foul beast!” He will grin with this silent prayer as he unconsciously tightens his grip on his axe…
Annoyed by the lashing rain and tired out from the journey, Thaddeus fumbles in his spell component pouch for the chip of limestone he needs to cast his spell. "At least I won't have to worry about water", he mutters to no one in particular. Hearing Agathon's shouted alarm, his fingers close on the chip of stone and grip it tightly, the sharp edges cutting his fingers. The pain and the alert bring his mind into focus.
It can't be just one troll to attack a group this size. There must be more. The horses will spook and run off, maybe breaking a leg in the process. I wonder if there is a secure stable spell? Fire will be difficult in this weather. Acid might wash off too. I wonder if the trolls are intelligent enough to know that the rain favors them?
"Bring the animals to me!", he shouts. "Semicircle centered on Agathon! There are sure to be more trolls! We will have fire for you in a moment!"
Thaddeus casts his spell, making the motions of hammering and building, intoning words that are oddly reminiscent of a dwarvish work song. With a great cracking sound, the secure shelter sprouts into being, an unseen servant within.
"Edgar - light spell inside the building", Thaddeus commands. "Then start pushing the furniture up against the walls. We'll keep the horses in there during the battle."
He then reaches into a belt pouch, recognizing a vial by feel. He hands the store an item vial to the unseen servant. "Take this to the fireplace and open it nearby. Then build a fire in the fireplace." The invisible servant silently obeys, and a neat stack of firewood with smaller piles of tinder and kindling spring into existence.
Thaddeus will then help push furniture up against the walls, clearing floor space. He and Edgar will guide the animals into the secure shelter, looking for torches on the pack animals and tossing them in a corner near the fireplace.
Initiative roll: Initiative (1d20+5=22)
Belric AC 25 HP 59 Current spell up Bless +1 to hit +1 to Fear
Garn AC 19 HP 27 current spell up bless +1 to hit +1 to fear
Belric's Initiative
Initiative (1d10=6)
InitiativeGarn's (1d10=7)
Belric will look up at Agathon’s warning, wipe the water from his brow and look about “Lads be ready tae receive ma Lord Moradin’s Blessing upon us” Belric will brandish his holy symbol, while absorbing Master Thaddeus’s wise counsel.
Aye trolls are mooch like rats, find one thar moost be moore aboot. Agathon be a good lad always thinking o protecting others, while putting hiself intae thae path o pain
Belric prays aloud: Moradin ma Lord bless ma fine bonnie lads in this time of slaying o evil, bring us ye boon tae slay thae evil beastie
Belric’s holy symbol flares with eldritch light washing over all! The feeling of confidence fills all, banishing any minor fears or trepidations of facing combat flee in Moradin’s blessings.
“GARSH! Bring ye weapon tae me! Garsh will stomp up to Belric, look at him with some curiosity, “What? We got a troll acomming and ye want tae talk? Are ye daf…” Belric’s slap against Garn’s battle axe shuts him up as the crunching of glass reaches his hairy ears. Belric grins at Garsh “Shut ye trap I just enchanted ye weapon ye boob! Now go stand the line and prove ye worth!”
CK Summary: Knowing the troll is 300 feet away, Belric casts Bless which has no area of effect just affects all allies (as per C&C PHB pg 69) who now have +1 to hit and +1 saves to fear for 9 turns.
Belric used one of his magic oils of magic weapon on Garsh’s Battle axe giving him and an additional +1 to hit and damage for 1 minute.
Telling Garsh to stand the line will be up to you O Great CK to determine based on his Int of 10 and Wis of 12
Hearing Thaddeus call for light, Jacques hastily averts his gaze to protect his night vision. He motions to Idnae to keep watch on the 'back' side of the formation, the side of the wizards opposite the forming line.
Jacques takes up a position between the front line and the wizards, steadying his breathing and reaching out with his senses.
Initiative order: Thaddeus (Edgar), Jaques (Idnae), Agathon (Verlik), Bad guy(s), Belric (Garsh)
Thaddeus yells at Edgar to bring the animals to him.
Jacques and Idnae position as indicated (see the map in google docs)
Agathon runs up as indicated and Verlik lights a torch.
The troll stops and scans the party. Another one is loping up behind him.
Belric and Garsh complete their actions as indicated.
Seeing the troll stop, Agathon will notice that he has moved too far from the camp in his haste to meet the Troll head on. While the large beast hesitates, Agathon will back up so as to fall into a proper defensive line with his comrades. A puzzled look appears on his face until he finally sees the second troll appear from the rain...
"Aha! It is a group and the leader is just waiting for them to form up..." Agathon will think to himself...
"Form up and defend the wizards! There are more trolls!", he will say loudly over his shoulders not allowing his eyes to leave the dark pits of the lead troll's own eyes...
Once in place, Agathon will take a deep breath and lean forward a bit to ready himself for a possible charge by the trolls.
A second troll? Not unexpected. I wonder how many more there will be? And from which direction? While trolls are stupid, they are possessed of an insightful cunning. Better hurry.
Thaddeus casts his spell, making the motions of hammering and building, intoning words that are oddly reminiscent of a dwarvish work song. With a great cracking sound, the secure shelter sprouts into being, an unseen servant within.
If Thaddeus has action remaining, he will hand a store an item vial to theunseen servant and give instructions: "Take this to the fireplace and open it nearby. Then build a fire in the fireplace."
Edgar will continue gathering up the animals. If he is done and has action left, he will cast light inside the secure shelter.
Trolls, do they travel in packs like wolves? Not sure, but I’ll crisp up the first tae get intae ma range for some fire from Moradin’s Forge
Jaques assumes a fighting position, preparing for the onslaught of an unknown number of trolls. He rolls his shoulders and forces a relaxed, looseness, into his muscles and bones. Lowering his chin, he shakes his head quickly side to side, shaking loose the water droplets that were hanging from his brow, prepared to drip into his eyes. It's disturbing, trying to fight in this traveling cloak, dripping with rain. I wonder if there are trolls approaching from other sides, we can't hear because of the rain? He readies himself for attack from any direction, and waits for an attack, or a tactical suggestion from Thaddeus, the groups center...
Thaddeus casts his spell and hands the vial to the unseen servant.
Edgar gathers up the animals.
Jacques readies himself. Idnae moves to the left of Edgar (see map).
Agathon readies himself. Verlik moves next to him.
Troll #1 and #2 move up slowly. Belric fires off his flame strike spell on troll #1 and immediately realizes that something isn't right. The troll doesn't react quite right. Belric and Idnae yell almost simultaneously.
"Illusion!!"
A black dragon appears on the ridge east of you, breathing caustic acid on Verlik and Agathon. Everyone feels intense fear shaking through their bodies. Verlik makes his DEX save, but is severely injured by the acid. He goes down, bu scrambles back up to get away from the dragon as fast as he can (next round).
Agathon's save means he only takes 15 points of damage from the acid. His CHA save fails and he is shaken for 15 rounds (-2 on all attack, damage, attribute checks, saving throws).
Jacques CHA save fails to beat the 27 needed
Belric's CHA save fails to beat the 27 needed
Thaddeus CHA save fails to beat the 21 needed
You are all shaken. Idnae, Edgar and Garsh (and all the animals) flee in abject terror--next round
The trolls disappear.