Upon hearing others approach the hairs on the back of Gan's neck stand up.Perhaps this is whomever this blasted trap belongs to coming to collect their kill. They should have another thing coming if they would like to take Smoke and I.
With both grace and speed a katana is brandished from its scabard and Gan readies himself for whomever approaches.
"Speak now and let me know thou art friend and I shall not pierxe your heart this instant."
Gan patiently awaits a reply all the while with his free hand stroking the nose of his beloved stallion trying to calm him.
Handle Animal:
In hushed tones:
"Come Smoke you and I have seen much my friend. You are the last that I can truly call friend and could not bear to loose you as well. Settle lest some trapper think he has a prized beast to kill and skin. I swear to you old friend that I will get you out of this."
Can I get a quick look? He moves up and asks for the looking glass.
Perception: 1d20+10
Yikes! Thought you were gone for the nigth... Hermia is currently playing out your character. You are back by her as the rest of the party advances. Currently you are on foot, off your horse, weapons are ready in case it is a trap, with Hermia leading your horses behind you as best you can.
Your Perception check via the spyglass earlier would have revealed a single humanoid trying to steady and keep in check a kicking and bucking horse who is trashing about madly. You cannot see any features, but it is a "humanoid" creature and it is definetely a horse... However, you notice the horse, for all it's movements, does not seem to be moving from a single point... almost as if he is bound.
That said, you are moving with caution and on point. What is your current movement speed, and please make a perception check.
In hushed tones:
"Come Smoke you and I have seen much my friend. You are the last that I can truly call friend and could not bear to loose you as well. Settle lest some trapper think he has a prized beast to kill and skin. I swear to you old friend that I will get you out of this."
Yes... but I still need a perception check, please, for when you are following in the woods. Also, what is your current movement speed?
Edit:
Perception:
20
In hushed tones:
"Come Smoke you and I have seen much my friend. You are the last that I can truly call friend and could not bear to loose you as well. Settle lest some trapper think he has a prized beast to kill and skin. I swear to you old friend that I will get you out of this."
Perception:
20
Very good. Then the horse will move at your speed, and you are now about ten to fifteen feet (roughly) in front of Hermia. As you begin to advance, the horse on your farthest left flank steps somewhere farther from the path.
It lets out a shriek, goes bucking and jerks on the reigns harshly. Looking back suddenly, the entire party can hear the horse, though everyone else is about 100 feet ahead of Smendor at this point staying on the path itself.
The horse is still bucking and kicking, and has taken...
damage. The other horses are panicked, and I need Puck to make a Handle Animal Check. Hermia, if you are riding you can use a ride check untrained. You will have a massive bonus due to the quality of your horse, but it needs to be done.
At this time, everyone in the group is free to do something to assist.
What will it be...
In hushed tones:
"Come Smoke you and I have seen much my friend. You are the last that I can truly call friend and could not bear to loose you as well. Settle lest some trapper think he has a prized beast to kill and skin. I swear to you old friend that I will get you out of this."
Perception:1d20+7
At this point you suddenly hear a loud cry... like another horse... shrieking out and whinnying... it sounds like it is in the same condition as your own... Maybe about a mile or two south of you, down the same animal track... However, even as you look that way, you spare another glance at your own mount and see the look in its eyes... Foam on its lips and flanks, and desperation that you do something to save it!
Puck's Handle Animal Check:
Hermia's untrained Ride Check:
Perception to look around for an object to use as leverage.
In hushed tones:
"You have seen me through many battles I will not let you die here, but you must calm yourself. Remember the calmness of the forests where we used to ride. Hush boy..."
Handle Animal:
Upon hearing the other horse and seeing the look in Smoke's eyes Gan knows something must be done now.
Strength check to open trap.
Smendor goes back to the horse to check things out.
He also puts two and two together and start leading the horses back up the hill. There is something in this valley that is giving them a spook.
Puck's Handle Animal Check: 1d20 + 4
Hermia's untrained Ride Check: 1d20 + 1
You keep your seat with some ease... your mount is fairly stable, his chief problem is the tugging on the saddle by the other mounts who are jerking on their reigns at the sound of the other horse that is screaming.
Puck's in a tight spot... he manages to stabalize the one closet to him... (Smendor's own horse) and one more... but three others run off through the woods...
As these three go charging off through the massive underbrush, in moments you hear the sound of shriek and a whinny... another horse is now in the same position even as the last two horse are charging off through the trees.
This horse takes damage.
The remaining two horses are under your control, and your own mount is assisting (with Puck's help) in keeping them from bolting... but it could be close! Smendor, what are you doing???
Smendor goes back to the horse to check things out.
He also puts two and two together and start leading the horses back up the hill. There is something in this valley that is giving them a spook.
Sorry, the post I made below happened as a result of Hermia's/Pucks Handle Animal Check, as the animals were fanned out behind her in the underbrush... However, you are directly in range to help her with the remaining horses, or you could go charging off after the others.
What's the plan?
Alaric looks back to see what is going on with Smendor's horse. If he cannot see it and others look to be helping Alaric will continue down to the man with the horse in distress.
We have no quarrel with you sir. Sheathe your sword and we can talk and perhaps help you free your horse. Alaric is staying a good distance away until the man puts up his blade.
"Stand or flee, Master Smendor?" Hermia inquires. "Me and mine ride with you."
Perception to look around for an object to use as leverage.
1d20+7
In hushed tones:
"You have seen me through many battles I will not let you die here, but you must calm yourself. Remember the calmness of the forests where we used to ride. Hush boy..."
Handle Animal:
1d20+7
Upon hearing the other horse and seeing the look in Smoke's eyes Gan knows something must be done now.
Strength check to open trap.
1d20+1
You find a sturdy piece of oak wood, a fallen branch... But even as you try it, it fails to pry open the lock...you don't have the Strength for it! However, your mount is now calming... he has taken
for the first hit
and has taken an ADDITIONAL during his struggles... Make sure to keep track of HP at this time... It will matter, as you know doubt are aware. But as long as Smoke is not struggling, he will not incur any more damage. So keep up the Handle Animal checks.
Alaric looks back to see what is going on with Smendor's horse. If he cannot see it and others look to be helping Alaric will continue down to the man with the horse in distress.
We have no quarrel with you sir. Sheathe your sword and we can talk and perhaps help you free your horse. Alaric is staying a good distance away until the man puts up his blade.
Grrr... sorry, that dude is like a mile down the path... remember, you saw him with the spyglass, and were riding TO him... you didn't get there... you are currently 100 feet in front of Smendor and Hermia... and there is terrible noises of pain and shrieking behind you...
Brett is on point, can I get the marching order for the rest of you?
Alaric looks back to see what is going on with Smendor's horse. If he cannot see it and others look to be helping Alaric will continue down to the man with the horse in distress.
We have no quarrel with you sir. Sheathe your sword and we can talk and perhaps help you free your horse. Alaric is staying a good distance away until the man puts up his blade.
Grrr... sorry, that dude is like a mile down the path... remember, you saw him with the spyglass, and were riding TO him... you didn't get there... you are currently 100 feet in front of Smendor and Hermia... and there is terrible noises of pain and shrieking behind you...
Brett is on point, can I get the marching order for the rest of you?
Alaric seeing that he is much too far from the man to be heard, and thinking himself a fool for trying to talk over such a vast distance, goes to help with Smendor's horses. Alaric will attempt to grab the reigns of the nearest horse and wrap it around the pommel of his saddle in order to keep the animal from fleeing.
Ry turns around and hears their party's panicked horses. She tosses up her desire to help the horse ahead of her or do something to aid her three companions with the horses further behind. Ry nudges Tal with her knees and turns him/them around, galloping hard toward the bucking and shrieking horse.
Smendor runs over to the horse that is hurt, and hold it down as best he can.
Handle Animal:
Ry jumps off Tal and commands her horse to stay.
Tal stays put as commanded.
Now with purpose, Ry strides toward the bucking and injured horse. She draws cautiously so as to not be hit by the frightened horses hooves. She reaches within 30 feet and begins speaking to the horse in a calm and soothing voice,
"Whoa, my noble friend. I want to help, I can help, if you will allow it. Be calm, peace, I mean you no further harm." Ry does not look the horse directly in the eye but is within distance to study him and he her. Her arms are relaxed at her side so not to spook him further. She uses a soothing, calm voice again.
Alaric looks over at the horse near him. They are shrieking and bucking madly... he sees the horse on the left flank bucking in position, and another horse about 20 feet away also bucking...
(at this point Smendor's horse, Hermia's horse, and one other are there... two horse have bolted into the woods, and two horses have remained stationary though they are bucking)...
He raises his hand... pauses, waits... and then...
A magical glow rises from his fingers and the horses suddenly halt in their bucking and collapse down to the ground, as if in sleep...
Yet even as they reach the ground they will both take another bit of damage...
Smendor runs over to the horse that is hurt, and hold it down as best he can.
Handle Animal: 1d20+0
You can see right away... there, in the center of the foreleg is a thick metal claw that is surrounding the beast's animal. It is clear it is an animal trap. This is a place that has many trackers and hunters... doubtless the poor horse stepped into some sort of large bear track... yet even as you guess this you assume that others are in the same prediciment.
How many of these things does a fool huntsman need!
But the horse is bleeding badly and its leg is broken badly.
Ry jumps off Tal and commands her horse to stay.
Tal stays put as commanded.
Now with purpose, Ry strides toward the bucking and injured horse. She draws cautiously so as to not be hit by the frightened horses hooves. She reaches within 30 feet and begins speaking to the horse in a calm and soothing voice,
"Whoa, my noble friend. I want to help, I can help, if you will allow it. Be calm, peace, I mean you no further harm." Ry does not look the horse directly in the eye but is within distance to study him and he her. Her arms are relaxed at her side so not to spook him further. She uses a soothing, calm voice again.
The horse has fallen under the sleep spell.. but you are able to steady it. somewhat and as it falls to the ground you move the trap and allows the beast to fall without any issue.
The other horses have gone charging into the wilds... where? You cannot say...
Brett dismounts and lashes Stybba's reigns to a tree, then does the same with his second pack horse.
He draws his pistols and moves into the underbrush and starts to advance slowly with stealth on whoever was down the path... He is moving relatively quickly, and at this speed should be moving down quickly, though with stealth, on this new person...
Stealth Check
Yes, with handle animal it has been lowered to the ground, akwardly, though with your hardy strength it is not too hard. But around the leg of the horse is a heavy bear trap. You would guess a cunning rouge could disarm the trap... maybe... or you could simply go about the business of trying to pry it off with a Strength Check.
Ry slides her hand gently along the sleeping horse's flank and leg to determine how badly hurt he is.
Still whispering and stroking Smoke's nose:
"Good boy, just think one day you and I shall once again run in forests. I hear others and should they be friend I am sure we will get you out swiftly, my friend. Now stay calm and don't buck as I look at the wound to see if I can do anything for you now."
Heal:
Handle Animal:
Perception:
Hermia quickly surveys the confusion all around them. This is what they wanted! her mind seethes. The party spread thin, cover all about us... likely archers hidden in the trees, just waiting for the opportunity to strike!
"EVERYONE, rally to me!" she shouts, loud enough to be heard over the din. "NOW!"
Ry slides her hand gently along the sleeping horse's flank and leg to determine how badly hurt he is.
Hurt bad... as is the other... a healing spell could bring ease their suffering, but it would do little good until you pried the trap from it. Because if the horse was healed, then awoke, it would end up kicking and doing the same thing as before...
Currently everyone is standing next to the horse, except for Brett and his horse... who are gone... They are all in about twenty feet of each other at this point...
Ry slides her hand gently along the sleeping horse's flank and leg to determine how badly hurt he is.
Hurt bad... as is the other... a healing spell could bring ease their suffering, but it would do little good until you pried the trap from it. Because if the horse was healed, then awoke, it would end up kicking and doing the same thing as before...
Currently everyone is standing next to the horse, except for Brett and his horse... who are gone... They are all in about twenty feet of each other at this point...
"Smendor, I can aid you in prying this trap off his leg, if you are open to it. We need to remove it before I can attempt to heal him."
Semndor calmly speaking back over his should,"Hobble all the animals there are bloody bear traps all over this blasted area.
Looking back again, "Hermia or Ariarh this one will need your help keep it calm while I run and get Gideons's crowbar. I do not think this one will last long like this it may be best to see if you can heal it.
Currently everyone was already standing less then fifteen feet from you, except for Brett who is far down the woody track; and the other two horses who have run off into the woods.
Three of the horses (your own, Smendors, and one of Smendor's pack horses) are fine. Two are sleeping, and wounded, and Ariarh is trying help Smendor get the claws of the trap off the horse. Meantime, Alaric, looking concerned, has taken his horse and Ariarh's and is tying them to trees so they don't run off.
Seeing everyone doing whatever it is that they believe is more important than defending themselves from a probable attack - Hermia yells: "Archers in the tree line! Stand and defend yourselves from attack!"
Semndor calmly speaking back over his should,"Hobble all the animals there are bloody bear traps all over this blasted area.
Looking back again, "Hermia or Ariarh this one will need your help keep it calm while I run and get Gideons's crowbar. I do not think this one will last long like this it may be best to see if you can heal it.
"He's still sleeping right now, Smendor, but I will keep an eye on him whilst you go get the crowbar, in case he wakes and fusses."
Before just jumping into the trap Smendor looks things over to see what the best method would be to remove the trap.
Perception:
Wisdom:
Int:
And lastly he makes his move with an STR check to remove the trap.
STR:
Ry looks up at Hermia confused and asks,
"Archers? What archers?" Whereupon she quickly scans the trees in close proximity to her as she keeps her hand put on the sleeping horse's flank as she waits for Smendor to return with a crowbar.
Upon hearing Hermia yell Gan unsheathes his katana. Still consoling Smoke with one hand.
[b]"Who be this here now
Speak friend or foe and understand
My steel awaits all foe"
Perform:Haiku:
Perception:
Before just jumping into the trap Smendor looks things over to see what the best method would be to remove the trap.
Perception: 1d20+10
Wisdom: 1d20+3
Int: 1d20+1And lastly he makes his move with an STR check to remove the trap.
STR:1d20+3
You twist the bar... slowly.. but are not succesful... the trap is solid iron... and it does not seem to budge enough to make a difference.
"Hurry, lad,"Alaric says, watching anxiously "I don't know how long the effects of the spell may lad... and the good lady has said she has seen a covey of archers in the trees..."he adds, looking about, and dropping to the ground.
"Smendor, I can assist you again, if you give that trap another twist..."
Hermia is pleasantly surprised that her second outburst has managed to gain the attention of some. She looks to Puck riding at her pommel and smiles nervously. If we are not attacked, Great Mother and Master Puck, I pray that you will lend me your power to convince them to forgive me for my fib, she prays and if we are, well then, there will be little to it, will there?
Upon hearing Hermia yell Gan unsheathes his katana. Still consoling Smoke with one hand.
[b]"Who be this here now
Speak friend or foe and understand
My steel awaits all foe"
Perform:Haiku:1d20+7
Perception:1d20+7
Well, you still would have had to make a Perception check to hear Hermia... however, in an effort to toss you into the game...
You see small fellow moving through the trees. To another player, he would look like a Halfling... though you may have not seen such a creature before.
His face is stern, and he stands barely three feet from the ground. He has some sort of weapons leveled at you, but has not used them... he is staring intently at you, as you stare back at him. Though he says nothing, you recognize a heraldic device on his chest... the very same as Duke Esserian!
Could this lad be allied to the Duke?
Smendor takes his morning star off his belt and give it to Gideon and also give the crowbar to Ariarh, "Here use these. I will use the blade of my axe. Lets all go on three.
STR:
Before just jumping into the trap Smendor looks things over to see what the best method would be to remove the trap.
Perception: 1d20+10
Wisdom: 1d20+3
Int: 1d20+1And lastly he makes his move with an STR check to remove the trap.
STR:1d20+3
Gideon moves down to Smendor too, and also offer him his assitence with prying off the trap.
Move to aid...