GM Lugos |
Ameiko gives them all a broad smile. "Excellent! Now, the marsh may be smaller than others, but it is dangerous. No one has mapped it yet, so it makes it hard to move through. But there is someone who may help. Cousin of an old friend of mine named Walthus. Odd fellow, lives with snakes. Head on down the Lost Coast Road then take the New Fish Trail. Should lead near where his home is there."
Taking the paper, she places it below the counter. "Oh, and the goblins seem to have some fireworks. Why they are acting so brave these days. Be careful in there, okay?"
Looking to Ish, she nods. "Keep an eye on them, okay Ish?" As she looks to Liera, a kind smile crosses her face. "And keep an eye on Ish, you know how bull-headed he can be."
Looking to Lou, her smile turns more friendly than sisterly. "And if you could keep an eye on those two..." A little chuckle leaves her.
Looking to Kaaji and Fenra now, she cocks an eyebrow. "Can't ask you to keep too close an eye on those three, but could you help make sure they come back in one piece at least? And if you can do that, I'll let you stay here free of charge for a month, too!"
Kaaji Ebonbeak |
Kaaji nods silently to Ameiko's request then moves over to grab his equipment that he left next to his table. He pulls his bowstring back expertly and looks down the sight before he shoulders it and makes his way to the door. "Find Walthus. Kill goblins. Take ears and chief head. Kaaji is ready." He opens the door and gives a polite bow and nod to Fenra. "Hiril vuin, lle desiel?" And then to the others, "Shall we?"
Fenra Andosana-Sovark |
Fenra nods to Amekio. "Shalelu has spoken of your generosity; I see her words are true. I will do what is within my power. About the goblins and for your brother and friends.
Charmed by Kaaji's decorum, Fenra touches him lightly on the arm as she she passes through the door. "Lle merna aut (farien)?" A smile plays across her lips.
Lou Kasuri |
Lou, after coming from the kitchen with a new bowl of chicken as well as freshly seasoned skewers of meat, freshly grilled.
leaving already? why not have a meal, and after all I have things to gather, I don't exactly come to work each day ready to rush off on adventure at the drop of a hat.
Kaaji Ebonbeak |
Kaaji coughs as Fenra touches him, a nervous reaction to her response. Then he nods to answer her question before looking at Lou as holding the food. "Kaaji can scout ahead. Lady elf can accompany Kaaji. You three meet us on road to Walthus?"
Liera Mvashti |
Liera can't help but smile at Ameiko's request. "Are we going now?" she asks, looking around. "But I don't have my things... And what about the table?" The smell of the chicken as Lou enters the room causes her stomach to growl, and she blushes furiously, casting her gaze toward the floor.
Ishikawa Kaijutsu |
Ish reappears, jangling with a massive collection of adventuring gear, out of breath. Strangely, it's unsure if he ever left to begin with. "Eating? Anyone can eat. This is just like the stories the drunks mutter on about, five strong adventurers wandering into the wastes, fighting dragons, collecting gold! No time to waste; I'll eat later."
He settles his junk collection on a table, sifting through it with expedience. His sword slips into his belt in one fluid motion, coming to rest on his hip like it's a part of his body, something natural, missing until now. The clattering collection of gear he's stuffing into the backpack, however, is painfully not so.
"Sure! The road! I'll catch up!"
GM Lugos |
Ameiko laughs and nods. "A quick meal before you all go. I don't want to hear you all fell due to an empty stomach! And Liera, the table is fine. Eat up and head out. Think of it as a chance to get out of town for a bit, okay?"
Blink when Ish reappears with gear and his sword, she laughs loudly. "Ish, I didn't know you had all of this! You really take all those tales ser... Well, then again, what with Xin-Shalast recently being rediscovered and that nonsense down in Korvosa... Hang on..." She goes to the back room and returns moments later with 2 small vials filled with some red liquid. "Here, Fenra, hold onto these. If any of you look close to falling, let them drink that. Your sister left those here a while back and had our town priest confirm what they are, so they should work well."
Fenra, you are handed 2 vials of Potion of Cure Light Wounds, and they heal 1d8+2 hp.
Lou Kasuri |
Lou places all the food on the table for everyone to dig in but places a seperate plate for Ish. I made this one special for you Ish, I remembered the special spice blend you like so much. Now if you will excuse me I will go gather my things for this grand goblin hunt. Actually kind of reminds me, a few years back during the goblin attack. except now we are going to them
Lou shrugs and goes to gather his stuff stopping at the bar to grab an old bottle of Tien rice wine.
the plate for Ish is a very special blend of spices, and I do mean SPICY
Ishikawa Kaijutsu |
Like a little kid, Ish sighs and says "Alright-- fine. If you say so, Ameiko."
He settles into a chair, grinning broadly at Lou's specially prepared meal. "Wow-- thanks! That's the thoughtfulness you'd expect from a cook like Lou."
Digging in, he speaks inbetween mouthfuls of food. "So, how many goblins does everyone think we'll run into? Are we gonna go try for their camp? Oh, man. That could be dangerous. But if we do, I'm in! I mean, they're little fellers. We stand a chance. I mean, we're armed with the element of surprise."
"Everyone's got a weapon, right? Come to think of it I don't think I've seen Lou carry one... Liera, you got like, a greatsword or something stashed away somewhere?"
Lou Kasuri |
As Ish dig into his special meal..
at first the flavors are quite complimentary. The perfect blend of seasoning on the chicken and noodles but by the third or fourth mouthful the peppers kick in.
the burn soon persists to the point Ish is needing water, or something.
Lou returns soon enough carrying a bag tied to the end of a staff over his shoulder like some hobo.
tied by a rope about his waist are a couple of small clay jugs marked as rice wine.
Kaaji Ebonbeak |
Kaaji just watches, quite unsure of how to interact with the group. The young boy eating is speaking so much that Kaaji doesn't even know if it is okay for him to speak without interrupting. He waits for a pause before saying anything. "Kaaji thinks we talk to Walthus for directions. Stay off of path unless necessary, catch goblins by surprise. Kaaji can take a couple from a long distance and go unnoticed. Kaaji can track and find safe path."
Liera Mvashti |
Liera eats slowly, her mouth opening a little too wide as she digs into the chicken. To Ish, she chuckles slightly. "Not quite a greatsword, no. I do have a staff, though... And a rabbit. If you'd like to come help me pick up my things, you can meet him." She glances sideways at Kaaji, addressing him between bites. "I thought I'd seen you before. You're one of the caravan guards, aren't you?"
Kaaji Ebonbeak |
The tengu shifts nervously when Liera asks him of his job. "Uh, yes. Kaaji worked for Sandru. No longer work for Sandru. Kaaji was taken from home by Sandru, parents gone. Sandru gave Kaaji food and work. Kaaji did so in caravan. Track, scout, guard. Kill threats. Find food. Find path. Kaaji worked for Sandru good amount of time, doing good work." Then without wait for a response he nervously steps out the door and begins preparing for their hunt. The tengu ranger silently slips through the brush and cover of nearby trees and out of sight. Then he kneels and begins doing a ritual of some sort, speaking in his native tongue.
Ishikawa Kaijutsu |
"Oh, man. This is amazing."
He digs in further, drinking down a large glass of water and piling more on, a bit of a sweat starting on the corner of his scalp and neck. "I think spicy is a lost art sometimes in Sandpoint, I swear."
He stares at his plate as though it bit him, chewing the last bite and looking suspicious "Maybe a bit too much," he mumbles, dabbing at his lips with a little grimace. He keeps eating.
After a moment, he leans back and stretches, the burning persisting as he swishes water in his mouth. To Liera, he nods. "Yeah, sure. I'm always up for meeting rabbits. And like Eando Kline always says, a quarterstaff is a blade away from being a spear."
Ish fans himself, loosening his collar and staring with incredulity at his empty plate. With a chuckle, reddening in the face, he says "Wow. That was a bit hot, even for me. But great all the same!"
Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Crush that bluff check to know that Ish may as well just be on fire. He's too nice to say that it's too hot. That'd be mean!
Kaaji Ebonbeak |
Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
But with that roll, I don't think being observant would help.
Liera Mvashti |
After eating, Liera hurries home to gather her things, fretting over the prospect of fighting goblins. She digs her pack out of a closet - an old, worn thing - as well as an unassuming dagger, which she tucks into her belt. She finds Speckle sitting by the window, nose twitching, and carries him in her arms as she heads to the road to join the others. She seems strangely at ease with the rabbit - even slightly more confident.
Fenra Andosana-Sovark |
Gathering her belongs, Fenra thanks Amekio and heads out the door to join the others.
Although she's traveled before, and is more then capable of defending herself, deliberately setting off with the intent to kill is new for Fenra. She finds that the prospect does not disagree with her. Far from it in fact; she feels more alive then she has in a long time.
Fenra adjusts her grip on her long spear, caring it as one would a walking stick, and turns to her new allies.
"Shall we begin?"
GM Lugos |
@Kaaji: Great roll! And I'll keep that in mind.
With Ish apparently lit up and fired to go (with a literal feeling of fire inside him, too!), Fenra ready with spear in hand, Liera and Speckle ready for the goblins, and Kaaji... Where is Kaaji?!
Oh, right, that's where...
Well, I'll assume Lou has gathered his neccesities as well. And with that, the possible heroes set off towards the marsh.
After a fairly short trip and sun still high in the sky, the Lost Coast Road soon forks, and natty little trail veering off into the infamous Brinestump lands. A little sign in the ground with the words scrawled on it in poorly rendered Common says "New Fish Trail". A dank stench wafts in from the southwest as the party approaches the fork.
Kaaji Ebonbeak |
Kaaji makes sure to keep pace with the group. Slowly maneuvering between trees, bushes, and overgrowth. The ranger has his bow out and at the ready. Kaaji must make sure they are safe. Kaaji's honor rests on it. If they don't know Kaaji is here, then they don't know if danger is near. Kaaji can eliminate danger without alerting them or help them get the surprise. The tengu knocks an arrow and continues stalking the group.
Ishikawa Kaijutsu |
Ish fiddles with his sword on his hip, feet hurting, stomach grumbling. He looks at the sign and inspects the surroundings with Tien eyes, narrow but entirely aware. "Kaaji should be up ahead, right? I haven't seen him so far. Think something happened?"
Keeping an eye out for strange things around us.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Lou Kasuri |
already posted Lou ready to go. He does not carry very much.
Lou tags along, occasionally taking a swig of wine, but not to much.
all the while looking out for any herbs or spices growing in the area.
of course not exactly skilled in such things he is sure to miss quite a few.
as they reach the trail the odor causes a bit of a wince.
smells like when I asked Ish to keep an eye on the Salmon back at the Dragon
he says giving him a friendly pat.
GM Lugos |
As the group of four (five) ease into the marsh, the descriptions they'd heard pale in comparison. to what they see. Though a trail can be discerned, the overgrowth elsewhere and stagnant water is everywhere.
After several minutes of slow going, a rickety and worn looking bridge crossing a wider 'waterway' is found.
Perception checks please!
MYSTERY 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
MYSTERY 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Ishikawa Kaijutsu |
"If I remember that correctly, it was you who abandoned it there then were aghast to see I didn't take after it like a mother hen with a lost chick..." He laughs, keeping an eye out and his hand on his sword hilt in case of... I dunno-- crocodiles!
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
"Guys. I think we're walking on... the ground. No one panic."
Liera Mvashti |
You should see the maps I draw for my players in my home game. You can always see the exact point where I just stopped caring!
Liera wrinkles her nose slightly at the smell. "Actually, I think it smelled worse," she offers with a small smile. The rabbit perches on her shoulder, ears twitching. "Um, would one of you go across first? I don't quite trust that bridge."
Perception (Liera): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Perception (Speckle): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
I've rolled one for Speckle, but ignore it if he doesn't get one. I probably should have asked earlier. Liera has an empathic link with her familiar, so I assume if he sees anything she doesn't, he can convey a general feeling of danger. Correct me if I'm wrong, though!
Fenra Andosana-Sovark |
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
"Believe it or not, I think I've smelled worse. Not that I'd care to do a comparison..." Fenra chuckles. "As far as this bridge... I'm not too sure. Only one of us should cross at a time. Perhaps we should even tie a rope around us and have the other end anchored to one bank, just in case something happens? I know I'd rather not take a tumble."
Lou Kasuri |
perception DC (surprise): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Lou keeps an eye for goblins as that is what they are out to hunt.. of course his expert tracking skill can only lead him to more wine as he takes another sip from his jug.
Kaaji Ebonbeak |
From his position he watches the group try to come up with a plan...for crossing a bridge. Kaaji peers out and continues to watch them. Kaaji is perplexed by their thinking. Why would one need a plan to cross a bridge? Just walk across, unless they are more reliable than Kaaji thinks. Mayhaps they are wary, Kaaji thinks that a good thing at times. The ranger sits idly in a tree, watching them, but more watching out for them so they don't walk into an ambush or endanger themselves with a broken bridge. Acting like a silent guardian, just as a daitengu would watch over their people and protect them from evil spirits.
Perc: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Ishikawa Kaijutsu |
Ish shrugs. "I'll go test it out so you ladies can stay safe and dry in case it's hair away from tumbling into the bog."
The young man goes and tries out the bridge, walking across (unless he falls in the water). If he can stand on it without it feeling like it's going to give, he gives it a couple soft jumps to test it (unless he falls in the water).
GM Lugos |
Speckle begins to quiver and shake fiercely in Liera's arms, obviously spooked.
As Ishikawa nears the bridge and takes his first steps on the bridge, loud, shrill laughter erupts from nowhere and 6 goblins burst from the water, caked in mud. Their wide grins and cruel eyes spot the group. Then one shouts out, "LONGSHANKS!".
Red Goblins: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Brown Goblins: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
FIRST COMBAT IS GO! Initiatives please!
Lou Kasuri |
Liera Mvashti |
Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Liera seems too concerned with what has Speckle spooked to pay attention to her surroundings.
Kaaji Ebonbeak |
Init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Ishikawa Kaijutsu |
Neither of their movements provoke? I can't remember where they were a moment ago. I ask because I have Combat Reflexes and it could matter.
Ish draws his katana in a quick motion as he's cut, his face momentarily twisted in pain. "Ouch," he says, low, and then--
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Misses completely. With no other options, he holds his ground against the goblins, knowing that they have limited options against him at the bridge's edge.
Kaaji Ebonbeak |
In a tree off the bank of the river the tengu ranger watches as the goblins jump out and rush the young boy. His arrow already knocked, Kaaji pulls back the bowstring and takes aim. Kaaji must watch over this boy for Ameiko. And as long as Kaaji can see the goblins from here then Kaaji has advantage. His breathing slow and calm, he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath and holds. Then right as the samurai boy takes a swing, Kaaji lets loose his arrow at one of the brown goblins(or green?)closest one on the bridge.
Making Knowledge (Nature) check to see if Kaaji knows anything about their weaknesses/health/defenses. Unsure if our GM style allows for that.
Know(Nature): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Doesn't look like I know anythign anyways.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
GM Lugos |
I allow knowledge checks (as long as you are trained in said skill) for creatures. Also, I'm using the faint white/grey grid on the page to denote 1 5' square. Problem is that it is... finicky if you want to zoom in... I'm actually working on a generic grid now, but thankfully random grids will play little in an AP (though they do still pop up).
That said, the arrow strikes true, the goblin just not expecting it. It falls back in the water, that nasty smile still plastered on it's face.
And yeah, messed up on the color convention there. There is red and green goblins, denoted by their 'costume.'
Ishikawa Kaijutsu |
And second. Combat Reflexes!
AoO 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Crit Confirm?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Critical Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 = total 14
AoO 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 = total 9
Ishikawa's self-taught fighting style mixes with knee-jerk reaction and he swings twice with precision force and perfect balance.