Vivian Deberth |
Cutting herself free of the vines, Vivian takes a few seconds to scan her surroundings, wondering what kind of tricks will happen next..and who the culprit may be!
Surely the Kobolds aren't able to do such things without using magic, and the strange things which just happened are mostly harmless pranks so far...
Come on... Show yourself....
robertness |
Najara methodically approaches the kobold that's fighting with Juwwem. The inquisitor raises her weapon and crushes the kobold's skull. The dragon kin collapses like a sack of soiled laundry.
Vivian shouts at the woods, but the only response is the kobolds looking for around for new hiding places.
Vivian Deberth |
Vivian looks around, seeking if any of her friends needs help against the kobolds
Well done Najara! This one won't be able to ... well, whatever it planned to do, it won't be able to do it anymore.
Juwwem Stonefriend |
Juwwem is about to hit the kobold in front of him with his mace when he hears a loud crack and sees the kobold collapse. With a grumble he talks to her:
"Rir? Fryd? Ur dryhg oui Mecc Hyzyny. Mad'c kad dra haqd uha!"
When she obviously doesn't understand what he's saying, Juwwem dashes of to the kobold slinging stones at him. Mace at the read and shield up, he snarls as he tries to strike him wildy.
Attack kobold: 1d20 ⇒ 5
robertness |
The kobold Juwwem swung at takes up a spear and thrusts it at the gnome.
Attack 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Damage 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5
The kobold misses Juwwem.
The two kobolds Shix fried start running away, trailing wisps of smoke. They make it to about seventy feet away from the nearest party member (Shix) and are in the open.
Two kobolds sling stones at Najara and Gordom before scampering to nearby bushes farther from the adventurers.
Attack - Najara 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1; Attack - Gordom 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
One stone hits Najara for a point. The other stone misses Gordom.
robertness |
The wisps of smoke are a result of being singed by a crazed gnome. Your call if that's natural or not. Also a result of bad GM attempt at levity.
Franco is in the cart using a bit of scrap lumber as a crude shield to protect himself and Jesse in case the kobolds decide to pay attention to your captives.
Najara the Ironsighted |
Having dropped one of the creatures, Najara’s determination grows. She wanted to enjoy her evening meal in peace and it was clear that wasn’t going to happen until every last one of these buggers lay dead at her feet. She follows Juwwem’s lead and swings mightily at the next in line.
Move to Juwwem and attack with morning star the nearest Kobold.
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 Attack 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 2H Damage
Juwwem Stonefriend |
Carefully circling around the kobold, Juwwem waits for the kobold to fend off Najara's attack. There he goes Juwwem thinks as the kobold barely manages to duck benath Najara's mean-looking morningstar by leaning back a bit. Carefully timing his swing he aims for the back of the kobold's neck.
Attack with heavy mace while flanking: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5
Gordom |
Having finally restrung his bow, Gordom scans about for a new target.
If it's possible to shoot at one of the fleeing kobolds, I'll do that (it's only a random encounter but Gordom's instincts are still to prevent escapees from bringing more). If they are out of sight I'll shoot at any random kobold still fighting.
Attack roll:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Damage roll:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Edit: Wow, I am really just no good at killing anything that isn't a bandit.
Vivian Deberth |
Vivian plants her short sword in the soil, near her hand, and draws her own bow, looking for a kobold target and an opportunity to shoot without endangering her friends
robertness |
Shix stabs a kobold causing it a minor injury. Vivian's arrow cuts into the last slinger causing a nasty wound. The kobold drops his sling and spear and starts running away. The kobold that Shix stabbed sees his friends running away and tries to flee.
Shix: You get an Attack of Opportunity on the kobold that's running from you. There are now four kobolds trying to run from the humans they foolishly attacked. Three are severely wounded.
Juwwem Stonefriend |
Seeing the kobolds flee, Juwwem halts and lowers his mace.
"Hmmmm odd creatures those kobolds. We'll have to watch out for them when we return later."
Looking around to see if everyone's alright, Juwwem realizes they can understand him again.
"Is anyone hurt? Are we all still here?"
robertness |
The slightly wounded kobold evades Shix's attack and starts running.
Those of you who are interested in making sure no kobold gets away: You have two rounds to attack the two that were Shix fried, three to attack the one that Vivian shot, and four to get the one Shix stabbed. That assumes you decide not to chase.
Vivian Deberth |
Vivian spends some seconds aiming at one of the badly burned kobold before sending her arrow
But Pharasma decided it was not the fate of this kobold to end with an arrow in his back.
Gordom |
Deciding they aren't worth the arrows, Gordom puts his bow away.
"Those kobolds were too inept to have pulled off those tricks with the vine and my bow. I want to know how someone managed to get the drop on us this way."
Survival Check to look for signs of tracks other than the kobolds':1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Vivian Deberth |
Well, if everyone is fine, maybe we should get back on the mite's trail? Those kobolds won't come back for more, i hope. I don't like to kill if i don't have to.
Before we go away, i'd like to ask for a favor from Shix and Gordom. As you both know, I am a "city girl", so i'd like you to find me some berries,nuts or fruits, if there are some in theses woods. After all, whatever or whoever tied my legs saved me from a a sling stone, and even if my savior is some ghostly wood spirit or something like that, I think it's better to show my thankfulness for their "help".
I know better than to mess with spirits, trust me.
Juwwem Stonefriend |
With amusement showing on his face, Juwwem nods at Vivian.
"Miss Vivian, you're right. Let's see where these mites went, it's quite a trip they made."
In his enthousiasm to go chasing after mites again, Juwwem actually mistakes some rabbit prints for the mites trail when he tries to help Gordom pick up the trail.
Survival to aid Gordom tracking: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Juwwem Stonefriend |
"Hehe, who are you calling boss?" Juwwem says with a smile. He returns to the cart and continues:
"I'm afraid that won't be an option for now. We need to be able to trust him first, but since we put him in chains, he's our responsibility. Good of you to mention it though. One of us, and I guess that will be me from now on, will have to stay close to you two."
Gordom |
"While I agree that it's not ideal, I just don't see a way to ensure that we can trust Jesse with his freedom. Considering that we were instructed to execute any bandits we find, however, I think he will agree that this is a more pleasant alternative. When a solution presents itself, we will reconsider the situation."
robertness |
"Law and civilization, Ha!" Jesse says. "If ya ask me, Franco, these new friends of yours are much the same as Kressle and Ha..."
The captive's rant is interrupted by a slap. "Watch your tongue, Jesse," Franco says. "You know as well as I that Kressle would have chopped your family jewels off and left you to the wolves for an insult like that. These are good folk doing the best they can by us. Sorry, Sir Gordom, I won't bother you with it again. Now, let's find Miss Vivian some berries. I think I saw a likely looking bush over here." Franco gets out of the cart and walks to a blackberry bramble and starts gathering fruits.
Vivian Deberth |
sighs and rolls her eyes, smiling playfully at Franco
please, not that "MISS" Vivian again... Call me Vivian... I hope it's obvious i'm not a man? Or do you need a closer look, Franco?
Vivian gets to the blackberry bramble, helping Franco picking fruits
Thank you for your help, anyway.
Whispering to Franco
What do you think of Jesse? Do you trust him? Do you know him well?
robertness |
"Sorry, Miss, don't mean to offend, but," Franco says grinning at Vivian. "Kressle was just Kressle and Happs was just Happs. I think you and your friends deserve more respect than them. You'll just have to get used to being 'Miss' Vivian."
Franco's expression gets serious and he lowers his voice, "I'm not sure about Jesse. We left his brother's body back at camp, but I don't think he cares much about that. Jesse had a way of staying behind whenever Happs was sent off on missions. I think he imagined he'd take over for Happs if Happs had an accident on the trail--including sharing Kressle's blankets on cold nights."
Franco helps Vivian set up a small offering of berries to whatever spirits are roaming these woods, and you have enough left over for dessert after (or instead of) Shix's ant stew. With the kobold slingers scattered, the explorers resume their meal set up camp for the night.
I'd like a Perception roll from Najara and a Fortitude save from Vivian, please.
Najara the Ironsighted |
Smashing Kobold skulls only exacerbated her appetite and Najara faced an unfortunate dilemma, Shix's ant stew. If only they had taken an hour to catch a rabbit or something, she wouldn't have found herself in this predicament. She stared long an hard at the cup of stew weighing her options.
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 Perception.
robertness |
The companions finish their meal, tidy up, and bed down for the night, agreeing to take turns and have one watch while the others sleep.
While she sleeps, Najara feels a slight tingling around her throat. It doesn't feel threatening so she dismisses the sensation as the vagaries of sleeping rough. A few minutes later, she awakens with the definite sensation that something is not right. For starters the leather thong with the key to her manacles is not around her neck. And isn't Vivian supposed to be on watch now? Where is the girl?
Najara the Ironsighted |
Najara claws absently at her neck and bosom with increasingly alarm when the key that was supposedly safely kept there fails to turn up. The inquisitor bolts up right, her mind narrowing in on the obvious possibilities. "Vivian?", she calls out as she clambers to her feet. With a short kick, she drives her heel into Gordom's prone form delivering a small dose of spite for this new predicament. Not waiting for the ranger to rouse himself, she heads over to check on the prisoners.
robertness |
Najara's kick rouses Gordom as the inquisitor goes to the cart. She sees both of the prisoners are sleeping soundly in the cart, but instead of being manacled, Jesse's arms and legs are bound with vines.
When Gordom wakes up, he finds that for some reason he can't move his right arm. The arm is bound in manacles that look an awful lot like the ones Najara used to restrain Jesse. The other end of the pair of manacles is attached to the left arm of a certain red-headed city girl. Said city girl is sleeping very soundly.
Gordom |
Shocked awake by the blow to his ribs, Gordom bolts upright. His right hand is already halfway to his mace when it comes to a sudden stop.
"Wha-...What's going on?
Seeing Najara rushing around the camp, Gordom calls out to hear while trying to gentle awaken the sleeping girl.
Najara, what's going on?
...Are these your manacles on my wrist? What the hell, Najara?
Najara the Ironsighted |
Najara stares dumbfounded at Gordom for a brief second before she finishes delivering an urgent jab into Shix's tender ribs. "Our camp has been infiltrated by someone...or something. Those were suppose to be on Jesse, but they've been covertly removed and reapplied elsewhere it seems.", she responds in kind. She looks wildly about the ground as if searching for a lost item. "And my key is missing.", she adds with obvious annoyance, "Jesse and Franco are secure for now, but we need to ready ourselves and search for clues."
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 Search check for the immediate area.
Vivian Deberth |
Hey, people are trying to sleep here... wait, why am i sleeping? I was on guard!
Cant remember anything...
Gordom... manacles? Never supposed you were so bound to me! So we slept side by side? Too cute!
She seems amused, and not the least worried
Someone is still playing harmless pranks on us, Najara. No need to get overly worried. See, nothing bad really happened while everyone was sleeping.No one is hurt, so don't get so tense.
Well, Gordom, let me see if can give you your freedom back....Come on, my back pack is just there, i need my tools.Or do you prefer to hold my hand for a while?
she smiles her big, bright smile to the ranger
If I were the prankster, I would have put the key not too far.. even into one of us clothes, cause its one of the last place we'd search.
Do you want to search me, Najara? I'm ticklish, I must confess.Did anyone checked the place where we left the berries for the wood spirits?Maybe they put the key there, as a trade, who knows?
Yes, even just awake, the redhead is..quite talkative, to say the least!
robertness |
Despite her rapid searching, Najara fails to find the keys. The commotion in camp does not awaken the prisoners. Incidentally, Jesse's snoring is very loud, rather like the rumble of a landslide in steep mountains.
I'd like Knowledge (Nature) checks from everyone. Gordom and Vivian get +1 to their rolls. Also Perception rolls from all except Najara.
Juwwem Stonefriend |
Slow to wake, Juwwem manages to lift one eyelid enough to see what's going on.
"Huhhhh.... wha? I saw gold mum!"
Hearing there's no immediate threat, Juwwem puts his head back down and starts snoring like you'd expect a mountain to snore if it could.
Vivian Deberth |
Whatever, it's a beautiful night.. for a city girl like me! And with you by my side, Gordom, just nothing wrong could happen. Oh look..right here...
she tugs on the manacles, slightly
Isnt it what you "Wild boys" call... a tree? A lark, maybe?
Goofy grin and laugh
Gordom |
Gordom is not the least bit amused at Vivian's happy go lucky attitude and lets her know with a scowl.
You need to take this a lot more seriously. Sure, these are harmless pranks but whoever did this was probably also the one who unstrung my bow and tied your ankles; things that could have gotten us hurt if the fight was against anything more dangerous than a couple of kobolds.
But the real problem is that whoever or whatever is doing this has so far been able to do so without us being able to detect or prevent it in any way. And the fact that something with that kind of power has taken an interest in toying with us is not something to laugh about. Some of legends' pranksters are notorious for not knowing the difference between a harmless prank and a deadly one.
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Vivian Deberth |
Talking a bit louder than necessarily
I 've seen death maybe more often than you, remember? I take serious danger seriously. And I take pranks for what they are, Gordom.
Why do you think i get some berries and put them as an offering for the wood spirits? Because I want to keep on the good side of whoever may pull theses pranks unnoticed, so nothing more harmful may befall us.
And I may be wrong but i suspect some magic use.
Blushing
By the way Gordom....I haven't noticed before, but our pranksters pulled another one on you....You should check your trousers. There are ladies here.
So Bluf check against Gordom: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14