SMG's Kingmaker PbP
Game Master SMG Tabletop

"Sounds good to me." Gird said, adjusting the pack on her shoulder and fidgeting with her bow.

"So, uh, which way do you guys want to go?" Gird looked around them.

Perception check:
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Current HP (CHP): 11

Your travel is rather uneventful for the first day and night, but early in the morning on the second day, you happen across a dip between two hills, littered with skeletons of boars, deer, bears, and a couple of humans. The ground is churned up with signs of many scuffles.
What do you do?

It is now the 9th day of Pharast.
Updated map.

Approaching the various skeletons, Gird racks her brain for any information of value.
"Well, looks like some kind of kerfuffle happened here."

Nature Knowledge check:
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

CHP: 11

"This almost looks like a a place where someone would dump their food waste... Expect I don't know anyone who'd eat this kind of animals whole," Garhan mutters quietly. This place is making him kind of nervous.
He doesn't really know what to do with this skeleton dump expect look at it. Would it really be some... Thing's dump?
Regardless, he says he's got no knowledge about this, but he suggests that if they move here after they're done checking the place - clues about what happened here could be found around here, his intuition says.

Current HP - 10/10

"There are no scavengers here, and the bones have been picked clean. I don't like it. I think it's best if we get out of here." Gird scanned the sky, as if expecting something to fly out at the party.

Garhan listens to Gird's analysis, and notices she's a bit uneasy.
"Uh, would you rather go some other direction than where I suggested?"

Oomlowt whimpered at the thought of nearby predators. "I think we've got this area pretty well explored. Let's move on... maybe go southeast?"

HP: 8/8

"Anywhere that's not immediately here is fine."

CHP: 11

"I'm fine going southeast too", the tiefling said.
"I'd rather not run into whatever left these corpses here, I guess."

CHP - 10/10

"Glad to see you with me, goat boy. So, let's get outta here, huh?"

Gird really wished that she had a better clue of what had left the skeletons. Something unsettling, to be sure, but otherwise, she had no clue.

Looking around again, Gird checked to see if any of the humanoid skeletons had any sort of personal belongings. If they still had things on them, then perhaps they would only be dealing with some sort of beast?

Perception check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

CHP: 11/11

"Yeah, let's..." Garhan started, but stopped. Was there something further down in the middle of all the skeletons?
Garhan raises a hand to shelter his eyes from the sun, and tries to make out something in the middle of the gorge.

Perception check - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

CHP - 10/10

Look at you looking at this lovely location. It's so dreamy.
Have a map, finally.

Oomlowt sits atop his mighty hound and fearfully looks around for any more lively signs of danger.

Perception check:

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

And that's when it attacks!
A Spider the size of a pony leaps out of the ground almost too fast to see, it's black and red shell glistening in the sunlight, and it's fangs dripping with hunger.

Order:
-Woden (Cannot act during the Surprise Round)
-Spider (Can make one Standard or Move action)
-Oomlowt (Can make one Standard or Move action)
-Gird (Cannot act during the Surprise Round)
-Garhan (Cannot act during the Surprise Round)

Free Actions, like speaking, are still fair game.

"Woah f*** f*** f***!" Gird's eyes widened at the spider. At least it wasn't a bird.

"Spider. Big f***ing spider!"

Gird considered her options. Wade into combat, or hang back and shoot? Combat was the better option for her teammate's safety, but Gird did not enjoy pain, or spiders.

CHP: 11/11

Oomlowt and Woofles retreat as far as they are able.

Oomlowt attempts to move to EE28.

Also: CHP is still 8/8

Garhan defenitely DID NOT expect to see a monstrous spider attack when he saw a bump in the ground.
The tiefling lets out a horrifiyngly surprised scream and hopes he can get his legs into the right position before the spider attacks him.

Calanthe is just as surprised and stares the spider, the hair at the back of her neck standing, and is about to sprint out in fear.

CHP - 10/10

"Well I can certainly say I didn't plan on fighting any GIANT SPIDERS!!"

Still very far from his comrades, Woden thinks about how he should go about this, his bow would prove useful in this situation...

CHP: 12/12

SURPRISE ROUND

22 Woden:
Woden is taken aback by this turn of events, and ponders just how he will provide his teammates with support.

17 Spider:
It scrambles up towards where Oomlowt is riding his trusty steed, and prepares to lunge, an angry hissing coming from its mouth.

10 Oomlowt:
Oomlowt issues some Draconic cursing before urging his trusty steed away from the monstrous arachnid's eager fangs.

4 Gird:
A whole lot of profanity comes from the Paladin's mouth, it's a wonder why Erastil puts up with her nonsense.

3 Garhan:
Garhan issues a girlish scream before trying to ready himself in some way for combat, his familiar tensed and ready for flight by his side.

Updated Map

Sort of comforted by the distance between himself and the spider, Oomlowt fires a shot at the imposing arachnid!

Attack Roll

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 181d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

After letting out his girlish scream, Garhan decides to take action. Luckily the spider is still far away, so instead of sad little staff swinging, Garhan attacks with his trustworthy little sling.

1d20 + 0 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 + 0 = 3
1d4 ⇒ 4

Calanthe on the other hand doesn't even think about fighting the spider, and instinctively sprints off.

Calanthe moves from DD23 to JJ23.
CHP = 10/10

Grimacing, Gird pulls out her longbow and readies a shot.

1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Welp, I seem to be rolling s*** today.

CHP: 11/11

Woden can see that he has an opportunity to attack, but would be much safer if he could get a bit closer. He rushes forward to where Garhan is.

Woden moves to DD24

Woden Knocks back an arrow and fires at the Spider.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 111d8 ⇒ 8

CHP: 12

ROUND 1

22 Woden:
Woden rushes up next to Garhan, his bow already at the ready from watching the group's back. As he falls in place beside his teammate, he lets fly an arrow, which shoots over the spider's chitin, landing somewhere behind the creature.

17 Spider:
The spider is only a little bit worried by the sudden change in its enemies position, and it leaps to attack the most promising prey it can see, Woofles. Its fangs flash as it just misses the large dog, who yelps in slight panic.

10 Oomlowt:
Oomlowt fumbles trying to control his mount, while firing at the hungry arachnid in front of him. This doesn't work out too well, and his crossbow bolt flies wildly, as Woofles lunges forward to bite the spider his jaws missing the nimble arthropod by a foot.
It's all Oomlowt can do to stay on during all of this.

4 Gird:
Gird adds her own arrow to the onslaught of projectiles being aimed at the spider, but she too misses her mark.
This creature is just moving too fast for them.

3 Garhan:
Garhan quickly composes himself after that last outburst, and pulls out his sling. He determinedly loads it with a bullet, swings it, fires and....
It lands approximately three feet in front of him, half buried in a pile of dirt.
Meanwhile Calanthe legs it in the opposite direction.

Updated Map

Stupid spider! Who did she think she was, not getting pierced by Gird's arrow? Gird snorts and aims again, deciding that if she can't hit the spider this time she might as well wade into the blitz.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

CHP: 11/11

Woden attempts to knock another arrow and fire it at the Spider.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 111d8 ⇒ 4

CHP: 12/12

Garhan is dissappointed about his last attempt, and decides to fire another bullet with his sling. If this doesn't work this time... Maybe he should try something else.
But in a fight, you must live in the moment! So Garhan loads his sling again and fires!

1d20 + 0 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 + 0 = 2
1d4 ⇒ 4

Calanthe decides she's far enough from the spider for now, and turns to observe our heroes' fight.

CHP - 10/10

Oomlowt was so terrified that his draconic swearing exploded into draconic-sounding gibberish. This was one of the few times he had been ambushed, and under normal circumstances he would have turned tail and never stopped running until everything was a blur. But there was one variable he'd never had to account for before.

That slimy spider was attacking his dog!

Ride Roll:

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Reloading a crossbow and controlling a mount that's frightened (which I assume Woofles is) counts as two move actions, so Oomlowt doesn't get to attack. Also this provokes two attacks of opportunity, so...yeah, the kobold's in trouble.

Current HP: 8/8

ROUND 2

22 Woden:
Woden breathes deeply, and tries to concentrate on hitting the giant arachnid, loosing another arrow, only to miss again.
That's rough, buddy.

17 Spider:
The spider, on the other hand, moves almost too fast to see and tries to sink its fangs into Woden, but the elf manages to jump out of the way. The spider then leaps back a ways from the party of adventurers, hissing menacingly.

10 Oomlowt:
Oomlowt spends his time trying to calm his dog down, as well as reload to fire upon the despicable creature that would dare try to attack his wonderful dog.
Just look at the guy's face, how could you even think of hurting the big guy?

4 Gird:
Gird is growing tired of this spider's dodging and looses yet another arrow, which takes off one of the arachnid's legs, causing it to let out a hissing noise that sounds far too close to a scream for comfort.

3 Garhan:
Always, the optimist, Garhan loads another bullet and fires again! This time it lands a mere foot and a half away from him.
He wishes he could do better, just this once.

Updated Map

Oomlowt patted his trusty dog's neck and fired his crossbow.

Ride Check:

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

[ooc]Attack Roll:[/dice]

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 91d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Woden can't believe he's already missed twice in a row! This is absolutely outrageous! Now Woden, this isn't the time to freak uout, this is a time to collect your thoughts and try again. Third time's the charm is it not?

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 231d8 ⇒ 6

It would seem it does!

CHP: 12/12

Garhan is getting frustrated at his sling. Maybe it's broken or something?
The tiefling decides to try one more time. He doesn't want to give up on his trustworthy sling.

1d20 + 0 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 + 0 = 10
1d4 ⇒ 3

CHP - 10/10

ROUND 3

22 Woden:
And with the fury of someone fed up with missing, Woden slays the arachnid by sending an arrow through its eye.

And with that the combat rounds are over.

What do you want to do now?
Explore its lair perhaps? Run as far away as possible? Do a dance? Bask in your glory?

Updated Map

Oomlowt looked at the dead spider and lowered his crossbow. "That'll make a nice meal," he thought. "Well," the kobold said, "Guess we can mark this space on the map. 'Horrible place of unexpected spiders.' I guess we can move on to greener pastures."

Oomlowt then noticed all the corpses on the ground, some of which were humanoid. His kobold sense of thrift consumed his thoughts. "Though maybe we should search the place... just to be safe."

Well it looks like his sling didn't even have to be trustworthy.
Huh.
The spider did look a lot scarier when it was about to eat everyone.
Garhan turns to Oomlowt.
"I... Don't know. I've heard spider nests are always full of... Uh, babies."

With imminent danger gone, Calanthe sneakily skips back to the rest of the party.

Oomlowt looked at Woffles in concern. "You're right, too risky!" he said to Garhan.

Garhan looks at the place the spider came from, then at the dead spider, back at the raised spot.
"Argh, I don't know! Now I'm curious to see if there are any babies!"

Oomlowt shook his head. "Look, I know what you're thinking! Sure, those babies would be delicious, especially if we roasted them, but sometimes thrift like ours can lead to danger if unchecked! Those spider babies could overwhelm us, and then we'd be the ones getting eaten!"

...
Garhan hadn't even thought about eating spider babies, but now that Oomlowt mentioned it, it did sound delicious.
The tiefling bit his lip and turned his eyes on Woden.
"Woden, what do you say? You killed the... Possible... Mother."
While he's at it and still remembers, Garhan quickly picks up the bullets he fired too close.
"Do you want to look for spider babies or get away from here?"

"Hmmm, I think Spider Babies could definetly overwhelm us..." Woden states nervously, "One already caught us by surprise...I suggest we move on."

Gird shrugs. "I agree that moving on would be a good idea. Might I suggest that we loot the bodies first?" She grins a horrible grin. Searching bodies; that should be everyone's idea of a good time.

"Good, good, let's move out then."
Garhan nodded. Maybe he could just imagine all the spider babies.
As Gird suggests looting, Garhan raises his hand.
"You can loot the bodies if you want, I pass!"

Oomlowt stared at Gird in disbelief. He wasn't shocked at the horrible nature of Gird's proposal, but rather at the fact that she was thinking of the same thing that he was. "I like that plan," he said cheerfully, "I'm excited to be a part of it!

"Good to know, Omelet. As for you Goat Boy, you can stay behind. Wouldn't want you to get your hands dirty." Gird snarled; she couldn't stand those who took the high moral ground. Which was pretty silly, considering she was a paladin.

"Hey, pretty boy, you in?" Not waiting for a reply, Gird moves to the body on FF10 and searches it.

Garhan twitched slightly from Gird's snarl; it sounded as if she was purpously being mean.
But Garhan wasn't really sure why Gird would feel that way, and he wasn't one to nag about those little things.
Not to others.
He would defenitely think about Gird's tone of voice all night toying with all kinds of worst-case scenarios inside his head.
But for now, he decided to lean to his staff and watch the surroundings as his teammates loot the bodies.

Oomlowt carefully begins to scout the area for any sign of wonderful shinies.

Oomlowt makes a perception check!

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"These corpses are disappointing," Oomlowt said sadly.

Gird shoved the body down. She had checked several others, with no luck, and was beginning to feel annoyed. "Well, I guess that's it then. Let's get going, we don't wan to deal with the little bitty baby spiders."

Gird heads back to the rest of the party. It's funny though; spiders don't haord shiny objects, and it seems unlikely that no one brought anything. I wonder where they are...