Shadowborn's Wounded Earth (Red Group) (Inactive)

Game Master Jeff Lee

Okay, so as I understand the plan, you're going to heal the bat and get it to accept some of your party as riders, yes? In that case, I'll need healing done, and then a Handle Animal check from someone (presumably Jinjer.) After that, you'll need to decide who rides it. The saddle is built to accommodate two small riders, but medium characters could attempt it.

I think that Jinjer and Magnus should ride it. She'll be better able to control the bat and I'm another small creature, meaning that the bat will be more likely to accept us as riders as we are Nocturne-like, being gnomes. Taking me along also means that we'll have Tuboo along for the ride, giving us 3 helpers arriving early and hopefully stopping the slaughter. This is more Jinjer's choice, but is Wild Empathy something that would apply here? I'm just curious.

Handle Animal check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Unable to get too close to the beast, Jinjer tries to empathize with the creature's situation so they can use it to help the villagers.

Wild Empathy check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

With little luck, Jinjer shrugs at Magnus and says, "I'm sorry, my friend. Kurnan has not gifted me to handle such creatures."

Knowing they are wasting time, Jinjer mounts her mule and begins to follow Gaius.

Brodgar lightly kicks his steed's sides, eager to heed Tarrana's suggestion to move on.

"We will have to make do with what we have. With luck, those creatures were merely boasting."

" Indeed. Let us not waste any further time. Away!"

I'll say that Stilgar burns two channel energies in your attempt to get the bat airborne again.

Despite Jinjer's efforts, the beast is having no part of Magnus' plan, and turns on the two gnomes, gnashing its knife-like teeth. Stilgar, weapon at the ready, brains the thing when it is clear there is no way it will allow you to ride. The party then mounts up and continues on its way.

You and your mounts forge your course across the valley, following the locator sphere's path. At times you veer one way or another to avoid obstacles, such as fences, the occasional farmhouse, and large rocks. As the night drags on you move your way up into the foothills on the northwest side of the valley. The hills here are at first gentle, but quickly become steeper and rocky as you get closer to the all-embracing mountains. Eventually, you realize that you'll need to leave all but the sure-footed mules if you want to continue on your path.

The other thing the party must consider is time. You've ridden most of the night, having been up and active all day. Soon the hours will take their toll. If the party decides to continue on at this point, I'll need Fort saves in order to avoid fatigue from a forced march.

Eventually, you realize that you'll need to leave all but the sure-footed mules if you want to continue on your path.

Can we lead the horses? Or find a sheltered place to leave them? Any sign of the Jarl's men following our tracks. I expect we are leaving quite the trail.[ooc]

The other thing the party must consider is time. You've ridden most of the night, having been up and active all day. Soon the hours will take their toll. [ooc]If the party decides to continue on at this point, I'll need Fort saves in order to avoid fatigue from a forced march.

"The night wanes, but the need is great. I say we move on."

Fort save or Con check, same bonus. 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Tarrana nods and dismounts still feeling fresh.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

"We cannot afford to waste any more time - the nocturne already have a significant lead. Lives are at stake here."

Gaius: You can leave the horses-- or all the mounts, if you choose-- in a small stand of trees for cover. No sign of any pursuit at all, of course dwarves might not be using any torches to give themselves away, either.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The dice gods hate me...

Jinjer is exhausted - her fight with the nocturnes, poison-induced unconsciousness, and then the long ride have about done her in. She won't admit it though; she knows the need is great and will push herself in hopes of saving the villagers.

Fortitude save/Con check 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Magnus begins to feel the night dragging on, but he pushes himself, well aware that the burning in his thighs is a trifle compared to the suffering of the Nocturnes' captives. He moves on after hobbling Sunset and removing the saddle so she may rest as well.

It's not you, Jinjer. The dice gods are racist against gnomes.

Jinjer and Magnus can consider themselves fatigued.

With the gnomes dragging, but determined, the party leaves their mounts behind and continues upward into the hills. As the slopes become more difficult, Jinjer begins to guide the party in a meandering path, in order to find the best ascent while still moving in the direction given by the sphere. Eventually, the entire party finds itself having to use both hands and feet to progress. At this point, you're all considered to be climbing. It's a steep slope (DC 0) so you all can take 10 and succeed.

As you reach a plateau and pause briefly to catch your collective breath, you begin to hear the eerie call of pipes, the tapping of drums, and strains of song carried down by the wind from somewhere on the slopes above.

"Dammit...to hell!" Jinjer pants, collapsing on the ground. She pulls her waterskin from her belt and takes a couple of long gulps and poors some on her face and down the back of her neck.
"We have to get up there! No telling how long the villagers have!" She staggers to her feet and begins looking for a way up the slope.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Perception check 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 What's the approximate distance? ETA of our group?

Magnus huffs for a moment, but then advances. with the group, looking at the finding sphere one last time, he senses that they are close. He signals silently to the group that they should be prepared for the fight to start at any time. His preparation for this is to load his crossbow once more and release Tuboo from his pack. "Go see what's up there for us buddy and come back quickly ok? be safe." He then releases Tuboo to scout ahead.
Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Stealth 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25

I love tiny creature stealth bonuses!

Tarrana waits for the gnomes to make their scouting while listening to the spirirts of the wind trees and hills.

Jinjer and Magnus can consider themselves fatigued.

As you reach a plateau and pause briefly to catch your collective breath, you begin to hear the eerie call of pipes, the tapping of drums, and strains of song carried down by the wind from somewhere on the slopes above.

Gaius looks back the way we came searching for signs of the Jarl's men.

"Your king appears to care deeply for the fate of his people."

DM. Did you miss this PRD: "Forced march ... For each hour of marching beyond 8 hours, a Constitution check (DC 10, +2 per extra hour) is required. If the check fails, the character takes 1d6 points of nonlethal damage. A character who takes any nonlethal damage from a forced march becomes fatigued. ... [A] creature can also be ridden in a forced march, but its Constitution checks automatically fail, and the damage it takes is lethal damage. Mounts also become fatigued when they take any damage from ... forced marches."

or are you just giving us a break?

That's just the rules seeping out of the ever-widening holes in my brain. I'm sure your fellow players will thank you for keeping me on the straight and narrow.

Jinjer: 2hp nonlethal damage. Mangus: 1hp nonlethal damage.

Tuboo's narrow form bounds off into the darkness. A few minutes later, he returns, running up to Magnus and standing up on his hind legs, chittering and squeaking.

"We must move now! " Magnus pants as he says this, a sore in his side causing him to wince as he advances toward the den, drawing his crossbow and loading a bolt.

Gee...thanks Gaius...

Alarmed at Magnus' sudden anxiety, Jinjer assumes Tooboo's report was not good and likewise advances upward as fast as she can. On her way, she draws her shortsword, more for balance than for threat at this point.

Perception
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Brodgar makes his way up the slope, silent but for the occasional dislodged set of stones or exerted grunt. At the top he stops to listen to the instruments in the distance, unable to pinpoint them.

As Magnus and Jinjer react to the rabbit's report, Brodgar takes his axe and shield in hand and begins to jog after them. Well, he does this as soon as his hands aren't busy helping him climb.

EDIT: Oh, right.
Constitution check
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Still frosty.

Meh, someone reminded me of a rust monsters abilities once. Several weapons disintegrated at once. The group almost lynched that player.

Tarrana says nothing about Gaius's remark but she does smirk a little her attention focused on her climb and the grim tasks ahead.

1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17fort save noticed a slight issue with my convs.fort and corrected it. won't make any difference at this point anyway.

You'll never take me alive!

Gaius turns from watching the empty night.
"Though your jarl seems to have better things to do the people of the village should know this nest is here is case we do little more that add to the nocturnes larder. One of us should return. Shall we draw straws?

Gaius offers a choice, a number of dry stalks of grass protrude from his fist.

You continue your ascent up the mountainside, eventually reaching a spot where you can stand once more. A hole gapes in the rock face, some seven feet wide and about five and a half feet high. It is the source of the strange music you've been hearing. Those with darkvision can see that the cave extends into the mountain, without varying in height or width, for about fifteen feet before veering to the left.

The needle in the sphere is pointing into the cave mouth, but slightly to the right.

If the others enter Gaius will wait for an hour and then head back to the village leading the mounts and taking his time.

Rabbit? rabbit?!? I'm offended! Tuboo is a weasel! do you need a rank in Knowledge (Nature) ? haha

Magnus leaves the finding sphere in the bottom of his pack, then casts dancing lights and sends them down the cave ahead of them, advancing as quickly as he can with his aching sides. "I'm not certain that stealth is a viable option for all of us, but perhaps some of us may go ahead, take out any potential guards, then release a signal if you need help? "

Bah, late to the party again! Well, here goes...

"I have little faith in what the Jarl considers to be urgent," Stilgar says gruffly, perhaps even knowingly, "We cannot afford to turn back now." The usually calm dwarf glares into the tunnel as he says this, Jinjer's words from before weighing heavily on him. He was fully aware that simply running in blindly would be foolish.

"From the sound of it, they are occupied with their ravel. If we are swift, we can catch the lot of them off-guard. Their numbers may be greater than ours, but without their beasts of burden, the advantage they had in our last encounter is nonexistent."

Stealth check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 If there is a penalty for being fatigued, please deduct from the total.

Winded, but still moving forward, Jinjer follows the dancing lights into the cave mouth as quickly and quietly as possible. Sword in hand, she enters the cave, looks around for any guards, and then moves forward. If she spots a guard, she will get the attention of her companions before moving in for the kill.

Oh well who needs caution and planning.

The straws fall unnoticed to the ground.

"Once more into the breach dear friends."

Gaius follows the others into the dank cave.

Caution and planning are for the cautious and.... umm.... planicious?

Mangus sends his dancing lights into the cave, with Jinjer creeping along behind them. She rounds the slight bend to find that the tunnel widens into a small cavern, where ahead she sees two nocturne, blinking in annoyance at the shining globe of radiance that has entered. They don't appear to see Jinjer yet, but they are on guard because of the sudden intrusion of the magical light.

Initiatives, please, and state the actions you'd like to take.

Combat Map

initiative, 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Readying himself for battle, Stilgar draws his warhammer from his belt and raises his buckler.

Ready move action - move as close as possible to nocturne once everyone in front of him are out of the way.

bad web access.

action. ready non poisoned dart follow others in when there is room

Initiative 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 1 = 24
Magnus pulls the dancing lights back in this direction, hoping that the Nocturne will follow to Jinjer's waiting hands. He'll also set Tuboo down next to Jinjer so that he can help any way possible.

Ugh, power blink killed what I was writing so this is short and sweet as I get ready for my Sunday game. Also, sorry about the rabbit thing; I just remembered 'small furry critter' and forgot to fact check, heh.

Init
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Brodgar's arms should already be in hand.

Brodgar nods and grunts his agreement with Stilgar's assessment of the jarl.

Lost in thought, Brodgar reacts last to the threat. He jogs into the fray, maneuvering himself to get one of the foes pinned between him and an ally if possible.

[ooc]Double-move, if necessary, to get into a position to either flank or to shuffle next turn. Brodgar avoids triggering any AoOs.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Initiative.

Draw and load sling

Initiatve 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Stealth 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Her shortsword already in hand, Jinjer watches the guards closely as the dancing lights begin to come toward her. She moves just a few feet forward (to Q91) and presses her back against the wall. As soon as one of the guards is within five feet, Jinjer attacks.

3 20's for init, sweet! I'll choose the humanoid form of the lights, just for interest

The being of light comes into the room, seems to acknowledge the Nocturnes' presence, and then streak back out of the room at incredible speed. Magnus takes aim with his crossbow, trying to keep quiet if they approach, but ready to go into the room once Jinjer moves.
1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 - 1 = 201d8 ⇒ 7 Crossbow bolt
1d20 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 2 - 1 = 10 Stealth

If Magnus or anyone else fires a ranged weapon, Jinjer bursts forward and attacks, hoping to take down the nocturnes before they can raise the alarm.

Initiative Order:
Gaius
Magnus
Jinjer
Tarrana
Stilgar
Nocturne
Brodgar

Round 1:

Gaius, dart in hand, awaits the movement of the rest of the party.

Magnus withdraws the light from the room, then raises his crossbow and fires. The bolt catches the nocturne to the left in the chest, the force of the shot forcing him back half a step.

Jinjer surges forward, sword in hand.
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Her blade catches on one of the studs on the guard's armor, deflecting it along the leather rather than plunging into flesh.

Tarrana pulls out her sling and loads up a bullet, then steps up into the spot Jinjer moved from.

Hefting his hammer, Stilgar strides swiftly into the room, closing with the nocturne before they have a chance to act.

With their foes already closed on them, the nocturne react. Jinjer's opponent lets out a trilling, horrific shriek as it readies its spear. Will saves from Jinjer, Stilgar, Brodgar, Magnus, and Tuboo.
The second brings its spear up into a ready position, steps forward and thrusts at Brodgar, who easily deflects its point with his buckler.

Brodgar, girded for battle, pounds into the room, moving up to Stilgar's side to threaten his opponent.

Updated Combat Map

Round 1 init 25

Move action. Walk to Q-92.

Standard action. Throw dart at n-1. Attack -4 for throwing into melee.1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 3 - 4 = 12. Damage 1d4 ⇒ 1.

Round 2 init 25.
Move action. Walk to P-90

Standard. Ready second non poisioned dart.

Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Shortsword attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Jinjer grits her teeth at the shrieking of the nocturne, and then attacks with a vicious jab at its midsection...

Will Save Magnus 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Additional +2 vs fear, illusion
Will Save Tuboo 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Magnus fires another shot from his crossbow after taking a five foot step forward and sicking Tuboo on n2. He has a look of inspiration in his eyes and he speaks in common to his allies " I have a plan. What do we know about the Nocturne's Gods? "

Tuboo Acrobatics to avoid AoO 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Tuboo Bite 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Magnus Crossbow 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 - 1 = 181d8 ⇒ 3

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Stilgar frowned as the nocturne's shriek pierced his ears, clearly annoyed by the shrill sound. Glowering at the nocturne standing before him, the dwarf would step in, sweeping his warhammer in a horizontal arc.

Attack Roll: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Damage Roll: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Tarrana moves into position and casts a spell again filling the veins of her allies with a vigiorous fire.

Move to Q92
Cast Bless.

Will save
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Brodgar and will saves do not like each other.

Assuming he's not running in terror again, Brodgar will take a five-foot step up and swing his axe at n2.

Attack
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage
1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Initiative Order:
Gaius
Magnus
Jinjer
Tarrana
Stilgar
Nocturne
Brodgar

Round 2:

Gaius moves into the entrance of the cave and hurls a dart at Jinjer's opponent. It strikes home, but without the force to penetrate the nocturne's armor and strike flesh.

Magnus steps forward and launches another bolt (shot adjusted for firing into melee; opponent AC adjusted for soft cover) only to have it splinter on the wall behind the nocturne. Tuboo's lean body makes arcing bounds forward, with the weasel savaging the nocturne's shin guard, to no effect.

Jinjer sidesteps a thrust from the nocturne and jabs into his belly, her blade coming away with blood on the tip.

Tarrana casts her spell, firing the party's blood and fueling their strident attacks. PCs yet to act this round will have their attacks adjusted accordingly.

Stilgar's hammer sweeps in under the nocturne's jabbing spear, catching the vile creature in the ribs, blasting the breath from it.

The nocturne on the left stabs at Jinjer's face with its spear. Twisting at the hip, she nimbly avoids the attack, snarling ferociously and setting her opponent back on his heels.

The other thrusts at Stilgar's midsection, but the dwarf interposes his buckler and blocks the attack, pulling the spear down and its wielder forward.

The nocturne's shriek chills Brodgar's blood, but he fights on. [ooc]Brodgar is shaken for two rounds. Penalties applied to attack roll this round.] He brings his axe up over his shield and down in a vicious arc, catching it on the shoulder and opening up a grievous wound. The nocturne staggers back, barely able to keep its feet.

Combat Map for Round 3

Round 3 init 25

Move to P-90 if there is room otherwise stand and draw my third non poisoned dart.

Attack. Throw second dart at n1, bless and firing into melee included 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 - 4 + 1 = 6

How much time is left for my dancing lights? also, how far away are the sounds of drumming down the hallway?
Perception check 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Magnus notes how few arrows he has left, and also the fact that he may accidentally hit his friends in such close quarters. He sets down the crossbow and draws his club as he moves to assist Jinjer. (o88)

club strike(fatigued, blessed) 1d20 - 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 - 1 + 1 = 51d6 - 3 ⇒ (4) - 3 = 1

Tuboo continues to climb up the Nocturne's body, looking for a juicy spot to sink his teeth into.
1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 131d3 - 4 ⇒ (3) - 4 = -1

"I have a plan, but we likely need to dispose of these guards quickly before we're found here."