The Ravaging of the River Kingdoms (Inactive)
Game Master Darksmokepuncher

"Ya death to the Kobolds, we should kill them and replace their miners with our own. I don't wish to sound daunting, but finding them and beheading their leader should be top priority."

Before I can move you "east," I need to know what Hex you are heading into. I gave you a map link in the campaign info tab.

B7. After that, we head south.

Horses or on foot?

Foot, unless the horses are already war-trained.

The group sets out afoot.

By the end of the day, you come to Bokken's hut where you can find easy shelter.

The next day you cross into B7 2 hours past dawn and spend the day exploring the hex and cataloging what you find. As night falls, the 5 of you make camp. as you finish your meal, and are beginning to bed down for the night, a long, loud howl errupts from the grass not more than 100 yards from you. It is answered by 5 more howls, each begins the same, but finishes slightly diferent. You are surrounded.

Perception DC 27 (DC 25 with Darkvision) is needed to spot the wolves.

Perception Darkvision 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24 Is there a tree nearby? If so Wraith would have set up his watch there. If not, no worries Wraith notches an arrow to his bow and crouches from his watchman's perch peering out into the night.

DAMN missed by 1.

Darkvision Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Bleary eyed, Anga wakes to hear the last of the wolf call. Stumbling to his feet and yawning he draws his rapier and tries to see where the animals might be hiding.

Well darn.

Light-Light Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Thaegrin reflects on his knowledge of pack animals, and tries to replicate the first howl, but in a call to retreat.
Knowledge (nature) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13, Casts Ghost Sound, Will save DC 15 to disbelieve.

Result on the will saves will be revealed on the wolves turn. I'll post for Audrey after Eddric goes.

Eddric wakes and stands. He then prepares his sword to strike a charging wolf.

[perception]
1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

Hold action, if Eddric is charged he'll swing at the first charger.

Audrey traces the outline of a skull in the air and you all feel invisible, bony fingers clasp you about the arms and guide you actions.

Bless: +1 to attacks and damage rolls and +1 against fear effects.

The wolves send up new, confused howls. A howl similar to the first and very close to the one Thaegrin created raises over the din.

Perception DC drop by 10. If you make it, you may act. Good going Thaegrin, you confused the s%@* out of them.

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Thaegrin persists, sending another call to retreat.

He whispers to the tiefling, "Can you see the alpha male? Bring him down, if you can."

Wraith strains his eyes in the darkness looking for a target to fire upon.

Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Looking for the largest wolf, his bow tracks targets. Sighting what he hopes is the alpha wolf, he lets loose a volley of arrows.

Two arrows twang. A soft whimper dies quietly in the night air, and you can all hear (except Audrey) the retreat of padded paws.

End initiative. Well done! What next?

Anga yawns and rubs the sleep from his eyes. Blinking out into the night, he sheaths his sword and returns to his bedroll.

Thaegrin sleeps through the rest of the night, trusting his unsleeping companion's marksmanship.

After breaking his fast the next morning, he speaks up. "I think we explored far enough east, for now. Shall we continue south?"

Wraith spends the night skinning the wolf pelt and keeping a watchful eye.

"South? Yeah that's fine with me." Anga shrugs as he packs his bed into a roll.

Which Hex?

C7

The heroes continue south and near the end of the day, by a bend in the Shrike River, the come up a low rise in the plains where part of the hill has been torn away into a crude sort of dug out. Bones and feathers mark the place. As the sun begins to fade, a lumbering shape appears on the ridge. It is part bear, part bird, but different from both. A challenging, screeching growl issues from is beak as it spreads it feathered, bear-like arms: huge talons curving wickedly.

You are 50 yards away. It sees you and seems hostile. What do you do?

I cast BIG BRAINS at it. Knowledge (arcana) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"You recognize that thing Elf?"

The wizard harrumphs, taking a deep breath.
"The origin of the owlbear is a subject of great debate among scholars of the monstrous creatures of the world. However, most concur that at some point in the distant past, a deranged wizard created the original specimens by crossing an owl with a bear—perhaps as proof of some insane concept about the nature of life, but possibly out of sheer lunacy. Whatever the original purpose of such a freakish creation as the owlbear, the creature bred true and has become quite well-established in woodlands across the world, where it plays a key role in a region's ecosystem as an apex predator.

"Owlbears are notoriously bloodthirsty killers, well known for their short tempers, aggression, and savage nature. They tend to attack without provocation, slaughtering any living creatures that cross their paths. Many scholars that have encountered these creatures in the wild have noted that they all have red-rimmed eyes that roll about wildly when they close in for an attack. This is sometimes presented as a sign of madness, suggesting that all owlbears are born with a pathological need to fight and kill, but more level-headed researchers believe that it's simply part of the way the massive bird-beast's keen eyes are constructed.

"Owlbears generally inhabit desolate areas of the wilderness, making their messy lairs within wild forests or inside dark, shallow caverns. They are equally adept at hunting during the day and at night, depending upon the prey available near their lairs.

"Adult owlbears live in mated pairs, and hunt in small groups, leaving their young behind in their lairs while they search for prey. While it is considered impossible to truly domesticate owlbears due to their feral natures, they can still be used as guardians if contained within an area but allowed to roam and hunt freely there.

"Yes, halfbreed, I recognize that 'thing'." He smiles smugly. He turns to the knight. "I daresay this might be a challenge the likes of which we have yet to be tested. We may not survive, we may prevail. It appears to have spotted us, so retreat may be difficult. As our paragon of bravery, Sir Eddric, I defer to your judgement."

He plucks a scroll of Mage Armor from his belt. "In any case, luck favors the prepared." Haha! Get it? Scroll case? Prepared spells? You're welcome.

A layer of force cloaks the arcane scholar.

Anga unlimbers his bow and draws an arrow from his quiver. Picking at his fingers with the arrows head he asks; "So is it an adult? Part of a pair? Or is it out hunting, with a bunch more of it's kind?"

Glancing around the area the thief tries to see if he can spot any evidence of other Owlbears in the vicinity.

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Wraith looks at the lumbering owlbear. "Well," he mused "I'll be finding a nice spot to shoot that thing. Sir Eddric, have fun getting cozy with it." Wraith looks around searching for other any other Owlbears to ensure that this is indeed a solitary owlbear.

Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 and he is looking for a spot 90-100ft away without tripping over another owlbear.

Audrey lays a hand on Eddric's shoulder and moves her mouth.

"Grud Lekk." Linguistics DC 10 if you can't figure it out.

Guidance. You have a plus 1 to your next D20 roll.

There do not APPEAR to be more Owlbears around.

The creature leaps off the top of its little dug out and moves forward.

Acrobatics 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

You are now 90ft. from the beast. Wraith, this is pretty much open plains with a few low hillocks. Nothing to provide cover for a long way around. I will assume you moved back 20 feet to stay at max range. Is that cool?

Eddric, you have 2 action to account for. At most, you can get to within 20 feet of the owlbear. I'll post more after you do. :)

As the creature does its tricks the knight smirks. Eddric strolls forward as if to challenge the beast, speaking no words.

Move action x2 10 feet forward.

Since you have the action economy, I'll assume that you ready an action to attack when in range.

Everyone else is up now.

Thaegrin pulls a wand from his robes and stands with Eddric directly between him and the owlbear. He points the wand at the monster, and a small glowing white ball of light fringed with red forms at the tip of the wand. The bright sphere dashes a dancing path to the massive creature.
Magic Missile 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Wraith pulls out two arrows and draws his bow string back sighting the owlbear. Breath out.... hold breath....Fire.

"I thought it was me ending the round, not me starting one for somereason. You guessed it, ready attack response.

Eddric, you were ending AND beginning a round :)

Thaegrin fires a missle that inconveniences the creature, but Wraith follows it end with two very well placed arrows that send it into a rage!

Audrey levels her crossbow and looses a quarrel at the creature.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 for 1d8 ⇒ 3

Anga is up.

I guess we're fighting then... Keeping pace with the wizard and knight Anga draws back his bow and releases at the monster.

Shortbow Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Shortbow Dmg 1d6 ⇒ 1

Not sure if there's a range penalty or not. The range on a shortbow is 60ft. Not certain how far away we are.

Anga and Audrey's missles sail wide.

The owlbear charges head long at the knight.

Eddric's readied attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 for 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 6 = 13

Eddric's skill at arms tells him that his blow only connects do to the beast's reckless charge.

Bleeding profusely now, the creature swipes at Sir Eddric.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Confirm Critical 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Free Grapple Attempt 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

Eddric takes 12 damage and is now grappled

For reference: The Owlbear and Sir Eddric are grappling. 10 feet from them are Anga, Audrey, and Thaegrin, and 20 feet from the Owlbear is Wraith.

Dropping his bow on the ground Anga runs forward and dives past the Owlbear. Tucking and rolling he springs up opposite his companions on the other side of the creature, rapier in hand (BAB +1).

Acrobatics to avoid AoO 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Bringing his arm back he slashes at the grappling beast.

Rapier Attack 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 25
Rapier Dmg 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7
Sneak Attack 1d6 ⇒ 4

Confirm Crit 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11

Nice hit, and good tumble. Unfortunately, grappled allies do not provide flank, so I have to take off the sneak damage.

The half-elf flashes across the ground and comes up with a stabbing thrust that narrowly misses the beasts heart! 7 damage

OOC: But Eddric doesn't want to be grappling with the Owlbear.

CMD To break1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Thaegrin extends a hand flushed with blood. A frosty beam blasts from his palm to the feathery monster.
Ranged Touch 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Damage 1d3 ⇒ 2 cold damage. Chippin' away...

Eddric is unable to break away from the beast.

Thaegrin frosts its beak.

Best a man takes down that owlbear before Eddric becomes a meal. Wraith thought as he whipped out two more arrows.

Flurry 1 Arrow + Point Blank 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 81d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Flurry 2 Arrow + Point Blank 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 211d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

One arrow punches into the beast's left eye, and it shudders and slumps, dropping Eddric as it falls.

What's next boys?

Picking up his bow Anga looks around the area, checking to see if the scuffle has brought any sort of attention to them.

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Wiping the blood from his rapier he cautiously approaches what looked to be the beasts den, keeping an eye out for any sign of waylaid wayfarers, living or dead.

"Well I don't know much about Owlbears nor Boars, but it seems a safe bet to me that the two wouldn't be comfortable sharing the same hunting grounds... We should probably keep searching."

"I feel like I need a shower, this beast drooled on me." Eddric spent the next few minutes trying to was away the feeling of rape away from his body. "I do not care for my personal space to be invaded."