Izumi Chosokate |
How long were we travelling? We spent a week in Jol, ne? I assume I can only manage to work the forge 4 hours a day or so (given guard duties, etc), so I'll halve any progress I make on my craft checks.
"There you are Sandru! Took some magic, but here it is. A full forge inside of a wagon. It's a little cramped, but other than that, it's just any other I've worked in." Izumi was exultant bringing the new wagon back into camp, calling to Sandru with a wide grin. "It's also loaded full of ores, leather and quality timber for forging some new weaponry. If no one has an immediate need, I'll set to work crafting something quality that might earn a profit once we reach Kalsgard."
Perception check at the Bridge: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Garand Stone-of-the-Moon |
Garand sidles up to Shalelu and Sorin first, maneuvering them to ride alongside each other for a moment, trusting to her sharp hunter's eyes and his keen analytical mind, "Don't look up suddenly, but I believe we are being followed by a larger than normal crow. I've seen the same one in the sky more than once, even 'though we have travelled many miles. Perhaps it is some sort of shapeshifter..."
"If it is a shapeshifter, and not merely a large and distinctive crow or raven, it may be necessary to take precautions against the creature infiltrating during the night and replacing a guardsman, or one of us, or attempting to sneak into the encampment as a small animal to steal away Ameiko's birthright."
Garand Stone-of-the-Moon |
"If so, we should alert the others and all release our arrows at the same moment, to better assure that we strike our target, and, if it is some shapechanged beast, bring it down. We may not be afforded a second shot, if it is capable of fast flight..."
"Sorin, can you alert the others discreetly, that we do not give the creature a warning that we are massing against it? And do you have some ranged magics that will assist in the attack?"
Hoping that Sorin has the message cantrip. An alert spy might notice us going around and everyone readying their bows right afterwards, so it would be more of a surprise if we could spread the information via message cantrip or something...
"We could also call for Sandru to stop the caravan for a moment, and pretend to be dealing with something he has found on the ground, which might prompt the creature to descend closer to get a good look at whatever we seem to have discovered, although that might backfire and rouse it's suspicions..."
Sorin Saldward |
"I do not have that spell readied today, besides the fact that I do not believe that I could cast it with sufficient stealth to hide my intentions. I recommend that Shaleu "break" the axle on your wagon, it happens often enought that it should not arouse suspicions. That will give us a chance to huddle around and underneath the wagon to discuss our course of action. I don't know if this is a good location to prepare for a battle though. Should we not try to find a clearing?" Sorin whispers to Garand and Shaleu.
We haven't crossed the bridge yet, right? We are right at the bridge getting ready to cross?
Raith Shadar |
Perception:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Raith's keen ears discern a few of the words spoken between Sorin, Garand, and Shalelu from his vantage point near Ameiko's wagon. He scans the sky for this large crow, notes its position and watches it for a bit wondering if he could make the shot. So our enemies can use birds for eyes. I hate sorcery. So little a common man can do against it.
Sorin Saldward |
"It appears that we can do little at this time. I suggest we proceed. I would guess that the bird must inform someone if there is to be an ambush or other calamity, so as long as the bird remains visible, we may suppose that we are simply under observation."
The Celestial Bureaucracy |
The caravan crosses the bridge wearily, but all is calm, and you find yourselves on the other bank of the river, where the trail proceeds north. The forest here is not as close to the river as on the other bank, and not as dark and looming. Still, you keep a keen eye pointed at the woods, and Shalelu remains tense the whole time.
For a full day, you proceed north, following the meandering river. You scare off a pack of wolves that followed you for a few hours, but nothing more serious than that.
The bird is nowhere in sight that day.
Night comes late, and morning early. The forest nearby silenced the usual dancing and singing. You proceed further, still with no sign of the bird, and the trail finally leaves Grungir forest behind. Small settlements start to appear, and you spend the next night in a village called Eldentre, where Keldra has relatives.
The Ulfen welcome you as saviors, and you enjoy strong biers in their hall.
The next day is filled with the odd villages. As night falls, the trail arrives at an important junction, where the Thundering River leaves the Rimeflow River. The bridge here, Skalsbridge, is wide and leads over the Rimeflow, towards Kalsgard.
Pavel |
"Lemme go and take a luh'look before we cross. Make sure there's no buh'birds waitin' for us...", Pavel says before creeping across the bridge.
Going forward over the bridge, stealthily if possible.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Stealth: 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 1 = 20
I'll also look for any odd tracks.
Survival-tracking: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 2 = 26
Garand Stone-of-the-Moon |
Bear-spirit expresses displeasure at the sight of the bridge, remembering too-well his last experience at river crossing...
Garand comforts him, assuring him that, this time, he won't have to be in the water, and that he's a much stronger swimmer now anyway.
Sorin Saldward |
Geography: Is this the last bridge before Kalsgard? Are there any other locations along the route that are choke-points? 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Sorin looks at the long bridge warily. Knowing full well that the disappearance of the bird-thing has increased his anxiety over the last few days, rather than reassuring him.
If that was an enemy, they will wish to strike soon, so they can control the battlefield. If that wasn't an enemy why didn't they come over and say hello? We look like a caravan, not like a raiding party. There shouldn't be any reason for us to be avoided, unless they know that we have the Seal. That would make us an unknown and dangerous quantity. Actually I am surprised that our enemy has not sent a scouting party against us to test our resolve.
Anxiety reaching a fever pitch in Sorin's mind, he stops where he is walking alongside the wagons and utilizing his stave, quickly casts two spells over himself.
Extended Protection from Arrows and Mage Armor. Good for the next 8 hours
Well. I cannot do much more to be prepared. he thinks as he continues walking alongside the wagon, loaded crossbow held loosely in his hands.
Sorin Saldward |
"While I am loathe to halt here as this is the last major bridge before we reach Kalsgard, if we must pick a place to stop, this is better than most."
"From my recall of the geography, this is the last chance to stage an ambush, if that was the intentions of the bird-thing. If we can do double watches tonight, I would recommend it. My spells will not lapse for several hours, so I can sleep now then keep watch with Raith in the early hours."
"Then again, I may just be paranoid. Perhaps the bird-thing was innocent and unconnected to our companion's challenges."
The Celestial Bureaucracy |
Perception rolls:
Sorin: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Raith: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Garand: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Izumi: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2
Pavel: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
The sounds of night are muted amid the freezing fog that clings to blankets, cloaks, and Varisian mustachios alike. As Raith takes his turn, watching over the camp, he notices again the black crow, perched atop one of the lintel posts of the bridge above the campsite. The volatile immediately takes flight and flees, disappearing in the mists.
Raith and Sorin get two rounds before something else happens...
Sorin Saldward |
Mage armor and protection from arrows expired in the last hour or so. Have I had at least 15 minutes to study since I awoke (since I am only replacing 2 spells)? Its fine if not (and reading the discription I assume I didn't), that is what scrolls are for.
The Celestial Bureaucracy |
Mage armor and protection from arrows expired in the last hour or so. Have I had at least 15 minutes to study since I awoke (since I am only replacing 2 spells)? Its fine if not (and reading the discription I assume I didn't), that is what scrolls are for.
You had time to study.
The Celestial Bureaucracy |
Everybody wakes and gets to their feet. You're not wearing your armor unless you have a special way to do it without getting fatigued.
The dull silence is suddenly broken by the scrape of wood upon the gravel bank of the river—a boat has beached just beneath the bridge—quickly followed by the splash of feet in the shallows
and the oath-cries and battle-songs of Ulfen raiders!
They quickly get out of the boat and reach the beach, forty in all. Half of them move toward the wagons, but twenty aim for your group.
Your turn. The area between the beach and the grass is steep and requires a double move to climb.
Map
Sorin Saldward |
"Paranoia wins again." Sorin says, setting the crossbow down on the ground, then standing up as he begins to cast spells, the runes glowing strongly in the gloom. His hands sketch through the air, tracing what appears to be three links in a chain. The chains shrink to the size of a thumb then rapidly duplicate into a fine silvery mesh, that wraps around Sorin and vanishes, leaving a fine metallic sheen on his clothes. He then extracts a small shard of tortoise shell and murmuring words under his breath, scribes tiny glowing runes on its surface. The moment the surface of the shell is covered, he flicks the shell, causing ghostly outlines of tortoise shells to fly out and take up station in a softly glowing sphere around him.
"Raith, I have several spells prepared for you. Don't get to far away from me please."
Sorin didn't change any of his spells, so he is casting Protection from Arrows and Mage Armor on himself again, not using the stave though to extend the spells.
Sorin Saldward |
Sorry. Rnd 1: Mage Armor. Rnd 2: Protection from Arrows. Each takes a standard action to cast, so I figure that is all I can do for the moment.
Garand Stone-of-the-Moon |
Garand rises to his feet, readying his shield and morningstar. (He slept in his mithril shirt.)
If he has time, he casts a spell on Raith, passing him a silvery ring. "Put this on, and remain within 10 paces of me, so that my magic will protect you."
Shield other on Raith for 4 hours, giving him a +1 deflection bonus to AC, +1 resistance bonus to saves, and half of all damage he takes is transfered to Garand instead.
Through their spiritual link, he calls bear-spirit to him, and has the beat stand beside him, ordering him to defend. (So that he'll attack anyone who attacks him or Garand.)
Izumi Chosokate |
Oh crap, no armour. This is gonna be bad for me.
Izumi stands, drawing his katana and recovering his shield from it's place on the ground. Not shying away from combat despite his ill-preparedness, Izumi runs to the front lines alongside Raith, shield held up in case the enemy has throwing weapons. "Quick, if we can get to the bank we might be able to hold the higher ground!" Izumi half-whispers, not loud enough so that the enemy might hear, but still loud enough for his allies..
Move action: Move to O16. Standard action: Tactician (Escape Route). Escape Route active for everyone for 5 rounds.
Sorin Saldward |
Do we get any more actions before we get shot at? Because I would certainly like to use more spells to prepare.
Pavel |
Pavel grabs his shield and longsword, scrambling with Izumi for the dividing line between the beach and the grass. Though still groggy, he bellows something filthy in Skald.
Skald:
Sorin Saldward |
Seeing Izumi's plight, and seeing that Garand too care of Raith, Sorin expends his last casting of Mage Armor on Izumi. "Izumi, I am going to cast an armor spell on you. That should improve our chances."
Mage Armor on Izumi.
The Celestial Bureaucracy |
The Battle of Skalsbridge: Round 1 - The Scions of Amatatsu
Garand rises to his feet, readying his shield and morningstar. (He slept in his mithril shirt.)
If he has time, he casts a spell on Raith, passing him a silvery ring. "Put this on, and remain within 10 paces of me, so that my magic will protect you."
Through their spiritual link, he calls bear-spirit to him, and has the beat stand beside him, ordering him to defend.
Raith stays near Sorin preparing himself for incoming attacks.
Izumi stands, drawing his katana and recovering his shield from it's place on the ground. Not shying away from combat despite his ill-preparedness, Izumi runs to the front lines alongside Raith, shield held up in case the enemy has throwing weapons. "Quick, if we can get to the bank we might be able to hold the higher ground!". Izumi half-whispers, not loud enough so that the enemy might hear, but still loud enough for his allies.
Pavel grabs his shield and longsword, scrambling with Izumi for the dividing line between the beach and the grass. Though still groggy, he bellows something filthy in Skald.
Round 1 - The Ulfen Raiders
The wave of Ulfen raiders rises from the riverbank and starts climbing the small cliff. In unison, they yell and chant for blood. Through the frozen mists, you see five of them clearing the edge before the others. They are clad in light armors and their helmed face peer at you snarling above their small round wooden shield. They throw their axe at you.
19 vs R: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
20 vs I: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 201d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
17 vs I: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 161d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
16 vs P: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
15 vs P: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 101d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Their throws are wide though, except for the two targeting Izumi. His arcane armour deflects one axe, but the other catches him on his exposed leg. (-7 hp to Izumi)
The other raiders make their way up the bank and end up closing in on your right flank.
Status
Mage Armor on Sorin
Protection from Arrows on Sorin
Shield Other between Raith and Garand
Mage Armor on Izumi
Escape Route Round 1/5
Updated Map
You’re all up.
Sorin Saldward |
"Move to the bridge! We can hold the front and they can't surround us!", Sorin shouts, pointing to the left. "Raith I will follow you, I need you to move first so I can get behind you and cast Bull's Strength on you."
No actions performed yet. Sorin will wait for the others to start moving, then follow, so he can get close to Raith and cast the spell.
Garand Stone-of-the-Moon |
Garand also finds Sorin's suggestion to be tactically sound, and moves towards the bridge at full speed, commanding bear-spirit to follow, and then to defend again, once they reach their new position.
Garand moves to K14 (or K13 if K14 isn't an eligible space, due to the bridge support), bear-spirit to directly in front of him (L14 or L13).
He then calls upon Erastil's favor to help his new family repel the raiders.
Bless on allies, +1 morale bonus to hit and to saves vs. fear for 4 minutes.
In Elven he calls out,