A Brute Squad Betrayal (Inactive)

Game Master ThorGN

Sierra doesn't notice her companions leave the road until it is too late to do so and she is left facing the centaurs on her own. Resisting the urge to run that she feels, instead she stands bravely and replies, "I am not alone good centaur. We need to pass through the centre of this island on pathfinder business. Would you be so kind as to allow us through your precious forest? Forgive us if we tresspass."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

We will not impede you passage, but be warned, we hunt a large cat that has killed a couple of our clan members and will not rest until it has been put down. Be careful not to become its next meal.

"Thankyou for your warning, We will be careful," she looks around towards where the others are hiding then back to the centaurs, "How large did you say?"

Selter stands up and shows himself. (Sithiss stays hidden.) However he will leave spear leaning against a tree at the moment to seem as nonthreatening as possible.

Sssorry if I ssstartled you. Wasss any able to identify the type of creature? Have you ssseen actual tracksss? If ssso, how large and how far apart?

Trying to get enough info to tell something about the threat.
knowledge nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

By reports it looks to be a Panther of some kind, but the tracks tell of the largest Panther I have ever seen. Now, we must continue the trail. Travel well! In a flash with the thunder of hooves, the Centaurs disappear into the forest.

Tortella shuffles out from behind a tree.
"Watch for... big cat." he gurgles, then he shakes his longspear above his head in both hands. "I fight... I kill."
A noise comes from his throat that sounds like gagging or coughing, but might actually be laughter.

To the centaurs, You have our many thanksss for the warning. We ssshall be careful.

To the rest of the group, It is unusual but not unheard of for a panther to attack people. Can be serious threat to foot travelers such as ourselves. Remember we must protect Rees.

If no one says differently, I will assume you want me to stay on point. But if someone else wants to take point, Sithiss and I could travel on either side of Rees.

Many animals fear fire. If you have a way to light them quickly, you may want to ready a torch to try and ward it away from you.

Tindertwig or spark would light it quickly. But I don't really know if that would have a chance of making it back off. I would like to try first to 'make friends' to get it to back off without killing it. But if the fight has already broken out, kill it fast. Big cats do a lot of damage quickly.

To the centaurs, You have our many thanksss for the warning. We ssshall be careful.

To the rest of the group, It isss unusual but not unheard of for a panther to attack people. Can be ssserious threat to foot travelersss sssuch as ourssselvesss. Remember we mussst protect Reesss.

If no one says differently, I will assume you want me to stay on point. But if someone else wants to take point, Sithiss and I could travel on either side of Rees.

Many animalsss fear fire. If you have a way to light them quickly, you may want to ready a torch to try and ward it away from you.

Tindertwig or spark would light it quickly. But I don't really know if that would have a chance of making it back off. I would like to try first to 'make friends' to get it to back off without killing it. But if the fight has already broken out, kill it fast. Big cats do a lot of damage quickly.

Now, let usss be on our way.

If no one objects, Selter puts his words to action. Hefting his spear and proceeding on the path. Sithiss at his heels.

After a hours of strenuous travel, you are greeted by the sound of running water echoing ahead, and several muted beams of light pierce the thick forest canopy. Soon the dense forest opens, revealing a river that blocks the way forward. A large felled tree trunk offers a way over the swift moving river.

With the exception of the rushing sound of the water, an eerie silence pervades the area, as does the fresh smell of death. A deer carcass litters the near riverbank.

"Dinner. Free!" Tortella exclaims and begins to shuffle towards the deer.

Selter whispers, Hold up eiger friend. Sssomthing made that kill and may not like you ssstealing itsss dinner. Let usss see what is about firssst. Ok?

Selter and Sithis examine the area from where they are before moving forward.

Selter perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Sithiss perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Selter says under his breath, Well hello kitty. Fellowsss over there hiding in the bushes is a very large cat just waiting for usss to crosss over on that log... Let usss sssee if we can avoid an unnecesssary fight, but thisss might be a good time to prepare.

How wide and fast moving is the river here? Does it seem like it would be a significant problem to just wade/swim across somewhere else?

The river is not rapids, but it is fairly fast moving. Walking accross the log should not be too much trouble, if you're not running, swimming accross is more dificult, but could be managed.

I'll take 10 on Acro for 12 to try to walk across, but I'd rather not be the first to go.

GM Brute Squad, how wide is the river right where the log bridge is located?

If we cross here I'm willing to go first and see if I can use wild empathy to keep it from attacking.
The other possibility is to just go down stream a ways and swim across with a rope to help keep from being washed down river.
Opinions?

I'm all about a beatdown. But that's just me.

Catching up - Busy 48 hours

Acenith walks out of her hiding spot when Selter engages with the centaurs. She regards Sierra carefully.

She's a brave girl, I'll give her that. There's more to her than meets the eye."Well done, Sierra. I apologise for leaving you in the road like that. I feel a little embarrassed, skulking off in the undergrowth. I guess I was rather carried away with the warnings of nature and Selter's sensible caution. You should not have been left to deal with the situation on your own. It will not happen again."

At the river crossing, Acenith follows Selter closely. She does not seem comfortable out here and treats the druid's words with great respect. Very happy for you to take point and drive the action out here, Selter. This is your terrain.

"The cat is waiting for us to cross? Is that normal behaviour for a simple beast? If it is waiting for us I am extremely unhappy about crossing the log. The leader will be an easy target for it and anyone crossing behind will not be able to help. I can swim well enough, but if I'm attacked while on that log, I fear I may be in the water sooner than I'd like.

Sierra, can you pin it down with your bow? Maybe you could scare it off if we could fashion a flaming projectile of some kind?"

"Selter, if you think you can pacify the beast, by all means try. I would prefer to deal with it without resorting to violence.

If empathy is more difficult, driving it off with fire would be my second choice, although I fear I do not have the means."

Many catsss are patient huntersss. They may sssit for hoursss waiting to leap on unsssussspecting prey.
I would rather not ssstart a foressst fire while we are in the middle of the foressst. Holding a torch to ward of animalsss is one thing. Firing flaming projectilesss into the bushes isss another.

Selter appears to really not like that idea.

I wasss going to sssuggessst jussst going around it. However, I'm not sssure all of usss are up to the ssswim. (Trying not to offend the limping old man.) I guesss it will be for the bessst to crosss here.
We ssshould ssspread out and prepare.

Suggested plan:
1 - Just before crossing I will cast magic fang on Sithiss
2 - Then shillelagh on my club.
3 - I will cross trying to use wild empathy to get it to not attack.
4 - I will be on total defense in case of attack to absorb the charge while you guys shoot it. (I'm assuming I can't really brace the spear against the charge while on the log. If I can I would do that instead.)
5 - Fight with the club after that.

Tortella runs up to the shore near where the animal was indicated to be, yelling Orcish profanity and strange tribal threats while shaking his spear in the air.
Intimidate (scare off): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Lol! While everyone is planning carefully, Tortella just runs up and goes Boo!

There is a swish in the bushes as the cat decides to retreat from the Half-Orc.

Acrobatics for getting across the log.

love waking up to see (13 new) :p

Sierra thanks Acenith and feels quite good with herself. She takes a deep breath and steadies her bow while Selter speaks. She follows behind him to the river with her bow ready, constantly looking into the forest.

When they get to the river Sierra runs over and inspects the carcass with Selter. "I think we found the centaurs beast." When Selter points it out across the river she prepares to attack. "I could hit it from here. " She is silent as they discuss how to deal with it until the half orc scares it off. She lets her bow arm drop to her side and says sarcastically, "I vote he goes across first..." She was annoyed that they now had lost sight of the creature. "I will cover you all from this side while you cross then go last."

When the others start crossing she readies her bow and scans the other side in case the cat comes back.
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Attack (readied to fire the instant the cat emerges from any bush): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5
+1 attack and damage if in 30ft.

That's nothing. I'm playing in a session where there have been 65 posts in the last 28 hours.

Tortella proudly attempts to cross the log, using his spear for balance.
Acro (take 10): 10 + 2 = 12

That is pretty awesome

Why didn't I think of that ?!?

Excellent ssshowing friend Tortella!

Selter slings his shield from the pack so it won't interfere with his balance. Asks Nalinivati for her help. Cast guidance on myself. Then takes his time walking across.

acrobatics: 10 + 0 + 1 = 11

Sithiss follows easily.
Snake has a climb speed so I'm assuming it can just 'climb' across with no check.

He then gets his shield and spear ready for action while checking out the area.

Selter perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Sithiss perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Acenith is looking the other way as Tortella roars at the beast. She spins round in surprise, her hand flying to her sword hilt. She pauses as she realises the situation and loosens her grip.

"Well, that's one way of dealing with it. I guess we go across now."

She eyes the log suspiciously. Can't be too hard. The others made it across easily enough.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 1 - 2 = 16

Phew

Acenith draws her sword and shield as she reaches the other side and scans for signs of the big cat.

Perception 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Marla and Brak make their way across the log with surprising balance, taking very deliberate steps as though the narrow surface were no more than a solid road.

On the other side, Marla sits down and makes some more notes in her book while Brak stands watchfully over her.

Sssince the big bad kitty isss gone, I sssupossse we ssshould be on our way again. Same order as before?

Selter and Sithiss take point again and head out.

Sierra keeps her young marksman eyes scanning the opposite bank as each of them cross. When she is the last one left she lowers her aim and slings her bow over her shoulder again. With a last quick glance behind her she steps onto the log and makes her way across to the others.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Through the forest, as the sun is setting, you find a suitable site to camp.

Tortella makes busy setting up his bedroll. Having no real armor to speak of, he simply sits and waits to see if the others plan to build a fire or make dinner.

Sithiss begins making a small, safe, and smoke free fire to warm up food for the others.

If the weather isss not bothering anyone, I sssuggessst we not leave the fire going all night. It would be likely to attrack unwanted attention. Sithiss and I will take firssst watch.

GM, (I don't have the map) does it seems at all likely that we will reach the mountains tomorrow? If yes, I will switch one of my prep'd spells from magic fang to endure elements. Sithis can't put on a winter coat.

I'll take last watch. So for the middle 3, maybe Paladin, Fighter, Summoner?

Marla and Brak will take the first watch.

Marla sits down and once again begins writing in her book.

Brak continues to stand over her and says something in Dwarven.

Marla looks up at him, slightly embarrassed. "Say it in Taldane, Uncle. Not everyone speaks the tongue of our people." she says.

Brak looks down at her, then grunts. "Fine. Young ones, we will take the first watch." he says.

Isss not a problem. Sithiss and I can take the sssecond watch.

I assume we are taking 2 hour watches for a total of 10 hours. Then all the casters have time to get full rest. We can prepare/meditate to get our spells in the morning before getting on the road.

Sounds right to me.
Marla
Selter
Sierra
Acenith
Tortella
Sound good?

"Thank you for cooking Selter. It's good to have something warm. I will take whichever watch will allow the spellcasters among you to get the rest you need. Fourth sounds fine to me.

No fire, is it? Then I guess I'll wrap up warm. Goodnight, fellow travellers. Watch out for that panther, Brak and Marla."

After eating, Acenith wraps herself up in her blanket, puts on an extra pair of socks and settles down on her bedroll.

The first watch passes without incident.

As Selter is watching over his companions, an owl hoots in a near by tree. Suddenly the large black cat with violet eyes burst from the underbrush, pouncing on the snake-man.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7, but its foot steps on the coals from the old fire and it jumps aside, missing him altogether.

Round 1
Tortella
Sierra
Acenith
Cat
Marla
Brak
Selter
Sithis

Everyone else is awakened by the sounds of comabat. You are prone, unarmed, and without armor. All your gear is within arms reach though.

Tortella, Sierra, Acenith, go!

Those with light armor should still be armored.

Tortella jumps to his feet and grabs his spear. 10-foot reach, so that animal better watch its step.

craptastic! My perception is never that low when I roll it. just kidding. =)

So do you want to do it that way, with Sithiss having a seperate initiative than me? I don't care either way and it doesn't make any difference this time. But some GM's say it will just be on the PC's turn.

Selter shouts, [b]Nalinivati weepsss! The cat followed usss! Everyone up![b]

Yes, light armour so still wearing it - might feel a bit stiff in the morning but better than being a bit dead.

Wha...who? Acenith wakes with a start. She sees the giant cat bearing down on them. Oh that's just great. Rees, keep out of the way!

She grabs her sword from the floor beside her (and her shield too if she can do it as part of the same move action - if not, just the sword) and jumps to her feet, facing the panther. Hey kitty! she screams, trying to grab its attention. Come here!

Sierra agrees to take the third watch and settles down near the fire as the sun goes down. She talks to Acenith about her parents farm and her brother that was currently on another mission for the pathfinders. "I couldn't stay in absolom. It's too big for me. Smaller communities are more suited to me."

Woken up by the shouts of Selter, Sierra scrambles to pick up her bow and sling on her quiver. She brings an arrow to her bow and aims for the big cat.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 2 = 10
Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 2 = 9

The following is assuming we are still standing after the cat attacks.

Selter steps back to have room to call upon Navlinivati's help. Single 5 ft step to the right on the map to a non-threatened square and not blocking Sierra's shots. Selter holds forth his club and says, Bojte sa Boha zbraň! Cast shillelagh on his club. The weapon is now +1 hit and weapon damage is 2d6+1 for 1 minute.

Sithiss lunges forward to protect his provider.
bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
But fails to sink fangs into the fast moving mammal.

Kool, that works very well.

The cat continues to go after Selter.
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10, miss.
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13, miss.
Bite: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15, miss.

Marla & Brack, then Tortella, Sierra, and Acenith.

Rapid Shot Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 2 = 4
Rapid Shot Attack: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 2 = 20
Damage 1: 1d8 ⇒ 5
Damage 2: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Sierra draws an arrow, releasing it quickly before drawing another and firing in quick succession.

Acenith picks up her shield (I don't think she could do this before) and moves in towards the cat, attempting to block any route through to Rees.

Acenith winks at Selter as she draws alongside, "A little more warning would be appreciated next time."