Anya put down a marker on the western waterfront where the orphan girl had been found, and thumbed it slightly. "We got caught with our pants down here. We are underprepared for the settlement. Usually, we should have secured a few miles to either side of our borders, to ward against any surprises. Things went too fast, but we should, as a principle, adher to this in the future."
She briefly weighed her options, then added "Alright, here is what I propose: We will convert the area around Nettle's Crossing to farmlands. Its close to the river, but not boggy, and we might be able to get a harvest of winter barley through before the weather turns too cold - and further expand our borders northward, towards Mite's old lair. All the while, we first deal with this crisis, and then create the buffer of secured land we should have created in the first place." With a winning smile towards Elsbeth, she asked "Or would any of you plan things differently?"
"I liked in particular that reference to the pants,was about time we had some fun"
Elsbeth smiles back.
Lev has remained throughout most of the council discussion, standing at Anya's side with his arms crossed over his chest. Finally, he speaks.
"I agree with what Alannah has said. Security will be of great importance, especially with so many coming into the lands. Unfortunately, they are too eager and as yet we are too few in comparison. There will be losses such as what happened with the child and we will be unable to stop it."
He puts his hand on the haft of his handaxe and frowns. "That doesn't mean, however, that such actions should go unpunished. We should find out what we can about 'Blue Worm' and then go forth and settle the issue."
For matters of expansion and land development, he nods in agreement with Anya.
When the girl appeared in front of the Princess and her retainers, she seemed stunned and glaze eyed. It took quite a bit of work from Elsbeth to finally coax her to speak. When she did, her voice remained flat, retelling the tale with no emotion, as if reading from a book.
"Pa had told us we could start a new farm down here. He brought us down on the back of Big Bess, our draft horse. She was all we had after the farm was took by his Lordhsip back home. Dad was hoping to get in with one of the wagon trains rolling out from the big city, but we was late coming in for that. Ma told him we oughta wait, but Pa said we had no coin so we headed in any way."
She kept looking about 5 feet in front of her, never meeting the eyes of any of the ones she spoke to. She seemed mature for her age, but then folk who worked the land often grew up faster than city kids.
"When we reached the lake and couldn't see no castle, Pa reckoned we musta strayed in the hills. He climbed a tree to gain his bearings and then told us to follow the lake shore till we found this new place he kept talking about. Me and Jakub was riding Big Bess, while Ma, Pa and 'Sandra walked along carrying most of our gear. We come to a dead fall near the lake shore when the Big Blue worms come at us. The biggest one et 'Sandra afore we even had time to scream really. Pa rushed em, waving his stick but he was tiny standing agin them. He got bit by two of 'em, and they tore him up fightin' over was ter eat him too. Ma hit Big Bess then, and she went a running down the water front. We lept the dead fall, but Jakub fell orff and hit his head. Ma was running behind and she picked him up, and that's when the third one come outta the water. It et both of em there and then. Big Bess kepta running, but she got bit by a snake and died. I kept walking the lake shore like Pa told me to, and then the loggermen found me. I don't know much moren that."
Lev frowns, nodding. "I think I might know what these things are," he says quietly.
Anya felt slightly at a loss how to respond to the orphan. The little girl was clearly trying to avoid incurring her anger, and intimidated - but Anya had no clue how to bridge that distance, make her less frightened. Maybe there wasn't any way, after what she had just suffered through.
"You have been very brave, and telling us has been very helpful." She tried to smile at her, but her seriousness couldn't quite be dispelled that easily. Whatever these worms were, they were dangerous and quite too close. She looked down on herself, but found no small trinket or bauble that might be comforting. So instead she crouched down close to her, and spoke to the girl at eye level. "Thanks to your quick wits and quick feet, you managed to live. That is a great gift your Ma and Pa gave you, and I will help you make the most of it. Bergan, my Counciler, will make sure you find a good home, where you will be save and you will be loved."
Survival
Perception
Kiso's Perception
Kiso has Scent and is able to track via smell to range of 15ft
"Do you worship Pharasma?" Alandra aks the girl. "She is a kind goddess, and took me in when I was in a position not unlike yours. If you wish, could stay with me and help me with the shrine."
Lev's knowledge of the natural world and the creatures within it brought to mind a local beast known as a Tatzyl worm. These creatures were related to dragonkin in their distant past, and tended to be ambush predators. The girls story seemed to follow the pattern - A tangle of fallen timber or rocks to hinder movement, plenty of cover and wait till folk had split up along the trail to attack.
They were intelligent beasts, attacking in co-ordinated ways and regularly baiting their prey. He recalled a story of one old worm taking a young maiden from a foresters hut but not killing the girl. It allowed her to wander injured and scared in its hunting area, calling for help. When the foresters came to rescue her, it had picked them off one by one killing eight men before the Old Mother of the village had found it and destroyed it. The Old Mother herself had died from its poisonous breath though, her face blackened and eyes bulged as her lungs closed up in pain. These things couldn't be left to roam, especially since it sounded like a family group with two large cretures and one young.
The girl listened wordlessly as Lev related this tale. She nodded slowly to Anya's words, but when Alandra spoke, a fire lit behind her eyes. "If I follow lady death, will I gain the power to stop things like this, missus? My Ma and Pa should not have died, and little Jakub was barely out of his poopers. He done nothin'. I wanna stop stuff like that happenin missu, can you help me do that?"
****
It took two days to prepare for the journey. Things had changed since they became rulers, and leaving in a hurry was not an option any more.
Anya's decree about settling the river confluence and its old crossing had gone out, and even now road builders were laying stone and clearing rock for the passage of hevier wagons. Land parcels were lotto'd and the lcky few who had recieved it began to muster herds of sheep and hill goat outwards from the big pens they had been kept in so far.
Riding out of town, Anya's guard gave salute, a single trumpet blaring bright in the morning air as she and her group rode forth to tackle the killers to the west. The small folk gathered along Mikhail's Way to watch them ride, cheering their new Princess and her brave bannermen as they rode forth. Lev and Batsukan rode at the vanguard, the Tien's horse paranicng with head high and feet high stepping. Lev's heavy set roan snorted at the sight, but couldn't match the legence of the stallions gait. Even Elsbeth had gotten used to riding in their travels so far, and looked comfortable upon the back of her Palamino. The mounts were new, and thoroughbred in stock, chosen by a Restovian horsebreeder who had travelled south to join them. These folk looked like rulers now, not ragged adventurers out for gold as they once may have been.
****
They were a day and night in reaching the dead fall where the girl stated the attack had happened. Batsukan's horse picked up the scent of death and lizard scat almost immediately, his ears turning downa nd teeth baring at the danger. The Ronin turned to his companions and drew his weapon, allowing them the warning they needed before any attack could come. The Tatzyworms were near, and most likely knew they were her.
Lev
Perception
Alannah slows her horse to a walk alongside Anya's mount, her sharp senses, alerted by the actions of Batsukan's stallion. Instincts honed in life and death battle can literally feel the ambush coming.
Quickly she dismounted, an arrow being set to bowsting almost subconsciously, all the while scanning for signs of movement.
Lev slows his horse and draws his bow, fitting an arrow into place and waiting.
"They will try to ambush us," he reminded the others with a soft voice. "Most likely they'll try to draw us in before attacking."
Ooh, two interesting choices. I really like the idea of a giant elk, especially to go with the Staglord's helm that Lev now wears but I think the Big Cat might work better overall, particularly should we have fights in dungeons or underground areas. So I'm leaning toward that but I'll accept either one.
By the way, since I brought up the Staglord's helm...I've never really announced it or roleplayed it much, but Erastil IS the God Lev is most likely to worship. It fits his personality pretty efficiently. Does that sound reasonable to you in terms of benefiting from the special qualities of the helm, or do you think I'm just making it a little too convenient?
Elsbeth rides her horse in back rows. She waits for instructions from the others.
The problem here Batsukan, is you had no idea how far the dead fall was since it was in unkown territory. You quite literally come across it and realise this is most likely where the attack occured, when your horse picks up the scent. Going on the description of one girl in shock isn't giving you lots of notice to get prepared for pre buffs. However, the party did have time to prepare suitable spells for those who have adjustable spell selection. While it's likley Alndra may have delay poison available, its unlikely she's cast it yet.
I also didn't give people much chance to buy gear. But since the fortress only has a GP limit of 400 gp, a potion of delay or cure poison is not available for purchase.
Working on map now, should be up soon.
They burst from their cover almost immediately they realised the group was ready for them.
Three great beasts shining blue and green in the midday sun. Their heads were those of all dragon kind, wide mouthed and frilled with a spiney mane of webbing and flesh. Great bones protected the head area, and hard scales overlayed this to provide an armoured hide worthy of the best knight. The two older adults must have been very old for they were the largest specimens Lev had ever heard of. Noxious vapours fumed between pointed teeth and writhed up past their narrowed eyes. With a great hiss, the three worms prepared to attack.
"If I follow lady death, will I gain the power to stop things like this, missus? My Ma and Pa should not have died, and little Jakub was barely out of his poopers. He done nothin'. I wanna stop stuff like that happenin missu, can you help me do that?"
"That depends on you. If you remain faithful and devoted, and do as I ask, Pharasma might make you strong. What you do with that is up to you, Pharasma does not concern herself with such matters."
"I have killed many people just because I didn't like them. However, we are trying to build a lawful place here, so we must be sure to act within the law."
"What is your name girl?"
Alandra shows the orphan her shack. "I am leaving on an expedition tomorrow, but there is some food here and I will leave you a bit of coin if anything comes up." She gives the girl her old wooden holy symbol. "If anyone asks, show them this and tell them you are my new assistant. When I return I will train you in your new duties."
Alandra casts delay poison on Batsukan.
Anya didn't have time to actually call out in surprise. Her focus narrowed, her eyes settled on the monsters. They had been fast. They had gotten closer than she would have liked - had she gotten her way, they might have killed one from a distance, before the others would be able to close in.
Alannah was was the most exposed of her friends. Lev and Batsuka would manage just fine, but the archer was going to be in trouble. She jumped from the horse , drew her blades as she moved besides her friend, and gauged the monster. Big, dangerous and unlikely to fall for any fancy feints and maneuvers. Again. This battle would be testing their ability to do damage faster than the monsters stopped being cautious and not throwing their entire mass into the fight.
Alandra responded the fastest, urging her horse forward and casting protection on Batsukan. AS the mount got closer to the dragonkin, it shied a little. While the cleric managed to get her spell off, she was in a rough position to keep it steady.
Anya lept from her horse, drawing her weapons and rshing forwards to protect her more vulnerable friend. She looked up as the Tatzylworm lept forwards, mouth wide and throat convulsing in preparation for the food it was after. The cretures head came snapping downwards, but the nimble ruler stepped aside just in time
Batsukan held his weapon ready, waiting as the other big creature leapt at him. The dragonkin targeted the mounted Ronin specifically, its cunning and experience teaching it that the two legged opponents that rode the bigger horses were far more dangerous than the mount itself.
This Tatzyworm had more success than its family. The shar teeth and armoured skill closed around the Ronin, even as his own weapon glanced harmlessly from its armoured skull. He could feel the teeth and punch through his armour and into his flesh, barely able to land the attack, but causing great pain when it did. What was worse, the teeth had him gripped and he couldn't escape its grasp.
Lev steadies his horse with the grip of his legs and raises his bow to fire at the smaller of the beasts still some distance away from him.
He then dismounts, dropping his bow in the process and drawing his greatsword as he reaches the ground.
Batsukan
When I create maps I create macros for the baddies and fill in their major stats for quick reference. I have also created saved icons with maccros for the players so I know their AC's and hp totals and I update those as I go. I haven't done one for you yet though, and I believe I have to update the others since they levelled. Will do that this week now I'm holidays.
This takes time intially, but saves me loads of time later on. Some of the fights I've run have gone over two or three weeks, so this is a big saver. And it makes the writing flow easier without breaking my concentration for re editing.
cheers
Alannah focused intently, body perfectly still, breating calm, the sudden blurr of movement of her arm almost unimaginable as one arrow follower the other from her bow, streaking past Anya to hurtle towards the dragon kin.
Anya is our weakest close range fighter, and me and Alannah both require long distance, so better focusing on this worm first
Alannah drew back and fired, the frst shot striking true and driving her shaft into the creatures head even as it lunged across Anya and sunk its teeth into the archer. She had opened herself up to the surprising reach of the creature when she took aim, and now it had her firmly ino her clutches.
Lev fired from the back of his horse, striking his target heavily and drawing blood as the arrow sank between armoured plates near its forelimbs. he creature let out a high pitched scream and rushed the hunter even as he dropped from the horse. Its hunting technique was no where near as effective as its parents, and the lunging bite missed easily.
Elsbeth meanwhile fired a series of magic missiles from her wand, striking the creature chewing on Alannah and causing some more damage to the beast.
Round 2
With a skillful twist, Batsukan pulled free of the animals grip, gasping for breath after having his head in the convulsing throat of the beast.
Anya avoided the beast by a narrow piroette, but Alannah wasn't as lucky. She had counted on her to retreat somewhat, avoid the jaws of the beast. Now, that option was gone, and she had to be all the faster in dispatching the beast.
She closed in half a step, struck left, struck right, before jumping back - hoped that the worm-like dragonkin was too occupied with Alannah to effectively strike back despite her recklessness.
Arrows: An arrow used as a melee weapon is treated as a light improvised weapon (–4 penalty on attack rolls) and deals damage as a dagger of its size (critical multiplier ×2). Arrows come in a leather quiver that holds 20 arrows.
Round 2
Batsukan holds to Kiso's flank with his knees after wrencing free of the beast. With a high whinney, the great warhorse snaps its teeth at the beast, clasping its scaled hide and tearing scales and a small amout of flesh free. The worm hissed in pain, but wasn't badly hurt.
It attacked again, trying to tear the rider from his mount, but the Ronins armour proved to hard to grip this time, its sharp teeth sliding harmlessly from the laminated plates
Anya tries desperately to cause damage on the creature tearing into her friend, but even with the thing distracted from the grapple, her best shot glances harmlessly from its scaled hide.
Alandra squeals a little as her mount shies and throws her from the saddle. She lands whith an audible OOF! on the wet ground but manages to gasp out a prayer to her godess which fills her friends with more skill and bravery.
The great worm that had Alannah in its mouth attempts to continue its grapple on the archer but its teeth fail to hold her. Even as the archer slips from its mouth though, the creature breaths noxious fumes into her face
Lev decides to focus on the larger creature first, recognizing it as the greater threat. Lifting his sword over his head, he brings it around with all the weight he can give it, teeth clenched in a silent roar.
Acrobatics
Alannah slipped free the noxious fumes washing over her as she held her breath, dashing backwards into a diving roll to get clear of the creature's reach.
Fort save
Coming out of the roll into a skid she draws an arrow and fires in one fluid movement.
I should be in better position to use more powerful spells, and i'll never manage to control this mount quickly enough
Seeing no other options,Elsbeth fires another charge at the worm grappling with Alannah
Round 2b
Lev brought his greatsword up and around, slicing deep into the side of the large worm and spraying warm blood in a wide arc. The dragonkin screamed in agony, the sound eerily intelligent. All three worms responded, writhing in a sinuous pattern and flashing colours of pinks and reds down their lateral lines in response to the increase danger. All of them became more frenzied.
Alannah dived and rolled, moving back where her horse had recently been. Inwardly she cursed the fact that they'd now have to chase the things down. It woudln't do to return home without the horses they'd so recently been gifted. She fired her bow, but the recent attack and the dizzying tumble she'd taken to escape its threat meant her shot fell wide of the mark. The broad headed arrow skipped off scales and flew off to land in the waters of the lake behind the beast.
Almost immediately a pair of glowing shards of force struck the creature, searing into its hide and bursting scales out in a narrow arc. It hissed in pain also, and now all three of teh dragonkin were heavily wounded.
The smallest creature snapped at Lev again, trying to bite him but was distracted by the flailing hooves of the nearby horse. It's mouth snapped sidewards, eyes closing as the horse failed, and its bite missed the hunter.
Map hasn't changed much except for Alannahs position. Will update later.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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Anya was still trying hard to do justice both to her own defense (a frenzied animal very rarely cared what its claws rend to shreds) and maintaining a modicum of pressure on the Tatzelwurm. She managed to slip by a stab from her shorter blade, but this was all she felt could be done now that Alannah was out of immediate danger
Alandra stands up and cast a spell on the large creature facing Lev.
Round 3 a
Anya danced and whirled, slashing with both her weapons and sinking the smaller blade into the dragons hide. It still had some fight in it, but the creature looked hurt.
Behind her, Batsukan responded in kind, slashing the beast with his own weapon and drawing more blood. The creatures were looking a little panicky now, and might try to flee soon he felt.
Alandra piked herself up from the ground and summoned a baleful force upon her target, dragging the doom of the deathgoddess over its immediate future. The young priestess could feel the spell take effect, and knew that the dragonkin was doomed from that moment on.
With the young Tatzylworm still firmly engaged, neither parent chose to leave. They both struck out with their mouths, but the defenses of both their targets proved too formidable to penetrate.
Map hasnt changed.
Looking like it is going down, Elsbeth decides to save other charges of her strongest rod.
Lev considers shoving his horse away in an effort to get it out of danger but realizes it might be better for the horse to continue to block the young Tatzylworm's bites. Instead he lifts his sword again and puts all his muscle behind it as he attacks the larger creature.
Alannah fired as quickly as she could, the urgency of the situation and the pain of the creature's attack affecting her aim.
Elsbeth launched another mystical bolt from her older wand. The magic again struck unerringly, blasting a small hole into the creature and further weakening it.
Alannah tried to capitilise on the injuries and fired at the beast, but it proved too tough for even her competent bowmanship.
To the north slightly, Lev displayed his prowess with the magic blade he carried, severing a major artery in the dragonkin and killing it. The creature dropped, twisting and convulsing on the ground as if trying to tie itself in knots.
The last remaining adult screamed in what could only be described as primal anguish. The red fringe around its head flared outwards, and great strings of venom filled saliva coursed along its teeth as it went into a frenzy of attack.
Lev watched as the young Dragonkin also went into a berserk frenzy. He had killed this things mother or father, and now it was out for his blood. It struck out, desperately trying to grasp the man who had killed its parent.
Finally, after evading yet another of the beast's angry assaults, Anya had found what she had been looking for - an opening. With a decisive leap, she nearly stradled the worm as she drove both of her blades into its back, butting her entire body-weight behind the thrusts.
Still, the tough hide of the Tatzelworm gave her some trouble, but either strike drew foul blood, and her risky maneuver had left her in a position the worm would be hard-pressed to retaliate effectively.
Lev nods with satisfaction as the larger beast drops and turns his attention back to the smaller. By his estimates, the other large worm was already being dealt with; the young one was the better priority.
Feeling a slight degree of regret, he raises his sword again and leans forward as he swings it at the young Tatzelworm, hoping to end its life quickly.