Male Tiefling Slayer 2 | HP 0/24 | AC 18, touch 14, FF 14; CMD 20 | Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +2 | Init +5, Perception +6 (darkvision 60 ft.)
The problem was less initiative order and more confusion as to how many rounds I'd acted.
Derrick stood still for a few moments after putting down the head robot, looking from its still form to his katana. I... I defeated an enemy in combat. A small grin spreads on his face as he looks up to the other creatures. I will see victory. With that, he charges the nearest of the robots.
Round 4 actions: Full-round action charge to -E|9, attacking the creature at -F|8. HP 4/13, AC 9 for the coming round.
Human Male Fighter (Polearm Master) 1 HP:9/24, AC:17:12:15, Init:+4, Per:+1, Intuition:+6, Saves:4:2:1, Attack:+6 (guisarme)
Edren quickly assesses the situation and sees that Jeannine and the others need assistance.
Round 4 | Move Action - move to (-b10) and up to (-g10) | Standard Action - Attack - (-f8)
He swiftly moves up and tries to flank the metal bug focused on Jeannine. Seeing her harried, he attacks, not quite able to get behind the metallic beast. His guisarme whistles through the air as he swings it.
Derrick rushes to help Sithundan. In the shadowy light of the partial moon he aims to bring down another machine, but as he approaches he can tell that the machine he was hoping to attack is already destroyed, so he changes his focus to the next machine, behind the first one
Derrick had wanted to attack Red01 at F,7| but instead he will work out the attack against Purple01, I hope that’s okay
Derrick catches the machine just as the arm on the top is retracting, ready to lash out at Sithundan again, and as the Monk raises his sword to strike Derrick’s sword flashes in the moonlight and the blade slips through a slot on the machine’s carapace, through a place that must be sensitive as a shower of sparks is emitted from every opening of the machine and it freezes in place
Karl continues to kick at the legs of the machine in front of him, seeing that its movements are more erratic he hopes he can distract it enough for Jeannine to damage the thing.
Melee, Kick against AC 10:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
And Jeannine lunges again
Attack on Pink01:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 Damage:1d3 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 1 - 3 = -1
While Bill and Lars continue to doublke team the machine between them
Bill attacks Blue01:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 Lars attacks Blue01:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
But fighting just isn’t in these men’s skill set
Valind, with heroic effort, weakened and bloodied, steps forward and tries to harass the machine that Portia is fighting while Issabelle swoops down. The triple threat of the attackers has little affect on the machine as it homes in on Portia when her sword strike glances harmlessly off of the articulated arm.
I see Portia getting a total of +6 to her roll, but unfortunately it is still not good enough for a hit!
Edren turns left then right, assessing the situation and seeing Derrick run toward Sithundan, he knows that he too must run to help the others. He moves toward the two machines fighting Jeannine, and drops his glaive with another smashing blow from above. Three of the machine’s legs are broken from the force of the blow, but the machine is not down for the count.
I applied the damage from Edren’s attack to Green01
The Machines continue to fight back, where they are engaged in combat, while other machines in the distance begin to grow further and further away from the camp and from each other
Against Portia
Melee Attack, Yellow01 against Portia:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Damage if >17:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Against Sithundan
Melee Attack, Purple01 against Sithundan:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 Damage if >14:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Against Bill
Melee Attack, Blue01 against Bill:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Damage if >13:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Bill drops to one knee, and then collapses to the side clutching at his side
Against Karl
Melee Attack, Pink01 against Karl:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Damage if >10:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Against Jeannine
Melee Attack, Green01 against Jeannine:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 Damage if >14:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
In the confusion, as the party gains the upper hand on the machines, Gruingar and his eidolon disappear into the night
DM Notes:
Machines have AC 15 (+2 N, +1 size, =2 Dex), Melee +3, damage d4+1, DR 3 -, Vulnerable to Electrical Attacks: Machine Head can cast Flare, once per round, Fortitude save negates, DC 10
Machines have 6 hp
Head Machine – destroyed
Machine Yellow01 – takes 4 points of damage
Machine Grey01 - is destroyed
Machine Blue01 - has taken 3 points of damage
Machine Pink01 – has taken 1 point of damage
Machine Lime01 – is destroyed
Machine Red01 – is destroyed
Machine Orange01 – is destroyed
Machine Purple01 is destroyed
Machine Green01 – takes 5 points of damage
Jeannine - takes 9 points of damage, she has 9 points remaining
Karl - takes 5 points of damage, he has 13 points remaining
Bill - has taken 14 points of damage, he is at 0 hit points
Portia – takes 4 points of damage
Edren – takes 3 points of damage
Thank you, every one of you, for being patient with this complex, and our first, combat. It is nearly over now, Bill is at 0 hit points, others are damaged, but I think you've almost got this one.
Edren steps behind the creature, flanking it opposite from Jeanine. He raises his guisarme for another blow on the wobbling construct. With a roar, he brings it crashing down on the creature's metal shell.
Portia, seeing bugs go down ever so slowly, raises her spirits that they will somehow manage to survive this fight. She whistles two quick times for Issabelle to continue distracting the bug once again.
Male Oread Monk/2; 20/20 HP | AC 14, T 14, FF 12 | F +4, R +4, W +5 | Init 7, P 5, I 6 | CMD 17
With the bug in front of him destroyed Sithundan charges to help Portia.
Full round action - charge to C7 and attack Yellow01 Attack roll:1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 = 25 Damage roll:1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Day 3, just after midnight, North of Fort Horizon, in a location identified on the map as "Torinbul's Flat” 1/3 (current Turn/Turn of the clock)
Round 5
Derrick and Situndan make short work of the Machines they are fighting. Derrick quickly moves over toward Portia to help her and Valind bring down another machine if he can, but as he runs toward her he stumbles over a small rock throwing off his balance and his sword strike goes wide missing the machine.
Derrick – can you not see the map? If you can’t, that’s okay, and I know this is sort of dull right now, but I’ll try to do better. I could really use your help with a little more detail in your posts, but if you can’t see the map that’s okay I suppose
Jeannine and Kark continue to try and find a weakness in the machine they are fighting.
Karl kicks against AC 10:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Jeannine attacks with her dagger
Melee attack against Pink01:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Damage if >15:1d3 + 1 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 1 - 3 = -1 Crit Confirm?:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Karl misses entirely, and appears to be getting tired, while Jeannine continues to strike the machine in ways that would damage anything made of flesh, but she cannot hurt this metal monster.
Bill is on the ground, stable at 0 hp
Lars watches Bill go down and doubles his efforts against the machine he is fighting
Melee attack against Blue01:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
But fear is getting the best of him
Issabelle swoops down and crashes into the arm of the machine attacking Portia, but the effort is wasted as Portia, weakened somewhat and Valind cannot land a solid blow on the machine.
Meanwhile across the camp, Edren smashes another machine into the ground with a powerful downward blow and the sound of crunching metal encourages everyone all around.
Sithandun rushes after Derrick to help Portia and deals a crushing blow to the machine and it crashes to the ground destroyed.
Only Pink01 and Blue01 remain
End of Round 5
DM Notes:
Machines have AC 15 (+2 N, +1 size, =2 Dex), Melee +3, damage d4+1, DR 3 -, Vulnerable to Electrical Attacks: Machine Head can cast Flare, once per round, Fortitude save negates, DC 10
Machines have 6 hp
Head Machine – destroyed
Machine Yellow01 – is destroyed
Machine Grey01 - is destroyed
Machine Blue01 - has taken 3 points of damage
Machine Pink01 – has taken 1 point of damage
Machine Lime01 – is destroyed
Machine Red01 – is destroyed
Machine Orange01 – is destroyed
Machine Purple01 is destroyed
Machine Green01 – is destroyed
Jeannine - takes 9 points of damage, she has 9 points remaining
Karl - takes 5 points of damage, he has 13 points remaining
Bill - has taken 14 points of damage, he is at 0 hit points
Portia – takes 4 points of damage
Edren – takes 3 points of damage
Male Tiefling Slayer 2 | HP 0/24 | AC 18, touch 14, FF 14; CMD 20 | Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +2 | Init +5, Perception +6 (darkvision 60 ft.)
I can see the map, I just wasn't sure if it had been updated, since what you'd told me about where he was going and what I saw on the map didn't synch up. I didn't want to put anything too detailed, since I wasn't sure where exactly everything was at the moment. I'll try and do more from now on.
Having missed with his latest strike, but seeing the machine brought down, Derrick resets his stance and charges to the next of the enemy, bringing his sword down in another massive slash.
Round 5 | Full-round charge to -E,6 | Attack against machine at -F,7
Portia, looks around the battlefield, eyes adjusting to the darkness mixing with the small little fire they have going.
She sees her new found friends and allies, ganging up on bug in front of her. Then out of the corner of her eye, she sees, what appears to be Karl drop to the ground in a lump. She makes a long whistle, followed by two short ones, to tell Issabelle to follow her and aid her in the attack. Portia then lowers he head, and charges at the bug that took down Karl, hoping to catch it by surprise.
With the next bug down, Edren rushes toward Bill and Lars. He positions himself near Karl and says, "I'm right behind you, Karl, when you two are done with that one, we need to help Bill." He then takes a swing at the bug threatening Bill and Lars.
A surge of adrenaline rushes through Edren as he brings his weapon to bear. Seeing Bill on the ground, helpless, fuels his swing as he slams it into the metal creature, another roar emanating from his lungs.
Derrick rushes to help the Halfling woman a d dwarven scholar, but he misjudges his steps and his attack is poorly timed.
Jeannine attacks the machine again while Karl keeps kicking away
Karl Assisting versus AC 10:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
The kicking knocks one of the machine's legs askew, and Jeannine attacks
But she is just not strong enough to defeat the machines metallic hide
Portia runs to help the other two Halflings after seeing Bill]fall to the ground, but she cannot land a blow that will stop the machine
Valind also runs to help the fallen Halfling, preparing a spell as he moves
Valind – I am a bit confused about your movement ability, is your standard move 30 feet per round or 40 feet? Anyway, it will take a double move to reach Bill, and then your round 7 action can be a cure light wounds spell, okay?
Edren repositions himself moving through the swirling melee and once again brings down the heavy polearm with enough force to crush another machine
The last Machine attacks
Melee attack against Karl:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 Damage if >10:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
The small pointed hand of the machine digs into Karl's left leg
Sithundan can take a Round 6 action and that will end the round. One machine remains
DM Notes:
Machines have AC 15 (+2 N, +1 size, =2 Dex), Melee +3, damage d4+1, DR 3 -, Vulnerable to Electrical Attacks: Machine Head can cast Flare, once per round, Fortitude save negates, DC 10
Machines have 6 hp
Head Machine – destroyed
Machine Yellow01 – is destroyed
Machine Grey01 - is destroyed
Machine Blue01 – is destroyed
Machine Pink01 – has taken 1 point of damage
Machine Lime01 – is destroyed
Machine Red01 – is destroyed
Machine Orange01 – is destroyed
Machine Purple01 is destroyed
Machine Green01 – is destroyed
Jeannine - takes 9 points of damage, she has 9 points remaining
Karl - takes 7 points of damage, he has 11 points remaining
Bill - has taken 14 points of damage, he is at 0 hit points
Portia – takes 4 points of damage
Edren – takes 3 points of damage
Male Halfling Cleric/2 | AC 16, T 12, FF 15 |HP: 15/8 | F +4, R +1, W +5 | Init 1, P 2, I 1 | CMD 10
Valind attends to the stricken Bill cure light wounds:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Then heads towards the remaining machine
|Standard: Touch attack on Bill| Move: towards machine | -G6 |
Human Male Fighter (Polearm Master) 1 HP:9/24, AC:17:12:15, Init:+4, Per:+1, Intuition:+6, Saves:4:2:1, Attack:+6 (guisarme)
Edren keeps the momentum going from his last swing as he takes three steps to position himself near the final bug. He brings his polearm down just as Sithundan charges at the automaton.
Derrick shuffles his feet in the sand, getting a feel for his position now that he has come to a stop after charging forward, and attacks again with his Katana Melee Attack on Pink01:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 Damage if > 15:1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Possible Crit?:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
The powerful slice from the sword severs a keg near the body and a combination of sparks and fluid spray out. The machine staggers a moment, but is not defeated.
Portia looks around at the ghostly scene of machine carnage strewn about the area in the flickering light of the campfire.
Jeannine and Karl back away from the machine as the more competent warriors close in around it, while Valind, pushing himself through the pain of his injuries, summons forth the power of his faith to heal the fallen Bill, who rolls over and lets out a gasp as the deep gash in his belly closes. When Valind is sure the fallen Bill is safe from death, he begins to stagger toward the last machine, ready to give his own life if he must, but then before he can close with the machine, Edren brings down the pole weapon he is carrying and smashes the staggering machine into several pieces.
There is a strange, almost haunting silence as Sithundan comes near to the rest of the party who all seem to be gathered close to Jeannine and karl. Lars drops to one knee and lifts Bill’s shoulders asking him, “Bill, are you alright?”
Karl staggers on his feet and reaches for Jeannine to support him, and the two together take a cautious step backward toward the fire.
”Is it over?” Jeannine asks.
The battle is over. Each member of the party receives 800 experience points. We are using the fast leveling track, and I hope everyone has been keeping track of the experience points they earned through role playing
DM Notes:
Machines have AC 15 (+2 N, +1 size, =2 Dex), Melee +3, damage d4+1, DR 3 -, Vulnerable to Electrical Attacks: Machine Head can cast Flare, once per round, Fortitude save negates, DC 10
Machines have 6 hp
Head Machine – destroyed
Machine Yellow01 – is destroyed
Machine Grey01 - is destroyed
Machine Blue01 – is destroyed
Machine Pink01 – is destroyed
Machine Lime01 – is destroyed
Machine Red01 – is destroyed
Machine Orange01 – is destroyed
Machine Purple01 is destroyed
Machine Green01 – is destroyed
Jeannine - takes 9 points of damage, she has 9 points remaining
Karl - takes 7 points of damage, he has 11 points remaining
Bill - has taken 5 points of damage, he is at 9 hit points
Portia – takes 4 points of damage
Edren – takes 3 points of damage
Human Male Fighter (Polearm Master) 1 HP:9/24, AC:17:12:15, Init:+4, Per:+1, Intuition:+6, Saves:4:2:1, Attack:+6 (guisarme)
Edren quickly checks to see if anyone else is down. When he finds that no one in their troupe is dead, he breathes a sigh of relief. He makes his way to his bedroll and gathers up his armor. He winces in pain at his small wound, but shrugs it away.
After donning his armor, he approaches the others and says, "I plan on taking watch now, I don't know if we can survive another surprise like that."
Male Tiefling Slayer 2 | HP 0/24 | AC 18, touch 14, FF 14; CMD 20 | Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +2 | Init +5, Perception +6 (darkvision 60 ft.)
Derrick stands above the fallen machine, breathing heavily. He slowly wipes his katana's blade on his trousers, then sheathes the sword before walking to collect his naginata. With combat over, he seems to have suddenly lost most of his energy, and he's limping on his pierced leg. He kneels down heavily to grab his second weapon, and uses it like a walking stick to get back to his bedroll. "I can sit watch as well, but I fear I've taken some heavy injuries..." He grunts as he sits down and looks at his leg. "Let's hope those things don't come back."
Lets hope that was all if them. Should we move to a more safe locale. One that doesn't include battered and beaten up machines, should more arrive? , as Portia pokes her bruised ribs from the punch she took.
Male Halfling Cleric/2 | AC 16, T 12, FF 15 |HP: 15/8 | F +4, R +1, W +5 | Init 1, P 2, I 1 | CMD 10
Valind pushes a machine with his spear, apparently deep in thought.
Appraise:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 - Trying to work out how much does it weight, what is it made of, and how much might machines like this be worth as curiousities both back in the keep and on the open market.
Day 3, just after midnight, North of Fort Horizon, in a location identified on the map as "Torinbul's Flat” 1/3 (current Turn/Turn of the clock)
“Ugh,” Karl grunts, as he looks toward Portia, then Valind, nodding at both of them and acknowledging their comments. “This is a catastrophe. I had no idea such things were even imaginable. What sort of deviltry are they, these machines. Now, I’ve heard of some advances in clockwork being made in the bigger cities of Aeromnia, but this is unprecedented. Are they purely mechanical or is there magic at the bottom of this? Uhh, well I think I’ll be alright, what about the rest of you?” he addresses his original companions, Jeannine, Lars and William.
“I’ll be, fine” Jeannine says with some hesitation.
“Bill’s not well,” Lars says.
“No, no, I’m fine” William says and tries to stand, but shakes and falls back to the ground.
“Listen, Karl, there’s no way Bill can make a climb in the morning, hell, he’ll probably needs three maybe four days of rest before he can even try to climb at all. I, I don’t think we can make it this time, we need to go back,” Lars says as he drags Bill closer to the fire.
Jeannine looks around and says, “Did anyone else see where that Elven fellow ran off to? I guess he showed his true colors after all. Wait, what, Lars, what are you saying?”
Lars approaches Bill, kneels down beside him, and sighs, “No, Jeannine, Lars is right. It was stupid for us to try this with so little knowledge of what we were going to be up against. If the others ran up against more machines like this, who knows if they even survived. We, we need to go back and report our failure, everything is a loss at this point.”
“No, no its, umf, no it’s not,” Jeannine grunts. “We can go on. We can get down to those caves I know we can. These people we hired proved themselves tougher than I imagined, and we can go down and at least try to scout those ruins some, please, Karl, you got to let me try. In the morning, you and Lars can carry William back to Fort Horizon, get more help if you can. Leave us the climbing gear. I’m going down there no mater what. That is, as long as these others are still willing to try.”
Derrick and Edren:
The two of you got the closest look at a machine unlike the others. It had a human head grafted to it. It is probably worth mentioning to the others if they do not decide to examine the machines more closely
Valind:
You look at the wreckage of one, then another machine. The materials are a combination of easily identified woods and metals, but also, particularly the body shells, are strange, and appear to be thin, but very durable and made from something you do not recognize. Your appraisal is tremendously low, I am telling you this as a GM to Player and hope that you will role play your character’s evaluation accordingly you think that even if the machines could be salvaged, they are worth no more than fifty to seventy five dollars each at the most, but you have no idea how to demonstrate that they once functioned autonomously, and that would be the biggest part of their value, in your opinion. They might be of value to the WEAC, but you have a feeling that bringing them back damaged as they are would raise more questions than the effort would be worth, and might even bring about demands for the group to pay for the machines to be reconstructed or repaired
Human Male Fighter (Polearm Master) 1 HP:9/24, AC:17:12:15, Init:+4, Per:+1, Intuition:+6, Saves:4:2:1, Attack:+6 (guisarme)
After putting his armor on and making his comment on patrolling, Edren remembers something he saw and looks for Derrick. When he finds him, he strikes up a conversation. "Derrick, I know things were a bit hectic there in the beginning, but was it my imagination that one of those things had a human head? I think we need to look into this a bit more. Valind is poking around at these things, we should have him look at that one."
Male Halfling Cleric/2 | AC 16, T 12, FF 15 |HP: 15/8 | F +4, R +1, W +5 | Init 1, P 2, I 1 | CMD 10
Valind pushes morosely at one of the machines again, sighing when a limb falls off.
As Derrick approaches he sighs one last time and turns "I've one more healing in me, I think, without burning through our stores - it was you or Bill."
"Technically we just vandalized valuable archaeological evidence. If we go back with them like this we could be in a lot of trouble. About the only way I can see turning a profit - unless one of you knows how to get them working - is as scrap and parts, but I can't see any valuable metals inside."
Valind sighs again
"Further, while Valindor has gifted me with great abilities, they're all around living things. Up against mechanical things like this, I'm useless. I used to know a forgemaster cleric - he's exactly what you need for this."
"What I have got is a little bit of healing, a whole lot of speed, and a sort of magical emergency stretcher. Maybe I'd be most useful taking Bill back to the fort."
Day 3, just after midnight, North of Fort Horizon, in a location identified on the map as "Torinbul's Flat”
Derrick and Edren approach the machine that is “different” from the others while Valind looks down at the wreckage near him and explains his concerns.
Derrick and Edren:
It is certainly a human head, and it appears to be a male, but the exact age of the individual the head came from is difficult to tell. The eyes have been removed and the eye sockets show trauma, scarring and slight burn marks that never healed. In place of the eyes are red crystals set in dull metallic shells. The head was attached to the body with what appear to be thin tubes of a soft metal (the head is no longer attached to the body, remember?). The skin is dried and pulled tight across the skull and some dry and brittle hair is still attached to the scalp. As you examine this grotesgue thing, it occurs to you that no one else in the party, knows about this different machine or the fact that it had a human head attached to it. You can decide to keep it a secret between the two of you, or bring it to the others attention.
Human Male Fighter (Polearm Master) 1 HP:9/24, AC:17:12:15, Init:+4, Per:+1, Intuition:+6, Saves:4:2:1, Attack:+6 (guisarme)
Edren looks at the head disgustedly and asks, to no one in particular, "What kind of person would it take to do something like this?
"I don't know about you, Derrick, but I can't get any information from this. I am going to see if any of the others can make anything of this." Edren begins walking back to the rest of the group.
Male Tiefling Slayer 2 | HP 0/24 | AC 18, touch 14, FF 14; CMD 20 | Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +2 | Init +5, Perception +6 (darkvision 60 ft.)
Derrick shakes his head. "I don't know, Edren, but I think we should tell the others. I'll stay here." Derrick stays kneeling down by the head, his right hand on his katana hilt, ready to slash down if it moves.
Human Male Fighter (Polearm Master) 1 HP:9/24, AC:17:12:15, Init:+4, Per:+1, Intuition:+6, Saves:4:2:1, Attack:+6 (guisarme)
Edren approaches Jeannine and the rest of the group, "Jeannine, we have something for you to see. I can't quite explain it, but it looks like one of these machines had a... well, not so machine-like head on it. Derrick is keeping an eye on it over there," Edren points towards Derrick. He then checks to make sure his armor is securely fastened and says, "I'm going to start patrolling now. Let me know if you need me."
Jeannine stands close to Karl, who is now lying on the ground on a thin blanket next to Bill, while Lars stands across from her. When she overhears Valind suggest that he would be better taking Bill back to the fort, she moves away from the others, and approaches him.
Lowering her voice, she says, "I don’t think so. I suspected that there was more to this matter than something as simple as getting lost, and now I believe that with even more conviction. Karl, and the others are great, at what they do, but they are not experienced in dealing with the unknown. I know that the rest of you are strangers, and that you just met, but you came together in a crisis, and worked together to save us all, well maybe not that Elven fellow, but I have my suspicions about him, nevermind that. Look, Valind, I’m going down into that cave in the morning and I need you to go with me. I need you, and your friends, I know they look up to you, so please, for me, speak to them and thell them…”
Before she can finish, Edren approaches Valind and Jeannine and speaks to Jeannine.
Portia will whistle and Issabelle will circle around and land on her shoulder. Portia will look at Karl, Jeannine, and Will. Bill, sit still for a moment. You took a beating, one that I couldn't have so thank you for your sacrifice. Let me patch you up a bit so you can at least function.
With that, Portia will look over bill from top to bottom, checking for any major wounds and tending to what she can, using her twine from her pack as needed. heal T10:10 + 5 = 15
She turns to Valind at the thought of damaging something worth a possible monetary value. She cocks her head to the side, these mechanical gizmos could be valuable, I never would have thought that. Although until tonight I never would have thought something like this was possible
She goes over to look at the human head, not knowing what to expect, after seeing the horrific sight for a mere second, she turns back away from the group, takes a few steps and vomits all over the ground. The sight was too much for her to stomach.
I don't know who it what did that as she lurches a bit but that defies everything natural and it or they are one suck and evil entity. I need to now get that image out of my mibd as she turns and goes to take a seat, and washes the taste of vomit from her mouth.
Portia kneels next to Bill, who protests that he is fine, thanks to the blessings of Valind, but a thorough check of the small halfing tells Portia that even though the man is out of harm, his injuries were severe, and he should not do anything to stress his body for at least a day. She makes a wrap, out of some extra shirts that Bill and Lars had packed, that she binds tightly around his abdomen, using a bit of string she carries. Then, she smiles at Bill and tells him he is going to be fine. When she is sure he is resting comfortably, she moves over toward something that Edren and Derrick have pointed out to Jeannine.
As she stands to leave, Bill reaches for her hand, ”Thank you, Portia,” he says and holds her hand tightly.
Jeannine is led to the remains, and she gasps in horror and surprise,
”I knew that man,” she manages to stammer out at last. ”Karl, come here quick, take a look at this.”
Karl limps over to where Jeannine stands flanked by the men Derrick and Edren, just as Portia is walking away from them holding her stomach.
”This was Sanuel Haavor,”Jeannine goes on. ”He was a man from Dwargleland, an expert in plants, a bola, Botle, um,”
”A botanist,” Karl finishes for her. He takes Jeannine’s shoulders in his arm, and hugs her close. It is obvious the woman is choked up. ”He was one of the people doing research here with Pellido Derwinter. It is him, there’s no mistake about it, I knew him as well. That he died, and ended up like this is a mystery. Nothing in the last few letters we received from Miss Derwinter mentioned anything like this.”
Valind slaps dirt from his hands and makes an announcement. When Jeannine hears him, she turns toward the sound of his voice, and sees him standing near the camp fire.
Male Halfling Cleric/2 | AC 16, T 12, FF 15 |HP: 15/8 | F +4, R +1, W +5 | Init 1, P 2, I 1 | CMD 10
"The clerics of Valind are trained in many skills. As one destined for the frontier I was trained in frontier medicine. I'd defer to a true doctor, but I imagine I'm the best we've got, and my skills in the areas are covered by the contract."
Jeannine listens when Valind explains himself. She doesn’t say anything more, but she smiles and Valind feels that she understands his concerns.
Edren begins to patrol, cautiously moving in a circle around the camp as everyone else settles in and tries to rest. The night is still, and quiet as Edren listens for the tale tell sounds the machines make, but he hears nothing like that, only the sound of a dog howling in the distance and an occasional hoot from an owl circling above.
Edren wakes Derrick, who continues the patrol. In the hours before sunrise the land becomes quieter. Derrick wakes Portia just before sunrise, and he settles down, but does not sleep and instead watches the sun come up in the east.
Streaming rays of gold and red flood across the desert floor as the sun crests the mountains in the east. It is chill, even though the sun is shining and there are no clouds in the sky. When the sun is fully up over the peaks a warm and humid breeze begins to flow out of the north. Karl breaks out a large flat pan, and he begins to cook chopped vegetables in a thin but fragrant oil. He splashes spices and vinegar on the crisp bits and serves them all around. Bill is feeling better, but he does not get to his feet. Lars stands close to the fire, sipping a steaming hot beverage from a small steel cup. When everyone has stretched, taken stock of themselves, and had a few bites to eat and a drink, Jeannine addresses the group.
”I’ve ben thinking,” she says as she looks down at the ground and turns the toe of her boot in the soil. ”I can’t be the one to force anyone to go on. I don’t have that authority, and, and, well it’s just not in me to do that. I know Bill is feeling better, thank you Valind and Portia, but he’s not strong enough to make the climb and I know we could try to lower him down, but, maybe we need to talk about it first. I want to know what you want to do, what you all think we should do. We can go back to Fort Horizon, rest for a couple of days and then try again, or we can press on, what do you think?”
Karl, sitting on the ground, looks up at her, then he turns to look at each of you one at a time. ”Well, I think we should go on, but I don’t think we want to get carried away. We’re so close now, and with what we’ve discovered, last night I fear we’re only going to discover our worst fears are realized and the people we are looking for are dead. Whatever lies inside those caves is, is, well, for me, the chance of a lifetime to discover things no one has ever seen before. Who knows what we’re on the cusp of here?”
”Look,” Lars says tossing the last few drops of his beverage into the fire, ”We’ve come this far already. Bill’s a trooper, he’s been in worse shape before. There was that fall in Durandah when he broke both legs and had to be carried down the mountain. Sure, he shouldn’t be trying to climb, but he’ll be okay, once we get him out of the sun, someplace safe. But, tell me this. How safe is it? Those things were tough, and determined. I don’t want to leave Bill alone, if those things should get organized and come back. Let’s set some goals, right. Let’s decide what it is we’re looking for and when we know we’re going to call it, and get back when we know we can get back safe, in one piece.”
Portia and Issabelle, watch over the final few hours of the sunset. Portia feeds bits of bread and feed to her trusted friend, asking if Derrick wants to feed her a bit. Thinking maybe it will take is mind off of whatever it is currently on.
The sun rises, the air is crisp, and there isn't a cloud in the sky/ Ah, such a beautiful morning, after a stressful and hectic night. Hopefully today will be better then the last.
She looks at Bill, still on the ground unable to put any pressure on the injured leg. She kneels down and tends to the injury, making sure everything is tight, secure and ready for travel...whichever way they are going.
He listens to Jeannine and the other intently. She ponder all is said, thinks for a few moments before inserting her views an opinions.
Here is what I think, whether others agree is up to the individual. I trust Bill to know his own body, and that he wouldn't risk his own health for something. If he says he can go, then I will believe him. she turns to Bill and asks, What say you short friend, can you go on or do you need to go back?, trying not to belittle or questions his toughness, but genuinely wants to know.
Human Male Fighter (Polearm Master) 1 HP:9/24, AC:17:12:15, Init:+4, Per:+1, Intuition:+6, Saves:4:2:1, Attack:+6 (guisarme)
Edren wakes from a slumber only a soldier can manage after a fight. He stretches and looks around the camp. He smiles when he sees that no more problems arose in the night. He gets up and performs a series of morning stretches, taking pains not to disturb his wound from the night before.
When the others wake, he joins them in their planning.
"Portia is right. Whether Bill continues or not is up to him." Turning to look at Bill, Edren says, "You knew what you signed up for coming out here. I'll do what I can to protect you, and the others, while we finish this up." Looking back at the others, "I sure as hell won't be going back now, not until we get something worth the blood we've spilled!"
Male Tiefling Slayer 2 | HP 0/24 | AC 18, touch 14, FF 14; CMD 20 | Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +2 | Init +5, Perception +6 (darkvision 60 ft.)
Derrick pauses in his katana practice, sheathes the sword, and declines his head. "The life of the samurai is to serve, and to go into a challenge, whether battle or other, ready to accept whatever is given, even death. I will continue alongside my companions and live and die to protect them." He gives a small grin to Edren. "Well spoken, Edren. We must continue."
Bill rises up onto his elbows and smiles at each of you in turn.
”Well, I’d like to say I’ve had worse,” he says. ”I suppose I have, but at times like this it’s not so easy to remember the pains of the past. I can go on, if you can get me down the face of the cliff, into one of these caves Jeannine is sure are down there, I can manage with a little water and food and a safe place to hole up in. We should go on, Edren is right. And it’s not just our blood that’s been spilled, as we’ve all learned. If we are going to discover what happened to those people from the university, then we aren’t going to do it sitting here on our thumbs, or back in the pub in Fort Horizon.”
Lars and Karl begin sorting out ropes, and climbing gear. There are hammers, spikes (with eyes in them for fastening ropes) and heavy clips.
The party has to decide how you will manage the descent. It is a DC 25 surface, with no weather modifiers. The descent is 80 feet to the first ledge, but you do not have to climb down. Someone can be lowered. Ropes can be attached to assist in the descent. Only the last person down has to make a Climb Check (using the rope to arrest any fall, this is a DC 25 Climb check, with a +10 bonus if the rope is secured at both ends, climbing 10 feet down per round. If you fail this check you slip 5 feet, but do not fall (and there is a 1 in 6 chance when the rope arrests the fall it becomes “Broken," that is it gains the Broken condition and if it areests a second fall there is a 1 in 6 chance it fails, and the climber falls).
Human Male Fighter (Polearm Master) 1 HP:9/24, AC:17:12:15, Init:+4, Per:+1, Intuition:+6, Saves:4:2:1, Attack:+6 (guisarme)
"I may not be great at climbing, but I should be able to help lower some of you down. I don't think it's smart for me to go last, though. Is there anything we can secure a rope to, up here?" Edren looks around, searching for a suitable anchoring point.
I am probably the lightest here out of all of us. I could go down last, and I feel confident in everyone securing what need to be secured so I don't do splat., she says with a smile.
Male Tiefling Slayer 2 | HP 0/24 | AC 18, touch 14, FF 14; CMD 20 | Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +2 | Init +5, Perception +6 (darkvision 60 ft.)
"I'm strong, and I've meditated over how one might approach an obstacle such as a cliff. I think I can descend with a rope without much issue, and I'm happy to help lower others down."
