Briars and Thorns -- A Catfolk Adventure (Inactive)

Game Master Me'mori

Layali says, "Then we follow the beasts and end them." Taking out her axe, she begins to fashion a makeshift torch to light the way. "My nose can lead us, but my eyes cannot. The darkness grows too deep for me."

Soo. Totally forgot a light source when I was pickin gear... oops.

Aradesh remembered to bring flint and steel but no torches or lanterns.

Layali lights a lantern found among the wagon's contents. "I believe we should leave the rest until we discover the fate of these people. We wouldn't want to upset the spirits would we Rethe?"

Layali indicates her readiness to move on, lantern in one hand, throwing axe in the other. "Onward?"

Track undead: Take 10 + 6 = 16

Aradesh nods in response. "Onward."

Rethe gives a grim smile to Layali. "I'm not sure the spirits would care overmuch about material belongings, but if nothing looks terribly useful, I doubt we'd need any extra baggage on our hunt anyway."

He nods his own readiness to continue, weapon and shield in hand. "I suggest we all be ready for any sign of danger, in case the fiends should decide their injuries are not so severe and turn back upon us. Especially with some of our own wounds after that battle, we'd do well to be cautious."

As recent as the tracks are, and especially with that stench from the one ghoul, Layali has no worries of losing the trail at all. Night has fully arrived, and while the moonlight is helpful, the light from the lantern does far better at illuminating for everyone. The trail skirts the edges of the forest, as if their path was deterred by the rosebushes that wound throughout this side of the edge.

Eventually, it leads to a steep gully, wild with the unchecked growth of the forest. The stench of the creature is strong here, though Layali could get no particular direction, the trail blurring. The trees were growing somewhat close together here, so close that the sky could only be seen in starry patches. It is easy to believe that the ghouls may be making a lair here. The area was untouched, and the forest was silent again, waiting.

Relative positions?

Middle ish.

In the front

Back from work related stuff, I'll be in the middle somewhere.

The party finishes retrieving items from the cart, Chara stands bewildered as she is about to light up a torch that she had in her pack. She sighs and casts a dancing lights spell to play around with the balls of lights before falling in with the rest of the party.

Near the front would be preferable, but if no one feels like bringing up the rear Aradesh is willing to so; his mount can bring him to the front in case of danger quickly enough.

So somebody did have some light! :P
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Rethe would likely hang towards the front as well.

Everyone save for Aradesh catches glimpses of the ghouls that they had driven off lurking near the gully in the area, where the trees were denser. The lantern shine reflected from them, making their eyes glow as they watched the party with all the patience of the dead. The more perceptive could catch the faint rustle of grass or leaves, the scrape of claw against tree or rock. The stench that you remember so well pervades the area, making it difficult to determine its origin.
Map Updated

Layali moves up to the rock (D5) and takes aim with her bow at the ghoul closest to her (G6.5).

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Chara starts to route for something in her pack as Layali gets into position to fire.

I'm going to start being away from the group I think, too quick to initiate fighting...

Chara quickly takes out some oil and tears off a bit of cloth from her shirt. She douses is in the oil then wraps it around her muzzle and upper mouth leaving room that she can still talk.

Right that should keep out the smell, or at least make me only smell oil instead of whatever that is.

Chara again clambers up a tree and waits until one of the ghouls comes into better view or at least closer to her before letting off an arrow.

Djon will climb the closest tree quickly having learned from his last encounter not to get near these things.

There you are, Rethe thinks, eyeing the creatures warily. He scans the trees to get a sense of the battlefield, then moves up a bit slower than Layali, his steps careful and steady, and bares his fangs at their opponents.

Move to E4, and readied action to attack any enemy that comes into melee range with him.

Tandi digs at the ground nervously at the horrid stench, Aradesh wrinkles his nose as well. As his companions explode into action the warrior gathers that danger lurks near and quickly casts about, looking for the foes in the direction his allies attack as he pulls a chakram.

Move action: Pull a chakram.
Move action: Perception to spot enemies if they haven't yet attacked by the time Aradesh goes: 1d20 ⇒ 16
If the enemy has attacked and are visible by his turn Aradesh will instead draw a chakram as he commands Tandi to move within 30 feet of the nearest enemy, and attack from range. The mount is hurt so Aradesh needs to roll a natural 2 or better to Handle Animal.
Handle Animal: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

I actually had assumed that enemies were visible from the description given. If a Perception is needed to locate them, I suppose you could assume I take 10 or roll passively for me. If it would cause him to not see them and need to change actions, let me know.
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I will also put up an Initiative roll, though I asked a related question in the Discussion thread.

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

I had read the GM's last post to mean that everyone spotted the ghouls but Aradesh.
Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

As the group spots the ghouls, Aradesh happened to be looking elsewhere, concerned with keeping an eye out for anything trying to get the drop on them. Layali suddenly hastening forward and firing gets his attention, and he has to take a couple of seconds to sight their quarry. The arrow strikes true, and the ghoul falls.

Djon and Chara both scale nearby trees quickly, not wanting to be forced to come into hand-to-hand combat if it was not necessary, given the paralysis capabilities of their opponents.

Rethe moves forward cautiously, mace at the ready, but is surprised by the third ghoul leaping down at him from the tree above! A claw swipe finds purchase, and Rethe stiffens and falls, unable to move yet again.

A howl comes from the other ghoul, and it races towards the fallen, intent on catching the huntress before she can turn her weapon on it.

You know, and I was gonna say that if any of the enemies rolled an 18 or higher, I would Misfortune it, and then I didn't. Welp, Rethe's out of combat, paralysis or no (that puts him into negative hit points). Ancestors guide your paws then, people ;P

Too focused on the foes in front of him, Rethe fails to see the one in hiding. Caught off guard, he receives a slash from its claws, and his limbs lock up once more. The wound is more severe than before however, and his vision soon goes dark as he passes into unconsciousness.

Layali...

Shortbow 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Damage 1d6 ⇒ 4

Djon takes a shot at the creature harassing Rethe from his spot in the trees.
"Lead them back here if you can." Djon asks his felow cats.

From his perch in the trees, Djon fires an arrow that strikes true, felling the creature that had downed Rethe, it having been heavily damaged from the previous battle.

Spurring Tandi forward, Aradesh closes with the creature threatening Layali, his chakram being thrown from horseback and hitting as well, turning a poorly executed ambush into a rout as the last ghoul falls, forgetting that it was the Ironwood warrior that had managed first blood in the previous ambush. It collapses bonelessly, the corpses being returned to their natural state.
Used Aradesh's previous rolls

After looking around and waiting, there seems to be nothing else moving about, and the creatures of the forest seem to agree, resuming their nightly routines.

100xp to everyone

Layali moved over to Rethe's fallen form and attempts to render first aid.

Heal: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

"Help, someone help, I think he's dying!" comes the slightly more frantic than she expected cry from Layali.

"Oh. There dead. Never Mind looks clear." Djon climbs down from his pearch and walks over to Rethe to make sure he is ok.

* Edit Heal Check 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 lul

"I thinks he may be gone already..."

next level I am so getting CLW

Is anyone a good medic or healer other than Rethe? Chara looks around worriedly ...Anyone?

Layali stands up from Rethe's fallen form, and begins searching around. "Spread out, maybe the ghouls have taken something that we can use to help Rethe!"

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Arrow retrieval > 50%: 1d100 ⇒ 79

"Right."
Perception Take 10 = 15

Should I roll any stabilization checks on this? I should have about 10 rounds to stabilize, so hopefully this won't be too life-threatening. I'll roll one now, just to start, depending on whatever else people do.

Stabilization: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (9) - 2 = 7 +1 Con Mod -3 HP

Heh, if he ends up dead in the second fight of the campaign, after a battle that only lasted 1 round, that'd be interesting. Like he's cursed or something!

As before with the first ghoul they encountered, Aradesh dismounted Tandi and began clearing space to dig proper graves for the dead, looking at Rethe with a knowing look. "He is not going to die yet. He has survived far worse."

The others, searching around the nearby area, do not find anything potentially useful. It looks like it is up to Rethe to pull through or not.

Finding nothing useful Layali will try again to render First Aid to Rethe.

Heal: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

His wounds are obviously beyond the skills of the huntress.

"If you require assistance with Rethe, Layali, I am unskilled, but would be honored to do whatever I can," the warrior states, momentarily pausing from his labor.

If requested, Aradesh will attempt to aid another a Heal check, otherwise he will continue to bury the dead: 1d20 ⇒ 17

"Im not really sure what I am doing but I will help if I am able"

Heal Check 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

The three of them attending as best they could managed to halt Rethe's slow descent into death. What was left now was recovery. If the unlucky one was hale enough, he could regain consciousness shortly. Moving may be in his ability briefly.

Around them, the night falls, and the circle of life continues. The light of the lantern that Layali set down allows enough illumination to make out some finder details about the ghouls. A search of the bodies of the ghouls have the same type of clothing found on the other one near the wagon, but not the first that they found. The body of the ghoul whose stench was powerful did not share the same traits of the others, instead having the frame and (atrophied)build notable to elves. If there were any personal articles and effects, their location remains uncertain.

Rethe is halted at his current HP total. A Con(10) check will render him disabled but stable.

"We have done everything we can for him all we can do now is wait. So lets pass some time then. "
Djon gathers materials for a camp fire and while he does so he adresses his fellow cats. "A mostly successful mission then? Unless there are more of these things around and then again there was that carrage I don't think we shouldn't leave that lying around. Maybe fix it up get it going again?"

Rethe is halted at his current HP total. A Con(10) check will render him disabled but stable.

Actually, HP updated to -4, since he would have lost 1 for the failed Con check (sorry for the delay, been out most of the day for bday). And thanks for the 'not letting me die' deal from everyone, much appreciated. I'm sure Rethe will make more note of it IC as well, but ya know, worth mentioning :P Anywho, will do a Con check to see if he regains consciousness quickly.

Constitution Check to regain consciousness: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (18) - 3 = 15

And so he does. I think it shouldn't be until about an hour after the battle that he wakes up though, and it looks to still be shortly after that ended, so I'll hold off on describing his waking up until the party gets settled. For now, he'll still be unconscious awhile.

Feeling that the immediate danger for Rethe has passed, Layali nods at Djon. "We should try to make him comfortable until we can move him back to the carriage."

Layali goes over to Aradesh and helps him bury these remains as well. "The elf-beast attacked the carriage and turned them all into ghouls. May their souls rest now in the Boneyard. I believe when we return we should claim the valuables and continue on the hunt for other...beasts."

"Agreed. We shall suffer not another restless dead to walk our land," Aradesh responds as his claws rend the dirt, digging holes large enough to bury the remains. Once he is finished he stands and stretches.

With no other immediate plans, the hour passes, and Rethe regains consciousness.

Chara then asks "Should we make camp for the night or shall we push on? Some of you are at wit's end with the injuries you've sustained. I'm alright thanks to you guys but I don't want to endanger anyone further until we are sure we can take another fight."

While the hunter were digging graves Chara took some time to carefully inspect the bodies just incase she could glean what turned them to walking dead.

knowledge religion: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Also might have missed it but what track are we using for leveling since we are using xp?

With the ministrations of his allies letting him rest more soundly, Rethe moves back into consciousness some time after the battle. A bit bleary-eyed, he looks around at the others and stretches, testing his wounds and wincing slightly.

"What happened?" he asks, his voice somewhat thick between the disorientation and injury. "I remember we found the monsters and then..." he looks around at the freshly shifted dirt and the fact that no other catfolk are missing. "I take it they've been dealt with, at least."

He gives a grim chuckle as he looks over his wounds. "I suppose that wasn't one of my finer moments, huh? Thank you, whoever did this," he says, indicating the treatment.

At Chara's words, he dips his head. "I suspect I'm not up for any battle in this condition. And my magic is still spent for the day, so I'm afraid I can't speed my recovery any faster. I think I'm capable of walking however, if we would like to reach a more defensible location."

After the short bout of talking, he takes a deep breath and leans back against a tree while he listens to the others.

Chara walks over and lightly punches Rethe's shoulder. Places her hand under his chin and raises his head a little. "Hey chin up, there's always tomorrow."

She turns around and drops herself to be seated next to Rethe and leans on his shoulder now. "Hey you did good today so don't look so down. Hehe, so let's go to a safer place." Chara runs her hands through her hair a bit to get out the leaves. "What do the mighty hunters think is a good place to keep us safe?" She asks the rest of them as she folds her feet in front of her and places her hands on her ankles.

Layali turns her head toward Chara her tail low, passive. "Any other nearby predators will avoid this place for a few more days before trying to reclaim this territory from the ghouls. We should be safe enough here for the night. I suggest we setup camp, set our watch and let Rethe recover as much as possible before moving on in the morning. Chara, Aradesh, Djon then me?"

Djon muscles visably relax at the thought of rest, he didn't think he could handle anything more until the morning. "A sound plan and third watch is fine by me." Djon finishes preparing a fire and begins to set up his bed for the night.

True enough to Layali's predictions, the night passed without a single creature straying near to their current camp due to the lingering stench from the undead in the area. There were scarcely even any smaller creatures that could be observed during the night.

Morning came, preceded by birdsong that those of the forest knew well, the birds greeting the dawn with what seemed to be cheerful enthusiasm. In the early morning hours, a light fog had rolled in, and those that were asleep awoke in a light mist that was likely to burn off before mid-morning.

Aradesh stretches uncomfortably the next morning. He did not get a good rest with the smell of the dead hanging in the air. His first instinct is to move to check on Rethe and make sure that he made it through the night well enough. "Do you have the magic to heal yourself now, tribe-brother?" He asks, concerned.