"Ideas?" Grym whispers, slowly reaching for his bow, "We could take out a handful with ranged fire before we crash into them."
"I agree with you Grym. We've got the drop on them right now. We know they're hostile to us. And we need that lighthouse if we're going to get off this island." Yekskya readies his bow and nocks an arrow, taking sight on the closest of the cannibals. Assuming no objections are raised by the others, he begins firing on the closest of the tribe.
Zaghigoth says nothing to these new developments, seeing that his companions are keen on launching an attack. Having no ranged weapons of his own, he still resolves to assist them in their assault. He waits for the cannibals to respond to the fire and aims to catch of many of them in an entangle spell as possible.
Zag:
HP: 18/22
AC: 17
Shiv:
HP: 19
AC: 18
Grym assists Yekskya in his rain of death.
|
Carefully, cautiously, you creep through the underbrush, trying to get as close as possible to the camp without being detected, to observe and prepare an attack before being attacked.
You observe a few cannibals roaming about the camp between the rough-hewn buildings, taking care of daily tasks. Apart from the lighthouse, the buildings seem to be constructed from a mix of bamboo and other natural materials, and timber that seems stripped from the hulls of ships.
As you prepare to spring an attack with an all-out barrage of arrows, you hear a reptilian hiss and snarl, from not far from your hiding place. Hearing it, a woman walking on the path about 35 feet from your position stops, gazing at your area of the jungle warily and begins calling out a warning. The camp suddenly erupts into action even as you spring up and begin loosing arrows.
Yekskya rapidly shoots two arrows at the woman. The first arrow hits and she staggers, nearly collapsing but she manages to keep her feet, burning anger in her eyes. Rowena tries to stealthily make her way towards a stockade on your left, towards the "south" side of camp.
Meanwhile the camp has become a hive of activity. A pair of cannibals up in a tower near the shore () start shouting warnings and pointing in your direction. The other cannibals in view rush to take up javelins, while the woman closest to you draws a rusted scimitar and roars a challenge in her guttural tongue. The others rush forward and throw javelins in yor direction, rather blindly as they have trouble seeing you in the underbrush.
Initiative
18 - Yekskya
12 - Rowena
12 - cannibals
10 - Zaghigoth & Shiv
7 - Grym
7 - Aerys
-------
Aerys init
Grym init
Rowena init
Yeks init
Zag init
cannibal init
cannibal 2 attack
cannibal 3 attack
miss chance
damage
cannibal 4 attack
miss chance
damage
cannibal 5 attack
miss chance
damage
|
|
Round 1 continued
The javelin wielding savages throw a barrage of missiles at you. Fortunately, thanks to their distance and the undergrowth, most of the javelins miss, though Aerys takes a hit that nearly pins her to the tree next to her.
Updated Map of the Thrunefang's Camp
Seeing Aerys get hit by a javelin, I rush over to her, pulling Zag along, urging him to heal the woman I have taken a liking to. While the druid works his healing magic on her, I keep an eye out for more javelins coming their way.
Yekskya moves up closer to the camp to get within 30 feet of the cannibal he wounded in his first attack. For a second time, he launches a pair of arrows at the cannibal.
At Cat's urging, Zag nods and moves over to Aerys, murmuring as he waves his botanical focus, his hand taking on a light silvery-blue glow. "Spirits of spring and seed, rejuvenate!"
Cure Light Wounds:
Shiv Stealth:
|
|
Round 1 continued
Zaghigoth moves over to Aerys to heal the jagged wound made by the javelin. His hands glow silvery-blue, and for the half-elven woman it feels as if the life force of the earth is flowing into her, granting new strength. As he does so, Shiv slithers forward, maw ready to attack. The large fronds and underbrush serve to cover the squat reptile from view.
Grym follows Yekskya's lead and shoots the female savage closest to the jungle and she falls, disabled. Aerys thanks Zaghigoth for his healing magic, then takes up her own bow and fires, hitting one of the cannibals in the thigh.
Round 2
Yekskya moves forward, bow at the ready, aiming for the next closest warrior. His two quick-fired arrows both hit their mark and the cannibal goes down, but before he can celebrate the jungle bushes beside him erupt and a giant, 10foot-long lizard leaps up to bite him. The archer is clamped in the lizard's strong jaws, causing an ache in his muscles. He can feel them stiffening up. This must be the creature that alerted the natives to your presence! You can see that a tight rope tethers the lizard to a tree some feet away.
Seeing that Aerys is hurt, Rowena becomes concerned and moves back the group, covering Zaghigoth as he heals Aerys.
The three remaining cannibals out in the open hurl more javelins at the jungle. Two seem vaguely aimed in Grym's direction but miss, while Aerys manages to get hit by a javelin again! Despite best efforts, the javelin manages to just get past Rowena's defenses to hit her friend. One of the barbarians in the watchtower, a female warrior scuttles down from the tower into one of the structures while the other continues to shout a call to arms. From out of the huts come several more cannibals, most brandishing their old, tarnished and rusted and broken scimitars. You hear a shout, and halfway up the lighthouse tower you see a figure standing on a balcony. He is remarkable for his flaming red hair as he shouts down a curse and challenge at you!
------
perception
perception
Grym attack
damage
Aerys attack
damage
shiv dragon attack
confirm critical
damage
poison
cannibal 3 attack
miss chance
damage
cannibal 4 attack
cannibal 5 attack
Aerys aid another
"Yeeeah! Look out, they have a giant lizard over here." Yekskya feels the poison from the bite flow into his limbs and slow his reactions.
hp 15/23
current Dex 18/19 (so no penalties yet)
After witnessing more of the cannibals pour out of the encampment ready for battle, Zag shakes his head, concerned and somewhat resentful. As Aerys takes another javelin, the druid urges her to get down. "Lie down, I say! I need to halt their advance and hamper their throws!" He then points his spear out into the midst of the cannibals and mutters an incantation. "Tree, root, and vine, rise up and bind them..." After completing his spell, he points his spear at the monitor lizard. "Shiv, attack!"
Shiv Bite:
Shiv Damage:
Yekskya kicks free of the giant lizard and take a step away from the creature. Cursing the need to divert his attention from the cannibals, he takes aim at the lizard and fires a pair of arrows at its head from close range.
|
|
Round 2 continued
With a wave of murderous cannibals coming towards you, Zaghigoth reacts quickly and casts a spell, calling on the powers of the earth to come to his aid. The cannibals' charge is checked as the very plants of the jungle bend and writhe, threatening to wrap themselves around those in the spell's area of effect. Even in the camp, weeds and tall grasses answer the call of the druid's spell - many of the cannibals become entangled by the plants. Shiv surprises the shiv dragon by launching out of the bushes and straight into the attack, scoring a nasty bite on the larger reptile's neck.
Grym and Aerys keep firing arrows at the horde, Aerys ignoring Zaghigoth's and Rowena's pleas to get out of harm's way. Grym hits the closest savage with an arrow, slowing her advance some but not quite halting it.
Round 3
Forced to turn his attention to the attacking lizard, Yekskya buries two well-placed arrows in the reptile's head. The tribe's watch-lizard collapses with a thud, dead!
Rowena continues to try to defend Aerys and Zaghigoth, though she is shocked at the sight of the spell's effect on the cannibals.
In disarray, the cannibals' attack falls apart. One of the javelin throwers looses his last javelin, which hits Rowena despite her defensive tactics. Then, out of missile weapons he retreats out of the enspelled area, while his comrades vainly try to pull themselves out. Those cannibals at the edge of the spell area who are not affected, pull back and try to get around the spell area, moving unbelievably fast around the camp. One of the entangled cannibals, pulling himself free, manages to get out of the spell area and follows them. The others continue to struggle, entangled.
------
cannibal 3 reflex
cannibal 4 reflex
cannibal 5 reflex
cannibal 6 reflex
cannibal 7 reflex
cannibal 8 reflex
cannibal 9 reflex
1 reflex
2 reflex
3 reflex
4 reflex
Grym attack
damage
Aerys attack
cannibal 1 reflex
cannibal 2 reflex
Aerys aid another
cannibal 3 attack
damage
cannibal 4 Strength
cannibal 5 Strength
cannibal 6 Strength
cannibal 8 Strength
Yekskya gives a last kick to the dead lizard and returns his attention to the village and the cannibals working their way toward the jungle. "Nice work Zag. I don't suppose you have another of those to catch the ones trying to get around to us now." Not waiting for an answer, Yekskya again fires a pair of arrows at the cannibals, this time focusing on the one closest to him and entangled in the grass and vines of the camp.
As Aerys gets hit again, I let out a frustrated cry "That's it! Time to give those savages a good threshing!" But before I can aim my bow at one of the cannibals, a javelin comes flying out of nowhere and pierces my leg like nobody's business. Cursing, I feel my leg buckle under me and I nearly go down. While pulling out the spear with one hand, the other goes to my beltpouch and retrieves one of the potions we salvaged from the shipwreck. Pulling the cork with my teeth, I proceed to pour the contents down my throat, feeling the healing energy spread through my body and starting to repair the damage done by the javelin.
"No, I fear I besought the spirits for one such trick this day," Zag says with a half-frown. "And I am running short on healing. Try to pick off as many as you can while I hold up a defense."
"They will fear my arrows. Let them come."
|
|
Round 3 continued
Realizing the cannibals' strategy for getting around his spell, Zaghigoth and Shiv move south through the jungle surrounding the camp, ready to defend the others and awaiting the oncoming fight.
Grym takes up a position not far behind Shiv, his bow ready, just waiting for the savages to show themselves. Aerys instead takes her bow and moves to the edge of the entangled area, trying to pick off the three tangled savages. She shoots the closest at near point-blank range, the woman unable to dodge the arrow.
Round 4
Rowena, hit by the javelin, reaches into her belt pouch and grabs one of the healing potions you found. Drinking it, her wounds become nearly healed as she concentrates on the approaching warriors.
As the cannibals approach, Yekskya launches two arrows. One hits the lead warrior, checking his charge and nearly bringing him down. The cannibals are currently trying to make their way around a large pen made of wood and bamboo. Zaghigoth, being the closest, notices a rustling noise on the other side of the 10-foot high bamboo fence, and sees four skeletal guards. Three are shambling towards him, while the fourth seems to have been caught within the effect of the entanglement spell.
The three cannibals in the entanglement effect try their best to break free, ripping at the vegetation with their strong, muscular hands and arms. Two are still held fast but one manages to break free, and he takes the opportunity to run at you, kicking at any tendrils that try to capture him again. He almost reaches you at the end of the spell's effect.
Further on in the camp, a door near the tower bursts open, and the red-haired warrior you saw on the balcony appears with four women, running out into the middle of the camp. Even more than the others, he seems to be caught up in a berserk frenzy, his face contorted in rage. One of the warriors, standing nearby, runs up to report, but the big warrior just shoves him out of the way and roars a challenge in your direction.
Updated Initiative
12 - Rowena
12 - Yekskya
12 - cannibals
10 - Zaghigoth & Shiv
7 - Grym
7 - Aerys
------
Aerys attack
damage
cannibal 3 Strength
cannibal 4 Strength
cannibal 5 Strength
cannibal 4 Strength
Yekskya shifts his attack to the cannibal who is nearly free of Zag's vines. He swivels to face the man and fires two arrows into him.
Zag notices the skeletons stirring in the pen and casts them a horrible glare. "More abominations... he mutters. Thinking them to be a secondary threat at present, he keeps his attention on the oncoming cannibals and calls Shiv to his side.
Readied Spear Attack:
Damage:
Readied Bite Attack:
Damage:
|
|
Round 4 continued
The air is tense as you await the arrival of the cannibal warriors.
Eyeballing the skeletons on the other side of the pen, Zaghigoth and Shiv wait to meet the incoming cannibals.
Seeing the cannibals approaching through the jungle, Grym tries to snap off a shot, but the arrow careens into a tree. Facing towards the camp, Aerys tries to take out the cannibal so near to her in the entangled area, but misses.
Round 5
Rowena tries to pick off one of the advancing cannibals with her shortbow. Her arrow hits the cannibal in the throat, leaving it choking on the ground as its comrades race by.
Just before the reach you, Yekskya pins the savage in the entangled area with two arrows of his own.
With herculean strength, one of the entangled warriors finally frees herself. She pushes through the grasping brush at Aerys and leaps to attack with her scimitar. Aerys, seeing her coming, drops her bow and raises her fists. As the warrior leaps at her, the half-elf smashes her nose with a powerful punch, throwing off her attack.
Two warriors come crashing through the jungle, having made their way around the pen with the skeletons. Zaghigoth and Shiv are there to meet them, the druid attacking with his spear and his crocodile tearing into the other warrior. The warriors retaliate, one of them getting past Zaghigoth's enhanced defenses and slicing him with a broken cutlass. Attracted to the fight, one of the skeletons starts to climb the fence, while two of the others claw at the fence, trying to either climb over or tear through.
Taking in the fight, the red-haired leader laughs darkly and shouts one word: "Malikadna!" A wizened old crone steps out from around the pen and points an accusing finger at Zaghigoth. A coruscating ray erupts from her finger, hitting the half-orc and draining away his strength!
The red-haired warrior signals those around them, then charges headstrong into the entangled field, while the women and warriors around him follow behind. Instantly, shrubs and plants reach out to grasp them. The leader and two of his followers are caught, but three others keep trudging through the plants, their movement hampered by the writhing plants before two of them become entangled themselves.
------
Grym attack
Aerys attack
Rowena attack
damage
cannibal 3 Strength
cannibal 4 Strength
skeleton 1 Strength
skeleton 2 climb
skeleton 3 climb
skeleton 4 climb
Aerys aoo
damage
cannibal 3 attack
cannibal 7 attack
damage
Reflex
cannibal 9 reflex
cannibal 10 reflex
cannibal 11 reflex
cannibal 13 reflex
cannibal 14 reflex
cannibal 10 reflex
cannibal 11 reflex
cannibal 13 reflex
cannibal 8 attack
ranged attack
Strength damage
Yekskya grimaces as the latest exchange does not go well. "I'm going to try to take out the leader. Can the rest of you concentrate on the crone?" He snaps off two more shots, this time aiming for the wild red-headed leader of the cannibals.
"Got it, Yeks. I'll take care of that old hag."
Drawing an arrow and carefully aiming for the old crone, I intend to suit actions to words.
Fortitude Save:
|
|
Round 5 continued
Facing off against a warrior woman and her wickedly jagged scimitar, Aerys leaps in with a vicious uppercut, her punch forcing the woman back a step.
Grym runs up towards the battle happening near the skeleton pen, shooting as he goes. The arrow hits the cannibal attacking Zaghigoth, but only badly grazes his arm. Still, the two half-orcs stand shoulder to shoulder, ready for the attack. Grym starts to draw his greataxe, as Yekskya calls out to try and take down the wizened crone behind the warriors.
Round 6
Rowena takes aim at the old woman spellcaster, hitting her with an arrow and knocking her back. The woman seems totally unprepared for the attack. As it is, she seems surprised as she sees that Zaghigoth has shrugged off the effects of her spell.
Yekskya turns and targets the cannibal leader. He hits with two arrows in quick succession, hitting with deadly precision. The red-haired warrior looks down at the arrows deeply embedded in him, and at the vegetation binding his legs, and for the first time fear shows in his eyes rather than the cruelty and arrogance that was there before. He redoubles his efforts to break free. He seems to be on his last legs, the strength of his rage being the only thing carrying him forward.
The cannibals struggling against Zaghigoth and Shiv keep trying to get past their defenses, but their attacks are paltry against the druid and his crocodile, and now they have Grym to contend with as well. You can see the aged woman attempt another spell. It seems centered on Grym this time, as he begins to giggle uncontrollably. Well, either it's a spell or the ranger has entered some sort of battle frenzy, before with an act of will he masters himself again. One of the cannibals, trailing behind the others, throws open a gate to the skeletons' pen at the far side. Which is good for the skeletons, as those that are able to climb seem to be making slow progress of it, and two of them turn their heads towards the open gate. Another tries to follow, but it is still held fast by the entanglement spell. Good for the skeletons, but bad for our heroes.
At the other end of the battle, the cannibal facing Aerys tries to land a good strike with her scimitar but can't get past the half-elf's blocks and punches. The others try to keep free of the entangling plants as they move closer, but they find it difficult. The wounded chieftain and his consorts do get closer though, a tribute to their great strength.
------
aerys attack
damage
grym attack
damage
cannibal 3 attack
cannibal 4 reflex
cannibal 14 reflex
cannibal 13 reflex
cannibal 10 strength
cannibal 11 strength
cannibal 4 strength
chieftain strength
cannibal 10 reflex
cannibal 11 reflex
chieftain reflex
skeleton 1 strength
skeleton 2 climb
skeleton 3 climb
skeleton 4 climb
cannibal 8 attack
cannibal 9 attack
Grym will
"Gods that man has strength! I put an arrow directly into his chest and he still comes, but I think he is almost ready to fall." Yekskya fires off another pair of arrows at the cannibal leader.
A grimace of determination usurps Zag's features as he feels the strength draining from his arms after being struck by the necromantic ray. He does not let up his defenses, though, and puts his heavy wooden shield to work deflecting the blows of the ferocious cannibals. He keeps sight of Shiv out of the corner of his eye, proud and pleased at the beast's perseverance as he dodges scimitar cuts and puts fangs to shins. Still, the druid realizes the danger is far from over. He notices the skeletons moving to join the fray and all of the other cannibals massing in the area.
Spirits of earth and stone, give me your strength... he mutters. He thrusts at the cannibal in front of him with his spear as Shiv sets upon the closest enemy as well.
Spear attack
Damage:
Shiv bite:
Damage:
Zag:
HP: 11/22
AC: 17
Str: 10/14
Shiv:
HP: 19
AC: 18
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|
Round 6 continued
Zaghigoth and Shiv keep focused on defense, blocking the cannibals from getting past to the rest of the party. Shiv manages to get a grip on the cannibal trying to hack at him, savaging the warrior with his strong jaws and sharp teeth. The cannibal doesn't rise.
Grym trades his bow for his greataxe so that he can wade into melee. As he does so, he draws an attack from the cannibal trying to get past him and Zaghigoth. The savage's swipe goes wide, as does Grym's counterattack.
Aerys circles around the warrior in front of her. The woman savage, staggered and worn out with a shattered nose, doesn't put up much of a fight, and with one final punch Aerys lays her out flat.
------
cannibal 7 aoo
Grym attack
Aerys attack
damage
Encouraged by my succes against the old spellcaster, I quickly draw another arrow when I see her still up and casting a spell at Grym.
Again my arrow flies true, striking the crone for a second time in short succession. "Die, you old hag!"
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|
Round 7
Rowena continues to try to take down the wizened spellcaster with her arrows: "Die, you old hag!" Her arrow hits, slowing down the old woman so more, but she seems tough for her age.
Yekskya likewise continues to concentrate on the big leader, firing two arrows. The first strikes the berserk warrior in the heart, and he instantly collapses. Weeds and vines wrap around his body as he bleeds out from his wounds, and his consorts around him scream in grief and disbelief. Yekskya's second arrow is aimed at the closest consort and nearly hits, passing with a whoosh past her ear.
Most of the cannibals caught in Zaghigoth's entangle spell manage to break free in this instance, as the spell's magic begins to wane. Still, the consorts gather around their bleeding leader, trying to rouse him, while the two male warriors are entangled again before they can break out of the entangled area.
At the other end of the battle, the one cannibal continues to clash furiously against Zaghigoth, scimitar against spear. Another warrior edges forward cautiously towards Shiv, trying to avoid the mistakes of his predecessor. Indeed, his tactics seem to work, and he scores a hit on the crocodile.
Grym is surprised as a skull flashes above the fence to the pen, its teeth clacking as the climbing skeleton finally managing to clamber to the top of the enclosure. As it starts to climb down the other side, the half-orc swears the skeleton is smiling in anticipation, if only it had lips and facial muscles. Two more skeletons shamble out of the gate and past the spellcasting woman. The fourth still seems to be thwarted by the entanglement spell.
The woman considers the situation and focuses her lurid gaze on Zaghigoth. The beset half-orc tries to resist the pressure to wilt under her malignant gaze, and finds his defensive actions more sluggish as he tries to get the image of her out of his mind.
------
cannibal 4 Strength
cannibal 6 Strength
cannibal 10 Strength
cannibal 11 Strength
cannibal 13 Strength
cannibal 14 Strength
cannibal 6 Reflex
skeleton 1 Strength
skeleton 2 Climb
cannibal 7 attack
cannibal 15 attack
damage
Zag continues to hold the line as best as he is able, using shield and spear to thwart the advance of cannibals and undead. A surge of fury flashes across his face as he sees Shiv take a nasty cut from one of the enemies and he returns in kind with a forceful thrust of his spear. As he fights he catches the eye of the witch in the rear and feels her penetrating gaze.
Will Save:
Spear attack:
Damage:
Shiv Bite:
Damage:
Zag:
HP: 11/22
AC: 17
Str: 10/14
Shiv:
HP: 14/19
AC: 18
Yekskya lets out a brief, "Yes." as the leader falls, but quickly attempts to snap off another pair of arrows at the cannibals tending to him. Unfortunately, whether it is their sudden movement or Yeks briefly relaxing as a significant threat drops to the ground, both arrows fly awry.
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Round 7 continued
Zaghigoth and Shiv team up against the lead cannibal. Between Zag's spear and Shiv's jaws, they cut the warrior to pieces! [/ooc] 13 points of damage to the lead cannibal, he's now dying at -7 hit points. [/ooc]
Grym, seeing he's out of reach of the other attackers, takes a moment to move up through the jungle brush and leap into attack against the next foe. However, as he swings with his greataxe, he misses terribly. At the other end of the melee, Aerys locates her bow, picks it up, and aims at the entangled cannibals. Her shot misses, though.
Round 8
Rowena keeps plucking away with her bow, following up on her earlier success. She scores another hit against the wizened crone, having really hurt her with several well-placed shots.
Yekskya tries to do the same with more devastating shots aimed at the cannibals trying to reach him through the tangled plants, but his next two shots both go awry.
One of the entangled cannibals manages to break out and rushes forward, trying to catch Rowena off guard. Distracted as she is with her bow, he manages to get in past her guard and deals a devastating blow to the half-elven woman with his jagged scimitar.
Another cannibal still seems to be held fast by the plants, while the leader's consorts bear his bleeding body out of the tangled area into the camp. They seem to be trying to staunch their wounds but don't seem to know what to do. It could be they rely on their foul witch doctor to do their healing for them.
Meanwhile Zaghigoth, Shiv, and Grym are fighting hard to fend off attachs from one cannibal warrior and his two skeleton allies. The fighting is fierce, but the are unable to get through the defensive line.
The old crone, hurting from many arrows and seeing that her magic doesn't seem to be having any effect, suddenly turns and runs! The cannibal warrior looks back in shock and dismay as she retreats into the jungle.
------
Grym attack
Aerys attack
Rowena attack
damage
cannibal 4 Strength
cannibal 6 Strength
cannibal 10 Strength
skeleton 1 Strength
cannibal 4 attack
damage
skeleton 2 climb
skeleton 15 attack
skeleton 3 attack
skeleton 4 attack
"Looks like they're managing to regroup. We need to keep up the pressure." Yekskya sights the cannibal who struck at Cat and fires a pair of arrows at him.
Muttering under my breath about an old crone refusing to die, I am distracted to the point where the cannibal can get in an attack. Cursing myself for not paying enough attention to the dangers close at hand, I cast a baleful glare at the cannibal, but before I can do anything about the threat he represents, I see an arrow from Yeskya thud into his side.
Hurting from the cut from the scimitar, I decide to focus more on defense for the moment "Stupid, Cat! Very stupid. Especially when you just told Aerys to be more careful."
Dropping my bow, I switch to my rapier, lunging at the cannibal in an attempt to make him pay for hurting me.
Zag and Shiv continue to hold the defensive line as best as they are able, again launching attacks in concert at the cannibal in front of them. The druid keeps a stern eye on the skeletons for now, mentally vowing to remove their taint from the earth.
Spear attack:
Damage:
Shiv attack:
Damage:
Zag:
HP: 11/22
AC: 17
Str: 10/14
Shiv:
HP: 14/19
AC: 18