As the lizardfolk swim back to the surface, their comrades on land prepare for whatever is moving their way.
The ravens to the northwest all scatter, taking wing or coming to rest on the southern side of the clearing. Whatever is on its way is given wide berth by the birds. It's probably right near the treeline now...
Yochtanl looks rather fearful at whatever is approaching. He throws an occasional glance down into the water to see whether the others have made it yet, and braces for the worst.
Palag watches the ravens with some alarm and keeps his eyes directed to northwest, hoping that Djatrix and Vess'Sothek return soon.
Underwater: Please make Swim checks. Results will determine on what round you make it back to the surface.
Knowledge/Nature for the roots:
Swimming:
Mount
Visssila rears in mild disturbance at something coming from the northwest, though none of the rest of you can discern what it may be.
Vess'Sothek races after the little snake familiar, with Djatrix behind them.
From the north, an explosion of brambles, raven corpses, branches, and stones precedes the the sudden charge of a horse-sized wolflike creature, growling through a maw of fangs.
The legs of the creature are long, wiry, and covered in patchy rotten fur, while the rest of the creature's body is covered in dense, shaggy, black matted fur, with feathers and branches stuck all about. The creature's glowing eyes possess a keen intelligence and hatred that chills you all to the bone.
Similar to what it looks like.
I was definitely mounted, hoping to charge whatever came out of the woods...
not so good rolls....Visssila would be waiting for my orders...so no action in the surprise round...
I was definitely mounted, hoping to charge whatever came out of the woods...
not so good rolls....Visssila would be waiting for my orders...so no action in the surprise round...
Initiative:
Yochtanl 20 (virtually invisible)
Rsss'tak 11
Palag 10 (virtually invisible)
Creature 9
After the beast makes its move, Yochtanl quietly chants an incantation, then points at the beast. A thin, pale-green ray fires from his fingertip...
The ray strikes the thing in one of its legs, and a strength-sapping magic assaults the beast's senses.
The creature utters a terrifying and guttural noise that twists into a pathetic and pitiable wavering, which sounds oddly sentient. Its face goes from a contortion of malice to that of a peaceful, empathetic magical creature of the forest.
Then it speaks in an oddly-accented, coarse Common tongue, "I amm solrry folr mmy hostility, flriennds. I assummmed you welre inntrudelrs. Faelrie intelrlopelrs have mmmade mmy homme a nest-bed folr deceipt and tlreachelry of late, and they keep summmmoning mmolrtals such as youlrselves to mmenace me."
The creature, presumably male, looks to Rsss'tak as he speaks. "New flriend, please, comme convelrse with mme." The creature sits back on its haunches, in a relaxed fashion, and beckons to Rsss'tak with its clawed forelimb. It does not seem to be aware of the two vesh.
Edit:
*It does not seem to be aware of the two vesh, but its speech implies it is aware of the presence of others besides Rsss'tak and his mount.
Fighting the urge to jump up and flee, Palag is astonished at hearing the monstrous creature speak. He stares at it with his mouth partially open and tries to make sense of its words.
Hmmm I thought I beat its initiative and would have gone before its action.....
It's words seem genuine. Regardless of whether you believe it or not, you definitely feel there is more to this situation than what you've been told by the fey from yesterday.
lots of bad checks :)
Rsss'tak cares little for what the creature says, he knows this is the evil that the little fey spoke of, the evil that has probably killed them...
You will die today creature of evil, we will scourge your filth from this world!
Although he fears this beast, he doesn't show it as he charges the creature!
Charge to the creature and attack with lance.
Seeing that the conversation is no longer a conversation, now that Rsss'tak charged, Yochtanl will cast his spell at the creature. He hopes Rsss'tak knows what he's doing...
Against his probably better judgment, Palag leaves his hiding place behind the pillar and hops over it. He moves carefully to K7. "Wait! Rsss'tak, sh-shouldn't we at least listen to... to what it has to say?" he says fearfully and looks at both Rsss'tak and Yochtanl in turn. Regardless, he keeps his crossbow aimed at the creature.
Effectively, you doubt what was told to you yesterday, and this creature seems trustworthy-and a bit frightening-but you decide to attack it anyway.
I am okay with that! Just letting you know, your character seems to be taking a direction of attack first, ask questions later. :)
Regarding the map: The walls near the bottom of the map are 4-5 feet high, with cracks and holes in them. Treat as either 3 squares to move over, DC 5 Climb, or DC 12 Acrobatics to move to next space. Columns are all 4-7 feet high, standing on them requires either 2 squares or a DC 9 Acrobatics or DC 4 Cimb check. Walls and columns can provide cover. The outermost curved floors of the ruin are about 1 foot higher than the ground. The innermost curved floors and the rectangular floor are about 3 feet higher than the ground. All stone surfaces are covered in moss, moisture, and bird droppings. Charging, double moving, running, standing from prone, or landing from an elevation require a DC 10 Acrobatics check to avoid falling prone. Ferns and broken pillars are hindering terrain, and can be used to make Stealth checks. The fountain in the center is about 2.5 feet higher than the innermost circular floors/rectangular floors; its outer circle is the same elevation as the surrounding floors. Water is difficult terrain, and combat while standing in water requires a DC 13 Acrobatics check at the start of your turn to avoid falling prone (can be negated with a standard action).
Rsss'tak ignores his heart and reason, and succumbs to fury. It doesn't matter to him that this creature may speak truth, as he has already made a pact with Ell'uitheste'llenyell'ahre.
He pushes his twangs of guilt, like that of a child who kills an animal for the first time, turning his heart hard and maneuvers into battle. Had the terrain been more favorable, his assault would have been a glorious charge, but the underbrush gets in the way, and his lance narrowly misses the strange creature.
The creature's visage turns to surprise, then scorn. "I camme with peace! All molrtals alre the samme..."
Yochtanl quietly chants an incantation, then points at the beast. A thin, pale-green ray fires from his fingertip and strikes the thing in one of its legs, and a strength-sapping magic assaults the beast's senses. The creature seems to shake it off, though the muscles in its forelimb spasm noticeably for a moment.
At Palag's words, and appearance, it pauses. "Yes. The little one speaks wisely, but it is too late to mmake ammends folr yolr alrrogance. I demmand blood scalrifice, olr I shall devoulr youlr colrpses."
It glares at Rsss'tak and Yochtanl with all the rage of a starving troll and the regal bearing of sphinx. The growl in its throat may be more terrifying than before.
As Palag completes his actions, Vess'Sothek emerges from the water, and looks around.
Vess'Sothek: Roll Perception. DC 15. If you succeed, you get a partial action this round, befre the creature goes.
Initiative
Yochtanl 20 (has cover)
>Djatrix 15 (will arrive on second round, roll Perception to determine awareness)
Rsss'tak 11
Palag 10
Vess'Sothek 10b (awaiting Perception)
Creature 9
Palag stands cautiously, ready for anything.
Seeing his comrade in (seeming) trouble, the lizardfolk moves to his flank, preparing to lend his aid as soon as possible.
"Ammmbush?!" the creature exclaims. "The fey blring mmore than befolre..."
It scowls and shifts its weight forward, striding the length of a man in one step. Then it explodes in a flurry of claws, snarling, fangs, and foul flung-saliva.
Bite ; damage
Claw ; damage
Claw ; damage
Rsss'tak fends off the furious assault, blocking a bite with his lance and a claw with his armor, but a second claw swipe breaks his guard and finds its way to his flesh.
"You should have talked with mme, mmolrtal!!" Its words are filled with pain and fury.
Yochtanl moves closer, trying to flank the creature and attack with his spear. He keeps as much distance as he can, and stays on his guard as he attacks.
Perception roll:
Djatrix gets a partial action (Standard or less) now.
Knowledge (planes or nature) are appropriate here.
Djatrix exists the fountain and, noticing the creature, draws his morningstar as he tries to figure if he knowns anything about this beast.
Knowledge/Nature