GM Tarondor's Dragon's Demand (Inactive)

Game Master Tarondor

Jaylan nods to the ranger and follows. "Any idea what we'll find in that cave? His house was deadly."

"Aye, that it was. I suspect the secret cave location to be no different. But they key to saving someone seems to lay there, so we should make haste. When can we head out?"

Ready to go!

Jaylan nods to the ranger and follows. "Any idea what we'll find in that cave? His house was deadly."

The man spits into the dust. "Don't have any idea what might be there. Don't even know exactly which cave it is. There's lots, as I've said."

"Aye, that it was. I suspect the secret cave location to be no different. But they key to saving someone seems to lay there, so we should make haste. When can we head out?"

"Now's good," he says, and picks up his hat. "Name's Eudomas Biton. Folks say I know these hills better'n anyone and I expect that's true. But this here Hunclay was a queer fellow, and no mistake. I'll not be heading into any caves with you, but I'll show you where a few are near where I seen him."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is late afternoon now and you have examined three dusty and empty limestone caves, finding nothing more than old animal dens and debris from the occasional rainstorm-induced flood.

Eudomas puts a hand on Edo's shoulder and points at the sky. Vultures circle above a hill not far off. "Worth looking into," he says.

A short time later, you arrive below the brow of the flat-topped hill and see the remains of two humans, a man and woman. They've been mutilated by wild animals and little remains besides scraps of clothing and bones.

Eudomas's face turns hard as he examines the scene. "Wolves," he says. "Big ones. Or one of them was, anyway. These tracks are fresh, though the body's've been dead a few days."

Brandor checks to see if there is anything that can be determined of the victims, and then proceeds with last rites. "Poor folk, don't look like they had much of a chance here."

Scratching his head, the dwarf ponders out loud, "Might be a diversion, but should we follow these tracks? Could be this was a magical beast, and might be tied to Hunclay..."

"So... what do you think? Were these maybe travelers? Lovers out for a walk?" Liam has his doubts about Brandor's line of thinking that they might be connected to Hunclay, but sees no harm in ridding the area of a predatory threat to common folk. Besides, who know what condition we will be in after the cave, and these wolves might come after us.

Jayla begins to look around at the tracks. She's trying to determine which direction they went in. "I fear we should take care of them. If they are killing humans, they'll continue to kill."

Survival +1 To Track: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21

Jayla can see that the wolves have headed west, into the hills. They seem to have avoided the single cave nearby, up the slope a small ways.

"Let's remember that cave and make that the starting point after we tackle the wolves." Liam suggests.

Jayla leads the team out and soon Eudomas says that the tracks are fresh. The wolves are close.

Any preparations first?

"Wait a sec..." Liam looks around a little at leaves on brush and trees, trying to judge wind direction, "Wolves have really good noses, if we're upwind it'll tip them off there is... well, possible prey nearby."

If there is a way to position ourselves to track while remaining downwind of them, that would be best, but probably not feasible, so... just wind direction in relation to the tracks and maybe someone else ahs an idea?

Brandor's ready to cast Calm Animals if we see some wolves.

You follow the tracks. Soon, you hear a growl from in front of you. Then behind and to the side. Hunter and hunted both.

Initiative
Brandor: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Little Liam: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Jayla: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Edo: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Pack Leader: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Wolves: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

STATUS
Jayla
Brandor
Wolf A
Wolf B
Wolf C
Edo
Pack Leader
Liam

Jayla and Brandor, go!

Brandor casts Calm Animals on as many wolves as he can, excluding the pack leader if one needs to be excluded.

Brandor casts Calm Animals on as many wolves as he can, excluding the pack leader if one needs to be excluded.

It's your job to tell me which animals are within the area, Brandor. I've got enough to do running the campaign without also measuring areas for the player's spells. Please let me know which wolves you think you can get in the area. Each square is 5'.

Sorry - couldn't fidn a map before. I put a circle for the area of effect.

I see this as two opponents and only one possibly needs defeating: the pack leader and the other three. The obvious target for us are the three on our level. Does anyone think there is any merit in the idea of focusing on the pack leader, hoping to demoralize the others into fleeing?

This sounds about right, although as a cleric associated with an animal deity, Brandor hopes to end this with little bloodshed.

Brandor sends his eagle soaring into the air. No need to add another morsel to this wolves' feast...

Brandor - Also, when you cast a spell, you need to tell me what the save is. To keep things moving, I've checked your character sheet this time to see that it's a DC 14.

Wolf A Will save (DC 14): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Wolf B Will save (DC 14): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Okay then...

Brandor speaks to the wolves of peace and contentment, but they growl back to him of blood and claws and tearing.

Anyone, give me orders for Jayla.

I'm on board with focusing on the pack leader if possible.

Jayla: Studied target, composite longbow on pack leader.

Twang: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Thwak: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

retcon - forgot to add +1 to dam for studied, so 5 dam.

Jayla's arrow lodges in the shoulder of the great wolf, which snarls in anger.

The three lesser wolves come in for the kill, front, back and to the side. Edo is ready for them and keeps one wolf at bay, but the other two catch their prey unready. One shaggy gray wolf bites Jayla on the hand while the other leaps up and knocks Brandor to the ground, biting his shoulder.

Wolf A v. Brandor: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 211d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Wolf B v. Jayla: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 201d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Wolf C v. Edo: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 91d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Trip Attack v. Brandor: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Trip Attack v. Jayla: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

STATUS
Jayla - 31/36 hp
Brandor - 33/35 hp, prone
Wolf A
Wolf B
Wolf C
Edo
Pack Leader - 5 damage
Liam

Edo! You're up!

Looking at the map, I can't imagine not sticking with the current melee and leaving our guide exposed. So much for the pack leader idea. I'll see if I can take this one in front of Edo down, then if the situation fits, I'll direct him at the leader on the hill.

Edo roars terribly in anger at the attempt on his life and swings his massive sword at the wolf in front of him.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 6) + 4 = 13

Edo's sword breaks the wolf's spine in a single devastating blow. It yowls and shakes, then dies.

The huge pack leader bounds down the slope and attacks, but loses its footing on a slick patch of leaves and winds up only snatching at the hem of her cloak.

Pack Leader v. Jayla: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 131d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Liam, Jayla, Brandor! Go!

Falling back on his go-to offensive spell, Liam takes a 5ft step back away from the threatening wolf busy with Brandor, makes the motions, utters the command and a trio of purple missiles fly out at the pack leader.

Magic Missiles: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3, 3) + 3 = 13

Confident in his positioning relative to the fight, his own casting abilities and the martial expertise of his team, Liam smiles slightly, knowing he has wounded the leader.

Brandor is down and cornered. No good options exist with Wolves. He grabs his dagger and swings it at the wolf west of him.

Attack, prone: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 - 4 = 10
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Jayla curses as the pack leader tries to attack her. She drops her bow and takes a step to the right drawing her silver kukri. She slashes at the leader. "Come on big boy. Come and bite me."

Studied Target Kukri: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Studied Target Kukri Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Liam's magic missiles slice unerringly into the pack leader, wounding him three times. Jayla follows this up with a long, nasty slice with her kukri. On his back, Brandor is unable to harm the huge predator.

Wolf A vs. Brandor, prone, flanked: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 171d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Wolf B vs. Brandor, prone, flanked: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Driven by instinct, the two wolves immediately attack the fallen Brandor, savaging his arm.

STATUS
Jayla - 31/36 hp
Brandor - 27/35 hp, prone
Wolf A
Wolf B
Edo
Pack Leader - 24 damage
Liam

Edo, go!

Diving into the melee, Edo arcs the massive slab of steel he carries down on one of the two wolves attacking Brandor.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 2) + 4 = 12

Edo slashes hard, severely wounding one of the wolves.

Pack leader v. Jayla: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 271d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Pack leader v. Jayla: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Pack leader Trip Attack v. Jayla: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

The lead wolf savages Jayla's arm and drags her down to the ground.

STATUS
Jayla - 15/36 hp, prone
Brandor - 27/35 hp, prone
Wolf A - 12 damage
Wolf B
Edo
Pack Leader - 24 damage
Liam

Liam, Jayla and Brandor, go!

"NO!" Liam yells seeing Jayla being savaged. Too many, got to finish them one-by-one... free up Edo to take on the leader...

Shifting his target to the wounded smaller wolf, hoping to finish it off, Liam casts magic missile again, sending three purplish bolts flying...

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2, 1) + 3 = 7

"Ouch. That hurt you beast." She slashes with her kukri and then tries to crawl away from the creature.

Kukri: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
5 Foot crawl.

Liam's magic missile slices into the injured wolf's brain, killing it before it hits the ground. Jayla's pain throws her attack off and the wild slash harms nothing.

Brandor, go!

Brandor sees he is pretty ineffective from the ground, and gives standing up a try, hoping these wolves don't just pull him down again.

Stand up from prone. If AoOs knock him down again, use another action to stand up, hoping they don't get more AoOs. If the first move action gets him standing, though, then Brandor will take a 5' step directly to the left (already moved on map) to get out of flanked position, and then attack.

Battleaxe Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Brandor fends off the wolf's attack as he rises and swings his axe into the wolf's flank. Yelping, the beast snaps at him, but can't get close enough.

Wolf A AoO vs. Brandor, prone: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Wolf A vs. Brandor, prone: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 71d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

STATUS
Jayla - 15/36 hp, prone
Brandor - 27/35 hp
Wolf B - 8 damage
Edo
Pack Leader - 24 damage
Liam

Edo, go!

Edo swings his blade upward against the wounded foe in front of him, then moves to prepare an engagement with the next.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 6) + 4 = 12

Pack Leader v. Edo: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 261d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Pack Leader v. Jayla plus prone: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Edo's big sword crushes the shoulder of the last lesser wolf and it dies with a yelp. The warrior moves to take on the Pack Leader, which snaps at him, tearing into his arm, then tries to bite Jayla, but she rolls swiftly aside.

STATUS
Jayla - 15/36 hp, prone
Brandor - 27/35 hp
Wolf B - 8 damage
Edo - 29/38 hp
Pack Leader - 24 damage
Liam

Everyone, go!

I believe that the Leader wolf is the only one left now - Edo finished off Wolf B. Map reflects that.

Liam sees what has been working... works. He concentrates, gestures and brings forth another three purplish bolts, to strike at the large canine.

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 4) + 3 = 14

Brandor moves over to Jayla and casts a CLW spell on her.

CLW: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Liam's blast of power shreds the great wolf's fur leaving bright red blossoms of blood. It whines, snaps at itself and dies.

COMBAT OVER

Brandor invokes the healing power of Torag. Jayla feels the momentary heat of the forge fire and hears the distant sound of dwarven harps echoing in some deep place. Then warmth and calm suffuses her wounds.

STATUS
Jayla - 22/36 hp
Brandor - 27/35 hp
Edo - 29/38 hp
Liam

"Gather round, friends, and feel the healing powers of Torag."

Brandor ues his divine power to channel positive energy into the wounds of the group, including himself.

Channel Heal: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 7) = 12

"Well... that was a good stretch of the old legs, wadntit?" Edo stretches his shoulder and examines his wounds as Barndoor heals the group.

Barndoor?

"Yah, well... seems odd wolves attacking like that. They must be mighty hungry or something... now, let's find this here cave, shall we?"

"I would have just dismissed this as, 'they're beasts,' but you are right Brandor, I mean the dire ones, yea, more cunning, but it's not like wolves to press on 'til death when outnumbered and outmatched. Maybe something else driving them? Eudomas? Anything you know about their nature that might give insight?"

"Sooner we end this the better, back to that cave, eh?"

For worshiping an eagle deity, you would think Brandor would have knowledge (nature)... but alas, missed that.

"Eudomas? Anything you know about their nature that might give insight?"

"Sooner we end this the better, back to that cave, eh?"

"It ain't normal for wolves," says Eudomas. "But I can't say about that big fella. Might be humans are just a snack to them."

"Seems ta me ya just ended it, nay?"

"Sure enough. Let's leave them for the carrion birds and get on with our search."

Brandor sends his eagle to fly around the area, looking for a cave or more signs of trouble.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

You can't see any signs of animals anywhere near the cave, and that's unusual. Nor do you see any signs of human passage, and that's understandable because it would have been only Hunclay and it would have been weeks ago at the most recent.

Brandor approaches to look inside, assuming his darkvision is needed unless they are ready to provide a source of light.

Liam is ready with Dancing Lights, but has no problems letting Brandor scout a little if he feels the need.

I forgot there cave was flooded. Assume that it's knee deep and therefore all squares are difficult terrain.

Brandor sloshes into the cave entrance, looking around.

The air is quite warm, but the cave seems bare. There is a dark space at the back that might be a tunnel.

See map.

Liam muses to himself, A half-flooded cave, both interesting and annoying.