Nightflier's New Beginings Game Thread

Game Master nightflier

[dice=Knowledge (Lore)]1d20+9

You need Nature for this.

"A defensive perimeter is a good idea." the doctor rasped. "Circle the wagons. Keep everyone close. Spears up. Ready a volley. I do not think it is coming for a fight, but if it is it will find one."

Far enough to be out of range of bows and most spells, the gryffon suddenly hovers, as if by magic, and cries: "This road belongs to me now! Pay tribute or face my wrath!" You realize that the monster is more intelligent than the rumors mention about his kind.

"Minotaur excrement. Frak this bird!"

"Frak?" Thaneirziah raises an eyebrow at the dragonkin in confusion. "Does that mean attack?" She readies her bow in case the gryffon does indeed fly into range.

Ready action to fire should the gryffon fly within 60'.

"Uhm, no. It's a noun used to express contempt towards a person or thing one finds contemptible. It can also be used as a verb to describe either having sexual intercourse with someone or thing, or to destroy something, in this case, I don't think we should have sexual intercourse with this bird. I have an idea."

Vasek then sheathes his javelin, spreads his arms, and slowly walks towards the griffon and announces in a loud voice. "Large eagle/lion hybrid creature I am the carrier of the caravan's tribute. Descend to me and I will provide it to you oh great mammalian like bird!"

Influence to bluff 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

When griffon enters 400ft range will cast True strike then fire at 360ft

Arak listens and nods as the Doctor seems to take charge of their small crew. Tensing his fingers inside his gauntlet, Arak then watches as Vasek explains the finer details of vocabulary.

When Vasek steps forth nobly Arak stands ready to charge and defend the lizardkin.

"Uhm, no. It's a noun used to express contempt towards a person or thing one finds contemptible. It can also be used as a verb to describe either having sexual intercourse with someone or thing, or to destroy something, in this case, I don't think we should have sexual intercourse with this bird. I have an idea."

Vasek then sheathes his javelin, spreads his arms, and slowly walks towards the griffon and announces in a loud voice. "Large eagle/lion hybrid creature I am the carrier of the caravan's tribute. Descend to me and I will provide it to you oh great mammalian like bird!"

Influence to bluff 1d20+7

Nicely played

]Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

The gryffon banks sharply over the forest, approaching the caravan from the rear, and then it lands about 300 feet behind the last wagon and the foot travelers behind it. "Come, lizard!", it thunders. "Come and present your tribute to my magnificence!"

Do the NPCs have ranged weapons of any kind? What is the rest of the caracan armed with, and what are their numbers?

Vasek walks towards the griffin, saying to his companions on the way. "easePlay, ifyay ethay irdbay ecidesday otay itebay emay, ootshay ityay ithway asyay anymay arrowsyay asyay youyay ancay." He'll activate detect evil before he gets within 60 feet, hold it for 3 rounds, and then shut it off before he gets to the griffon.

He approaches all the way to the griffon if nothing else happens.

"I have no idea what the hells he just said, but if it so much as twitches, I'm taking the shot." Tiadora says tersely to her companions as she holds her position.

"Archaic code used in battle among soldiers, methinks. Quickly fell out of favor due to obvious reasons." Thaneirziah quips as she raises her bow, ready to fire.

"He said shoot it if it attacks." Doctor Rok said, fretting slightly as he watched the dragon-man go face the gryphon.

Something about this didn't seem right though.

"Bard, have you ever heard of talking gryphons?"

I forget the NPC bard's name.

"Of course I heard!", replies the bard with an offended huff. "Am I not Rinaldo the Magnificent? Of course I am!" He clears his throat, and his voice takes on sonorous quality. "This is Margreeve forest and it was old when gods were young. The beasts that dwell in it are shaped by arcane energies and ley lines. It is not unknown for common animals to reach the tallest peaks of intelligence. But the Margreeve griffons are usually either tan or black. This golden variety must have come from some other place!"

"I'm feeling like there's a trick here." the Doctor rumbled I his throaty rasp. "An illusion? Seems too strange to be real."

Thaneirziah glances sidelong at the Doctor raising an arched eyebrow. "You...could be right. But who is RUNNING the scam here?" She glances at the caravan wagons speculatively.

""So perhaps not a local creature, and thus not entitled to tribute. Except that gained by chicanery and backed by force."

Vasek walks towards the griffin, saying to his companions on the way. "easePlay, ifyay ethay irdbay ecidesday otay itebay emay, ootshay ityay ithway asyay anymay arrowsyay asyay youyay ancay." He'll activate detect evil before he gets within 60 feet, hold it for 3 rounds, and then shut it off before he gets to the griffon.

He approaches all the way to the griffon if nothing else happens.

Vasek proudly and boldly strides towards the griffon, standing directly in front of it and looking it in the eyes "Noble and intimidating bird with lion's claws, why do you try and gain pittances from lowly caravans? I hae seen visions from Velos of grand happenings of the like that would shower one with riches and excitement. What would you do with trinkets and baubles? Not much I imagine, but I make sure you are provided with a lifetimes worth of equine flesh to satiate any hunger. Bad times are approaching and you can be out here, begging for scraps from peasants; or join me and you will experience much more than mere tributes."

Influence 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Finally deciding to see why the wagon has stopped, Glimmer climbs down from the steps where he had been sleeping. He sniffled a bit, as his allergies were acting up in this dreadful place full of flowering plants, and strange yellow/green dust, and surveyed what was happening above. He raised an eyebrow at the appearance of the creature, and his mouth dropped open as he saw the Dragonkin approach the beast. He began to stretch, and loosen up, as it looked like there would soon be bloodshed.

The griffon listens to Vasek raptly, and when the dragon-man finishes, the large predator ruffles his feathers and replies grudgingly: "You speak sensibly, lizard. Verily, I do not crave your puny treasures - but I seek a mate! The griffon-queen of this forest! She, who is as black as the deepest night and whose claws are alike to golden sickles. But I am newly come to this land and the forest hides her from me. I am a hunter of open plains and I am wary of going deeper into the woods, but she must be my bride! I will settle for nothing less, because - am I not magnificent?!"

Thaneirziah lowers her weapon, her mind racing on hearing the true goal of the griffon. A griffon-queen? Why would one take residence in the forest? Is it lying to us here? She tries recalling any lore of such a creature living in the forest.

Lore: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

"Whoah, whoa, whoah, what? You've got to be frakken kidding me! All this for a chic you haven't met? And you won't even go into the woods to prove your magnificence? Seriously. You'd better stick with me for a while and build up your strength until you're ready for this endeavor. Then you can impress her with your deeds. 'I am slayer of the minions of The Undying! The terror of cultists of Zobeck!' Much more impressive than 'I am the waylayer of peasants' don't you think?"

Arak smiles as the creature outlines its quest. He can well empathise.

But Vasek's response is more than he was prepared for. Arak watches for the gryphon's response, ready to offer help in achieving its primal desire, but not wishing to intrude upon Vasek's...diplomacy.

Thaneirziah lowers her weapon, her mind racing on hearing the true goal of the griffon. A griffon-queen? Why would one take residence in the forest? Is it lying to us here? She tries recalling any lore of such a creature living in the forest.

[dice=Lore]1d20+9

"Whoah, whoa, whoah, what? You've got to be frakken kidding me! All this for a chic you haven't met? And you won't even go into the woods to prove your magnificence? Seriously. You'd better stick with me for a while and build up your strength until you're ready for this endeavor. Then you can impress her with your deeds. 'I am slayer of the minions of The Undying! The terror of cultists of Zobeck!' Much more impressive than 'I am the waylayer of peasants' don't you think?"

"There is some truth to what you speak. But I am more than magnificent enough, am I not?", replies the griffin. "But you have a way with words, lizard. Would you be my emissary to my future mate?"

Thaneirziah sidles over to the Doctor, her voice pitched low. "That one has been touched by the magic of house Stross, a fell reputation well-deserved. 'Ware any dealings with it, as its mind be touched."

"There is some truth to what you speak. But I am more than magnificent enough, am I not?", replies the griffin. "But you have a way with words, lizard. Would you be my emissary to my future mate?"

"Your appearance and mannerisms are truly impressive, but I know not your deeds. When I have seen enough validation of your magnificence I will be your emissary. And the best way to prove your magnificence is too decimate those that will hasten the end of times.

Doctor Roc was glad for his mask hiding the amused, but slightly pained expression on his face. He looked up, casting a quiet prayer to his divine ancestors.

Very funny.

Glimmer sneezes again, then scratches his head... wondering at the strange negotiations going on, and wishing he knew what the endgame of this treat was.

Tiadora eases the pressure on her bowstring, but doesn't yet lower her weapon.

The griffin ruffles his feathers, and then his eyes turn to those standing behind Vasek. "And what about you, two-legged earthbounds? Will you help me find my mate? Or must I use other... tactics of persuasion?"

Thaneirziah knows a threat when she sees it, yet due to the fool dragonkin's actions the group had already lost their tactical advantage. "Well, the importance of finding your mate strikes a chord in my own heart. Verily that be the reason I journey to Zobeck!" She calls out at the griffon. "Mayhap we can come to an arrangement which benefits all of us!"

Perhaps the griffon will show sympathy for me here...yet should any man try to claim me I will gut him slowly. No need for it to know that!

Influence: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Large creature ruffles its feathers, ignoring Thaneirziah. "Well", the beast says. "What shall it be? I grow tired of this."

"So our options are to help you find your 'mate', who probably has no idea who you are and you expect her to just bow to your will, or what? You attack us?" Tiadora asks, her stance clearly indicating what her response would be to the wrong answer.

Arak ignores the imperious aberravian's posturing and smiles as Tiadora offers "sauce".
He calls out to the creature:

"I have no pressing business, noble gryphon, and your quest plays true on mine heart." Here the young man looks east and west, as if scanning Midgard or addressing it whole.

"I am, however in favor of hearing of some recompense for our time, energy and effort!"

Influence: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Even Arak feels his own words ring hollow...

Well, I tried. Velos placed this beast here for a reason. I baser reason I guess. "I thought you would be reasonable."

Vasek sighs, draws his axe and swings at the griffon.

Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Damage 1d12 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

OMG hahahaha harhar.

"What is it that we will be getting out of this bargain, griffon? What are you offering in return?" the Doctor asked.

Arak almost chokes as Vasek swiftly swings his axe. Gauntlet clenched, he waits to see if the gryphon notices,..

"So our options are to help you find your 'mate', who probably has no idea who you are and you expect her to just bow to your will, or what? You attack us?" Tiadora asks, her stance clearly indicating what her response would be to the wrong answer.

The beast turns to Tiadora. "Well, perhaps not. Can you offer me something else?"

Well, I tried. Velos placed this beast here for a reason. I baser reason I guess. "I thought you would be reasonable."

Vasek sighs, draws his axe and swings at the griffon.

Attack 1d20+4
Damage 1d12+9

OMG hahahaha harhar.

hahahahaha. The first attack in the game and natural 1 :D

The griffon squawks like an offended chicken and launches in the air. "You dare, lizard! You dare attack me!" He flies high above the forest. "I will mark your scent, worm! And I will return for you when I find my mate, to feed you to our hatchlings! You shouldn't have done this!"

Thaneirziah stares at the dragonkin as if he had lost his mind. "You fool! We had him right where we wanted him! We could have accepted his fools errand and once out of sight given him the slip! Now," She gives Vasek a venomous glare, "we will need to watch above our heads!"

Seeing the griffon fly off, she lowers her bow. "I thing it be time to move on here, and not stray too close to Margrave Forest!"

"He's not too far out of range, I could still take him down." Tiadora says calmly, following the creature's progress with her bow.

Vasek turns to Than, "Blow it out your ass painted woman, it's gone ain't it? You weren't convincing no one with that speech. And that thing is too pathetic to find a mate."

Then he turns to Tiadora, "Might as well save it. It will just keep running away."

The doctor put his hand on his masked face. This was not a good start, but somehow it seemed like a fitting one.

Arak stifles a laugh, looking to see how Thaneirziah responds.

Thaneirziah fixes the dragonkin with a cold glare, "Perhaps you should be a little less...dismissive of its words. I could tell it was not a typical griffon. No telling what other talents -- or allies -- it has." She then turns her back on Vasek, adding "Should it find you again I surely hope your words to it are more...pleasing than mine apparently were!"

Vasek smiles, "Actually, after I whiffed I thought that thing was going to tear me apart before anyone even got a shot off. I can't believe it fled like that."

Tiadora shakes her head at the general disarray of the group, while returning her arrow to it's quiver.

"Well that was......ridiculous," she mutters climbing down from atop the wagon.