When we rejoin our original group of heroes, Nox, Laucian, Glenna, and Aggo are leaving the meadow of the Forest Elder. Before we move on with this group, though, here's a little recap of the recent events -- at least in gametime.
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Turning away from the tree, the seriousness in Laucian's face seems to melt into a large smile. "I would love to tell you my abilities. At least, I will tell and show you some of my tricks, but a good magician never tell s his secrets."
Walking over to the camp, Laucian starts to tell stories of faeries that he can make appear, and while giving the story, a stick from the woods appears to come on its own accord to Laucian's hand.
Speaking about the faeries, "They come all times of the day, but they are best seen at night, or in the dark. Maybe sometime I can call them to our group, but they may be shy."
He continues with this stories while eating up until everyone is ready to move out. He only then stops to pack up his gear, before he picks right back where he left off.
Aggo is a bit gruff as he returns to his quickly-cooling breakfast. "If'n ye'd just waited a bit longer, we'd be done wit' breakin' 'r fast, 'n every'un 'ould 'ave been ready fer action when ye woke up th' tree's guardian." He quickly tucks away what remains of his meal.
Listening to Laucian, he interrupts, "Lad, Ah know ye're as eager t' be tellin' tales as th' one who ran off, but Ah'm fer thinkin' Nox 'as somethin' specific in mind. What exactly can we be fer expectin' from ye in a fight? Ye can't always 'ope to talk a foe into runnin' away. If'n we 'r fightin' fer 'r lives, we need t' be fer knowin' what t' expect from ye, if anythin'."
He get his bedroll and gear together, assisting the halfling with hers, and pretty soon both of them are ready to go.
Glenna says, "Graymoon and I discussed the general path. We need to go this way next, but I think Nox is going to be a far better leader in his home forest than I am. I can point the way in a general sense, but that's about all..."
With Aggo's interruption, Laucian stops and listens intently. No sooner had Aggo finished did Laucian start back up. "Well I don't have much experience in the fighting world. Most of my life has been as a performer with my tricks. I suppose some of these tricks could be used to assist you in combat. I might be able to blind and confuse some of the people. Distraction, confusion, and assistance to you two " Laucian points to Nox and Aggo, "would probably be my specialty in combat, if one was to label me. Depending on the length of time I am with you, I may be able to work up some new tricks to help as well."
Turning to Nox, "Does that answer your question, good friend?"
After furrowing his brow and looking at Laucian for a few seconds, Nox breaks into a grin and says, "Aye, friend, that is more what I was querying towards. It will be interesting to see how we can take advantage of your unique gifts." If all agree, we will head on our way."
Looking in the direction that Glenna has indicated, "After all, if Graymoon is free to find us, a group our size would be hard-pressed to hide our tracks from him, even if we were so inclined......Shall we?"
Glenna pipes up, "According to what Graymoon said, there should be a faint game trail that takes us nearly all the way to the hag's meadow. He thought we'd get there by midafternoon today."
Survival = 17 + 5 = 22
We also find our two new members, but we'll have to retrace our steps 48 hours. Portions of this will be spoilered and labeled with the intended audience. As I mentioned earlier, I can't stop you from looking in someone else's spoiler, but remember that your character doesn't know what's spoilered for someone else -- unless that character tells them. Please spoiler your responses, folks - this is like the whispers in the FG tabletop.
Gilgar:
Sylvanis:
As you walk, companion at your side , you can hear the sound of the river rushing and know you aren't far when you hear voices speaking loudly in a guttural language...
Gilgar:
Sylvanis:
Flowing Glenna's lead, Laucian starts looking in the direction she is pointing. "I am not the best at finding things. That could be it maybe?" Laucian points to a spot along the tree line.
- Perception: 10 = 10 (1d20) + 0 (WIS) + 0 (Perception)
- Perception (Sight): 12 = 12 (1d20) + 0 (WIS) + 2 (Perception (Sight))
- Perception (Sound): 12 = 12 (1d20) + 0 (WIS) + 2 (Perception (Sound))
All (dice tutorial):
Syntax for it is (dice and /dice go in square brackets, of course, because they are tags)
Perception (dice)1d20 + 4(/dice)
which should look like this if you use the square brackets instead of parentheses
Perception
If you want to explain the bonus or include circumstantial bonuses, just put them on the line behind the roll in ooc tags, like so:
Perception (dice)1d20 + 4(/dice) (ooc)includes racial bonus, another +2 for sight-based checks(/ooc)
or
Perception
Gilgar:
Sylvanis:
Sylvanis:
Perception check, please
Gilgar:
Sense Motive:
Perception:
Begin moving toward them, war axe at the ready. Right now, I'm moving with measured, controlled steps, trying to keep their attention elsewhere.
Stealth:
Feel free to give me a perception check for Winter, too. He can't tell you what he sees, but you would pick up on it if he noticed something, giving you a second chance and a bonus. (House rule)
You are finally close enough to the end of the ridge to see what has the orc's attention -- a lone elf stands along side a big cat - tiger, perhaps - looking a bit uncertain about how to proceed.
I have not checked -- do you understand Orcish?
Charge the leader, intent on dispatching him to the afterlife.
Initiative:
Sylvanis Init
Winter's Init if they are seperate
Up to you when or if I cast Summon Nature's Ally I referring to post
and if I understand the Orc's actions as being more than just a mild threat will be ready to cast Summon Nature's Ally I
I'm not sure how combat works on this so in case you need it right away I'm casting Summon Nature's Ally if I haven't already.
Let me know how combat works rotation in post wise.
Grand experiment here: Trying to use Google docs for the mapping. Hopefully this works - let me know.
At this time, Sylvanis (SL) has not noticed Gilgar (G). Orc leader (O1) is facing Sylvanis, orc minion (O2) is facing south.
Delay, watching the Elf. I have no intention of getting caught in the middle of some nasty magical ugliness. Therefore, I will take my action if and when whatever dark arts the Elf is conjuring up...
What's your concentration bonus? I didn't see it in your character sheet -- if it's not there, go ahead and put it in the Spells section. Otherwise, let me know where to find it.
On the road today, will post more this evening. I hope you guys are enjoying things so far -- and I hope the other two are cool with a little bit of a delay while we get these two characters caught up...
Of course, if they are not... I'm the DM, and Rule 0 is in force!
Please check out my post in the discussion thread regarding Winter.
I hope you don't mind me rolling for Winter in the combat to get things moving. I may not always do that in the future, I have not decided.
Initiative
21 Gilgar
16 Orc (O2)
13 Placeholder
10 Orc Leader (O1)
09 Winter
06 Placeholder
04 Sylvanis
Gilgar, still unseen by the others, holds his action waiting to see how the elven magic manifests.
The orc (O2) looks with some concern between the elf casting his spell and his leader, but does nothing further.
The orc leader (O1), visibly angered by the elf's refusal to respond to his demands, charges.
As he passes Winter, the big cat lunges at him in defense of 'his' elf.
Attack of Opportunity
Damage
The orc continues past, bringing the falchion up and over in a mighty two-handed blow.
Charging attack
Damage
The second orc, seeing his leader attacked, flings a javelin at the big cat.
Attack
Damage
Winter ignores the attack, concentrating his ire on the orc that has attacked Sylvanis.
Bite
Damage
Claw
Damage
Claw
Damage
There are now pieces of orc on the trail before the badly wounded Sylvanis as Winter turns to look at O2 and lick his lips.
If Sylvanis' concentration check was successful, the spell will complete at the beginning of this round. Sylvanis has a full round's worth of actions to take and is up now.
Orc Falchion +5 (2d4+4/18-20)
Orc Javelin +1 (1d6+3)
I'm fine if you wanna roll for Winter, the (if limited to Tiger/Lion)excessively over protective (for a belly rub) Tiger. Is there anyway to go back and edit post after you find out a roll check? Or does the dice roll not change?
Anyway spell failed since I can't roll and got SmasHED. Raising quarterstaff and swinging (walking stick) If either hits. Remind me to ask on Friday if we meet on how combat gets resolved.
O1 is indeed dead, dead, dead, so Sylvanis' action to step behind Winter and cast Cure Light Wounds on herself is a good choice - nice roll on the heal, by the way.
Top of the order, Gilgar is up!
Charge O2, delivering a devastating two-handed sideways slash (back to front if it's still facing the direction the Elf is located) with my war axe...
(+5 attack bonus, +2 for the charge, +1 due to Hatred)
Damage
Initiative 13: A third orc steps out of the trees on the riverbank, takes one look at the carnage wrought by cat and dwarf, and turns tail, running downhill as fast as his feet will carry him. He appears to be headed for the trees in the distance, but he will have to cross the river to reach them.
Initiative 9: Winter growls at the sight of another orc, but he remains protectively between the dwarf and the elf, hair raising on the back of his neck.
Initiative 6: Suddenly, you hear the sound of someone splashing in the river. A few seconds later, you see yet another orc struggling to keep his head above water as he is swept downstream past his running ally.
Initiative 4: Sylvanis is up.
Gilgar and Sylvanis eye each other from across their small battlefield.
Nox & Laucian: Perception Check
Perception: (Add 2 if sight or sound)
Cleaning the blood from my axe, ignoring the disassembled Orc nearby.
"Ye'r beast fights well, Elf! It can lower its hackles, though, as I am not interested in killing Elves or cats this day. From whence come ye, an' whither do ye go?"
In an odd language Sylvanis speaks to Winter and he lies down at her side. Addressing the Dwarf, "The trees along the river and surroundings are under my charge until one of the Druids La'Athvanna come to take up permanent residence. What brings you to the river alone, but well armed?"
"Ha!" as I plant the axe head on the ground, leaning on the hilt "Ye'r the one tromping around with that furry war machine, Elf! I just go where I will, beholdin' to none. As it happens, this filth was in my path, an' Orc scum always needs killin'. How long have ye been been waitin' fer yer tree worshipin' friend?"
His son is even more of a mystery. No one in the Circle has ever met him. Most of the Circle are human and were not members (or even born yet) when the younger druid was last seen. Some believe there is no "next generation" as they've never heard of the elder having a wife, but out of respect for him and his wishes, they have always allowed for his son to succeed. How they are supposed to locate him and let him know his inheritance has come to pass, no one knows. Thus far, attempts at divination have not provided an answer - it's as though the gods don't know, either.
Long enough to have doubts that he is still around, but not long enough to just give up. Do you have any ideas on where your will will take you in the next few days? And if Winter *points to cat* and Sylvanis *points to self* can join you? Atleast until it appears that this area is free of too many of those short tempered things *points to closest orc*?
"Me name is Gilgar, an' I got nowhere pressing to be. 'Sides, where ye find a few Orcs, there's probably more that need kill'd!"
Looking downstream, you see the fleeing orc turn toward the river and make an awkward running dive into the churning water, then disappear. The floater seems to have found something to cling to and is kicking his way to the far side of the water, where the trees of the Darkmoon Vale begin to gather.
They are both a half mile or better from you by this time.
Yelling at them, though they probably won't hear... "Run, ye filthy curs!!! Tell yer kin better they slaughter each other than meet me blade and fury!"
That being said, I turn back to the Elf, Sylvanis. "How's that meat churner at tracking?"
He can give it a try but I doubt his nose can get a trail after they've washed themselves clean for that long.
"Nah... The things stink forever. All bathin' does fer them is kill the fish."
I go over to the body of one of the orcs and loot it for anything that contains a good scent and bring it to Winter. "Do you remember where they exited the river? If so lead the way. Winter can start tracking from there."
Survival Check to find way across .
Assuming we are ok and can find the spot where they left the river Winter's Tracking check (using Scent)
Survival/aiding to locate crossing
Survival to try and locate the trail.
There is a well-used crossing farther down the river from where the orc climbed out. Knowing there was a crossing somewhere near, it was relatively simple to find it.
Circling back to the bank to find where the fleeing orc got back onto dry land, Gilgar is able to spot a likely location and his suspicions are confirmed by the big cat.
For the record, his ally and fellow swimmer is caught in a logjam in the middle of the river and hasn't moved since he washed up there, but you cannot get close enough to verify his state without risking the strong current that put him there.
The orc that you are following might not be the bravest, but he's got some skills at woodcraft. The first day, you felt like you had to be catching up to him (he did have a head start), but the second day was continual frustration. He's moving quickly and covering his tracks well. At one point, he doubled back to the river - to the ford where you crossed - and it took nearly an hour to find where he got back out -- right back on top of his original exit point, going west! He seems to think he's lost you because he's not pulling as many tricks, but he's still keeping up a good pace. You know he must be tiring - he is an orc, after all, and they don't know the first thing about conserving their strength - but he's not gotten sloppy. Yet.
You are on your third day pursuing him and you haven't caught him yet. It's approaching midmorning and the trail is the clearest it has been yet. It looks like others have been on this trail recently, before the orc's flight...
Suddenly, the dense trees and thick brush of the forest give way, parting seemingly in respect for the titanic darkwood tree that dominates this clearing. Several times taller than a temple minaret, in one direction the obviously ancient tree reaches into the sky with branches like a giant’s arms, while in the other it plumbs the earth with roots thicker than a man’s waist.
Its limbs broad and strong, its bark thick and so richly colored as to almost be black, and its leaves the size of bucklers, the giant thing is less a tree and more a cathedral of boughs and branches.
The orc's path continues along the west side of the clearing and onto a narrow wildlife trail. He didn't tarry and headed right back into the trees, based on the tracks.
Survival check, please.
As you walk, Aggo and Glenna have brought up the possibility that the eldermoss might need to be returned to Falcon's Hollow sooner rather than later. Glenna asks, "Do you think Aggo and I should take this back to town while you continue after the other ingredients?" Aggo gruffly replies, "Ah dinnae need ye t' keep me comp'ny, lass. Ah c'n take 'alf o' th' moss t' town easy 'nough, 'n ye stay wit' 'ese two."
New Perception check, please.
Survival Check: