ProfPotts' Blood of the Redwyrm PbP

Game Master Alexander Scott

Sir Clarius' face sours as he imbibes the contents of the flask. He violently shudders almost visibly grows. Flexing, he clenches his longsword with both hands and steps back into the fray, swinging at the nearest creature.

Two-handed longsword attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Sir Garrett strikes at a fresh fiend...

Attack:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

And misses yet again...

Aydan growls in pain as the creature's claws rake over him, then shakes away his anger. Seeing that Jaymin, Garrett and Clarius outnumber the beasts, he steps back and turns for the tent. "Can you handle them?! I fear Zurdalew could use some help!" he takes another step for the tent's flap, hesitating long enough for someone to respond,

Unless there are objections, Aydan will chase after Zurdalew and the spellcaster.

Aydan growls in pain as the creature's claws rake over him, then shakes away his anger. Seeing that Jaymin, Garrett and Clarius outnumber the beasts, he steps back and turns for the tent. "Can you handle them?! I fear Zurdalew could use some help!" he takes another step for the tent's flap, hesitating long enough for someone to respond,

Unless there are objections, Aydan will chase after Zurdalew and the spellcaster.

"Go! We'll handle this, yell for us if you are in need of help."

Jaymin steps forward, flanking with Clarius.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 16; damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

As Garrett's latest swing slides harmlessly off blubbery flesh, Aydan steps out of the tent, taking a moment to check which direction Zurladew and the man with the dagger went (and hearing both cries and applause in the distance...) before heading off that way (and noticing not only Zurladew and the man, but a fine looking black stallion in full riding tack up ahead (about 90ft away after Aydan's movement)).

Having hacked himself a no-nonsense path to tactical advantage, Jaymin swipes at the back of one of the remaining blob creatures... if such malformed atrocities could even be said to have anatomy defined enough to differentiate 'front' from 'back'... his blow a solid strike, with the usual frustrating quick sealing of the damage caused... but leaving a little which, with these things, seems to be about as much as one can hope for...

Seeming to not so much turn in body, as twist itself around under its skin, one eye swivelling right round the thing's 'head', the other just being sucked inside it, to 'plop' out the opposite side, the blob monster rearranges itself to face Jaymin, its claws drawing sparks... but little else... from his armour as they flail around its body to strike at him...

The other blob creature keeps raking away at Garrett, as if it could carve its way through solid steel if only it kept on going long enough...

Stepping back into the fray (now Clarius and Jaymin are flanking!) Clarius hacks at the blob-thing between himself and Sir Jaymin with his newfound strength... only for the creature's fleshy mass to once more heal itself before his eyes...

Growling in frustration, Sir Clarius swings again at the monstrosity between he and Sir Jaymin.

Two-handed longsword attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"Well, if you're choosing to flee..." Zurladew takes a step back and raises his marcotte. "Then I shall certainly make you work for it." He takes a step back, channeling his magic, and fires a blinding cone of color, enveloping both horse and mage.

Using my last spell slot of the day to cast Color Spray, DC 17, to envelop both. Here goes nothing...

Seeing the villain's attempt at fleeing and Zurdalew trying to stop him, Aydan stops and with a hard swing of his shoulder unslings his bow. Drawing and knocking an arrow, he pulls back raises his arms, sighting the man in black down the shaft of his arrow, and lets fly.

Oops, and the atk roll for that 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
dmg 1d8 ⇒ 4

"Well, if you're choosing to flee... Then I shall certainly make you work for it."

Glaring at Zurladew the man tightens his grip on his dagger,

'Out of my way, pup, lest I...'

... he's cut short as a clashing wave of colour washes over him (much to the crowd's delight!) - the black stallion collapses, simply falling to one side and crashing to the grass, eye's wide and pupils tiny... whilst the man himself staggers a little, the dagger dropping from his limp hand, as he looks about, momentarily stunned.

A moment later Aydan lets fly his arrow, which rips past the man's shoulder, drawing blood... and causing those bystanders who thought the whole thing entertainment to scream and run in a panic...

Meanwhile, in the tent, the blob thing facing Garrett keeps up its seemingly pointless attempts to claw past the knight's defences, whilst the one between Jaymin and Clarius twists once more, this time disgustingly rearranging itself so that one eye, and one claw, face each of the men attacking it... although it fails to hit either...

Hacking at the blob-thing with his increased strength, Clarius manages to inflict a little more damage on the tenacious creature...

Rinse and repeat

Two-handed longsword attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Reaching behind his back Aydan retrieves, knocks and draws another arrow. Letting his breath out slowly, he stops just before letting his second shot fly!

atk1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
dmg1d8 ⇒ 1

The ineffectual attacks on both sides has Garrett thinking of the duel with Lord Geoffrey earlier in the day, but strikes at a ooze-creature again...

Targeting injured if possible.

Attack:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Damage:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Hack...slash...

1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9; damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Zurladew picks up the man's dagger. "Teaches you to call your elders 'pup,' upstart," the little jester growls as he tosses away the dagger behind him. "Aydan!" he then yells peevishly. "Are you sure you don't have a better answer than shooting at him!"

Move action: Pick up dagger.
Standard Action: Throw dagger 10 ft behind.

"Teaches you to call your elders 'pup,' upstart,"

Moments after Zurladew disposes of the dagger its former owner snaps out of his stunned state, blinking a little, glances at the fresh wound in his shoulder, at Aydan, then sneers (it really does seem his natural facial expression...) at the jester,

'Damn me for a simpleton to fall for such a basic spell! I see I'll have to take you a little more seriously...'

Stepping backwards, away from Zurladew, the man's brow furrows in concentration for a moment... There's a sudden puff of quickly dispating smoke between him and Zurladew... and another, halfway between them and Aydan. In both cases the smoke rapidly clears to reveal a pair of jet-black mastiffs, eyes glowing red, and blood-flecked jaws slobbering hungrily...

The pair of fiendish-looking hounds facing Zurladew pounce - the jester manges to twist out of the way of the first, but the jaws of the second clamp onto his small arm, teeth sinking in deeply in a spray of blood, as the dog bears Zurladew to the ground! Zurladew takes 7 Hit Points of damage, which I believe drops him... and is tripped, but that's kinda' a moot point...

The second pair of hellish hounds charge Aydan - who manges to fend off the first, but feels the jaws of the second painfully rip fesh from his leg! Aydan takes 9 Hit Points of damage... but (if he's still up after that) manages to not suffer being tripped.

If Aydan's up at that point I won't assume he draws an AoO by trying to fire at the 'man' (I really must have him gloat or something so you get a name to call him... a 'So says Doctor Doom!' sort of a thing...), so he's still got an action left this round.

Meanwhile, in the tent...

As suddenly as they appeared, the blob-things vanish in brief puffs of smoke...

Turns out everyone else has an action left this round too! For anyone following Aydan and Zurladew, Aydan is about 30ft away from the fight in the tent, Zurldew's another 90ft beyond that. The 'evil' dogs wil be pretty obvious, of course... In any case, the 'sounds of battle' (and of fiendish dogs eating jesters...) are close enough that they can be heard without a Perception roll required.

Sir Jamin dispenses with the door and instead heads through the slit in the back, charging forwards towards hell hounds ravaging the jester.

Attack (if he gets there): 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23; damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

You know you can only Charge 40ft in full plate right? Zurladew and the dogs are 120ft away, maybe a little less since you took the 'shortcut', but still more than a Charge away by a long shot.

You know you can only Charge 40ft in full plate right? Zurladew and the dogs are 120ft away, maybe a little less since you took the 'shortcut', but still more than a Charge away by a long shot.

Hence why I said, 'if he gets there'. When you have a five month crying on your lap, and a 4 year old having a tantrum about not going to bed, it's just easier to say that than scroll through old posts finding various dimensions.

With the blob creatures gone, and the sounds of battle not too far away, Garrett follows Jaymin out the back slit in the tent...

Double move (40ft.) toward the battle, flat run (60ft.) if possible, but I suspect there are too many twists and turns for that to happen.

So... Stabilize check! 1d20 ⇒ 7 Failure. That will bring me to -2.

stablize 1d20 ⇒ 5

Jaymin and Garret both charge out of the back of the tent at the sounds of battle (or carnage anyway...) beyond, passing the fiendish dogs ravaging Aydan, and heading towards those ravaging Zurladew... as well as the man who appears to have called them in the first place...

While Aydan and Zurladew bleed into the grass of the tourney ground, Clarius, Alaina, and Beatrix all delay, waiting to see what they can do...

As the four hellish mastiffs look up, snarling, and begin to sprint towards the two charging knights (leaving the fallen alone for now), from the two different locations (where Aydan and Zurladew were attacked), the common-looking man appears to swear under his breath at the sight of Jaymin and Garrett heading towards him. Hustling in the opposite direction he suddenly throws his arms in the air...

... The four fiendish dogs vanish in puffs of smoke, just as another cloud of smoke erupts above the common-looking man, quickly dissipating to reveal a bat of monstrous size! Easily as big as an adult oxen, each of the thing's leathery wings span wide as two men with their arms outstretched! Grasping the hideous creature's legs the common-looking man is swept up and into the air as the giant bat flaps its wings once, twice; at first slowly gaining altitude as it swoops down the corridor of grass between rows of tents, bystanders flinging themselves from its path, and the man's feet dragging along the ground... then with another flap from its powerful wings climbs more steeply, the common-looking man hanging on for dear life as the bat wings its way across the small village of tents, heading away from the tourney ground...

It covers another 60ft that round, taking itself, and the man, to about 180ft from the tent, and 140ft from Jaymin and Garrett... It's moving roughly twice as fast as they hustle (and doesn't have to worry about a clear path like those stuck on the ground do...). It's still quite low, about 30ft off the ground (the man's legs dangling to about 20ft off the ground).

Wasn't actually delaying, but no big deal.

Sir Clarius follows his friends out the back of the tent in time to see the monstrous bat appear and carry the man aloft. Immediately changing direction, he heads back to his tent, sheathing his longsword as he goes. Whistling very loudly as he hustles, Clarius calls Phaeton to him.

Double moving back to his tent. Calling his mount to himself

(If it's needed) Handle Animal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Still unstable... 1d20 ⇒ 15 ...but no more! Stable at neg 2

stabilize... 1d20 ⇒ 4

Aydan drops to -3

"Jaymin, we are not likely to catch the bastard now..."

Garrett turns his attention to the two fallen in front of him...

"It seems we have more pressing matters to attend to anyway. Let's get these two back to Lady Alaina, perhaps she will be able to help them."

Double moving back to his tent. Calling his mount to himself

(If it's needed) Handle Animal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

It is indeed needed - it's a Move Action and a DC 10 Handle Animal check to get an animal to perform a trick it knows. So, with that in mind...

Heading back towards his tent, Clarius's whistle is rewarded with Phaeton (saddled and ready for the joust) emerging and hurrying over to meet him.

"Jaymin, we are not likely to catch the bastard now..."

As the giant bat wings its way into the distance, the man who called it can be seen clambouring up its body to seat himself on its back...

It covers about another 60ft distance, climbing another 20ft to around 50ft off the ground. It seems to be heading in the direction of the nearest woods...

"It seems we have more pressing matters to attend to anyway. Let's get these two back to Lady Alaina, perhaps she will be able to help them."

Emerging round the Black Knight's tent, Lady Rebecca gasps as she sees both Zurladew and Aydan lying in pools of their own blood. Rushing to Aydan's side, she kneels down, trying to stem the bleeding with her hands... (oh... and actually makes to roll too! Aydan stabilizes!)

'Alaina! Come quickly!' she calls, 'People are dying here!'

Stealing a worried glance at the knights, the red-headed young Lady asks,

'Is the danger past? Should we get everyone out of here?'

Basically out of combat now so... what's everyone doing?

Entering the tent, Sir Clarius scoops up his bow and quiver then rushes out to Phaeton.

Guess that will be my action. Will attempt to fast mount at the beginning of the next action then running or double moving after the man.

Stealing a worried glance at the knights, the red-headed young Lady asks,

'Is the danger past? Should we get everyone out of here?'

"Out of immediate danger, yes. Unfortunately, the one who was troubling Beatrix escaped...he seems to have quite the talent for calling other creatures to do his fighting for him."

Garrett shoots a concerned glance in the direction of Zurladew's and Aydan's wounds...

"Lady Alaina, can you do anything for them, or should we carry them to the nearest temple, I will carry Aydan if need be..."

Basically out of combat now so... what's everyone doing?

Lying in a pool of my blood, But stable!

Beatrix is still recovering from her wounds, though by this time she has gotten up and is standing unsteadily on her feet.

She has recovered all her lost hit points, but is shaken by the whole experience.

"Lady Alaina, can you do anything for them, or should we carry them to the nearest temple, I will carry Aydan if need be..."

"Yes, but much of the fire is smoldering now. Nevertheless, I shall try." Alaina says as she hurries over. She instructs Garret to move then as close as he can without aggravating their wounds, and then calls on her white fire to burn away the injuries.

Channel Energy:1d6 ⇒ 3
Only one Channel left now, might as well try to get everyone back on their feet with it.
Channel Energy:1d6 ⇒ 6

Alaina seems a little less vigorous now that her channeling fire is spent, but the wounds are mostly gone and no one is in danger of dying...

"The Strong Man has allowed me a small bit of healing touch left for the rest of this day, which I can use, but if we're going after this fiend-caller today, we may have need of it. Perhaps we should locate Banker Hightower to completely repair our injuries."

Guess that will be my action. Will attempt to fast mount at the beginning of the next action then running or double moving after the man.

Fast mount is a DC 20 Ride check, but failure only means you take a Move instead if a Free Action to mount, so whether the check succeeds or fails...

Freshly armed with bow and arrows, Clarius swings up into the saddle of his trusty steed, Phaeton, and spurs him on, in pursuit of their bat-riding foe...

Until clear of the tourney grounds Sir Clarius's biggest impediment to speed is the various obstacles, tents, and pedestrians in his path... so I think another Ride check is in order from Clarius to see how well he progresses (15 or higher on the check is pretty good)...

As the others are gathered, and Lady Alaina unleashes her healing powers, Lady Rebecca smiles with relief to see wounds healed, and eyes flicker open once more...

Glancing after Sir Clarius, Lady Rebecca turns to the others,

'Should we follow him?' she asks, 'Or return to the tournament? Father's bound to be getting irate by now... and I'd hate to see Sir Clarius forfeit to that Chelish knight just because no-one's been informed as to why he'll arrive late to the first joust...'

In the meantime, everyone can level up to level 2! Average hit points for the hit die please (no rolling) - so 3.5 for a d6, 4.5 for a d8, 5.5. for a d10, 6.5 for a d12. The '.5' bit means nothing now, by I find it useful as a reminder that next time you level you get another '.5' to make one whole hit point. Hopefully that all makes sense to everyone?

Fast mount is a DC 20 Ride check, but failure only means you take a Move instead if a Free Action to mount, so whether the check succeeds or fails...

Ride: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Freshly armed with bow and arrows, Clarius swings up into the saddle of his trusty steed, Phaeton, and spurs him on, in pursuit of their bat-riding foe...

Until clear of the tourney grounds Sir Clarius's biggest impediment to speed is the various obstacles, tents, and pedestrians in his path... so I think another Ride check is in order from Clarius to see how well he progresses (15 or higher on the check is pretty good)...

If I, too, have leveled, then this ride check is an automatic success. If not, Ride: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

In the meantime, everyone can level up to level 2! Average hit points for the hit die please (no rolling) - so 3.5 for a d6, 4.5 for a d8, 5.5. for a d10, 6.5 for a d12. The '.5' bit means nothing now, by I find it useful as a reminder that next time you level you get another '.5' to make one whole hit point. Hopefully that all makes sense to everyone?

+7 HP, +1 FORT, +1 REF, +1 BAB, Combat Style: Mounted Combat, Combat Style Feat: Trick Riding

Garrett calls out to Clarius...

"Clarius! Give it up for now! Horse or not, he has a head start and a speed advantage. We'll get him another time...."

Aydan's eyes snap open and he inhales sharply. The wounds in his chest and shoulder heal, but blood still seeps from a viscious bite along his collarbone from the Mastiff. He smiles up at Rebecca, "How is it that you're always protecting me?"

Shakily pushing himself to his feet Aydan retrieves his bow and arrow, hearing Garrett call for Clarius he spots the batlike creature. "I say Clarius has the right of it..."

Knowing he's still in no shape to go chasing a monster, Aydan does the only thing he can, he knocks another arrow, aims for the Bat, feels the wind brush across his face and tilts his arrow against it, lifts his arm higher... and lets fly.

I'm pretty sure Aydan's still in range for a ranged attack. He tries either way.

ranger atk1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

dmg 1d8 ⇒ 3

Zurladew is much less chipper about his reawakening, but climbs to his feet completely intact. He gives a thankful nod to Alaina, assuming that her magics were what brought him back to the world. He leans heavily on his marcotte.

"Well, at least I'm not likely to bleach anytime soon. You humans keep me young," he says tiredly. He watches the bat flapping away into the distance with a smoldering anger in his eyes. "I hate being bested, though," he mutters, only to himself.

"How is it that you're always protecting me?"

'It's Lady Alaina you should be thanking,' Rebecca replies, 'since 'twas her magic which revived you. I merely provided a modicum of hysterics...' a slight smile touches her lips, then she brushes a loose strand of red hair back behind her ear, shrugs, and glances at Zurladew, adding, '... after all, good jesters are so hard to come by...'

"Well, at least I'm not likely to bleach anytime soon. You humans keep me young... I hate being bested, though,"

'He can't have succeeded in... whatever it was which he came here to do,' Lady Rebecca retorts, 'so I'd say if anyone was bested this day it was the Black Knight and his...' she frowns for a moment, '... "friend"... "keeper"... I have no idea what the right turn of phrase would be... or what the relationship between the two really was...'

Meanwhile...

If I, too, have leveled, then this ride check is an automatic success.

You certainly have! I take it Clarius isn't wearing his armoured kilt right now then (so that he can use his Trick Riding Feat, as it only works with light or no armour)? That's cool...

Sweeping up into Phaeton's saddle and galloping off in pursuit of the bat-rider, Sir Clarius and his steed seem to act as if horse and rider are but two parts of one whole. Leaping tents, carts, and other objects strewn in their path, and fairly dancing round startled bystanders, the pair not only manage to maintain an arrow-straight path following the giant bat, but by the time they reach the outskirts of the tourney ground are rapidly gaining on it! It's at that point Aydan lets fly his shot...

Arcing high, the arrow passes over the tourney ground, Sir Clarius, and narrowly misses the bat and its rider... but its whizzing past is enough to make the man glance back - at which point he notices Sir Clarius gaining on him! With a little coaxing, the giant bat re-doubles its effort, putting on a burst of speed as it wings its way across a shallow stream and towards the shelter of some nearby woods. Even so, Phaeton is proving more than a match for the bat's speed as he gallops on under Clarius's urging...

With a base speed of 50ft and Run as a bonus Feat a horse can cover 250ft a round. The dire bat can, at best, 'Run' its fly speed of 40ft to hit 160ft per round... and it was just double-moving previously (until someone started shooting at it...) and using some of that speed to gain height as well... All of which means Clarius is about 180ft behind the guy (who's about 90ft in the air by this point) and is gaining a good 90ft each round (even with the bat pouring on the speed). Bat and rider will be at a -10 to hit range penalty (with a longbow) for those by the tent next round (in case anyone wants to keep shooting). In a couple of rounds time (for those still in combat time) the bat and rider will be over the woods - about the same time Clarius will be right under them (assuming he keeps going).

Aydan's shoulders slump as he sees his arrow miss its mark and his target grow smaller, he shakes his head and lets out a low growl.

"I can't make that shot... but if that bastard turns around and realizes he only has Clarius to deal with, he could well get some courage back."

Aydan's eyes scan left and right, looking for some horse that he can comandeer to chase after his friends,

"Becca get to your father, tell him what's happened here." He looks to the others as he continues, "Some of us should stay here, but Clarius is going to need some help."

'It's Lady Alaina you should be thanking,' Rebecca replies, 'since 'twas her magic which revived you. I merely provided a modicum of hysterics...' a slight smile touches her lips, then she brushes a loose strand of red hair back behind her ear, shrugs, and glances at Zurladew, adding, '... after all, good jesters are so hard to come by...'

"I would like to state first that I resent Sir Aydan's sudden ascension to the vaulted role of jester. It takes many years of practice to be a fool, and while his natural talents may qualify him, his height certainly doesn't."

'He can't have succeeded in... whatever it was which he came here to do,' Lady Rebecca retorts, 'so I'd say if anyone was bested this day it was the Black Knight and his...' she frowns for a moment, '... "friend"... "keeper"... I have no idea what the right turn of phrase would be... or what the relationship between the two really was...'

Zurladew sobers up some at the speculation. "'Keeper' is probably the better word, and 'Master' may be an even better one. We'll see him again, I'm certain - but next time, I don't plan to be so surprised." He frowns. "Master Aydan, would you have me bring my arcane talents with you to follow him, or stay here to tell our lord what happened?"

Aydan stops, his brow creasing as he considers Zurdalew's question... "I can't say that I wouldn't feel safer with your spells... But that infernal tongue of yours may be your best weapon at the moment." he smiles at the Gnome, "More than any of us, even Becca, you can cut through whatever noble wall has erected itself around The Baron, get to him and tell him what's happened my friend."

"Becca get to your father, tell him what's happened here... Some of us should stay here, but Clarius is going to need some help."

'But Aydan, I want to go with...' Lady Rebecca begins earnestly, before sighing, shoulders slumping a little, and nodding, '... very well, I shall go inform Father... and see what can be done about rearranging the tournament schedules.' Looking to her Ladies she adds, 'Mayhap you two should join the menfolk in this? The gods know they're likely to need more healing before it is done... and for all Master Zurladew's talents, it seems that our foe has the advantage as far as magic is concerned... Alaina, Beatrix... I'm sure you can help keep the men out of trouble...'

So... what's everyone doing?

"Becca I'm not sending you to your father to keep you safe," Aydan replies to the young woman earnestly, "You and Zurdalew are the only two of us who will even be allowed close to The Baron without being held up by his attendants and Gods know what else. You're the best person for this job."

If Aydan can spot a horse to steal or share he continues on his planned action. If not he will stay behind with Rebecca and anyone else, knowing he can't keep up on foot.

So... what's everyone doing?

Sir Clarius is chasing after the giant bat and rider.

"Come, milady," Zurladew says, reaching up to take her arm. "Aydan has the right of this, and Clarius needs all the help he can get if he catches that man. We should inform your father." Zurladew's tone is much more serious than it usually is. He gives a stern look at Aydan and the other knights. "Stab him for me if you find him," he says coolly. "I owe him a number of aches and pains." With that final statement, Zurladew heads towards the royal pavilion with Lady Rebecca.

Jaymin, we'll never catch them on foot, let's get our horses and the go after them...

"Agreed."

He whistles for Patrans, similarly to Sir Clarius' call.

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Presumably, his horse was saddled and ready in anticipation of the jousts, although if not, he'll go bareback. If it is saddled, Sir Jaymin will shout to the pages for a war lance, not a jousting lance.