Male Moon Elf Fighter (Arcane Archer of Kyonin) 3; HP: 28/28; AC:14; Initiative: +3; Passive Perception: 12; Second Wind 0/1 (SR or LR); Action Surge 0/1 (SR or L); Arcane Arrow 1/2 (SR or L)
I have been residing on Lakeside for several years. I am from Alodoa. Caorann, I am Dieredon D'atarisian, Lieutenant Groundsman responsible for the territory in and around Woodbridge.
Although we met last night, I'll reintroduce myself as well. I am Sir Calex of Woodbridge. A title less than two weeks old, even though I've lived here like Dieredon for several years now. Both Dieredon and I received our "honors" just recently by way of thanks for stopping the kidnapping and murder of the Baroness of Castletown's daughter. A mixed blessing, since we failed to prevent the Baron's assassination, despite our best efforts. As part of my knighthood, Woodbridge has been given over to me to hold as my demesne for the Alodoan Empire." Calex gives a rather ironic grin at the last part and adds "..a turn of events that has both the village and myself a bit lost, I'm afraid. We are all still trying to adjust to it all."
"You are very much welcome to join Caorann. I would be glad to have another pair of eyes with us."
Poseus turns to Dieredon with a grim look.
"Though we set out today, do you think the two of us can find the tracks again this day? The downpour of yesterday might have washed much away. Of all the plans and ideas I have, the doubt of failing to find any tracks gnaws at me and clouds my mind. Do you believe we can track them down still?"
Poseus looks desperate and convinced at the same time, even if the group wouldn't find tracks he's determined to go out and look for any signs of the Sashi-Anhain and the 'Orcs'.
The group marches swiftly, pressed by the sense of urgency that the trail needs to be found before it is lost.
Dieredon and Poseus lead the group in a lazy formation, keeping some distance between them and the others, who gather close, so that they can whisper quietly to each other if there is a need.
Caoraan stays overhead, flitting from tree to tree, taking advantage of the cover of the leaves above the party’s heads, and always keeping the two scouts in sight. She stays closer to the main group, and often flitters down low to the ground, when it appears as if someone is saying something important.
Alomar and Calex take a few moments to get better acquainted, while Collin seems stoic and prefers to walk near Riku.
In under an hour’s time the party reaches MacNorra house, there are no fires burning bu the rubble still smolders in places.
Moving back to the river, where it is shallow and can be forded easily (though Collin will ask for help) the party crosses the swift river and Dieredon and Poseus stop just on the eastern bank. Here the trail of the attackers of MacNorra House is easily found.
It appears as though the attackers moved in a column, probably four or five individuals wide, with the tell-tale signs of the passing of Sashi-Anhain toward the center of the group, and heavy boots on each side.
The Sashi-Anhain leave a smooth trail, that moves from side to side, while the Gymnaga prisoners, who it appear were following behind the Sashi-Anhain, move by lifting their knee, and lunging forward, when they are moving slowly, and in a undulation’ lowering their torso almost to the ground, when they are moving fast, and it looks as though the Gymnaga prisoners where moving Slowly. Poseus and Dieredon can Make Survival Skill Rolls, and if they can roll a 20+ they can guess the number of the enemy with some degree of accuracy
A little bit away from Dieredon, Poseus begins to examine the tracks himself, hoping to confer with his 'tutor', or at least the one he considers his mentor, about his own findings.
As the rangers pause to examine the ground before them, Calex approaches to try to catch some hint of what has got them so interested.
Aid Other (Survival):1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
but its all just more dirt and forest loam to his eyes. He looks questioningly at the trackers, and asks "We haven't lost them have we?"
Poseus and Dieredon have no trouble finding the trail left by such a large group. Poseus takes a moment to try and remember how many of his people lived in MacNorra House. He knows that his little community did not have very many Gymnagas who knew how to fight, so it could be that the attackers are not large in number, but the evidence of the trail suggest otherwise, and is impossible to count.
Dieredon relies on his training, and tries to separate different strides by the distance between each boot print, but there are too many and he cannot tell how many there are in the attackers group either.
The others, Calex, Caoraan, Alomar and Collin, can do little to help, even when Caoraan flies above the trees, she cannot see any sign of the attackers
The attackers may have moved through the night, which means they could have been marching the captives for as long as twelve or more hours. By a quick count, this means that they could be as much as thirty or more miles away by now, or closer if they stopped to make a camp in the night
Determined to stay on the trail, Poseus and Dieredpon wave the others to follow them, as they set out once again following the tracks.
Male Human Expert 3...HP 18/27 | AC 16 | TCH 13 | FLT 13 | F/R/W 2/4/3
Marcus, stays and watches his friends head off to track the despicable ones to capture the Gymnaga. Once his friends are out of sight, he takes a deep breathe. He looks up to the rising sun, and prays their journey is safe and quick with little bloodshed. He knows it is but a fleeting thought and not very likely to happen...but he was an optimist at heart.
He heads back to his shop, unsure of what to do. Posues, was fitted with his armor, Dieredon had received a a new set of armor to better protect himself so he was taken care of.
Marcus sets down to finish Calex scroll case, he still wished to thank the man for not leaving him back in the bog that one night about a fort night ago to this day.
The party continues onward, following the trail left by the retreating enemy.
The mood is dark. Little is spoken, and as the day wears on those not normally accustomed to wilderness adventures become tired, and doubt begins to enter everyone’s minds.
A few hours after mid day, Dieredon calls for a halt. Something is not right. In a clearing, dominated by a fallen oak tree, there is a sign.
It isn’t a camp, not exactly, but there are definite signs that the large group they are following stopped. The trail, once easy to follow, becomes a cluster of overlapping prints, and there are even a few half chewed pieces of dried fruit leather thrown on the ground, and the most unusual clue of all, an empty water skin is found hanging on a low branch of a large tree.
Yes the enemy stopped. This is certain. But as Dieredon and Poseus examine the site, finding the trail again as it appears the main group set out again toward the south, an Arrow flies into the area from the east, narrowly missing Calex as it flies over his shoulder to thud into a tree.
I will set up an encounter map tonight. It will be a small clearing and several trees. You can all roll initiative now. Once I have a map posted, I’ll try to get everyone placed in a position that seems logical to the players
Caorann practically disappears, watching and listening intently for signs of the enemy. She'll try to position herself just in the canopy, ready to sling spells.
Riku's crossbow rests easily in his hands as he looks around calmly trying discern where his enemy is. His tattoos seem to gently pulse with his breath.
Initiative:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 Perception:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Realizing they are under attack, Cal touches the amulet on his chest and casts a protective barrier around himself, while looking about for the location of their foes.
Cal uses his amulet to cast Mage Armor directly from his spell book.
On her turn, Caorann will attempt to put to sleep the largest group of enemies in a 10ft radius she can find (DC 18 will) and try to hide again, moving a few feet into the foliage Stealth:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28 If nothing has really group together further than two, she will target the two to the west.
Suddenly the party finds themselves surrounded by humanoids the likes of which most of them have never seen before.
Until just a moment ago these strange monsters were concealed among the trees and bushes, but now as they step out of hiding to attack the heroes they give themselves away.
There are two different types of creatures. The first, are monsters Poseus and Alomar have encountered before. They are the Sashi-Anhain, large muscled man-like beings with mottled grey-green skin, hideous faces, black oily hair, and lower bodies that resemble snakes. Unlike the Gymnaga folk, whose long reptilian tails begin at what would be their hips, if they were Halflings, these much larger snake-men have snake bodies that begin at their ribs. The other beings are larger than normal men, and have grey to ashen-green skin, huge round heads with large mouths from which two lower teeth protrude like great tusks.
The Sashi-Anhain are armed with longbows, and carry swords, while the other creatures carry long handled axes with large double headed blades.
Round 1…
Immediately realizing the danger of the situation Calex summons a field of protective energy around him
Dieredon rolls to his side and flattens himself against a tree and freezes in place becoming almost impossible to see
One of the Snake Men steps forward a few feet and fires an arrow at Poseus
Missile attack versus Poseus:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Damage if >15:1d8 ⇒ 5
Anothe Snake-man steps out from behind a tree and fires at Riku
Missile attack versus Riku:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 Damage if >12:1d8 ⇒ 5
And then another, staying behind a tree for cover, fires an arrow at Collin
Missile attack versus Collin:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Damage if >14:1d8 ⇒ 6
Collin twists out of the path of the arrow and with one smooth motion, draws a concealed dagger and throws it at the creature
Missile Attack versus AC 13:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8-2 range increment penalty
Poseus and Alomar are up now, and then the Orcs (Tafganor) will charge in to attack!
Damage Tracker:
no damage so far
DM Notes:
Sashi-Anhain, level 1 Warrior (BAB +1), HP 9 | AC 13, t 12, ff 11 | Ranged +3 (precise Shot), d8, Melee +2, d8+1 | F +3, R +2, W +0 | CMB +3, CMD 15 - Tafganor, level 1 Warrior (BAB +1), HP 10 | AC 12, t 10, ff 12 | Melee +3, d12+3 | F +4, R +0, W +1 | CMB +3, CMD 13
Poseus looks to where the arrow came from and sees two enemy faces to his west, to his north he discerns another face of a Tafganor. The young gymnaga is torn between being rashful and vindictive or mindful of the risks and safe.
If Poseus could charge the Tafganor at -E,9, probably not as there's a small tree in the way. Two-handed Charge Attack with Spear:1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 131d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
If he can't charge.
Poseus drops his spear, moves a bit closer (to C,8) and with a good line of sight on the Tafganor north of him, draws the Sashi-Anhain bow and fires an arrow at him.
"You can have your kins bow back! One arrow at a time!" Ranged Attack:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 191d6 ⇒ 1
Alomar has respectable survival skills (+11), anything he noticed while Poseus and Deiredon where showing off their skills? ;-)
Alomar takes a quick look around and then casts a spell to turn the plants on the right flank into a impregnable mass. He tries to catch the three creatures on that side into the effect of the spell.
Entangle, DC14 centered so that no allies are caught into the effect, but -I6, -E9 and -D13 are
Poseus charges toward one of the enemies, his spear strikes hard and deep into the snake-man’s middle.
Poseus:
The monster at –E, 9 is a Sashi-Anhain, the Tafganor are all monsters that use Orc tokens, okay, and I will let you charge through the square with the small tree, but now you are in the area of effect of Alomar’s spell and need to make a reflex save, DC 13
Alomar:
You are certain that Poseus and Dieredon are following a well left trail, and do not notice anything that they would have missed
Alomar spins in place, taking in as many of the surrounding enemies as he can, and then quickly decides to try and pin down those to the east by calling up the growing things to bind his foes, unfortunately as he casts his spell, his friend Poseus madly charges at one of the snake bodied men...
One of the snake bodied men and the large course looking humanoid leap to the side at the last minute and avoid the sudden explosion of growth, while the other snake bodied man is trapped in the area of effect of the spell are bound fast, thorns and sharp edged vines lash at him drawing blood.
The non snake bodied men attack, one of the strange men charges out of the area of the tangling vegetation searching for the elf he was sure he saw only a moment ago
Perception:1d20 ⇒ 18
He spots the elf cleverly trying to blend in with a tree
Other savages rush toward the party. One of the beastly men comes within striking range of Collin
Collin ducks his head at the last moment and avoids the swing of the huge axe thanks to his small size
As two of the beastly men rush by where Caoraan is hiding she quickly summons a cloud of magic to put these two monsters to sleep
Will Save, Org_TG:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Will Save, Yel_TG:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
in mid stride the two hulking men fall to the ground, and drop their weapons, while Caoraan moves back into the foliage
Riku is last to go in this round, whew this is complicated, and then Calex and Dieredon are up
Riku points his hand at the monster in front of colin and mutters something under his breath. The black tattoos seem to ripple around his arm before one leaps off and wraps itself around the beasts eyes. Murderous command on the SA in front of Colin. DC 16 will.
Calex sees the creature nearest him attacking Colin and with a quickly whispered word summons and throws an acrid green dart at the beast man.
Ranged Touch attack (Acid Dart):1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 Damage:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Round 1 wrap up Prp_TG Will Save:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Round 2…
Calex speaks a whisper, and a shaft of acid springs forth from his hand, flies across the glade, and hits one of the beast men in the face, burning him with sticky acid
Dieredon emerges from concealment and charges the savage man-like creature that spotted him. With a lunge at the end of his charge he runs his blade into the creature, and then pulls it free dripping with grey-black blood. The monster is shocked, in pain, and near death, but it raises its weapon over its head and prepares to attack Dieredon...
Meanwhile, as Poseues fights free of the entangling vegetation, the Sashi-Anhain in front of him struggles with the lashing vines, draws a sword and attacks him
Org_SA Melee Attack:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18This opponent's AC is reduced by 2 should he be attacked
Unprepared for the snake-man's attack, Poseus is stabbed by the sword
Damage:1d8 ⇒ 4
Across the Glade, one of the Snake men rushes to get a better view of the party, and when he sees Alomar, he fires an arrow at him
Yel_SA Missile Attack:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
While the last Snake-man struggles free of the vegetation, and fires and Arrow at Riku
Red_SA Missile Attack:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
but both arrows miss their targets
Collin sees another one of the savage men coming his way from the trees to the west, and he draws a knife, lunges at the acid scarred attacker in front of him
Poseus is not Entangled, and can move out of the area of the spell's effect. What he does, and if he attacks an orc, will determine what the orcs remaining will do, so what are you going to do Poseus?
Poseus stabs at the Sashi-Anhain before him, then moves out of the entangled area to A-11 to help Dieredon out with his enemy. Two down, three to the right and then one down.
Poseus struggles against the lashing vines and shrubs that come to life under Alomar’s control. Leaning back he manages to bury his spear into the villain’s chest, and the snake-man dies on Poseus’ weapon. Twisting, and leaping, the young Gymnaga manages to move out of the area of the spell’s effect, and then he charges to Dieredon’s side.
As Poseus approaches his friend the brutish man-creature in front of him attacks Dieredon with a long handled axe, using both hands the monster swings in a wide arc
Melee Attack vs. Dieredon:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 Damage if >16:1d12 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Across the glade, the only still standing monstrous humanoid charges Collin
Melee Attack vs. Collin:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 Damage if >14:1d12 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
The beastial men, though powerful and aggressive, seem clumsy and inexperienced, their attacks missing.
The Orc attacking Collin, is now at a reduce AC, for charging
Alomar, seeing Poseus free of the Entangle Spell, and moving toward Dieredon, quickly speaks a blessing to his allies and moves into a position to assist his friends
Caoraan and Riku are up, two Orcs remain sleeping, one is dead, and one Sashi-Anhain is dead, Dieredon and Calex can post actions for round 3, if they are ready, I will try to update the map tonight. Thanks for hanging in!
Damage Tracker:
Poseus - takes 4 damage
Blu_TG – takes 8 damage
Prp_TG – takes 10 damage and dies
Org_TG - sleep
Yel_TG - sleep
Org_SA – dies
DM Notes:
Sashi-Anhain, level 1 Warrior (BAB +1), HP 9 | AC 13, t 12, ff 11 | Ranged +3 (precise Shot), d8, Melee +2, d8+1 | F +3, R +2, W +0 | CMB +3, CMD 15 - Tafganor, level 1 Warrior (BAB +1), HP 10 | AC 12, t 10, ff 12 | Melee +3, d12+3 | F +4, R +0, W +1 | CMB +3, CMD 13
Hiding amongst the foliage, Caorann points her finger at Yel SA and fires a mote of electricity. She then flits through the leaves and attempts to hide again.
Round 3, Blessed, Acid Dart ranged touch attack at the target located at F5 Ranged touch +4+1:1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 = 24 Damage:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Seeing Colin fell his attacker, and with Riku's support, Calex turns back towards Alomar. Beyond the Maetaur Calex sees another of the giant malformed Gymnaga in the trees beyond, and launches another acidic dart at the slave-taker.
Despite being at the very farthest edge of his range Calex's magic strikes true.
Carefully taking in the slow and clumsy moves the inexperienced warrior in front of him, Dieredon times his next attack to strike as the man-creature completes his swing, and in a swift blow Dieredon severs the monster's arm at the shoulder killing him as the blade severs critical arteries
Almost as if they planned their attacks, Caorann and Calex simultaneously assault one of the Snake-men with missiles of magical power one of acid and another of electricity. the snake-man stiffens from the jolt and then his chest is struck by the acid, and he falls dead on his face.
When the snake-man felled by Caorann and Calex falls to the ground, his left hand extends out above his head, and something on his wrist glitters in the sunlight
Caorann:
You recognize the “bracelet” this creature is wearing as a ceremonial Druid’s belt worn by the leaders of the Altilyph tribes of the southern hills. It is a wide leather belt (for a lyph) adorned with semi-precious stones (cat’s eye, beryl, and onyx being the most common) and gold studs.
The Snake mane at the north end of the glade begins to look as if he is about to panic, his face shows genuine fear, but then, he snarls when he sees Poseus, and draws another arrow this time aiming at Riku
The arrow sails wide, passing close to Poseus, getting his attention and making him turn to see that there is another Sashi-Anhain still standing to the north
Collin ducks the axe of his opponent, still wielding the small knife he lunges at the hulking brute
Melee Attack:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Damage if >11:1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Collin's knife is knocked aside by the handle of the axe as the monster swings it up high over his head ready to bring it crashing down on the halfling
Poseus now stands with Dieredon, the enemy between them dead on the forest floor
Alomar looks left and right, and suddenly it seems as if the ambush has failed miserable, with only two attackers still standing, but Collin looks like he is in over his head, literally.
Damage Tracker:
Poseus - takes 4 damage
Blu_TG – dies
Prp_TG – dies
Org_TG - sleep
Yel_TG - sleep
Org_SA – dies
Yel_SA – dies
DM Notes:
Sashi-Anhain, level 1 Warrior (BAB +1), HP 9 | AC 13, t 12, ff 11 | Ranged +3 (precise Shot), d8, Melee +2, d8+1 | F +3, R +2, W +0 | CMB +3, CMD 15 - Tafganor, level 1 Warrior (BAB +1), HP 10 | AC 12, t 10, ff 12 | Melee +3, d12+3 | F +4, R +0, W +1 | CMB +3, CMD 13
Day 9, Ambush in the woods
Just now noticed the last post dropped Calex and the first part of the Initiative Order tag, sheesh, be a better poster David!
Alomar has a chance here to stop the Orc from attacking Collin again. I am going to post this, but if Alomar comes up with something that works, I’ll retcon this post immediately!
The last standing Tafganor raises his weapon high and aims to bring it down on Collin.
Melee Attack:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Damage if > 14:1d12 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Riku, annoyed by the stubborn ignorance that resists his spell, raises his crossbow and fires a bolt into the Melee, aiming for the monster’s head. applying a -4 modifier to Riku’s attack, it still hits!
The missile strikes the monster in the eye. The creature screams in pain and staggers backward
Caorann! I do not asee a post for your Round 3 action, did I make a mistake somewhere?
Calex is up, as Dieredon is spending round 4 running to Collin’s aid. If the Sashi-Anhain survives any attacks made by Caorann, Alomar, or Calex, he will try to avoid Poseus’ charge, and fire an arrow at him as he closes
Damage Tracker:
Poseus - takes 4 damage
Red_TG – takes 8 damage
Blu_TG – dies
Prp_TG – dies
Org_TG - sleep
Yel_TG - sleep
Org_SA – dies
Yel_SA – dies
DM Notes:
Sashi-Anhain, level 1 Warrior (BAB +1), HP 9 | AC 13, t 12, ff 11 | Ranged +3 (precise Shot), d8, Melee +2, d8+1 | F +3, R +2, W +0 | CMB +3, CMD 15 - Tafganor, level 1 Warrior (BAB +1), HP 10 | AC 12, t 10, ff 12 | Melee +3, d12+3 | F +4, R +0, W +1 | CMB +3, CMD 13
