Tris does her best to make it quick. It's not pretty. It never is, even if it's just a goblin, one step up from vermin. With her blade cleaned and thrust back into her boot sheath, she shoulders her pack again.
"Let's beat feet," she says, unsmiling. "There'll be the hawks and buzzards over this, soon enough. Best we're not here then. You've got enough of a trail to follow, Esaul?"
"Always shitty having to do that. Thanks, Tris."
Devan motions for Arend to retrieve the rope and piles the goblin leader's body with the others. "I want to take another minute here to try and heal myself some more. Can someone tell Esaul we're dealing with an army and not to run off too far, please?"
Devan immediately sets to mixing up another batch of curative. A minute or so later he's finished, and gulps down the mixture.
"Bah! This uncorn fur must have gone bad, those were the weakest healing brews I've made in years!" Devan grumbles, as the potion barely has any effect. "I hate to ask Carter, but can you heal me with the wand? My back is still messed up and I don't want to be a liability with what we're going into."
"Yes, there is a trail. Are we in a hurry?"
Light and Esaul easily follow the stink and tracks of the rat-handling, goblin hunters through the sparse forest. The sun chases you down the slope as it rises and begins to remove the chill in the air. After thirty minutes at a good pace, you begin hearing tortured screams, which increases your velocity and certainty of direction. After another five minutes you arrive at a clearing. Actually, Esaul and Light arrive first stopping as close as they can without being detected. The others have just arrived and stopped at Esaul’s hand signal. The horrible wailing covers any of your noise through the brush so far and any whispering that you might want to do where you are.
In the clearing, you see a half dozen goblins encircling a prone body who is the source of the intermittent screams. Light and Esaul might have charged them if it were not for the two reptilian humanoids with green scales, a short and toothy snout, and a thick alligator-like tail. They appear to be examining something in one of their claws. Supervising the scene is a colorfully garbed, larger version of the pair of reptilian humanoids. It watches the goblins and smaller reptiles while majestically holding a massive, two-handed trident that is decorated with feathers and bright stones.
<< | | | >>
[dice=Knowledge (Local) on the lizard dudes]1d20+9
Most lizardfolk stand 6 to 7 feet tall and weigh 200 to 250 pounds, their powerful muscles covered in scales of gray, green, or brown. Some breeds have short dorsal spikes or brightly colored frills, and all swim well by moving with flicks of their powerful 4-foot-long tails. While completely at home in the water, they breathe air and return to their clustered mound-dwellings to breed and sleep. As their reptilian blood makes them sluggish in the cold, most lizardfolk hunt and work during the day and retreat to their homes at night to curl up with other tribesmen in the shared warmth of large peat fires.
Though generally neutral, lizardfolks' standoffish demeanor, staunch rejection of civilization's “gifts,” and legendary ferocity in battle cause them to be viewed negatively by most humanoids. These traits stem from good reasons, however, as their own slow rate of reproduction is no match for warm-blooded humanoids, and those tribes who don't defend their wetland territories to the last breath quickly find themselves overwhelmed by the mammalian hordes. As for their tendency to consume the bodies of dead friends and enemies alike, the practical lizardfolk are quick to point out that life is hard in the swamp, and nothing should go to waste.
“That’s a lizard king if I don’t miss my mark. Those normal lizard men are a lot tougher than goblins, not to mention a king. We should probably take out the goblins at range and make the lizards come to us,” Devan whispers to the others once they’ve gotten a good look at the clearing below.
Esaul could barely hear Devan's whisper, but he points to a scroll on his hip and makes a gesture with his fingers moving up, like things coming up, that could be vines! Oh yes, you got it, he means Entangle! Nevertheless, he draws his bow and notches two arrows.
_________________
!
!
"Just doin' what needs doin', cap'n," Tris salutes ironically, and then they're on the trail.
*
She listens to Devan's words with a slow nod. "I'll try and get round to the back, get ready to come in behind them and drop runners, or surprise the big one."
She turns to try and slip off through the thin brush, darting from tree trunk to tree trunk. She slides her rapier quietly out of its scabbard.
"Ah think ah'll stand atween tha lot of ye an' them what're torturin' aneath to head off their approach," Thondrir says grimly. When their collective strategy begins to come together, he withdraws his waraxe from its belt ring, gripping the haft with both hands and nodding in silent prayer over his chosen weapon for several seconds. When his eyes finally open, a faint glow begins to emanate from the dwarf's right hand. He reaches out to clap Tris on the shoulder, merely offering "Angradd's grace go with ye, child. An' do nae be gettin' yerself skewered!"
. . . as a standard action you can touch an ally to grant it a tactical advantage for 1 minute. Each round at the start of its turn, it can select one of the following bonuses: +10 feet to base land speed, +1 dodge bonus to AC, +1 insight bonus on attack rolls, or a +1 luck bonus on saving throws.
"Haven't yet, grandpa," Tris whispers back with a wink for the dwarf. "Thanks all the same."
Before anyone goes anywhere, Devan says "My bomb will be the signal to start."
Once everyone is in position Devan will stand up and throw a bomb at the goblins. Hope for torture guy's sake that I don't miss...
Hit
Arend waits for Devan to throw his bomb and then begins moving rapidly through the underbrush towards the lizardmen.
***BACK AT THE CAMP***
After the little episode with the goblin, Carter frowns when he sees that Devan is still quite injured. "I can't believe I didn't fix that already, my terrible manners." He fishes an unassuming piece of birchwood out of his bag. He says a few words in Infernal and a bit of devil's blood zips from the end of the wand onto Devan's neck, then disappears. He puts the wand back in his bag.
***SURPRISE ROUND***
Carter finds the screams of torture quite distasteful, and wishes to end the man's suffering as quickly as possible. He moves a little closer to the gaggle of goblins and crouches down in the brush.
Elbows nods at the wisdom of letting the lizardmen come this way. He's better in close quarters than at range, but we appear to have the advantage right now. Watching someone get tortured though...hopefully a few are left for me to pound on...
Quietly, he says: "I'll go for the nearest Gob standing after your bomb hits, Devan...and then once they see us get between the rest of y'all and them as fast as I'm able."
___________
“That’s a lizard king if I don’t miss my mark. Those normal lizard men are a lot tougher than goblins, not to mention a king. We should probably take out the goblins at range and make the lizards come to us,” Devan whispers to the others once they’ve gotten a good look at the clearing below.
Esaul could barely hear Devan's whisper, but he points to a scroll on his hip and makes a gesture with his fingers moving up, like things coming up, that could be vines! Oh yes, you got it, he means Entangle! Nevertheless, he draws his bow and notches two arrows.
“Ah think ah'll stand atween tha lot of ye an' them what're torturin' aneath to head off their approach,” Thondrir says grimly withdrawing his waraxe from its belt ring.
Elbows nods at the wisdom of letting the lizardmen come this way. He's better in close quarters than at range, but we appear to have the advantage right now. Watching someone get tortured though... hopefully a few are left for me to pound on... Quietly, he says: “I'll go for the nearest Gob standing after your bomb hits, Devan...and then once they see us get between the rest of y'all and them as fast as I'm able,”
Before anyone goes anywhere, Devan says “My bomb will be the signal to start.” Once everyone is in position Devan will stand up and throw a bomb at the goblins. Hope for torture guy's sake that I don't miss... It hits exactly where he targets it and splashes four goblins whose wails drown at the tortured victim.
Arend waits for Devan to throw his bomb and then begins moving rapidly through the underbrush towards the lizardmen.
When they are ready Esaul will whisper to Light: "Swift as a Tiger!", then Rapid Shots two burned goblins.
Carter finds the screams of torture quite distasteful, and wishes to end the man's suffering as quickly as possible. He moves a little closer to the gaggle of goblins and crouches down in the brush.
Elbows draws and puts the last of burned gobins out of its misery.
When their collective strategy begins to come together, Thondrir grips the haft of his waraxe with both hands and nodding in silent prayer over his chosen weapon for several seconds. When his eyes finally open, a faint glow begins to emanate from the dwarf's right hand. He reaches out to clap Tris on the shoulder, merely offering "Angradd's grace go with ye, child. An' do nae be gettin' yerself skewered!”
"Haven't yet, grandpa, ” Tris whispers back with a wink for the dwarf. "Thanks all the same.”
She listens to Devan's words with a slow nod. "I'll try and get round to the back, get ready to come in behind them and drop runners, or surprise the big one.” She turns to try and slip off through the thin brush, darting from tree trunk to tree trunk. She slides her rapier quietly out of its scabbard.
<< | | | >>
[dice=Kel "Elbows" Ursanel]1d20+2[/dice]
Esaul draws a scroll of Entangle and uses it. "Entangle!"
Light rushes forward, moving to the left and around the goblins so the incoming arrows would not hit him.
_________________________
Creatures in area make a Reflex save.
Any who enter the area make Reflex save immediately.
Any who remain in the area at end of casters turn must save again.
Can attempt to break free as a move action by making Strength or Escape Artist check vs. DC of the spell.
Cannot run or charge
–2 penalty on all attack rolls
–4 penalty to Dexterity.
Must make a concentration check (DC 15 + spell level) to cast a spell (or lose the spell).
goblin N9 fail
goblin O8 fail
goblin P8 save
lizardman Q12 save
lizardman R11 fail
lizard king fail
The goblins wail in frustration at the disappearance of the last post and the sudden deaths of their companions. One goblin avoids the grappling vines and encircles the wolf drawing his short sword; it waits for his companions threat before flanking the wolf. The goblin next to the wolf draws his short sword and awkwardly hits the wolf while Light watched its flank. The third goblin draws his short sword and puts it toward the prone figure and yells, "Kolu wa, o si kú!"
___________________________
hit, I think. Please make Light's AC more readily accessible
miss
miss
Yes, Elbows is up
As goblins start to fall, the thrill of battle brings a flush to Elbows’ cheeks. He flashes a smile at Carter and Esau as he continues to advance past them.
Seeing only one goblin who seems not to have fallen prey to the grasping vines, Elbows takes aim at that one. He takes care not to overshoot...and instead falls short: the arrow drives into the dirt four feet in front of the goblin.
Elbows growls at himself but continues forward.
__________
The lizard king roars at the disturbance and annoying weeds. He rips his feet free and moves toward the attackers shaking his huge trident in anger.
_______________________________________
"Incomin'!" Tris calls, a crooked grin on her face as she darts closer to the big lizard, rapier flashing in the sunlight. She ducks nimbly to try and avoid the swing of that big trident-- then takes a guarded stab at the lizard's knee, testing the big lizard's defenses.
Her smirk broadens as her blade slips past the lizard's guard and stabs deep.
Carter looks a bit shocked as the lizard king barrels toward their position. He sees Tris engage it and decides to follow her and give her even more of an edge. He creeps forward a bit more and casts a little spell to mess with the large reptilian.
Carter bursts into hysterics as the lizard king fumbles around with his trident and drops it to the ground.
The two lizardmen flank their king. One pulls the weeds with him until he breaks free. The other had avoided the tangling brush, so it circled around to flank Tris. Drool drips from their jaws. An anticipatory rattle escapes their throats.
Devan runs forward. He draws another couple of glass vials and quickly mixes together another bomb. "Heads up!" he calls out as he lofts the explosive at the lizard king. The bomb strikes the lizard king right in the face, exploding into a cloud of fire and shrapnel. The explosion rips scales and meat from the lizard's face, and sends a cloud of blood and smoke splattering over Tris and the other lizard men.
_________________________
Crit
Confirmed!
Arend runs forward to face the lizard king in the aftermath of the explosion. He launches forward baring his needle fangs and tries to chomp into the reeling king's throat. The king's eyes are nearly melted and still streaming tears from Devan's bomb so he doesn't even see the bird-like outsider coming for him. Arend shreds the reptilian giant's throat, ripping a large bloody chunk free and flinging it into the air with a triumphant scream.
_____________________________
Hit
Thondrir mutters grumpily under his breath before hefting his axe and shield to plod his way towards the gathering of lizardfolk. Blasted, bleedin', long-legged knotheads! Ah cannae protect what leaves me sputterin' in the dust. His discontent is a mask for the the worry that's creeping up, seeing Tris and Light both being surrounded and outnumbered. Angradd willing, he will make it in time to draw the lizard king's ire.
______________________________
Esaul draws a scroll of Entangle and uses it. "Entangle!"
Light rushes forward, moving to the left and around the goblins so the incoming arrows would not hit him.
The goblins wail in frustration at the disappearance of the last post and the sudden deaths of their companions. One goblin avoids the grappling vines and encircles the wolf drawing his short sword; it waits for his companions threat before flanking the wolf. The goblin next to the wolf draws his short sword and awkwardly hits the wolf while Light watched its flank. The third goblin draws his short sword and puts it toward the prone figure and yells, "Kolu wa, o si kú!"
As goblins start to fall, the thrill of battle brings a flush to Elbows’ cheeks. He flashes a smile at Carter and Esau as he continues to advance past them. Seeing only one goblin that seems not to have fallen prey to the grasping vines, Elbows takes aim at that one. He takes care not to overshoot...and instead falls short: the arrow drives into the dirt four feet in front of the goblin. Elbows growls at himself but continues forward.
The lizard king roars at the disturbance and annoying weeds. He rips his feet free and moves toward the attackers shaking his huge trident in anger.
"Incomin'!" Tris calls, a crooked grin on her face as she darts closer to the big lizard, rapier flashing in the sunlight. She ducks nimbly to try and avoid the swing of that big trident-- then takes a guarded stab at the lizard's knee, testing the big lizard's defenses.
Carter looks a bit shocked as the lizard king barrels toward their position. He sees Tris engage it and decides to follow her and give her even more of an edge. He creeps forward a bit more and casts a little spell to mess with the large reptilian. Carter bursts into hysterics as the lizard king fumbles around with his trident and drops it to the ground.
The two lizardmen flank their king. One pulls the weeds with him until he breaks free. The other had avoided the tangling brush, so it circled around to flank Tris. Drool drips from their jaws. An anticipatory rattle escapes their throats.
Devan runs forward. He draws another couple of glass vials and quickly mixes together another bomb. "Heads up!" he calls out as he lofts the explosive at the lizard king. The bomb strikes the lizard king right in the face, exploding into a cloud of fire and shrapnel. The explosion rips scales and meat from the lizard's face, and sends a cloud of blood and smoke splattering over Tris and the other lizard men.
Arend runs forward to face the lizard king in the aftermath of the explosion. He launches forward baring his needle fangs and tries to chomp into the reeling king's throat. The king's eyes are nearly melted and still streaming tears from Devan's bomb so he doesn't even see the bird-like outsider coming for him. Arend shreds the reptilian giant's throat, ripping a large bloody chunk free and flinging it into the air with a triumphant scream.
Thondrir mutters grumpily under his breath before hefting his axe and shield to plod his way towards the gathering of lizardfolk. Blasted, bleedin', long-legged knotheads! Ah cannae protect what leaves me sputterin' in the dust. His discontent is a mask for the the worry that's creeping up, seeing Tris and Light both being surrounded and outnumbered. Angradd willing, he will make it in time to draw the lizard king's ire.
<< | | | >>
Tris laughs in outright delight as Carter's spell causes the king to drop his weapon. "Nice, Crosby!" she shouts, and takes a half-second to evaluate the precariousness of her current position, surrounded by foes. She could grab the king's trident, perhaps-- but no, the grease of Carter's spell will make that difficult. Better to simply attack.
She makes as if to stab at their leader, then wheels at the last second and drives her rapier against the lizard that has come behind her.
Tris then quickly steps out of the way of the lizards' flank upon her.
Arend continues to tear into the much larger lizard king, hoping to kill it before it can inflict any damage to his master or the other Samaritans he calls friends. He bites it again, this time tearing a large ribbon of flesh from the king's arm. Then he jams the talons of his right claw into the reptilian's abdomen, raking four long bloody furrows through its scales.
_______________________________
Hit
Hit
Devan draws his crossbow, and fires a bolt at the lizardman that Tris just wounded. The bolt barely nicks its target, shattering harmlessly against the things tough hide and armor.
"Damn, I suck with this thing today..." Devan opines to no one in particular.
________________________
Flanked and hurt, Light gives a nasty bite in the goblin who's free of the vines. His teeth rip through armor, skin and bones alike, tearing the creature apart.
__________________________
!
Esaul shots two rapid arrows at the goblin who said something that was probably a threat. It was best to take it down at once, but he does so while complaining about the lack of attention from his companions. "I thought we were here to save the guy..."
_______________________
!
!
"You just did!" Devan quips in return.
Seeing lizards and goblins falling like leaves in the wind, Kel hoots with joy and bounds toward the last lizard who has yet to be hurt. Along the way he drops his bow and calls out: "Time to drop, ya no-good lizard!!"
He throws his whole body into the lizard, sending an elbow up into the throat and jaw. The lizard's head snaps backward and it hisses in pain, spitting blood.
___________
Carter takes a mental picture of Arend tearing the lizard king to shreds. The startling conclusion to this week's article! Except I'll say it happened at the END of the battle, makes it more exciting... I've got to get Arend's popularity up with the readers.
He whips his gaze around to the lizard closest to him and starts to hum an extremely boring tune, perhaps the most boring tune ever hummed.
The lizard's fierce eyes glaze over and he stares into space a bit before yawning.