The Golden Pegasus

Game Master Sai Ling

Holding up his hand to stay the others, Gair gestures to his sling, urging the others to ready similar weapons.

Using his hand he mimes following behind the creatures, hoping to find their source.

What time is it roughly?

Vallen straightens up at Kal'tos's comment, adjusting his gear and tightening his backpack. "You're right. Torag would be ashamed of cowardice when there is a potential threat to so many.

He casts curious blue eyes at Cueta,but will ask her later what she was doing with the elk. The dwarf crosses his arms beneath his beard and begins to slowly pace in a circle, head down, listening to the others.

"We should assess the situation. See how many of them there are. If their numbers are thin we could wipe them out and secure this area. If there are many, we can withdraw and ask assistance of everyone on shore that knows how to use a sword."

The priest stops, looking up. "What I worry about is... What if we're in the ant's territory? What if there's a massive hive who outnumber us and have been here longer than any of us have been breathing, and we stir them up? What then?"

Continuing from Nerk's post

Vallen unhooks his crossbow from his belt, and tries to calmly load a bolt. "Look at the size of those things...We're going to follow them?" He whispers, waiting on the others to get ready.

Gair nods to the dwarf, unwilling to speak.

We should fall back to 150ft or so. Losing them doesn't seem like much of a worry. Just alerting them to our presence.

I'd say it's roughly noon

Perfect, I'd suggest we follow the ants for at least 3-4 hours if possible. How quickly are the ants traveling with their food?

Mother's fortune smiles upon us, Cueta muses, wounded and tired, we should be able to take these beasts down. Tales will be told of this!

"If the beasts notice us, get behind me. They are simple creatures and injured and will probably not use much strategy in their attack. I may be able to impale one on my bill. And if you need to run, run! I doubt they follow us too far and leave their food behind!"

I've got to run to do some work, so if things go south, feel free to DMPC Cueta. Her basic strategy is to delay action and brace for a charge. As soon as possible, use her Freebooter's bane to give everyone in 30' +1 attack and damage against one of the two ants. Attack, from a flanking position, if possible, the ant with the bane on it. Once down, use a move action to put the bane on the other ant. Rinse and repeat. Run away if necessary (below about 5 hp, depending on how hard these things hit).

The ants are pretty slow, moving 20'. Spending half the day following them will reduce the amount of time you spend foraging though.

20ft is the best we can do anyway. Does anyone have a problem sacrificing some of our foraged food for threat assessment? If there are a lot of them nearby we need to know and if it's just a couple there could be useful things collected at their lair?

Before the group leaves to track the Ants Ben asks the others to help him drag the rest of the carcass away from the spring.

Do you think it would be possible to save any of the meat, or has the venom ruined it? He asks once they start after the ants.

When the group catches up with the ants. those things are the size of horses! I hope there aren't many more of those. Ben thinks when they catch sight of the Ants. Wait did he just say follow them?

Are you sure this is a good idea? Ben asks in a low voice. These two are wounded, but what happens if they meet up with a dozen more that aren't wounded. How many more of these things are back at their nest? Nest's of the kind that aren't the size of ponies can hold thousands.

Waiting until the ants move a little further, Gair whispers back, "And if we are mere miles from a nest of thousands? Would you rather find out when a larger group finds our camp or a foraging party stumbles on it unaware?"

Good question, I had assumed the poison would taint the meat for other creatures but I could be mistaken.

Before the group leaves to track the Ants Ben asks the others to help him drag the rest of the carcass away from the spring.

Do you think it would be possible to save any of the meat, or has the venom ruined it? He asks once they start after the ants.

Vallen assists in dragging the elk away from the spring making sure he gets the least-bloody end. "Once we get back I can beseech Torag to purify the meat, removing any toxins or spoilage within. We'll have a fine roast when we return. He tells Ben as they drag the elk to a shady location.

Back to the present:

He puts a hand over a bushy brow, looking up through the trees. Moving in closer to Ben and Gair, his deep voice is a rumbling whisper. "I don't like this either, Ben... but Gair has a point. We should at least see how many of them there are. We can withdraw if there's too many. Maybe set up an ambush for the others that come from the rest of the elk. Thin their numbers that way, and then attack the hive. ... Unless there are thousands..."

Vallen unloads the bolt from his crossbow, sliding it back onto his belt. By the way he talks, Gair seems to have some experience in this... By Torag, I hope this isn't one of those crazy human ideas that get them killed before they're 40.

Garrak strings his short bow, following the suit for the rest, nodding in assent to the plan.

K Nature on Ants: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

After three hours slow (for some) trekking in pursuit of the ants, you find yourself back at the corpse of the elk. The ants seem curious, investigating, tasting the meat. After a few moments, they resume their burdens, and begin following their trail.

So they dragged the back half of the elk in a big circle and are now going to do it again? Am I understanding this right?

"Perhaps their ability to navigate was damaged in the fight?"

As they trek up another slow, sloping hill, Vallen is exasperated at the sight of the elk corpse. His mouth drops open, closes again, and he shakes with barely contained frustration. Calming himself by exhaling sharply through his nostrils, he speaks flatly. "We're killing these sodding ants, now." The soft click of a bolt being loaded into his crossbow is the only other sound from him. The dwarf glowers at the ants, fingers tapping along his crossbow.

At this point, they remain unaware of you. If they survive a surprise round, we'll do initiative.

If everyone else decides to attack, Vallen will move into firing range with his light crossbow (within 80 feet), happily firing in a team volley when instructed to do so. He aims for the ant with the busted up head.

Light Crossbow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

20% Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 58

"Perhaps their ability to navigate was damaged in the fight?"

"Something seems to be amiss, and your explanation is as good as any that I can think of. Concentrate your fire on the one with the crushed head - the other with the wounded legs may not close the distance as fast."

Freebooter's Bane on the ant with the crushed head: +1 attack and damage to that ant for all allies in 30'

initiative (if needed): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

We have spent too much time following these things around. We need to get people moved up here and shelter built. We can't waste anymore time with them. Ben takes his sling from one of his pouches and loads it with a lead bullet. We need to get as close as we can before we strike. We don't want to give something that can bite an elk in half a chance to bite us.

Slings have a range of 50 feet. attacking all together is a good idea I think.

stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

As Kal'Tos lacks any decent ranged weapon he will delay and prepare to counter charge any of the beasts that survive being shot.

@ Cueta: You guys have surprise, go ahead and roll your attack and we'll see if you take them all out in the surprise round.

Ben's miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 67

As Kal'Tos readies himself to receive a charge, Vallen and Ben attack. The dwarf's crossbow bolt thumps heavily against the creature's carapace, and falls harmlessly to the ground, but the sling stone cracks the shell badly, bending it in and drawing the creatures' attention.

@ Cueta: You guys have surprise, go ahead and roll your attack and we'll see if you take them all out in the surprise round.

Can I can buff everyone before the surprise round starts? If I can't, then the bane would be my action. If I can buff everyone and set my weapon and then the surprise round starts:

Cueta digs her bill point first into the ground at her side, stealthily draws her shortbow and arrow, makes a quick mental calculation for distance and wind, and lets an arrow fly.

bow attack!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 90
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

If that is too many actions, then Cueta simply activates FB. Freebooter's bane affects both ranged and melee attacks.

Shortbow at the one Ben hit: 1d100 ⇒ 441d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 61d6 ⇒ 1

But misses by a mile. He then draws his falchion.

Vallen mutters an oath as the bolt fails to pierce the creature's thick covering. Frantically, he slides another bolt into his crossbow, yanking back the lever. (Move action) He shoulders the crossbow, firing off another bolt at the ant with the wounded head. (standard action)

"Kill these things before they get close! You saw how they gutted that elk!"

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Light Crossbow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Add +1 if Cueta was able to use her Freebooter's bane?

20% Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 4

The d100 betrayed me at the last moment...

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Ben quickly reloads his sling and sends a second bullet after the first.

attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 = 16
damage: 1d3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3
20% concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 61

assuming Cuenta's freebooters bane is in effect.

Let's give Gair a chance to act in the surprise round before we play out the first regular round. Cueta, let's make the Bane your action, since the bow shot missed. This is your guys first fight together, so I don't expect you all to work together at maximum efficiency. In future, if you want to buff ahead of combat, try to say so before the combat, but I'll let it go.

ant initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Vallen Inititative=21 Shot.
Ben Inititative=20 Shot.
Cueta initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Gair initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 2 Still gets an action in the surprise round.
Garrak initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Kal'Tos initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 11 Action readied.

Kal'Tos wrote:

"Perhaps their ability to navigate was damaged in the fight?"

"Something seems to be amiss, and your explanation is as good as any that I can think of. Concentrate your fire on the one with the crushed head - the other with the wounded legs may not close the distance as fast."

Freebooter's Bane on the ant with the crushed head: +1 attack and damage to that ant for all allies in 30'

[dice=initiative (if needed)]1d20+3

Hey DM Nerk, I probably wasn't clear enough in my post up the thread a bit - but that was my intent to buff as my action, originally. Sorry for the confusion. I rolled initiative ahead of time as well, and got an 8, but am happy to take your roll!

So you did. Oops. And the buff/action thing is all good, I just tend to blather about why so yall can understand why I make the calls I make.

Alright sorry for the delay guys!

The warrior looks puzzled as they return to the corpse of the elk.

Surprise Round

Nodding as the others move to attack he moves within range and lets loose with a sling bullet.

Sling - FB: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12
Miss Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 29
Damage: 1d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

Garrak holds his action, readying himself to charge when the ants come closer. We are about 50ft away, right?

Garrak holds his action, readying himself to charge when the ants come closer.

Cueta readies her bill as well in anticipation of the ants. "It is just like repelling boarders, Garrack!"

@DM Nerk - I sent you a pm with Cueta's tactics. I've got to step out for awhile - feel free to carry on the fight without me. And if Cueta is brought below 5 hp, she runs away!

Just as a not Garrak, you can't actually attack and draw a weapon during a surprise round.

Round 1

Provided the ants close on their turn, Gair lets the sling fall from his hand, pulling the axe from his back as he goes, the kellid moves to crush the nearest one with a heavy overhand blow.

Greataxe - PA, FB: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 15
Damage: 1d12 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 = 11

Gair's sling stone bounces harmlessly off the creature's carapace.

End Surprise Round. Begin Round One.

Vallen sends another crossbow bolt flying at the ants, but it flies through the branches and is knocked off course.

Ben's sling stone strikes true again, but the creature is still coming, the other following more slowly.

Actually, Cueta and Garrak act before the ants do.

I could be mistaken but I think Garrak delayed his action and Ceuta readied her bill against a charge.

Right you are. I'm getting blonde in my old age.

The ant rushes towards you, legs propelling it quickly, and as it reaches you it attacks. The second ant scrabbles along on four legs, but hasn't reached you yet.

Kal'Tos, Garrak and Cueta each have readied attacks before the first ant strikes. The second ant is 10' away at the end of its turn.

Who, precisely, is the first ant attacking?

Vallen, but I'm counting on you to kill it before that question gets answered.

Cueta has requested botting for the moment, so....

As the ant rushes in, the Mwangi braces her bill and strikes, letting the force of the creature's movement bury the weapon deep, killing the first ant.

attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Kal'Tos will charge so that he ends up about 30ft in front of the ranged members of his party.

Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 (including charge bonus and FB)

For 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 dmg (including FB)

Kal'Tos charges past the first ant and slams his warhammer into the second, smashing a ragged hole in the thing's carapace.

When his non-readied action comes Kal'Tos will smash his hammer into the beast again, cursing at the creature as he attacks.

attack1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

for 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Cool. Waiting on Garrak

Vallen flinches backwards as he sees the ant with the crushed head scramble towards him, a mixture of panic and adrenaline tearing him in several directions at once. He is thankful when Cueta intervenes and impales the giant insectoid on her bill.

The dwarf steadies himself, watching Kal'tos bravely charging into battle with his warhammer to crush the side of the ant. He looks down at his own warhammer for a moment before shaking his head. He exhales slowly and lifts a hand, palm up, facing the last ant.

If the ant survives to Vallen's turn, he will cast Acid Dart at it. 30 yard range.

RNG TA Acid Dart: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 1 - 4 = 17 -4 firing into melee

THREAT: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 1 - 4 = 17

damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

+ damage from crit: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Charge: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 112d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1) + 4 = 6

Garrak charges, but his blow is deflected by the creature's heavy shell, and a second blow from Kal'Tos is turned aside. As it turns to snap at the brave half-orc, its head explodes as it is struck down by Torag's wrath, provided by Vallen.

For a moment, there is only the sound of the wind rustling the leaves, and then the ordinary din of birdsong and small movements resumes as the battle is over.

+100xp each

The ant's chitin has little value, though it can be used to produce primitive armor of a sort. Each ant would cover the material cost of making one suit of scale mail, or two large shields, or three small shields, or four bucklers. The meat appears edible and can provide 60 man/days of food per ant. The elk can provide another 50, though elk meat is more familiar and less creepy to most people. The elk meat could be used to feast everyone (not quite enough to fill everyone up, but enough that everyone gets a taste) which would give yall a +2 bonus on diplomacy checks with the people on the beach, and on the Lillend, if you include them. Everyone's been eating ship's biscuit and salt cod for the past month, so fresh meat will be very popular.

Well that's done. Ben says as he approaches one of the pony sized ants and gives it a kick. And we managed to do it without anyone getting their legs bit off.

He squints up at the sun.We have been at this long enough. If we are all agreed that this is a good place to set up camp I am going to go back to the beach and try to get people moving up here. Anyone want to come along. He looks around the potential campsite. We'ii need to do something to keep people from fouling the spring. It is too valuable to take a chance with. . . . Well I'm off.

Ben goes down to the beach and follows the waterline back to where the ship is being unloaded. He first goes to see his family and ensure they are well and let them know that he is fine. He tells them about the new campsite and instructs them to start getting packed up.

He then goes and speaks with the rest of the group. He tells them about the spring, the trees to break the wind, the higher dry ground. He will also mention that the group that left earlier managed to get an Elk and some other animals (definately doesn't say ants) so there will be fresh meat to eat.

ddiplomacy(to convince them to get moving): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

He then goes and talks with the captain of the Lillend or one of the officers and encourages them to move the ship up the coast nearer to the new campsite.
How many crew on the Lillend. If hide the fact that some of the meat is ant the people may not notice and everyone gets a full belly.

As the ant's head explodes, Vallen lets out an excited whoop, trusting his fist into the air. "Yes! Did everyone see that?! That was incredible!" Clipping his crossbow to his belt, he swaggers up to the dead ant, imitating Ben and giving it a good kick. "Huh... these ant hides are incredibly durable. They way they stopped my crossbow bolts show that. They're Highhelm steel! I bet we could use them for some trophy armor... He muses before looking for his lost bolts.

Bolt recovery#1: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Bolt recovery#2: 1d2 ⇒ 2

1 bolt recovered

Vallen approaches Cueta, stroking his beard. "Cueta, let us return to camp quickly. I wish to see to your friend. She needn't suffer any longer." The priest is high on their victory, and believes that he is capable of anything with Torag's blessings. I must make dedicate to Torag for this victory. I would love to sculpt right now, but that is not feasible...

When returning to camp, he will first attend to Deeshka, carefully examining her and taking notes on his chalkboard.

"If this illness is beyond my knowledge, I will ask Torag for guidance in the morning. Worry not Cueta, I will save your friend."

Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

After examining Deeshka, he returns to Jarla, telling her of the wondrous campsite they found. With a prayer to Torag he casts Ant Haul on himself and gathers up all his belongings, beginning the trek back. While loading up his things he excitedly tells Jarla of the battle, and his incredible shot that exploded the ant's head, praising Torag and say he has clearly blessed this journey. The events are slightly embellished, but true.

I believe we should have a feast of the elk. Diplomacy for everyone! Not that Ben needs help. Vallen will purify it and the halflings can cook it up? Convincing people to eat the ants may be harder.

If we decide to feast the elk-

As he starts to walk back into the forest, the dwarf cups his hands around his mouth and bellows "We're having a feast of elk at the new campsite! Come one and all, let's welcome ourselves to our glorious new home!" Torag be praised, this place isn't half bad.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Once they return to camp Kal'Tos will fill his brother in on what happened. Once that is done he will help his fellow priest spread the word that everyone needs to move to the new site.

Aid Vallen's diplomacy 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

@ Ben: I've never seen an ant irl big enough to carve a steak out of, but I'm betting it's not going to be mistaken for elk. Feasting everyone would be more a matter of giving everyone a little elk, stretching it with the stores from the ship to a full meal, and making everyone feel better about things. Trading the food for the bonus, in game terms. The ant meat will not improve anybody's outlook, but it will keep them from starving.

Waiting for the rest of the group to weigh in before resolving actions.