On the little beach where the salvagers pulled up for the night, the rowers are sleeping off the exertions of the day, and Cueta has watch. Sitting by a little driftwood fire, she stays alert, watching the stars, as the dog snores beside her.
The beach is surrounded by cliffs on three sides from the campsite where you've dragged the boat out above the tideline, about a hundred feet away across the sand. You found a few more bits of wreckage here, scraps of planking not worth bothering with yet.
Around midnight, there is a skittering of loose rocks tumbling down the cliffside. Then another. And another. Something is moving down the cliffs.
Cueta jolts straight up and in the same motion slings her pack, sitting by her side, over her shoulder, her heartbeat hammering and her skin ashiver with the tingling of surprise and fear. Something coming down the cliffs like that can only be one of Lamashtu's children. Mother, give me the strength to overcome your child, and we'll send you a fresh servant for your kingdom tonight.
She pauses for a second or two trying to gauge where the skittering is coming from...
Then, taking the butt end of her bill, starts tapping each of her companions awake, whispering, "Something is coming down the cliff!" Up! UP! Something is coming for us!
"Zik, stay behind me, and if a fight breaks out, run to the longboat. Ben and Kal'Tos, fighting retreat to the boat?"
With no time to put on his armour, Kal'Tos grabs his shield and warhammer. Once the target is clearly a threat he will use an acid dart once the creature closes with 30ft.
Perception to see what the creature is with dark vision
Ranged touch attack once it is clearly a threat for dmg
The dog sleeps soundly, toes twitching and teeth bared, as if dreaming of the hunt.
The sounds are coming from the northeast (the cove is open to the south, if that matters) and Kal'Tos and Ben are prodded awake.
Zik looks terrified, staring wide-eyed into the darkness.
No surprise round.
Ben and Kal'Tos, you're up. You're both prone, in whatever you sleeping in. Presumably weapons by your side, etc. At the moment, whatever it is is at the bottom of the cliffs 100 feet away, obscured by bushes and darkness.
[edit] Kal'Tos readies acid dart. Too far away still for darkvision to matter.
With no time to put on his armour, Kal'Tos grabs his shield and warhammer. Once the target is clearly a threat he will use an acid dart once the creature closes with 30ft.
Perception to see what the creature is 1d20+7 with dark vision
Ranged touch attack once it is clearly a threat 1d20 for 1d6 dmg
Newspring! :P :
Gair shakes his head with a slight smile, "As the fates would have it I am the son of a chief but things in the Mammoth Realms are different from the southern kingdoms. Each following elects the most acclaimed warrior of their number to lead them. It is prowess that and ability that makes one fit to rule, not birth."
He nods, "I will do what I can with the foragers and hunting parties. The one known as Hassan has already been helping me organize those who we can and see that some of their number are able to protect themselves. At the meeting we can convey the need for more to join. I too would take more time to grieve if we could but as things stand, if we do not find ways to bolster our stores we will be mourning more of our loved ones before long."
"Shelter is a definite necessity but the forge would provide us many benefits we will have need of in the coming days. I believe we have the manpower to achieve both. I will do what I can to assist you the building of the longhouse as well. We will have those most in need out of the elements soon enough. For now, Vallen says he is confident those currently sick will recover under his care."
"Thank you for speaking with me. The others should be gathering soon."
Ben ignores his armor as he scramble to his feet bringing his weapons belt and rapier with him. He draws his rapier and drops the belt back on to his bedroll.
Light! we need more light! He says urgently.
Good point, Ben. I'd say the campfire throws normal light about 30'. and dim light another 30' beyond that. Also, I'm assuming that you moved the boat up the beach enough that the tide won't carry it away. If you had another idea, let me know.
You hear something moving across the sand, and a man-sized shadow hesitates, barely visible at the edge of the light (60' away).
Zik whimpers as he climbs to his feet and grabs his spear, hands trembling, he backs away.
Cueta's got her bill up and calls out her foe. The dog wakes with a nudge from her toe and snarls as it stares at the shadowy figure in the darkness.
Round Two
Ben and Kal'Tos are at bat. Freebooter's Bane is activated.
Kal'Tos casts light on his shield. If he can only do it to one side it will be the front of the shield.
Cueta yells out in rapid succession, in common, polyglot, and halfling:
Come forward hands up, we mean no harm!
Edit:
Gair, you can't tell much about the source of the stink. It may be something naturally occurring in the soil. Probably not a black dragon, though that would be knowledge: arcana, which Istiel also doesn't have.
The Thayer's offer no comment on the political philosophy of northern savages the noble Kellid tribesmen, but they are interested in your recruitment of Hassan.
"Perhaps the best thing would be to discuss these things in an hour, when everyone has gathered. I would not want to give the people the impression that we were making decisions for them," Edmund says.
Zik, stay in the light. Ben calls to the young Gnome. He advances towards the figure on the edge of the light his rapier half raised. Squinting to try and distinquish what it is.
"Indeed, we have seen how some react to that feeling already. I will see you in an hour."
Gair takes the time to make a meal of the Lillend's rations and chat with Hassan.
Salvagers:
Ben advances, squinting into the darkness, and Kal'Tos casts light on his shield, brightening the area a little more.
The thing that comes out of the darkness is humanoid, nearly human in appearance, but with teeth like a shark and disturbing patterns of scars on its face, arms and legs. It wears skins, specifically the skins of other humanoids, and carries wicked looking stone axes.
It dashes across the sand towards you, closing to within 10' of Ben before it lets out a horrible scream and hurls one of its axes.
The throw would have caught him square in the chest, but Ben twists out of the way and only takes a glancing blow.
Newspringers:
Night comes, and the people of your new colony come with it. Ingwe has prepared a small fire and is brewing a tea of wild ginger and mint that smells sweet, but unusual Others light torches, until the faces of the people gathered under the tall pines are lit up by orange and yellow light that dances weirdly and throws deep shadows into the rest of the forest. Seventy-five have come, representing almost all of the available adult population.
Ben, Cueta and Kal'Tos are off attempting a rescue, and Deeshka is too sick to be disturbed. Gwenydd Sandlock is attending to her and the sailor, and Walton Sandlock is watching the dozen children that have come across the ocean along with Tatya, a Varisian woman who is mother to two, and will be mother to a third sometime soon.
Istiel informs you that the elves will be keeping watch in the forest during the meeting, and a handful of others seem too miserable to attend.
The Thayers have managed to find places near the fire, though they make no move to assume control of the gathering.
GAH! Ow! Bugger! Ben yells when the stone axe grazes his chest. He back peddles towards the others trying to put Cueta and her bill between him and the attacker.
Kal'Tos charges the foul creature
Warhammer attack for dmg
Cueta winces as she sees Ben twists away from the axe and stumbles backwards, a spray of blood coming his shoulder.
She charges the axe-wielder and slashes at it with her bill.
"Ben, circle around stab it in the back!"
Vallen arrives at the meeting with Jarla, getting close to the warm glow of the fire. Inhaling deeply, he is quite curious about the strange tea Ingwe is brewing. The dwarf looks around, chuckling softly. What a strange bunch we have here. It's as if we took a piece of absalom with us when we left.
Sitting a small distance away from the Thayers by the fire, Vallen waits for for Gair to arrive so they can discuss what to say. Feeling a bit nervous about public speaking, he restlessly shifts side to side. Holding a service and binding a community together is one thing, but I know little of how not to starve..
Ben rolls back away from the thing, but is unused to tumbling in loose sand. Instead of popping back onto his feet, he pops out onto his belly, facedown on the sand. Catlike, he looks around as if to say "I meant to do that," before scurrying back behind Cueta.
Kal'Tos charges and brings his warhammer down in a fierce blow which would take an ordinary man out of the fight, but just provokes another hideous shriek from this beast.
The little gnome, perhaps inspired by Kal'Tos's courage, perhaps driven into a suicidal fury by concern for his family, rushes the creature and jabs at it with his spear.
He misses.
If the fell creature is still alive on my turn I will continue to smash the beast with my hammer.
Attack for dmg
[dice=watcher command: "attack"]1d20+5[/dice]
The creature, wounded by a savage slice from Cueta's bill, let's out another howl. Bleeding badly, it takes a ferocious swing...
At Zik, splitting the poor gnome's face open and knocking him onto his back.
The attacker proves more adept at moving on the sand than Ben and dives away, somersaulting to its feet and retreating.
You guys are up.
Kal'Tos charges after the creature his shield with a light cast on it guiding his way.
for dmg
Seeing Vallen (and, we'll assume Gair and Garrak) arrive at the meeting, Ingwe raises his hand to call for silence.
"We have been called to this meeting to talk about our future," he says, with a sneer on his lip for the Thayers and players both. "But there has been much talk by those that called the meeting already. Maybe they are thinking their birth gives them the right to rule us, or maybe they think a little meat does. I think everyone here has the right to rule. The spirits that brought us here watch over us still. I ask their blessing."
He uses an empty nutshell as a cup and pours a few drops of his tea into it. He sips. Then he pours a few more drops and steps to Vallen.
"Will you share tea and invoke the blessing of that gods you worship to show us the right way?"
"Besmara's balls, it is quick!" Cueta drops her bill, and moving forwards draws her bow and an arrow, and lets the arrow go into the darkness at the fast-retreating creature.
"Besmara's balls, it is quick!" Cueta drops her bill, and moving forwards draws her bow and an arrow, and lets the arrow go into the darkness at the fast-retreating creature.
[dice=shortbow]1d20+3
[dice=damage]1d6
[dice=concealment]1d100
[dice=Watcher attack]1d20+2
[dice=damage]1d4+1
@ Cueta: ordering the attack is a move, so you don't get your 30' move. You do get to draw your bow (free as part of another move action) and fire. You're 45' away instead of 15', but now the dog is in the fight.
@ Kal'Tos: Your charge does remove the darkness.
Ka'Tos rushes the creature and swings, but it ducks the blow, and Cueta's arrow strikes, but only to tangle in the skins that make up the creature's armor.
Zik, bleeding profusely, crawls towards the boat.
Ben curses and follows Kal'Tos charging after the shark toothed humanoid. he slashs at the creature's legs with his rapier.
Gair watches Ingwe, his expression hardening at the man's insult but he keeps his silence for the moment. Standing to the side he waits for Vallen to take the tea, curious what the fat shaman intends here.
Ben rushes at the thing and pokes at it with his rapier, harmlessly.
The thing has drawn a stone dagger by the time you reach it, and finding itself pursued, turns to fight. It swings once each at Kaltos and Ben, and bites at Ben.
Ben is able to duck the snapping teeth, but takes another cut as the stone dagger bites. The axe strikes Kal'Tos a vicious, underhand blow that shatters ribs and actually lifts the dwarf off the ground.
Condition
HP= 14/14
Status= Normal
XP- 100/2000
Prepared spells
0th - create water, light, purify food and drink
1st - animate rope(1), enhance water (0), enhance water (0)
Special Abilities
Acid Dart(5/6)
Artificer’s Touch (6/6)
Channel Positive Energy (3/3)
Consumables
Ammunition: 19 crossbow bolts
Trail rations: 10
As Gair arrives, the dwarf gives him a quick nod. "I will be following your lead, Gair...I ask you to not let me do or say something foolish." Vallen keeps cool eyes on the shaman, listening silently, Gair does not react, so he does not either.
As the tea is offered to him, Vallen stands up straight, looks the shaman in the eyes to the best of his ability, and extends his hand. "Aye, I do. Torag watches over our budding community, and he will reveal the right path so that we may prosper as one." He takes the bowl and sips the brew, nose twitching at the exotic sweet and bitter mix. He licks his licks, clasps his holy symbol, rising it high. "May the blessings of the forge-father be upon us all. Our industry will honor his name and in turn he will see we are rewarded." The priest sits back down, crossing his legs and folding his hands under his beard.
The fat half-orc repeats the process, filling the tiny cup with a few drops of tea, asking the Thayers to invoke their gods, both of them offering a short prayer to Abadar, she referring to him as the God of the First Vault, he as the God of Walls.
He offers the cup to Gair next.
Kal'Tos lets out a howl of rage as the attack hits him, then shifts so that he an Ben are flanking the beast.
for dmg.
Gair accepts the cup with a solemn nod, "May the Great Pack watch over our choices and grant us swift hunts and a strong community."
The Kellid remains patient as the cup continues it's way around, content to observe the ritual.
The razor sharp stone blade of the creatures dagger opens a long gash on Ben's forehead. He slashes at the creature with his rapier, trying to clear the blood from his eyes with his other hand.
"Watcher, bite!"
Ingwe smiles at the invocation of the pack, and pauses, as if reconsidering Gair. He invites others up, Istiel invokes Desna, Hassan invokes Sarenrae, one of the young men gives an impassioned and poetic invocation of Cayden Caelean and seems near to persuading the whole colony to set to work building a still, and on it goes.
When everyone has had their chance to taste the brew and say a few words, Ingwe speaks again, raising a branch that he has wound with vines and leaves and made into a sort of crude scepter.
"Where I am from, when we meet, we use a speaking stick," he says. "To show respect for each other and the importance of what we would speak of, I ask that we all respect this, and allow whoever holds the stick to speak their mind without interruption."
"I believe it was you who wished to summon us for this meeting," he says to Gair, Vallen and the Thayers as a group. "Would one of you like to begin?"
Gair takes the improvised scepter from Ingwe and raises his voice to carry to all present, "I am pleased to see you all here. It is time we come together to consider our futures. In a few days time, the Lillend will attempt to return across the waters and we will be alone on these shores. We must can only look to each other to feed, shelter and defend our number."
"Ingwe speaks of the right to rule. Among my people the right is earned by deed, not circumstance. We have no kings or castles or inheritors to lordship over others. Each man and woman is beholden only to those the following chooses to place their faith in. Severed from the structures of home, we find ourselves in much the same situation. Look to your neighbors, yourselves, listen to the words of those who speak and decide if you see wisdom in what they say. In this way, we will survive."
"I have spoken to many of the others it is true, I sought to find those whose wisdom I could trust in. In this we have identified what needs we see and considered what we here might do about them? The greatest need and that which I know most of is that of food. In mere days we will have only what we find for ourselves to fill our stomachs. Many of our number are working hard already to find food but it is not nearly enough. To hope to survive we will need all those not required elsewhere to assist with the foraging parties. Much of the land around us is fertile, the more hands available the better chance we stand. We will look for seeds as well, many of you know well how to work the land. We will need your knowledge soon."
"As I understand the Harpy, which we lost not long before arriving here carried much of what we would need planting. A brave few of our number have already departed to find the wreck and attempt to recover those supplies, and any that might have survived the deadly storm. They are to return in small number of days. Should the divines see fit to bless us as we have asked, they will bring with them much of what we need to plant."
He holds out the stick, "These are my words and my wisdom, who else will offer theirs?"
Vallen extends his hand for the stick, lifting himself to the ground in the process. Thinking back on that still, he wishes he had a flask of whiskey right now. Clearing his throat as he stalls for another moment to collect his nerves, the dwarf speaks in a booming voice meant to fill the hall of a cathedral.
"When we first arrived on these shores, my thoughts turned towards the future. I saw a stout forge resting next to the stream over there, my hand turning the craft of the forge-father to supply the our number with hook, plow, hammer and saw so that they might build themselves a home." He pauses, gathering his thoughts.
"After hearing the various prayers offered here today, I have realized this is not about myself, the worship of my god, or the worship of any one god, but the survival and prosperity of this community. As Gair pointed out, the community needs food, and the teat from which we suckle will be leaving soon. While Gair boils down the fat of the land, I propose an investment- a farm for the community. The problem is.. I am no farmer, and cannot speak to the plants of soil. If one among you would advise the group, we could put together a place to cultivate our future."
He offers to speaking stick to the next who would take it.
Despite the staggering blow that he just took, Kal'Tos keeps his feet and swings true, a furious blow that collapses the thing's ribs and drops it to the ground, gasping and gurgling blood.
Edmund takes the stick next. He introduces himself, very nearly goes on about the history and significance of the Thayer family, but turns aside when his sister clears her throat. He speaks well about unknown dangers and illustrates his point with a retelling of the story of the ants, during which he makes a point of naming each of you as heroes. He calls for a palisade to be built.
Sandra speaks after her brother, telling people that this is their home now, and that they must make it a home. She tells them that simple survival isn't enough, that they have the opportunity to create a new society. She reminds them they all came here with dreams, and that they who survived owe it to the dead to make their dreams a reality. This will not be achieved by people living under sailcloth, and so she calls for bunks to be built.
After thumping it once more to make sure it is dead.
"Ben come with me we have to get back to Zik. Cueta check the body"
Once Kal'Tos is within 30ft of everyone who is injured he channels energy first blast, second blast, third blast. He then focuses on healing his own internal injuries. Cure light wounds twice
"I guess some of my spells will be needed to finish healing us the morning."
After his meditation in the morning Kaltos will channel once more
Cueta looks over the creature that attacked us, looking at his teeth to see if they are filed down or naturally sharp. She checks the creature's gender, looks over the humanoid skins to see if there is anything in the way of identifying marks, and searches the creature for valuables.
She then takes the terrified Zik under her arm. Zik, you were very brave today. We'll train you to be a mighty warrior, if it is what you want, but if we run into any more of these creatures, stay behind me. You earned my gratitude today.
She then addresses everyone. I think we have a dilemma...