The Prince Behind The Sand - TRUE SANDBOX HOME BREW (Inactive)

Game Master Jeremy Packer

The journey from the Suli Oasis to the area where the reported attack took place is roughly three days. The days are warm and the nights are cool, normal for the desert hills you are travelling through. Each day brings new encounters with caravans bringing goods through the area.

As the sun begins its descent on the third day the group finds itself coming into an area of rocky hills with dry low lying brush. The heat of the day is still high and the air is still. This seems like an area perfect for setting up an ambush.

Please provide a scouting (Perception) check for Kaepora.

The trade route narrows a bit as it passes a rocky field. The route is clear but the rocks are closer and provide cover, easily hiding dangers behind them. There is a small rise to the north with a slight breeze coming from the west now.

Perception checks followed by Initiative checks

Adaar

SURPRISE ROUND

As the party approaches the rocky slope, three figures slide out from the shadows behind the rocks. They resemble insect-like men, four legs providing stability and two heavy clawed arms. They clump together as the emerge, then they each launch a javelin at the head of the party.

Only one of the javelins hits it's mark. Dahrani grunts from the impact, but the blow is not bad. It seems the range was to great such weapons.

Dahrani and Kaepora are up.

Results of the Fort save may affect what I do, so I'll wait until I know what that is.

Dahrani grasps the wound at his side, with a gasp. The burning quickly subsides and he sighs knowing how lucky he was.

The poison failed to take effect.

Dahrani gives a low whistle to Kaepora and begins to move. He makes way for the rocks directly next to the creatures, waiting for them to move from their cover. He tries to be quiet about it, but fails miserably.

Quick Command to Kaepora to stay near me while I make my way over to the other side of the creatures' current cover. I'm using stealth, but moving full speed so it will be less than effective.

Kaepora heeds his master, trailing behind and reducing his altitude accordingly so he can assist when needed.

Move action to follow Dahrani.

Two of the insect-men move out from cover, each drawing a javelin as it moves. There actions seem coordinated but they never speak, nor do they even look at each other.

The first javelin is thrown at Gadrick, but he sends it wide with his shield.

The second javelin targets Kaaras again and this time finds its mark. Kaaras drops to one knee from the impact and Adaar hisses in anger.

Kaaras and Adaar are next

Results will determine my action

Kaaras stands again as the burning subsides.

The poison failed to take effect.

Kaaras hisses loudly at Adaar just before turning his gaze skyward. His eyes turn a pale white as he begins casting a spell, the tattoo on his hand glows with a familiar green light.

Free 5ft step back, begin casting Call Lightning.

At the sound of the hiss, Adaar takes off quickly! He strikes out at the insect-man that hit Karaas with his javelin.

Charging the one that hit. (I dont know which one that is on the map)

Adjusted Adaar's positon on map to account for which one is being charged and reach.

Adaar launches forward and his darting strike pierces the thick hide of the insect man. He clings to his prey as he draws it back to him and begins to wrap himself around it's form and begins to constrict.

Adaar has the thing grappled. Please roll for constrict damage.

Gadrick is up next. Do not feel you need to wait for the constrict damage listed above.

Free Five Foot Step
Move Action: draw arms
Move Action: Load Sling Staff

While Gadrick prepares himself for combat, the last warrior comes out from behind the rocks. It circles around following the direction that Dahrani took.

The insect man claws out at Dahrani as it comes around the rocks, but it misjudged Dahrani's position and the attack turns out wide.

Atajinn, you're up.

OOH! How exciting, bugs!

Atajinn moves up by Adaar peering around the big snake then fires a shard of icicles from his fingertips targeting the creature in its coils.

Standard Action - Cast Ray of Frost. Move action - 20' north.

ROUND 1 - SUMMARY

The party has been ambushed by what appear to be humanoid insects. As large as men, they initially attacked at ranged as they closed and now they have engaged in melee. Dahrani split from the group to divide the enemy and Adaar charged ahead biting and constricting one of the insect men. Kaaras has begun casting a spell as Gadrick draws his weapons and begins to advance. Atajinn launches forward and tries to eliminate the enemy within Adaar’s coils, but his magic ray goes wide.

INTIATIVE

• 23.1 - DAHRANI
• 23 - KAEPORA
• 19.1 - WARRIOR 1
• 19 - WARRIOR 3
• 18.1 - KAARAS
• 18 - ADAAR
• 13 - GADRICK
• 12 - WARRIOR 2
• 5 - ATAJINN

• Adaar - GRAPPLED
• Warrior 3 - GRAPPLED

• ADAAR - 42/42
• ATAJINN - 40/40
• DAHRANI - 57/52
• GADRICK - 30/30
• KAEPORA - 35/35
• KAARAS - 43/35

Dahrani and Kaepora, all yours.

"Foolish, creature. You think you can take me on?"

Dahrani lets out a sharp whistle to signal to Kaepora, then steps to the side and swings both of his swords at the insect man.

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

5-foot step west followed by a full attack. Free action to issue a command to Kaepora.

CAAAWWWWWW!!!!!

Kaepora charges down opposite Dahrani and begins to flap his wings wildly at the creature's head.

Full round action to charge to a flanking position with Dahrani and use the Distract trick.

Dahrani and Kaepora coordinate their attacks and seem to have the lone insect man shaken. Dahrani has drawn blood now and is in a position to press the advantage.

Across the field though, Adaar still has one of the insect men in his coils. The things is severely wounded, but it seems unconcerned about it as it returns the attack.

One of the claws latches on while the second misses. Still, it holds him enough that the stinger drives in hard. Adaar hisses loudly in response, but his troubles may not be over. The second insect man that was closing charges him and tries to drive it's stinger in as well.

The second stinger also drives deep. Adaar hisses more and the pain is obvious.

I need two Fortitude saves from Adaar.

Kaaras and Adaar are up next.

Results will determine course of action

Addar's system fights off the poison's sting.

Kaaras' eyes flare white as he points to the bug man in Adaar's grasp. A bolt of lightning pierces the sky and connects with the insect!

He then motions for Adaar to attack the other bug man!

Adaar drops the charred husk and attacks!

The lightning plunges down at the grappled insect man.

Even though he is grappled he does manage to avoid most of the strike. The electricity burns him though and he drops unconscious.

Adaar strikes out at the second insect man near him and begins to crush him like his companion.

Adaar and Warrior 1 are now grappled.

Gadrick is up.

Keep my spells to my chest for now. Were they stalking us or is this a chance ambush?

Gadrick Steps to his side, twirls the sling staff with ease and sends a bullet off to the nearest bug.

Free Action: Five foot step
Standard Action: Ranged Attack

Move action: Reload Sling Staff

The bullet connects with the insect man and the crack forming along his side burst open more. He fights on still though.

Across the field, the last free insect man presses the attack against Dahrani and Kaepora.

The insect man stings Dahrani, who feels the familiar burning again. Then the insect man reaches out with his claws, first at Dahrani then Kaepora. Dahrani manages to twist out of the way, but Kaepora is not so lucky. The blow isn't hard but Kaepora's screech is clear as he is drawn closer to the insect man, now held firm in it's claws.

Dahrani, please give me a Fortitude check.

Kaepora and Warrior 2 are grappled.

Atajinn, it is your turn.

These bugs are crunchy... which ones were they again?

Knowledge check to identify creatures.

Atajinn continues to move 20' further north past Adaar. He turns back and fires a frosty ray toward the bug in the snake's grasp.

Atajinn darts around Adaar to get a clear line at the insect it the snake's coils. He chants a few short words and again a clear blue light streaks towards his target. This time it hits and were it does the shell becomes covered in ice and grows more brittle.

The insect man in Adaar's coils wobbles a bit but remains conscience. It seems even more drive to try to harm Adaar and it's thrashing become more frantic, if not more potent.

ROUND 2 - SUMMARY

The insect men pressed the attack this round but met heavy opposition from the party. Adaar and Kaaras have left one of them a crushed and burned heap, dying as its shell has been ruptured. The second is not faring much better, especially with both Gadrick and Atajinn lending ranged support to Adaar's coils.

Meanwhile Dahrani and Kaepora are taking on the last of the three enemies. Kaepora dived upon it, distracting it as Dahrani's sword open it up. This one though remained free of restraint, and returned the attack. It has wounded both Dahrani and Kaepora, and it now has Kaepora clutched tight in it's claws.

INTIATIVE

• 23.1 - DAHRANI
• 23 - KAEPORA
• 19.1 - WARRIOR 1
• 19 - WARRIOR 3
• 18.1 - KAARAS
• 18 - ADAAR
• 13 - GADRICK
• 12 - WARRIOR 2
• 5 - ATAJINN

• Adaar - GRAPPLED
• Kaepora - GRAPPLED
• Warrior 1 - GRAPPLED
• Warrior 2 - GRAPPLED & SHAKEN
• Warrior 3 - DYING

• ADAAR - 42/27
• ATAJINN - 40/40
• DAHRANI - 57/49
• GADRICK - 30/30
• KAEPORA - 35/31
• KAARAS - 43/35

Dahrani and Kaepora, your turn.

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Regardless of the save, my intentions do not change, so if I fail the save apply any modifiers accordingly.

With a fierce growl, Dahrani continues his attack upon the insect man.

Full Round Attack Action

"CAW CAW CAAAWWWW!!!!!"

Not being a fan of this "grappled" thing, Kaepora refuses to give in so easily to the insect man and continues to attack him.

Full Round Attack Action

Dahrani and Kaepora team up to attack the lone insect man facing them. They crack and open it's shell but it fights on, maintaining it's hold on Kaepora.

Across the field, the insect man still wrapped in the coils of Adaar seems to be fading. It then jolts awake and drives at the snake with it's stinger in a last effort to wound it's enemy.

The stinger drives deep yet again, and Adaar hisses with the familiar burn. As Adaar thrashes around from the poison, his grappled prey goes limb, his last energy spent in that final blow.

The dying insect man continues to ooze viscera, his body growing more still.

Both Warrior 1 and Warrior are now dying.

Adaar please provide a Fortitude against the poison.

Kaaras and Adaar, it is now your turn.

[spoiler=Fortitude]Fortitude: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Results determine course of action

Adaar shakes himself for a moment as the burning travels along his body.

Karaas lets out an angry snarl as Adaar fights through the poison. He quickly makes his way around the rock to bring the final bug man into view. Thrashing his hand outward, a crack of lightning strikes the insect being!

Adaar's turn dependent on results.

As the bolt of lightning falls, the insect man turns to the side but still takes some of the blow. He shakes slightly but then slumps over, freeing Kaepora from his grasp.

All of them are down. We are remaining in rounds for the moment. What is everyone else doing?

Is Adaar visibly poisoned to me or given the grapple would I have seen enough of the stinger action to reasonably conclude a probability of poisoning based off of that? No familiarity with large snakes, but I presume the snake isn't undead.

Adaar moves to Karaas' side and attempts to fight off the remaining poison.

Gadrick, given that no one has discussed poison directly I would ask for a Knowledge (nature) or simple Intelligence check.

Dahrani checks on Kaepora to make sure he is not seriously injured before returning to the group.

"Those bug men seemed to have a nasty venom. Is everyone ok?"

Atajinn moves up the incline and over to Dahrani. He appears to be looking around for something and mumbles a bit.

I've always wondered about Merope.

"Formians... stingy spiky smelly... where are your friends hiding?"