The other bugbear makes his way into the camp, and as soon as he gets there begins barking order at the two, who were already embroiled with each other, throwing puches and bites - he moves toward them as if he was going to pummel them both where they stand, but then stops short - growling a final "Grazog, HREM!" he points at the fallen lumberjack.
The two look at each other, and move toward the man.
Here is the crude MAP, so we have an idea of what we are talking about.
I need to know where everyone else is placed - I think the closest one was Lokeemon, at least 30' away? Or more?
Once I know if you all can see the map, and where you want to be placed, I'll make another post before you get to act ;)
I still need the position for Saktar, but I have updated the map with a possible position for him, and added a link to it just below my name (called 'Current Map') for ease of reference.
Rule: If some but not all of the combatants are aware of their opponents, a surprise round happens before regular rounds begin. In initiative order (highest to lowest), combatants who started the battle aware of their opponents each take a standard or move action during the surprise round. You can also take free actions during the surprise round. If no one or everyone is surprised, no surprise round occurs.
That being said:
Tsin Tao signals his companions and vanishes, rushing forward to put himself between the bnugbears and the fallen man. At his signal, the others push forward too through the woods. Unfortunately Lokeemon steps over a dry branch, producing a loud CRACK that echoes through the immediate area.
One of the bugbears (the one highlighted in black) turns in the general direction of the three companions, even as the ninja slips past him - "Huh?" - he mutters, staring into the surrounding trees.
Another of the bugbears (the one highlighted in Green) also takes a single step towards the trio, and stands there watching - "Gramazandar?" - he questions in a language you do not understand.
By the way guys, when you next post, put an OOC note with what languages you spek, or do you all have them on your profiles?
The last bugbear (highlighted in Orange) simply shrugs, and with a chuckle proceeds toward the fallen man, stepping next to Tsin Tao.
Last Note: Since you all waited for Tsin Tao's 'go ahead' you will all act after him in Initiative order, so no need to roll this time - I already rolled for him :D
Orange: Took 11 damage
Green: Took 0 damage
Black: Took 22+1 damage
1d20 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) - 5 + 1 = 8
--Surprise Round--
All of a sudden, hell breaks loose - Tsin Tao slashes his weapon across the bugbear's neck, but unfortunately not as hard as he would like, and he is left facing a dumbfounded creature, growling at him, and going for his own weapon.
Both Lokeemon and Duncan dash forward as fast as they can, but really do not get as close as they expected.
From amidst the darkness of the woods however, four rays of pure energy stream out to hit the lead bugbear with brutal force, exploding his chest cavity, and leaving a smoking hole in its place - the creature crumbles down like a rag doll.
---------------
--Round 1--
The creatures are much faster in reacting than what could ever be expected, and without any other opponents in sight, they immediately turn on the ninja who materialized from thin air, roaring and spitting unintelligible curses.
In spite of their advantageous flanking position, only one of the creatures is able to hit the ninja - it is a single blow from the spiked morningstar, but a strong one which leaves the half-orc reeling.
Ora ptantos:
- I have moved Lokeemon and Duncan as far as they were allowed in the Surprise Round;
- Tsin Tao takes 6 points of damage (please keep your hit points up to date everyone);
- Tsin Tao is next to act;
- Then everyone else can go in any order (effectively all at once);
- GO!
Duncan, I had you run just before reaching the square threatened by the bugbear, or you would eat an AoO, I think.
Secret:
Orange: Took 11 damage
Green: Took 13 damage
Black: Took 22+1+1 damage
1d20 - 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) - 6 + 1 = 0
The bugbears roar and howl as Lokeemon and Duncan come out of the woods to bear down on them. The one attacked by the warpriest shifts his own position, spitting blood and curses at the tiefling, but retreating away from him, and continuing his assault on the injured ninja.
Likewise, the second bugbear whirls around also to attack Tsin Tao from another direction.
Orange:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
But his aim is poor and flies wide off the mark, the agile half-orc avoiding the strike.
So:
- Tsin Tao takes another 7 points of damage for a total of 13 (please keep your hit points up to date everyone);
- Tsin Tao is next to act;
- Then everyone else can go in any order (effectively all at once);
- Map updated! GO!
In desperation, Tsin Tao does his best to defend himself against the surprisingly fierce bugbears relentlessly assaulting him.
Lokeemon grabs the opportunity to press forward, and with a mighty swing from his greatsword, takes down one of the creatures.
In a display of wisdom, Duncan approaches the wounded ninja, and bestows the healing power of the Father of Creation on his companion, relieving some of his wounds.
Seeing everything suddenly turn sour, the last remaining bugbear turns tail, and bolts in the direction of the woods.
So:
- Tsin Tao regains 5 hit points and now has only 8 points of damage taken;
- Tsin Tao is next to act;
- Then everyone else can go in any order (effectively all at once);
- Map updated! GO!
- Additional note: You can/should add the relevant information for your characters (like AC, hp, Saves, Initiative and Perception at least) on your header (if you go to your character profile, click on 'edit my profile'), and add the info on the classes/levels field, it will show where the 'Current Map' is showing, right below the name of the character)
Tsin Tao, you find nothing particularly interesting in the man, apart from the fact that his faced seems to have been smashed in.
You drag all the bugbears to the middle of the clearing.
You find:
3x morningstars
3x javelins
3x hide armors
a length of rope
a bag with a dessiccated ferret which smells awful
a bag with some dried, unidentified food
2x daggers
7 gold pieces
Male Half-Orc Ninja 3 - HP 13/18; Ki 1/3; Init. +6; Percep. +6 (+7 for traps) (-2 Wisdom)
I don't know. Maybe we should go back and check out the trap door at the orphanage, or keep following the other track we were on.
I have no idea which of the three tracks leads to the missing kids, but we're getting further away from the orphanage. I say we go back and check the trap door. If we don't find anything there we can follow these tracks to our heart's content. What do you say?
The trapdoor is the only option that does not takes us further away I also vote for that one.
I just want to leave some signs to be easier to start following the tracks if we decide to come back.
I'll search for the tracks of these guys and leave some obvious signs on the direction they are following.
Afterwards if/when we go back I want to make the tracks we followed from the tent more obvious as well as the direction they were going.
We can take the gold, bag and the weapons the armour I don't know if we can carry.
Male Human Arcanist 3 - HP:13/23; Available spells: 0/5; Init +5, Perception +3; Arc.Res:3/6 Loot list
I still think we’re wasting our time on the trapdoor, what’s the hurry? It hasn’t seen any use for a while, it will still be here tomorrow and the day after that. The tracks we’re following won’t.
We should keep following the tracks coming from the trapdoor, we’re here looking for the kids not exploring dusty dungeons.
Saktar knew he’d raised his voice a little too much, but he just shrugged But of course, I’ll go with whatever the majority decides
Male Half-Orc Ninja 3 - HP 13/18; Ki 1/3; Init. +6; Percep. +6 (+7 for traps) (-2 Wisdom)
I don't think the kids or anyone else have gone in through that trapdoor in a while. But they could have gone in through some other entrance we didn't find.
Following the tracks from the camp is just as flimsy I think. It's not likely it was the kids who were camping there either.
I think we're just stuck as far as the kids go.
Which way is the most likely to get us unstuck?
OK, let's follow the tracks that came from the tent. I still want to leave some signs to be easier to start following the tracks from these guys if we decide to come back.
