Vaylen Trade Guild - Couriers with a Difference

Game Master Wolfwaker

On further inspection it would have to be an enormously large bird leaving the prints. You also see marks that could be from a long tail.

Half an hour later....

Shorga is riding point I guess? Who is driving?

You are riding on a poorly maintained trail through dense woods. You hear a rapid whack-whack-whack coming from the beaver's crate.

Shorga's at point, yes.

Shorga looks back over his shoulder at the loud whacks coming from the wagon, "Ish shomeone trying their luck ash a musician back there?"

Having said that, Shorga turns his attention to the woods, thinking their late night visitor might be back.
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 16

I would be the one driving

I sit in the drivers seat managing the carriage while everyone else is inspecting the carnage.

perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Map

Stealth 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Behind a tree you spy a horse-sized scaly green creature, like a small dragon.

Initiative Creature 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

"What in the? There is something behind that tree!" I say pointing with one hand while the other remains on the reigns getting ready to drive.

How fast do I think I can get the carriage to go on these roads, and is anyone going to investigate the beaver crate?

not sure this is going to help but knowledge nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 to work out what it is?

A whisper in your ear. I'll go in for a closer look.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Kn Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Kn Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Kn Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Message, Lvl 0

Kalum identifies the creature as a forest drake, a cruel and cunning dragon but less intelligent than a true dragon. They are able to breathe a cloud of acid.

From behind his tree, the drake spits a ball of acid toward the cavalier. Reflex saves or damage!

A forest drake can, as a standard action, spit a ball of acid that bursts into a cloud on impact. This attack has a range of 60 feet and deals 4d6 points of acid damage (Reflex DC 14 half) to all creatures within the resulting 10-foot-radius spread. The cloud remains for 1d4 rounds once created, acting as a 10-foot-radius obscuring mist (it no longer causes damage), but a strong wind disperses it in a single round.

Round 1
Drake
Icarus
Shorga
Rena
Kalum

Don't worry about posting in order, I'll just let everyone move until the drake's turn again.

Shorga, you are now in a cloud of acid unless you move.
Icarus, how far do you move the team?

Ride DC5 (stay in saddle): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Ride (negate Ursa's damage if possible): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Reflex save Ursa: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Reflex save Shorga: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Whats the damage on that? I assume you'll be rolling it. Can I even roll a negate damage on an AoE attack?

Ride (Mounted Combat): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Shorga ducks from the full force and power of the ball of acid, but is not able to avoid all of the attack, and he and Ursa are hurt. He shouts in pain and anger and spurs Ursa out of the cloud and towards the dragon, lance lowered and blood pounding in his ears.

Attack (Lance Charge): 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

AC16/18 if I was able to charge.

I am guessing you can't negate the damage since it is save-based rather than to-hit, but correct me if I am wrong.

Damage Shorga: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4
Damage Ursa: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8

No charge due to the tree.

The acid explodes in a cloud of mist, obscuring sight in the area. Shorga emerges from the smoke astride Ursa, lance leveled at the dragon but the dragon evades the strike.

Help me out with the rules here. Lance has reach so can attack 2 squares away. So drake, with 10' reach, has no AoO, right?

Yeah ride to negate ruling sounds correct to me... just wasn't positive so I thought I'd try :). As for the Reach issue, I think you're right. Both the dragon and the lance have 10' reach, so Shorga and Ursa wouldn't have to pass through any threatened squares to attack, as I understand it.

Mounted Combat (Combat) - You are adept at guiding your mount through combat.

Benefit: Once per round when your mount is hit in combat, you may attempt a Ride check (as an immediate action) to negate the hit. The hit is negated if your Ride check result is greater than the opponent's attack roll.

The mounted combat feat which allows the ride check to negate damage doesn't say 'how' the mount gets hit in combat, only that it gets hit... So maybe it doesn't matter if it's save-based or not. On the other hand, the whole basis of the Ride check to negate damage focuses on beating an attack roll, so logically only to-hit rolls would make sense.

I was never answered as to how difficult the forest terrain is. If it would be difficult to get away I will dismount and fight. If I think we can run I will try and get the team away. I will hold my move until answers are forth coming.

"OOH! A drake!?! Do you guys think that we could use that as a mount?? I have always though that that would be fun!"

Kalum holds on to the top of the carriage as the dragon rears back
"Watch out! A Drake! It breathes.." he starts, trailing off as Shorga is enclouded "...acid."

Hoping to distract the beast Shorga calls upon the great Outsider - and a fragment of that Outsider answers him.
Casting Spiritual Weapon (Dagger). 130ft. attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Off-road would be half-speed. I don't think you can outrun him unless you have some kind of movement enhancement or can slow him down.

The ghostly dagger slices at the drake. From your distance it is hard to tell if it hits.

Round 1
Drake
Kalum
Shorga
Icarus
Rena

I turn the carriage off the road so that it is between the horses and the drake (I want them to have cover) Then I jump off the driver seat so that I can assist in the fight.

In case you missed it, MAP

Round 1
Drake
Kalum
Shorga
Icarus
Rena

Hustling around the cloud, Rena takes a shot...

Attack, xBow from M8: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Damage, xBow: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Dex for Fumble: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

We haven't been using fumbles (or they haven't come up). That's not a standard rule, right?

Rena's shot is too hasty and ends up high in a tree as the poison cloud dissipates. The drake turns his attention to Shorga, striking out with tooth and tail, but the cavaliers armor withstands the strikes.

bite attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
tail slap 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Round 2
Drake
Icarus
Shorga
Rena
Kalum

Not sure how standard... DM's ask for a DC10 Dex Check to make sure you didn't drop your weapon. Some use a Crit/Fumble Deck - definitely not standard but they like the flavor.

Spiritual Weapon (Dagger). 130ft. attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Kalum carefully takes aim with his Crossbow, then taking care to avoid Shorga he fires.
attack-into melee: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 5 - 4 = 18Not sure about cover? Hoping height and large size of opponent helps. damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

From where I am currently I move forward as stealthily as possible getting the tree to the creatures right between myself and it. Carefully pulling my rope out of my pack as I move.

Stealth 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Kalum's bolt thunks into the drake's side but it seems to not even notice, as it dodges the spectral dagger circling around its head.

Round 2
Drake
Icarus
Kalum
Shorga
Rena

Shorga urges Ursa back into the fray, internally grateful he was balanced enough to ward off the drakes attacks, if he'd charged on his initial attack he's not so sure he'd have been able to do avoid taking damage. He drops his lance, and draws out his falchion, even as he sidles inside the drakes reach by moving Ursa ahead (5' step NE) a few feet. He moves her closer but to the side, so as to allow his companions a clearer shot to the drake. (Trying to avoid giving the drake any cover bonus) Touching Ursa on her shoulder he indicates she should attack as well, then he swings hard with both hands gripping his weapon.

Ride (stay in saddle): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Ride (Mounted Combat): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Attack (Falchion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 222d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4) + 3 = 9
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 232d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 3 = 8
----
Handle Animal DC10 (attack): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Fail!

Shorga's falchion bites deeply into the neck of the drake, which roars in fury as it looks for an opening in the cavalier's defenses.

Rena reloads and snaps off a shot...

Attack, xBow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Rena's bolt embeds in the creature's scaly hide. It hisses then strikes at Shorga with a fury. He deflects the strike with his weapon as it lashes its tail at Ursa.

Power attack vs. Shorga 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Tail whip vs. Ursa. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Confirm crit 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Ride to negate?
With a sudden burst of speed, the creature then turns and flees [Shorga AoO], taking to the air. It circles around toward the horses and carriage before landing again, looking back at the cavalier.

Round 3
Drake
Icarus
Kalum
Shorga
Rena

MAP at https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1EZH5ghKcoJGD8iboIpeWFdmeJXDomwDUPA-eJXq DdH0/edit?usp=sharing

Ride (negate damage): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 fail

AoO (Falchion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 Damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4) + 3 = 10

MAP at https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1EZH5ghKcoJGD8iboIpeWFdmeJXDomwDUPA-eJXq DdH0/edit?usp=sharing

Link does not work for me

I begin stealthily making my way toward the drake again. Rope in hand

Stealth 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Round 3
Shorga, seeing where the drake landed, takes stock of himself and the others, his blood cooling a little. He turns to the drake, "Noble creature, we've no wish to kill you, but you must cease fighting and flee this region, never to return or we have no choice but to eliminate you ourselves. Flee or be destroyed." Challenge/Sworn Defense - Swift Action. Drake is challenged/Icarus under Sworn Defense (Icarus +1 to AC till Drake is defeated)

He waits with sword at his side, Ursa's muscles quivering underneath him. Although his orcish instincts scream at him to charge, attack, kill, he holds himself and his mount steady. Taking total defense for AC+4

Active Effects: Challenge - Drake. Sworn Defense - Icarus.
AC: 21, Ursa 21. HP: 28, Ursa 9

Drawing another missile, Rena reloads... Shifting her stance.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

That other link had a space in the address that was messing it up.

MAP

The drake looks at Shorga for a moment but does not respond.

Kalum?

Sorry guys
Kalum reloads.

Just curious but did I get the drake with my Round 3 AoO?

Shorga: Yes, that should have been a hit. Will update later.

The drake seems to realize that the party is not easy prey, and retreats into the woods with a birdlike cry.

Posting this so this will show up as active again.

As you regroup from the encounter, another raven flies up and lands on the carriage. It carries a small scroll with a message from Agatha and a talisman made from a small hoop adorned with feathers.

I fear Lissendra has been enchanted by a warloghe. Please help. This talisman will provide some slight protection to you and your horses, but be wary.

Kn. Religion/Local/Arcana

"That was AWESOME! Yeah, you better run you big coward!"

"Hey - there's a bird on the carriage. 'Nother familiar, you think?"

"I fear that I shall never learn if a drake can be made into a passable mount." I let out a large sigh and put away my rope.

Knowledge(Spellcraft) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Knowledge(Arcana) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Knowledge(Religion) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

I then gaily regale the group with an old scary story I once heard about a Warloghe, as well as inform them the use of the talisman that we have been given.

Anyone can read the spoilers I have passed on that information to everyone

Kalum shivers "That sounds awful. Those evil spirits sound really hard to deal with! We should all stay near that Talisman."

Where do you want to put the talisman?"

The group gets a quick night's rest and heals up before arriving at the destination the next morning. You can decide what time of day you want to arrive. Let's try something a little different....here is a map.

MAP

and everyone give me Perception as we approach.

If okay, Kalum heals everyone that night with channels before sleeping under the stars.
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
I vote for arrive during the day, and the talisman attached to the front of the carriage to protect the horses, and with someone basically sitting on it to protect it from attack.

perception (using cunning knowledge for +3) 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 3 = 26

While preparing.
"I would be willing to drive for our... eh, event."

if no one else objects I will drive, with my bow in easy reach while we approach our next destination.

I have no problem with Kalum's suggestion for the talisman.

No problem, all healed up.

The party camps and then rises early to get on the road. It is a narrow path deep in a mixed forest. You are looking for your destination when you see a large treehouse some a hundred feet ahead and thirty feet up, with a series of wooden ramps leading up to it. Icarus is at the reins when the horses start to dance and rear as if they sense something.

??? stealth: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
Perception Rena: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Icarus, drive check, and Shorga, ride check.

Drive 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

The horses pulling the carriage suddenly bolt out of control.

One more drive check, DC 20 to stop or 15 to swerve and avoid a collision with a tree. (Is there a skill chart for driving somewhere?)

Something black and feline pounces from the bushes, springing at Ursa. Something is not right about it. For one, large patches of skin are missing. It also has flies buzzing around it. And it's movements are jerkier than they should be.

Surprise round is the move, then full attack to start round.

It bites at Ursa (ride check to negate) and swipes at the cavalier with two claws.
bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (5) + 3 = 14

claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
claw: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

While this is going on, you hear chanting in a low female voice coming from a thin figure in dark robes on the upper level of the treehouse. She completes one spell as the panther appears, and quickly begins another. A mass of bones rises up from the ground and assembles itself into a humanoid skeleton. Meanwhile, Icarus is trying to get control of the wagon to keep from colliding with a tree.

MAP

SIDE VIEW

Well, that took a while but I think it will be fun.

Drive 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Well s@$!

I watch the panther jump out with rapt interest and as the witch person starts chanting I try and figure out what she says, causing me to drive straight into the tree...

Spellcraft 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Strange... never say any "dots". Just caught on from discussion thread... need to catch up!