The noble warden heads lies now in the dirt, the sergeant, was killed without mercy. But that was not enough for you. Only killing ‘almost every’ guard was not enough. Fear had already gripped the guards heart, the rest was not a battle, but a slaughter. And even killing everyone was not enough, in fire they marked all of you. Let then the fire mark your escape. Let it then be the fast messenger telling everyone that the light had failed, that Mitra chosen could do nothing but die by the hands of the forsaken. And that night, Branderscar was the light through the night.
You did it. First one in history to escape Brandescar. Not only you escaped, but you also Butchered every guard and servant.
You are now in the moors. It's night, the Prison burns in the distance. No other sound can be heard. From the near city, you hear nothing. The good folk is to afraid to leave in the night, even now that the prison is burning. The map you got from the warden, is a really good one, it'll take about one hour to get where you want. But light may be a problem.
"So un's here we are. Grumblejack have seen you fight. You are demon possessed, never saw a un' fight like that. What it will be now? Grumblejack helped you to escape. Is Grumblejack free to go?" says the ogre, gripping the club in one hand, but doing no mention of using it.
Come with us big fella - you are useful in a fight and I'd say you'd have a better chance of evading the headsman with us than on your own.
Eldred looks up to the stars, trying to remember half forgotten dogrel about direction and comparing it to the map from the wardens office.
I am pretty sure we need to... go... that way, he says pointing towards a point where the marsh meets the river.
Johan takes out the ioun torch he took from the warden and sends it spinning about his head, lighting the way for the rest.
The moors outside of Varyston are far from hospitable. These dark, brackish salt marshes team with mosquitos and other buzzing pests. The ever present shallow brine pools and streams will make tracking you difficult.
"Need to be careful in the moors, lots of tricky paths, lots of tricky mosters.Keep Your eyes opens and your ears clean." Says the ogre.
You travel the moors, the pace is a slow one, but the map is accurate and there's no risk of getting lose.
Perception:
You should not take long now, but even with Grumblejack warning, you were not able to see something that was hunting you in the moors.
1-Damien
2-Eldred
3-Johan
4-Malgrim
The swamps explode like a small bomb had just detonated there, a large and hideous frog, jumps in the party and atk the Malgrim.
The giant frog was able to bite Malgrim and he is still in the frog mouth.
Initiative:
Round 1-
Ordered Initiative-
Eldred:= 25
Grumblejack:= 19
Frog:= 18
Johan:= 17
Malgrin:= 16
Damien:= 14
Active Effects-
Malgrim Grappled.
Map-
Notes-
Action-
After Eldred post, I'll do the Grumble and the Frog, then you can all post again.
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His bow at the ready, Eldred closes to with 30 feet (if not there already) or takes a 5ft step back if too close and shoots the creature, cursing about the need to not hit Mal as he does so...
Tired and worn out from working so much magic over the escape and conscious that the frog doesn't think at a high enough level to be affected by his dazing magics, he does the only thing he can to assist the part: Damien moves back, putting a good thirty feet between him and the frog, (or whatever distance a move through difficult terrain can), and stares down the frog, attempting to scare the amphibian.
"No! It's Lashtongue! Don't let it flee, he will eat the ugly one!" yell the ogre. Running to the frog and trying to grapple him.
The frog, will after getting grappled by the ogre, will try to swallow Malgrim.
x DC 16
He ate the hobgoblim, but was not able to flee since Grumblejack is holding him.
"Oh boy, this doesn't look good."
Frog will x DC 16
Rrragh!
Johan drops his shield in the muck and runs forward with a guttural yell, trying to bash in the frog's skull before Malgrim is gone forever.
Eldred and Johan miss his atk, Damien hex did not work. After all that amazing skill killing the fort, have our villains found in a frog their match?
Round 2-
Ordered Initiative-
Eldred:= 25
Grumblejack:= 19
Frog:= 18
Johan:= 17
Malgrin:= 16
Damien:= 14
Active Effects-
Grumblejack is grappling the frog. (-4 dex both)
Map-
Notes-
Action-
Eldred, Johan and Damien post your actions.
Argh, Fast kill it! says the ogre.
Grumblejack will attempt to pin it down.
x DC 16(+5bonus since he is holding him since last turn.)
The frog will in his turn, try to escape:
x DC 23
Malgrim dmg
When the frog doesn't seem too affected by his trickery, Damien decides there's only one logical course of action: Try harder.
Bursting into frightening laughter, Damien keeps staring.
[ooc]Frog's Oenalties: -2 to AC, 2 rounds remain, or 9 if the frog fails its save.
Frog will x DC 16
His first blow glances off the frog's blubbery hide so Johan redoubles his efforts. His mind was still conflicted about calling a hobgoblin an ally, but he was damned if he'd let a comrade in arms be devoured by an oversized frog, even if that comrade was as ugly as Malgrim.
Wispering viperish recriminations against the frog and every other gods poxed mutant creature, he moves so that his shot is not blocked by the cover the flog may gain from his companions and tries another shot.
Attack
Damage
Ha! Take that you slimy piece of ****, he howls as the arrow strikes, skidding along its shoulder. The arrow does not strike square but it does open a wound.
Grublejack has the frog pinned down, and the monster was not able to escape. Johan miss his atk, Eldred arrow hit the target, and Damien hex works this time. Poor Malgrim is still alive... for now.
Round 3-
Ordered Initiative-
Eldred:= 25
Grumblejack:= 19
Frog:= 18
Johan:= 17
Malgrin:= 16
Damien:= 14
Active Effects-
The frog is pinned down.
Map-
Notes-
Action-
Eldred, Johan and Damien post your actions.
What are you doing, There's no problem to let the ugly one dies? Shoult the ogre.
Grumblejack will try to mantain his hold, and inflict damage while doing it.
x DC 16
The frog will in his turn try to flee.
x DC 23
The frog will then move, causing a AoO from Johan and Grumblejack
Eldred drops his bow and moves, drawing his sword, grinning.
Now you are f%~~ed!, he hisses.
He swings with both hands on the hilt.
AoO if my first attack misses Johan misses his AoO...
After some instants, Eldred decide to no use his bow anymore and run with his sword in hand. The frog, already pinned, was not able to evate the powerful blow. Grumblejack used this oportunity to crush the frog head with this bare hands, and just after that, forcing the frog mouth open and removing an almost dead Malgrim from it's inside.
Fire eye's un, do your magik trik again, or he and fix him! says the ogre.
x DC 14
The ogre seens a little dizzy, but he is fine.
The Frog slumps to the ground and Johan and Eldred pry open itso mouth and haul Malgrim out. They wipe away mucous, bile and other viscous fluids as they search for the healing potion the hobgoblin had acquired from Blackerly's office and pour it down his throat.
As Malgrim rouses from the edge of death, Johan hurls the empty potion bottle into the swamp in frustration. He retrieves his shield then takes a running start and kicks the bloated carcass. Bah! We burn down the most notorious prison in the land and then almost become lunch for some dumb beast!
He pauses in his tirade, an idea forming. He turns to Grumblejack. You said this thing would have run off if we let it. That means it has a lair nearby? We can track it, kill its young, take some revenge, teach nature itself not to @@#$ with us!.
Not entirely rational, Johan begins searching the area for frog prints.
"Hah, that was a close one." Damien chuckles. "I'd hate to be in his place."
Barely concious, the tough Hobgoblin staggered back to his feet, just about able to move on his own power. Part-digested, his brutally scarred skin had an unhealthy shade of guts and bile to it.
I'd rather get to somewhere my wounds can heal, Human... he put in quietly, weakly.
You are talking my language Johan, vengence, he tries to aid the angry man in his tracking endeavors but unskilled as he is, his help is of dubious assistance.
Survival (Untrained) to aid another
On hearing Malgrims response he grins flippantly and tosses him his own potion of cure light wounds.
Try another belt of the good stuff.
Aye... You have my gratitude.
[ooc]Well, at least we all can roll high for healing potions[ooc]
The same way the moors covers your track, it also covers the frog's. It's really difficult to know where the track is leading, and you can't really know if that is a track at all...
"What you doing fire eyes un'? Can you walk here without a map? Grumblejack already spent days lost in the moors. Follow Lashtongue for petty revenge is pointless."
"Yeah, we need to find a place to hide out for a while. I don't know about you guys, but I'm drained, and I've got a little someone I need to find if I want to be useful again. Speaking of which..."
Again, Damien gives a loud whistle.
Lets look at this map for a decent camp site and get out head down, Eldred says after some time searching.
He'll help set up the site.
Hmph, now the ogre is the voice of reason. I gotta pull it together. Johan scolds himself for losing his temper.
At hearing the others talk of setting up camp, he consults the map again to see just how much farther their destination is. Spending the night sleeping in the cold muck is not appealing to him.
As you prepare to leave the place, you hear a weasel call. A little one observe you from a distance. Damien recognizes the little rascal. But before any of you has the chance to get closer, he will run away, going in the same direction you were trying to go. He will lead you through the moors, and for the rest of the night, nothing will get in your way.
After escaping the prison, surviving the monstrous Lashtongue and crossing the moors , finding the house on the Old Moor Road pales beside your other accomplishments. As promised, a lonely lantern burns in the upper story. The place otherwise shows little sign of habitation. Old but well-appointed, the house is large, imposing and alone on its hill. Painted a dark green and surrounded by barbed wrought iron fencing, nothing about this place seems inviting or a sanctuary. Still, it is your destination. Where will you go if not here? You have an appointment to keep. Best not to keep your nameless benefactor waiting…
At the door of the manor house, you are met by Tiadora. The only difference is her dress. She no longer looks like she is destined for a funeral. Instead she wears a diaphanous white gown that makes her look almost angelic. When she speaks, any illusions about her angelic character are quickly dispelled.
“Dearest, you took long enough,” she says pitilessly. “We were beginning to wonder if you’d ever make it. Oh, and you brought friends. The master commands all of you to appear before him but before that, you must be made presentable. Slaves!” She claps her hands. A dozen young attractive men and women all wearing very traditional servant’s livery appear quickly, their heads bowed. “These people are our guests,” she commands imperiously. “See them to their rooms. I want them cleaned, dressed and refreshed. Quickly.” There is something in that last word that sounds like a threat. Certainly the slaves take it that way, hustling to perform their duties.
The slaves are as addled and enchanted as the sergeant was.
You are led up to your rooms. The accommodations are comfortable and the slaves are silent and efficient. There are fresh clothes perfectly sized to each of you in your room and there is opportunity to wash up. If anyone mentions being hurt, their attendant will nod and come back with decanter full of velvety red wine. The wine is mixed with healing herbs and holds six glasses of wine each equivalent to a potion of cure light wounds. Each of you also receives a platter full of hot, delicious food and fresh water.
Eldred grins as the woman makes the fuss for him.
This is more like it!, he thinks. Servants and some one to make them dance to my tune.
He more or less ignores the others as they head to their rooms and who knows what fate. He is content merely to be fussed over. He bathes, eats and drinks well, including the wine and then asks for the servants to provide a female servant for 'entertainment' before his next meeting.
Eldred, the servant will nod and leave the room. Some minutes later, she will be back, still looking down, she will says "The mistress say if you already finished your preparation, you should go see the Master. I can lead you to where you should wait your companions."
It seems like business before pleasure... mores the pity, he grumbles.
He does a set of push ups and then a set of jack knife exercises, limbering up his already tired muscles and getting the blood flowing, then dresses.
He leaves off the mail shirt but he does make a point of wearing the longsword.
Ready, he leaves the room in tow of the servant.