After the wake of the fallen of the Dragon Overlords, the humanoid races have regain control of their fate in a land full of changes.
The Elves and Kenders are probably the ones that suffer the most. The Minotaurs have begun their march unto the continent by overrunning Silvanost, and after the death of the green Dragon Overlord Beryllinthranox (a fight that destroid the city of Qualinost) the Qualinesti forest was taken by evil humans (northern Qualinesti) and by a surprisingly organized goblin army (southern Qualinesti). As so, the once proud major Elven races now face exile and are divided between join forces and reconquer their homelands now (a difficult task since they cannot come to an agreement on what territory they would attack first) or bide their time and strength before an attack. In the end, most elves are just trying to survive homeless in foreign lands.
The once beautiful kingdom of Goodlund, homeland of the kender race, have been utterly destroyed by the mighty red dragon Overlord Malystryx. The luxurious forest the kender called home is now known as the Devastation, as is it now a scorch land full of volcanoes. The confrontation of the kender with the terror, in the guise of a dragon, Malystryx, have brought changes to many of the kender as they lost their childish playful demeanor as they now know the feeling of fear.
The renowned blue dragon Khellendros learnt of magical items in Palanthas, that might enable him to once again open a portal into the Gray to search for Kitiara's soul, and he conquered Palanthas to find these items. The Blue Wing took control of northern Solamnia and after her demise, the evil Knights of Neraka (former Knights of Takhisis) have taken control of this region. In Southern Solamnia, Solhantus, the traditional capital city of Solamnia was the focal point of resistance to Khellendros and continues to be the capital of the Solamnia nation and the center of resistance against the Knights of Neraka expantion to south. To east, stands the solamnic region of Nightlund, former Knightlund homeland of the infamous Lord Soth. Now that the ominous gloom that hovered the region has disappeared, the sun shines again and the land has once more become fertile. Despite the fact that Soth’s legend still makes many speak of him in whispers, many desperate people looking for an opportunity have come to Nightlund to try their luck.
It is in this turbulent moments of Ansalon’s history that we find a group of adventurers escorting a wagon of exotic wood to the mining little town of Arwyllhaven. The town is located in the eastern region of southern Solamnia bording with Nightlund to the northeast, northern Solamnia to northwest and the goblinoid nation of Throtl to the southeast. It’s the proximity of Throtl that makes an armed escort needed since goblinoid war parties and even, although uncommon Ogre parties, from Thortl attack caravans in this region.
Well, isn't this a fine morning for travelling!
Hasdir, as usual, is in a good mood and rides his horse on the front of the caravan.
His clothes are a bit too urban to be in this wilderness but are well kept and his shinning armor is barely visible beneath them.
The qualinesti smiles and spreads his arms as if trying to absorb the morning sun ignoring everybody around him.
But his relaxed attitude doesn't distract him and his keen mind is always at work, analysing the details around them looking for any kind of danger
So far so good. Let's just get to Arwyllhaven.
Taeral, is always wondering if there's something he could pick up to use for one of his enchantments.
So during the trip, it's not uncommon for him to look at a plant or another.
But, given the region we are in, I'm paying special attention to our road and the surroundings. Leaving all exploring for when we set up camp.
Always in a rush huh Taeral?
Well, I say life doesn't get much better than this. Take as long as you like wagon driver my good man. What's your name?
I just lay back and enjoy the ride while I can. Things are bound to change at some point, but for now the open road, birdsong and sunshine are all I care about.
From atop his mount, Telurion smiled at his companion's banter - he shared in their good mood as the day was clear and bright.
The paladin kept watchful however - the region was said to be staging ground for attacks from goblins and ogres hailing out of Throtl, else why would the caravans need four guards?
His hand went to the horned holy symbol at his chest, which marked him as a champion of Kiri-Jolith - "Remember to stay alert friends" - he pointed out.
You’ve been on the road for some days now. It all has been calm. the highlight of your journey has been when two or three times a day you encounter a small group of solamnic families going to try their chance in Nightlund. Jared, the leader of your little expedition, always exchange some words with them. To families with children he even offers them some dry meat, old bread and sometimes even some cheese. Poor little fella. Times have been hard for us all but the fortunate like me, with something to share, should do their part to help those less fortunate. Who knows what expect them on these roads and if they can find some solace where they going. Paladine be merciful on their souls, where ever He would be these days...
One afternoon, around the end of a week of traveling, some of you were walking with your thoughts when you all notice the clang of metal on metal and the shrill whinnies of frightened horses can be heard from up ahead. As the dusty road curves around the hills, a scene of battle comes into view some hundred feet away. Panicked horses bolt past, and corpses litter the ground around the road—some are recognizable as human guards or fallen horses, but others are twisted, winged, horned monstrosities with fiendish features. All of the combatants have fallen, except for two of the flying yellow monsters attacking a lone, wounded half-orc woman wielding a bow.
how far away from us (and me in particular) are they?
"Cowardly rabble" - Telurion roars, getting ready to move on the attackers.
I dismount (if I was mounted, not sure) and draw my bow, taking nearby cover if available.
Hasdir tries to identify the creatures
Recongnizing them or not he galops forward
Hey there, what's going on here? Let's all calm down before we're forced to choose a side and end this ourselves
Hmm ... Are those the last 3 or could there be more unseen by me?
The distance is too great for me to engage properly ...
I look around to be sure that we will not be surprised...
talking to Krank: Do you see anyone else that may attack us?
What are we facing?
"twisted, winged, horned monstrosities with fiendish features" ... "flying yellow monsters" ...
What are we facing Krank, what do you think? (Krank is my raven)
.
(knowledge dungeon, planes, nature use this values. If I can use knowledge arcana then, it's +3)
Then I talk to Jared:
Jared, approach slowly I don't want our forces divided and right now
Hasdir is to far away either we join him or we protect the wagon properly
I draw my net and stay with the wagon.
Check this link if you want to see a picture of the creatures https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sYemLHHEZiOWV53ghUk2rzFQQwdvBf9x
You don’t see anyone else
In the surprise round Kyrill and Hasdir run to the creatures and the others stayed behind. The creatures turned to you.
iniciatives everyone one, and what is it that you want to do?
Yes, you are right. Only Hasdir moved ahead.
For those looking around, you don’t see anyone else. Just the two flying creatures, now turning to you, a wounded Haf-Ogre women and Hasdir galloping (running?) toward the creatures.
I asked the driver to advance ... not sure about our range ...
Regarding my actions will depend on what happens until I move ... although depending on the range I may only move ...
I want to move towards the creatures but stay behind cover.
Hasdir, the creatures do something like facing you and snarl. You were around 100 ft in a direct line to the creatures which is 125 feet if you follow the road, but you can go in a straight line if you want.
Iniciatives: Telurion 20 > Taeral 12 > Kiryll 10 – Hasdir?
Hasdir slows down, hand on his sword but continues his advance
Do you understand me? We mean you no harm
Hasdir you act before the creatures. When you speak, you see no changes on their antagonist attitude. Will you act or wait for their turn?
Same question for the rest: those who act before the creatures, will you wait for their turn to decide what to do or you want to do something?
I say to the driver: keep approaching, stay around 60 feets behind them
I wish to get close since they are at 125 feet I'll move up to 100 feet but I'll keep myself behind the others.
Taeral, you are already at 100 ft in a straight line. Hasdir is around 20 ft (I assumed you made the surprise round galloping and that’s where you stop…), Telurion is around 60 ft and Kyrill is around 80 ft behind a bush.
Taeral, it’s your turn. You want to wait for the creatures (they don’t seem to be impressed by Hasdir) or act now?
I meant I would move 100 feet so I would be at 25 feet from the bad guys.
But I want to let the others be between myself and the bad guys so I may move less.
Hasdir manages to avoid the creature vicious attacks.
Hasdir and Telurion who are closer to the creatures notice that they are already wounded.
One of the creatures disappears and appears flying behind Taeral.
The other flies to Hasdir and attacks with its claws.
Telurion comes riding to the rescue of his companion - "Taeral! Be careful my friend!"
Kyrill shoots at the other creature, which moves towards Hasdir.
Two shots:
Fighting it is Hasdir says with a smile
I'm assuming Telurion will engage in combat with the creature before I act then I cast acid splash.
(assuming -4 because they are in melee)
Taeral, you’re casting a spell in melee range so you take an attack of opportunity.
Taeral you must make a concentration check DC=16 or loose the spell.
Taeral’s turn.
The creature attaking Taeral avoids Telurion's attack.
Kyrill hits one arrow but it seems to have no effect in the tough skin of the creature.
Hasdir you hit one attack but the wound in the creature is much smaller than you would expect for your attack.
The concentration DC is 15+double spell level, this a level 0 spell, it means that the DC is 15?
I completely forgot about this, if possible after casting I'll move 5 feet away from the creature.
(I would have done it before casting if I had remembered it...)
Taeral conjures acid on the creature face but… it seems unaffected by it.
You can take a 5-foot step before, during, or after your other actions in the round.
You can only take a 5-foot-step if your movement isn’t hampered by difficult terrain or darkness. Any creature with a speed of 5 feet or less can’t take a 5-foot step, since moving even 5 feet requires a move action for such a slow creature.
You may not take a 5-foot step using a form of movement for which you do not have a listed speed.
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/combat/#TOC-Miscellaneous-Actions
Gracias Taeral!
The Gaav attaking Hasdir manages to slash a vicious blow with its right claw, but the nimble warrior avoids the second attack.
The Gaav attaking Taeral desapears only to appear next to the other one attaking Hasdir
As you follow the Gaav teleport (Taeral & Telurion) or you're fighting the other Gaav (Hasdir & Kyrill) you see an arrow striking one of the Gaavs on its back. Beyond the creatures you see the half-ogre women leaning on a rock on the hillside holding her bow but staggering and kneeling like if the effort to fire the bow was more then she could bare.
Hmm... this will not be an easy fight
Hasdir decides to use one of his concoctions to help him on this fight
Attention guys, these creatures are though, let's concentrate our attack on one at a time and use magic if we can
Reduce person: +2 Dex, -2 Str, +1 AC, +1 to hit
Turning his steed around, Telurion urges it to move toward their foes, again guiding the horse with but his legs.
"Avast foul creatures! The time of repentance is nigh!"
As in a bard song of great heroes, Telurion is quick on his wits and changes his steed movement - only with his legs - towards his foes and with a mighty thrust hits the same Gaav that Hasdir had previously wounded.
Although you made a nasty wound on the already wounded Gaav you have the feeling that your sword should have gone deeper than it did…