I agree...some rest may be a good idea...those we track will need to rest as well.
Myvannuii looks to the east and cranes her neck as she peers into the sky to search for the first evening stars. Turning to the group, she says, "I have prepared a cantrip that provides light, should any desire it, but I would also suggest that we rest soon. Our quarry has quite a start on us, and I doubt that I, for one, could continue for more than another hour or two this night before exhausting myself."
She examines the darkening sky once more as she continues, "As Daegan says, light is a distinguished messenger, swift and forceful - I do not relish the prospect of being spotted and forcing a confrontation when wearied. If we dare hope that those we follow may be or have been travelling slower than ourselves, we may hope to come up with them with an early start."
The party finds a hillock and begins setting up camp before the sun sets. They decide not to create a fire, lest it warn the kidnappers, but the evening is warm. The adventurers take turns keeping watch, but aside from a few animals (who keep a wary distance) they see nothing during the night.
At dawn they get prepared to move out again.
Have fun. We'll camp till then.
What the man said - have fun!
The band of adventurers awaken at dawn and continue their trek across the plain. The trail continues for over an hour when Gjoren suddenly raises his hand and frantically waves.
"Get down! See, off there in the distance -- I'll wager those brutes are the ones we've been tracking."
Everyone drops down and peers in the direction he indicates. Soon they see what he's talking about: four large brutish figures in the distance.
"Too large to be men, I think," Gjoren opines.
The figures are about 500 feet distant.
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Sword drawn, Daegan crouches down near Gjoren. "Do we see any signs of the children?" he asks, scaning the distant travelers. "Could we have somehow gotten our paths crossed with others, and be following the wrong group of ner'do-wells? The safety and well being of the children must come first to defeating random ruffians."
None of you see any children, although they could be hidden in the tall grass and it's still a long way off.
Still present and awaiting my fellows.
"I say we approach those figures in the distance - but with caution. If any of us can sneak and scout without them being aware of us - that would be best. They could be innocents who perhaps may have seen the children in their travels or...<shrugs>."
"Well, if there will be any sneaking, best if I stay back here. I may be ok with words, and good with weapons, but subtlety is something I still need to learn." Bron says as he observes the group in the distance.
Rolling onto one elbow, Myvannuii draws her bow from over her shoulder, hoping as she does so that her movements are not too obvious from a distance. She replies softly to Stone's suggestion, "I agree that it would be wise to approach as near as we may while we remain undetected. Hopefully, if we get closer under cover, we will be able to see if these people have carried off the children and retain the benefit of surprise should it become necessary."
Looking the group over, she adds, "I am unhampered by armour, but I have concentrated my energies on other skills than stealth or swordplay; I would prefer not to advance alone closer than a bowshot, which would give me time to defend myself if their intentions prove ill. If anyone spots something amiss, I'll loose a shaft as quick as I can to draw them off."
"Very well, " Stone says with a thin smile. "I have some ablity in moving quietly. Unless our friend the tracker has greater skill than I...I will move as quietly as I can to see if I can learn anything."
He turns to the elf and arches an eyebrow as he speaks in mock seriousness. "Please do no think less of me if you see me fleeing. And please do not pause to let fly some of those magic arrows of yours at those chasing me. I assure you - I am very diplomatic. Anyone chasing me deserves your fury."
Stone creeps forward carefully; the four figures are in fact walking towards the party as well. As he gets within 200 feet, he recognizes the humanoids as bugbears -- big ugly cousins to goblins. There is neither hide nor hair of children, however.
Stone sneaks to within 200 feet and spots the bugbears, he sneaks back to the party as quietly as he can...
"My friends - those shapes are bugbears. I recognized them when I was about 200 feet from them. There was no sign of the children. I defer to what the party chooses to do - but I suggest we attack them - from afar if possible - before they see us. Bugbears are not known for their gentle and kind natures."
Myvannuii frowns as she eyes the distant group of bugbears, weighing Stone's report. She draws an arrow from her quiver and considers it abstractedly for a moment, running a finger along one edge of the head. "If they were intruders in the forests of my home, my people would shoot them where they stood, but as a stranger here, I do not know the extent of Cauldron's lands, and cannot gauge these bugbears' purpose so well as to call for their instant death. I would prefer to avoid combat if possible - but then the bugbears might fall upon others less capable of defending themselves, and we would never know if they had anything to do with the children's disappearance. Perhaps we could learn what we need and then drive them off with a show of force. They may be goblin-kind, but perhaps their cunning will at least recognize a warning shot."
"I seem to have been thinking aloud again," Myvannuii says, shaking her head, turning to Stone and the others with a grin. The grin settles into a grim smile as she adds, "A bugbear should count itself lucky if it receives no graver insult than arrows at its feet. My compunction is likely too scrupulous." She flips her hand down and lets the arrow slide through her fingers to the fletching, holding the missile ready to be nocked.
The elven wild mage stands up and lets a warning shot fly. The word "Hold--" escapes her lips as the bugbears jump in surprise. They merely grin and begin to draw their weapons, moving in her direction.
The biggest one is dressed in a shining shirt of chain links, and he mutters to his companions:
Roll for initiative. The bugbears act on 11.
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Initiative 15
Daegan, not understanding the creature's speech, but feeling the gist seems less than friendly, prepares himself for what lies ahead.
"My Lady Iomedae, bless your humble servant and his allies in the battle ahead, grant us both grace and speed to serve the cause in your name."
Daegan casts Bless, recharge time 30 minutes, then moves ten feet forward of Myvanuii, shielding her from a charge by the creatures.
Seeing the bugbears approach, Bron will grin himself as he stands with his hammer in one hand and his kukri in another, he doesn't say a word as he does his best to meet the advancing bugbears.
Stone moves forward when they are twenty feet away and attacks one of the bugbears with a flurry of blows.
As the bugbears justify her suspicions, Myvannuii curses in disgust, "Nai i falmamyr o marwain undulavarlye, thauryrch!"
Quickly reaching into her quiver, Myvannuii nocks another arrow to her bow and fires at the nearest bugbear before Daegan steps in front of her. Switching to Common for the benefit of the others, she shouts, "Seek your slaves elsewhere, vermin!"
Round 1:
18: Stone...[moves forward? waits? they're too far away to attack right now]
17: Myr fires her bow, but the shot goes sailing into the distance.
15: Daegan casts Bless and moves up, guarding Myr.
11: The bugbears howl and move forward at a dead run, waving their morningstars! They're about 35' away from Daegan now.
6: Bron draws his two weapons and...[moves forward? waits?]
2: Flask grabs his crossbow and fires. The shot also goes wide.
Before and after pictures from this round
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As Stone moves up beside him, Daegan reaches out and lays a hand on his shoulder. "May Iomedae strengthen the weapons gifted you," casting Magic Weapon on his unarmed strikes. +1 enchantment to attack and damage, duration 2 minutes Recharge time, 5 minutes.
Daegan then takes a 5 foot step to his right, to better shield Myvannuii. He strikes his sword to shield in issuance of a challenge.
"Stay behind us, my lady, and we shall hold them to allow you the room to practice your arts."
As Stone moves up beside him, Daegan reaches out and lays a hand on his shoulder. "May Iomedae strengthen the weapons gifted you," casting Magic Weapon on his unarmed strikes.
A thin smile crosses Stone's lips as he feels Daegan's blessing strengthen his hands...
"Thank you my friend."
Stone looks at the advancing Bugbears, feels his heart rate drop as a stillness flows through him and he awaits their attack...
Taking courage from the blessing Daegan invokes over the group, Myvannuii watches the bugbears race forward. Knowing that she can't afford to let herself get distracted, she focuses on gauging the distances and angles of the attack, cutting off her annoyance at Flask's ill-luck as his shot goes wide. Running through her options internally ("Too far for that, too close to risk this until we see who they start swinging at...") Myvannuii decides to try her luck with another arrow aimed at the closest bugbear.
Round 1:
18: Stone moves forward and prepares to attack any bugbear that comes near.
17: Myv fires her bow, but the shot goes sailing into the distance.
15: Daegan casts Bless and moves up, guarding Myv.
13: Gjoren draws his bow and misses with his shot.
11: The bugbears howl and move forward at a dead run, waving their morningstars! They're about 35' away from Daegan now.
6: Bron draws his two weapons and moves forward.
2: Flask grabs his crossbow and fires. The shot also goes wide.
============
Round 2:
18: Stone [...keeps readying?]
17: Myv steps to the side a little, and scores a direct hit on bugbear #2! (9 dmg)
15: Daegan [...]
Daegan, you have to wait 1d6+1 rounds before casting another 1st level spell, so you can't cast Divine Favor. Any other options?
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Daegan, you have to wait 1d6+1 rounds before casting another 1st level spell, so you can't cast Divine Favor. Any other options?
I thought that time is for general recharge spells. I believe what I have cast so far are Specific Recharge spells that are unavailable for a set period of time, but still allow me to cast other spells normally.
I thought that time is for general recharge spells. I believe what I have cast so far are Specific Recharge spells that are unavailable for a set period of time, but still allow me to cast other spells normally.
There are two recharges:
(a) first, you can't use that particular slot for 1d6+1 rounds (this applies to all spells);(b) second, even if you can use that slot, you can't use that particular spell for five minutes (or whatever), to prevent you from spamming it over and over again outside of combat (this applies to specific recharge spells).
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There are two recharges:
(a) first, you can't use that particular slot for 1d6+1 rounds (this applies to all spells);
(b) second, even if you can use that slot, you can't use that particular spell for five minutes (or whatever), to prevent you from spamming it over and over again outside of combat (this applies to specific recharge spells).
I beg to differ, according to the wording of the SRD. Recharge Magic
Quoting
"Specific Recharge Spells
Most long-duration utility spells have specific recharge times so spellcasters can’t just cast them on everyone they meet. These might range from a mere 5 minutes (for bull’s strength) to 4 hours (for teleport) to a full day, or 24 hours (for wind walk). A specific recharge time is the time that must elapse before a character can cast that particular spell again; he can cast another spell of the same level in the following round if he likes."
Be that as it may, the pbp is becoming difficult to keep up with due to real life, so I should probably take this time to announce I will be withdrawing from the game after this current combat. I hope this will give time to recruit another player, or perhaps two to replace Gjoren. I have enjoyed my time, but I have to cut back somewhere.
(a) I stand corrected.
(b) Sorry to see you go!
Round 1:
18: Stone moves forward and prepares to attack any bugbear that comes near.
17: Myv fires her bow, but the shot goes sailing into the distance.
15: Daegan casts Bless and moves up, guarding Myv.
13: Gjoren draws his bow and misses with his shot.
11: The bugbears howl and move forward at a dead run, waving their morningstars! They're about 35' away from Daegan now.
6: Bron draws his two weapons and moves forward.
2: Flask grabs his crossbow and fires. The shot also goes wide.
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Round 2:
18: Stone keeps readying.
17: Myv steps to the side a little, and scores a direct hit on bugbear #2! (9 dmg)
15: Daegan casts Divine Favor.
13: Gjoren fires a pair of arrows at bugbear #2, but they both miss.
11: Here come the bugbears! Bugbears #1 (the apparent leader) and 2 charge at Stone, but they clumsily get in each others' way and both miss. Stone retaliates with a powerful smash in the face of #2 (7 dmg, 16 total) and he reels in pain, staggered by the pain.
Bugbears #3 and #4 charge at Gjoren and the Ulfen receives a glancing blow on the arm (4 dmg).
6: Bron [...?]
As the bugbears crash into the party, Myvannuii watches the exchange of blows for an opportunity to strike, stepping back to avoid getting pulled into the melee. Quickly reevaluating the situation, she notices that one of those attacking Stone is slowing down, while Gjoren's attackers seem undaunted. Dipping into her spell component pouch, Myvannuii pulls out a bit of seed fluff and sweeps her arm towards the bugbear in front of Gjoren with a weirdly cadenced utterance in Sylvan; the fluff flashes silver and blows behind the line of party members toward her target as if carried by a sudden gust of wind.
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real life never becomes too onerous
I don't know if it's onerous, but hectic is definitely apropos. I'm working 50-60 hours a week, at a time when others aren't able to at all; my personal relationships are burgeoning once more, and a Sunday PRPG campaign is taking off with me as host DM. I can't be everywhere, something had to go, and I didn't want to drag a good game down through my poor participation. I plan to still lurk the boards as time allows, and I'll maintain my feeds to the game, to follow the group's exploits. It's been fun while it's lasted, and I wish I didn't have to give up such a good group of companions.
It's been fun while it's lasted, and I wish I didn't have to give up such a good group of companions.
Bron? Bueller?