Adventures in Oakstead

Game Master Foxy Quickpaw

"Well, he ain't lookin' like he's gonna give up that sceptre. What do we do? Go back to the ghost and tell'im?"

"Do you think it would help, if I give him a hug? He looks so grumpy." Clara asks.

It sucks that no one has some magic to understand them.

"Ye can try, but I ain't sure they're really huggy."

Yup, sadly Tarjun doesn't have that spell yet :/ Magic's only for the whackin'

"No, no, no. You stay here little lady. If you don't want to try with the coins, then we're leaving!" Gertrud replies grabbing Clara, just in case.

Since he's been doing most of the 'diplomating', Tarjun steps forward, offering the coins to the tiny monarch, hopefully in exchange for the sceptre.

"I doubt he'd want to keep the septer if he understood the warning, but since we can't explain it maybe we just leave. We'll tell Ghostee about them and that there were too many. Maybe he can go to get it himself."

She calls on the power of her Charm hex, then looks across the chamber and calls out, "We'll be leaving now. All we wanted was to protect you from the ghost that owned that septer. If you are going to keep it we'll be leaving. Let us leave in peace."

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
One of the mites is sent to collect the coins. The one reluctantly approaches Tarjun.

Since they're leaving, it seems a bit of a waste of money, but Tarjun knows that if he doesn't hand the coins, the King might get angry.

Oh, well. It's not his coins anyway, and maybe they'll be able to leave in peace.

He still asks if they're enough to trade for the sceptre, on the faint chance that it might work.

Diplomacy (?): 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 4 = 8

The mite grabs the coins and hurriedly retreats, but the King makes no move to hand over the scepter.

Tobar whispers to his mother
"Uh, now what. Do we leave?"

"Tobar, your Mom doesn't want to risk any of us getting hurt bad, and we're out numbered even if we are bigger than them. That giant ant may be even more dangerous and who knows if the king has any powers. Unless you've got some fire bombs or something to start the fight with an advantage we should be backing out...."

At least back out to the previous chamber to plan?

The group backs up to the previous room to reconsider their options.

"Great. The money gone for nothing." Gertrud mulls.

"I'm sorry Mrs Johnson," Tarjun apologizes guiltily. "Should we tell the ghost to pick up his sceptre himself?"

"You'd give up that easy?" Gertrud asks with a raised brow.

"Give up? Not that easy, but let's back out to the big chamber to discuss."

Assuming that the group is willing to back out? Or do we just assume that they can't understand us?

Also assuming that the King's chamber appeared to be a dead end? And the tunnel to it didn't include branches?

"No, I don't really want to go and tell the ghost that we found his septer but it was guarded by a bunch of mites so we were scared. He's a ghost and from how people are always telling spooky ghost stories I assume they can get really scary. But we need a plan. We could try to wait out here 'til Kingy sends one or more of his flunkies out, then ambush them. Even if they all come out at once we'd at least have surprise on our side to start. If we fill the area just inside with loose rock they'll make more noise than usual going through it."

"Or we could try sneaking back in. Problem is, they can see in the dark and we can't, so the sneaking part isn't likely to work...."

"I really wish we had a fire bomb or two to throw. A flask of oil with a lit fuse or something like that? They're all clustered around Kingy so they'd all get splashed."

"Clara, What magic do you have ready? I focused on my cure spell so offensively I've just got the sleepy hex. It worked pretty good but somebody still has to skewer the sleeping mite, and I don't think it will work on a bug. I've never seen bugs sleeping! Maybe if I target the mites near Tobar or Tarjun with my hex they could stick them so I can target another one quick and not have to stick it myself?"

"Fire Bomb. Many of them." Clara replies to the question what she hes ready.

"If you take out the mites I think Brina, Mom and I can probably take out that big ant thingy."

"I can take care of any mite you ain't able to get down, Jewie," Tarjun brags.

Jewel laughs at Tarjun's confident statement. "Alright Tarjun. Just remember that my magic only puts them asleep for a really short while, and the others may figure out to kick them or something to wake them back up. Hit 'em hard and fast, no mercy!"

"So we go back in. But likely we can't separate them. If we attack immediately they'll charge toward us. Clara can hit them with fire and I'll target the closest to Tarjun with sleep. Can't take them down before they get any chance to fight so some defensive magic would be good too. Does anyone have spell to make our attacks stronger or to shield people? The shielding should be on the front liners. ??"

So back into the king's chamber, the boys, Gertrud and Brina in front. Clara and me next line. Clara, what is the range and area of effect of your fire? Need to tell everyone so nobody gets in your way!

"I need to be in the front for my fire to work best." Clara objects.

Burning Hands, 15foot cone

"How about going for the scepter and then fleeing?" Gertrud throws another idea into the ring.

Jewel pauses for a moment then grins. "Yeah! We go back in. Somebody talk loud, maybe like you're asking or offering something else. I'll try hitting Kingy with sleep. If it works Brina runs in and grabs the septer in the confusion and we all run. And the best is nobody has to be hurt!"

"Yaa! Let's go" Clara agrees and runs ahead.

In a less than structured manner the group storms back in, with Gertrud following last, being surprised by this sudden action. The mites are not surprised as the not so sneaky approach telegraphs the coming. They stand similar as before in a defensive stance.

It's the groups turn.

Jewel uses her Feral speech hex to explain the idea to Brina as they move back toward the room. All they had to do was get the septer and run! No fighting if it all worked....

Wow! Almost last....

As they get closer to the room she takes out the marble again. Once they enter the room she tries to get within range I forgot to ask how far big the room was. The hex range is 30'.... and targets the one holding the scepter with her slumber hex. DC 14 Will save or fall asleep.

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
So much for that plan

After a few seconds of awkward silence, Tarjun feels obligated to point out the evidence:

"Erm, Jewie. He ain't lookin' like he's sleepin' much."

In an attempt to knock the mite out of the fight, Tarjun tries out his own magic:

Casting Cause Fear on the mite holding the scepter

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
The mite king isn't afraid of that, but it is established, that the humans are not back for negotiations.

Please give the Save DC of your spells when you cast them.

Clara runs up to the mites shouting "Give back that scepter." She stops at short distance and douses the group around the king in fire.
Burning Hands DC15: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7

Reflex Mite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Reflex Mite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Reflex Mite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Reflex Ant: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9

Clara burns the three mites in front of the king badly. One drops immediately the other two are left staggering.

The ant is caught in the fire too and goes directly for Clara. Clara goes down with one hit of the sting of the giant vermin.
Sting: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 231d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 191d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
poison DC14

"Mrreeeerrrooowww"

"I thought you were going to get him to drop the stick!! You LIED to me. Naughty human"

Brina grooms herself (she will attack anything trying to melee any of the children)

Tobar shoots at the large ant
bow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 for damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

Cojn Check To Stabilize DC11: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Fort Save vs Poison: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13
Str DMG: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Trying to protect Clara, Tarjun stands between her and the ant:

Whack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Gertrud shoots the ant, to save her daugther, but misses twice.
Bow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 91d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Bow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 91d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Tobar needs some more training, but at least Tarjun hits the ant. As Tarjun offers himself as next victim the ant attacks him.
Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 151d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Sting: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 191d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The mites flee the scene with the king shouting angrily.

Tarjun is wounded, but immediately makes another attempt to knock out the beast:

"Won't ye die, ye disgrace!"

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

With the mites fleeing and knowing that that her hex won't work a second time she steps up and tries to stab the ant.

Spear attack: 1d20 ⇒ 3
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Oh well....

Tobar steps up to the ant on the opposite direction that Brina is. He draws his club to distract the ant.

"Now Brina. Attack NOW"

Brina becomes a little bit stronger than usual

Brina quickly 5 ft steps into position and rips into the ant

bite: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 + 4 = 16 for damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
claw: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 + 4 = 19 for 2
claw: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 + 4 = 23 for 2

Tarjun, DC14 Fort Save vs. poison please

Fortitude (DC 14): 1d20 ⇒ 20

Bow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 171d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Bow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 81d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Gertrud shoots the vermin again and this time she hits. "Jewel, go help Clara!"

The ant drops dead, after getting beaten up by almost all the kids and the cat, with an arrow added. But the goal of the raid isn't fulfilled as the king disappears in some small and dark hole.

Jewel nods and quickly moves to Clara to provide some healing. Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 "Come on Clara. Wake up and use some of your healing too. The bug is down but Kingy ran with the septer."

Taking out the marble to sense direction and movement of the scepter.

Clara opens her eyes, jumps up and staggers back because of the weakness that has befallen her.
Fort Save: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2
Str Dmg: 1d2 ⇒ 1

"Whom shall I heal?" Seeing Tarjun being wounded she grabs him. Half to heal him, half to make the world stop from turning around her.
Heal Hex: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Jewel tucks the marble away again, frustrated. "I can tell that he went into the tunnel, but it must go pretty straight away. If we want to get that septer we probably need to get after him. Tobar still needs some healing though. She uses her feral speech hex to speak to Brina, "I didn't lie. The Kingy one resisted the magic. And it can't be used on him again today so we're probably going to need to hurt him to take the stick. Sure would have been easier if he had just fallen asleep!"

Unless someone has a better idea, once Tobar gets some healing let's follow after the king.

While the kids are discussing tactics and Gertrud asks herself why exactly she agreed to this a swarm of spiders come out of the tunnel, where the king disappeared into.

Thanks to Clara, Tarjun's leg doesn't bleed as much.

"Hey, thanks! Glad to see you in one piece!"

However, the boy quickly loses his smile when spiders start coming out of the tunnel.

"HOLY S***!" he exclaimed, momentarily oblivious of Gertrud's presence and judgement.

Since his latest experience with one of the arachnids, he has become more than distrustful towards the critters.