"Your warning is much appreciated." He nods in thanks. "We will most definitely keep that in mind. Will there be anything else, good sir?" he asks the halfling.
Sir Rolland pauses like he’s going to say something else, but he shakes his head and departs with all normal pleasantries.
Is there anything supplies-wise you want to get with your 50gp? This is Absalom, so there’s literally nothing in that price range that you cannot find.
Ty coordinates a place to meet up with the others and heads off to where he hides his stash. Normally he wouldn't want to be carrying everything he owns with him all at once, but he's leaving the city! Who knows when he'd have access to all of the useful things he's collected over the years.
The weather is bright and clear, the sun just past noon, when you head out the northwest gate of the city. It's a perfect day for travel and exploration, though as you move inland, the coolness of the ocean fades, and you can tell that it will be a scorcher by the heat of the day.
The Cairnlands consist of low rolling hills, scattered copses of trees, occasional farms and homesteads, and a sprinkling of ruined structures scattered here and there.
After walking for half an hour, you leave the cart path, as per the directions you received, Edward hears both hear a man's cry for help and the sound of growling dogs coming from a small stand of trees due north about a hundred yards away.
During the journey, Ty's head doesn't stop swiveling around as he looks at the terrain and thinks about how empty it looks compared to the city. When he hears the barking dogs and the cry of help, he draws two daggers and rushes forward to peer around a tree so he can see what's going on from behind cover.
When Ty peers through the trees, he sees three old siege towers in a triangle, with a fourth ruined tower making a square. The sound seems to be coming from the middle of the square, so he creeps forward to hide behind the remains of the south tower and peers around.
In the centre between the towers, he sees a man in leather armour trying to draw his sword while three dogs bite and claw at him.
Edward perks up as soon as he hears the commotion. "There is trouble ahead," he tells the others, drawing his shield and his sword. He then heads full speed in the direction of the sound of trouble.
The dogs don’t notice Edward’s approach (I moved him out 60 feet). Anybody else want to head out after him?
Seeing the man in dire straits as he heads toward him, he yells, hoping to get their attention and at least attract one of them.
Ty slinks over to the ruined wall near where Edward is shouting.
Looking around and being very distracted by the differences from home. Coming to a stop when Edward speaks up. Focusing on digging rope out of his bag to make a lasso of some kind, "So if we..."
Looking up to see Edward running, "Damn!"
Running after him, "How bout we don't immediately kill the dogs?"
Looping the rope in his hands as he tries to figure out if the dogs can just be chased off.
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Seeing Edward rush in concerns Richard as he has not had a chance to discern the situation and determine the best course of action.
"It would help if we can find the owner of the dogs. Based on their actions, they appear very aggressive and would likely attack us if we approach. If we can chase them away that would be best - which is what I hope Edward is planning. Once the dogs are clear from the man, I can look to treat his wounds."
Richard moves up close to Ty and readies his crossbow and hoping he does not have to use it.
Edward and Conri advance while Ty and Richard hold back. One of the dogs looks up at the two men coming closer but doesn’t move. The dogs don’t look malnourished at all; in fact, they look quite well taken care of. Advancing another thirty feet, Edward and Conri get close enough to see that despite all the growling of the dogs and yelling of the man, he seems completely unhurt, his clothes aren’t torn, nor are they really preventing him from drawing his sword.
Edward slows and lowers his sword, looking curiously at the man and the dogs. "Are you okay, my good man?"
”Help me, please! The dogs!” Everybody but Ty can tell there’s no actual fear in the man’s voice. Something is very off here.
Narrowing his eyes, "To be honest, sir, what you speak doesn't quite line up with your current condition. You claim these dogs are attacking you, yet, you've drawn no weapon, I see no injury upon you, and there is nary a tear upon your clothing. Can you explain that? And careful with your response, sir, because when I first heard the dogs, it would have been long enough for them to attack you multiple times before I arrived."
”Take them!” the man yells as he easily draws his sword.
Round 1 Everybody is up first.
Ty snickers in appreciation of being fooled, and then sprints after the others.
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Disappointed that the man and his dogs do not seem interested in a peaceful discussion, Richard moves into crossbow range attempting to get a clear shot at the lead dog. Once in position he will shoot his crossbow.
Richard never liked hunting and only went with his father and brothers because he enjoyed the family banter. However, shooting at something other than a deer was new to him and also disconcerting. The first shot's failure to hit anything appear to confirm his hesitancy.
Edward can only shake his head in disappointment. "My good man, I fear you have made a foolish decision," he states matter-of-factly as he moves toward the nearest dog.
As the paladin slices the dog viciously, "How many more of these faithful hounds do you wish to lose, my good man?" he asks, curious if this man even cares.
Dogs
HP: 13
AC: 14/12/12
F/R/W: +5/+5/+1
Brigand
HP: 18
AC: 16/11/15
F/R/W: +3/+1/-1
Sorry I forgot to put those up earlier. Edward easily beheads the closest dog. The man looks less concerned for the dog and more for his own safety. You do hear a growled curse from the northern tower and realize that you aren’t as alone as you first thought.
Looking around and not entirely certain of were the word come from or why his hands move the way they do. But it ends up with his hands pointed with his palms pointed towards the man. A ball of quick moving energy flies out towards the man. Clipping him on his shoulder.
Arrows fly from slits in the walls of all three towers, two from each, targeting Edward, Ty, and Conri.
Edward and Conri each take a graze from a shaft. Given the convoluted flight path of the arrows, either the archers are extremely bad or their bows are very poor quality. Still, surrounded by six archers with cover isn’t the ideal situation.
The remaining two dogs, clearly well-trained, circle wide and cone at Conri from two directions. They don’t circle quite wide enough, so Edward and Ty can each take an AoO on one of them. Assuming they both survive, they try to bring the mage down.
Quick as a flash, Conri is unconscious on the ground. The dogs look up and seem to latch eyes with Ty, as if he were next. Conri’s bleeding seems to spontaneously stop, however, as perhaps fate is not quite done with him yet.
With the dogs providing a distraction, the man retreats to the safety of the north tower...except he finds the door bolted shut. He starts pounding in the door, begging to be let in.
Round 2
Everybody is up. Don’t forget your AoOs (Edward on red and Ty on green).
Looking around and not entirely certain of were the word come from or why his hands move the way they do. But it ends up with his hands pointed with his palms pointed towards the man. A ball of quick moving energy flies out towards the man. Clipping him on his shoulder.
[dice=magic missile]1d4+1
Receiving a nice cut from an arrow, "We've got archers! Be alert, all, we are surrounded!" He then takes a swipe at the dog who goes after Conri.
He then doesn't hesitate a moment to go after the dogs who have just surrounded Conri.
= 19
As he takes another swing at the same dog, he realizes he's overcompensated a bit too much and quickly adjusts at the last minute to just manage to strike true, dropping the animal.
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Seeing his new friend fall from the dog and arrow attacks, Richard pushes forward and feels a rush of energy surge through him. The Cure Light Wounds spell he uses on Conri feels strange, stronger than usual. The usual loss of knowledge/connection with Sarenrae that accompanies the casting of a spell is also not there.
Higher of these two rolls:
"Don't worry my friend, the healing power of the Dawnflower will remove your wounds."
That puts Conri at 4 hp, so he can take his actions this round, as well. Keep in mind, however, you’re currently prone and have one attack dog in melee range.
As the dog tries to slip past him, Ty's dagger flashes out, but he only slices a few hairs off of the dog's tail.
"This is one of the craziest ambushes I've ever seen!" Ty enthuses to the others. He quickly circles around the dog looking for an opening before he darts forward to attack.
One of Ty's daggers leaves a nasty gash along the side of the beast's ribs, but Ty seems sad at the yelp of pain it produces.
Conri left to go.
Blinking awake and smiling. Not completely sure why he is looking up at a dark haired man. But he speaks and ruins the moment. Memories of dogs ripping into him and the pain surge foward.
Hearing a growl and acting on instinct. Holding a hand out and fire bursts from his hand
Without lowering his hands a bolt of energy follows
(I’m assuming the boost to caster level counts for concentration checks too)
Between the dagger and fire, the dog is hurt, yelping in pain. A shrill whistle comes from near the top of the north tower and the dog breaks off and starts running north past the tower. Edwards and Ty can take AoOs if you want.
More arrows rain down, all of them targeting the one doing the healing: Richard!!
1 non-lethal point
The one arrow that hits knocks a bit of wind from him rather than penetrates his armour.
The man at the door stops knocking frantically at the locked door and turns to nervously face the four of you.
Round 3 and go!
Ty thinks about lashing out at the dog, but since it's running away, he doesn't try. Instead, he turns his attention to the arrows raining down from three different towers.
"Come on!" he says to the others, and then darts up the stairs to the closest tower and presses his back to the door. This puts him farther away from the archers in the other two towers, and it also hopefully prevents the archers from the tower above him from being able to fire nearly straight down through their arrow slits.
Edward ignores the fleeing dog and turns his attention to the fleeing man. He then makes his way toward him. "No reason to die this day, my good man. It's easy enough to throw down your weapon and surrender, right along with your allies if that is what they truly are considering you are 'locked' out."
Edward ignores the fleeing dog and turns his attention to the fleeing man. He then makes his way toward him. "No reason to die this day, my good man. It's easy enough to throw down your weapon and surrender, right along with your allies if that is what they truly are considering you are 'locked' out."
The man considers for a few seconds then says, ”I’ll only surrender if you let me help.”
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Dodging arrows is not something Richard is accustomed to and the chaotic nature of his predicament causes him distress. Looking for a quick solution to the barrage of projectiles, he pulls on Conri's arm urging him to seek cover as he moves over to the tower that Ty is using for an impromptu shield. He hopes that Ty can get the door open quickly and shouts out that request in earnest.
Ty looks to see what kind of lock there is and finds none. He can only conclude that the doors are barred from the inside and you'll likely need a brute force approach to get inside.
All the archers look to help their friend out (though not enough to unbar the door and let him inside),, and target the paladin.
Two arrows thunk into his shield, but none find flesh.
Round 4
Inside the tower, rickety, free-standing wooden stairs lead to the snipers’ nests above. A few crates and barrels lie stacked against one wall while muddy boot prints criss-cross the dusty wooden floor.
Seeing Ty's shrug on opening the door
Seeing Ty's shrug on opening the door
** spoiler omitted **
LOL. So presumably Ty stands there, his foot raised to kick, when Richard comes barrelling through, at which point, Ty shrugs and heads inside the tower.
Either way, he can try for the spoilers too!
Ty yells to Edward, "Leave him! Come one!" before following Richard into the tower.
Hearing boot steps up above, Ty points out the obvious to Richard and gets to work strategically rearranging the barrels near the foot of the stairs before hiding behind them.
"Those guys upstairs and maybe Edward's friend outside are going to be on us any second. I'm going to be ready," Ty whispers.
Seeing Ty's shrug on opening the door
** spoiler omitted **LOL. So presumably Ty stands there, his foot raised to kick, when Richard comes barrelling through, at which point, Ty shrugs and heads inside the tower.
Either way, he can try for the spoilers too!
Following Richard and looking around while being tugged along. Raising an eyebrow at the display of strength. Quickly moving inside and glancing around the room. Moving back to the door and watching Edward. "Come on. Come on."
One hand on the door and his other drifts to the flask at his side. Running his fingers along the tankard embossed on it. [i]What is going on?.. This has not been the holy awakening I was looking for.
Good, but not enough.
Wouldn’t have been good enough, but with Ty helping by moving barrels, Richard is able to point out a set of very recent muddy prints that just appears behind the wooden staircase.
Snapping attention toward Ty's call, Edward looks back to the gentleman and says, "It appears that you are quite fortunate this day, my good man. You are free to leave. But if you follow and attack, you will have forfeited your life because my mercy will have reached its end. Good day." He does a quick head bow and takes off toward the others.