Might and magic, Lords of the Contested Lands

Game Master Chyrone

Estelle sighs, dreading having to move silently in her heavy armor. All types of it somehow made a disproportionate amount of noise for the materials and fastening, and this one was no exception.

stealth: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (4) - 5 = -1

Sure enough, the plates rinkle loudly and her greaves clang against a stray root she'd overlooked. Shaking her head, she readies her weapon towards the nests and towards the flies that were sure to come, wishing they'd tried any different tactic.

Stealth Daniel: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (4) - 2 = 2
Well. Let's hope the serpent flies are sleepy.[/dice]

[Ooc]Average party stealth of 8, rounded up.

Unmodified perceptions: 3d20 ⇒ (16, 20, 9) = 45

While the team slowly advances through the shallow waters and mud, both Brunhild and Daniel take a nearly trip on a root below the water. Both drop to a knee, inciting an audible *splash*.

As they get up, there rises the buzzing of wings from 1d2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 21d20 ⇒ 7

From 2 hollows. As the creatures emerge, one is of a darker shade of yellow, and slightly bigger, but still of same size category.

Round 1

Brunhild
Daniel & Estelle
------------
Dragon fly
------------
Astella
------------
Estelle

Both are at 20ft altitude.
The wetlands are difficult terrain.

"Fortunately only two," Estelle says. "Daniel, let's stay close to the archers and cover them! I'll guard Brunhild, you do Astella?"

She then falls back to be in front of her ally, and prepares to use her reach to the best of her ability against incoming flies!

Estelle walks back 1 square to be in front of Brunhild, then readies a melee attack for the first fly to get within 10 feet. If it helps her and since we have the same initiative, Estelle will do this after Brunhild has shot. Could I request Daniel to fall back a bit too so Estelle's reach and readied attack could be utilized?

readied attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

AoO#1 if applicable: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

AoO#2 if applicable: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Well. You know, I think I'm going to try making a new alias with the same name and stats and seeing if that changes something. I get the feeling some aliases always roll high whereas this one rolls significantly below average. Wonder if there's a hidden seed value somewhere that influences the random number generator?

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

know.nature: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Daniel, in his new armor, sounds like clattering tableware as they walk across. And truly, the serpentflies were fooled into thinking that a walking buffet had arrived.

Daniel, notcing his sworn mortal enemy, jumps a bit before drawing out his javelin and hurling it at one of the dangerous beasts.

javelin: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

perhaps catching it while it was still drowsy.

13 vs flat footed AC?

Which one are you going for?

Brunhild moves south, to near Astella, then lines up a shot at the serpent fly.
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 171d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

The arrow flies true, picking off the insect before it can approach the team.

Daniel hurls his javelin at the dragonfly, but the javelin just goes through air, ending up in a soggy spot near the tree.

The dragonfly descends towards Daniel in a rushed swooping motion.
Estelle's attack almost cuts off some hair off Daniel's temple, as she tries attacking the insect.

Charging bite, height advantage: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 18Gnaw: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Its teeth latch onto Daniel's arm, and he feels a slightly numbing sensation.

Str dmg: 1d2 ⇒ 2 Fort 13 for 1/2.

Astella

Ignore the str dmg, fort save vs Fatigue condition instead.

he does not hit. My AC is 21, it got an 18. Thank you breastplate.

Ah, right. Battlemap still had previous AC value.
Carry on.

Astella shoots at the creature attacking Daniel.

Attack (Longbow): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Piercing Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

But misses badly. Insects made her a little nervous.

The arrow flies off into a tree.

Round 2

Brunhild
Daniel Fort save 13 vs fatigue. & Estelle
----------------------
Dragonfly
----------------------
Astella

Estelle drops her weapon and, in a repeat of what happened the last time they fought the flies, cicles around to the darker fly's flank, drawing the greatsword on the way. "Good shot, Brunhild!" she calls out, then attempts to strike. Unfortunately, the marshlike terrain prevented the same flanking maneuver she'd tried with Daniel the last time they'd fought flies.

Move, ready a melee attack with the greatsword for when Daniel 5ft steps into flank.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11

...But another root concealed by the marshes throws off her aim and she fumbles.

... 1, 11, 3, 1. Well, time to put that new alias for Estelle plan into motion!

Difficult terrain, it prevents 5ft step and cuts movement to 1/2.
It would limit you to the 2 square move that provokes from the dragonfly.

Ah, right. Then I'd just 5ft step and attack normally without power attack, and I wouldn't call out to Daniel. I'll edit it.

drawing his blade from his back, he cuts a downward arc at his most dangerous of rivals.

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

I'll not be so easy a target this time!

The dragonfly dodges Daniel's sword swing.
Its red beady eyes stare at the man, teeth chittering.

Brunhild
-----------------
Dragonfly
-----------------
Astella

Mistake on my part.The dragonfly did get hurt, with its AC lowered from the rushed swoop.

Botting.

Brunhild sighs, and walks south, taking a better aim from another position.

Arrow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Her arrow goes wide, and she curses softly.
--------------
Dragonfly (-7) bites again.
Bite, eight advantage: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 = 271d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Crit?: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 23Extra: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

The insect firmly bites into Daniel's arm, for real this time.

Fort DC 13 vs fatigue.

Astella

Astella takes a calming breath and shoots again.

Attack (Longbow): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Piercing Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Sorry, wasn't getting updates on this!

Estelle disentangles her foot and also strikes again!

hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 3) + 4 = 12

Three ones in five rolls?

Again, these foul creatures prove to be Daniels most hated foes on this island as no sooner had he managed to fend off the creature from biting his arm, did it fly up in a rush and latch onto his lower neck.

fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

However, he ignores the venom and throws it off long enough to strike.

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Astella shoots the arrow. It goes fairly decent, but Daniel swinging his sword against the moving target causes it to miss.

Meanwhile, the party hits the next round.

Round 3
Estelle swings her sword, but steps on a rock under the water, causing her to stumble and miss.

Brunhild & Daniel Fort save vs fatigue from Daniel.
-------------------------
Dragonfly (-7)
-------------------------
Astella

Hit: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Hit: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"This couldn't have been easy, could it?" Brunhild muttered to herself as she fired off another pair of arrows.

Was that a straight miss, or are you claiming that the creature has cover from my position? I wasn't sure if that was what was implied by the narration or if it was just story filler stuff. :)

@ Astella.
Some cover from Daniel, and shooting into melee.

Thanks. :) Useful to know that repositioning might help... and yes, also a good reminder that level one archery is always going to stink on some level. I get used to playing at higher levels and sometimes forget. :)

Ah, i missed Daniel posted in advance.

Daniel cuts down the insect, saving Brunhild an arrow.

Combat over.

The path to the old cabin is quiet, for the time being, as far as you can tell right now.

The 15 by 15 feet wooden cabin stands on a patch of land that is mostly solid ground.
Long neglect has left it with worn on its walls and door.
Grime covers the window overlooking the approach you just came from.

A rain barrel stands at the back of the cabin, water from the previous rainstorm having filled it up halfway.

The old cabin looks neglected and might be uninhabited, but Astella doesn't want to assume, so she goes up and knocks politely at the door, just in case.

So... is Daniel at 1 hp out of 12? I seem to recall it was 8/12 for a while but then he took a crit for 7 this combat.

Seeing Daniel bleed quite profusely, Estelle quickly reaches for her new wand. "You're hurt... I'm sorry. If I'd managed to hit it sooner..." she says when she moves close enough to inspect the wound. "Well, at least I can offer this. Um, Astella? Can you help heal his wounds?" she asks, handing the wand of cure light wounds out to the bard.

Afterwards, she picks up her polearm from the much and sheathes her sword. "I understand, my Lady... you wish me to use the spear instead. But... I'll need some time to adjust, and this one is too short for me to use my training on. I'm sorry. I promise I'll try harder."

Astella nods and uses the wand on Daniel until he looks mostly whole.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Astella knocks on the door a few times.

No response in return.
The door, if tried, isn't cooperating much.

Disable device 15 to open. Str check 20 could break the lock.

Astella gets no response, so she tries the door, which seems locked, or at least stuck.

Astella gets more creative...

Disable Device: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

...but unfortunately still can't get the door to budge.

She steps back, takes another look, wondering if she is approaching it the wrong way. She considers calling over one of the strong types to bust the door, but determined to solve it herself, she tries again.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Ah, finally!

she says, as she finally gets it right.

She cautiously opens the door.

Favoring the polearm and relieved Astella was able to get Daniel back up to strength, Estelle moves up behind the bard as she worked our magic. "Thanks. And maybe it's better if you held the wand with you for now. Who knows when it will come in handy?"

As the other woman opens the door, she holds her weapon ready to strike, should it come down to it.

Brunhild held back, not wanting to crowd the entrance. It wasn’t like her bow would be of much use if something jumped out of there, anyways.

Astella opens the door just enough to make an initial peek inside.
All quiet.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Astella peeks inside and hears something small sliding above the door, so she attempts to jump out of the way, saying

Stay back! to the others, because she doesn't know what she just triggered.

The door had opened enough to trigger a mug to fall over, from above the door. A bright colored liquid splashes upon the floor.

Astella deftly dodged it, avoiding getting dyed hair.

The interior of the cabin is mostly for practical purpose over long term living. Two beds stand at the north and east side, but only one shows the slightest signs of usage.

A cabinet and cupboard stand between them. A stove is on the west wall.
The cupboard contains spare, plain cloth shirts, and the cabinet a number of dried rations.

Kind of like a hiker's cabin.

Astella looks above the door to see if the mug was set as a trap, or whether that is just where the inhabitant stores mugs... that are full of liquid... as strange as that option might seem.

She also looks around to see if there is anything else in the cabin (other rooms, or just the one?)

Astella gets the impression the mug was placed there deliberately.

The cabin is a one room dwelling.

Seeing nothing around, Astella cleans up whatever she spilled with prestidigitation and mends the mug if it is broken. She considers taking some extra clothing and some rations, but she didn't really need any of the stuff after the ship the day before, so she just said

Well, it doesn't look like there is anyone here. Where next?

A good question.

Estelle checks the cabin for signs of recent use, especially whether or not there's a layer of dust. "I don't want to steal anything in case someone actually lives here. But I do wonder if this cottage might be part of the test? Perhaps we can find a fancy hat here. Seems a bit odd for the mug to fall just on the door opening... that would fall on someone opening it normally, too. Right?"

She takes a quick look in the drawers and/or closet, if there is one, and gives the floor a few pokes with the end of her polearm to see if it sounded hollow and there was perhaps a hidden cellar below.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

If she cannot find anything, she turns to the others. "Seems like this is a dead end. Shall we go back to that branch in the road and try the other one? Perhaps the other trail does lead closer to that 'dragon'."

Astella waits while Estelle rechecks things, then when they are ready to go, she relocks the door and goes with everyone back to the fork in the road to try the other way.

The door had a regular lock, instead of a padlock. Without the key, it won't lock properly as before.

Estelle finds supplies to make another three red potions.

Astella finds that she is unable to lock the door again, so sadly she closes it but leaves it unlocked as they proceed back to the fork in the road.

Finding the red potion ingredients, Estelle looks a bit troubled. "I... can't take this. It's stealing. Maybe whoever lives here or stumbles upon this cabin might need them once, and we have quite a few of them already. I say we leave them with Shaymara's blessing."

Following after Astella, Estelle picks up the boar carcass again and begins heading down the road, wondering how many other places on this island they could still check for the hat if this turned out to be a dead end...

Retcon to that event

If that is how you feel, that's okay with me, but you have been very concerned with healing items in the past, and this place doesn't look like it gets much use. The ingredients might also just go to waste... and it is possible that Shaymara provided this blessing for you, isn't it?

And then back to taking the other fork in the road, whatever the decision is.