"It would be good to meet another 'wizard.' 'Doodad', sounds like he should be a druid. Let me know if you remember his actual name."
Shemar opens his mouth to argue the whole wizard/sorcerer difference, but figured it would be above her anyway.
"Oona, would you mind regelling us with one of these Legends of the silverpine Forest?"
"You mean other than bandits and wolves and goblins and kobolds? Hmm... I will tell you something of the town we are headed to. If I recall, it happened somewhere around the turn of the century, about 50 years after Hearth was founded, the town was attacked by a hag of the woods, named Ulizmila, and her cult of harpies. I guess they had taken offense by the lumber harvest going on. The battle was fierce and Hearth was nearly wiped off the map, until one of the founding families, uh, the Larkos I believe, offered up their youngest son to marry the terrible hag. But, just about ten years ago, the people of Hearth turned on the Larkos, claimed they had been interbred with the hag and become monstrous villains. They killed most of them, ran the rest out into the wilds. Now the Kreeds are the only founding family left in charge. Now, Rikard Kreed, he runs the Lumber Consortium. He's one mean customer; I'd stay clear of him and his crew while you're in town if I were you. Unless you like a little danger." she winks again at Boros.
"Ha! I gots no problems with danger. Cold, though--normally get ta just stay inside when it's cold! More used ta stayin' in Darkwater than goin' on the open road."
Bandits and wolves and goblins and kobolds??
The young bard seems excited by those prospects.
Tell us more....
"Well," replies Oona, "those are things the knights of Silverpine Watch should help keep us safe from. Of course, there's the Hobgoblin Massacre that occurred some time ago. That's when the OTHER founding family of Hearth was wiped out. Although, I've heard some people say foul play was involved," she taps the side of her nose.
The snow quickly stops soon after sundown, and everyone is warmed by the fire, friendly conversation, as well as the molten marshmallow and chocolate desserts in their bellies. As the campfire dies down into glowing goals, enough to keep those sleeping nearby warm but keep the light low, the Darkwater Six, plus Oona, bed down for the night. At one point in the night, , Boros hears the far off sound of wolves howling somewhere deep in the forest. At another point, , Danus is startled by the sound of an owl screeching to stun its prey before diving out of the pitch night to snatch up some poor vole or field mouse nearby. Other than that, the night passes peacefully and quietly. The ponies start to stir with the grey light of morning, and soon enough, everyone is up and breaking down camp. Oona makes a pot of oatmeal for the crew, and once Dapple and Misty are fed and harnessed, it's time to hit the road once more.
Well, the food is certainly better than I had anticipated. Perhaps we should always have a halfling host while adventuring.
Waking up more stiff than he is typically used to, without his feather bed. Luckily he is still rather young, so the difference is not that great.
"Not bad for the first night out, eh? Nice peaceful night, even if it was in the dirt. So, you say that we still have a couple days of travel?"
Shemar does not have much to do in preparation for the day. Things just come naturally for him. Instead, he watches his comrades as he eats his oatmeal.
Knights of Silverpine!
Sébastien seems doubly excited to meet some real live knights that aren't just court knights.
My family entertains a lot of courtly knights. It would be great to meet some real ones.
The youthful halfling giggles.
I wonder if the outpost has any information on my search?
The next morning, the bard wakes, prepares for the day, eats, eats and begins replenishing any supplies of wood that they used.
Shemar nods his head along with Sebastein at the talk of knights. It doesn't really interest him, but it got him thinking.
"Oona, You haven't heard of any tales or rumors of dragons in the area, have you?"
Valkor performed his morning ablutions, stretched, and welcomed the new day with prayers to the Gatekeeper. He breaks his fast with the offers oatmeal and helps organize things in preparation for the continued journey.
"Stupid wolves," grumbles Boros to himself as he awakens in the morning. Their howling wasn't particularly comforting for his sleep, though the sound was far enough away that he shouldn't have been so concerned. He eventually eats some warming oatmeal before making a quick prayer to Veiloaria, The Sojourner, for the safety of their trip. Boros wasn't the most devout person, but he had no qualms about praying to gods and goddesses for immediate needs.
Danus awakens with Tor snuffing into him and pulling off his blanket.
"I'm up! I'm Up!!", he calls as the boar runs off with the still-warm blanket and rolls with it in the cold frost!
"Nice Tor...real nice!"
It remains cold and overcast in the morning, but as you move into the forest, the sun rises and begins burning off the clouds and mist. Soon, the sky has cleared, and although their remains a chill in the air, the sun, as it dapples down between the bare limbs of the trees, begins to provide some warmth.
The forest here is thick with broadleaf trees, willows, poplars, alders, and oaks, interspersed with evergreen spruces and the white-barked, silver needled pines which give the forest its moniker. It is early spring, and most of the deciduous tress remain bare, although tiny green buds are visible here and there.
The road basically amounts to muddy ruts cutting through the forest floor. The melting snow creates the muddy conditions, and at places, tiny streams and rivulets run down ditches on the side of the road.
Robins, sparrows, and finches flit about the trees, and once in a while there's the sound of a woodpecker tapping against a hollow log somewhere deeper in the forest. Squirrels dart in between and up and down the trees, gathering fallen acorns and pinecones uncovered by the melting snow. Here and there Danus spots a rabbit, and a deer, but the cart is noisy sploshing through the mud, and drives off most wildlife.
As the sun approaches its zenith, the cart turns around a bend in the road, and something large seems to be blocking the way up ahead. It doesn't take long to recognize a dead tree has fallen across the road, blocking any further progress. Oona draws Dapple and Misty to a complete stop and looks around, "We got to clear that from the road. It's too muddy to go around."
Having worked with his father, a lumberjack, Danus examines the fallen tree and, first makes sure this is a 'natural' fall and not a blockade created by brigands, and secondly decides the quickest and safest way to move the dead tree.
"Hold up, let me take a look before we get too close! Tor search the area and make sure no one is hiding in the woods."
Valkor nodded in agreement to the ranger’s words, ”Be vigilant comrades.”
Shemar seems perturbed at the delay. He wonders if he will be expected to help move this tree out of the road somehow. Ooh! Maybe he could just burn it.
"Bandits?"
... Or was it brigands? Either way, same thing.
Shemar instantly starts rubbernecking all around them.
Elry rose early as was her way - to see the dawn come in and make her morning prayers and spell preparation for the day ahead. After some quick morning ablution and breaking her fast with some warm oatmeal, Elry packed up her gear, put on her boots for the ground looked cold and muddy and took up her usual position at the back of the cart alongside Sebastien.
As the sun approaches its zenith, the cart turns around a bend in the road, and something large seems to be blocking the way up ahead. It doesn't take long to recognize a dead tree has fallen across the road, blocking any further progress. Oona draws Dapple and Misty to a complete stop and looks around, "We got to clear that from the road. It's too muddy to go around."
From the back, Elry craned her neck to see the fallen tree announced by those in front. She was glad for the boots for the ground was muddier than yesterday and it made for easier walking.
Hearing Danus mention there might be someone hiding in the woods, bandits as Shemar enquired, she discreetly called up to the ranger, "Danus, if you wish aid, you may call on me. Otherwise, I'll keep watch from here and raise the alarm if I see something." the cleric offered up to him.
From her current vantage, and wishing to be of some help to her companions, the halfling set keen eyes about the surrounds, moving forward a little if necessary, to keep watch for any sign of hidden dangers/threats close by.
Boros, too, is naturally suspicious of a tree that has fallen across the road. Does it really look like it fell there by accident?
He had no idea, but that didn't really alleviate his fears.
Drawing his weapons, he slinks down from his position, tries to hide among the ponies and wagon, and observes.
Sébastien walks along behind the cart with Elry. The Bard seeming to enjoy the morning exercise. His mouth moving a bit faster of a pace then their feet.
....and then there was a stench from that pig in her bed for a month....
As the blockade came into view, the halfling watches the reactions of the others, before also eyeing the trees around them.
Observant Halfling
(+1 DC)
(low light, Scent 30 ft)
Everyone is on high alert and peers about them. All but Boros and Valkor notice something, a rustle in the leaves, a brief glint of metal catching sunlight. Sebastien though sees a bandit crouching in the forest brush. Even Tor senses something, and stamps his hoof, raises his snout in the air and gives the warning signal, "Weee! Weee! Weee!"
Just as he does, a figure crouching behind the fallen tree pops up and slings a stone at Danus.
Danus gets bonked on the head.
stealth
perception
perception
perception
perception
perception
stealth
The bandits hidden in the woods begin whistling, shouting, and screeching, making a whole bunch of racket, making their true numbers indeterminable, while the bandit behind the tree taunts Danus saying, "Yer surrounded! Better give up the wagon or give up yer lives!"
Danus and Valkor are shake in their boots! Shemar is unphased.
Frightened.
The bandit behind the tree reloads his sling then fires it again at Danus!
This time the stone flies mercifully overhead.
The bandit then ducks behind the tree again, trying to hide.
The bandit from the bushes aims his sling at Valkor.
Another rock goes sailing off into the woods. The bandit reloads his sling and ducks back into the bush.
Another bandit pops out behind a tree and slings a stone at Shemar, reloads, and ducks again.
"Oh! Was that an actual rock! That was some serious force!"
This is the first time Shemar has been this thoroughly injured. This is NOT what he expected.
Shemar extends his left hand out toward the bandit behind the log, after patting his body to make sure he wasn't bleeding, and speaks words of power that cause his hand to glow, before shooting the blue light toward the bandit. , Shemar hides under the cart.
Stay put Crab Apple and...Whatever your name is.
◆◆ two magic missiles at bandit 1
◆Take cover
Sébastien smiles at the sight of the bandits!
Real live bandits! So cool!
The bard does winces as the rocks start flying, bonking and belting folks!
That seems a bit rude!
The halfling begins ◆Seeking for Bandit #3.
He also ◆Points Out Bandit #2 to the group.
There's a bandit ducking back into the bush there.
The Bard then begins to expound upon the virtues of a fair fight.
Lingering Composition
◆ Inspire Courage
Your eyes are sharp, allowing you to make out small details about concealed or even invisible creatures that others might miss. You gain a +2 circumstance bonus when using the Seek action to find hidden or undetected creatures within 30 feet of you. When you target an opponent that is concealed from you or hidden from you, reduce the DC of the flat check to 3 for a concealed target or 9 for a hidden one.
"You idiots are messin' with the wrong folks!"
Boros ordinarily did not agree that a fair fight was virtuous. But being on the receiving end of an ambush, he suddenly found himself in agreement with Sebastien! He hustles toward the nearest bandit looking to lay down some serious hurt.
;
;
Valkor stood frozen in place, a deep unsettling fear settled in his bones, as he watched the scene play out before him. He watched Boros rush into the fray an jumped into action joining his companion in repelling the bandits. He took a deep breath and let his training take over be like stone, unmoving, uncaring, he reminded himself as he brought his fists to bare against the bandit.
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As Sebastien pointed out the bandit hiding behind the shrubbery, she wondered if there were others hiding and lying in wait nearby.
Drawing her wooden shield from her back , Elry raised it before her as some protection from incoming attacks . Then she began keenly scanning the wooded area, trying to locate other threats/bandits near to her/them .
Having been taken by surprise, as well as injured by the bandits, Danus is slightly out of sorts as he makes his attack...but the words from Sebastien give him hope!
◆ Hunt Prey (bandit behind the fallen tree)
◆ Attack with bow (same as above)
◆ Command an animal
Bow attack:
Damage: (Normal damage+percision+Inspire)
Tor
◆ Move
◆ Tusk attack
Attack:
Damage:
Shemar returns the hurt with an arcane version of a flung stone. The benefit of force missiles is they always hit, and ignore the cover of the fallen tree.
From the back of the cart, the halfling duo of Sebastien and Elry are able to spot the third bandit taking cover behind a tree.
Sebastien then begins to turn the tide with his philosophical tirade.
Having had the second bandit pointed out Boros hops down from the cart and dashes through the underbrush. He skewers the bandit with rapier, but misses with his offhand dagger.
Valkor is quick to follow, using his martial training to overcome the shock of the ambush. He brings a balled fist crashing down on the bandit in the bush, but misses with his second strike.
Danus fires an arrow at the first bandit, which strikes the dead trunk of the fallen tree with a thud. Tor courageously moves around the tree to put the bandit in a more precarious situation.
During the ambush, its all Oona can do to hold the reins tight and keep Dapple and Misty under control. The ponies strain against their restraints, spooked by the sudden commotion.
Having a young bore savagely nipping at his heels, the first bandit jumps over the fallen log.
He ends up clamoring over it instead. Being now unprotected by the tree, the bandit drops his sling, draws a hatchet, and overhand throws it at Danus.
The hatchet lands in the dirt. The bandit gulps, then sneers at Danus.
The second bandit has been stabbed and punched, and faces down two adversaries. He opts to flee and live to fight another day.
"Hey! Get back here and fight, you coward!" shouts the first bandit.
The third bandit continues the hit and run tactics, popping out from behind the tree to snipe Shemar again.
The stone hits the side of the cart, spooking the ponies even further.This time, the bandit drops his sling and draws his hatchet, and moves in to get next to Shemar.
The Bard waves good-bye to the fleeing bandit then he begins to expound upon the virtues of a fair fight some more.
The Bard then begins speaking occult words, lifting a broken branch into the air and launching it at the Bandit near Shemar!
Telekinetic Projectile
The smiling halfling giggles.
At Sebastian’s inspired oratory Valkor feels emboldened and rushes toward the bandit by Shemar. He twists at the waist trying to all his weight into his punches.
From under the wagon, Shemar hears multiple footsteps outside. Seeing the legs of a bandit, Shemar opens his mouth and issues forth a small fiery belch.
Not the heroic start I imagined. I'll need to work on that if I want stories told of me.
Taking a deep breath, Elry raised her shield before her for added protection, especially against a hatchet-wielding criminal, , stepped 5 ft forward and with a firm grasp of the wooden handle of her sickle attacked the bandit nearest her .
Sebastien mentally flings a branch across the battlefield, knocking the third bandit across the head, leaving a nasty gash from the force of the blow. Valkor moves around the cart but is unable to connect fist to bandit. Then, a gout of flame erupts from the bandit’s feet, toasting him, just like Oona taught Shemar how to perfectly prepare the mallow for a s’more. The bandit falls to the ground, lifeless.
Only the first bandit remains, unarmed and exposed.
Danus again aims at the bandit as Tor rounds the fallen tree to keep the bandit from fleeing.
◆ Hunt Prey (bandit behind the fallen tree)
◆ Attack with bow (same as above)
◆ Command an animal
Bow attack:
Damage:
Tor
◆ Move
As the bandit remains pursued by the boar, he leaves himself potentially exposed to a sneaky halfling looking for blood.
;
Elry stayed in place and began casting toward Valkor, hoping to give the monk a small divine boon to aid him in the fight.
She stowed the sickle back on her belt Elry raised her shield for better protection.
Danus fires an arrow into the remaining bandit’s gut. He looks suddenly ill as his spleen is ruptured by the arrow. Boros and the boar have him surrounded, and Boros misses a crucial attack.
He spits blood back at the halfling, "I’ll take one o’ ya out with me, ya heard? Ya’ll rue the day ya messed with Cato the Killer!" He draws his remaining hatchet and hacks away.
Shemar will clear his throat, to wake himself back out of hiding, and come out from under the wagon. Pointing a finger at the bandit, he says, "Cato the killer becomes Cato the killed!"
After the bandit drops, Shemar clarifies, "Or at least, Cato the Incapacitated."
◆ Move
◆ ◆ magic missiles
Sébastien laughs.
Nicely well done s'mores preparations, Shemar!
"Cato the idiot," adds Boros as the bandit who wounds him falls to Shemar's magic missiles. He kicks the bandit in annoyance at the same time he shuffles forward to the tree, just to make sure the coast is really clear.
"Or at least, Cato the Incapacitated."
"Tch tch tch tch," Oona clucks her tongue at the ponies as she pulls back on the reins, trying to get them to calm down once the bandit threat is neutralized. "Wow!" she exclaims, "You guys surely know your stuff. I thought we were done for! Good thing I hired you, huh?"
Boros looks about the forest around them and sees no indication of any immediate threat.
Looking around at her companions, Elry positioned herself better on the other side of the wagon and then beckoned them nearer, and away from the dying bandits, so they would not be included in the magical healing.
"Those who are wounded, please come closer and I shall heal you with Aleria's light."
Taking the holy wooden symbol in hand, Elry began to speak the words of love and light in order to heal her companions.
Let’s see if we can get this tree off the path,” the monk suggested