GM Frost's B10 Hillcross Roundup (Inactive)

Game Master Frozen Frost

Dot in and delete.

The adventurers have recently arrived or have spent some time in Hillcross. The tent city is damp, and the air thick from a heavy rain that occurred the night before, but is still bustling with activity as folk of all kinds pass through. As they make their way through Hillcross, a tumultuous tapping grabs their attention. A woodpecker is quick at work, affixing a note to a wooden advertisement board. This note is a hastily scribbled message in Common, calling for help in rounding up stegosaurus nestlings just outside the city:

Urgent assistance requested! Young stegosauruses loose! Help me return them to the wild! Make haste to the outskirts of town, due west, then south between the two large boulders. Payment of gold provided in exchange for a successful roundup.

—Xila of the Green Faith

Kindly introduce yourselves.

An elf with weathered skin and grey hair wearing reinforced leather armor under his oiled cloak reads the note. A crossbow is in one hand with a quiver on bolts on the opposite hip. A sheathed dagger occupies the other side.

It looks like he is a hunter, and perhaps a religious or at least superstitious one at that given the multiple wooden symbols that hang from his neck, a key, a butterfly, a hood over stars and comet, and a pair of vertical lines that pass through a circle before converging.

A goblin dressed in fine Osirani silks smiles and looks around nervously. takes a couple steps to his left, before stepping back to his right.

"While I'm certain this form isn't as impressive as it could be, you may call me Mahatma, the Desert Sage."

"I am Alleron."

An unbelievably well-armed gnome arrives and says with much gusto and fire in his voice "Hi-Ho Hallo!".

"My name is Babak!"

Seeing the elf being so tall, he extends his chest excessively outwards, as if trying to look bigger. He makes his way to the "goblin" and shakes his hand. He looks at the elf and says "I'd offer to shake your hand as well, but it looks like I'll need a barrel!"

You see a halfling-sized scarecrow, dressed in worn, mismatched leathers. He has a Jack o’ lantern for a head, that flickers orange from within. A crow looks around from his shoulder; at second glance, it appears to be made of blackened wicker.

He removes the top of his head, and tips it like a hat. ”Blackfeather Jack, at your service!”, he says jovially. ”An intriguing little job, no? Rounding up the teensy monsters! I fear I may die of the cuteness!”

He holds the back of his hand to his forehead dramatically.

A noble looking dwarf enters into the room. His black hair is well groomed as is his shorter beard. He wears a set of chain and on his back is a crossbow. In a sheathe is a beautiful looking dwarven war axe.

I am Grallen Frostbane. I am happy to make your acquittances.

As they read the note, the woodpecker hovers nearby. It looks like it attempts to gently lead them in the direction of Xila and her clutch of dinosaurs.

Each begins with 1 hero point. Those with glyphs, this is your chance to share them to others in the Discussion thread.

"I think we are meant to follow the bird.

"It looks that way. Let's follow that bird."

Mahatma nods and adds "I've seen them lured before by various meats, we might use such tactics in recovering them."

Mahatma nods and adds "I've seen them lured before by various meats, we might use such tactics in recovering them."

”I’m sure whoever sent the bird keeps it fed”, Jack replies. The crow on his shoulder takes flight, keeping up with the woodpecker while getting a better view of where they’re going.

The dwarf adds as he begins to follow the bird, My people are known for speaking to ravens and other birds, a woodpecker is not above being spoken with, or at least guiding people but he says as he draws his ax from its strap, It is best to be prepared

By following the directions on the notice board and the woodpecker hovering above them, they find themselves in a large clearing in a wooded valley to the west of town. It is here they find a haggard Kellid woman in a patterned cloak of several colors. She ignores the sticks tangled in her hair and the dirt on her face as she chases a juvenile stegosaurus through the mud. All around her, nearly twenty young stegosauruses romp across the clearing, play in pools of mud, and trample the ropes and stakes of a ruined animal pen. For each stegosaurus the woman successfully herds toward the enclosure, another storm out, excited to roam and play. When they arrive, the woodpecker lands on her shoulder, and she slumps away from the chaos to greet them.

"I am Xila, a follower of the Green Faith. I suppose you are here to help me out? You see, when I heard rumors circulating around Hillcross that this clutch was to be sold into captivity, I knew I needed to return them to the wild. As young as many of them are, I believe their herd must be in the nearby lowlands. I paid the trapper’s fee, which was quite a sum, but money is nothing in comparison to their quality of life. I have kept them here while I searched the valleys. I found a herd nearby, with many young missing — it might even be their family. I intended to reunite them today, but this morning I discovered them like this. They’re quite the handful.”

"Seeing how rowdy and playful they can be, are your group still willing to help me? I will pay you as promised, that is sure."

They are likely too comfortable with you. Then tend to react to the unfamiliar. I think we can help you.

"Nice to hear that! Before I escort the young to their herd, I need to round them up and calm them down. There are far too many, and I’m exhausted. Please gather them up and bring them to me, without hurting them. While you’re at it, see if you can find out how they broke free — I don’t want to head into the wilderness only to be set upon by some dangerous creature.” Xila is relieved that they are here to help her.

The roundup plays out over the course of 3 rounds, each representing about 5 minutes of activity. During each round, attempt a single DC 15 skill check to help herd the clutch (DC 13 for PCs using Dinosaur Lore). You are free to use any skill so long as you can reasonably describe how you are using that skill in this situation. Creative solutions are encouraged for +1 circumstance bonus. Attempting the same skill check as you attempted in the previous round will incur –2 circumstance penalty to the check.

During each round, one of you can forgo your check to herd dinosaurs that round and instead attempt a DC 16 Perception check to Seek to investigate the area to discern how the stegosauruses broke free. Alternatively, you can attempt both checks, but each check takes a –3 circumstance penalty due to your divided attention.

Roleplay your three rounds worth of rounding up and the skills associated with them.

Blackfeather Jack stares for a long moment at the baby stegos.

”It is as I feared”, he says somberly. ”The cuteness”

He slowly falls backward onto the ground with a small thud.

Then he springs to his feet, ready for a round-up!

While discussing the task with Xila, Jack listened to the sounds of the wee dinos. Now, as he pursues them, he imitates their cries to get them to come to him.

Performance: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Are we doing this round by round, or all three at once?

Babak checks to see the area to see how the stegarsauruses were able to break free.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Mahatma uses the power of the wind to leap in front of the dinos when they start running the wrong way.

athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

You can roleplay the three rounds and their skills together in a post.

Alleron starts with some basic tracking and trapping techniques to herd some of the lost dinos towards the enclosure.

Survival: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 = 18

Creating a snare to catch one without harming it.

Crafting: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17

He then sneaks up on another one and chases it in.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 = 15

Jack tries to sneak up on another one, to scoop it up. ”Ooo, spiky!”

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Then he sings the Stego Song, to get one to focus on him.

”Little stegos in the clearing.
See them wander, so endearing.
Playing games with all their mates
And their little stego plates!”

Fascinating Performance: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Mahatma balances along the fence posts, trying to encourage the dinos back the correct way.

acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Finally Mahatma jumps back in front of an escaping dino.

athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Are there pics of the baby dinos?

The dwarf will use his athletic skill to try and corral baby dinos into places of safety
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Jack tries to sneak up on another one, to scoop it up. ”Ooo, spiky!”

[dice=Stealth]1d20+5

Then he sings the Stego Song, to get one to focus on him.

”Little stegos in the clearing.
See them wander, so endearing.
Playing games with all their mates
And their little stego plates!”

[dice=Fascinating Performance]1d20+5

I like your poem!

I like your poem!

Thank you! :-D

Babak gets back from the fence and tries to help capture Stegasauruses.

He tries to tumble through the dinosaurs to get behind them.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

For another, he stalks it quietly to get close. When near, he loops a rope around it's neck and leads it back.
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Blackfeather successfully imitates some dinos to get thei attention. The leshy also sneak behind one and sings for another. 3 total Roundup Points.

Babak checks the enclosure and finds footprints of a clawed creature and signs that part of the enclosure was chopped or torn apart. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to your initiative roll if there is an encounter. He then tumbles through a dino but he fails to do, and the dino flees in fear. He sneaks another and puts rope around it. 1 total Roundup Point

Mahatma tries to catch a dino with brute force but the dino is too big for him. He then tries to balance himself in the fence but fails to get the dino's attention. His attempt to catch one of them results into him falling on the mud instead on the dino's back. -1 Roundup Point.

Grallen is all about force. He manages to bring a good number of them. 3 Roundup Points

Alleron makes some traps and snares catches some dinos unaware. He then chases one after hiding behind a bush. 3 Roundup Points

After about twenty minutes, the party rounds up the dinosaurs and herds them into Xila’s enclosure. She thanks them, then begins
counting the dinosaurs, tapping at sticks in her hair the way one might count on their fingers.

Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen... nineteen. Hmm. Let me count them again." She repeats counting them.

And again.

And again, all the dinosaurs multiple times, with more urgency and desperation each time, and suddenly cries out in alarm.

"One young stegosaurus is missing!" she informs them with a cry. "The youngest and smallest among them, Babs, is missing." she cries.

Babak studies the foot prints and claw marks. Perhaps it is possible to identify the creature based on these.
Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

"I found tracks at the edge of the enclosure which was broken. It may have been chopped or torn apart. Whatever passed through there had claws. I suggest we go and follow it."

"Have there been reports of any animals or creatures in this area?"

Jack gasps in horror. ”A monster!”, he cries. ”Lead on, brave Babak! We must track it down, and save little Babs!”

The crow on his shoulder appears unperturbed by this turn of events.

Babak goes back to the spot where the tracks were, and begins his pursuit.

Track: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

He has his shortbow at hand as he pursues the beast.

Babs, lol

Mahatma summons forth a chilling night desert wind and follows those skilled at tracking.

Channel elements. There's now a 10ft aura of wind (That doesn't have any mechanical effect) floating around me.

Alleron studies the tracks for a moment and also being to follow them.

Hunt Prey
Survival: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 = 17

The dwarf will attempt to aid the gnome in tracking
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 survival check

Babak cannot determine what kind of creature might attacked the young dinos based on the footprint.

"No idea," she wipes her tears while answering Babak. "I was returning from Hillcross with fresh supplies and discovered them like this. They are usually quite calm, but something might have spooked them. Apart from taking a moment to send for help, I haven’t had the opportunity to investigate." she tells them frankly.

"It looks like you will help me, as I can see it. I will pay the bounty as promised. While you search, I will stay behind to ensure that no more of the clutch goes missing.." she then pulls out something from her bag. She gives them two minor healing potions and two lesser eagle-eye elixirs. "Here, take this, might help your search with Babs. I hope you find her. Be careful. I wonder if the dinosaur thief may have captured more dinosaurs in addition to little Babs. Please bring any other dinosaurs you might find with the thief back to me so I can help reunite them with their herds."

The group follows the tracks that lead west, deeper into the wooded valley. They follow the tracks for one hour and finds themselves close to a certain hill.

You can find yourselves on the MAP. I do not have icon from Grallen. Kindly put it on the MAP within the dotted shape.

As they approach the barren hill, they can hear someone shouting at someone or something.

What will you do?

Jack doesn’t understand the language, but he tries to find where it’s coming from.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Mahatma whispers [smaller]"3, and they've got the dino. Maybe they'll leave if we ask."[smaller]

Mahatma shouts back in goblin.

Babak moves quietly towards the source of the sound, trying to make use of natural cover as he goes.

Alleron keeps his crossbow at the ready, aiming it in the direction of the sound.

The dwarf will prepare his crossbow,

"Who is that?!" the voice exclaims back as she reveals herself from the elevated area. "I, Glorzia, will never let go the dinos! You will find rest in peace here!" she declares while daring them to get her.

They can also hear the low cries of the dino.

Bakbak becomes Unnoticed to Glorzia and to Compy and Compo.

Rolling initiatives...

"Come over here, you cowards!" Glorzia taunts them to going up the hill as she goes down, her weapon ready in her hand.

❖❖❖❖❖❖ DINO THIEF'S LAIR Round 1 ❖❖❖❖❖❖

ENCOUNTER MAP
Other Notes: ☘️ - Hero Points.

❖❖❖CHARACTER IN ➤ BOLD TYPEFACE CAN ACT!❖❖❖
Glorzia (Red) (- HP) | Readying
➤ Babak (- HP) | Unnoticed to enemies
➤ Grallen (- HP)
➤ Jack (- HP)
Compo (Black, Tiny) (- HP)
Alleron (- HP)
Compy (Blue, Tiny) (- HP)
Mahatma (- HP)

Babak stays low with bow ready. He decides that he will take on Glorzia and marks her as his prey. He readies his weapon, waiting for Glorzia to enter his range. He whispers "Maybe you guys can wait for her to come down to us. Shoot her if you can."

◆Hunted Prey - Glorzia
◆◆Ready Action - Hunted Shot.

Babak stays low with bow ready. He decides that he will take on Glorzia and marks her as his prey. He readies his weapon, waiting for Glorzia to enter his range. He whispers "Maybe you guys can wait for her to come down to us. Shoot her if you can."

◆Hunted Prey - Glorzia
◆◆Ready Action - Hunted Shot.

She’s 50’ away from you. No need to wait.

how are you measuring? the tools on the app we're using doesn't have measurements. I'm counting tiles and had 65"

7 diagonals = 50 feet. That being said you have hunt prey active which means you don't take a range penalty for the first or second range increment.

GM, which creature's tracks were I following? That is currently who Alleron is hunting.

Will post in a bit

The dwarf will take a shot at the red foe with his crossbow
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 heavy crossbow
and misses, he will then reload