|
Kesha moves up and shoots White with a ray of goodness. Unfortunately White easily avoids it. Steelmantle charges Red and shoves Red back. Red gets pushed back 10 feet, twisting his ankle in the process.
Yellow sees the big centaur charge and hurls his alchemist fire as an automatic action.
for plus 1 persistent plus 1 splash
Duncan loses his temper and charges at White. White manages to duck the awkward blow with that massive axe but gets shoved back.
for plus 1 splash
Yellow then pulls his bow off his back and shoots Steelmantle.
for
Pink and Blue both swap their flasks for bows and shoot arrows at Steelmantle.
for
for
for
for
Blue's second arrow sticks in Steelmantle's shield but the rest don't even come close.
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Morale Points: 17
After your Turn:
DC 15 Flat check vs 1 Persistent Fire: Valereon
------------------
Those with ** may go
**Valereon - AC 17 11/19 (AC 18; 1 persistent fire)
Red (-13; AC <= 20)
Pawero - AC 19 (20 w/buckler) 24/24
Payani - AC 18 18/18
White (AC <= 20)
Steelmantle - AC 18 (20 w/shield) 22/22
Kesha Flameward - AC 16 15/15
Yellow (AC <= 20)
Duncan Dankworth - AC 18 (17 w/large weapon) 27/27 (temp hp: 4/4)
Blue (AC <= 20)
Pink (AC <= 20)
|
Flames lit up Valereon’s coat, the edges of his noble attire catching fire. The smell of burning silk fills the air but instead of panic, Valereon smirks and says “Impressive! But thank you for adding flare to my flair!”
◆Demoralize Red
He fixes his gaze on Red and charmingly mocks him. “Real fire burns for a cause and not for your amusement. Be careful, play with fire long enough, and you might meet someone who burns brighter!”
While trying to demoralize Red, Valereon’s actions feel lighter, faster and more precise.
◆Stride towards Red
Valereon’s eyes lock on Red, his expression calm but burning with purpose. The bandit’s flames still dance in the air, but to Valereon, they’re just stage lights for his grand finale.
He stops his parrying stance and moves forward with effortless grace while his cloak flares like a banner of defiance. His every step seems calculated like a dancer’s stride and a duelist’s rhythm.
◆Strike Red
“Allow me to return the favor with style”, he says smoothly. He performs a movement that blurs the line between art and violence. He pivots on his heel, his shortsword slicing through the air in a perfect spiral and his body turning like a ballerino performing a balletic spin.
After his performance, Valereon murmurs to himself “I feel like I miscalculated my strike.”
|
|
Valereon warns Red before stabbing him. Although the strike doesn't connect squarely, the nick is enough to cause Red to bleed out.
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Morale Points: 17
After your Turn:
DC 15 Flat check vs 1 Persistent Fire: Valereon, Steelmantle
------------------
Those with ** may go
Valereon - AC 17 10/19 (1 persistent fire)
**Pawero - AC 19 (20 w/buckler) 24/24
**Payani - AC 18 18/18
White (AC <= 20)
Steelmantle - AC 18 (20 w/shield) 19/22 (1 persistent fire)
Kesha Flameward - AC 16 15/15
Yellow (AC <= 20)
Duncan Dankworth - AC 18 (17 w/large weapon) 27/27 (temp hp: 4/4)
Blue (AC <= 20)
Pink (AC <= 20)
|
|
Impressed by the combat prowess of Duncan and Steelmantle (and even Valereon to some extent, too, he admits silently), Payani moves to join his collegues in protecting the caravan. He sizes up the one engaged with Duncan, looking for any tell-tale signs of malnutrition
He rubs a bit of tsugichi weed on the blade of his starknife and weaves his tome in an occult pattern before slicing into the man's torso.
|
|
Pawero and Payani move up and together take White down.
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Morale Points: 17
After your Turn:
DC 15 Flat check vs 1 Persistent Fire: Valereon, Steelmantle
------------------
Those with ** may go
Valereon - AC 17 10/19 (1 persistent fire)
Pawero - AC 19 (20 w/buckler) 24/24
Payani - AC 18 18/18
**Steelmantle - AC 18 (20 w/shield) 19/22 (1 persistent fire)
**Kesha Flameward - AC 16 15/15
Yellow (AC <= 20)
Duncan Dankworth - AC 18 (17 w/large weapon) 27/27 (temp hp: 4/4)
Blue (AC <= 20)
Pink (AC <= 20)
|
|
Steelmantle raises his shield. He moves up, plants his shield on Pink and pushes. Pink yells as he flies backwards and slams into the rock.
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Morale Points: 17
After your Turn:
DC 15 Flat check vs 1 Persistent Fire: Valereon, Steelmantle
------------------
Those with ** may go
Valereon - AC 17 10/19 (1 persistent fire)
Pawero - AC 19 (20 w/buckler) 24/24
Payani - AC 18 18/18
Steelmantle - AC 18 (20 w/shield) 18/22 (AC 20; 1 persistent fire)
**Kesha Flameward - AC 16 15/15
Yellow (AC <= 20)
Duncan Dankworth - AC 18 (17 w/large weapon) 27/27 (temp hp: 4/4)
Blue (AC <= 20)
Pink (-8; AC <= 20)
|
|
Kesha moves up and casts Shield.
Yellow drops his bow and draws his sword. He steps toward Steelmantle and tries to take on the centaur all by himself.
for
Unfortunately, his aim is off and he nearly takes his foot off...
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Morale Points: 17
After your Turn:
DC 15 Flat check vs 1 Persistent Fire: Valereon, Steelmantle
------------------
Those with ** may go
Valereon - AC 17 10/19 (1 persistent fire)
Pawero - AC 19 (20 w/buckler) 24/24
Payani - AC 18 18/18
Steelmantle - AC 18 (20 w/shield) 18/22 (AC 20; 1 persistent fire)
Kesha Flameward - AC 16 15/15 (AC 17)
Yellow (AC <= 20)
**Duncan Dankworth - AC 18 (17 w/large weapon) 27/27 (temp hp: 4/4)
Blue (AC <= 20)
Pink (-8; AC <= 20)
|
|
◇ Clumsy 1 (-1 to AC while wielding Large weapon)
With a furious roar, Duncan charges straight at Yellow, his massive axe brandished. "You better run too!" he bellows, swinging the weapon down with terrifying force.
vs Yellow
S damage
◆◆ Sudden Charge
Using his momentum, Duncan presses forward, shoving the ambusher back with sheer strength. "Are you sure you want to fight us, huh?!" he growls, eyes burning with fury.
vs Yellow's Fort DC
◆ Shove
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|
Duncan rushes Yellow but the axe pulls him off balance. He tries to shove Yellow but bounces off the bandit, much to Yellow's amusement.
His back aching from hitting the big rock, Pink levels his bow at Steelmantle.
for
for
for
Blue does the same, preferring to hang back than to tangle with the big centaur.
for
for
for
With aim like that, it's not surprising...
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 3
Tactical Map
Morale Points: 17
After your Turn:
DC 15 Flat check vs 1 Persistent Fire: Valereon, Steelmantle
------------------
Those with ** may go
**Valereon - AC 17 10/19 (1 persistent fire)
**Pawero - AC 19 (20 w/buckler) 24/24
**Payani - AC 18 18/18
**Steelmantle - AC 18 (20 w/shield) 18/22 (AC 20; 1 persistent fire)
**Kesha Flameward - AC 16 15/15 (AC 17)
Yellow (AC <= 20)
Duncan Dankworth - AC 18 (17 w/large weapon) 27/27 (temp hp: 4/4)
Blue (AC <= 20)
Pink (-8; AC <= 20)
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|
Payani follows the flow of battle across the sandy terrain. He slips in between Duncan and Steelmantle to face off against the bandit in the Yellow trousers.
But just like how he defied Duncan's attempts, Payani is similarly unable to get a read on this one. Nevertheless, he swings his starknife hoping it will find its mark.
|
|
Kesha moves up and provides Valereon with some much needed healing. Payani also moves closer and slashes Yellow.
"Oy! These are me best leathers! Ye'll pay fer that!"
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 3
Tactical Map
Morale Points: 17
After your Turn:
DC 15 Flat check vs 1 Persistent Fire: Valereon, Steelmantle
------------------
Those with ** may go
**Valereon - AC 17 19/19 (1 persistent fire)
**Pawero - AC 19 (20 w/buckler) 24/24
Payani - AC 18 18/18
**Steelmantle - AC 18 (20 w/shield) 18/22 (AC 20; 1 persistent fire)
Kesha Flameward - AC 16 15/15
Yellow (-7; AC <= 20)
Duncan Dankworth - AC 18 (17 w/large weapon) 27/27 (temp hp: 4/4)
Blue (AC <= 20)
Pink (-8; AC <= 20)
|
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As Kesha’s restorative fire engulfs him, the sting of Valereon's wounds fade. He feels a warmth that seeps deeper than his flesh. As it dissipates, he exhales deeply while running his hand through his hair and regains composure. “For a moment, I thought I’d die looking less than magnificent. You’ve spared the world that tragedy.”
◆ Stride towards Pink
Valereon, fully restored and energized, gracefully moves toward Pink.
◆ Demoralize Pink
He mockingly tells Pink “You just tried to shoot my companion. Tell me, was that poor aim, or poor judgment?”
Once again, Valereon's actions feel lighter, faster and more precise.
◆ Strike Pink
He prepares to strike Pink and confidently says “Consider this a lesson in precision.” He once again performs a balletic spin and gracefully stabs Pink with his shortsword.
|
|
Pawero gets an angle on Yellow and widens the hole in Yellow's 'best leathers'. His second arrow misses, however.
Steelmantle moves up to Yellow and shoves him with his shield. Yellow flies back and the snap of bone can be heard as his head strikes a rock.
Valereon comments on Pink's lack of aim or judgement. As the man splutters in indignation, the elf smoothly runs the man through.
------------------
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 3
Tactical Map
Morale Points: 17
After your Turn:
DC 15 Flat check vs 1 Persistent Fire: Valereon, Steelmantle
------------------
Those with ** may go
Valereon - AC 17 18/19 (1 persistent fire)
Pawero - AC 19 (20 w/buckler) 24/24
Payani - AC 18 18/18
Steelmantle - AC 18 (20 w/shield) 17/22 (AC 20; 1 persistent fire)
Kesha Flameward - AC 16 15/15
**Duncan Dankworth - AC 18 (17 w/large weapon) 27/27 (temp hp: 4/4)
Blue (AC <= 20; Fort DC <= 15)
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|
With another furious roar, Duncan charges the remaining bandit, this time. "Who's sent you?! You better speak before my blade cuts you off!" he asks angrily but does not give the enemy a chance to speak.
vs Blue.
S damage
◆◆ Sudden Charge
He also shoves the enemy, whether he stays alive after the assault or not.
vs Blue's Fort DC 15
◆ Shove
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With the last knot of the bandage tied, Valereon expresses his gratitude towards Pawero, "Splendid work Pawero! I’d take a few burns if it means the goblins and wagons are safe. Besides, those flames did add more flare to my performance. And those glittering hands of yours are so efficient and elegant, truly impressive! But not quite enough to outshine mine, I’m afraid."
|
|
Payani takes a minute to do a quick lap around the wagons and check out the trail that the bandits came at them from. He doesn't want to risk getting ambushed again if there are any others. He then rejoins the rest of his team at the oasis, drains and refills his water skin, and takes up his position alongside the wagons, ready to move out once the others are settled.
|
|
Valereon - AC 17 19/19
Pawero - AC 19 (20 w/buckler) 24/24
Payani - AC 18 18/18
Steelmantle - AC 18 (20 w/shield) 15/22 (AC 20)
Kesha Flameward - AC 16 15/15
Duncan Dankworth - AC 18 (17 w/large weapon) 27/27 (temp hp: 4/4)
|
|
You arrive at the camp and find it bustling with activity. Goblin engineers do their best to guide goblin workers as they build the decking and assemble the piers; the bridge appears simple, but sturdy, and is approximately half complete by this point.
As the wagons are unloaded, Muckmuck shows you to Zig, leader of the bridge camp.
While many of the goblins at the work camp are covered in dirt and sweat, Zig stands tall and straight among them. He pours over maps of the surrounding area before speaking.
"It is good to see you. They call me Zig. I’m glad my father asked you to come here to help."
"We have been building a very important bridge. But every night, the big cats attack our camp. We leave out meat for them and they saunter right past it. Instead, they seem bent on filling their bellies with goblin flesh. If we move camp across the river; they cross over it overnight. If we light fires around the camp to scare them away, the goblins workers burn themselves in the flames. It’s a lose-lose situation."
"Every few nights, the cats come back to hunt us. Everyone is terrified and that’s bad for business. With all this talk of some saber-toothed whatever coming for us in the night, we’re all too scared to finish our work. If someone doesn’t take these furballs out, I suspect the bridge isn’t ever gonna get built."
"These kitties aren’t natural. Whatever you need, you got it. I can give you workers to build fences. But fences alone aren’t going to be enough. Either the cats go, or this bridge is history. The only other answer is death."
The camp is mostly filled with goblin workers, most of whom do not speak Common and are too busy to talk to you. The areas of note in the camp are the supply depot (where tools and materials are kept for building the bridge), the mess hall (where Zig works and food is stored), the infirmary (where sick or injured goblins are cared for), and the tents where each goblin sleeps. Zig introduces you to Pearlybones, a trained doctor who tends the sick and injured.
"I need you to patrol the perimeter of the camp at night to make sure that the cats don't get any more goblins. If the dying continues, I'm afraid the workers will desert."
Muckmuck makes is painfully clear that "These 'Pathfinders' are the only ones keeping us here, Zig. Another incident and we walk!"
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Once Duncan’s rage cools, he takes a moment to scan the area. His keen eyes catch a faint trail leading to a secluded spot where a small cache is tucked away by the bandits. Inside, he finds a khopesh, a fighting fan, and a set of bolas, likely spoils from their earlier raids.
He gathers the weapons and returns to the caravan, ready to move on.
"Always check for loot after a fight," he remarks.
|
|
Valereon steps into the infirmary within the camp. He is welcomed by an atmosphere filled with scent of herbs and blood. Inside, Pearlybones had just finished treating an injured goblin.
Valereon approaches him, “Doctor, a moment of your time, if you please.”
Valereon folds his arms, eyes glancing briefly to the wounded before settling on the doctor. In a slightly lowered tone with a sense of urgency he says, “Doctor, I value your craft. You mend what others break. But tell me, what creatures leave wounds like these? I’d rather not let them ruin my coat and my reputation in one night. I’d like to know who dares share the spotlight with me.”
|
|
"We need a plan," says Steelmantle to the group. "It would be much easier to make one if we knew what was motivating these cats. Eventually, I guess, we'll have to find their lair and deal with them."
"Have we any trackers amongst us?"
Payani nods at Steelmantle's point. They will need a tracker, and it does not appear that any of his teammates have much training or experience in that area. So the ancient yaksha consults the notes in his strange old book to see what he might have learned over the decades of his life.
He sets out on a quick lap around the camp to see if he can find any traces of the cats, using what knows but also focusing on spots where the goblins said attacks had occurred.
|
|
”I agree with Pawero. If we consolidate all the goblins in one place then it will be easier to guard them. We shore up the camp’s heart — the sleeping tents and the infirmary. That’s where the goblins are most at risk.” Kesha says.
Kesha is now stationed at the infirmary, helping Pearlybones tending the injured and ready to heal Pathfinders or goblins. She keeps a watchful eye on the camp and fence line, flame flickering softly from her fingertips, ready to defend or heal at a moment’s notice.