Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Vasaam:
No, wolves are not intelligent. The only ones who are are either companions, but those don't get sent off to die. [ooc]Kn. Arcana roll for a different kind. To Lariel the lumberyard boss replies:
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Lariel's observation of wolf tracks, indicates they came from the west. But the older tracks indicate more wolves have been here at least over the past 1 or 2 days. He also observes their fur and condition, no traces of disease as far as he can tell. @ Vasaam: 'a few wolves' is 4 here. To Aletha, the lumberyard boss replies:
"3 days ago, we were mapping the surroundings, check what areas hold the best yield of lumber, after we'd be done with the big ones here. Three of them went scouting, you'll find one of them, Tobias, in the tent 2nd on the left. The others, Mark and Leo, should be working erecting the fence to the west. The wolves, so far in quartets, seem to be coming for those three specifically, but fight others who come too close too. I don't know what happened, and they either don't know what caused them to be hunted, or are very determined to not tell anyone for whatever reason keeps them silent."
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Holy sh...that long? Shame on me. The team sets out to the lumberyard. A few hours on foot later, there is the sound of combat in the distance. When the scene comes into view, a number of lumberjacks have just finished killing a few wolves. The lumberyard boss is giving directions for getting the scrapes and gnashes seen to. "Spirits damned wolves."
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Vasaam Cathan wrote: How hard would it be to pull the wagon ourselves? I don't remember us taking any mounts with us. And I don't have any spell ready for that? It's without horses very very heavy. No, indeed you did not by mount. By now it is low light and dark soon before you'd get back to the city. Perception 9 / Survival 9: The horses went west. It would be a fair assumption the horses startled the boar, and the bandits chasing the horse got the aggression for it.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
@ Lariel, yes. Vasaam finds the wagon pretty much intact. The bandits don't protest, being both injured and having seen your team's efficiency.
Lariel wraps up what he saw was a wet gash on one of the mens' legs, which matches with a bloody smear on one of the boar's tusks.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Vasaam doesn't notice anything particular about the boar. It's solid, it 'was' very angry, but nothing unnatural for such an animal. @ Lariel,
The two injured bandits shrug. "We were the ones driving the wagon alright. Got out for just a minute, then this boar charged at us after some aggressive grunting."
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Under magic, and Aletha's attack, the angry boar goes down. The injured bandits visibly calm down, with the adrenaline of combat over, their senses of strain on muscles come back to them.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Angry boar, round 3 Lariel plants his first arrow well between its shoulders, invoking a loud cry from the angry animal.
Aletha & Vasaam
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
While Aletha manages to divert the gore attack, the impact of doing so leaves her aim inaccurate to properly retaliate.
Angry boar, round 3 Lariel plants his first arrow well between its shoulders, invoking a loud cry from the angry animal.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Aletha lets into the boar, striking a solid wound. It gets even angrier. The stone Leona swirls towards the boar hits, hitting it in the flank.
Angry boar, round 3 Lariel
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Lariel gets the 1st arrow in, evoking an aggressive *oink* The 2 injured bandits move and shoot their own arrows.
Coraline holds off on healing for the moment, while Vasaam withdraws to a safer distance. Leona & Aletha
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Leona moves past the blue bandit, drawing her loaded sling. In position, she starts spinning and lets it fly. It comes short, slipping out and landing somewhere in the low grass.
However, as it is about to move, Vasaam's spell is unleashed.
As it approaches him, Aletha throws her pilum. Though Vasaam standing between them makes it a close miss.
Angry boar, round 2 Lariel
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Nausicaa Ingrid Leona Ioanna wrote:
Adjusted to X dmg.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
@ Leona, the boar is far from being out of commission, neutralizing it would be on the agenda still.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Nausicaa Ingrid Leona Ioanna wrote:
I don't mind, but in this case these guys are not hostile towards. you.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Lariel shoots his arrow swiftly, it flies only barely past the boar. Vasaam moves closer and prepares a spell for when the boar comes closer. Meanwhile Aletha moves closer and hurls a pilum at the boar, which comes up short and flies over its body. The injured bandits make distance, and shoot arrows at the boar.
Blue lands his arrow in the shoulder of the boar, while green, in his panic, nearly drops his arrow to start with.
Leona
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
@ Everyone, with everyone's headers set to full HP, narrative is a bit off. Leveling up means you'd spend a day training, but since you went immediately back the same day, i have adjusted HP totals to having the same amount of damage taken as before the initial return. Post Coraline's channel, only she is at 14/16, everyone else is at full. Everyone, the map is up under my header. Aletha, Vasaam, could you please place yourselves where you would move to for your actions?
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Aletha Verkossian wrote:
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
@Lariel, this is an open space, unfortunately nothing to hide behind here. The injured bandit frantically waves his hand, scared whatever hurt them comes....and it does. It is an angry looking boar. Everyone, since Vasaam heard something is nearby, you have 1 action before the boar entered view. =============================================
Init:
Aletha: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 Caroline: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 Lariel: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 Leona: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 Vasaam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 Injured bandits: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Round 1 Lariel
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
The group hikes back into the thickets, the sun setting in the distance behind the thick growth when they arrive.
Trailing the cart tracks, the team approaches a spacious area with 2 bandits leaning injured against the wagon. As 1 sees you, me waves you away with big eyes. "Leave, before it comes back! You're far too visible!" Perception 15, hearing?: Something is grunting behind the wagon, doesn't sound small either.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Aletha, if it isn't abyssal but destined, would it be ok for the GM to take some alternative approach to the future voice's origin?
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Lariel Harp wrote:
Tracks had split up. Foot tracks led to the bandits. The wagon trails went left, horses included.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Go ahead with the lvl up. Ingame you'll spend a day off, and train with some of the guild veterans.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Back to HQ then it is. @ Lariel, the bandits' loot is what you have found here. The gnomes would find nothing of worth. You make your way back to the city, time turning to late afternoon, around 16:00-16:15 as you arrive at The Warden's Respite. You find Margaret waiting the bar, and giving a solid piece of her mind to an unruly patron who promptly backs down and shuts up. She acknowledges your arrival with a nod, a motions you to come over to hear what you have to report.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
So sorry for the delay. A Kn. Planes is in order for the sphere, if someone has it. Lariel digs his knowledge, both about dungeons and nature. But no tale about a sphere like this comes to mind. Vasaam's studied his share to become a wizard, but not even his lessons have made mention of such an object. With the bandits gone, the one trail you could follow is the wagon's.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
For the time being, Vasaam and his pack cover and muffle the sounds coming from the orb. It is still audible, but does not tax your minds. However, fair chance it will continue to do so when they come off. How do you proceed?
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Str Aletha: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Str Coraline: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Str Leona: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Psychic dmg: 1d2 ⇒ 2 The ladies all are thrown back, and lie somewhat dazed under the effect of the noises coming from the orb. Coraline has enough focus to stand back up again however, as she focuses her mind sharply.
Round 2 Aletha (prone)
Will saves everyone. Pass = 1 psychic dmg & 1 action.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Lariel Harp wrote:
The mental effect is neither. Yes, from prone getting up is a single action.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Vasaam detects no magic coming from the box. Str check Aletha: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Within, was a red'ish purple orb the size of an apple.
There is little time to wonder, as is suddenly starts vibrating with an increasing hum. Some crude sounding whispers come forth from between the hums. A sudden pulse explodes from the orb, not at all shattering it, but hitting everyone nearby. [ooc]Str check 15, pass you remain standing, fail means you are knocked prone. Either way, everyone is pushed 15 ft back. When everyone regains their wits from the outward pulse of force, there are these crude whispers but growing louder, coming from the orb. Mocking and aggressive, they cause your heads to throb. Will saves everyone, DC 14.
Pass willsave:
On a pass, you can take 1 action and take 1 psychic damage. See matching spoiler. Fail the will save:
You take 1d2 psychic damage and take no action this turn. Psychic damage:
This translates to a mental strain. It functions *similar* to nonlethal, in that having more points of psychic damage than your current HP, means you pass out from mental overload. Aletha & Leona:
You get +1 to the will saves. We enter a sequence in rounds. Round 1 Everyone make your saves and decide on an action.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
The dried meat looks like jerky. Very likely small veal jerky, if the skewers near the campfire were an indication. Lariel checks every side of the box for indications of traps.
He then starts fiddling with the lock, but it won't open.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Vasaam recovers most of his wounds, and is back to 5 HP. The humming doesn't yet stop, but with fighting over, it does seem to lessen gradually over the span of the next several rounds. The defeated bandit carried:
The tents contain nothing of much value. One holds a simple mess kit and 15 trail rations, and recently dried meat.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Lariel Harp wrote: Maybe bot Leona for a round? Leona goes a short *tsk tsk* "Run along then, with your tails between your legs."Blue and green abandon the campsite. Combat is essentially over, unless you decide to run after them into unexplored territory.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Green @ Aletha "You were for killing anyhow. We hadn't, could've. Who's bloodthirsty here, eh?" Blue @ Aletha: "See we're all sensible people. We go our separate ways and all.", he gives a short yell towards yellow.
Coraline's not having any of negotiations, and casts her spell.
Yellow square. It is also the source of the humming sound.
Round 4 Leona
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Coraline's thrust at red is once more affected by the darned brambles sticking out near her toes on the ground. Friends and foes alike standing between himself and blue, it causes the shot to just miss, flying just over the tent into the growth beyond. Red does indeed get cut down by Aletha.
Yellow takes another shot.
Perception 17:
The faint humming is now a little more clear. Yellow is definitely casting another nervous glance over his shoulder. Round 3 Leona steps back and hits the guy who didn't actually hit her for a small bump on the head. Vasaam stabilize check: 1d20 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 - 1 = 4Vasaam at -1, goes to -2 next round.
Green (-7) seems a little smarter, caution creeping into his mind to look for a way out, after red is cut down, and himself and blue hurt. Doing what devious bandits can do best when chances are against them, he steps 5ft towards Vasaam, addressing you all.
Blue chimes in, "Yes, we'll part ways here, alright? Nice and easy, no need for more casualties.", is said with a slight smirk. How do you proceed?
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Vasaam tries casting a spell, but the bandit's hold on him is strong, and the effort results in Vasaam passing out.
Leona does some amazing healing on her part, restoring almost all of Aletha's wounds.
Blue (-9) skirts around the combat, drawing a dagger as he goes.
Green (-5) swings his sword at Leona.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Coraline and Lariel attack for what would be fair hits.
Channel next round, then? Mind you, without selective channel, you can't exclude enemies. Aletha does land a hit on red, leaving him bloodied with a grievous wound.
Yellow takes aim again, moving further away afterwards.
Round 3 Leona
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Being hurt, blue steps away towards Vasaam, sheathes his sword, and attempts to grab him. "C'mere blondie."
Green steps into blue's previous spot, swinging his shortsword at Lariel.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Coraline's uneasy steps moving around the corner of the hedge provides an opening for the man to swings his blade.
A light gash is cut upon Coraline's side as she passes. However this is dealt in kind, but stronger, as she jabs her spear into the guy's flank.
Vasaam hadn't drawn a weapon yet, flanking bonus hasn't activated yet.
Yellow moves around the campfire, and aims an arrow at Aletha.
Perception 20:
There is a faint humm coming from near the campfire, about where the archer bandit is. Who himself seems to take a quick glance trying to check where it's coming from. ====================================== Round 2 Leona
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
@ Coraline, the dark green squares are high growth. The light green squares are passable. You can roll an acrobatics to move from your previous square to the one indicated by the arrow, and then jab at him. Or draw another melee weapon and attack.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Ref vs flames: 2d20 + 2 ⇒ (11, 9) + 2 = 22 Both men get burns from the sudden spell.
Leona picks up a small stone from the ground and slings it at the red bandit. However the allies standing in the way protect the man from getting hit.
Blue's sword is particularly accurate, gashing Vasaam across the abdomen, leaving his clothes bloodied and him feeling dizzy from the sudden wound.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Vasaam wrote: "Sad. I didn't think that a group of horse thieves would be giving up equipment for nothing." Barely have these words left Vasaam's mouth, that the four men catch on and turn their weapons towards the party. ----------------------------------------Init:
Aletha: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 Caroline: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 Lariel: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Leona: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 Vasaam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 Blue: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
----------------- Round 1 Leona
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
To the inquiries about themselves, a short "None of your business." is given. The men hoist their small rucksacks over their shoulders, take the meat skewers, and make motion to start walking north.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Lariel:
Kn. Nature: The thickets feature many animals of size small and smaller still.
Geography:
Not everything's been explored, there hadn't presented a pressing need for it yet. That is to say, the areas within nearer to the road are generally safe for travel. Looking for trouble would be going inward into deeper uncharted areas. Vasaam's further attempts are met with less favorable reactions, his words not sounding too good with the four men.
The dismissive one looks over at the 'chatty one'.
The chatty guy follows up,
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
Oof, last week was last? @Vasaam's question about utilizing the fire.
Coraline's attempt at further gauging the deal with these 4 men doesn't bear much fruit. "Hunting.", one of the others says in a dismissive tone, his thumb points at 2 skinned tiny critters, some meat already on skewers. Probably just enough for 4. "What about you?", the 'chatty' one asks. All eyes aimed at the group.
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
The four men still look wary of you. Then the speaker replies, "Fine. But the tents are all taken."
Slides Innkeeper and storyteller.
There are some strange looks on the men's faces at the unusual greetings about sharks and dolphins. A quick reply, "You make campsites yourselves. We didn't look for others, is that all?"
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