Russ'Ruk's page

While exploring the abandoned lodge Russ frames the area between his hands from a few angles. "What a magnificent view as well, to sit and drink and see the natural beauty of the world from here. We'd have to do well to keep it intact if we set up a settlement here."

Btw I will 100% take that sturdy shield from earlier Halberd isn't my typical weapon of choice and better for a 2nd line character due to reach.

Russ'ruk steps back as Nargloom's innards cease to be such trying and failing to avoid the viscera. Taking a few moments after Nok-Nok's celebration to catch his breath and assess the area.

"Well not a god yet, but certainly catching her eyes I bet ending one of her champions. Is everyone alright?"

55/70hp

Russ is somehow hit in the backplate, by both Nargloom and Ankra both harming and healing him, whipping around he lashes out at the Barghest again and puts his shield up defensively once more.

Vicious Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
Slashing; fire: 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 6, 6) + 4 = 191d6 ⇒ 3

Reactive shield to snap my shield into place giving me 24 ac for that first hit causing it to miss, second blow still gets through though. 54/70hp

Russ slides his shield up just in time to block the fangs of Nargloom, though the slicing claws still manage to catch him in the thigh where his armor doesn't quite protect. He pushes back and drives his sword straight towards Nargloom's mid-section, returning to his stance and curling behind his shield defensively afterwards.

Vicious Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35
Slashing; fire: 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 5, 5) + 4 = 151d6 ⇒ 5
Off-guard till the start of my next turn if that crits, then shield block

"But you do still realize you're prey. Good to know your place in this world beast." Russ taunts before following Nargloom hoping for a strike to hammer his words home.

Intimidating Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22
Slashing; fire: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 5) + 4 = 161d6 ⇒ 1

stride, intimidating strike

Russ'ruk charges after Vesi into the fray of bugbears, slicing at them while they are caught off-guard.

"Distract the beast Nok-nok. We'll handle the minions."

Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
Slashing; fire: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 91d6 ⇒ 4
Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Slashing; fire: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (5, 8) + 4 = 171d6 ⇒ 2

sudden charge, strike on the bugbears, different targets if one goes down otherwise same target.

Russ adjusts his shield strap after the fight, "I'll try to keep a better lookout for traps and such from now on. shall we move on?"

Just the doors ahead now yeah?

Russ shuffles in the fray to draw the attention of the dog on Nok-nok's flank. Stabbing into the wily beast and drawing the blade sideways.

Vicious Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29
Slashing; fire: 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1, 2) + 4 = 91d6 ⇒ 2

stride to flank, vicious strike

"Keep it up they won't last much longer."

Deftly placing his shield between him and the Bat-dogs, Russ curses himself for triggering the trap and tries to make up for his mistake by bringing his flaming blade down on one of the dangerous beasts. He then pulls his shield back up to cover the majority of his body.

Vicious Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25
Slashing; fire: 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 7, 1) + 4 = 151d6 ⇒ 1

"Don't let them outflank you, single one out and cut them down."

"I think the issue is if they are willing to serve something as despicable as a Barghast what stops them from following something beyond the crown. Goblins aren't exactly known for being the lawful sort."

Russ, stacks up at the double door and presses close trying to listen to the other side for any enemies.

"I agree, although a temporary agreement would benefit us in terms of numbers. It wouldn't be very wise to make a habit of immediately breaking deals."

Russ looked up to Vesi, "Let's hope we can spare who we can, but we really can't afford a cult springing up."

With that Russ raises his shield and begins to march towards the entrance.

Russ looks over the bandits and holds back any comments, even if he thinks they didn't quite deserve this sort of death.

"I don't expect such a creature will fight fair one way or another. Nok-nok, you know of this Nargloom do you expect it to have many more followers?"

Russ snuffs his nose at the remaining goblins. "A barghest? I've heard of them but don't know much about them personally. Maybe you have some more insight Vesi?"

Disarming-Shield block for reduce by 5 me and shield both take 1, shield 19/20, Russ 69/70

Disarm(Attacker): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Russ deflects most of the blow from the goblin that manages a good strike, pinning their blade with his shield and his own blade and attempting to twist and rip it from their grasp. Keeping his defense strong he eggs on Nok-nok and the others. "They fight like lesser villains or perhaps evil-children."
To hammer the point home he fends off his flank keeping his shield pointed one direction while flicking his blade behind him in a downward arc letting it tip partially out of his hand at the last moment to strike at the crown of the goblin attempting to flank.

Vicious Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20
Slashing; fire: 3d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 8, 3) + 4 = 221d6 ⇒ 6

raise shield ac24, vicious strike

Russ'ruk is quick to move up and defend the troupe, goblins are always a bit of a wild card. So once he throws out a strike he quickly raises his shield for any reprisal.

Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27
Slashing; fire: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 8) + 4 = 191d6 ⇒ 4

Sudden charge to meet the goblins ahead of our line, raise shield

With Vesi(And Ankra now too)

Russ nods along with Vesi's motions, "I don't know, it would probably be best to scamper through the forest first and push outward to our borders. As for visiting Sir Varn, I think that might best wait until we are sure the town will be safe without our ever watchful eyes."

The kobold sighed with relief, "Oh.. that a hotspring would be fantastic, this molt has been particularly bad."

"And we're not likely to gather new recruits without so much as a stock of armaments to arm the militia, nor training ground in which to train them." Russ says walking into the conversation, wearing a pair of breeches without a shirt, revealing that the Kobold has sprouted tiny wings since their return.

"Of course, that is all still a long ways away as we have need of other necessities first, such as more storage and preservations for our fishing hauls, the people also want for more than fish for foodstuffs. Though I think an orchard may be a bit out of our hands for the time being and a harvest a far away thought without druidic intervention."

He sets a journal with notes on a table and looks to the Queen and General. "But I believe we may yet leave the city in the capable hands of our companions. I bet Tristian would wish to come to help put the restless goblins back to their rest alongside Nok-nok of course. That would leave plenty of capable hands here in the city to deal with any stragglers that may come by."

Russ'ruk visits with Vesi, bringing the druid a plate of honey glazed fruit to snack on. "Compliments of the keep chef."

He gets up into the chair and scratches at his patchy scales, seems he's going through a molt of sorts, wincing the entire time. "I was thinking we could try to finalize the mapping of our land that way we know how best to continue our expansion. The town is flourishing, but without more citizens we've hit a bit of a bottleneck with the workforce for the time being. It'll be a long time before we're able to establish roads to any major cities to the north meaning it'll be slow going for people to immigrate out this deep into the green."

The silvered kobold gently rubs his neck, flaking off rusty looking scales to reveal the shiny still soft silver ones underneath before groaning. "What I would do for a hotspring right now."

"Very much so... I propose that we continue scoping out the eastern portion of our territory, that way we finally have a completed map and rough idea of the land. There will be of course plenty to discover in nooks and cranies no doubt, but we should get as best an overview as possible."

Russ suggests as the group takes a well deserved rest.

With the triupe returning from Candlemere, Russ'ruk jots down a note to revisit the islet at another time in the near future.

For the time being he also drafts up a notice that will need copied and distributed amongst the populace.

'Dear humble folk of our wonderful Safehaven, please be advised against venturing to Candlemere tower until otherwise informed, the island is host to flesh hungry flora and fauna. We ask that you please avoid the area until we can secure and remove the hazards and ensure the safty of all who may one day find safe passage via the tower which we hope to reestablish as a bright beacon of hope for all.'

With the rough draft written he brings it to Queen Blaze as well as the rest of the members of her advisory council the day after they've returned. He then begins looking into what else may need done in the kingdom aside from of course perusing the rest of their territory that has yet to be explored, something he also plans to bring up during the next meeting of the minds.

"I would suggest we wait until we are at full strength again, my queen. But... if you order us forward."

He trails off assuming he need not actially finish his thought.

Accepting of Queen Blaze's tactical withdrawal, Russ'Ruk sets his battered shield to the side once they find a mostly safe spot to relax, and begins to bandage his and Ankra's wounds.

treat wounds(dc20): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
heal(Russ): 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 7) + 10 = 25
treat wounds(dc 20): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Heal(Ankra): 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (4, 2) + 10 = 16
Russ back up to 37/54hp and with that taking 20 minutes, we should have time for some focus healing as well.

"I'm not sure I can continue fighting much today even after patching my wounds. I feel like I can barely hold my blade let alone swing it."

He looks to Harrim, "What were those things? Forgotten souls that sup at the very essence of the living?"

There was another stairway, and maybe another way in that room, we didn't really get time to check it out before getting jumped.

Shield block to eat 5, bringing it down to 14 damage to me and my shield, shield breaks, and I'm down to 12hp, free action to let go of the shield and 1 action to change grip on my weapon to 2 hands leaving me with

Russ's shield cracks not from the force of the attack from the shadow but by the withering energies that errupt from the strike, causing the thing to become far too brittle to reliably use again. Prompting him to believe he desperately needs to get a magical augmentation for it. However in the meantime he has to survive, so he readjusts his grip and brings his magical sword down alongside Blaze's fiery impact in both hands.

Vicious Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword 2H: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Slashing; fire: 3d12 + 0 ⇒ (11, 10, 1) + 0 = 221d6 ⇒ 5

Just barely not a crit even with flank, but hey 27 damage isn't nothing to sneeze at alongside blaze's 34

Vicious Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 2 = 19
Slashing; fire: 3d8 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (1, 7, 5) + 3 - 2 = 141d6 ⇒ 3
just barely hits thanks to flank i believe

Russ'ruk nods alongside his queen, and strikes, raising his shield though he's not sure it would protect him from the vicious assault these things can unleash.

23ac, 26hp left

Vicious Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Slashing; fire: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 8, 8) + 3 = 241d6 ⇒ 5

Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Slashing; fire: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 5) + 3 = 91d6 ⇒ 3
well at least they're flanking attacks so maybe the first one hits? But for real paiz-bot could you let me do the ONE thing my class is good at please?

Russ tries to assault the damned shades, abandoning defense since the stupid things decided to go directly after his companion instead.

Seeing the creatures ignore him and go straight for Ankra, Russ'ruk moves up behind one of the shades and delivers a decisive chop and a stab with the coldiron blade.

Vicious Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Slashing; fire: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 5, 4) + 3 = 201d6 ⇒ 3

Stride, vicious strike

Russ reacts by breathing a blast of frost and raising his shield while the group is clumped up, "Keep from getting surrounded."

Cold(DC19 reflex): 2d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

23ac save me!

1d2 ⇒ 2
How we feeling about west?

Russ gently reaches into the waters and fishes out the coins once Blaze confirms their dull nature and kukri, but he wraps it for appraisal later.

He then readies his sword and shield, "Never know but best to be on guard if this is a place that houses cultists of any sort."

Russ'ruk doesn't grab for the coins nor the weapon but he does translate for everyone.

"The Thresholders? I'm not sure what to make of that, but I do have a dreadful sense of foreboding creeping up my spine about this place."

He gives a worried look along both pathways for a moment, "We should at the very least look into this place, given these scrawlings here we would be worse off if we let a cult work their foulness from the island."

Russ looks the structure over a few times before they approach further.

"I suppose that depends on your will my queen. We could attempt to see to whatever problems might be stemming from here ourselves nor or later, or we might see about recruiting adventures from beyond to help. Though with our small coffers and meager reputation I don't know if we'll draw those more powerful than ourselves."

As the beast finally lays still, Russ'ruk breaths uneasily. But aids in docking mooring the boat for their stay.

"Best tend to our wounds now. As I don't believe we'll see much time to do so once we go inland if this was our greeting."

He tries his best not to eye the tiny raptor creature and how it feels like a mockery of his own people in some form.

shieldblock reducing damage by 5, take 8 damage so 36/54 and 12/20

Russ blocks some of the tentacular blows with the steel shield though the tool is heavily dented afterwards but still usable. He doesn't relent himself twisting and pinning the tendril before delivering a chop to it hoping to sever the thing. Then he resets his shield again.

Vicious Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Slashing; fire: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 5, 8) + 3 = 241d6 ⇒ 4

vicious+raise shield

Vicious Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Slashing; fire: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 4, 6) + 3 = 211d6 ⇒ 4

Russ'ruk strikes at the creature as it approaches the vessel again, raising his shield this time after the deadly chop aimed at one of the flailing limbs.

"Ankra, fall back, use your range to your advantage. I can hold the line."

He bashes his steel shield taunting the creature, "Have at me you overgrown hedge!"

29/54hp shield raised

39/54hp. draw sword and shield, vicious strike(before it gets pushed away)

Vicious Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Slashing; fire: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 7, 4) + 3 = 171d6 ⇒ 4

"Not even to the islet yet and already being attacked by the locals, what a great start to the day wouldn't you all say? What is this thing Vesi?"

I'm gonna go ahead and guess the plan to return to home, grab our local cleric as well as a boat to sail out to the island is what we're going with. If we've got time during I'd like to do an influence on him as well.

Diplomacy(Harrim): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
"Harrim it's come to our attention that we'll be needing someone of your expertise likely going forward to deal with an issue that's been discovered on the islet in the lake. It seems that there are some dangerous spirits who haven't quite learned to let go of this crumbling world and who best to show them the futility of their struggles than you sending them packing alongside us?"

Everyone can see Russ's armor shift downward as the kobold carefully lets go of the held breath at the King's decision.

"Glad am I to see that you are a wise king indeed, King Vesket I hope that you and your people have long fulfilling lives and again I am truly sorry that we have intruded thus. But proper introductions are in order, I am Russ'Ruk of Safehaven, and this-"

He bows and offers his hands to the side towards Blaze. "Is the magnificent Queen Blaze, of Greenbelt kingdom. We all are members of her royal advisory, and as you see she prefers a hands on approach."

He then looks to her as if leading the reins of the conversation off.

Russ freezes almost instinctually at being spotted as if some deep part of his brain convinced hin for a few moments that if he didn't move that whatever may have seen him would continue onward as if nothing occupied the space where he was.

When it becomes clear that isn't the case the Kobolds' instincts fail and he clears his throat.

"By ancestor do you happen to mean the." He looks to Jaethal, "Will wisp?"

"Ehem the Wisp that inhabited the tent over there? We came seeking mutually beneficial relations and were informed by a secretive informant that you were being coerced by a malevolent spirit so we only wished to help. Though it occurs to me now that perhaps we should have spoken more openly beforehand to see if that would tarnish your honor or violate some other code of your peoples. For that I am sorry and humbly request you grant us mercy."

He gave a deep bow in an attempt to show his sincerity to the probably rightful ruler here.

diplomacy(please don't kill us): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"Chase?! That thing was scary! And we don't even know it's causing problems! Let's just get out of here!"

"A.. tactical retreat yes, I can't track the living let alone things that can turn invisible and flee into the night. But we shall return though hopefully still on good terms."

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Russ'ruk shuffles uneasily as he looks around for the thing. "If it was not undead then what was it? Should we give chase? I fear we're about to meet a lot of opposition if we don't, and they'll like as not be unfriendly when they find us in the center of their home regardless of our intentions."

Since he's already moved into position, Russ'ruk takes advantage of the floating skulls maybe distraction, can ghosts even be distracted he wonders. Regardless taking a swing at the thing with all his tiny draconic might from the flank, before raising his shield defensively. "Come on then you overly detailed napsheet."

Vicious Flame Striking +1 Cold Iron Bastard Sword: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Slashing; fire: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 6, 8) + 3 = 191d6 ⇒ 5

Vicious strike, raise shield

Will save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Frightened 2 immediately reduced by 1 due to Bravery, interactx2 draw sword and shield, and then stride to it.

Russ'Ruk is mildly shaken by the strange specter, but draws his Flaming cold iron blade and the trusty steel shield before hustling forward to cover his allies.

Ending my turn removes frightened 1 to 0

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Should be able to since it's one of the activities that's best known for it.

Russ shows off the uncanny sneakiness of kobolds as despite his relatively easy to detect scale coloration seems to just vanish into the right places at the right time.

Making a note to talk with her about this in a more private setting Russ nods to Blaze, "Queen Blaze, my apologies."

Russ nods as they move away to break for camp. "I'm not well versed in spirits and without our dour dwarven cleric. I dare say we may be at a disadvantage without some level of expertise."

"I can keep pace just as well as you Lady Blaze."

He nods though from their distance the gesture might be a little lost. "This gives us time to plan. You can be sure we'll help you be rid of this ill intended spirit."

Later to the wayside

"So.. an evil or something is making them more aggressive? Glad we caught wind of this now, it could have spiraled quickly downward into unsalvagable if they'd begun eating people. What are our tools to deal with spirits though?"

Russ nods to Ankra hoping to elaborate a bit more. "We also mean no harm, but have only recently learned of your settlement and wish to not intrude."

"Ah yes the implacaable nature of a mysterious unknown tower, being easily overlooked simply because of the mystery. How could I forget such powerful magics." The silvery kobold lets out a hearty laugh.

"Well sir if you've no further assistance from us to reach the capital we'll be on our way. Do be sure to rest up these lands are still quite untamed and there is much work to be done."

"It's settled then, we go to treat with the Iruxi."

He nods and rolls up the map, "Then we can be off to charter a boat to that mysterious Island tower. Not sure how we didn't notice it before."

Russ tilts his head, "I don't actually know. I've never read of such a thing happening, but I suppose it wouldn't be completely out of the question."

He thinks for a bit, "We'll have to charter a boat to the isle once we get back home. Hopefully we can establish a good report with the Iruxi in the meantime. A new trade partner especially one who would be able to share the bounties of the lake bottom with us and tips for our hunters would be invaluable."

Russ'ruk studies the maps himself before galavanting off into Blaze's usual gungho attitude. He makes a face and grumbles a bit before looking over the maps to Blaze.

"Lady Blaze, might I suggest we speak to the Lizardfolk of this Island here before we venture to Candlemere? These area's are fairly close together and I'd rather not accidentally intrude upon what might potentially be their ancestral lands on accident without making our intentions clear first."

Dragging himself from the wet after the wagon, Russ takes the time to wring the water out of the clothes under his breastplate.

"Good work everyone." He smiles wryly when Blaze asks what nascent is and he chimes in quietly.
"It means new or young."

He then clears his throat, his outfit bedraggled by the water still. "I am Russ'ruk, Viceroy of our newfound township. A pleasure to make your acquaintance Mr. Narthropple. If you're in need of repair perhaps you can find supplies in our town. Or perhaps we can aid you in your expedition?"