Unable to discover where the illusionary orcs came from Tyr collects his pack and follows the others as they resume traveling towards the crypt of the Everflame. He is still disappointed that the orcs weren't real but is glad no one got hurt.
It is going to be dark in another hour or so, we should probably watch for a good place to make camp for the night. We aren't going to be able to walk the whole forty miles to the crypt in one day and it would be foolish to walk all night when we don't need too.
The group continues on down the trail, but it soon peters out. They find themselves having to rely on the map for guidance.
After the illusions dissipate, Malzuket shakes his head in disbelief, then chuckles to himself.
That was a well-crafted illusion, I have to admit. Whoever did this is not to be underestimated. . The gnome smiles broadly, a strange expression on his usually-sour face.
Let's take a look at this map, shall we?
Bruden settles down after a while and appears more serious. This is more of his normal attitude. The excitement of the day seemed to get him a bit out of his shell, but now he had crawled back in. Rale did not make it too far before Bruden took the lead and the map from him, relieving his compass from him as well. He made sure to point out to everyone where they were and what landmarks were there just in case there were any problems and one of them had to lead them back. Not that he would tell them that.
Rale was a bit astonished as Bruden took the map and compass from him, then he began to chuckle. He remembered what an ordeal he had had just making it to Kassen. Spending hours going in circles. Bears; wolves; hiding from goblins. It was nice to have some companions.
Well met!,he called out to Bruden.He must have heard about my trip to Kassen, so long ago.
This is a strange tradition. Perhaps it is a test for a task more arduous. Who knows? I'll have to contemplate much more carefully which spells to prepare tomorrow. Hopefully I will get first or third watch at camp tonight. I hope to be up before the last watch ends to mediate and pray.
Why in the heavens is the map in four parts anyways? I will have to pay more attention to things.
With Malzuket helping Bruden to make sense of the map the group is able to continue on for several hours, then Rale takes a hand at navigating for a while. The sunlight begins to fade and a cold wind begins to rattle through the leafless forest. There is now no sign of civilization in sight. The four heroes find themselves all alone and in need of finding a camp sight.
You locate a nice level spot, surrounded on three sides by a thicket of bushes. There is plenty of dry wood to be found to start a fire, and the rations can be cooked into a fine stew if everyone contributes.
Oi! Fellows over here! This looks like a nice spot to camp
Try waits until the older men signal their agreement and then begins making camp. He sheds his pack, crossbow, and sheild, but keeps his sword with him and begins to gather wood for a fire.
do you think it will rain tonight? he calls to the others as he moves about collecting fallen branchs. When he has a good sized pile he sets up the small tent he was given. He lays out his bedroll and blankets inside his tent along with his equipment. His equipment settled Try goes to help prepare the evening meal.
As the night gets colder Tyr puts on the cold weather clothing he brought with him.
Rale follows Tyr to the spot he has found and begins to help set up camp.He sets up his tent and bedroll, and stows his gear neatly inside. He says, Perhaps we should take turns at watch. I would like either the first or third watch if possible. I will have to meditate and don armor before we leave and I don't want to hold us up.
Rale waits for a response and then begins to help prepare the evening meal.
Bruden collects plenty of firewood to keep the fire hot all night. He was planning to sleep in his armor like he usually did, and as long as he stayed close to the fire, it wouldn't be a big deal for the night.
He made his way over to Tyr and asked him a quick question. First?
As the party are sitting eating their dinner, howling can be heard in the distance. Over the course of the next hour as dusk falls it comes slowly closer, then goes eerily silent.
Half an hour or so after the howling stops, a lone wolf can been seen crouching in the bushes at the edge of the firelight watching the group.
As the party are sitting eating their dinner, howling can be heard in the distance. Over the course of the next hour as dusk falls it comes slowly closer, then goes eerily silent.
Half an hour or so after the howling stops, a lone wolf can been seen crouching in the bushes at the edge of the firelight watching the group.
First? Watch? I would be okay with the second or third watch but I will take first if no one else wants it.
As Tyr finishes eating he looks out into the night. There at the edge of the firelight is a wolf. Tyr sets down his empty dish and get to his feet slowly so as to not startle anyone.
Theres a wolf over there. he says as he draws his sword and turns to face the animal.
As soon as it sees Tyr stand and draw his sword the wolf turns and looks like it's going to run.
Rale responds.
First watch, if you please.
After hearing Tyr's declaration. Rale gets to his feet, draws his scimitar and outstretches his free hand towards Tyr. After, he will ready his shield.
The wolf runs off quickly into the brush, leaving the camp in peace.
R
B
Rale:
Malzuket:
Bruden:
Tyr:
Monster:
Shortly after Tyr and Malzuket have gone to sleep, Rale and Bruden are up keeping watch. It's a dark cold night, windy with clouds obscuring the sky. The creaking of branches in the wind and the crackling pop of the fire is interrupted by the sudden snarling barks of three wolves as they come leaping out the bushes catching the watchmen by surprise.
Begin Surprise Round
Initiative 11+
Two of the wolves go for Bruden as he is closest. One only manages to close the distance to him, while the other charges forward and bites at him. The third wolf goes for the sleeping form of Tyr.
End Surprise Round
-------------------------
Begin Round 1
Initiative
Malzuket 21
Rale 14
Wolves 11+
Bruden 11-
Tyr 5
Bruden isn't particularly surprised when the wolves rush in, as they had been known to attack in groups. The thing that does surprise him is from where. He is able to get his spear around in time to be able to ward them off for a short time, but with his rotten luck lately, it was hard to tell if it would be useful. His warning shout of "Wolves!" was too late, they were already in the camp.
Bruden despite being caught by surprise manages to land a blow on a wolf as it rushes in.
Bruden couldn't quite get his spear at the one on the left in time. It reaches in and bites deeply into his leg and pulls. He manages to whip his spear around and hit the other one as it rushed in, keeping it at bay for the moment, but the other wolf holds on and he loses his footing. With a long weapon out and two wounded and angry wolves around him, he definitely looked like he could use some help.
Tyr wakes to a wolf in his tent. He has no idea why it is in his tent or what is happening to the others but he knows that if he lets the beast get a grip on his throat he is done for. Being unarmed and unarmor puts him at a distinct disadvantage. His sword is there next to him but there is no room in the small tent to draw the long blade. Not seeing many options open to him Tyr grabs for the beasts neck and muzzle in an effort to keep it from biting him again.
Malzuket is woken from a restful sleep by pure chaos. Thinking quickly, he crawls out of his tent, toward the fire, reaching into his pockets and seemingly mumbling to himself before a brilliant display of colors bursts up from his hand and into the faces of the two wolves attacking Bruden.
Extremely angry that this happened on his watch, rale lifts his shield and his right arm toward the third wolf.
He exclaims loudly!
In Flamma!
Releasing a fire bolt towards the third wolf.
[ooc]Fire damage[/00c]
Then quickly moves to draw his scimitar, holding position.
Round 1
Initiative 21
Both the wolves hit the dirt, affected by Malzuket's sorcery.
Initiative 14
Rale's fire bolt strikes true, singeing the canid's fur.
Initiative 11+
The only conscious wolf tries to bite Tyr again.
Rale rushes to aid Tyr.
Rale drops scimitar to the ground to avoid cutting Tyr and attempts an unarmed strike on the wolf he is wrestling.
Bruden stands, shakily, as the wolves go unconscious. He makes a motion as to tip his hat to the Gnome, but he isn't wearing one. He takes a step back and readies his longspear to end one of the wolves when he hears the scuffle behind him. A few long steps and he is within range of that wolf as well.
Tyr wakes to a wolf in his tent. He has no idea why it is in his tent or what is happening to the others but he knows that if he lets the beast get a grip on his throat he is done for. Being unarmed and unarmor puts him at a distinct disadvantage. His sword is there next to him but there is no room in the small tent to draw the long blade. Not seeing many options open to him Tyr grabs for the beasts neck and muzzle in an effort to keep it from biting him again.
Grapple 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
The wolf manages to bite Tyr again before he is able to get a grip on the beasts snapping jaws and neck.
Round 1
Initiative 11-
Bruden stands and moves.
Initiative 5
Tyr reaches up and grabs the wolf around the neck, but not before it bites his arm. He ignores the pain and gets a tight grip on the wolf.
End of Round 1
---------------------
Begin Round 2
Malzuket 21
Rale 14
Wolves 11+
Bruden 11-
Tyr 5
The gnome nods in satisfaction at the effectiveness of his spell as he stands up and dusts himself off. He watches in amusement and surprise as the young human wrestles the wolf. Turning to Bruden, he gestures to the unconscious wolves.
You might want to put these two down before they wake up. They seem hungry and desperate, and it's either us or them. He points to the remaining wolf before he continues:
Besides, that one there might run away when he smells the blood of his packmates and hears our friends returning from their hunt. The gnome smiles smugly, entirely too pleased with himself, as he chants another spell. Off to the east, the raucous sound of yelling men approaches, increasing in volume.
Bruden nods to Malzuket and takes his advise. Killing unconscious wolves sounded like less fun than killing a live one, but these things were necessary and the gnome knew best when his spell would wear off.
Rale rushes towards Tyr and the wolf with scimitar drawn and takes careful aim at the wolf with his scimitar avoiding his comrade Tyr.
[ooc]Damage:[ooc]
Round 2
Initiative 21
Malzuket stands up and casts a spell.
Initiative 14
Rale hits the wolf wrestling with Tyr giving it a long graze along its flank.
Initiative 11+
The wolf in Tyr's grasp struggles to escape.
It's not strong enough to get out of the young blacksmith's iron grip.
Tyr trys to maintain his grip on the struggling wolf but isn't able to. No longer able to control the wolf Tyr moves back trying to get some space to rise.
The scout steps back toward the prone wolves and places the tip of his spear on the chest of the first prone wolf he comes to and thrusts quickly and with a good amount of force to pierce its heart.
Seeing his first strike ring true, Rale pulls back his arm to land another strike upon Tyr's wolf.
[ooc]Damage:[/ooc ]
Initiative 11-
Bruden puts one of the wolves down with a longspear to the heart.
Initiative 5
Tyr unable to maintain his grip on the wolf, crawls backwards as it bites at him again.
Tyr manages to swat it's mouth away with a swift kick to its jaw.
End of Round 2
---------------------
Begin Round 3
Malzuket 21
Rale 14
Wolves 11+
Bruden 11-
Tyr 5
The gnome approaches cautiously, speaking to the wolf in a strange, guttural language.
It howls and yips back to him "I can well see that feyson, but I was starving and that monkey had me in his paws. I will gladly run away if you tell your friends to let me."
After what seems like a few seconds of conversation between the gnome and wolf, Malzuket addresses his companions.
It's ok! Everyone just back away and let this one go. He was just hungry and will leave in peace to seek easier prey. I'll say as much to his pack mate, when he wakes up. No need for further bloodshed...
Rale holds position.
So we let them go, to attack the next unwary traveler to pass this way?We're less than a days walk from Kassen. The next person they hunt could be someone we know.
Try gets to his feet keeping his eyes on the wolf. I should have gotten a weapon instead of trying to get away. Toreg's balls I'm an idiot.
Try backs up towards the fire where he can atleast get a stick to use as a club.