"Bye Bye!"
19 points of damage.
"Woohoo!"
"Attaway, men! Dinnae be fer lettin' up on 'im now!"
"Bye Bye!"
19 points of damage.
"Woohoo!"
With the four furious attacks by Manfred and Kornelius finding their mark, the male owlbear is not able to get to his feet. He squawks up a ball of blood and tissue and then slides back down into the grease earth.
Larjen Widebottom jumps down from the wagon and begins to pull out a belt of skinning knives as if nothing has happened. "We'll need to bury the remains after we get the pelts off. Don't want the cinderwolves to smell them."
"Or we could save ourselves the labour and just set it on fire while it is still covered in grease."
"Or we could save ourselves the labour and just set it on fire while it is still covered in grease."
Larjen looks at Janrith as if he was a city-born idiot. "Firstly ..." he starts to say but then decides not to bother explaining.
He gets to work skinning the owlbear and seems happy doing it. "Fur and Feathers," he says to himself. "If I ever get me own bar, I'll call her 'Fur and Feathers' and have a picture of this ugly beast falling on its ass as my sign. That would be a good name for a bar, wouldn't it?"
"Or we could save ourselves the labour and just set it on fire while it is still covered in grease."Larjen looks at Janrith as if he was a city-born idiot. "Firstly ..." he starts to say but then decides not to bother explaining.
He gets to work skinning the owlbear and seems happy doing it. "Fur and Feathers," he says to himself. "If I ever get me own bar, I'll call her 'Fur and Feathers' and have a picture of this ugly beast falling on its ass as my sign. That would be a good name for a bar, wouldn't it?"
"Aye, that's fer bein' a fine name. Lads, you 'eard him - we're fer needin' a fair-sized 'ole. Anyone 'ave a shovel?"
Turning to the conjurer, he asks, "Might I be gettin' a touch o' 'ealin' from yer wand, there? The beast got a couple of good licks in on me."
Presuming any healing is forthcoming, Ovirid will look for a reasonable location for the hole - not completely out of sight of the camp, but preferably some distance away (and in a direction other than the Keep or the Caves) so we're not stumbling into the soft earth later. He'll use his pick to break up earth, but he doesn't have a shovel to actually remove it from the hole.
"Well, if you want to sully yourself with blood, fur, and feathers go right ahead. You do appear to be wounded."
Janrith with use 2 charges on Ovirid and 2 on Burp.
Total Healing:
Ovirid: 7 hit points.
Burp: 9 hit points.
"Well, if you want to sully yourself with blood, fur, and feathers go right ahead. You do appear to be wounded."
Janrith with use 2 charges on Ovirid and 2 on Burp.
Total Healing:
Ovirid: 7 hit points.
Burp: 9 hit points.
"OK, lads - and lass, o' course. I'm fer thinkin' we need ta be fer gettin' back ta sleep if'n we want to proceed to the Caves on the morrow. I would propose some changes to the watches, considering injuries. I'm fer thinkin' that Burp 'n meself would be better served to rest our wounds. Do we 'ave enough to stand watches without two of us? If'n not, Burp needs to rest 'n I'll stand a watch, probably in the deepest part o' the night."
Sir Manfred replies; "As I am undamaged, I can take another watch Sir Dwarf."
Sir Manfred replies; "As I am undamaged, I can take another watch Sir Dwarf."
"Yer a good man, but I'm not fer bein' called 'Sir' - Ovirid does nicely. Jes' dinna call me late fer supper, y'ken?" Smiling at his little joke, Ovirid continues, "So ye can be fer coverin' fer Burp while the lad rests. 'e's 'urt worse, so wake me when it's fer bein' my watch. I'm fer thinkin' we fought a pair of difficult foes well this night. We're fer bein' a fightin' team yet, ye'll see."
With that, the dwarf eases himself slowly to the ground and into his bedroll, soon snoring gently.
Kornelius is also wounded.
One of the horses, clawed by the male owlbear in an attempt to lure you into the woods, has died of its injuries. It was not 'Trouble' but one of the borrowed horses from the Keep.
Larjen works late into the night skinning the owlbears. Your sleep is disturbed at one point when he lashes up the fur to form a shelter for the horses only to find they find that the smell of bloody owlbear fur makes the mounts crazy. He takes the furs down and puts them up to dry on poles near the fire, causing a smell that drives the sleeping party members crazy.
Digging the hole for the bodies takes more than an hour and all are exhausted by the time it is done. Larjen uses his knife to take a chunk of meat from one of the owlbears to roast over the fire and says "For Ogre." As soon as the halfling says this, a riding dog leaps from his sleeping place on the wagon. Seeing your surprised looks Larjen explains "Ogre's not much of a fighter but he's a decent mount. I'll scout around with him tomorrow." The halfing is inexhaustible.
Yin:
After you have fallen asleep, you hear the nasty whisper of the evil priest you captured. Looking around, you see no one and realize the voice is coming from inside your head.
The voice sings mockingly:
"Go to sleep my girl, don't be late,
There's a pony waiting at Slumber's Gate,
His hair is silky and his legs are long,
He's known to be fast and he's thought to be strong ..."
And then breaks off in a course laugh.
Kornelius is also wounded.
Don't know if this is possible: Untrained Heal check (1d20+2=16)
Cure Light Wounds potion (1d8+1=6)
Ovirid wakes up a short while later, reconsiders what he had said earlier, and tells Manfred to be sure and wake him when it's his turn to take a watch.
"I'd be happy to assist any others who are wounded in my defense. I regret that I know little about this area; are owlbears common in these parts?"
Just in case, Knowledge (arcana) on the owlbears:
"I'd be happy to assist any others who are wounded in my defense. I regret that I know little about this area; are owlbears common in these parts?"
Just in case, Knowledge (arcana) on the owlbears:
Larjen looks up from his skinning ... "Not so common. Deeper into the Cinderlands they wouldn't be seen at all, but in winter, close to the mountains, ... These two look like a mating pair that were probably heading back towards the mountains before it got too hot. Of course, the area around the Keep is unusually well-forested for the Cinderlands. Something about the river, perhaps. The soil never seems to completely dry out around here, even in the heat of summer."
Yin gladly distributes the potions she has amongst her companions and apologises for being so late, clearly a little disappointed in herself at seeing the state of the men. She also helps dress any wounds that aren't healed by magic.
As night falls Yin sleeps uneasily, chosing to sleep in naps rather than straight through the night, appearing to have something on her mind.
Yin gladly distributes the potions she has amongst her companions...
In the morning, you wake to the smell of meat cooking over an open fire. Larjen, fully dressed and sweating in the heat, is cooking something. You only hope it isn't owlbear.
"I've scouted around. No sign of any more beasties but I heard some noise in the directions of the Caves. Something is happening. Sounded like fighting."
In the morning, you wake to the smell of meat cooking over an open fire. Larjen, fully dressed and sweating in the heat, is cooking something. You only hope it isn't owlbear.
"I've scouted around. No sign of any more beasties but I heard some noise in the directions of the Caves. Something is happening. Sounded like fighting."
"Hmm. 'R we fer knowin' what lives 'ere? If'n there be fightin', we're fer needin' ta know who ta fight fer and who ta fight agin'. 'N maybe we should be fer lettin' one side win so we can be fer takin' advantage of their weak moment, 'cause we support neither."
He thanks Larjen with a nod, grabs some grub, and says, "I'm fer scoutin' the battle, if'n it continues when we be ready, to see who it be first rather than chargin' in like a berserk gnoll. That said, it be our leader's call. Yintarah?"
He finishes his grub, "Thankee, master halfling. A fine meal fer startin' a grand adventure on," and returns to his bedroll, packs and gears up for the day.
While the others are getting ready to set out, he'll scout toward the caves, staying within 50' of the fire, to see if he can get any clues as to the nature of the combatants.
Stealth; Perception (1d20+8=11, 1d20+7=13)
Janrith nibbles delicately at his breakfast, playing with his food constantly. Despite the extra time this takes he still manages to finish his entire plate.
"Best mystery meat I have ever had, good halfling."
"I'm fer scoutin' the battle, if'n it continues when we be ready, to see who it be first rather than chargin' in like a berserk gnoll. That said, it be our leader's call. Yintarah?"
Yin looks up from the food she was absently poking at "I'm still confused as to how I became leader" She replies a little dazed, clearly distracted by something. "Although my advice would be for people who feel they can scout quietly to head in a little further ahead of the rest to see what's going on."
"I'm fer scoutin' the battle, if'n it continues when we be ready, to see who it be first rather than chargin' in like a berserk gnoll. That said, it be our leader's call. Yintarah?"Yin looks up from the food she was absently poking at "I'm still confused as to how I became leader" She replies a little dazed, clearly distracted by something. "Although my advice would be for people who feel they can scout quietly to head in a little further ahead of the rest to see what's going on."
"Heh, I understand how yer feelin'. I was once fer bein' made leader 'n not fer knowin' why. They finally were fer tellin' me it was 'cause I was the tallest!" He looks around at the blank stares he's getting. "Did I ferget ta mention it was fer bein' a caravan o' halfing-folk?"
He chuckles, "Fer me, lass, yer leadin' 'cause Kerrigan said so n' he entrusted ye with th' funds. I'm not fer bein' agin' followin' another, if'n you wish, but ye've got the last word fer me."
"Who wants to go do a wee bit o' scoutin' with me?"
Ovirid does not see much from this position. The camp that you are set up at is intentionally far enough away from the Caves that no one would stumble upon you but close enough so you won't be exhausted when you get there.
The heat has begun to make even this rare shady area* uncomfortable. The leafless flask trees do not provide much shade at all, except near their fat trunks. The short Lotra trees give more shade but are too small to cover much area. Around you, in this somewhat moist soil, fat Galtroot bushes grow limp from too much moisture.
Larjen will be heading back to the Keep today. He'll come in and out regularly as he is the Keep's scout and won't attract suspicion.
I assume the rest of you are heading to the Caves? Describe your preparations, marching order, precautions, etc.
*
When I started the PbP, I didn't realize how desert like the Cinderlands are. Now that I have Pathfinder 10, I know better. They do note that some vegetation lives near the Yondabakari which is where you are. Even still, this area is unusually green for the Cinderlands. Gossip around the Keep explains that as an effect of living in the shadows of the Mindspins. The Shoanti, however, have avoided this lush place for centuries saying that there is an evil to it.
I assume the rest of you are heading to the Caves? Describe your preparations, marching order, precautions, etc.
"Larjen, what're ye expectin' us ta be findin'? Any idea what might be fightin' by th' caves?"
Janrith will stalk near the back of the party. If anybody asks for more healing he will provide, but will not offer.
Yin seems displeased over something but shakes it off for the mostpart. She arranges a marching order putting Ovirid ahead to scout, then Manfred, then herself, then Janrith at back. She and Manny however are well aware that this is a formality and it'll take mere minutes for her to get bored and scamper to the front of the group out of curiousity.
Yin seems displeased over something but shakes it off for the mostpart. She arranges a marching order putting Ovirid ahead to scout, then Manfred, then herself, then Janrith at back. She and Manny however are well aware that this is a formality and it'll take mere minutes for her to get bored and scamper to the front of the group out of curiousity.
Ovirid listens to the fireweaver's plan and nods before moving away to get a head start. He won't get more than 50' in front of the others, so once he's about that far out, he stops and waits patiently, as necessary.
The ancient road emerges from the trail just as Larjen said it would. It winds a bit here and there but mostly follows a straight path, cutting through cliffs. It is a well-made road built from large, flat stones.
The 'forest' is made up of thick flask trees and low lotra trees. It rarely rises more than 5' feet above your heads in the taller part and provides little shade.
Ovirid:
After about twenty minutes, you come to the end of the trees and scrubby bushes, and can see clearly down the road. Two cliffs rise at angles on either side of the 'Old Road'. Smoke rises from the right hands side.
A lone orc is working away with a waraxe to decapitate a pile of bodies -- kobolds from the look of it -- and pound the heads down on posts.
A trio of ashwing gargoyles flap curiously above.
None of them have spotted you yet.
Ovirid steps to the side of the trail for some cover, then uses hand signals back to the others.
Translation, but Tarren will need to determine how we know if the communication was successful. :
He will ready his crossbow.
Sir Manfred will march at the head of the main column. He knows enough about Yin to keep one eye out for the enemy and one eye on Yin. He will try to stay close enough to her to shield her from ambush attacks.
On seeing the signal, he comments to Yin; "Only one? Bah! Let us proceed straight up the middle."
Yin looks thoughtfully up ahead "It'll be more complex than that" She murmured "There's three others, up high.." She ventures at a slight guess before shrugging "I still think our usual charge in tactic will suit us just fine" She tells him with an excited grin "I'll give you a headstart if you want.."
Sir Manfred grins, slams down his visor, sweeps out his sword and shouts "Gharge!" as he thunders down towards the enemy.
Depending on when he reaches the target:
Charge attack, Damage: (1d20+8+2=12, 1d8+3+1+2=9)
for a probable miss.
At the first chance, Janrith will summon a celestial badger as close as possible to the enemy.
Ovirid mutters to himself, "By Torag's beard! If'n that's the way they're fer wantin' to go, more power to 'em. I'm fer keepin' somethin' back fer later. One orc won't be fer stoppin' 'em, but them gargoyles might be a concern. And there might be more where that one came from, too."
Ovirid will stay in what underbrush is available, closing on the battle - or battle-to-be - and keeping an eye out for other orcs. His primary goal is to not be seen by the flyers until he's ready to be seen, but he also wants to be sure his allies are aware of other combatants before they are attacked.
Sir Manfred grins, slams down his visor, sweeps out his sword and shouts "Gharge!" as he thunders down towards the enemy.
"Gharge?" queries the orc looking up at the gargoyles and then at Manfred. Before he has time to react, Manfred adds an orcish head to the pile of kobold heads littering the road.
The gargoyles cackle in delight.
A celestial badger looks around confused.
Sir Manfred will stop here and wait for the rest of the company to catch up and reform the marching order.
Sir Manfred will stop here and wait for the rest of the company to catch up and reform the marching order.
Ovirid will continue to sneak trying to avoid the gargoyles' attention unless it's obvious that they have spotted him, as well. Still looking for additional ground-based threats.
Sir Manfred will stop here and wait for the rest of the company to catch up and reform the marching order.
Ovirid will continue to sneak trying to avoid the gargoyles' attention unless it's obvious that they have spotted him, as well. Still looking for additional ground-based threats.
There are about a dozen kobold bodies piled behind the orc. They are decapitated but are still fresh.
You can see one cave entrance about 30' up the sloping rock.
Sir Manfred will stop here and wait for the rest of the company to catch up and reform the marching order.
Ovirid will continue to sneak trying to avoid the gargoyles' attention unless it's obvious that they have spotted him, as well. Still looking for additional ground-based threats.
There are about a dozen kobold bodies piled behind the orc. They are decapitated but are still fresh.
You can see one cave entrance about 30' up the sloping rock.
Untrained heal check (1d20+2=22)
Untrained heal check (1d20+2=22)
Ovirid discerns:
The kobolds were likely decapitated by the orc double axe leaning up against them. ... Most of the wounds appear to be from slashing weapons, probably of the same size of axe.
Okay, that's pretty cheap for a 20. You also notice that the gargoyles seem intent on watching the newcomers for now rather than attacking. In fact, it appears they are making bets about which of you will die first.
Ovirid waits for the rest of the party to catch up (if he still has anything of a lead) and gestures up to the flyers, "They're not fer appearin' concerned about us. More amused than anything. 'ere's a cave, are we knowin' which one we're fer searchin' first?"
He'll keep the light crossbow ready and his eyes open. If no one objects, he will move up toward the cave entrance.
Getting up to the cave entrance will involve a climb check. The cliff goes almost straight up for 20' and then slopes up more gently (a 45 degree angle for another 20'. The slope near the cave entrance is slick with blood.
Sir Manfred eyes the climb and his total -7 to climb check and decides to wait there on the road for the scouts to go up and take a look first.
He hopes (and says a little prayer to Iomedae) that he won't have to climb up there.
Sir Manfred eyes the climb and his total -7 to climb check and decides to wait there on the road for the scouts to go up and take a look first.
He hopes (and says a little prayer to Iomedae) that he won't have to climb up there.
Getting up to the cave entrance will involve a climb check. The cliff goes almost straight up for 20' and then slopes up more gently (a 45 degree angle for another 20'. The slope near the cave entrance is slick with blood.
Ovirid unloads his crossbow and stows it in preparation for the climb. Then he stands before the slope and studies it .
Sir Manfred eyes the climb and his total -7 to climb check and decides to wait there on the road for the scouts to go up and take a look first.
He hopes (and says a little prayer to Iomedae) that he won't have to climb up there.
"I wonder if those flying...things...would be interested in helping?"
.
Yin shakes her head a little as everyone eyes the climb and with a shrug secures a rope to her belt and starts the climb herself. Her first attempt results in her slimping and landing in an unrefined pile on the floor. Sighing slightly she dusts herself off, ignores her bruises and tries again. More successful on her second attempt she looks around for somewhere to secure a rope.
Climbings (1d20=12, 1d20=16, 1d20=20)
Another climb (1d20=20)
Yin manages to make it to the top of the sheer part of the face.
At the top of the steep part of the cliff, there are plenty of rough, perforated rocks in which to hammer a spike but not much of a place to simply tie a rope onto. Do you proceed to the cave entrance and look there or attempt to hammer a spike in down lower?