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Bloodcove: the last port of the call on the Fever River Sea. This strange town is part pirate haven and pare merchant bazaar. Its ramshackle buildings rest on the twisting, interwoven roots of a colossal mangrove tree, a fitting metaphor for the complex web of promise, decei, treachery, and broken alliances that defines the remote trading colony. The hard won bounty of the Mwangi expanse flows through Bloodcove to ports around the world, and obtaining these exotic riches from the deadly wilderness is the easy part-the real difficulty is hanging on to the treasure ling enough to see it safely delivered to a distal portal.
Bloodcove: the last port of call on the Fever River Sea.
After seeing the stares of the men as she walks along with her companions, Sabriel pulls her cloak around her shoulders to hide her feminine curves until the time to use them arises.
"Let's find a "nice" place to stay, if one can be found in this flea pit and then head over to see if we can pick up some work from a Merchant Consortium."
Triska surveys her surroundings fearlessly, walking with the cocky swagger that she frequently adopts when entering "civilized" lands.
"Any inn would be nice. We've been too long at sea, and I could use a drink and a bath."
Looking around at her companions, she tentatively sniffs the air.
"And I'm not the only one, either," she says with an arched eyebrow.
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With his trusty black bear walking alongside him, the small gnome trails behind his companions. He seems to be deep in thought, but is brought back to the present by Triska's remarks.
"Speak for yourself. We gnomes do not sweat as much as big humans, but I am grateful to be off that ship." Larkspring pantomimes being seasick. "We will not be staying long in this pit, I hope?"
Triska surveys her surroundings fearlessly, walking with the cocky swagger that she frequently adopts when entering "civilized" lands.
"Any inn would be nice. We've been too long at sea, and I could use a drink and a bath."
Looking around at her companions, she tentatively sniffs the air.
"And I'm not the only one, either," she says with an arched eyebrow.
"Mmm. We do seem to end up in places that boast the most aromatic and colourful locals. And you say this is the civilised part of this region? Who's idea was it to come here, again?"
Orelan walks casually through the mess, head held high, and somehow manages to step around or over the mud and filth, his boots nearly as polished now as when you left the boat.
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The bustle of the oppressively hot afternoon is broken by a piercing shriek. There is a pause in the sounds of commerce as all eyes turn upward to see a massive beast soaring below the lower limbs of the giant mangrove upon which Bloodcove is constructed/ the huge reptilian creature looks like a vestige from some long forgotten era as it swoops down toward the wooden shanties and catwalks of the city. Its wickedly hooked beak snatches a passerby off of the catwalk and flings him into the scaffolds and rooftops far below before its alights on the end of the very boardwalk upon which you stand. It again utters its piercing shriek, and this time the sound of its scream is echoed by those of serveral frightened people trapped on the other end of the boardwalk.
Seeing the flying beast, Triska smoothly draws her bow and nocks an arrow. Tracking the creature's path across the sky, she lets her arrow fly.
"Is it just me, or does adventure just seem to follow us around?"
Seeing the flying beast, Triska smoothly draws her bow and nocks an arrow. Tracking the creature's path across the sky, she lets her arrow fly.
"Is it just me, or does adventure just seem to follow us around?"
"Indeed - it's not just you. I've noticed..."
Orelan also unlimbers his bow.
"... the same thing myself. ..."
And lets fly at the same target as Triska.
"... Do you think we're just lucky?"
Sabriel???
Sabriel takes one look at the creature and waves her hand in it's direction staring intently at it as she does so.
Fiery Gaze; Ranged Touch Attack (I am assuming it is within 30' and so added in Point Blank Shot). (1d20+2+1=14) Fiery Gaze Damage. (4d6=13)
"We got to get those people safe!"
"Well indeed! I suggest we kill this... this... what is it anyway?
That should be a good start."
Orelan grins at Larkspring, then turns back to the task in hand.
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Final Init order
Orelan
Beastie
Triska
Larkspring
Sabriel
Fir
First Round Action
Orelan unlimbers his bow and fires at the huge dragon like looking thing in front of him, unfortunately he misses his first shot. The beast launches one of its claws at an unprotected noble that was on the boardwalk sending him flying some 100 feet into the air. As Orelan's arrow whizzes by it notices the armed group and takes a nip at Orelan who fire the shot at it. (9 points of damage to Orelan)
Triska follows up Orelan's shot with one of her own but she hits the beastie making the creature scream in anger.
Larkspring launches his own missle attack hitting it and making even more angry than it was already.
Sabriel hands point at the creature and tries to deliver her own attack but misses by the smallest of margins.
With a roar fir charges up to the creature unnoticed with all the missle attacks at it. Fir swings one of his mighty arms at the creatures legs hitting it drawing a wierd color of blood in its leg.
So ends round one! Make your next actions!
Sabriel hands point at the creature and tries to deliver her own attack but misses by the smallest of margins.
So ends round one! Make your next actions!
Sabriel is visably frustrated as the fiery ray shoots past the creature. She again points her hand at the creature, but this time a purplish black ray shoots out from her hand in an attempt to strike the creature.
Eldritch Blast; Ranged Touch Attack. (1d20+2+1=17) Eldritch Blast Damage. (2d6=9)
Triska narrows her eyes, focusing on what looks like a chink the creature's scales. Then, in a blur, she launches two arrows at it in quick succession.
Attack (Rapid Shot) (1d20+6=13, 1d20+6=25); Damage (1d8+3=9, 1d8+3=10)
"Blood! This things fast." Orelan exclaims as he tries and fails to dodge the beast's serpent-like strike. He drops his shortbow in the mud and calmly draws his rapier.
He ignores the shallow wound as he lunges towards the beast's snakelike neck.
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Sabriel???
Sabriel takes one look at the creature and waves her hand in it's direction staring intently at it as she does so.
Fiery Gaze; Ranged Touch Attack (I am assuming it is within 30' and so added in Point Blank Shot). (1d20+2+1=14) Fiery Gaze Damage. (4d6=13)
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Second Round
Orelan lunges forward with his Rapier attacking the beast but somehow misses the huge creature standing before him. Its hide must be tough not to let Orelan's razor sharp rapier pierce it.
The creature is distracted by last rounds scorching ray that hit it so it makes no attacks.
Triska fires off two arrows missing one and then hitting with the other, hitting it in the thick neck. It shakes its head trying to free the arrow but to no avail.
Larkspring mutters a strange, soothing incantation, and gestures with his now-free hand, Orelan's wounds are healed, as he feels a cool sensation envelop his injuries eazing his wounds to a dull ache.
Sabriel points at the creatrue and a purple black ray shoots out of her hand hitting the creature causing it more pain.
Heartened by her success at annoying the creature, Sabriel once again focuses and the purplish black ray shoots from her hand, striking the creature once more.
Eldritch Blast; Ranged Touch Attack. (1d20+2+1=16) Eldritch Blast Damage. (2d6=8)
Triska follows with another pair of arrows in quick succession, then curses as they fail to pierce the creature's armor.
Attack (Rapid Shot) 1d20+7=14, 1d20+7=11); Damage (1d8+4=5, 1d8+4=7)
Second Round
Orelan lunges forward with his Rapier attacking the beast but somehow misses the huge creature standing before him. Its hide must be tough not to let Orelan's razor sharp rapier pierce it.
Larkspring mutters a strange, soothing incantation, and gestures with his now-free hand, Orelan's wounds are healed, as he feels a cool sensation envelop his injuries eazing his wounds to a dull ache.
"My thanks, Larkspring. As ever."
Orelan looks at the beast with narrowed eyes. It seems a little slower to it's left side where Triska's arrow impedes its movement. He strikes...
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Combat Round 3
Orelan strikes out with his rapier and scores a hit penetrating the beasties hide. The Beast lets out a scream and strikes back with its own attack smacking Orelan with one of its claws (12 hp dam). Its takes a swipe at Triska but misses her by inches but does foil her two attacks, her arrows flying off harmlessly into the water. The beast roars and tries to take a bite at the bear by its hind leg and nips the bear causing the bear to scream out in anger (11 hp dam). Larkspring's skin changes color, to a dark shade of brown. Sabriel once again shoots forth another ray from her hand striking the creature causing it even more pain. The bear attacks the creatures hind leg again with its claws but only connects with one.
End of round 3
A smile spreads across Sabriel's face as the beast roars in pain at her attrack. She lines up for another blast and lets fly with a wild laugh, flinging her hand in the creature's direction.
Eldritch Blast; Ranged Touch Attack. (1d20+2+1=10)
Eldritch Blast Damage. (2d6=12)
"I hope they sell arrows in this gods-cursed city," Triska growls. "I'm going to run out if we don't take this thing down quick."
Taking a deep breath, and watching out for more swipes of the creature's claws, she launches two more arrows.
Attack (Rapid Shot) (1d20+7=20, 1d20+7=8); Damage (1d8+4=10, 1d8+4=12)
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Larkspring roars as one with Fir, and draws his scimitar. He runs around behind the creature to flank it with Fir or Orelan.
Now that he is wounded, Fir attacks with even more fervor.
When he rakes the draconic creature's leg, Fir draws close and bites it with his massive jaws.
Larkspring yells, "Try to push it into the drink!"
"I hope they sell arrows in this gods-cursed city," Triska growls. "I'm going to run out if we don't take this thing down quick."
Taking a deep breath, and watching out for more swipes of the creature's claws, she launches two more arrows.
"Indeed Triska! I have been thinking the same thing. Only in my case it's a tailor I'll be seeking." Orelan's eloquent gesture takes in the rips and tears to his linen shirt and leather breeches.
Orelan attacks once more, ignoring the pain of his wound.
"Maybe lizard-hide breeches would suit me?"
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Combat round 4
Orelan makes another attack with his rapier and deals another blow to the creature who has had enough pain from all of your groups attacks. He begins to launch himself into the air as he takes more punishment from Triska's one arrow, the other lands in the drink. Larkspring was moving into position when the large reptile moves to take flight. Another blast from Sabriel hits the creature in the head swaying it but it still manages to lift off the ground just barely. Fir roars and is able to do some more damage to the creatures tail as it heads off into the air.....
End of round 4
Your next actions please!
The large reptile moves to take flight. Another blast from Sabriel hits the creature in the head swaying it but it still manages to lift off the ground just barely.
Seeing the creature take flight, Sabriel attempts to hit it with another blast before it can get too far away.
Eldritch Blast; Ranged Touch Attack. (1d20+2+1=22)
Eldritch Blast Damage. (2d6=2)
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Larkspring glances back at his sling, but it is too late. He stands, watching the creature take off, and asks, "Is this normal for this place?"
Larkspring jumps up and slices through the monster's hide with his scimitar.
Fir growls at the reptile, gets up on his hind legs, and tries to give it one last swipe.
"Maybe lizard-hide breeches would suit me?"
"Yes, lizard hide makes for excellent clothing." Triska gestures at her own armor, made from the scales of a giant gecko. "If you wish, I can show you how to cure the hide so the scales remain, and your breeches would be both comfortable and provide some protection."
Triska pauses, glancing at Orelan with narrowed eyes. "Ah. I see you were only joking. Never mind."
Her attention is once more diverted as the creature flies into the air. "It is getting away. We must stop it!"
She draws two more arrows and looses them at the beast.
Attack/Damage 1 (1d20+6=9, 1d8+3=11); Attack/Damage 2 (1d20+6=7, 1d8+3=8)
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The beast takes flight and tries to get height as fast as possible to get away from the multiple attacks and get to a place where it has the advantage. Arrows go flying by it as it climbs into the air, as well as a little creature with a sharp shiny blade but misses and almost falls into the river, then one of those magical blasts hits the creature in the head making it faulter as it climbs giving the hateful furry beast a chance to grab at its legs doing enough damage to stop its flight and pull it back to earth and go crashing into the river never to rise again.
A cheer goes up as the creature sinks into the water, a group of armed men come running up to help a little to late. A female dwarf comes up to your group and offers thanks, she calls herself Tesha Umbertine the dockmaster of Bloodcove. Most of the people who had gathered around you move on, making their way about the business they were doing until they got interupted by the flying terror.
As you make your way along the crowded walk, a massive man who looks to have orc blood in his veins blocks your path with arms crossed over his barreled chest. He glares at you over a mouthful of tusk like teeth. Nest to him stands a man in black cloak and leathers. The image of a snake upon a shield is embossed on a brooch attached to his cloak. He wears a rapier at his hip and bears a fine, oiled mustache. In a soft voice laden with the faint accent of the Shackle Isles, he says, "Greetings. I am Kelim Esteban, captain of the River Queen, and I have a business proposition to make you...if you care to let me buy you a drink." He gestures to the enterance of a busy tavern nearby.
As you make your way along the crowded walk, a massive man who looks to have orc blood in his veins blocks your path with arms crossed over his barreled chest. He glares at you over a mouthful of tusk like teeth. Nest to him stands a man in black cloak and leathers. The image of a snake upon a shield is embossed on a brooch attached to his cloak. He wears a rapier at his hip and bears a fine, oiled mustache. In a soft voice laden with the faint accent of the Shackle Isles, he says, "Greetings. I am Kelim Esteban, captain of the River Queen, and I have a business proposition to make you...if you care to let me buy you a drink." He gestures to the enterance of a busy tavern nearby.
"Well. That's a fine offer - any reason why you choose us for this honour?"
Orelan is polite but a little skeptical; this is their first time in Bloodcove after all.
"Who cares? It's a free drink! I will gladly accept!"
Triska heads into the bar.
"Who cares? It's a free drink! I will gladly accept!"
Triska heads into the bar.
Sabriel smoothes out her dress as she walks towards the man.
"Too true Triska. Plus, we definately need a job to pay our way out of this," she turns to the man with the snake emblem, "no offence, stinking hellhole. A free drink and the possibility of work is worth a detour."She walks over and slips her arm into Orelan's as they prepare to follow the man and his bodyguard.
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As you make your way along the crowded walk, a massive man who looks to have orc blood in his veins blocks your path with arms crossed over his barreled chest. He glares at you over a mouthful of tusk like teeth. Nest to him stands a man in black cloak and leathers. The image of a snake upon a shield is embossed on a brooch attached to his cloak. He wears a rapier at his hip and bears a fine, oiled mustache. In a soft voice laden with the faint accent of the Shackle Isles, he says, "Greetings. I am Kelim Esteban, captain of the River Queen, and I have a business proposition to make you...if you care to let me buy you a drink." He gestures to the enterance of a busy tavern nearby."Well. That's a fine offer - any reason why you choose us for this honour?"
Orelan is polite but a little skeptical; this is their first time in Bloodcove after all.
"I can see that you can take care of yourselves and I need people like you to help me out to be successful. Please let us go in the tavern and I will tell you everything you need to know over a nice cold drink."
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Triska stomps off into the tavern without a thought or even a look back to see if everyone is even following her. Sabriel has her arm on Orelan's waiting for the man to answer Orelan's question which he does so she turns to Orelan to see if he has any other reservations...Larkspring is in front of the tavern talking to her bear friend, lots of grunting going on can be heard by folks walking past...
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Kelim enters the tavern behind Triska and points out a vacant table that will fir the whole group, the two men that are with him stay by the door talking between themselves. After everyone has a drink in front of them he begins, My employers need able bodies to help guard against incursions by cannibal savages who recently moved into the area. The depot is well defended and has successfully fended off many attacks, but the defenders are on the verge of exhaustion and need some temporary relief from competent sword-arms until company reinforcements arrive from Absalom. I think you all here are able bodies who should be of great help to us. We are willing to pay 20 gp per day for the duration of the assignment! So what do you say? Any questions? He sits back waiting for your answer of questions....