Grimly silent now, the dwarf shakes the stirge remnants from his hatchet and settles into a low, circling crouch before exploding upward in a sudden, savage chop at the lowest of the two vermin that assail him.
GM Chris and Wagon Crew
GM Chris and Wagon Crew
** spoiler omitted **
Deserach
You arrive at the rendezvous point.
Grumblenaught and Yalka
Yalka falls into her savage side, chooses to let go of the horror on Lightening, and swings at an uninjured stirge. Good choice, as she kills it.
The stirges swarm over the three of you. In Pathfinder they need to roll a Grapple check against a DC of 15 + your Combat Maneuver Bonus. Even with a +12 bonus to Grapple, only one --going for Grumblenaught's thigh-- succeeded this round.
The stirge that's still on Lightening does another 2 points of Constitution damage, and, sated, detaches. The poor horse now has a Constitution score of 11, and 13 hit points.
Grumblenaught immediately kills the thing scrambling about on his leg.
Yalka, it looks like Grumblenaught's concentrating on killing stirges. If you're going to ride off with him, you'll have to reach down and either retrieve just the Dwarf (a move action) or pick up the Dwarf and all his gear (a full-round action). In either case, it's a DC 15 Strength check, and you'd be able to spur Lightening away afterwards.
Or, spear in hand, you could join him in gutting the flittering menaces. There are two of them still flying about.
The Wagon Crew
Orislav readies a spell in case Brach comes into range.
Valdisara stands in the wagon, readying an attack on anyone who comes within range.
Kara stands next to Valdisara (in J8, I suppose) and readies a flying tackle.
Brach draws his sword, which seems to have a different rune etched into the blade. It flashes green again. "We needed to kill no one for these mounts. As soon as they recognized who we are, their former owners had the wisdom to flee.
"Ah, yes, you recognize the blades of the Vipers. The merest nick across your cheek will kill you stone dead. Allow me to demonstrate!" And he spurs his mount on, coming straight for Orislav.
Orislav casts his spell, particularly targeting Brach's horse. The horse takes damage and stumbles, but Brach yanks hard on the reins, keeping both the mount and himself upright and moving. Just a split-second before he reaches Orislav, he comes within Valdisara's range, and Kara can make her grapple attempt as well.
Valdisara, make an attack against AC 14.
Kara, your leap provokes an Attack of Opportunity from the armed man, but Brach misses. In Pathfinder, you'll resolve your leap with a Grapple check against DC 18.
As soon as we resolve those reserve actions, we'll see if Brach is still on his horse and attempting to trample Orislav. (Riderless, the horse would veer away from the cleric.)
Then, a fraction of a moment later, Brach's stoic hobgoblin companion will act.
Chris & Grumble:
maneuvering her so I can best reach the remaining stirges .
Ignoring the pain and blood, Lightening follows, also lashing out with a hoof when the nearest stirge veers too close:
Hoof Attack 15, for 7 damage
My Attacks: 9, 4, & 17, doing 9 points of damage on the last one... And these are just the mosquitos around here!?
Yalka & Grumblenaught
Hoof Attack 15, for 7 damage
My Attacks: 9, 4, & 17, doing 9 points of damage on the last one... And these are just the mosquitos around here!?
And you kill the last free ones here. There are perhaps another half-dozen stirges mewling forlornly and crawling out of the bramblebush, but you have a couple of seconds to catch your breath.
Just to check, Lightening took 6 points of CON damage, right? I just didn't notice when it all happened, but things got busy...
Nope. Only a total of 4.
GM Chris and Wagon Crew
Chris & Grumble:
"Ready to go now? Safer to use crossbow from distance, you know."
The Wagon Crew
Valdisara sees the Viper charging his steed towards the cleric, and raises her blade to intervene .
The paladin smiles grimly as she sees blood stain her sword once again, and utters a brief prayer of thanks to her goddess.
GM & Yalka
Attack & Damage Rolls for Grumblenaught vs the Stirge Menace.
Grumble & Chris:
I spur Lightening down the path a hundred feet or so .
Replacing my Spear with my bow, I turn and fire on the stirge that seems most likely to escape the thistles:
Yalka fires: 20 to hit, 2 dmg. Next round's attack: 16 to hit, 4 dmg.
Grumblenaught and Yalka
You kill them. All told, it'll cost you four crossbow bolts / arrows each.
Yalka, you are correct regarding Lightening's stat damage. I'd looked up the statistics for a light horse, rather than a light warhorse.
And you arrive at the Bromley barn. Deserach is waiting for you, but Zosimus is nowhere to be seen.
The Wagon Crew
Brach turns and dodges Kara, who tumbles to the ground, prone and with a mouthful of grass, but otherwise uninjured, in G8.
The same can't be said for Brach, however. Valdisara's blade slices into his right shoulder as soon as he gets within range, and again into his thigh as an AoO as he rides by. He's in bad shape.
And he's on Orislav.
With a contemptuous sneer, made desperate by his pain, he brings his sword down. He's not trying for a powerful chop, but just a slice. Nonetheless, he cuts deep. It's not a critical wound, but it's 10 points of damage.
At the same time, he drives his horse straight at the cleric, adjusting his course such that Orislav can't duck to the side. Orislav, you see the horse's eyes roll wide in panic, and it steps aside itself at the last possible instantrefusing to trample you. Brach spits curses at his horse, and ends the turn in E1, F1, E2, F2.
In any case, the charge / overrun would have provoked an Attack of Opportunity from Orislav, if the cleric had been armed.
Orislav, please make a Fortitude saving throw.
Martaug, as Brach passes next to the wagon in the charge, you get an Attack of Opportunity against either him or his steed. Roll an attack, if you like.
The hobgoblin then rides up, dismounts into H9, and calmly stabs his blade into Kara, who's still on her hands and knees on the ground, for 9 points of damage. Then he turns to Valdisara and salutes. "Your comrades are as good as dead. Surrender, and we will spare your life. Or come down here on equal footing, and die with honor."
Kara, please make a Fortitude saving throw.
Martaug, you're up.
And, incidentally, it's a lovely day.
Blue Barn:
I toss a disgusting cat sized mix of loose skin, pincers & insectoid wings towards the ground near Deserach
(That may have looked like this recently), and drawing Lightening alongside, jump down.
"Your face shows you have happy day. Lucky to not meet THESE blood-sucking beasts. Grumble help Yalka with swarm.",
I gesture back to Grumblenaught, gingerly climbing down behind me.
Catching my breath, I relax a bit more, now that we've arrived.
I pet and attend to Lightening, examing her wounds from the Stirges.
"...Deserach still wait for others? Yalka wait also."
"...Deserach learn about bandits or spiders? ...Where other go to... Zo-simus?", I ask,
remembering the other adventurer I last saw leaving with Deserach.
GM Chris and Wagon Crew
Grunting with irritation, he regrips quickly and lunges again. He envisions Stinger's tip slicing into Brach's lungs.
|
As Yalka and Grumblenaught arrive they see me leaning against the trunk of a large oak tree resting in the shade of it's mighty branches. Presently I am eating an apple. My pony wanders near by grazing on the grass.
As the two come closer and it becomes obvious that they are worse for ware, I will think to myself....maybe it's a good thing I did not go to see Ol'Cale with them.
"What in the name of Nethys has befallen you"...thinking of the spiders and Win..."Did you find the spiders?"
As Yalka tosses the bloodied bits onto the ground it becomes obvious that they did not.
"No I guess you did not...Yes, Yes we will wait for the others...are they not with you?"
"Zosimus and I spoke with a man who claimed to know the area thoroughly, he knew nothing about bandits nor necessarily about spiders but he did mention an old mine that has shown signs of occupation recently, though he was unable to give me directions. I was hoping that Martaug or perhaps Grumble here would know more about this old Mine. It has some distinguishing features."
"Zosimus decided to stay and assist the old sage in an attempt to retrieve the map which was apparently trapped in his keep by some vindictive spirit.....it all seemed kind of odd to me, but here I am babbling on when you need assistance, here let me get you both some fresh water or maybe some wine if you prefer."
GM Chris and Wagon Crew
The Wagon Crew
The hobgoblin then rides up, dismounts into H9, and calmly stabs his blade into Kara, who's still on her hands and knees on the ground, for 9 points of damage. Then he turns to Valdisara and salutes. "Your comrades are as good as dead. Surrender, and we will spare your life. Or come down here on equal footing, and die with honor."
Valdisara narrows her eyes and glowers at the hobgoblin. "We had no quarrel with you, yet you choose to attack us in violence and malice. You leave me no choice in this. May the gods take pity on you and bring you a quick death."
Wagon Crowd
In any case, the charge / overrun would have provoked an Attack of Opportunity from Orislav, if the cleric had been armed.
Orislav, please make a Fortitude saving throw.
At Bromley's Barn
Deserach, you recognize the creature, having seen a swarm of them on a couple of occaisions. You've heard the term "stirge" before, as an epithet towards a half-toad mining chief who was abusing his hired help and extorting protection money from the poor folk who lived around the area. You've never heard the word applied to this creature, but it would fit perfectly.
Wagon Crew
niel, you're right to say that Wooden Fist suggests that your character's fists might be treated as armed attacks, but that's such a common terminology that I can't help but think that Jason went out of his way to avoid saying just that. So, until Orislav take the Improved Unarmed Attack feat, his fists still can't make Attacks of Opportunity, and they still do nonlethal damage.
Valdisara, you can't take a standard action during your turn and delay a movement action until later in the round.
Martaug, your spear slips through the black leather armor and lances Brach under his right arm. He gasps as you pull the weapon free, his face ashen with shock. His features relax and he slips from the horse, falling to the ground in G2, his sword falling free from his grasp.
The hobgoblin looks over and considers, "Then again, your accuser be unable to advance his claim. If you pledge on Razmir's good will, that your orc be no fugitive, I will then withdraw all our accusations."
Valdisara, the hobgoblin talks a convincing game, but you can tell he's readying another attack as well.
Orislav, Kara: you feel your muscles tighten, and you can't seem to take a deep breath. Take 1 point of temporary Constitution damage this round. I'll ask for another save after another 30 seconds, at the end of Round 4.
Round 2:
Orislav, Valdisara, Kara: 19
Brach: 19
Hobgoblin: 18
Martaug: 12
Blue Barn:
Wagon Crew
Valdisara, you can't take a standard action during your turn and delay a movement action until later in the round.
The hobgoblin raises an eyebrow at Valdisara's comments. "No quarrel, be your words? You oppose the perfect will of Razmir, shelter a murderous slave, and are shocked to find that we be having quarrel with you!"
The hobgoblin looks over and considers, "Then again, your accuser be unable to advance his claim. If you pledge on Razmir's good will, that your orc be no fugitive, I will then withdraw all our accusations."
Valdisara, the hobgoblin talks a convincing game, but you can tell he's readying another attack as well.
Her stance sure and easy, the paladin fixes the Viper with a cold gaze. "I swear by no god but mine own. All who travel with me ride freely, by the grace of Iomedae. If that is not good enough for the likes of you, then step forward and we shall end this."
Wagoneers
Also, sorry about slow posting lately. I've been spending time with The Beloved Wife and dealing with some minor health issues.
Niel
Wagon People!
Kara will prepare to roll to her feet, hoping to avoid the hobgoblin's blade again, sending a prayer to Iomedae in her head to grant her a chance.
Wagon Team
The hobgoblin's expression doesn't change, but his tone of voice hardens into a sneer. "Do you imagine that we ride alone? The rash one there was quick in his fury, and I alone could match his pace. But the remaining Viper Lords be arriving before I'd tire my arm in combat against you. You be a match for a hot-headed noble, there, but I think a squadron of men be enough to give you pause."
That sounds truthful to all of you.
Orislav, using Heal to provide first aid or to treat poison is a standard action that would invite an Attack of Opportunity, but only if you're within range. You could move 5' to G7, and be next to Kara, but outside the hobgoblin's range.
Brach has slumped in front of the horses, and is out of your direct line of sight.
Kara, there are Feats that allow you to hop up from a prone position, which you might consider taking at some time.
Right now, you can (1) simply attack the hobgoblin from your knees. You'll take a -4 penalty to your attack roll, as well as the -4 penalty to your AC that you incur just from being on the ground. (2) Standing does indeed provoke an attack of opportunity, but crawling /rolling away does not. You could withdraw to, say, F7 or G7 (assuming Orislav hasn't already moved into G7) and stand up there. It take your entire turn (two movement actions) but you could get to your feet out of harm's way. (3) Or, as you say, you could stand up right where you are and take a swing.
Martaug, you catch the flash of a shadow flitting across the ground, and you look up to see what's casting it. The bird is still circling overhead.
GM Chris
Orislav, using Heal to provide first aid or to treat poison is a standard action that would invite an Attack of Opportunity, but only if you're within range. You could move 5' to G7, and be next to Kara, but outside the hobgoblin's range.
Wagon Time!
Kara
Wagon Team
Orislav, you do reasonably well with your healing roll. The poison seems to be a magical effect, rather than a toxic gel, but applying pressure to blood vessels stops it just as well.
Kara, you're in G6. Orislav is standing between you and the hobgoblin.
The hobgoblin feints an attack towards Valdisara's side, trying to get her to to open her opposite side to attack. The ploy doesn't work, and the hobgoblin decides not to follow through with the actual attack.
"My companion there has misjudged you, and made an accusation he cannot support. My challenge be withdrawn, and I ask only to be allowed to retrieve my fellow Viper.
"Unless you would claim him as a battle boon and take him as a slave, as is your right."
Martaug, from your position on the wagon, you see something move in the far distance, almost to the horizon. It is most likely a clump of medium-sized woodland animals.
Martaug, it's your move. Then, I'll need another Fortitude save from Orislav and Kara.
|
|
Grumble and Yalka
In response to Yalka:
"Indeed, this particular mine was an old Iron mine atop a river bluff. The miners accidentally breached the river causing flooding of the mine. A windmill was built to assist in pumping out the overflow, though eventually the whole thing was scrapped. The sage that we went to visit indicated that the windmill has been operating again for the last week, this would seem to indicate that someone is occupying the site."
"It could have nothing to do with our current situation though but I figured I would bring it to the groups attention......speaking of the group where are the rest of us?"
GM Chris and the Wagon Crew
Deserach, Yalka, Grumblenaught
Um, you folks don't really need spoiler screens, unless you're planning wedgies for the Wagon Crew when they arrive.
Martaug and the Wagon Team
The raven's behavior continues, unchanged. Perhaps it is too far away.
Orislav, I need a Fortitude save from you.
Kara, Orislav's ministrations seem to have given you a respite from the venom.
And it's the top of the round.
GM
Ouch!
There's no discernable effect this round.
Kara, Martaug, Orislav, Valdisara
Your opponent seems willing to parley terms.
"Veeery interesting, Deser-ach. Maybe Grumble-naught knows of this windmill above cliff and river.
Now if we see such a thing, we will recognize it, at least.."
"You are from the Garund, yes? I heard that people there live inside giant insects, is it true?"
|
|
"You are from the Garund, yes? I heard that people there live inside giant insects, is it true?"
"Mwa Ha Ha Ha ha" I let out a rolling belly laugh. "Rule the entire inner sea for nearly five thousand years as a beacon of civilization and culture" I say incredulously "and yet we are still remembered solely as the people with the giant beetle."
Wiping a tear of laughter from my eye before continuing. "Yes I am from Garund.....Majestic Osirion to be specific, though it has been some years since I have heard the soft crooning of a desert larch."
"And no my friend Yalka...we do not live inside giant beetles, though it is true that in the most splendid city of Sothis, the jewel of Osirion, there is an ancient and titanic beetle husk bigger then the tallest building and minarets. Some say it is the spawn of Rovagug and that it is from the time before time."
Grumblenaught stumps slowly over to the sunniest side of the barn, and slowly sinks down to rest against it. Now that the excitement of the fray has passed, the Dwarf refills his bandolier with four replacement bolts, and carves himself a large hunk of cheese.
Chewing slowly, he lets the idle conversation of Yalka and the Wizard whose name he can't remember wash over him like the lazy current of a summer stream. He sits quietly for some while, nearly dozing, until he hears his name mentioned in Yalka's thick and halting accent.
"Mines?" he queries, looking up and blinking in the sunshine. "With windmills, y'say?" He chews a braid thoughtfully, trying to collect his thoughts.
Squinting suddenly southward and tilting his head to hear better, he does some quick mental calculations, "Should'a seen - or heard - summat out of the other folks by now, I'd reckon. That half-breed looked like he knew how ta handle a team, so's it might be that they found themselves a mite of trouble on t'way..."
"oh...", I quietly say,
glad that I got the Garund part right (mostly),
but not really sure if his answer made much more sense than my question.
I remember to clean off the bug goop from my spear,
and calling back to the sun-dazzled Dwarf: "Hmm?? What's that Grumble-naught?"
"Mines?" he queries, looking up and blinking in the sunshine. "With windmills, y'say?" He chews a braid thoughtfully, trying to collect his thoughts.
Yes. Some miles to the north and west, in the foothills of the mountains, by a low river. The windmill hasn't actually operated in decades; when you stuck your head in there a couple years ago, the cogworks were far enough into disrepeair to be was unusable, and one of the blades was tipped out of alignment. There might be other, similar mills in the area, as well.
"So," says the paladin, her voice chilly still, despite the apparent cessation of hostilities, "When we are out of sight, take the remnants of your friend - We do not condone slavery, even to those who may warrant it - and you may go from here, swearing to leave us in peace, since as you say, your charge is withdrawn."
She looks briefly to Kara and Orislav, then back at the Hobgoblin, narrowing her moss-green eyes. "And know this: should my friends perish from your bladerot, we will meet again, you and I."
"Martaug," she calls over her shoulder, not taking her eyes from the mercenary, "see if you can calm that extra horse. We can return it to the rightful owner once we return."
The hobgoblin face breaks into a terrible smile. "You have drawn the blood of my brother-in-arms. Rest assured, little mannish warrior, we will inded meet again. But not today; this swear I, Towgold Yrenhirth, Walker of the Seventh Step."
Martaug, you succeed in your Handle Animal roll. (EDIT: And Brach is back there. There's blood seeping from his armor, but he seems to have stablized.)
And everybody makes it to the barn. Martaug, the raven flies off in a lazy arc to the south as soon as you catch sight of the big blue doors.
It's about an hour past noon, maybe a little later. You have 16 miles before you.
GM Chris and the Wagon Crew
And, of course, I forgot...
Orislav, with sufficient time, you can heal your own poisoning, but you'll take two more temporary points of Constitution damage before you manage to do so. The venom seems to affect the victim's lungs, keeping you from taking a deep breath. You imagine that, as the poison advances, you'd eventually be unable to breathe at all.
So, you turn and head north. Yalka is riding Lightening; Deserach is riding his pony, named ___ . The rest of you are in the wagon, pulled by Tepetta's team, with the fatigued horse Brach was riding, and Valdisara's mule "Leo" tied behind.
Did I get that right?
Carts and wagons can travel indefinitely at 2 miles per hour, which would get you to the Rolsen farmstead maybe three hours past sunset.
You can "hustle" the team. This will double the movement, but will cause damage to the horse team (1 hp after 2 hours, a total of 3 hp after 3 hours, 7 hp after 4 hours, 15 hp after 5 hours; half of this damage is lethal, and half is nonlethal; it will also fatigue the team.) Three hours of hustling will get you there just at, or shortly after, sunset.
So, (a) what's the plan, and (b) what are each of you doing during the trip?
I'll be spending the trip going over how I could have avoided getting a mouthful of grass, and reminding myself to stop including reckless bravery in my actions.
Yalka enquires about what held up the main group... and shows off one of the wierd bugs they ran into.
I'll mention the bit that Deserach discovered:
a windmill over a flooded mine atop a cliff next to a river ,
though our main task for now should be to get to the farmstead and warn the family.
I'll ride beside the wagon on the other side (from Des/Jak) if the road is wide enough.