Please post hit/damage roles before we react! :) lol
Sheldon yells out "they can see us, fall back, fall back!" He immediately begins back tracking to the toll booth gap where he can find cover!
Seelah also realizes this is a no win proposition to advance this way and moves quickly backward evasively while looking over her shoulder for a target.
Harsk, now really grim, because he "couldn't be seen" but just got shot, also realizes the predicament and wonders where did these arrows come from?
Lem seeing the situation clearly goes back to cover and the beginning of the left side of the bridge.
Puff goes high, high. Looks around to make sure there are no predators and tells Sheldon "whaz up! (i.e. what he sees)"
Spot Checks:
Seelah, Harsk, Sheldon, Lem (1d20 2=22, 1d20 8=23, 1d20=9, 1d20=19)
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The heroes hide behind the wall of the garrison, They all crowd into a small space, even all of the Lems. Puff is flying high out of arrow range. He sees two of the archers, one on the officer's quarters and the other over the Station House who just finished climbing up to its roof. He also sees movement down by the smithy, two to three forms can be seen. From behind you an arrow flies by your position, you see the half orc on one knee taking partial cover from the gate, he has out his long bow out aiming at the roof of the officers quarters. Harsk lays back with a grunt, the arrow hurts but his anger is fueling his resolve to take out these archers.
Shelon, in commune with Puff tells the team, there are at least 5, maybe six. Two on the roofs -- one just across the way diagonally. I'll take him out (in my remaining moments of invisibility). Lem, you scurry, role & get down to the boat. You can make shots from there, but let them know how many and that we need help.
Harsk does first aid on himself and cautiously removes the arrow. Using his healing skills: 1d20 8=20
Harsk has (3 rounds left of invisibility)
Lightly talking with Harsk in her (2 remaining rounds of invisibility), after the arrow is removed, Seelah uses her wand to heal any remaining damage: 1d8 7=11
Sheldon invisibly pops out and when he sees the dude on the officer's tower becomes visible lets his arcane power shoot forth in three streams of magic missiles: automatically hitting for 7 damage:
The Lem's make their way down to the boat alternately ducking, dodging, rolling, but definitely moving swiftly!
Tally ho!
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All is still quiet on the bridge, the enemy is waiting so it seems as they have been able to keep the attackers at bay on the eastern side of the bridge. Harsk carefully removes the arrow as slow as possible trying not to cause himself more damage. He is successful and sighs with great relief, he finishes bandaging his wound and is ready to go soon after he takes a swig of water. The Lem's dash out and down the stairs towards the boat to talk to the captain. He passes Faruq at the gate who is about to take another shot at the enemy. He fires but misses again having a difficult time hitting the creatures behind their cover. Lem makes it down to the bottom in ok time, he hides on the main pier for cover before he will reach the boat.(I figured he did a double move to get down there and I gave him cover fire from Faruq who is kneeling by the gates to the bridge). Sheldon reaches his arm around the corner of the garrison and lets forth three bursts of arcane power at the creatue a top the building across from him. He hits with all three making his target disappear from sight. Seelah draws forth her wand again and heals Harsk of all damage done to him, only leaving a small pink mark on his skin.........
Sheldon, now visible, ducking back behind the wall whispers to "Harsk you have about two more minutes where you can't be seen; Seelah, you have one; it will end when you make an attack."
Harsk decides to set out again and see if he can find a target of opportunity. He moves out quickly along the south side of the bridge then dashes into the station house and rolls on the floor (unless he sees an obvious target and takes a shot:
Then after shooting he does as above!
Spot check in station house:
Seelah also sets out and runs to the officer's quarters with sword drawn -- she busts into the door and takes a dodge step to avoid a flying arrow then looks around.
Spot Check in Quarters:
Sheldon while behind the wall casts summon monster II calling forth the celestial attack eagle which sense's Sheldon's wish that it go after the shooter on the Officer's Quarters!
Sheldon has mage armor on -- it will last about five more hours; he has now used 4 2nd level spells and has 1 more; he has used 2 1st level spells and has 5 more.
The Lems get to the captain twirling, spinning and dodging along with a good doze of pint sized ducking!
When the talk, they discuss the possibility of moving the boat out as a feint as if they will go to the other side or along the bridge where Lem can move to attack!
After summoning the eagle, Sheldon tunes into Puff wondering what he sees!
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An arrow flies out at Faruq and hits him in the shoulder who grunts at the pain(2 hp dam). Harsk runs along the garrison's wall, dashes across to the station house and pushes in the door to it with a roll. The door makes a noise as it is opened and when it hits the wall of the station house as he rolls into it. He sees an normal office type room with cabnets, a desk and chair, bookcases, sitting chairs and a small table with a water pitcher and glasses. The room is a wreck, where normally you'd see papers and other office supplies its all been looted, the bookcase is bare except for a few rogue papers. He also sees stairs leading up to the second level of the building at the back of the room, blood can be seen everywhere but no bodies Lem makes it on to the boat with now attacks in his direction. He finds the captain standing in the pilot house watching whats going on up on the bridge. Standing next to him is the old dwarf, they are talking about that hopefully they can get the bridge secured soon so they can get into the store house to get more arcophage to replace the one currently in the protean engine as the one on the boat is almost out. The captain nods to Lem and asks whats the current situation on the bridge for it is hard to judge from here and if he thinks the boat is in any danger? Sheldon casts another one of his handy arcane tricks and sees an eagle appear in the same area as Puff who is up high lazily circling the bridge for air recon. Puff relays that he sees nothing new other than the creature on the officers building firing and hitting Faruq. The officers quarters door bangs open as Seelah pushes her way into the building. She sees a well kept room with blood stains everywhere, there is a few beds in this room and a door into another room is wide open and has more beds, small tables and chairs, dice lie about the floor and more blood can be seen. A locked door leads to another building but it is locked with a big padlock...........
Harsk continues his role and comes up into a crouch. Seeing no target for his loaded x-bow, and yet invisible, he moves as stealthily as he can up the stairs ready for the opportunity to shoot at the first sign of a legitimate target.
Seelah, knowing her foe is on top of the roof, and in the process of becoming visible, goes out the door farthest west quickly and takes cover with bow drawn up against the armory.
Sheldon's Eagle let's out an "airy" cry and swoops into engage the shooter. After attacking, the Eagle will hover & swoop in an effort to keep the shooter distracted.
Sheldon is looking out with his mirror exposed to the officer's quarters and summoning a stream of missiles. When the shooter exposes, he launches:
Chunk -- bet that hurts!
Lem tells the Captain -- "I don't know. Maybe. We thought about you trying to get some of us across the river. Could you still do that? What building is your fuel in? I can tell the team to try to secure it!"
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Another arrow flies at Faruq from the officers quarters landing inches in front of him. The arcane missles that hit the creature must have helped Faruq thinks. Faruq moves up against the garrison for full cover and to take care of the arrow sticking out of him. No other attacks from the enemy occur. Harsk moves up the stairs and into another office. This room seems to have been spared of battle but has been looted just as below. A door leading out to a balcony is open and the river can be seen, the hot summer air blows in making it quite hot in here. the captain addresses Lem, [b]I can't move the boat because I was just informed we are out of juice for the engine, we need to get to the food and supply building and harvest the arcophage. I will stay here and protect the boat while the old dwarf sees what can else be done about the engine. We need to retake this bridge back before nightfall or most likely we will all be dead by morning. I think we are up agaist a tribe of wild elves. Very hostile, be careful.....
Sheldon using his brain, waits for the creature on the roof top to show himself. He sees it as it makes its attacks on Faruq and lets go of another barrage of missles nocking the thing back and out of site again. Seelah moves out the door and hides by the armoury's wall. She shakes her head as she just remembers one of the creatures is on top of the Station house and could easily get a clean shot at her but is lucky as Harsk must have been making alot of noise(as dwarves do) and distracted it from seeing her....
Seelah sensing the opportunity decides to take a shot from her bow directly at the foe:
I don't understand this -- is it an 18 attack or nine which is impossible (10 minimum) -- same for damage!!!
Harsk makes his way to the balcony and ducks out looking down the bridge & also up quickly -- he shoots if he sees a target:
spot, shoot, damage (1d20 8=12, 1d20 8=10, 1d10 1=2)
Eagle's attack: Swoops in on target to distract shooter! (1d20 3=17, 1d4=3)
Sheldon waits for the Lems.
The Lems set off with a scramble, ducking, dodging & laughing as they work their way back to Sheldon at a full half-ling run!
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It remains quiet on the bridge, each group trying to gain position. No attacks from the enemy come, the heroes doing good to stay under cover. Harsk steps out on to the balcony and looks around. He doesn't see much of the bridge from his angle but he can see the giant ballista platform which looks to be trashed and the ballista broken into pieces. He also can see the boat where Lem and the Captain are talking. Looking behind him, he does spot a way to get onto the roof by climbing onto the balcony rail and grabbing the roof to pull himself up, he ducks back under cover, he knows someone is on top of this roof but can't see or hear them.
Lem gets done talking to the Captain and makes a run back up the stairs getting to just inside of the gate, he sees a eagle swoop down and distract the creature for him. the eagle does no harm to it but is helping him so he decides he like the bird.
Sheldon waits by the Garrison wall for Lem.
Seelah has her bow ready waiting for a shot of the creature on the roof of the building across from her but never sees it pop its head up, probably to concerned with Harsk being on the inside of the building.
Harsk let's his trusty badger out of his backpack with instructions to climb above and distract the foe with an attack.
(don't know modifiers) (1d20=8)
Harsk follows about ten seconds later:
Climb & move quietly Check:
Climb and move quietly (1d20 3=21, 1d20 10=13)
He let's his bolt fly as soon as he's over the top:
using point blank and 1 bolt (1d20 10=27, 1d8 5=7)
Seelah takes the chance to duck back into cover quickly moving back into officer's quarters by the western door leaving it slightly ajar and herself kneeling with bow drawn looking for a foe.
Sheldon takes time to wait for Lem and is in communion with Puff should any movement of foes occur.
Lem does the Lem dances. His mirrors are gone by now. He approaches Sheldon and communicates the URGENCY of protecting the store room just up and on the right.
Sheldon is feeling uneasy in his stomach. OK, he thinks, we are upstream, there is no longer anyone to guard, and now we may not be able to get back downstream, and oh, by the way, there are cannibal elves who want to kill us. Then he remembers: "it's all good."
Sheldon is watching Faruq. What's he up to?
Eagle swoop attack too! 1d20 3=4
Maybe a distraction!
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The jungle elf drops his bow and makes an attack on the pesky eagle with his trusty spear, he stabs it causing the bird to falters in flight but somehow manages to keep to the air(3 hp dam). Faruq spends time patching up the arrow wound he just pulled out. Harsk pulls a badger out of his hat, umm...I mean...backpack and helps it up to the roof who comes under attack instantly but misses his chance to hit the creature. (Elf on delayed action) The badger makes an attack of its own, claw lashing out but misses the elf. Harsk using the badger as a distraction climbs up to the roof and fires his crossbow at the elf, his aim is true and the elf falls back a step as the bolt lodges itself into its chest. Seelah ducks back into the building for cover, while Lem comunicates with Sheldon on what the plan is..............
The eagle tries to make an attack of its own but fails to do so, its wound causing it problems flying.....
Harsk goes badger on the elf with his axe:
The eagle attacks again:
Badger:
Didn't come through -- please roll attack for him!
Sheldon uses his last invisibility on Lem telling him run quietly & get to the store room! (5 rounds)
Sheldon yells to Seelah cover the little one!
Lem makes his way quietly but quickly to make a dash for the storeroom, invisible!
Lem: 1d20 9=20
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BADGER
Small Animal Hit Dice: 1d8+2 (6 hp) Initiative: +3 Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), burrow 10 ft. Armor Class: 15 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +1 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 12 Base Attack/Grapple: +0/–5 Attack: Claw +4 melee (1d2–1) Full Attack: 2 claws +4 melee (1d2–1) and bite –1 melee (1d3–1) Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Rage Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent Saves: Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1 Abilities: Str 8, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6 Skills: Escape Artist +9, Listen +3, Spot +3 Feats: Agile, TrackB, Weapon FinesseB Environment: Temperate forests Organization: Solitary, pair, or cete (3–5) Challenge Rating: 1/2 Advancement: 2 HD (Small) Level Adjustment: —
The badger is a furry animal with a squat, powerful body. Its strong forelimbs are armed with long claws for digging.
An adult badger is 2 to 3 feet long and weighs 25 to 35 pounds.
Combat
Badgers attack with their sharp claws and teeth.
Rage (Ex): A badger that takes damage in combat flies into a berserk rage on its next turn, clawing and biting madly until either it or its opponent is dead. It gains +4 to Strength, +4 to Constitution, and –2 to Armor Class. The creature cannot end its rage voluntarily.
Skills: A badger has a +4 racial bonus on Escape Artist checks.
OWL
Tiny Animal Hit Dice: 1d8 (4 hp) Initiative: +3 Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares), fly 40 ft. (average) Armor Class: 17 (+2 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural), touch 15, flat-footed 14 Base Attack/Grapple: +0/–11 Attack: Talons +5 melee (1d4–3) Full Attack: Talons +5 melee (1d4–3) Space/Reach: 2-1/2 ft./0 ft. Special Attacks: — Special Qualities: Low-light vision Saves: Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +2 Abilities: Str 4, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 4 Skills: Listen +16, Move Silently +17, Spot +8* Feats: Alertness, Weapon FinesseB Environment: Temperate forests Organization: Solitary Challenge Rating: 1/4 Advancement: 2 HD (Small) Level Adjustment: —
The statistics presented here describe nocturnal birds of prey from 1 to 2 feet long, with wingspans up to 6 feet. They combine both talons into a single attack.
Combat
Owls swoop quietly down onto prey, attacking with their powerful talons.
Skills: Owls have a +8 racial bonus on Listen checks and a +14 racial bonus on Move Silently checks. *They have a +8 racial bonus on Spot checks in areas of shadowy illumination
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The elf thrusts his spear at the eagle again hitting it in the chest and ending its life on this plane. As the elf tries to fling the eagle off its spear into the river below its form fades away. Seeing a bigger threat appear on the roof the elf changes his attack and thrusts out with his spear and punches a hole into Harsk's armour wounding him(6 hp dam). The badger lashes out with its claw at the elf, it misses the mark though. Harsk make an attack of his own on the elf and has the same luck as the badger. Sheldon waves his arms about and mumbles some arcane words and casts a spell on Lem turning him invisible. Lem now invisible dashes out and along the buildings for cover just in case makes it to the area between the armoury and the supply building, he see no enemies along the way or has any problems. Seelah provides cover to the air not sure where or how she can cover anything unseen but she gives it her best shot! Faruq with bow ready takes a line of sight down the bridge waiting for a target to present itself.
Harsk decides it's time to end this fight, taking his axe he brutally swings it down on the soon to be dead elves head:
Thinking to himself he never really likes elves anyway.
Meanwhile his trusty (and mean) badger strikes at the elves leg:
1d20 4=15, 1d20 4=6, 1d20-1=7, 1d4-1=2, 1d4-1=0, 1d3-1=1
The first claw surely connects. Let's end this thing brutally.
Sheldon dashes to the niche between the station house and the garrison staying close to the wall. He yells to Seelah -- get to the next building down quickly! It's imperative -- help Lem!"
Seelah looks out with bow drawn and sprints out, dodging and seeking to get to cover between the storeroom & armory.
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The elf attacks Harsk with its long spear again missing as harsk dances to the side and launches one of his own, his great axe comes to bare taking a big chunk of the elf who screams in agony from the axe and one of the badgers claws at the same time.
Sheldon and Seelah dash off down the bridge as close to the walls of the building as possible for cover but its not enough. Puff shouts a warning but thats to late also. Two elves pop out from cover by the smithy building and smithy quarters firing at the two heroes runing down the bridge. Multiple arrows fly out and find their marks, littering the heroes chest with the deadly arrows(Seelah 4 hp dam-Elves on delayed action and using rapid shot-Sheldon was about to take 11 hp dam but I remembered in time that rapid shot causes -2 to both normal and extra shots. Lucky for you!) Seelah staggers in her run but she makes it to her destination as does Sheldon. Faruq moves out and makes it into the doorway of the station house, he ducks in for cover when the arrows start to fly.
Lem makes it to the door and trys the door, opens it and dives into the room ready for any enemies. He is greeted by a very large beast standing 8 feet tall and about 800 pounds, it looks like an albino gorilla but has four arms, razor sharp teeth and long claws. The creature screams at the open door and swings around with all of its arms but can't find what enter the building. He can smell it though....................
Both Seelah and Sheldon are a bit miffed. "Damn they are good shots, gasps Sheldon." Seelah, "yes, indeed. Remember the arrows are barbed, we must be careful removing them. Let's work on each other." Seelah leans her bow closely to her and against the wall.
Seelah's healing role then Sheldon's:
Let's assume this delicate task took the round! During the healing, Sheldon tells Seelah why it is so important to secure the stores building. Seelah is steeled to fight to the end if need be.
Harsk decides this time to really finish this:
With Harsk's on the mark swing coming down on the mark, and with blood flying, Harsk begins to wonder about his friends!
His badger didn't sit it out -- striking too:
1d20 4=17, 1d20 4=18, 1d20-1=19, 1d2-1=0, 1d2-1=1, 1d3-1=1
Surely the job is done.
Now Lem, oh Lem:
He quickly looks amid the room to see if he can obviously see the fuel:
Then roles out the doors as quickly as he came in, shutting them behind him.
Staying very low to ground, the scampers quickly to the Batista tower across the way and begins his climb to the top. (He has three more rounds of invisibility).
Climb: 1d20-1=0
Not good!
Yet, the battle continues . . .
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The battle on the roof top continues, the elf punches out with his spear again and puts another hole in Harsk's leather armour(5 pts dam).
The elf on the officers quarter peeks his head out and spots an easy target of Sheldon, he draws back to fire, taking careful aim, he can't miss, the enemy will be one less he thinks, he then wonders why target has not fallen over by now, he then wonders why he's flying, then the light turns to dark and no more pain. Sheldon peeks around the corner and sees that Faruq, standing in the doorway of the station house, unloaded an arrow into the elf, sending it to its death flight. He grunts, cursed elves he thinks....
Harsk takes the wound with a dwarven battle cry heard by everyone and returns the favor, his great axe finding flesh again, he can feel the life go out as the axe goes into the elf. The elf's body hits the ground and Harsk's badger(name?) not relizing the elf is dead chops down onto the body and begins to tear the thing apart.
Sheldon stays in cover, sweat trickling down his back, hands shaking, panic in his eyes, that was to close he thinks......
Lem dashes out of the storehouse and slams the door shut and runs across the bridge to the other side and up the steps to the ballista platform. He makes it easily, as he reaches the top of the steps the huge beast come crashing through the storeroom doors, smashing them to bits, roaring in anger it pounds its fists on its chest. It begins to sniff the air searching for its prey......
Seelah take her time in removing the arrow and healing herself. She's against the wall of the storehouse finishing when she feels the whole building shake when the beast crashes out.....
Harsk begrudgingly wipes his axe then places it on his back; he scootches down to retrieve his x-bow. He scootches back up the roof in a crouch keeping cover but gaining a peering overlook of the scene down the street; he opens & imbibes a potion to repair the painful and gaping wounds he feels: (potion of cure moderate wounds):
Ah, that feels better. (back up to full).
Seelah takes the moment of still yet in the chaos to repair herself. Her bow still at her side she draws her wand of healing and effects a cure:
Healing Wand now at 48 charges (1d8 7=14)
Ah, that feels much better too. She's now fully back to health.
Sheldon has a bit o' a dilemma. It appears the fright from the elf and near death kept him from removing the arrows lodged in him. Knowing Harsk is above, he quickly rounds the corner and falls into the station house careful not to land on the arrows; he then begins the delicate task of removing the arrows:
Not finding much success, Sheldon gasps though not too loudly, in pain.
Lem is now hightailing it up the tower:
or maybe not. If he doesn't make it up & the beastie is upon him, he will tumble and use his dodge feat in addition to being invisible to not be seen or hurt! (get it hurt) :) lol
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The beast roars in fustration as the wind blows his prey scent away. It looks around in both directions trying to figure out what to do. A voice can be heard down the bridge in a language you all can't understand. The creature is looking down the bridge towards the sound as if listening to orders. It turns the other direction looking down the bridge the heroes are at sniffing the air. Harsk downs a potion to help take care of the pain caused by the elf. After a few moments he feels better and crawls over to the edge of the building to check out the situation. A small shock awaits he as he sees the creature for the first time that was making all of the noise. He also notes how close Seelah is to teh creature and if it takes a couple steps in this direction she is in big trouble. Sheldon shakes off his apparent delusions and peeks around the corner and sees the beast down the bridge and as its head is turned the other way slides into the station house past Faruq. Faruq holds in the doorway trying to figure out what to do next with the very large beastie now on the scene. Lem takes cover behind the broken ballista hoping the beast will not follow him. He sees the creature stop and look in both directions, his scent must be lost he thinks in glee and takes a deep breath, that was close. Seelah draws forth her wand and speaks the command word to activate the stick, healing magic flows out of it and into her taking away the pain caused by the two arrows...........
Harsk, seeing the dangerousness in the situation, uses his rapid reload, to load and take a shot at the beastie:
Using a 1 bolt (1d20 9=29, 1d10 2=10)
Seelah, sensing that discretion is the better part of value, at least for now, quickly places herself against the back of the storeroom with sword and shield drawn. She will only attack if the beastie comes at her -- then taking an opportunity attack:
Only if the beastie attacks! (1d20 9=25, 1d8 4=6)
Sheldon is realizing now is the time for bravery. Trusting in his mage armor and shield (+8 AC , 22 AC). He prepares his arcane incantation to launch a stream of missiles at the beasie, jumps out & fires, screams at the beast then quickly returns to cover behind the station house:
Lem knowing he only has a bit longer to be invisible climbs down the tower, and as the beastie moves off, makes a run for the storeroom, quickly opening the door and tumbling back in closing the door behind him (if he can, if not then remaining low & stealthy away from the door).
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With the beast out on the bridge you see two elves stream out of their concealment moving along wall of the supply building and take positions outside the doorway, bows at the ready. The large beast begins to make his way down the bridge towards your group, it stops as it sees Seelah, turns and rushes her. She is brave and ready for the beast, she swings her sword at the creature and hits causing it to roar in pain. It lashes out at her, its razor sharp claws raking her and drawing blood(7 hp dam). Faruq fires an arrow at the thing and hits it in the shoulder. Harsk follows up with an shot of his own also hitting it in the back. The creature bellows in pain again as its got two arrows and then three blasts of arcane energy into its body. It raises its two other arms up in anger. As Sheldon steps out to fire his arcane blast an arrow hits him in the chest penetrating his magic and body(2 hp dam from elf ready action-your not sure where it came from though-spot check from puff to find out!). Lem moves out down the stairs and across the bridge to the supply building. He creeps past the two elves to busy watching their pet attack and take hits. Lem looks at the doors and knows there is no way those doors will ever close or work again without some major repairs. He hides just inside the door......
New Init order update
Elves and Beast
Faruq
Seelah
Harsk
1 elf
Sheldon
Lem
Seelah is now in the fight of her life. Looking upon the beastie she wonders if it is evil (uses her at will power to determine). Either way she must win this fight. Looking into the red eyes of the beastie, Seelah strikes:
Harsk using his ability to reload rapidly, does so and fires upon the beastie:
Using another 1 bolt (1d20 9=28, 1d10 2=6)
Sheldon despite the minor wound repeats his actions of last round:
Puff spots & communicates with Sheldon as Sheldon is ducking back behind the wall:
Lem quietly looks around the store room for the fuel -- to find and assess if he can carry some out quietly. Now hidden, he would otherwise be visible.
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The beasts four claws lash out at Seelah, two catching hold of her and ripping her open. She screams in pain(17 hps dam). The elves by the doorway at the supply building search around for targets and spot Harsk on the roof, both take shots but his cover protects him from their attacks. Faruq takes a shot at the two but misses. Seelah strikes out with her own attack and opens another wound on the thing. Harsk's got a bead on the beast now and lands another arrow into it. Sheldon dances out of cover again and fires another one of his arcane missles, all three blast into the beast again. Somehow the beast still manages to stay standing under all the attacks. Sheldon ducks back under cover just as an arrow whizzes by his head, another close call. Puff communicates to Sheldon that the shots are coming from the a roof top down the bridge. Lem searches around and is not sure what he is looking for and there is not much in the way of anything left in the building, most of it must be looted by the elves. He does find a few spores of something and thinks this might be what the captain was talking about.
Seelah is reeling, but still standing. (10 HP) Choosing to fight defensively (+2 AC, -4 atk), is she is up, seeing the little one coming to her aid, she makes her strike:
The paladin's valor shines forth in the strike, one which may be her last.
Harsk is not about to let the beasts attacks continue. Beading down on target:
1 bolt, 17 left (1d20 9=18, 1d10 2=8)
Again, Harsk is unerring in his aim. May it be enough to aid the one who, if anyone is his friend, it is the noble fighter.
Lem, quickly grabs the spores, tucks them away and rolls out of the storeroom, quickly tumbling toward the beast, not to make an attack but to "come to the aid" of Seelah and to distract the beast. (+2 AC for Seelah this round). The little one is twinkling as he is being uncharacteristically brave, but Seelah has been very nice to him, and he wouldn't want to see her hurt anymore.
Sheldon has one last bit of magic left. If when he pops out the beast is still up the magic missiles will fly toward it; if not, then to one of the elves in the street.
Never before has Sheldon been so taxed in his arcane abilities, nor in such danger. He is sensing how real this is and how he and his companions might not make it home as he ducks back behind cover yelling up to Harsk and any who will hear, there's one on a roof!
The danger is so great that he asks Puff to dive in and attack the shooter on the roof. Puff swoops quietly down to catch the shooter unaware:
Puff's move silently, attack role, then damage (1d20 14=22, 1d20 5=11, 1d4-3=-2)
I will assume the attack did one point of damage, and afterward, Puff swoops away flying behind the building and then along the bridge back toward Sheldon to reunite.
On to the next move . . .
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The beast is bleeding from many wounds now and it is causing it to move slower than normal. It attacks Seelah with a lazy swing ripping her open again(8 hps dam). The other two elves are waiting for chances to hit the enemy but one decides to try again at Harsk, takes careful aim and lauches his attack hitting Harsk in the shoulder with another one of its deadly arrows(5 hps dam). Faruq takes aim also and hits the elf who just shot at Harsk. Seelah prays are answered as she takes the hit and makes one of her own hitting the beast and knocking it to the ground not to move again. Harsk seeing the beast fall changes targets quickly and fires at the elf who hit him and returns the favor hitting the elf who staggers back as the second object hits its body in seconds. The elf on the roof fires off a shot at Faruq but misses. Sheldon sees his friend slay the beast, now that his target is gone he tries to maintain the spell for a new target(Concentration check). Lem dashes out with some rolls and dodges to help Seelah but as he gets close he notices that the beast is dead. The other elf standing by the door takes a shot at Lem who just dashed by him wondering how the enemy got behind him. He shoots but misses as the agile halfling dances around the bridge towards his friends.
Sheldon's Concentration Check:
Seelah quickly pulls back against the wall for cover and catching her breath, uses her wand of cure light wounds on herself:
This would bring her back to 10 HP.
Harsk brusquely ignores the wound. It's time to return the favor:
Lem, realizing he may have what they need, keeps dodging, running & moving full speed back to where Sheldon is.
Sheldon realizes he was mistaken and actually has one more blast of arcane energy in him (in addition to the last one). He takes his shot at the standing elf and remains visible as a target this time:
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With the beast dead and two others dead as well the three remianing elves turn and flee off the bridge trying to make it into the jungle before the heroes cause more damage. They move fast as furious but as the last one enters the jungle it gets hit by a blast of arcane energy sending it to the ground. The others come back and grab the body and disappear into the jungle. The heroes all breath a sigh of relief as the battle ends for them.................
Seelah casts another heal on herself:
At 18 HP she is now starting to feel a bit better, but really tired.
Harsk remains aloft for several minutes telling his companions he will keep watch. He very gingerly removes the arrow and heals himself:
Lem gets to Sheldon and the two of them go to Faruq asking if this is the fuel? Sheldon calls out mentally to Puff "come to me, my flying friend"
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Faruq looks at the spores Lem is showing him and says, These are dead, they will be unusable. Is this all that you found little one? The captain joins you on the bridge now that the boat and bridge are safe. He sees the spores that Lem has and heads over to the supply building and looks around himself for more. This is not good, we can get a little farther with what we got but thats it. I think I know where some can be found up river not to far away hopefully. He steps to the side of the bridge looking out over the railing and up river thinking. Search the rest of the bridge and then lets get out of here quickly before they bring back more help.
Harsk remains in overwatch scanning all directions. Lem goes up & uses his wand of healing to help him: 1d8 7=13
Harsk is quietly grateful & nods assent to the little one.
Seelah continues using her want until full up, I'll roll multiples then count uses:
1d8 7=11, 1d8 7=14, 1d8 7=13, 1d8 7=9
It takes two uses & two rounds for her to be herself. She then begins looking around.
Sheldon goes right away with Faruq asking what they are looking for more clearly.
Sheldon tells the Captain, the party doesn't have much "juice" left & up river would force them to come back this way? Are the spores by the side of the river? Can't we just drift downstream?
To clarify: Sheldon talks with the Cpt before going off & Seelah picks up her bow before beginning to search!
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The captain and Faruq explain that Arcophage is a rare and magical creature recently discovered in the Mwagi Expanse. They don't know the specifics on what it does or what it is exactly but know somehow the engine leeches energy to power it. Usually they last about a month. The Aspis Consortium breeds them to resupply the wheel boats here at Whitebridge Station but now another must be found. It would be hard to float up river against the current by the way they mention. We should have enough energy to make it to the place I know where we can find some more spores. Its a slight detour but we don't have much choice. We will spend the night here and rest and resupply if there is anything left here.
The search turns up some food, two masterwork spears, two masterwork longbows with 21 thistle arrows, some sort of necklaces(2) the elves wore, blankets, some damaged clothing and a note found on one of the dead elves.
OK, I'm curious, can we read the note? (is it in common)?
Sheldon uses his cantrip to detect magic among the loot and note.
Everybody gets in the boat. We use our intrinsic healing abilities as you suggest. Sheldon advises the captain that he needs to rest along with Lem & Seelah, and that they should only be waken in a real emergency.
Sheldon is wondering what kind of a warped river flows upstream from the sea? (it will make a good journal note).
Harsk having healed himself is ok to remain on guard above, but will allow himself to take short cat naps. His badger is with him.
Puff will be above hiding in some of the cargo but keeping watch.
Lem plays a sleeping song "oh weary traveler it is now time to rest" to ease the adventurers into rest and rejuvenation.
OK, I'm curious, can we read the note? (is it in common)?
Sheldon uses his cantrip to detect magic among the loot and note.
Everybody gets in the boat. We use our intrinsic healing abilities as you suggest. Sheldon advises the captain that he needs to rest along with Lem & Seelah, and that they should only be waken in a real emergency.
Sheldon is wondering what kind of a warped river flows upstream from the sea? (it will make a good journal note).
Harsk having healed himself is ok to remain on guard above, but will allow himself to take short cat naps. His badger is with him.
Puff will be above hiding in some of the cargo but keeping watch.
Lem plays a sleeping song "oh weary traveler it is now time to rest" to ease the adventurers into rest and rejuvenation.
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The note is not in common, you can tell its some kind of elven but one you have never seen before. Sheldon uses his arcane abilities to disern if the necklaces have any special properties. He sees a goldin aura coming from them. The boat has been going against the current up river. Any floating going on would take you back to Bloodcove!
The night passes unevently for your group, everyone is rested, prayers said, other duties taken care of. The captain calls for the boat to push off and you once again begin heading up river into the jungle proper, rising like the wall of a green fortress, the Vanji River issuing from its dark gatehouse. After about 10 miles the captain steers the wheelboat into a tributary he calls the Kurka River rather following the main artery of the Vanji. The stagnant rill flows from the Kurka Swamp, in turn fed by the Brimstone Falls on the opposite side. The Kurka Swamp is rife with plant life of all kinds, including the mobile plant creatures that serve as hosts for the Arcophages. It should only take a few days off our schedule hopefully............
Sheldon's Post:
This adventure is well beyond what was expected. After traveling up to the Vanji River from Bloodcove, we were hired to protect a little known Waybridge Station. Instead, when we arrived, we found signs of battle, blood, and no survivors. Soon enough the cause was known.
We came under attack from wild elves who were prepared for us. It was dicey and there was a time when I doubted our survival. In an effort to find fuel, arcophage, for our wheelboat, the little one opened a storeroom while invisible under my incantation, only to find a large ape like beast with four arms. This creature nearly killed the valiant paladin with whom I travel.
That we survived is a testament to the discipline of this party and knowledge of our arts. Though, I must confess, my powers were taxed to their fullness and beyond.
Now, we actually travel upriver, farther from safety, in search for fuel, arcophage. There was none found among the looted stores of the station."
The party will work in two shifts. Seelah & Sheldon will be on watch during the day upon the bridge level. Harsk & Lem at night where there vision will be to their advantage.
The party has stored the loot in a corner of the cabin room where they fought the water gargoyles.
They are in a bit of a funk expecting more serious trouble, and realizing this adventure is likely to require much more than was originally agreed if they ever wish to reach safety.
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The swamp stretches out as far as the eye can see. Hammocks of tangled trees and plant life grow among hundreds of water channels overgrown with reeds and showing only the slightest trace of a current in their stagnant surfaces. The ever-present rumbling of the River Queen's engine suddenly ceases, leaving an unnatural silence over the scene, with only the sounds of the creaking vessel, the faint whisper of a breeze through the tree tops, and the occasional cry of some strange marsh animal. The boat slowly drifts to a halt at the very edge of this marshy labyrinth...........
Following Sheldon & Lem, the dwarf & holy warrior assemble on the top deck. Lem approaches the captain. "so we are stopped. I suppose this was not unexpected, but to move forward and search this swamp, we will need Faruq's help. After all, we don't even know what the live arcophage looks like. I also remind you. We are owed payment. We have fulfilled our part of the bargain at risk to our lives. I trust that you have more to offer on behalf of your company for this greatly increased challenge."
Sheldon is thinking, "oh, if I could fly I wouldn't have to put my body in this muck."
Harsk is actually very curious about this new environment and wants to explore using his ranger skills to lead his now yes, possibly "friends."
Seelah is thinking "my armor is not cut out for this." Seelah is asking herself if it's too hot to wear this out here? She asks Faruq and the Captain about this?
Lem is thinking he may need to ride on his friends back some of the way here; he has visions of a galaxy far, far away . . .
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The captain looks over the group and smiles for the first time since starting this adventure. Of course you will be taken care of after we reach Nightfall station have no worries of that my friends you have diffinately more than done your part so far in this mission. Its not safe to keep the boat here though, the water is only four feet deep so it should not be a problem of pulling it, we'll take shifts pulling while the others keep a look out for trouble. The boat will also provide safety from some of the more dangerous swamp inhabitants.... He looks around at the group seeing that no one really is up to pulling a boat through a swamp so he says..Its the only way my friends, it can't be helped, once we harvest the arcophage we have little time to get them to Hurg to install them into the engine before they die and we well be stuck in this swamp and the jungle. Its a long and dangerous journey by foot...............
Seelah agrees first to do this. She is tall and strong enough to do this. Sheldon does the same, though our dwarf friends and small one, cannot do this. They will remain on deck as we move, Harsk at the front of the boat, the little one at the back. Puff will take flight. The badger is in hiding. Seelah removes her armor and offers to take the lead.
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Two heavy ropes each twenty feet long are attached to the boat's bow, Seelah and Faruq take the first two hours pulling and then the next set of pullers take over for the next two. This goes on for most of the day. At dusk Captain Esteban calls for a halt and has the boat pulled up onto a fairly dry beach. Using his natural skills Harsk lights a fire in a pit he dug out for everyone to dry off. Faruq gets a lucky shot and downs a wild boar for everyone's dinner which gets everyone's spirits lifted after the long day. The boar is placed on a spit and roasted over the fire, Captain Estaban breaks out a cask of grog from the hold for everyone. Over drinks the captain says, We should reach the falls sometime tomorrow, its been a long time since I have been this way so hopefully my memory is good......
Sheldon writes: "This is certainly not where I expected to be at this time. With my companions, I agreed to travel to Whitebridge Station to act as guards against hostile attack. The pay was inducing and the cause worthy; however, the journey so far has not been as expected.
I have written about our arrival at Whitebridge Station. What further can I say? We survived, perhaps we are stronger. But little did I know, the importance to river commerce in this area of a magical plant called arcophage. Without it, we cannot move; no actually, we can move, but only by two steady leaders getting out and pulling us through the swamp we are now in.
I along with my undonned armorless paladin friend took shifts throughout the day today. Now we sit by the fire and time to rest is upon us. Fortunately, Harsk & Lem have agreed to alternate watch each awake four hours tonight and I can feel Puff's protective night overwatch, I am beginning to drift into sleep so deep in can only come from from strain as heavy like having pulled a boat through a swamp. Ah, the captain says we should make our destination soon. We will see."
Sheldon
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The night goes by quietly for everyone. The next day brings more of the dreaded heat along with many hours of pulling the boat through a swamp. Ahead finally lies your goal; Brimstone Falls, a cataract that falls over 60 foot cliff into a wide lagoon at the edge of the Kurka Swamp. The falls are magnificent, composed of dozens of tiny streams and rivulets painting a mosaic of water over the jungle-grown slope. The spray from these myriad cascades keeps a constant rainbow hanging above the waters within the bowl of the cliff basin. The slope of the cliff is not overly steep, and you can see that a few trails run in switchbacks up its face among the falls. To the left side of the falls you can see that it is very steep and wet from the spray, very hard for climbing. On the right side you can see the trails that lead up the falls in a zig zag pattern. Its not as steep on this side but still difficult to climb. The captain has the boat pulled to the bank on the right side where there is a patch of sandy area and the trail begins. He informs you that the plant you all seek is located a the top of the falls in a damp dark cave where its a perfect environment to live and grow.
Everybody is looking around for anything out of the ordinary in the jungle and up the path:
Sheldon & Puff: 1d20=18, 1d20+8=9
Lem, Harsk, Seelah: 1d20=18, 1d20+8=9
If everything is ok, the characters will take time to dry off (those who pulled the boat & Seelah will if she had it off, don her armor for possible battle.
1d20; 1d20+2; 1d20+3 → [5] = (5)
1d20; 1d20+2; 1d20+3 → [11,2] = (13)
1d20; 1d20+2; 1d20+3 → [5,3] = (8)
These were the actual spot roles -- not sure why they didn't copy right. But fortunately, Sheldon is on top of it!