French Wolf's Howl of the Carrion King

[Livvy Goldenscale]

Erizi:

Spoiler:

"You are not listening and you are not thinking. Don't presume that I have not seen what you speak of -- I hold no love for any gnoll. But this one is desperate and frightened - he fears you, did you see how he slumps his shoulders when he's near you? That is a sign of submission in a gnoll. We can use his desperation to create a distraction that costs us nothing. We can use his fear to use him.

"This is all I ask. Give him a chance to prove himself tomorrow. If he betrays us, so be it. I'll kill him myself then. But I don't know that he will. I suspect he will give his life to prove that he belongs with his new pack, us. Before you act rashly, wait. If you expect me to aid you in tomorrow's battle, wait."

She walks away to the others. "Shimei, Nombir, when we set watches, we obviously don't want Rova to be on watch. He has to prove himself in battle before we can ask such of him. I may be crazy to try this, but I see potential advantage and the numbers arrayed against us are great. If he proves himself untrustworthy, do not hesitate to deal with him. I won't."

[French Wolf]

Erizi

Spoiler:

I'll wait until you post your actions during the sleep. This could cause problems within the party but let's hope you can sort them out. Its what my character would do is never the best argument but sometimes its true.

[Shimei of Merraketh]

Area Map

Since we've crossed the river, Shimei's plan is to keep falling back to the east another mile or two, and pick up some elevation in the hills. He'd like to find a sheltered place where we can see a portion of our backtrail and if possible, Kelmarane.

While on the move Shimei watches Rova for any sign that he is leaving clues to their passage including "marking" the trail.

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Survival to find good campsite 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Knowledge 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

[Livvy Goldenscale]

Livvy is walking with Rova, watching him for signs of treachery, as well, hoping to get information from him that he doesn't think is important.

Please roll as necessary, this is a hit-and-run post before I start preparing for family gatherings....

[Erizi the Landless]

Livvy

Spoiler:

It is you who is not listening. It is not you with these deep vicious wounds still seeping blood. You speak of this thing as though it is some lost relative. We have enough distractions without worrying about this beast in our midst. We should be concentrating on the enemy and our situation instead of adding to our worries. Will you be watching this one for betrayal, and miss movement on the trail ahead? Will one of us drowse off in the night to never awaken to this ones evil? Will his howl alert his real tribe when we are attempting to move into an attack position?

You are much smarter than Erizi, but I know that when you are in desperate situations you don't add to the desperation.

And now you threaten to not help me if I kill this beast? I can see you have made your choice. Use your magic to make your new protector big. You need not worry about me killing your packmate. I will remove that distraction.

FW

Spoiler:

Erizi will take this opportunity to pack up his belongings and leave the group. He will not be easily dissuaded. While feeling betrayed, he also believes he deserves it for his pitiful performance earlier today, and truly believes that is why Livvy has chosen the Gnoll over himself. He however still feels a connection to the pack, and will not go too far. He would stay within hailing distance hoping for the opportunity to redeem himself by coming to the rescue somehow. Please feel free to DM play him as needed, and I'll take back over control when you feel the time is right.

I don't like using "It's what my character would do" either, but with a six charisma he really doesn't do what is politically correct, but what he feels is right. Doesn't really care about others opinions...Maybe at 4th level when he reaches a 7 he might care a little more.

[French Wolf]

Erizi

Spoiler:

I trust you to make the most of this, scranford. No need for me to step in at all. Go for it, I know you will not spoil the game, no more than Livvy would. Might I suggest discussing some of this out-of-character with Shimei/Nombir or even the whole lot in the discussion thread? That may soften the blow of Erizi's behaviour a little.

Rova the gnoll may have more far-reaching effects on this campaign than anyone may realise. I had expected to bin it after the first AP, mainly because the second isn't on the same level. But GM'ing you guys is too much fun. I wish most of you could see (or hear) the quality roleplaying that is going on here. Well done Livvy, well done Erizi.

[Shimei of Merraketh]

French Wolf wrote:

Erizi

** spoiler omitted **

Rova the gnoll may have more far-reaching effects on this campaign than anyone may realise. I had expected to bin it after the first AP, mainly because the second isn't on the same level. But GM'ing you guys is too much fun. I wish most of you could see (or hear) the quality roleplaying that is going on here. Well done Livvy, well done Erizi.

You're killing me when you talk like that. Must resist opening spoilers. Must resist ....

[French Wolf]

Sorry, forget I said it.

[French Wolf]

With Xmas coming I'd like to shelve the game from Wed evening UK time for a week. After that I'd guess that things will be a bit sporadic for another week over New Years.

[Livvy Goldenscale]

Doesn't take long to fall to the second page lately, does it?

Livvy visits with the other members of the party as opportunities arise, letting each of them know that she does not have complete faith in Rova's allegiance yet, but she feels they will get better information from him if he thinks they've accepted him than if he's threatened with execution. "We must make sure someone is watching him until he proves himself and make sure he only knows part of the plan as we move ahead."

[Nombir Kadesh]

In case there aren't any further post before the weekend, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas

[French Wolf]

Shimei

Spoiler:

Is your plan to head east towards the old shrine then? or just into the hills?

[Shimei of Merraketh]

FW:

Spoiler:

Shimei was focused on the old shrine as a convenient sheltered spot, but I think not now that the gnoll is with us and we may have gnolls on our trail. He just wants a high place where the party can be hidden from sight and still watch for anyone coming up their trail.

His experience is all hit and run. If pursued he's going to want to flee.

Also getting rest for the casters is high on his list. We need to recharge.

[Erizi the Landless]

Yes Merry Christmas to all.

[French Wolf]

Shimei of Merraketh wrote:

FW: ** spoiler omitted **

Shimei takes the party high over a dry and dark ridge and beyond into the high hills until he comes to an almost hidden empty cave. One large enough for twenty men.

It has a narrowing down to a niche point. The place looks safe and secure with a view over the ground outside behind a large rock. The entrance is only wide enough for one man.

DM Rolls

Spoiler:

1d100 ⇒ 2, 1d100 ⇒ 4

[Nombir Kadesh]

Once in the cave "thank you Shimei, you have done well yet again" smiles Nombir. He addresses everybody "lets make camp here. We all need rest and food. After that we need to talk about our next move. We are doing ok through our combined efforts, so well done everybody."

FW - The usual watch list thing will take place of course, with an emphasis on our spellcasters getting the rest they need to re-charge etc

[Norn Jural]

As the group walks Norn drops back a bit to speak with Erizi.

"How you holding up big guy?"

[Erizi the Landless]

Norn Jural wrote:

As the group walks Norn drops back a bit to speak with Erizi.

"How you holding up big guy?"

Erizi glares down at his small companion. "Why should you care"!, then lengthens his stride to pull away from her.

[Norn Jural]

Norn picks up the pace to keep up with Erizi "I care because were on the same team and I consider you a friend."

[Erizi the Landless]

Norn Jural wrote:

Norn picks up the pace to keep up with Erizi "I care because were on the same team and I consider you a friend."

"Go away and stop bothering me". "Go bother your new friend, Erizi then nods his head at Rova". He then stops dead in his tracks, and folds his arm glaring at Norn. "Well go on". "Can't a man answer the call of nature without an audience".

[Shimei of Merraketh]

Dog collapses in a hollow near one wall.

"No fires." Shimei drops his pack. He quickly searches the cave for signs of habitation or other entrances.

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Then he begins to unpack food, especially the snakemeat. "Here, it would be better cooked, but it will still fill your belly." He even offers some to Rova. Then he crouches next to dog and cuts small pieces of the meat which he feeds to dog or to himself with his fingers. "You fought well today, dog." As he does so, he puzzles out the watches.

The gnoll throws a wrench in the watches. We need at least one melee guy awake on each of the watches. (Erizi, Nombir, Shimei) Ordinarily I'd like Erizi in the middle, but not tonight. I propose Nombir and Livvy first; Shimei, Rova, and Norn second; Erizi and Zaid third. Since we're starting the watches late, that puts the halflings where their low light vision can count. The weakest caster (Shimei) is the most likely to not get enough sleep, if FW is going to play hardball on the rest/spell recovery rules. Hopefully we can add a "fourth watch" after which Shimei can recover his spells.

[French Wolf]

This will be a hardball night, I am afraid.

[Norn Jural]

Erizi the Landless wrote:

Norn Jural wrote:

Norn picks up the pace to keep up with Erizi "I care because were on the same team and I consider you a friend."

"Go away and stop bothering me". "Go bother your new friend, Erizi then nods his head at Rova". He then stops dead in his tracks, and folds his arm glaring at Norn. "Well go on". "Can't a man answer the call of nature without an audience".

"Oh please." Norn responds whilst turning her back so Erizi can do his business "The Gnoll is not my friend in fact I trust him as far as I could throw him. I'm the one who ended up being kept in a cage by them if you remember."

[Shimei of Merraketh]

French Wolf wrote:

This will be a hardball night, I am afraid.

As long as Shimei doesn't dream about a crack opening in the back of the cave.

[Nombir Kadesh]

Nombir is happy to go on watch with Livvy as suggested.

[Livvy Goldenscale]

Livvy sits watching the others, particularly Rova and Erizi (he did enter the cave, right?) and answers with a distracted, "That sounds good," when the watchels are proposed.

[Erizi the Landless]

Erizi did enter the cave, staying on the outskirts and walking out into the wilderness several times only to return a bit later. He seems to be indecisive.

Livvy

Spoiler:

Since you are watching Erizi, you notice that a couple of times he started towards the gnoll his hands tightening on Tempest, only to look at first Livvy, then Nombir, with a confused look upon his face

[Shimei of Merraketh]

Shimei pulls aside Nombir and Livvy, "Beware the gnoll, even if he sleeps. Livvy, I know you eyes are better in the dark than ours, but sit apart from the cave a bit and listen too with your ears. Trust also your nose in the dark. It may reveal what is hidden from your eyes and ears."

After this conversation Shimei wraps his cloak around him and lies down near dog. The stone is hard, but may keep my senses alert, even in sleep.

FW, what does Rova have for gear aside from the zwei-hander?

[Livvy Goldenscale]

Livvy nods somberly, but she doesn't look at Shimei as he speaks, just leans in closer to hear as he whispers. Her eyes are always on the gnoll or Erizi.

[Nombir Kadesh]

"Yes of course my friend" whispers Nombir back to Shimei

[French Wolf]

So the first watch is Livvy and Nombir. No one contradicted that so we'll move on with that.

While the party decide what to do, Felliped falls back into a deep sleep. Not far from him curled up on the floor is Rova, he keeps all his belongings in a small leather belt pouch. Everyone saw him pull out some kind of dried meat and chew on a piece for a minute, keeping an eye on the rest of group the whole time.

Tiredness and the knowledge of another watch coming, sends the rest to sleep, into the Sandman's palms. Soon they are competing in a game of who can snore the loudest, with the halfling girl, Norn, hard to beat.

Erizi

Spoiler:

Is Erizi sleeping inside or out of the cave, or doing something else?

[Erizi the Landless]

Erizi wanders about the cave, checking his bandages, and snacking, and passing gas, while shooting dirty looks at in no particular order Livvy, and the Gnoll. Finally after a while he throws on his cloak and heads for the entrance.

"I can't sleep". "I'm going to take a walk, and see if I can settle down." "I'll be back in a moment".

FW

Spoiler:

Erizi refuses to go to sleep with the traitor in his presence. He will be fidgeting during the first watch, and messing with his bandages, and generally making a nuisance of himself. Finally he will announce that he is going for a walk to try and calm down. He will then find a spot where he can keep an eye on the cave from some cover in the woods. He will then try his best to stay awake all night, and guard his tribe...though they don't deserve it...;-).

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 fortitude

[Norn Jural]

"ZZZZZZzzzzzzZZZZZZZzzzzzz"

I'm guessing Norn would be on second watch

[French Wolf]

Can I have a Perception check from Livvy, Nombir and Erizi?

[Erizi the Landless]

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 perception

[Livvy Goldenscale]

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

[French Wolf]

I'll roll for Nombir just to nudge things along, Perception check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6, DM Stealth roll 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19,

Erizi

Spoiler:

He is not out of earshot of the party, but certainly round the corner out of sight, maybe about forty feet from the entrance with a view of the valley approaches.

Second Perception checks for Livvy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 and Nombir 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 opposed to my stealth check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Livvy and Nombir doze a little near the entranceway to the cave. Then a flicker or shadow of movement catches her attention and the halfling sees the carpet of spiders approaching the entrance. There is only just enough time to get out now before they have the party cornered in the cave. Erizi left the cave but the two on watch occasionally hear him cough or grunt not far from the entrance.

Livvy's initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10, Spider swarm's 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Round One
Spider swarm 20
Livvy 10

The swarm closes the distance slowly, they seem to swarm from one footfall to another tracking the party movements across the ground as they close with the cave.

Livvy's actions, the little monsters are five foot from the five foot wide entranceway but their size means they do not threaten attacks of opportunity.

[Livvy Goldenscale]

"Nombir, spiders! A lot of them! Wake the others!"

Livvy will cast Burning Hands on the swarm for 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8 points of fire damage Reflex DC 14 and take a move action to exit the cave past the spiders hoping to lead them away from the sleepers. Unless she obviously cannot pass them on the right side, she will move her full 20' past and away from them to her right exiting the cave. Otherwise, she will move to the left.

[French Wolf]

Initiatives Erizi 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11, Norn 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6, Nombir 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14, Shimei 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5, Zaid 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15. The swarm's Ref save 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4. How many spells does Livvy have left for this day?.

The spider swarm shivels up and pops along its edges as Livvy burns with her fiery hands. Then the halfling slips outside to the right of the arachnids. She can see that the creatures are seriously depleted.

Round Two
Swarm 20
Zaid 15
Nombir 14
Erizi 11
Livvy 10
Norn 6
Shimei 5

The swarm enters the cave passing over the body of just Nombir and blocking the exit.

Nombir takes 1d6 ⇒ 4 points of damage and has to make two Fortitude saves vs poison and distraction. Erizi can hear the shrieks of Livvy. Everyone else is asleep fifteen feet from the front edge of the swarm and so must make a DC7 Perception check to hear her voice. There is no fire by the way.

[Livvy Goldenscale]

French Wolf wrote:

Initiatives Erizi 1d20+4, Norn 1d20+4, Nombir 1d20+3, Shimei 1d20+2, Zaid 1d20+3. The swarm's Ref save 1d20+3. How many spells does Livvy have left for this day?.

I track it in her character sheet with a reminder of when she cast them. She has one more 1st-level spell out of four for the day.

French Wolf wrote:

The spider swarm shivels up and pops along its edges as Livvy burns with her fiery hands. Then the halfling slips outside to the right of the arachnids. She can see that the creatures are seriously depleted.

Nombir takes 1d6 points of damage and has to make two Fortitude saves vs poison and distraction. Erizi can hear the shrieks of Livvy. Everyone else is asleep fifteen feet from the front edge of the swarm and so must make a DC7 Perception check to hear her voice. There is no fire by the way.

Ah, I didn't think about the timing of Nombir waking up and waking up the others before he was overrun. In hindsight, I'm not sure I had a better course of action, though.

[French Wolf]

French Wolf wrote:

..... How many spells does Livvy have left for this day?.......

...

The spider's take extra damage off area effect spells, you could do no more than that. Let's hope the others wake up too...

[Nombir Kadesh]

Fortitude Saves:

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

[Livvy Goldenscale]

French Wolf wrote:

French Wolf wrote:

..... How many spells does Livvy have left for this day?.......

...

The spider's take extra damage off area effect spells, you could do no more than that. Let's hope the others wake up too...

And I get a little bonus to fire spells, so that's really the best choice I have, spell-wise. I was just wondering about my other actions.

Taking damage should wake up Nombir even if my shout did not, correct?

[Shimei of Merraketh]

Shimei Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Dog Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Shimei hears the halfling's cries and pulls himself into a kneeling position. Dog rolls vertical and struggles to his feet.

Flavor text above. Actually I'll wait to see what the other's actions bring. What about init for Rova and Felliped?

I've got nothing for swarms. Was tempted to give the cave a pass because it only had one exit. SHould have listened to that.

Edit: Sorry about the lack of fire too.

FW, just curious, not critical. How are you handling sleeping on watch?

[Norn Jural]

Perception

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

"ZZZZZZZ.....hmm wha-Gaaaaa" Norn noticing the spiders jumps awake and puts as much distance between herself and them as she can.

[French Wolf]

Shimei of Merraketh wrote:

.....ms. Was tempted to give the cave a pass because it only had one exit. SHould have listened to that. [/ooc]

Edit: Sorry about the lack of fire too.

FW, just curious, not critical. How are you handling sleeping on watch?

Nombir dozing was purely a reflection of his poor Perception check and the general tiredness of the party. Its only effect was that he missed out on a free round of actions before the swarm reached the cave. If he had rolled better then they would both have been able to act freely.

Livvy - please answer the question above. Ta.

[Livvy Goldenscale]

Livvy Goldenscale wrote:

French Wolf wrote:

How many spells does Livvy have left for this day?.

I track it in her character sheet with a reminder of when she cast them. She has one more 1st-level spell out of four for the day.

Sorry, I didn't realize you missed my original response to the question. She has one remaining spell other than cantrips - you can see in her character sheet under spells if you need to check in the future without letting me know you are checking.

[French Wolf]

Sorry Livvy, my fault. Happy New Year chaps, I haven't much planned but for everyone else lets shelve the game again until Sunday.

[Livvy Goldenscale]

French Wolf wrote:

Sorry Livvy, my fault. Happy New Year chaps, I haven't much planned but for everyone else lets shelve the game again until Sunday.

It's all good. Happy New Year, all!

FW:

Spoiler:

Funny -- I was afraid my response would sound snippy, and I was not trying to be. I think I rewrote it a dozen times trying to make sure I didn't put any attitude in it. Please know that if I failed in that, I did try.

[Erizi the Landless]

Erizi, hearing the excitement rushes forward Tempest held high above his head. "Ah ha! the prisoner has revealed his treachery".

Erizi rushes forward right through the spider swarm, (Taking a moment to point and laugh at Nombir's humorous appearance all draped in spiders), intending to take out the Gnoll who has obviously caused the trouble.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 Perception (to notice the spiders before charging by)
1d20 ⇒ 6 To actually charge through the hated foes

No need to roll perception to see if the gnoll is indeed the cause of the conflict...it really doesn't matter to Erizi, he is convinced he must be.