Okay if you ready an action to do something please remember to include any dice rolls corresponding to those actions...just in case something sets it off
Vanion cautiously approaches the scene. He draws his rapier as he takes up a position next to Eadric, watching his flank (move M14, Full Defense).
Bellis looks about in confusion as everyone draws their weapons. "What are you all doing?? Its just a bulge by the side of the road, I don't see any danger."
Perception
Iniative
Ellaria looks at the bulge and remarks "It almost seems as if a giant mole dug some king of tunnel under the road". Looking around at her comrades drawing their weapons, she looks quite puzzled. Bending down, she puts her head on the ground, trying to hear anything. After a moment, she rises while saying apologetically to her friends "I read you can hear things in this way".
Ellaria looks at the bulge and remarks "It almost seems as if a giant mole dug some king of tunnel under the road". Looking around at her comrades drawing their weapons, she looks quite puzzled. Bending down, she puts her head on the ground, trying to hear anything. After a moment, she rises while saying apologetically to her friends "I read you can hear things in this way".
You believe the dirt may be fairly new as you don't see any obvious tracks over the broken dirt, but Durn would be able to confirm this since he is much better with tracks than you.
Bellis looks about in confusion as everyone draws their weapons. "What are you all doing?? Its just a bulge by the side of the road, I don't see any danger."
Lupus leans towards Bellis and whispers. "It is what you do not see that is always the most dangerous!"
Durn will ready his bow for a shot, trying to figure out what the unnatural bulge is.
Summary
Ellaria 22
Vanion 19
Eadric 16
Bellis 12
Lupus 14
Obi
Durn 8
Perception check 10
Perception check 20
Eadric sees something on the bump and sets off his readied action and moves up to it.
Immeditately after Eadric moves up to P11 things happen quickly(init 15)...the snake on the ground suddenly lashes out at him trying to wrap itself around his legs, using his shield, he knocks it out of the way.
Suddenly some type of centipede like beast lashes out of the brush next to the trail going before the readied actions from people with bows:
It attacks Eadric who was busy fending off its tail and rips a horrible wound across his chest for 10 points of damage. Eadric make a fortitude save please!
Lupus fires an arrow wide of the beast.
Obi cringes and launches a fie bolt at the beast atk dam buring the beast a little.
Durn fires an arrow that hits the best, but is is still alive.
Bellis to act then starting round 2 with Ellaria
In the spoiler can you please be sure to specify what round the action is for going forward. Thanks.
Round 2
Advancing Lupus readies another arrow and fires it at the giant insect.
Vanion, seeing the dire situation that Eadric is in, rushes to his aid and attempts to heal a few of his friend's wounds.
Round 1
"Eadric!" shouts Bellis, shock and horror crossing her face as the blood gushes from the brave paladin's chest. I'm too far away to help him! damn my lack of foresight!
Spying Durn notching his next arrow Bellis steps over to him and places her hand on his waist. I hope this works!
As she mutters a short prayer golden light flows from Bellis' fingertips snaking up Durn's chest before pulsating around his arms. "May Erastil's sight guide your arrow" says Bellis as she finishes the prayer.
Round 2
Bellis utters a short prayer of thanks as she see's Vanion rush over to aid Eadric. What is this vile thing?? she wonders as her mind rushes to remember anything her mother taught her about such beasts.
Mind rushing Bellis goes for her bow, then thinks twice as Eadric and the beast dance about each other in savage combat. Instead she hefts up her quarterstaff and darts foward, past Ellaria and Lupus trying to get to Eadric as fast a possible.
Round 1 (consequences)
Round 2
Eadric cries out in pain as the beast tears his chest open, staggering him momentarily. Blood pours profusely from the gaping wound. Stunned that the creature penetrated his defenses so easily, Eadric glances back contemplating withdrawing to a safer distance. Seeing his comrades rushing to his aide he realizes that he cannot leave his fellow adventurers open to an attack such as the one he received.
"Stay back," he calls out futilely.
With a look of grim determination Eadric turns to re-engage the vile creature, obviously fighting with greater care as to his defense.
"Let's see how you like my sting!"
.
Durn will move into point blank range and away from the group giving the thing cover. (N-14)
Ellaria is shocked as the strange creature lashes at Eadric, and stands frozen for a few seconds, while the combat rages around her. She struggles to regain her senses and to remember everything she has learned about combat. Unable to decide what to do exactly, she manages to conjure a small globe of acid and hurl it towards the centipede, surprisingly hitting it in its head.
Round 2 summary
The creature seemingly enraged by arrows, flame from Obi last round, and Acid damage from Ellaria lashes out with tail which he fends off with ease again but it lashes out with its pincers again latching on to Eadrics leg and almost severing it for 8 damage, he yells out in pain before crashing to the ground unconscious.
Lupus moves up and launches another arrow into the creature. It sways a little but still seems to be attached to Eadric.
Obi launches another fire bolt atk dam and narrowly missing the thing.
Durn moves over and misses it with an arrow. Durn hears some crashing as another one of the creatures crashes out of the woods right by him, luckily eyeing that the woods slowed the creature enough that it wasn't able to bowl him over!
The creature
Map updated for the start of ROUND 3
Ellaria seems alarmed at the other creature joining the battle. She manages to understand that something larger than an acid globe will be needed here. Muttering a few words and making some strange arcane gestures, she quickly takes a small bag of sand from her backpack and spills it in front of both creatures.
Ellaria seems alarmed at the other creature joining the battle. She manages to understand that something larger than an acid globe will be needed here. Muttering a few words and making some strange arcane gestures, she quickly takes a small bag of sand from her backpack and spills it in front of both creatures.
[spoiler=Actions]Durn will five foot adjust to M-13 an hoot the new arrival.
Seeing the ever-sturdy Eadric go down so easily causes Vanion to momentarily despair. But he shakes that off when he considers, "Bellis is here. If anyone can bring back Eadric, she can."
With that thought firmly in his mind, he turns his attention back to the battle at hand. "Hold firm everyone! I know we can do this!" Vanion attempts to rally his companions. He then rushes to engage the original monster, hoping to keep this one off the other's backs.
Lupus watches impassively as he sees Eadric go down. Then as he looks over his shoulder at the second beast rushing out of the brush he wonders is this really how it's going to end the midday snack of some overgrown bug? [b]"I really do not think this is what they meant when they say go out save the world and be a hero" With a wry smile on his face he steps over draws another arrow and fires.
Lupus five foot steps to n13 and Fires a Drow poison coated arrow at the first insect.
Round 3
Eadric coughs and sputters blood from his mouth. Blood pours profusely from his grievous chest wound and from his nearly severed leg.
Sorry... clarifying my current status:
Yay me! :)
Sorry... clarifying my current status:
** spoiler omitted **
Yay me! :)
Not sure if you looked at the map before posting but I don't believe that it is possible to catch both with a 15' cone because of their position. I assume you 5' to M12 and blast the creature hovered over Eadric. The flame blast is enough make the creature let out a squeal before collapsing on the ground.
Eadric continues to bleed out on the ground.
Vanion, feel free to change your action slightly to move to the 2nd creature O13 next to Lupus and inspire the team.
Lupus feels inspired and just connects with the creature with an arrow. The creature seems to fight something off for a couple of seconds.
Bellis to act
Round 3
Bellis skids to a halt just as the monster bites into Eadric's leg and pulls him to the ground with a loud thud. No! She steps foward just as a blast of flame erupts from Ellaria's hands shooting past her face and almost singing her eyebrows. Thank the gods! mutters Bellis as the monster curls up in a flaming heap, only for a second monster to burst from the bushes behind her. "Will this nightmare never end?!" she says to herself as her eyes are drawn to Eadric.
She rushes foward and skids to her knees just by Eadrics chest, placing her hands above his armour flares of green and brown stream from her hands knitting together the open wound.
Yes you did. Glad you made it. You did suffer -1 for bleeding so you are currently at -1.
The wound stops bleeding but open flesh still hangs from his leg.
Obi fires another blast of flame atk dam
Another arrow from Durn just strikes the creature.
The creature lashes out at Durn with tail and mandibles and misses.
End of Round 3, Ellaria to act.
Round 4
"Come on Eadric!" yells Bellis and casts her head to the sky. "Please..."
She looks down at Eadric and stands to her feet before clasping her hands together in the symbol of stag horns. "May the deadeye's power bring strength to you again" She thrusts her arms out to the side and releases the energy contained within whilst focusing on the monster to block it out.
In the space of a micro second everyone feels a surge of strength flowing up from their toes, pulsing through them like a waterfall in reverse before finally erupting from the crown of their heads.
Round 3 consequences
Eadric groans.
Round 4
Durn will again 5' step back and take a shot.
, if hit
Vanion cheers as he sees the first beast fall, and continues his rally cries. "Alright everyone, just one more!"
He then charges and attempts to hit the remaining monster.
Ellaria lets herself to relax a bit as one of the creatures is roasted, then realizes she is out of helpful spells for the situation. Loading her crossbow, she aims and fires at the remaining creature.
OK, sorry for any confusion, I posted an updated Round 4 map. Vanion, you cannot charge from your position.
Round 4 actions, (add libbing just a bit since the battle is pretty much over)
Ellaria fires a crossbow bolt striking the beast.
Vanion continues his encouraging remarks and attacks striking the beast.
Lupus fires another normal arrow penatrating the beasts head.
Bellis heals Eadric who regains consciousness but still feel a little unsteady.
Obi fires his last firebolt burning the creature.
Seemingly stunned by all of the blasts from the group, the creature rears up, possibly for a last strike when Durn fires another arrow deep into its body. It quivers one last time before collasping onto the dirt. You wait for a few seconds just to make sure another of the beasts doesn't appear. When nothing else charges you you withdraw backwards about 30 feet to lick your wounds and reflect on what just happened.
You know these creatures aren't normally plains or forest dwellers. You explain to the rest of the group that they were Whiptail centipedes. You were lucky as you have heard them grow as big as 50' long and 10' wide so these were relatively small specimens.
Is everyone ok?
Durn will give the area a search, for tracks, lairs etc.
He will also take his kukri and view the contents of the beasts' stomachs to see if any others have fallen prey to them.
He will also attempt to regain his three arrows shot.
"I'm fine," Vanion responds to Durn. "My nerves are a bit frayed, though. It was touch-and-go there for a moment, wasn't it?" he adds drolly.
Vanion cleans his rapier before returning it to its sheath, and prepares to head back out onto the road.
Is everyone ok?
Durn will give the area a search, for tracks, lairs etc.
He will also take his kukri and view the contents of the beasts' stomachs to see if any others have fallen prey to them.
He will also attempt to regain his three arrows shot.
You see Durn walk over to the two centipedes and slice them open and poke around their innards. The smell is enough to make the other party members retch but Durn is forced to make a Fort save DC 12 to not empty his guts. Inside the creatures you find several coins as well as one very small gem.
You also track the burrowing marks back to a crack in the earth about 100' from the trail. You peer down the crack and almost wretch again. The remains of at least one beast as well as a humanoid are in a landing in the crack. You summon the courage to go down there attached to a rope and look around with the help of a light spell. There is indeed the remains of someone. You don't find anything to identify them, but you do find a silver ring on a severed hand.
Fort
Does the ring have any distinguishing marks?
Oh that was probably the second, or maybe, third most disgusting beast I've had the misfortune of gutting.
He will rinse off the coins and gems, Durn looks a bit green as he shows the group the things he has found.
Eadric staggers to his feet. Shaking his head in an attempt clear his thoughts, he surveys the scene around him. He reaches down and retrieves his sword before sheathing it. His hands move to touch his chest and leg, his fingers tracing the freshly healed wounds, grimacing a bit as he does. "Yep, still tender."
"Those are going to leave marks," he says to no one in particular.
He also examines the damage to his chain mail. "Fat lot of good this did for me," he thinks as a frown curls his lips.
Turning to Bellis he places his hand on his chest and bows deeply to her, "I thank you for your restorative blessings oh priestess! I thought I was worm food for sure! Well, centipede food more accurately I guess!" he says kicking the downed centipede and trying to muster a smile but failing as a jolt of pain surges up from his leg.
Upon hearing Durn's question and Vanion's comment, and after noticing that no one else seems to have suffered a scratch, Eadric shoots them a look before quipping dryly, "You two are a pair of real jesters!"
He then limps over and picks up his lance unconcerned with the booty Durn has retrieved.
"How much further to Oleg's?" he asks, not wanting to hear the answer.
You're still alive Eadric, more then could be said for that one's dinner, and the snack they were saving in their hole. Wounds heal, scars tell stories, but you live to fight another day. Keep your chin up.
Lupus looks at Eadric. "You gonna make it all the way to Oleg's big hitter?' as he tries to hide a small smirk.
Bellis gives a charming smile, "Don't thank me Eadric, thank him" she says pointing at the holy symbol embroidered into her cloak. Her memories flash back to her family for a moment as the smile fades only to be brought back to reality by further conversation.
He will rinse off the coins and gems, Durn looks a bit green as he shows the group the things he has found.
"hmm the beast must have eaten its victim whole in order to get them in its belly, you suffered a narrow escape Eadric!" she says with a smile as she turns to face Eadric only to see him limping.
"Sit down!" she says as she pulls him onto the soft dirt whilst quickly examining his leg.
"Yep just as I thought, went strait through to the bone. It'll be painful for the day Eadric, but this should help." she says as she rubs some herbs from her belt pouch onto Eadric's leg. Eadric's leg feels much less stiff but is still painful. "I'll have another look when we stop for the night, you'll have to manage for now i'm afraid."
You travel for a few hours for the remainder of the day before letting Eadric rest some more. When you have settled down Bellis decides to Channel two more time to make sure Eadric is further healed bringing Eadric up to 10 hit points.
It is Sunday, Gozran the 7th. The weather is mixed with a little rain/sleet while you stir but the sun is out by the time you finish reading the camp for leaving. You have been heading more westerly so you believe you might only be a day or so away from Oleg's.
You spend the day without incident and make good time. You press on the next day, Moonday Gozran the 8th. By the afternoon it is a little warmer, you can actually travel without you heavy coat during the afternoon but get caught by a little light rain. In the distance of the road you see some type of Fort, which you assume to be Oleg's.
Surprised that the trading post is actually a fort when you approach the structure, you see why. The fort appears to be solid, but run down. It is about 120' wide with a 30' palisade. You can see a catapult on each tower, although it is not hard to see that they appear to be in disarray. The front gate lies wide open and you cautiously enter to the sound of a hammer banging away. An older man stands over at a roofed pen, working on one of the supports. He sees you and waves you in, but continues to work. "Svetlana, we have guests!" he yells out. A younger, attractive women comes out of a building to the right behind some tables. She seems excited about something until she gets up to you, you don't appear to be what she expected.
"You, you don't appear to be guards? Are you the guards promised by Brevoy to help us?"
Guards... no we are not guards. We have been sent to this area to explore and map it out, though we have been commisioned to exterminate any bandit activity we may come across.
"I will have many stories to tell then Durn, if I keep this pace up. Vanion may have competition before too long."
Eadric makes no outward reaction to Lupus's chiding. "He intentionally provokes me again! The man obviously has no honor. Or intelligence it would seem. I find it a poor strategy, alienating oneself from ones companions. Indeed poor judgement given our need to work together in such a hostile environment. I wouldn't trust him to have any of our backs if the chips are down... I'm still not sure as to why he accompanies us..."
Responding to Bellis and her continuing care, "Indeed! I do give thanks to Erastil for providing us with such a capable healer!"
When Bellis is finished tending to his knee, Eadric stands and tests his leg. It still aches but is a little more functional. "I thank you again and Cayden thanks and blesses you for righting a warrior in his service!"
Eadric travels the rest of the day without complaint and is grateful once more when Bellis further heals his wounds that evening.