Unless the squad is willing to engage the.. insects? At a slight distance from their current location, any sort of defensive cover that can be seen is almost a hundred feet away. The spot that the cartographers had erected the lean-to upon was the only good vantage point for a good bit of distance. The wind is starting to pick up again, which is not helping the visibility any, but at least the overcast skies above had not decided to open up.
Stern is able to recognize the bugs coming towards their general direction as giant ants, probably soldiers. Two of them is uncommon, but not so very odd.
Cairn clearly saw the two large ants coming towards the group and that his squad mates were preparing to attack despite the stinging sand
Knowledge - Nature for Ant lore -
He figured that until it was time to act it would be prudent to be unnoticed.
Stealth -
Pulling his knees up underneath him, Colross gets into a crouch. Hooking his finger over his arrow shaft and tucking his bow under his left arm, he seems to tense up...
The giant ants are a short distance over one bow range, and as if to add to the concern, the sky is beginning to rumble occasionally as the sky starts to get darker. Everett and Atin both look up at the rumblings, and start packing things up Everett is the first to notice the squad in positions that were not where they had been at the start, and the closer proximity of Cruach to them. Still, he said nothing, and continued packing up, though there was a touch more haste to his movements.
Atin was the one that noticed Everett look up and then hasten his packing, pausing to look at the others."Is it dangerous?"[i], he asked, before a warning 'ahem' fro Everett spurred him back to packing. The wind looks to be picking up a little also. It was looking like shelter might become a priority if the storm did not break soon.
Smoke Raven breaks out at a full sprint heading right towards the ants. Moving in a south-east/westerly (which ever draws then away) direction in an attempt to grab their attention and lead them on a course away from the surveyors and the rest of the group. Stopping briefly only once to fire an arrow in the lead ants direction...
Cairn raised his eyebrows in suprise at the Shaonti's tactic.
...impressive, he has no fear...
The compact man whispered a quick prayer to Pharasma and moved to stay between the ants and their charges incase they did head this way.
"Good to see us moving on. Where to next, Everett? I imagine we'll want to get moving swiftly."
Whether it was the sudden movement or the missed attack, the path of the two ants change to follow Sormul, and increasing in pace from the exploratory movement they were displaying before to a set pace, faster and more purposeful. No other ants can be seen besides those, but the wind finally picks up into what could be the barest beginnings of a storm, making visibility difficult. Indeed, Smoke Raven was barely able to be seen, and the ants even less so.
At the lean-to, Everett and Atin were finishing up the packing, the items stowed in the pouch and the new map rolled up into its case. Instead of joining the squad however, they instead moved to the leeward side of the formation they had used, staying out of the worst of it. Atin was at least considerate enough to tug Sormul's mule into the space afforded by the huge formation."Hopefully nowhere until this storm dies down, but it might get followed by rain," came Everett's reply to Cruach, the tone mildly cynical. "A mixed blessing.".
At the sight of the ants increased sped in chasing Smoke Raven; Cairn decided it was time to act or else the savage would be facing them alone. He waved at the Corporal and set off after them. Although it was getting tough to see just where they went at this point. He asked for Pharasma's guidance and strained to keep track of the ants and Sormul.
perception -
All cairn is rewarded with is the sight of more dust, kept aloft in a brown haze in front of him and around him, while a darkening sky is overhead.. The squad is still visible, but the rest is lost in blowing dirt and grit. The rock formation is the nearest place that affords some cover at the moment, but there was only so much space.
The Inquisitor tried again to spot the Shaonti. His duty to his squad outwaying good reason at this point.
Perception -
Disheartened at the blinding sands, Cairn had no choice but to wait just a little longer for Sormul to come back. But it wouldnt be long before he was forced to seek shelter.
Ceragia moves toward the edge of the group where she last saw Caern and Sormul.
To the corporal
Do we stay put or move on and find Sormul and Cairn? Either way we need to find some cover for a bit
She turns and looks to see if she can see Cairn or Sormul.
perception
Corporal Hearn squinted into the distance, and deliberated for a second before squaring her jaw and sighing. "With this visibility, there's not much we can do.. If it gets worse, we won't be able to see each other, but we could string out to see if we could spot him.." She did not say the rest of the sentence, but instead looked to the rest of the squad to see what they thought about it.. those that she could see. Everett and Atin are hunkered down against the rock, their noses and mouths covered by lengths of fabric, letting the Corporal direct things.
Cairn started moving towards where he last saw the corporal and the wizard Ceragia. This storm was getting down right nasty and he feared Smoke Raven might already be lost to them.
Perception -
Smoke Raven began to slow as he figured he had put enough distance between himself and the rest of the group. The storm was something he had never experienced before or even considered. Talons still in hand Smoke Raven thought to himself...
"Charon...you may have found me but Trelmarixian has erected a wall if sand to deny you, and claim me for his own. You both may have found me on this day...but you shall not have me!"
Ceragia drops to one knee and pulls 2 sunrods from her pack.
It would be a bad idea to chase what you can't see and find something that wants to kill you. Let's hope they see these and not the ants.
She ignites both sunrods and throws them in th direction that Caern and colross ran.
The two sunrods provide a distinctive light in the dust and darkening afternoon, though the tosses did not fly all that far. However, Trundle's actions do clearly delineate the squad's current location, and most certainly do help Stern locate the direction that they were, as it turns out he was facing further to the right than the camp had been. Of Sormul, there was no sign, not yet at least.
Upon seeing Ceragia light the sunrods, the corporal nodded in approval."Good thinking, Trundle. Cruach, Give me ten feet further on one of those, and set it, then give me as much distance as you can get from that one and not lose sight of it, then sink the next." She was looking out into the distance where Sormul had disappeared, squinting into the blowing wind.
Praise Pharasma!
Cairn clearly saw the sunrods come from the squad and prayed that they were being thrown in the direction that Smoke Raven had gone. In this storm that was his best bet for now so he headed that way.
He whispered another request for his Goddess's guidanceand looked again for the Shaonti or the ants.
Perception -
The camp now had two beacons of light denoting it's location which was greatly helpful to anyone that may need them, and the rest of the squad simply tried to stay out of the dust as best they could. The rock was large enough to provide enough of a 'shadow' to allow it, if some did not mind having their cloak or clothes tugged at constantly.
This time, when Stern looked out into the storm, there was enough of a break in the gusting winds that he ended up looking directly towards where he could make out three forms before the winds swallowed them again, and there were two low ones and one taller one. If anything, it had to be Smoke Raven and the ants they had seen earlier.
The first ant, interpreting Smoke Raven's movement as hostile, reacts in turn, spreading its mandibles to bite at him, clamping down on his leg as it established a hold, starting to try to position itself where the knife-sized stinger it possessed could be employed. Sormul was going to have to escape its hold quickly or it could mean death. The other ant was going to have to get around its companion to attack, and that was only going to be a matter of time.
...By the Spire of Pharasma...there he is!... I must hurry...
Now that he had a clear idea of where he was going; he focused on where he'd last seen the figures. Cairn hefted his spear and raced to help Smoke Raven.
Perception -
If possible he'll charge the closest ant.
Attack -
Damage -
Stern had disappeared into the storm some seconds ago, and despite the light from the rods that Trundle had thrown up, there was no sight of him just yet...
(Ignore previous post)[i]The first ant, in attempting to bite Smoke Raven, catches only air, thanks to his skill with his weapons, swatting away the mandibles, though they still passed pretty close to his leg. The deflection of the bite also brought the ant into the path of its companion, which helped forestall another attack, as well.
A form is resolving it out of the storm, running very quickly towards him, turning out to be Stern, who charged the nearest ant -- which happened to be the companion to the one currently engaged with Sormul. A good thing indeed, as it drew its attention onto him, which made survival a better possibility.
Despite trying to maintain some semblance of calm, Corporal Hearn was starting to fidget slightly, squinting in the direction that the two had gone, before shaking her head and heading out to the first beacon of light to see if she could see anything at all in the storm. Their two charges look askance at the other squad members, then back to the Corporal to see if this was a common action.
The first ant tried again to attack Smoke Raven, attempting yet another bite. This one missed by far more than the first, leaving the Shoanti unscathed again.
The other turned at the being closest to it that was not an ant, biting at Stern. Favor, it seemed, was on their side, as neither of the ants could even come close to hitting them. Perhaps if the winds were not blowing, it may be another story.
...tomb stones and grave loam we couldnt be in a much worse predicament...at least these ants are apparently as bothered by the dust as we are..just thank Pharasma I was able to find Sormul...
Cairn cast his judgement on these creatures in an attempt to end the battle quickly.
Spear attack -
Damage -
Smoke Raven presses the attack as before, trying to protect himself from the huge pincers...
Ceragia looks over at the two mapmakers.
Let's just stay put. It won't do any one any good if you two run off and get yourselves lost now would it. Those men out there are big boys they know how to handle themselves. Let them take care of the light work and we can be on our way when this storm lets up.
calling out to Cruach and the Corporal and scanning the area.
perception
We are good here, any sign of the those two yet?
perception to spot Jaqen or Cruach
Has anyone seen the silent fellow for a while. I hope he didn't get lost in the storm as well.
Ceragia calls out
JAQEN....JAQEN....CRUACH
The two mapmakers don't seem inclined to disagree with Trundle's statement, and give agreeing nods before ducking their heads back down to keep the dust out of their eyes. The mule that was attached to the travois had it's head down and rear facing the storm. The contents inside it would likely need a good shaking once this was over. The storm continued to blow, and if the rainstorms in Quantium were any indication, they had anything from a few minutes to quite nearly a mark of this, there was no way to really tell.
Neither Jaquen nor Cruach were able to be seen in the storm, and for that matter, even the Corporal-- if that was the Corporal-- was a very hazy figure out near the second light.. Or was it just the dust?
-
Still confused by the dust, both of the ants' attempts to bite the two members of the Coven fail, though in Sormul's case, it was a very near thing, but both are unscathed as of now.
Cairn appreciated the silent Shaonti as combat was no place for idle chatter. He kept up the attack on the same ant.
Spear attack -
Damage -
Smoke Raven presses the attack as before, trying to protect himself from the huge pincers...
The Kellid curses very loudly as he tries to make his way through this storm. The Corporal had ordered him to move the beacons, but he had barely gone a few feet before becoming lost in the storm. He tried desperately to make his way toward his companions. Pulling out his sword, Cruach starts hitting anything solid he can find with the flat of the blade, trying to discern his surroundings through echoing sound.
There is no real indication of the corporal, though it was indeed possible that she remained out by the second beacon, searching for the two that had gotten lost in the storm. Of Cruach, there seemed to be no sign, the howling winds of the storm serving to limit hearing as well as the flying dust and grit was doing for the eyes. Trundle was the only one of what had been a squad of five just a few hours ago.
The sound of thunder rumbled overhead and Everett looked up at it, his shoulders shaking with what might have been amusement. "Grab the sheet, we're going to need it!", came the authoritative tone."Ceragia!, get under cover!"
Again, the ants attack, and again the first one proves ineffective at the Shoanti's defense, coming close, but not managing to get any part of Smoke Raven in its mandibles.
Stern could not manage to evade the bite, however, and the ant's mandibles clamp down on his arm, and it was going to be difficult to dislodge himself, but it had better be done before the ant managed to bring its stinger around. The spear wound may have been its motivation, but escaping was a priority. Thunder rumbled overhead-- at least, it might have been thunder...
Casting message 0 lvl cantrip
To the corporal
To cruach
To colross and caern
I believe all have the ability to make a reply. The spell lasts for 10 min. And is a cantrip which can be cast multiple times if needed.
Cairn grunted with the pain of the ant's mandibles clenching onto his arm. He called upon Pharasma's insight.
CMB to break free -
and with a wrench born of desperation, he pulled his arm free.
Knowledge Nature to identify creatures weakness -
he plunged his spear back into the ant hoping to hit a vital spot
Attack -
Damage -
With all his attention focused on his elusive assailant, Smoke Raven presses the attack as before, trying to protect himself from the huge pincers...
Ceragia receives no reply back immediately, and the sounds of thunder are somehow muted. Everett and Atin are trying to wrestle the oiled sheet-- more of a tarp-- they used to make the lean-to around them and over their heads, but the wind is making it difficult for them. The mule is still enduring the storm with the calm placidity of an animal that is somewhat used to the situation, head lowered and eyes closed.. There is a change in the air, it could almost be tasted..
Cairn has rendered the ant he was engaging somewhat worse for the wear, while Smoke Raven and his ant have not managed to hit the other at all. The advantage continues to go towards those of the Tempest coven as both ants attempt to bite their respective opponents and miss.
Somehow, through the storm, the words of their squadmate reach them, informing them of the current situation.
Cairn heard the mage's voice through the storm and replied in kind.
The Inquisitor pressed his attack.
Spear -
Damage -
Hoping that the 3rd sunrod will catch some attention she throws it in a right angle to the previous two. Looking out into the storm Ceragia struggles to see if the corporal or Cruach are near the 2nd marker.
perception
Cergia readys an enhanced force missile for any ants that may come her and the guides's way.
What a great day for a walk in the countryside....
Cruach pauses in his mad search for anything at all when the words come from inside his head. "What in the hell? Ceragia, you there?!" It takes him a moment to realize that she must be using magic. I'm pretty sure that I'm really lost now. I hope that rod finds me, cause otherwise I'm just walking blind out here.
Cruach continues slowly in what he thinks is a forward direction.
Wide eyed with disbelief over the never ending battle insuing, Smoke Raven presses the attack as before, trying to protect himself from the huge pincers...
The thunder rolled again as Ceragia gets a moment of clear vision in the storm, whether by providence, or sheer luck is anyone's guess. Cruach she could see off to her far left, while the Corporal remained somewhat near the second beacon, it seemed.
The dust lessened, though the winds carrying it did not, and the moisture in the air becomes heavier, and droplets of water start mixing in with the dust, which has the unpleasant side-effect of creating small droplets of flying mud. If the rain falls harder, there might just be some visibility finally.
As for Caern, his last attack missed by a hairsbreadth, but the ant was still worse off for the exchange, his wounds knitting slowly but surely. Another bite is attempted by the ant and misses easily, the ant looking like its wounds were starting to slow it.
Cairn offered a silent but empathatic ...thank you mother... to Pharasma for the more than welcome rain that seemed moments away from clearing up the dreadful sand storm as he kept up the attack on the injured ant.
Spear Attack -
Damage -
Perception to see Cruach
Cracking out another Sunrod Ceragia ignites it and waves it wildly in the air.
Following the command without waiting, Cruach makes his way toward what is hopefully a squadmate.