Coross finds few books spread amidst the snow. They are all ruined and broken by the spine, as if a great force had torn them to bits - as they did the broken dead that surround you. Familiar faces can be found - and some are strangers, yet they all wore the same robes as you did. The librarian's crushed corpse lies underneath the spire as Darche digs through the stone wall. The bright sun seems to follow your mood as it glides behind the black clouds protruding from the top of the mountains. The screams and cries of the people far in the horizon grow weaker and weaker as sorrow paints the scenery.
The path south-east is long. Snow stretches for several leagues, though in the horison you can see the beginning of spring. The Willow Plains is a stretch of colours, far too beautiful, almost mockingly so...
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Frum sees Rafael leaving and suddenly feels the need to do do something and starts off for the fishing village with them.
As they travel his mind works at a kind of alchemical problem he had avoided before - the kind many people had offered him large amounts of money to explore, but to which Frum had limited interest: how to make things that killed, that did damage -- items for battle.
Frum is consumed by the need to rise to the occasion and wastes no time with thoughts that do not explore some aspect of winning this campaign. As they travel, he looks for organic materials he might be able to use and loads them on to Donte; alchemical, poisonous, dangerous. If he sees trees with branches that would be useful for various kinds of traps or snares, he stops to collect them. And anything with healing properties, or anything at all that would be useful on their campaign - Frum is focused keenly on finding these things as they travel, moving off the path often, never wondering too far.
Skender will stand up again. Walking over to Coross, "Come one, there's really nothing to be done right now. We need to catch up to the others."
With that, Skender will follow the others down the path.
Rafael says, "Lorem mecum aquae." Water beings to flow from nothing.
"Its getting a bit nippy. Winter is coming early this year."
Rafael pulls out a Winter blanket from the small chest on the back of Donte. He unslings his backpack and places it on the top of Donte. He breathes a little faster and you see the puffs of smoke from his mouth.
He puts the winter blanket around his shoulders, rope across his chest and a quarterstaff in right hand. He adjusts his wooden holy symbol up and over the blanket.
Rafael says, "So, how much further? My bones will break if I have to endure this weather any longer."
The day passes slowly. The snowlands seem to never end, and by time of nightfall the Willow Plains are still out of reach. The chill is growing milder, however, and the snow seems to be slowly melting. By sunset, you come to a small grove of trees, suitable for staying the night...
During the trek, you collect several batches of rare herbs, called Snötåre, that you know can be used for healing purposes. In the grove, you come upon several fungi, known as Chillgrowth, used to create objects and alchemical concoctions with weak frost properties; you also gather leaves from special trees called Frostgrein, which contain unique properties in similar veins. You also manage to collect two vials of sap from the Frostgreins, an azure, thick substance that is suitable as an amplifier.
Zachary rubs his hands together and blows on them, clearly not dressed for the cold weather. He rips some branches off a nearby tree, puts some dry tinder underneath these branches, and casts Spark at the pile, aimed toward the drier tinder.
"Do any of you have some food?"
"Sure, Zach. I've got you covered."
Skender will remove one serving of wandermeal for Zachary, and another for himself.
"It doesn't taste great, but it'll fill you up."
Lucca sets up his bedroll away from the others and starts reading something, ignoring everyone.
Rafael takes all the gear off of Donte and lets him graze nearby. He takes out some Canvas and makes a Lean-to to block the wind. Under it he places his bedroll down.
Rafael offers extra Canvas to up to 4 others to block the wind.
He helps collect firewood and keeps the fire going. Anyone who is thirsty or needs to clean themselves or their gear he will cast Create Water for them.
Rafael says, "Save the Wandermeal for when we need it. There's plenty of food around if you know where to look for it."
Rafael says, "Here Lucca, have some squirrel-ca-bob and berries; we need you strong for our long journey."
After everyone gets their fill on dinner Rafael perks up and asks, "So how do you want to do watch tonight? I would prefer last watch since I need to pray for my spells tomorrow. Also, anyone injured so I can tend to your wounds?"
Zachary takes a few bites from the wandermeal before Rafael returns to camp with food, then hands it back to Skender. He instead takes a squirrel-kebob and digs in, swigging from his waterskin on occasion. He gets Rafael to refill the waterskin before placing it in his pack and taking out his bedroll. He says, "I'll get second watch." Before tucking in and going to sleep.
"I'll take first watch. I feel pretty good, for now." Skender will put away the wandermeal that he had taken out, and take a squirrel-kebob.
Before Rafael sleeps he does a once over those that are injured, redressing and cleaning any wounds.
About two hours into the first watch, Zachary starts to whimper in his sleep. He's turning in his bedroll, muttering something. He seems to be having a bad dream.
Zzzzzzz...
Rafael gathers enough food and nourishment for you all to endure the night without going hungry - while the strange moss he found was rather tasteless, and the squirrel was impossibly hard to eat after it whimpered upon capture, the day itself is tainted heavily...
The night creeps in slowly. Skender finds the night to be slow and quiet, and as the darkness grows complete he gives the mantle to Zachary...
It's only half an hour before you hear the rustling of something over in a bush - and thanks to your eyes you see the man between the branches, his body shaking and his eyes wild with madness. But that is not all - you see two ferocious beasts, with long fur and sharp fangs - two wolves are circling the camp as well...
Zach perception:
??? stealth:
Zachary shouts, loud enough to wake the others. "Come out of there! I can see you and your wolves! What are you planning on doing?"
As Skender wakes up to the shouting of Zachary, he immediately manifests his mind blades after getting out of his hammock."What's wrong, Zach?"
As the rest of the party awakens, Zachary says to them, "I see some creep watching us from the bushes over there." He points to the bush. "Watch out, there are also wolves around here. Be ready for a fight."
Zzzzzz...
The man looks shocked that he was seen but he steps forward nonetheless. His entire body is twitching, as if cold. His eyes have a wild, hungry glare in them. In his hands is a rusty dagger. Broken, rusty manacles are around his neck and legs. "Oh, warm flesh, yes, what I was looking for, yes, to feel the blood on my face, it will keep me warm, yes...yes, never again..."
He raises his hand as if to strike, and the wolves all poise to attack.
The grove is 60 (12 squares, 1 - 12) by 80 (16 squares A - P) feet long. You are all in the middle (scattered around F8, your discretions). The man is at E2. One wolf is at O4. Another wolf is at I9.
There are a few patches of bare grass and moss - these are not difficult terrain. Three-four patches, up to 3 squares each - Rafael, spread them at your discretion. Otherwise the terrain is snow, and difficult terrain.
Need more information?
Initiative rolls
Darche initiative:
Coross initiative:
Lucca initiative:
Rafael initiative:
Frum initiative:
Zachary initiative:
Skender initiative:
Strange man initiative:
Wolf A initiative:
Wolf B initiative:
1. Strange man?
2. Wolf A
3. Frum
4. Lucca
5. Coross
6. Skender
7. Wolf B
8. Zachary
9. Darche
10. Rafael
I won't be able to post for 21 hours.
Zzzzzzz...
I miscalculated in my head - F8 should instead have been I6, henceforth where you are scattered. The wolf is not supposed to be up in your faces either.
My apologies.
Coross awakes at Zachary's cry and looks around. What is it this time. Come out so we can deal with you and then go back to bed where we belong.
Darche wasn't sleeping, this entire time he has been up and silent, staring off into the distance. His hands, bandaged and bloodied from the digging he had done earlier.
He just stares at the wolf man.
Lucca stands up quickly and grabs his weapon, staring impassively at the attacker.
Here's the map so far. Repost if you think its correct or else let me know what to change, please.
Yes, I agree. Apologies for the clumsiness. The map is correct apart from the wolf in I9 - could you move it to I11?
The man huffs, his eye mad with excitement as he steps forward. The dagger is dangling between his fingers. "Yes, a child's blood, to soothe the anger...yes, I will not go back there, not to the men, no, never again, no, to feast upon your flesh...there is NOTHING SWEETER!"
In a lapse of clarity the man rushes forward, striking at Frum - though the twitches return in time of the strike, and the dagger soars above the gnome's head.
The two wolves circle the camp slowly, waiting for something...
ROUND 1
STRANGE MAN moves to G4, attacks FRUM but misses
WOLF A moves to N8
WOLF B moves to M9
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Frum dodges the awkward attack and sniffles from the nasty cold he caught in the night.
If I gave you something to eat, friend, would you calm down and call off your dogs? I've got a magic pill that will make it so you don't need to eat for a long time - The're nothing else like them!
Frum pulls a small pouch from a pocket in his cloak and holds it up for the lunitic to see while focusing his mind on pure defense.
I'm not going to attack you if all you are is hungry
"Or insane," Lucca adds, quietly so their attacker doesn't hear him.
"Frum, this guy's talking about smearing our blood on his face. He's clearly insane, and it can't be helped. I don't think he's going to back off even if you throw food at him."
Zachary advances upon the crazed man, his fingers extending and sharpening to claws. He slashes in front of the man's face in an effort to hold his attacks off of Frum.
Rafael is awoken from his sleep by Zachary's scream. He frantically looks around as Skender runs past him. He turns and see two wolves near him. He turns again towards Donte and says, "Attack Donte!" and points a wolf.
The strange man's glare burns as he turns his attention to Zachary. "Oh, yes, fresh blood, spill it, drown me in your warmth!"
The tiefling parries the dagger easily as it is thrust in his direction. The man does not seem to listen to reason.
Skender lashes at the wolf; it lets out a whimper as blood starts to coat the ground. However, it retaliates shortly after, digging its sharp fangs into Skender's foot and tripping him.
Donte obeys his master's orders and tries to attack the wolf; however, fear overtakes the beast and his hooves do not hit true. The wolf reacts by biting the donkey in the upper calf, dragging him to the ground.
Strange man attack roll against Zachary:
Strange man damage roll against Zachary:
Wolf A attack roll versus Donte:
Wolf A damage roll versus Donte:
Wolf A trip manoeuvre check versus Donte:
Wolf B attack roll versus Skender:
Wolf B damage roll versus Skender:
Wolf B trip manoeuvre check versus Skender:
ROUND 1
STRANGE MAN moves to G4, attacks FRUM but misses
WOLF A moves to N8
WOLF B moves to M9
FRUM performs TOTAL DEFENCE
LUCCA - no action
COROSS - no action
SKENDER moves to L8 and deals 7 damage to WOLF B
ZACHARY attempts to AID ANOTHER on FRUM but fails
RAFAEL orders DONTE to attack WOLF A
DONTE attacks WOLF A but misses
DARCHE - no action
ROUND 2
STRANGE MAN attacks ZACHARY but misses
WOLF A attacks DONTE, deals 6 damage and trips him
WOLF B attacks SKENDER, deals 4 damage and trips him
Now that his blood has been spilt, Zachary forgets about holding back and launches an assault on the crazed man, slashing with both hands.
Skender will attack from the ground.
Donte stands up and attacks with his Hooves.
Rafael picks up a hemp rope and throws it towards the nearest wolf.
But the rope veers off to his right as it clumsily flies over Skender's head and lands at the feet of the other wolf.
Rafael says, "I have no healing. Make everything count."
Lucca just attacks the enemy.