CH. 8: Proving Worth

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra pulls out her swords as she slowly turns in a circle to see if she and find the wolves.

[BishGada]

"Dead?" Tulbas says in complete shock. "No... it can't be. I must follow her... How did my uncle knew about us? Probably by means of magic. Maybe he will know how to save her..." All his thoughts are tangled and confused as this tragic day becme the day he lost all his close family, home village and the lovely forest he grew up in became twisted and dark, mirroring the changes in his heart.

[chese780]

(OOC: How did Arulia not get trapped?)

{Make that strength check}

[djhyland]

Arulia keeps a cool head and recovers from her wild swing. She strikes again at the man with the short sword, intent on defeating him before he can recover his footing.

(OOC: Inivisible Castle's still down.)
(OOC: chese780, I don't think that Arulia is trapped. From the map, it looks like it's Felran, Ne-Chanz, and Xyleena that are trapped. I suppose that rolling poorly for initiative sometimes is a good thing.)

[chese780]

(OOC: chese780, I don't think that Arulia is trapped. From the map, it looks like it's Felran, Ne-Chanz, and Xyleena that are trapped. I suppose that rolling poorly for initiative sometimes is a good thing.)[/color]

(OOC: Here is the problem: She was in front of me the whole time...)

[JadedDM]

Haahqae, Arulia, Gobax, Felran and Ne-Chanz (Deserted Building)

(OOC: Here is the problem: She was in front of me the whole time...)

(OOC: Keep in mind that Arulia has a heavier weapon (hence she is slower to act) is lightly encumbered (her movement is reduced) and is wearing heavier armor than Felran. Or you could say she hesitated, out of fear or uncertainty. Felran did not. He was lighter, faster and held no doubts, so charged right in, passing her by. In this case, Arulia's slowness prevented her from stepping into a trap instead. Or maybe Paladine is looking out for her.

Anyway, I'll wait to post until tomorrow, in case Spyguy shows up. If he doesn't, he'll have been missing a week and I'll have to start NPCing his character full-time until his return.)

Kendra Greylock (Haven's Vale)
The other Baaz do likewise, readying for battle and looking around. Kendra is the first to see them coming from the north--five wolves, each as large as a horse. They have extra long canine fangs, giving them a sort of prehistoric appearance. Dire wolves such as these usually did not venture so close to the city. Perhaps the lack of game due to the coming winter has driven them this far out.

Dire Wolf.jpg (53.61 KiB) Viewed 4869 times

They are about 100 feet away from the group.

Key:
K - Kendra
k - Krup
G - Grev
T - Tern
S - Slinn
P - Perp
1-5 - Dire Wolves

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Tulbas Erogund (Unknown location)
"You can feel free to go back and try to find her," the warrior says. "But even if you survive the ogrelands on your own, you'll have to cross through the remains of the Red Dragonarmy and into the cursed forest. Even if you somehow manage all of that, I have little hope you'd have any chance of finding her tracks and following them."

The warrior continues, "On the other hand, your uncle awaits you in Haven. I can take you there and ensure you arrive safely."

[HorizonsDream]

"They don't usually come this close to the city," Kendra tells the others. As this is the army, she waits for her orders at this point.

[spyguy1503]

"Ne-Chanz growls "Damn it!" He pries the trap open. "What the hell is with this place?" He charges the enemies, staying out of the line of fire from Haaque.

(OOC: Sorry guys, life happened and i pulled a chese)

[JadedDM]

Haahqae, Arulia, Gobax, Felran and Ne-Chanz (Deserted Building)
Pen moves left to right, but is unable to squeeze by anyone or join in any of the fighting. "Ah, this isn't fair!" he laments.

Felran manages to free himself from the bear trap by prying it open and removing his leg. Luckily, the warrior in front of him is too busy slipping in the grease to give him any trouble. At the same time, Ismene suddenly becomes visible again when she stabs at the hand axe fighter from behind, but her dagger simply 'tinks' off the chain mail helplessly. "Oh, oops!" she blurts out.

The Histachii and short sword wielder remain stuck in the grease, unable to stand up long enough to escape. The staff wielder, however, manages to get free by backing up toward the door. The hand axe fighter, who was never in the grease to begin with, slashes at Xyleena. The axe cuts deeply and she starts swearing like a...well, like a sailor. Both she and Ne-Chanz manage to free themselves by mimicking Felran.

"Quick, withdraw!" Pen pleads to Xyleena. "Let me in on the action, I'll cover you!"

"Fine," the mariner says. "Not getting paid enough to get gutted."

Meanwhile, Arulia still has trouble actually hitting her opponent, due to his slipping and sliding around. Or perhaps it's just her nerves. Then again, when was the last time she actually fought anyone? She had allowed her melee skills to get rusty, it seems. Gobax descends the stairs, coming up behind Haahqae, and lets loose a stone from his sling at the staff wielder. But to his surprise, the rock is deflected by some invisible armor on the woman--some kind of sorcery, it would appear.

Gregeddin comes to the secret door, but doesn't descend--not that he could, the area is pretty crowded. "Give them what for!" he calls in encouragement.

Yvette fires her crossbow at the bowman again, but her aim is pretty off. The bowman, realizing who just shot him last round, snarls in rage. "You!" he cries, clearly recognizing the gnome. He quickly nocks an arrow before Haahqae can and looses it. The gnome feels a strange sense of deja vu as the arrow slams into his shoulder, knocking him down. Once again, he is consumed by darkness and everything goes quiet around him.

Satisfied, the bowman turns his next arrow on Arulia, shooting her in the left shoulder. Her armor prevents the arrow from sinking in all of the way, but it still goes deep enough to draw blood.

============

Initiative
Haahqae (1d10+7): 10+7 = 17
Arulia (1d10+7): 4+7 = 11
Gobax (1d10+6): 4+6 = 10
Felran (1d10): 2
Ne-Chanz (1d10+5): 8
Ismene (1d10+1): 1+1 = 2
Gregeddin (1d10): 5 (Waiting +6) = 11
Yvette (1d10+7): 6+7 = 13
Xyleena (1d10+4): 10
Pen (N/A)
Bowman (1d10+7): 7+7 = 14
Short Sword Fighter (1d10): 10
Hand Axe Fighter (1d10+4): 2+4 = 6
Staff Wielder (1d10): 6
Histachii (1d10): 4

Round 2!

Pen is unable to act.
Felran makes a STR check to free himself [TN 15] (1d20): 12, pass. Felran is no longer trapped.
Ismene stabs at Hand Axe Fighter with her magic dagger (+1 hit/dmg) from behind (+2 hit) while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 14] (1d20+4): 7+4 = 11, miss. Ismene is no longer invisible.
Histachii makes a save vs. spell to leave the grease [TN 17] (1d20): 15, fail.
Hand Axe Fighter swings his hand axe at Xyleena with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) while she is trapped (+0 hit) [TN 13] (1d20+1): 15+1 = 16, hit for (1d6+2): 4+2 = 6 damage. Xyleena is now critically wounded (25% HP).
Staff Wielder makes a save vs. spell to leave the grease [TN 12] (1d20): 13, pass. She gets free of the grease.
Ne-Chanz makes a STR check to free himself [TN 16] (1d20): 4, pass. Ne-Chanz is no longer trapped.
Gobax moves 10 feet north, then heads downstairs 10 feet. He fires a sling bullet with excellent aim (+2 hit) from higher ground (+1 hit) while inspired (+1 hit) at the Staff Wielder [TN 12] (1d20+4): 2+4 = 6, miss.
Xyleena makes a STR check to free herself [TN 16] (1d20): 14, pass. Xyleena is no longer trapped.
Short Sword Fighter makes a save vs. spell to leave the grease [TN 17] (1d20): 13, fail.
Arulia swings her mace at Short Sword Fighter while he slips in the grease (+4 hit) in chain mail (+2 hit) while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 14] (1d20+7): 2+7 = 9, miss.
Gregeddin walks 5 feet northeast and calls out encouragement to the others while observing the battle.
Yvette fires a crossbow bolt at Bowman in leather armor (+2 hit) while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 11] (1d20+2): 6+3 = 9, miss.
Bowman fires a sheaf arrow at Haahqae [TN 13] (1d20): 15, hit for (1d8): 7 damage. Haahqae falls.
Haahqae is unconscious.
Bowman fires a sheaf arrow at Arulia [TN 16] (1d20): 16, hit for (1d8): 7 damage. Arulia is now moderately wounded (75% HP).

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(OOC: Actions for Round 3?)[/color]

Kendra Greylock (Haven's Vale)
"Options?" Krup asks as the dire wolves move toward them.

"Glide across the river?" suggests Tern.

"Too far to the other side. Besides, Greylock doesn't have wings," Krup points out.

"The...the pack leader!" Perp blurts out. He points to the largest wolf in the lead. "If we can take him out...the others might disperse."

"Alright," Krup says, popping his neck. "Everyone focus on the pack leader and hope the Dragon Queen is with us."

==========

Dire Wolf 01 moves 60 feet south.
Dire Wolf 02 moves 60 feet south.
Dire Wolf 03 moves 60 feet south.
Dire Wolf 04 moves 60 feet south.
Dire Wolf 05 moves 60 feet south.

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(OOC: Actions for Round 1?)[/color]

[TristenC]

Without exposing himself, Grubnick drags Haahque up the stairs and out of view/line of fire. Making sure nobody is watching except Gregeddin, he casts cure light wounds. You should stay way back, I think. You have a habit of catching arrows.

[Ooc: if he can't hide the casting he'll use a heal check instead]

[chese780]

(OOC: Going for it, probably gonna take an arrow to the knee ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°))

Felran attempts to get to the Bowman. The closer he gets, the harder it -should- be for the enemy to react.

{Two Shortswords}

[HorizonsDream]

~He is more clever than he lets on,~ Kendra thinks to herself as she waits for the wolves to come closer.

[Haahque]

As Haahqae sinks to the ground all he can think of is there are so many people in between him and me, many of them much larger and more threatening, why does he hate me so much? And he slumps to the ground unconscious. His heroic deeds today were few, but they were valorous, and they got Pen to laugh. That counts for something right?

Action: try not to die. (Again you don't have to wait for my responses until I'm conscious again)

[djhyland]

With her attention focused on the swordsman, Arulia doesn't notice the bowman take aim at her until it is too late. She grits her teeth at the pain of her wound, but she knows that she can't afford it--or the bowman--any more attention while the swordsman remains engaged in combat with her. Thus, she grimly raises her mace again for another strike and prays that this time, her aim will be true.

(OOC: There's not much to do other than continue her attack against the swordsman.)

[JadedDM]

Haahqae, Arulia, Gobax, Felran and Ne-Chanz (Deserted Building)
When Gobax starts to drag Haahqae up the stairs, Gregeddin steps back to make room for them. Everyone is focused on the fight, and nobody is paying attention to the goblin except perhaps for Gregeddin, so he begins to pray. Again, Haahqae wakes suddenly in pain, feeling foggy in the mind as he's brought back from the brink of death. "That guy really hates you," Gregeddin notes to the gnome, referring to the bowman.

"Leota, take these heretics out!" calls the hand axe fighter, noting that the staff wielder is no longer in the grease.

"Got it! the staff wielder calls back. She slams the butt of her staff to the ground and begins to chant in the spidery language of magic. "Ast tasarak sinu--" She is cut off with a yelp of pain as Ismene, realizing what is happening, suddenly runs up to her and stabs through her protective armor, right in the gut. Her spell disrupted, the woman staggers back, clutching her wound and staring hatefully at the gnome.

Xyleena steps back, letting Pen take her place. "Alright, some action!" the kender proclaims, pumped up. He swings his blade at the hand axe fighter, who blocks it with his shield. The cultist then retaliates, cutting into Pen with his axe. Once Xyleena is safe behind the front line, Yvette smirks at her, then fires her crossbow which misses again.

The histachii and short sword fighter both manage to get out of the grease and get to their feet, meaning nobody is trapped within the grease anymore. It still remains, however, meaning any who try to cross it risk the same fate.

Ne-Chanz swings his twin long swords at the Hand Axe fighter, outraged at their little invisible bear trap trick. The first blade cuts across the cultist's chest, leaving a thin line of blood. The second blade is easily deflected by a hand axe.

Now that the short sword fighter is out of the grease, he is effectively blocking Felran's route to the bowman...unless he tries to slip through the grease. Thinking better of it, instead he turns toward the short sword fighter. With a single slash of his long sword, he cuts the man down. The short sword fighter drops to the ground, bleeding out from the nasty slash across his body. "Sigbert! No!" calls the bowman out in distress.

With her opponent dispatched by another, this leaves Arulia free to move forward and approach the bowman. Her grim prayers are granted, because when she swings the mace at the man who wounded her, she smashes into his head with deadly force. His skull cracks open and the innards are sprayed toward her. He topples over, quite dead.

============

Initiative
Haahqae (N/A)
Arulia (1d10+7): 8+7 = 15
Gobax (1d10+6): 10+5 = 15
Felran (1d10+5): 6+5 = 11
Ne-Chanz (1d10+5): 4+5 = 9
Ismene (1d10+1): 10+1 = 2
Gregeddin (1d10): 1
Yvette (1d10+7): 10+7 = 17
Xyleena (1d10): 2
Pen (1d10+5): 1+5 = 6
Bowman (1d10+7): 8+7 = 15
Short Sword Fighter (1d10): 8
Hand Axe Fighter (1d10+4): 5+4 = 9
Staff Wielder (1d10): 2+1 = 3
Histachii (1d10): 6

Round 3!

Gregeddin backs up five feet.
Ismene moves 5 feet east and stabs at the Staff Wielder with her magic (+1 hit/dmg) dagger while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 13] (1d20+2): 18+2 = 20, hit for (1d4+1): 2+1 = 3 damage.
Xyleena trades places with Pen.
Staff Wielder's spell is disrupted.
Pen swings his long sword at Hand-Axe Fighter with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) against his chain mail (-2 hit) while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 13] (1d20): 5, miss.
Histachii makes a save vs. spell to leave the grease [TN 17] (1d20): 19, pass. He escapes the grease.
Short Sword Fighter makes a save vs. spell to leave the grease [TN 17] (1d20): 19, pass.
Ne-Chanz swings his primary long sword at Hand-Axe Fighter with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) and strength (+1 dmg) against his chain mail (-2 hit) [TN 13] (1d20+1): 17+1 = 18, hit for (1d8+3): 1+3 = 4 damage. He then swings his secondary long sword at Hand-Axe Fighter with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) and strength (+1 dmg) against his chain mail (-2 hit) with awkwardness (-2 hit) [TN 13] (1d20-3): 8-3 = 5, miss. Hand-Axe Fighter is now critically wounded.
Hand Axe-Fighter swings his hand axe at Pen with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) against his chain mail (-2 hit) [TN 16] (1d20+1): 17+1 = 18, hit for (1d6+2): 6+2 = 8 damage. Pen is now moderately wounded (75% HP).
Felran swings his long sword at Short Sword Fighter with great skill (+ hit/+2 dmg) against his chain mail (-2 hit) while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 13] (1d20): 15, hit for (1d8+2): 7+2 = 9 damage. Short Sword Fighter falls.
Arulia moves 5 feet northwest and then swings her mace at Bowman while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 11] (1d20+1): 20+1 = 21, critical hit! for (2d6+1): 12+1 = 13 damage. Bowman is killed.
Gobax drags Haahqae up a few stairs and then casts Cure Light Wounds on him. Haahqae is automatically restored to 1 HP and regains consciousness.
Bowman is dead.
Yvette fires a crossbow bolt over Pen's head at Hand Axe Fighter while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 14] (1d20+1): 11+1 = 12, miss.

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(OOC: chese, Felran doesn't have two short swords. Maybe you were thinking of Drav? Anyway, I had him attack with his long sword instead. Also, damn, djhyland. That blow took the archer down to -11 HP. So brutal.

Remember if you step in the grease, you fall unless you can make a spell save. You can also try and slide across it entirely with a running start; but you'll crash into whatever is on the other side and lose your turn.

Actions for Round 4?)[/color]

Kendra Greylock (Haven's Vale)
Kendra waits for the wolves to reach and attack her first, but the Baaz have different ideas. They charge forward, unafraid and not willing to give the wolves the chance to strike first.

Grev and Slinn move first, both attacking the alpha leader with everything they have. Grev stabs at it with his short sword while Slinn uses his claws to tear at the creature like a wild animal. Tern steps forward and throws a dagger at it, and Krup slashes at it with his long sword, while keeping his shield up.

The wolves converge on the baaz, snapping viciously at them with their fangs. Grev avoids one bite, but Slinn and Krup both get hit. However, Krup manages to shield bash one wolf so hard it falls over, stunned for a moment. Grev does likewise with another one, hitting it between the eyes with the hilt of his weapon.

Perp is the last to go, but he cannot reach the pack leader. So instead, he stabs one of the prone wolves with all of his might.

===============

Initiative
Kendra (N/A)
Krup (1d10+5): 4+5 = 9
Grev (1d10+3): 3+3 = 6
Tern (1d10+2): 7+2 = 9
Perp (1d10+6): 6+6 = 12
Slinn (1d10): 6
Dire Wolf 01 (1d10+6): 2+6 = 8
Dire Wolf 02 (1d10+6): 1+6 = 7
Dire Wolf 03 (1d10+6): 4+6 = 10
Dire Wolf 04 (1d10+6): 5+6 = 11
Dire Wolf 05 (1d10+6): 10+6 = 16

Round 1!

Kendra waits.
Grev moves 40 feet northwest and stabs at Dire Wolf 01 with his short sword [TN 13] (1d20): 18, hit for (1d8): 7 damage. Dire Wolf is now moderately wounded.
Slinn moves 40 feet north and slashes at Dire Wolf 01 with his right claw [TN 13] (1d20): 14, hit for (1d4): 2 damage. He then slashes at Dire Wolf 02 with his left claw [TN 13] (1d20): 20, critical hit! for (2d4): 4 damage. Dire Wolf 01 is now seriously wounded.
Dire Wolf 02 moves 10 feet south and snaps at Grev with its teeth [TN 11] (1d20): 9, miss.
Dire Wolf 01 snaps at Slinn with its teeth [TN 11] (1d20): 15, hit for (2d4): 5 damage. Slinn is now moderately wounded.
Krup moves 35 feet north and slashes at Dire Wolf 01 with his long sword [TN 13] (1d20): 13, hit for (1d12): 3 damage.
Tern moves 10 feet north and throws a dagger at Dire Wolf 01 [TN 13] (1d20): 7, miss.
Dire Wolf 03 moves 10 feet south and snaps at Krup with its teeth [TN 12] (1d20): 1, critical miss! Dire Wolf 03 falls prone.
Dire Wolf 04 moves 25 feet south and snaps at Krup with its teeth [TN 12] (1d20): 12, hit for (2d4): 5 damage. Krup is now moderately wounded.
Perp moves 45 feet northwest and stabs at Dire Wolf 03 with his spear while it is prone (+4 hit) [TN 13] (1d20+4): 17+4 = 21, hit for (1d8): 8 damage. Dire Wolf 03 is now moderately wounded.
Dire Wolf 05 moves 25 feet south and snaps at Grev with its fangs [TN 11] (1d20): 1, critical miss! Dire Wolf 05 falls prone.

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(OOC: Actions for Round 2?)[/color]