My Only Hope
Log Info
- Title: My Only Hope
- Emitter: Vaalyun
- Characters: Morgan - Level 4; Virgil - Level 2; Vomitdreg - Level 3
- Place: Outside Alexandria
- Time: May 18, 2018
- Summary: Travelers along the road discover something is amiss, and ride to the rescue of the fair maiden.
- APL: 3
- Encounter 1: 3 Brigands, CR 1/2 ea.
A forest not far outside Alexandria is traversed by way of a narrow road whose deep ruts indicate frequent passage of wagons, though not large ones, as the trees seem to hover over the path, as if they have not been cut back in quite some years. It is pleasant enough to walk in the shade, despite the fact that the road goes into a slight uphill and then a downhill curve, creating a dangerous hairpin were one silly enough to try and bring a wagon through at high speed. The air smells of foliage, and the undertone of decomposing leaves and plant matter wafts in from the forest.
Oh, to have a wagon.
Vomitdreg has no wagon to overturn in the curve. Surely steering a carriage drawn by a fleet of pack horses would be an experience he would enjoy. In any event, Vomitdreg prowls within the forest his diminutive form skulking through the cool shadows as he picks his way along with a discarded stick that he has deemed to be walking cane.
"I hate the forest," he whines in a high-pitched nasally tone, "remind me again my purpose for being here oh great Zeroltheluz?"
Stopping there he can't his head slightly, "Oh, how prophetic!" The gobber nods his head, "Yes. I suppose if I am to be master of reality then I must be familiar with all of it." It's then he really spies the sharp curve and his beady eyes draw to a narrow gaze, "Whoever designed that was clearly drunk," the Gobber decides, "Are we to fix it?" he listens, "No? Hrmph. So further through the woods, I suppose. Very well."
Near the Alexandria-side end of this narrow road is a guard from the city. Who knows what he's doing there. But he's there. He's clearly a guard from the city because dressed in what might be a typical attire of Alexandria's guardsmen. He's walking deeper into the forest though, so he must have some business in there. Official business too, given he's in his uniform.
A flock of birds take sudden wing from up ahead, and the forest is peaceful. Unitil it isn't. From somewhere near the curve, there is a piercing scream, the sort of scream that a frightened young woman would make, and the neighing of a horse that is cut off with the twang of more than one bowstring.
"What if, someone needs is in danger?" The gobber asks, "What if, we can get a new pair of boots from a dead man?"
This seems like an idea and so he creeps through the woods towards the sounds. Small and without bluster.
That might actually have been what the guard was coming here to investigate. Who knows? Either way, when he hears the scream, Virgil -- for that is the guard's name -- draws his sword, readies his shield, and heads towards the sound of the scream. He is making significantly more noise; he's wearing armor, and trying to sneak in the stuff is probably a lost cause anyway. But he'll at least be making enough noise to cover the sneaking gobber he can't see.
Morgan following the others she gets a bit suprised she hears the scream and says a few arcane words as she moves her hands in a sharp move as a blue aura forms around her like armor. "and the day begins."
GAME: Morgan casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 4 DC: 17
As everyone approaches, they see a single-horse cart, stopped in the middle of the road. Three men in dulled, tarnished armor stand just inside the treeline, bows in hand, with arrows knocked, two on one side of the cart, one on the other. The horse that was pulling the cart lies dead with three arrows in it's neck, and a young woman in the dress of a peasant has her arms up in a 'don't hurt me' gesture. She has a cargo of footstuffs, probably bound for the market. "Your money or your life!" one of the men is saying.
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 18.
It is now Morgan's turn! Vomitdreg is next!
GAME: Morgan rolls 2d4+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Morgan casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 4 DC: 17
Morgan standing back so the fighter types can march in she sends two bright blue bolts that hits the bandit broadside hitting hard for a missile
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 16.
It is now Vomitdreg's turn! Virgil is next!
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 13.
It is now Virgil's turn! Brigand 1 is next!
GAME: Virgil rolls +melee: (16)++5: 21
GAME: Virgil rolls 1d8+3: (3)+3: 6
Well, see. Virgil has a shield. That lady being threatened doesn't. So while Morgan's casting, Virgil calls attention to himself. He's a guard, so... "Stop right there! You three are under arrest!" Yeah he knows they're not gonna give up without a fight, but that's why he's getting behind his shield to the best of his ability. But he's also drawing attention to himself... and he's also a decent thing to hide behind, if he gets close enough. For now though, he's going to get to that closest bandit to him -- seems to be lucky number three -- and aims his strike to the arm. If they're all using bows, hopefully that'll make it so this one will have some trouble firing.
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 7.
It is now Brigand 1's turn! Brigand 2 is next!
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 6.
It is now Brigand 2's turn! Brigand 3 is next!
GAME: Vaalyun rolls 1d20+3: (3)+3: 6
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 4.
It is now Brigand 3's turn! Morgan is next!
GAME: Morgan casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 4 DC: 17
GAME: Vaalyun rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16
GAME: Vaalyun rolls 1d8: (6): 6
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 18.
It is now Morgan's turn! Vomitdreg is next!
GAME: Morgan rolls 2d4+2: (3)+2: 5
The first brigand staggers under the attack of Morgan's magic missiles, the force punching through his armor and doubling him over. He roars and points for one of his comrades, "Take care of her!" then charges as Virgil comes into sight, and he runs in the direction of the city guardsman, tossing his bow over his shoulder and drawing his sword. The second brigand, meanwhile, can only drop his bow to draw his sword and meet the attack that gashes him. His own return blow is turned by Virgil's armor.
At the rear of the wagon, one of the Brigands, still armed with a bow, draws back and fires at Morgan, the arrow arcing true and penetrating her blue haze of mage armor. The maiden, as a fight suddenly erupts, dives over her seat and into the back of the wagon, pulling a blanket over her head.
Morgan takes the arrow and says "coward do it your self." she then sends two more bolts one hitting dead chest and the other one hits in the shlder area. She then smirks when he drops his weapon and runs away.
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 16.
It is now Vomitdreg's turn! Virgil is next!
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 13.
It is now Virgil's turn! Brigand 1 is next!
GAME: Virgil rolls +melee: (15)++5: 20
GAME: Virgil rolls 1d8+3: (7)+3: 10
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 7.
It is now Brigand 1's turn! Brigand 2 is next!
Smart, that maiden. Hopefully more than the blanket won't be needed to protect her. At the last moment he sees the attack of the second brigand and turns his side a bit, to accept the strike on his chest directly. The armor there is probably better at absorbing the blow than his side. Still though, he grunts as the strike lands -- it hurt, but he's not going to lose any sleep over it. Morgan seems to have got one on the run, which means he's probably going to get away. But at least he's not attacking anymore. For himself, Virgil aims a second strike at the third of the brigands, this time at a leg. He's not trying to kill the guy, just to render him able to be brought in for arrest. Thankfully this seems to work, and the brigand's leg drops him.
The first brigand, wounded by a barage of magic missles, drops his sword and staggers off into the woods, disappearing into the thick foliage. The one engaged by Virgil does, indeed, fall disabled, unable to move and throwing away his weapon to grab at the bleeding ruin of his leg. He shouts, "Mercy! Mercy!" That leaves only the brigand at the back of the cart.
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 6.
It is now Brigand 2's turn! Brigand 3 is next!
GAME: Vaalyun rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16
GAME: Vaalyun rolls 1d8: (2): 2
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 18.
It is now Morgan's turn! Vomitdreg is next!
The third Brigand draws his arm back, another arrow nocked. He shouts, "I'll be over there soon enough!" The arrow flies out at distance, and again makes it through the mage armor, landing a second hit, though this one more grazing than the last. He continues to advance, the only of his fellows still standing.
GAME: Morgan rolls ranged: (5)+4: 9
Morgan says a few wods as this arrow nicks her leg a ray of fire that sends a crackling sound. But if at most some hair is singed at the most.
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 16.
It is now Vomitdreg's turn! Virgil is next!
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 13.
It is now Virgil's turn! Brigand 2 is next!
"Relax," Virgil tells the dropped brigand. "I'm not going to kill you." Though... well, hopefully he's not going to be trying to get away, because there IS a second brigand to concern himself with. And it's one that's been shooting Morgan! Virgil hops over the downed brigand, and then sprints over to where the second brigand is standing. Hopefully he'll at least make that brigand think twice before shooting at Morgan a third time.
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 6.
It is now Brigand 2's turn! Morgan is next!
GAME: Vaalyun rolls 1d20+3: (7)+3: 10
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 18.
It is now Morgan's turn! Virgil is next!
GAME: Morgan rolls 1d20+9: (18)+9: 27
The brigand is cornered by the running Virgil, and has no choice but to drop his bow and shift to his sword. He swings the longsword but it is once again met with armor and doesn't manage to penetrate. He growls and raises the sword.
GAME: Morgan rolls 1d6: (5): 5
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 13.
It is now Virgil's turn! Brigand 2 is next!
Morgan makes a hand motion as her staff goes flying from her side as it goes right at brigand 2 hitting him hard.
GAME: Virgil rolls +melee: (16)++5: 21
GAME: Virgil rolls 1d8+3: (6)+3: 9
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 6.
It is now Brigand 2's turn! Morgan is next!
GAME: Vaalyun rolls 1d20+3: (9)+3: 12
Virgil doesn't really give himself much opportunity to attack that second of the group of three brigands. But his full-speed charge definitely gave said brigand time to attack him. Fortunately his armor protects him again, and the strike prompts little more than a grunt. It hurt, but the damage was fortunately avoided. As Morgan looses her quarterstaff, Virgil takes a swing at the second of the brigands's legs, as he did the other.
The shot hits the brigand in the leg, but he doesn't go down, managing to withdraw just enough, just in time. He's probably distracted by the quarterstaff that flies over to hit him in the head. He swings wildly, and again manages to only clang off Virgil's shield and armor.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 18.
It is now Morgan's turn! Virgil is next!
GAME: Morgan rolls 1d20+9: (18)+9: 27
GAME: Morgan rolls 1d6: (4): 4
Morgan lets the staff dance around the bandit as it swats him good and hard but the bandit is still standing.
GAME: Vaalyun advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 13.
It is now Virgil's turn! Brigand 2 is next!
GAME: Virgil rolls +melee: (17)++5: 22
GAME: Virgil rolls 1d8+3: (6)+3: 9
While the brigand is being battered about the head and face with that quarterstaff, it gives Virgil the opportunity to try again to bring him down. He strikes again, this time aiming for the bandit's sword arm. It bites in deeply -- deeper than Virgil had intended, in fact -- and he winces at the brigand's scream and the goodly amount of blood when the bandit falls. He actually takes a few steps back, looking rather disturbed by it all. But he swallows hard, and composes himself. Look to the rest of the scene, distract yourself. Looking to Morgan first, "Are you all right?" Since he knows she was hit a couple times at least.
Morgan staff flys back to her hand as she leans on it "crap adrenlan worn off." she seems to be a bit pale. though she is ok besides a arrow in her side but did make a clean shot and got to the other side. "Do you know the right way to remove a arrow?" she is trying to act brave but she could use a rest.
GAME: Vaalyun removes the timestop.
Timestop by Vaalyun has left.
Silence descends as the last brigand falls into a gurgling heap and then is quiet. The other one has given up his blubbering and is mostly silent, though still alive, and trying to staunch his bleeding. The maiden finally peeks her head up from beneath the blanket. She looks this way and that, and then jumps up. "Are they gone?"
"It might be better not to, until you're with someone who can treat the injury," Virgil replies. "I admit, I don't know much about first aid. We should probably try to get you back to town." He has a prisoner anyway. He'll offer Morgan his arm, to help her. And then looking to the cart. "It's safe, you can come out now. We need assistance getting back to town, if possible. She's been hurt."
Morgan says "its easy cut the shaft of the arrow out. but if you are unsure lets go to some where safe first."
"Help you get back to town? How am *I* going to get this cart into town? My horse is dead!" The maiden wails, then plops down on the seat, "You look strong. If you pull it, your friend can ride in the back until we get to the City. The temples there can remove arrows and fix bones and stuff, I hear."
Virgil nods to Morgan. "That was my intention, yes. I will need to bring him in." He looks to the one brigand that DID survive. The maiden's words get a wince. Yeah, he'd forgotten about that for a moment. But he does nod. "I'll try," he offers. "Do you have rope? There's no way he can walk, and I do need to bring him in." He can't carry a brigand AND pull a cart, after all.
Morgan shakes her head "I got that covered." she is looking in her normal haversack and gets a wooden scroll case to get a scroll out "Please remove the dead horse I will summon a magical one that will be with us for about 8 hours." she says some words in a odd language as a beautiful all white horse apears "Mushlak I know this is a lot to ask of you my friend will you pull this wagon for a few miles?" as she says that morgan motions to the hemp rope on her backpack.
Virgil's muscles are still going to get a workout, as it's not easy to drag a dead horse any distance. Probably easier to just unhook him and move the cart, which is how the task is eventually completed. By salvaging the tack from the draught horse, the cart is mobile again, and everyone piles on for the trip back to the City.
Virgil is honestly trying to figure out how to manage getting them back to town. And so when Morgan has both rope and horse covered (temporarily in the latter case), he breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank you," he offers to Morgan. Yeah, dragging a dead horse isn't going to be fun, but he's reasonably strong. He'll probably manage all right, even if he has to merely roll it out of the way. Tack can be reattached to the new horse, and rope can be tied around the surviving brigand. However, Virgil's not going to just toss him the cart. Not with an injured woman and a non-combatant. So the injured bandit might just have to limp back to town! Of course, Virgil will walk with him, he's not completely without mercy.
Morgan sits calmly and trys to talk to the other lady in hopes she is calmed now,
She's not exactly calm - it's a harrowing experience - but it turns out she was, quite as it seemed, on her way to market when she was beset by the brigands, and is grateful for the rescue. They arrive in town by nightfall, and the maiden's father is quite grateful for her safe delivery - even if he regrets the loss of the horse.