This is Bat Country
Log Info
- Title: This is Bat Country
- Emitter: Cryosanthia
- Characters: Aetheras, Sjach, Skielstregar, Vaera, Randolf
- Place: Road to Blar
- Time: Saturday, November 20, 2021, 2:39 PM
- Summary: A messenger with an important letter needs to get to Blar. He's traveling there on Coach the coach, an artifice conveyance that has a war-golem driver 'Coach', built right in. The golem is a little predictable, as is the route, so adventurers are enlisted as guards. Their problems start when they enter Bat Country. The road runs into a tree hollow, with thick forests on both sides and cliffs to the north. Bats, little bats, come out and swarm towards the coach. Coach, isn't about to stop and tells the adventurers to sing 'Ninety Nine Bottles of Bats'. They start shooting, and as they do a giant, horse sized bat appears right in the coach's way. Sjach moves to engage it, Aetheras also leaps off the coach, onto a horse and tries to take it out. He fails, and takes himself out. Bats end up inside the carriage and Randolf's beard. Vaera finds herself struggling to rescue Aetheras, and shoot the bats with her thunderbelcher, then bow. They manage to kill the large doombat, but the little ones are continuing to group up into a swarm. The adventurers shoot the swarm, disrupting it long enough for Coach to speed away into the night.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Aetheras 5'9" 150 Lb Shadow Elf Male Vast-touched: obsidian eyes, deep bronze skin, dreads. Sjach 7'0" 268 Lb Sith-Makar Male Lithe emerald and charcoal sith male. Skielstregar 7'2" 330 Lb Sith-Makar Male A tarnished bronze scale with fangs and empty eyes. Vaera 7'0" 262 Lb Sith-Makar Female A tall, dark red Makari with a wooden leg. Randolf 4'10" 280 Lb Mountain Dwarf Male A burly, well-dressed Khazad in wizardly robes. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- NPCs of Note -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Coach the Coach War-Golem Neuter A fancy, artifice powered coach with a built-in driver. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Can't Stop! This is bat country!
A messenger coach has a high priority passenger, and presumably, a message to deliver to Blar. It's intended to be a quick trip, that being several days, from Alexandria out to the Hobgoblin city.
There are problems with travel, in the hinterlands there are bandits, and rumours of undead, as well as hobgoblin troops. Adventurers have been retained as protection.
This section of the road is aligned east to west, with the coach travelling East. It's driven by a golem, 'Coach', who is part of the vehicle. The road is in a depression, the ground sloping up to either side and lined with trees which form a natural canopy. To the north, there are tall cliffs.
The light is fading, it's evening.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (7)+10: 17 (Bat Stealth - for minimum distance) GAME: Aetheras rolls perception: (16)+9: 25 GAME: Vaera rolls perception: (7)+9: 16 GAME: Sjach rolls perception: (17)+7: 24 GAME: Randolf rolls perception: (5)+6: 11 GAME: Skielstregar rolls perception: (7)+7: 14
Hanging off the back of the coach, Aetheras has taken the place of one of the footmen, and covers the left side and rear, as wall as occasionally glancing up--too many times trouble has dropped on him from above.
Sjach rides ahead of the Carriage- not far, just a couple of horse lengths ahead, keeping his eyes peeled. He sits slightly awkwardly in the saddle of his horse- he's more accustomed to riding less hairy animals, but the stables in Alexandria don't exactly have a surplus of Swiftclaws, and Little Flame is not big enough to be ridden, yet. And so he rides the unfamiliar mount. He carries his bow in one hand, guiding the mount with knees and one hand on the reigns as they travel, quiver bouncing at his hip.
Skielstregar is riding on the wagon, cloak drawn over him with a spear on his lap. It's easiest to protect someone when you're right next to them. His dead eyes occasionally glance to Sjach ahead, appraising them as they go along. But keeping his eyes also om the surroundings.
Vaera had a spot in the back of the familiar carriage. After stopping to take a look at the wheels on the vehicle to make sure they were all in order, she climbed into the back to prepare for the journey, keeping an eye on the road behind. She was sprawled on the floor of the carriage, completely missing one leg, a metallic steel limb which was set in their lap with several tools adjusting it for some time, while their thunderbelcher was set down beside them. It was slow, necessary work, but not anything that would completely take her attention. And it helped tune out some of the jokes she had heard before.
Randolf sits on the front of the coach, quietly smoking his pipe as his eyes flick from side to side. He rests his elbows atop his knees, his wand drawn and held in his other hand, idly tapping out a lazy rhythm against his shin. He looks over his shoulder at Vaera, taking note of the limb she's tinkering with. "That a new leg, Miss Vaera?" he asks, peering at it through a billow of pipe smoke. Just making conversation to fill the silence as they make their way along the road.
The wheels on the coach have been repaired, and seem fine. The Sith'Makar's concern is unwarranted. In fact, noticing it, Coach is diligent in reassuring her that the vehicle has been repaired and in tip-top shape.
Not every hour. Every other hour.
The golem also has one day's worth of jokes. Today, is day two, and despite the cheerful seeming voice of the golem, it is getting a little predictable.
"How about we sing another round of 'the Wheels on Coach's Coach go round and round'?" Coach suggests. He usually does at dusk. It's dusk.
Ahead, something less predictable. Bats.
"The wheels on Coach's coach go round and, hey there's bats ahead, round." Coach says encouragingly, "Sing!"
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "full round action chuck a spear 14 squares lmao, - 8 to hit" GAME: Skielstregar rolls ranged-8: (17)+5+-8: 14
Skielstregar stands abruptly, squinting in the distance. Trusting his instincts, he chuck's a spear down the way, barely missing.
Hearing Coach try to incorporate sighting of bats, Aetheras winces as spears and magic missiles fly..."Hold fire, they could be companions!" He seems a bit shocked that everyone just opened up on the animals, but knows he might be missing something...or it was bait.
GAME: Randolf casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15 GAME: Randolf rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3 GAME: Randolf rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4 GAME: Randolf rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
Randolf looks back at Coach with a sigh. "Here we go again," he mutters. He takes his pipe from his mouth and wearily raises his voice. "Ohh, the wheels on' Coach's coach go -round an' round-..." He cuts off at the additional lyrics, though. "Wait--bats?" He rises to his feet, peering forward in the gloomy dusk. With a dour scowl, he knocks the ashes from his pipe and stuffs it into his pocket. "Damn it," he grunts. He lifts his wand, sketching a quick pattern. "Re ex re ur ekisos! HAH!" A final snap of the wand, and three blue spheres burst out from the tip. Flying in a helix pattern before separating to strobe against three of the animals, knocking them out of the sky. He looks over at Aetheras with a scowl. "They carry rabies, ye know," he grumbles.
<OOC> Sjach says, "I'll knock an arrow but not fire it for now, and speak." <OOC> Sjach says, "I'll shoot at a bat if it attacks someone." <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, a bat attacks you!" GAME: Sjach rolls weapon1: (9)+5: 14 GAME: Sjach rolls damage1: aliased to 1d6+2: (1)+2: 3
"Batss." Sjach calls back to the coach as they ride along. He knocks an arrow to his bow and sits up straighter, guiding his horse with his knees as he draws it back- but doesn't loose it for the time being. He flinches as the projectiles fly past him, and he looks back over his shoulder. "Isss thiss the normal responsse to batss in Alexandross?" he wonders, turning his attention back towards the flying mammals.
When one comes flapping towards him, he looses the knocked arrow and it punches through the breast of the creature. Sjach's hand goes for another arrow from his quiver.
GAME: Aetheras rolls perception: (3)+9: 12
There are high pitched squeaks as bats are shot, and drop. They land unceremoniously on the ground, bouncing once and don't move afterwards.
Several flap towards Sjach, who hears more high-pitched peeps, and can see the glint of fangs in the fading light.
The closest to the sith'makar is dropped by his arrow.
Aetheras is still confused as to what exactly is going on as the bats start dropping due to incredible marksmanship and magic--his suspicious mind is certain it's a decoy but try as he might, he sees nothing more from the jolting back of the coach.
<OOC> Vaera says, "going to shoot at one of the bats, deadly aim" GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8: (12)+8: 20 GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+4: (6)+4: 10
"Yes, well, somewhat. It is the same new leg that I am working on." Vaera replies to Randolf. But before she can speak more, Coach begins singing again, and transitions into mention of bats on the road in front. The red makari spends a moment reattaching her leg before crouching down near the side of the carriage, and when she sees the others attacking the bats, and one seeming to have been lunging for Sjach, she steadies her thunderbelcher, taking aim at one of the other approaching beasts. There is a bright blue light, and a crack like thunder from the weapon as one of the bats is pierced and falls to the ground.
"Keep an eye out if anything else approaches." She warns, looking around and watching the area a bit more closely again.
Tucked in a corner of the coach is the hobgoblin messenger. Rumour has it he's some sort of journalist. He wears a loud floral shirt, tight canvas shorts and a white, bucket hat pulled down over his face. Asleep, in sunglasses, he's as deep down as an ether high. Nothing will disturb him.
"Oh! I know!" Coach says suddenly.
- "Ninety Nine Bottles of Bats on the wall."
- "Ninety Nine Bottls of Bats,
- "Shoot one down, pass it around,
- "Ninety Eight Bottles of Bats on the wall!"
The Coach continues down the road. Up ahead the forest gets closer, the passage through the trees a little tighter. It's hard to see the tops of the cliffs through the leaves, but those are getting steeper, and taller.
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "draw spear and stabb the one next to mee" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "you have to stab around Randolf and out the window, so -2" GAME: Skielstregar rolls weapon1-2: (3)+6+-2: 7
Skielstregar tries to stab a bat nearby, him grumbling to sto Sjach. "You do when the prey acts like hunter!"
<OOC> Randolf says, "I'll step to the side then, and zot the bat close to us, then hit 21,14 and 24,13" GAME: Randolf casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15 GAME: Randolf rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5 GAME: Randolf rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2 GAME: Randolf rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "takes out 3"
Randolf ducks as one of the bats goes winging by. "Gah!" He lifts his wand, beard all a-bristle--and stops as Coach launches into his masterful rendition of the dwarven classic, 'Ninety-Nine Bottles of Beer'. Only to mangle it with the addition of bat material. He stares at the golem. Blink blink. "Why are ye -like- this?" he grumbles. "Who hurt ye?" Harrumphing, he turns his ire back on the bats. He clambers over to the side out of reach of one of the flying rodents, and brings up his wand again. "Re ex re ur ekisos! HAH!" He snaps out three more orbs, knocking three more bats out of the air.
The coach hasn't stopped. It's still moving along the road.
<OOC> Aetheras says, "I am going to try to shuriken two bats with flurry" GAME: Aetheras rolls 1d20+5: (10)+5: 15 GAME: Aetheras rolls 1d20+5: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Aetheras rolls 1d4+2: (2)+2: 4 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "that kills a bat, pose!"
Hanging off the side, Aetheras, in a masterful display of dexterity, produces not just one shuriken, but two, somehow managing to throw one at the bat, taking it down, while the second one fumbles from his fingers and sinks in the mud.
<OOC> Sjach says, "We're moving 40' as is, right? So a double move from my mount and I'll have a -4, To get another 20' ahead." GAME: Sjach rolls weapon1-4: (18)+5+-4: 19 GAME: Sjach rolls damage1: aliased to 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6
Sjach huffs as the wholesale slaughter of the bats continues, he squeezes his mount's flanks and spurs it with his heel and the horse's canter transitions to a gallop as he puts more distance between himself and the carriage. "They are simple animals! We might have tried warding them away with fire or noise!" he shouts back over his shoulder- nevertheless, he doesn't balk at doing what needs be done now that it has come to violence. He looses another arrow from his composite bow, which sails through the air and cleanly dispatches another of the flying critters.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "bat swoops to attack, do you have a weapon to threaten with? You'd get an AOO" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10
Simple animals, yet determined to bite and suck the blood of the travelers, even as they are shot down.
There are more high-pitched squeaks from the woods, then disconcertingly, a much more forceful one that seems to rattle the earbones in one's skull.
The source of that squeak reveals itself. A bat the size of a horse!
Directly in Sjach's way down the road.
And some smaller bats too, further away.
The large bat is making an odd yipping noise.
"Oh that futzes my audio receptors." Coach says.
<OOC> Vaera says, "and big bat is in second range increment to shoot, reload is a swift action with beneficial bandolier" GAME: Vaera rolls knowledge/nature: (20)+5: 25 <OOC> Vaera says, "Okay! Normal shot, no deadly aim but -2 for range" GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8-2: (9)+8+-2: 15
The large bat is a Doombat, magical, supernatural and evil. In addition to the distracting yipping, they can also shriek, which renders all who hear it shaken. They have a dangerous reach with their tail.
"Be careful, perhaps it is best to leave the cart back here." Vaera warns, hopping over the side of the carriage and running ahead, fumbling a bit as the leg takes a moment to get into stride. She takes aim with the thunderbelcher, but the projectile dips more than expected due to the range, and the bat is able to move out of the way.
"It is quite loud yes, and may interfere with spells cast, due to the magical nature of the beast. And if any get closer, it can disorient people with a much louder cry.
"Be wary, kin!" She shouts to the mounted sith-makar, hoping she would be understood. "It has more range with it's tail than you may expect."
The coach trundles along, jogging a little to keep up with the dodge in the road.
Coach starts to answer Randolf, "Well, I used to have legs and..."
>>BLAM<<
The rest of the explanation is obscured by the sound of Vaera's gun.
"Oh no, we're not stopping." Coach answers Vaera cheerfully, "Can't stop, won't stop!"
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "I'll get on the front board as a five foot step if I can?" GAME: Skielstregar rolls athletics: (16)+6: 22 (vs DC5) <OOC> Skielstregar says, "right, will chuck spear at big guy, -6 to hit" GAME: Skielstregar RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 6 temporary HP GAME: Raging gave Skielstregar 6 temporary HP. GAME: Skielstregar rolls ranged-6: (12)+5+-6: 11 GAME: Skielstregar spends ONE use of BLOODRAGE.
Skielstregar looks back at Vaera, listening to his friend as she explains. His brows furrow some at Sjach's reasoning, but he shakes his head. "Right, well, sssometimesss we don't have that pleasure."
He inhales deeply, then swings himself out onto the frontboard to get a better shot. He flips the spear around, and takes a deep breath. "Thisss one warns, do not be afraid!" he calls out. Wait what was he talking abou-
At the front of the carriage is a burst of dread, the large bronzescale now sporting a set of two fangs, dripping with black miasma from his maw, and a red glint to his eyes. For the knowing, he looks exactly like a Forgotten. "Loossse!" he snarls out before chucking the spear down range with much more force than before. Still, it lands short and off to the side. Looks like he has a few more spears for the volley left in his large quiver.
GAME: Randolf rolls 1d20+5+4: (11)+5+4: 20 GAME: Randolf casts Lightning Bolt. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17 GAME: Randolf rolls 5d6: (21): 21 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+9: (9)+9: 18 (Doombat Reflex) <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "it dodges some but still is smoked, still flying" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (9)+11: 20 (Doombat Fly to stay flying) <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Just 10' off the ground right now, it's coming in to attack Sjach"
Randolf looks at Coach as the golem begins to explain how he once had legs. "Och, that's -nae- excuse," he grumbles. But then, there comes that supersonic yipping, and the giant bat makes its appearance. His eyes widen, and then squinch in a wince as the soundwave starts battering him. "Gah! Piss an' -blood-!" he grunts, wiggling a pinky in his ear. He brings his wand up, fighting through the nerve-jangling sound. He lines up the shot--then hurriedly steps to the side when he sees Sjach is in his line of fire. "RE EX RE INCARDO LEVINTAS!" An arc of lightning blasts from his wand. ZRRAAAPPT! The giant bat flutters to the side, and only a few stray arcs of electricity crackle over its fur, making it poof up. "Aww -shit-!" he grunts.
Aetheras pages: Ok i want to do this if possible: I want to jump off the wagon while casting Conjuration: Mount, land on the mount and double move to go charging at it and launch myself at it for a stunning fist blow :) Aetheras pages: i'll use a panache point for the ride test and everything ;) You paged Aetheras with 'you can do the cast, that's a standard, and then the move action to get on the mount, and it can move, double if you want, but you won't have a standard left to do the charge' Aetheras pages: ok, i'll prepare that for the next round then, it'll be cinematic :) GAME: Aetheras rolls 1d20+4: (2)+4: 6 (Concentration) <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "you have a free re-roll" GAME: Aetheras rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21 (Concentration)
At the back of the carriage, Aetheras leaps into the air, away from the wheels, uttering syllables of power! As he begins to fall down towards the ground, a white stallion materializes under him, and with an expertise one would expect of Phurai Dai only, he lands on it, gaining balance and control simultaneously, spurring the horse into a gallop toward the giant bat.
<OOC> Sjach says, "Within 30'?" GAME: Sjach rolls weapon1+1: (15)+5+1: 21 GAME: Sjach rolls damage1+1: aliased to 1d6+2+1: (3)+2+1: 6 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "little bat doesn't AOO"
Sjach winces at the sudden high-pitched yipping noise, and he ducks the flapping wings of the bat. He leans hard into one side of the horse, spurring it with his heel as he drives it away from the path. He plucks free another arrow between two knuckles in his free hand, and brings it up to the string of his bow.
As he nears the tree line, he sits back up in the saddle, leveling out the horse so that it travels parallel to the road. He draws the bowstring back, arrow knocked, and looses it towards the larger bat- it sails through the air, landing with a dull thud in the creature's chest.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay. Big bat shrieks, all roll Will DC15 or be shaken 1d4+1 rounds, also it moves and bites at Sjach." <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Little bats do stuff and some more of them appear" GAME: Sjach rolls will: (19)+2: 21 (vs DC 15) GAME: Skielstregar rolls will: (17)+4: 21 (vs DC 15) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9
The large bat emits an ear-piercing shriek, and one that can be felt in the bones. It's startling and unpleasant, and after it keeps up it's constant yipping. It flaps towards Sjach, chasing him and his mount as he leaves the road, catching up with him at the tree-line.
It snaps, and misses.
One the road, behind where the large bat was flying, the smaller ones are grouping up, their peeps and squeaks increasing.
Down the road, more little bats are coming out of the trees.
GAME: Vaera rolls athletics: (13)+4: 17 (vs DC5) GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8: (20)+8: 28 (THREAT) GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8: (5)+8: 13 GAME: Vaera rolls 1d8+1: (2)+1: 3
The coach continues rumbling down the road, staying to the centre.
Coach says, "recofinguring audio receptors. Standard sound one, BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
"Standard sound two, BLURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRP!"
The golem seems busy. The coach neither changes course nor slows down, but continues on.
Vaera sighs when the coach continues onwards, and she has to hurriedly jump onto the back of the carriage. The bat remained farther away, so she drops the firearm in that same movement, drawing her bow instead to take aim quickly. The ground is shaky, but she manages to loose an arrow at the large bat, managing to clip it in the wing.
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "drop spear in cart, dismount at 29,12 (provoking aoo)," <OOC> Skielstregar says, "running around the north side of the big bat and getting to 32,12 (provoking from little bat)." <OOC> Skielstregar says, "Flank the big bat and smack with halberd (pulling it free as part of the movement)" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, little bats don't AOO, but the big one does" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (20)+7: 27 (THREAT) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (11)+7: 18 (Confirmed) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 4d6+6: (16)+6: 22 GAME: You damaged Skielstregar for 22 points. 7 HP remaining. <OOC> Skielstregar says, "power attack, penalty negated with furious focus" GAME: Skielstregar rolls weapon13+2: (8)+9+2: 19 GAME: Skielstregar rolls damage13+3: aliased to 1d10+6+3: (7)+6+3: 16 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (2)+11: 13 (vs DC 10 - still flying)
Skielstregar balances himself on all threes, the spare hand throwing the spear back into the cart as he leaps off. Only to get suddenly snatched and rent asunder in midair. Black blood and tarnished scales fly free and clatter against the ground, as does Skielstregar. That hit... there's no way someone could survi- "DRAGONFATHER GIVE THIS ONE STRENGTH!" the wounded warrior bellows, flipping around and galloping on all fours around the large bat as he trails ichor behind him. The halberd is pulled free in on swoop, spun around, and the axe is buried deep into the side of the bat. "DIE!"
GAME: Aetheras rolls 1d20+4+2: (6)+4+2: 12
Aetheras spurs the horse on lie a fiend, because one doesn't have to rage to be enraged...this thing is gonna pay.
He charges the flying bat...barehanded? And at the last moment stands in the saddle and launches himself at it in a flying kick...that would have been awesome if he didn't hit his head on a branch, flip over, and land on his back, half conscious....
<OOC> Randolf says, "I'll use Arcane Bond to Lightning Bolt the big batte again." GAME: Randolf rolls 1d20+5+4: (8)+5+4: 17 (vs DC 18 - Fail) <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "you had a re-roll if you wanted to switch to scorching ray and roll that instead." GAME: Randolf rolls 1d20+5+4: (18)+5+4: 27 (vs DC 17 - Concentration Success) GAME: Randolf casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16 GAME: Randolf rolls ranged+1: (13)+3+1: 17 (Ranged Touch) GAME: Randolf rolls 4d6: (12): 12
Randolf grits his teeth as the great bat swoops closer. The shrieks are becoming intolerable. He brings up his wand, his face screwed up in an agonized wince. "Re ex... gaaaah!..." There's a couple feeble 'bzzp bzzps' of sparks from his wand, but no great stroke of lightning is manifested. Snarling furiously, he tries again, this time with a simpler spell. "RE EX RE ANTU AKH ASCORIUS! HRAAGH!" A searing beam fires from the wand, skating across the bat to leave a line of scorched fur across its body. "STOP THAT SQUEAKIN' YE FLYIN' MOUSE!" he bellows.
<OOC> Sjach says, "I'll knock and fire a whistling arrow through the group of small bats." GAME: Sjach rolls weapon1: (11)+5: 16 GAME: Sjach rolls Handle Animal+2: (5)+7+2: 14 <OOC> Sjach says, "I'll use my reroll." GAME: Sjach rolls handle animal: (16)+7: 23 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, haaa, okay 3 break out of the group"
Sjach leans back in his saddle, gripping on with his knees, and the horse rears up and away as the giant bat comes his way. His spines bristle and he ducks his head as the horrid screech stabs at his eardrums. He guides the horse, soothing it, and readying it to evade another attack from the flying beast when a blast of fire smites it from the sky. He covers his own face with a forearm- his scales protect not from fire, but from acid, after all.
Seeing that the large bat is no more, he draws a fresh arrow- unusual, it has a bone arrow head, hollow, pitted with numerous holes. He knocks it, and looses it towards the remaining small bats.
While the other arrows he had fired made barely a thwip as they streaked through the air- the difference this time is clear. The arrow lets out an ear-piercing screech of its own, to rival the giant bat's as it sails into their midst. "Without their alpha, they are likely easily cowed!" he calls to his companions over the din.
Doom comes to the Doombat, as it goes down in a squeaking mass of flames, scorched to death. Its high pitched yipping cuts off suddenly, a relief to sore ears.
The mass of bats that were swarming up are disoriented by the change, even more so when a whistling arrow comes screaming through. Half of the mass just breaks off, heading for the trees.
Others are still coming to join, appearing down the road and flapping closer in eerie silence.
The mul'niessa, Aetheras is on the ground after knocking himself out with his leaping attack. Coach is about to run right into a swarming mass of bats.
GAME: Vaera rolls knowledge/nature: (12)+5: 17 GAME: Randolf rolls Knowledge/Nature: (17)+10: 27
The Bats are trying to swarm. If they manage to stay grouped up they will organize into one. As long as bats in the group are killed or chased off, they won't be able. It won't take long if there's enough though.
Vaera looks up, and winces when the raging, half-forgotten makari is nearly torn in half by the large bat. But before she can prepare another arrow, Randolf ends up incinerating the beast. She jumps off the carriage, and moves to pick up the half conscious Aetheras. "I know you are capable of stopping coach, so please stop at least to let me get this person back on board." She shouts at the carriage. Then she looks to the bats. "That large one is not a natural creature Sjach, and the small ones may be enthralled or working with it. And the ones not scared off are trying to form a swarm." She warns. "We need to clear them out, slay them, or get out of here before they manage that. And Skielstregar, do not be caught out here if that is about to happen."
The coach rumbles on.
"Audio standard phrase one: The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog," Coach says, immediately following with, "Audio standard phrase two: Prosperity is JUST around the corner!"
It's at that moment that the Doombat's doom-yips cut out, leaving only the smaller squeakers peeping.
"Audio reconfiguration complete. Can't stop, we're in a bat swarm."
Coach, and the coach has caught up with the massing bats and blasted right through them. The bats all dip and dodge out of the way, some flying in through one window and out the other side.
The golem is correct, this is the least optimal place to stop. "I'll slow down when I'm out of the bats. Passengers are recommended to keep all heads and hands, and themselves, inside the coach when the coach is in motion."
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "skiel gonna smacc a bat next to him then run onto the coach at 36,11, PA but have FuFo" GAME: Skielstregar rolls weapon13: (10)+9: 19 GAME: Skielstregar rolls damage13: aliased to 1d10+6: (6)+6: 12 GAME: Skielstregar rolls athletics: (13)+6: 19 (vs DC 5 Athletics)
Skielstregar looks down at his chest, a decent gash spilling blood out from it. The scent makes him chuff and shake his head, throwing spittle around before looking over at Vaera. "Got it! Take the sssoftskinss mount and get them on it!" he snaps at her, twisting around to cut a bat in half with the axe end of his polearm before galloping back up to the wagon and clambering up the side of it like a sprawled out gecko. He smears black and red blood across the side of it in the process.
GAME: Randolf rolls melee+1: (3)+4+1: 8 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "very hard to swing an axe inside a nice expensive coach.."
Randolf yelps as bats start swirling around inside the coach itself. "GYAH!" He rips his battleaxe off his belt and swings at one of the flying rodents. TANG! It whiffs completely, slamming into the metal frame instead. "Och, sit still ye beastie!" he snarls.
The softskin remains lying on the ground, unconscious, in need of rescue.
<OOC> Sjach says, "I'll drop my bow, draw my glaive, and I'll attack 35, 13" GAME: Sjach rolls weapon2: (11)+4: 15 GAME: Sjach rolls 1d10+3: (7)+3: 10
Sjach hisses his frustration as the bats just keep coming. "They jusst keep coming." he complains, and he drops his bow for now. He spurs his horse on, and draws a long-hafted curved blade from across his back. Gripping it with two hands, he spins it overhead as the horse closes the distance towards the nearest bat making its way towards the swarm, and then slices it in two with a diagonal strike. "We sshould press on. Thiss one will ride behind should they purssue." he tells the others.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "4 bats inside the coach attack Randolf, 2 attach Coach outside, 2 attack Sjach" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24 (Bat on Randolf) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (17)+6: 23 (Bat on Randolf) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11 (Bat on Randolf) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19 (Bat on Randolf) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18 (Bat on Coach) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (3)+6: 9 (Bat on Coach) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21 (Bat on Skielstregar) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (8)+6: 14 (Bat on Skielstregar) <OOC> Cryo note: Bats are 1d3-4 damage, so always 1 if hit. GAME: Bats damaged Randolf for 4 points. 36 HP remaining. GAME: Bats damaged Skielstregar for 1 points. 6 HP remaining.
There are bats everywhere! At least it feels like that inside the coach, as they flap about, avoid bouncing off the walls, squeak and bite. The dwarf feels several tiny nips, with sharp fangs that draw blood, and the disconcerting lick of a tiny tongue.
Outside, the situation repeats itself, with fewer bats. Two bounce off Coach with a 'bong'.
Two more impact Skielstregar, only one hurting, but both of them licking at his tainted blood.
Vaera nods back to Skielstregar, hoisting Aetheras onto the steed and jumping on herself. Thankfully it is easy enough to ride them, and she continues on. "I will need to make sure the one with me is safe before moving further. The important thing is to ensure they are not able to reach large enough numbers to swarm." She replies back to Sjach. "I will need assistance to make sure they get back into the carriage!" She shouts to the carriage. Yet she does not expect much in the way of assistance in the matter.
"Where were we? Oh yes..." Coach resumes singing.
- "Eighty five bottles of bats on the wall.."
The coach rumbles on, dragging some bats with it. The squeaking makes it back to him, "Passengers without tickets are requested to immediately disembark or they will be disembarked by passengers with valid tickets."
- "Eighty five bottles of bats..."
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "is it possible to go through the bats? are they that small?" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "yes, you can no problem, they also don't seem to AOO" <OOC> Skielstregar says, "okay! I'll move to 41,10 and yank Aetheras onto the cart (so he's safE)" GAME: Skielstregar rolls athletics: (17)+6: 23
Skielstregar looks back over at Vaera, over the cart. His head throbs in pain, the horrid parts of himself whispering bad things in his ear, but he shuts them out. "This one will do it!" he barks at Vaera, ducking into the cart.
The coach fills with dread. Blood and miasma drips over Randolf's shoulder. An exhale, cold air filling the chaotic cabin. Then, the massive body of the once Skielstregar was replaced with a horrific beast, a gash on their side, trailing in black and crimson life ichor. Dead, glowing red eyes look down at the dwarf. He licks his double fangs, nods once for... something, then runs to the back of the coach to reach out and pull an unconscious body into the passenger area.
He scowls. "You are lucky thisss one's friend sssaved you... otherwissse..." he hisses to the unconcious mul'neissa as he haphazardly dumps him into the corner.
Halberd ready. A Forgotten is with the wizard. He looks angry.
GAME: Randolf rolls melee+1: (18)+4+1: 23 GAME: Randolf rolls 1d8+2: (6)+2: 8
Randolf roars in pain as the bat chompfs a bite out of him. He may not -quite- match Skiel for pure blood-curdling fury, but an angry dwarf is not something to be trifled with. "GRAAAH!! C'MERE!" he roars. He heaves back and slams his axe down. CLANG! The offending bat is caught in the dwarf-forged steel's path, giving a tiny 'eeee!' as it's split cleanly in twain. "WHO ELSE WANTS SOME?!" he thunders, wrenching is axe free and turning his enraged gaze on the remaining bats.
Randolf looks up as his challenge is followed by Skiel's appearance. This was -not- what he was expecting. Eyes go wide as teacups, and his jaw drops. "What... the... -actual-... fuck...?" he squeaks. The remaining bats squeak in agreement--or maybe because that's the only noise they can make.
<OOC> Sjach says, "I'll guide my horse to behind the cart and ready to attack any bats that get within range." GAME: Sjach rolls weapon2: (3)+4: 7
Sjach urges his horse on-wards to keep up with the cart, twisting in his saddle to look over his shoulder at the Bats behind. He swings his glaive at one within reach, but fails to find its mark- the awkward position making it difficult for him to strike true with the two handed weapon.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Sjach, you get AOOs as bats fly past you to the group-up point, how many AOOs can you take?" GAME: Sjach rolls weapon2: (11)+4: 15 (AOO) GAME: Sjach rolls damage2: aliased to 1d10+3: (6)+3: 9 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL) (Bat on Skielstregar) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (19)+6: 25 (Bat on Randolf) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (6)+6: 12 (Bat on Randolf) GAME: Bats damaged Randolf for 2 points. 34 HP remaining.
Sjach uses the momentum of the blade to bring it back in another wide ark, spinning it over his head again as he swaps his for and aft hands on the haft to strike at the other side of his mount, swatting another bat out of the air as it heads towards the group.
The coach rushes through the gathering spot, taking some of the bats with it. Whatever metaphysical compulsion attracts them to that point in the road continues to do so. Silently, the leather winged rodents flap by, within range of the sith'makari trailing the carriage.
This is fatal, for one of them. One of the bats, that is.
Inside the coach, it's a squeaking mess. These bats are in danger of getting caught up in elaborate hair-dos. Randolf, ends up with one of them in his beard, either licking or biting at his neck. Biting, it's biting.
Another, gravely miscalculates, and ends up being sat on by Skielstregar. It's not dead, only very unhappy.
A few more bats appear from the forest, but their numbers are dwindling.
"Prosperity is JUST around the corner!" Coach says, encouragingly. Coach is known to repeat itself.
<OOC> Vaera says, "I need to move ahead of the coach and fire back at some of the bats, ahead on the side" GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8: (6)+8: 14 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "that misses, but you have a Re-roll still" GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8: (4)+8: 12
With the unconcious one taken into the coach,which seems to be in some state of chaos inside, Vaera elects to remain on the horse for the moment, and attempt to deal with everything following them. She draws her bow and turns backwards to shoot at one of the bats following them, but the arrow goes wide and sails into the forest. Up ahead, isn't a corner but is another jog in the road to the south. The coach takes the slight deviation with ease.
Although Skielstregar has a very squeaky seat when his weight shifts.
- "Eighty four bottles of bats on the wall."
- "Eighty four bottles of bats."
- "Take one down, smash it around..."
"Hey, what's the count now?" Coach asks, then advises. "Passengers with valid tickets are encouraged to remove passengers without valid tickets. Nobody rides for free."
GAME: Skielstregar rolls weapon13: (12)+9: 21 GAME: Skielstregar rolls damage13+3: aliased to 1d10+6+3: (9)+6+3: 18
Skiel's crimson, dead eyes... sadden slightly. "This one told all to be not afraid!" he snarls at the dwarf. While his body exuded such vileness, his mind was hale. He jabs a too-long talon at the bat fluttering about between them. "Take care of that one!"
He shortens the haft of the halberd, and jams it down into the one under him, pinning it into the seat of the carriage.
Skiel shouts out to Coach. "We are working on it! There'sss only two left in here!"
<OOC> Randolf says, "I'll swing on the one I'm flanking." GAME: Randolf rolls melee+3: (4)+4+3: 11 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "pose missing. There is a bat in your beard btw"
Randolf isn't one to look a gift sith'makar on the mouth, and he maneuvers to take advantage of Skiel's presence to try to chop another bat. "GRAAAH!" TUNG! The rodent proves too deft for the dwarf, and skips out of the way. "Dammit, sit STIYAAAAAAGH!" His angry retort cuts off in a panicked cry as one of the other bats gets tangled in his beard. Wand and axe go clattering to the coach's floor as he scrabbles at his whiskers, trying to get the infernal thing out of his beard.
GAME: Sjach rolls 1d20+4+2: (6)+4+2: 12
Sjach nudges his horse with his heels. Being a sith'makar, he has no need of spurs, the heel-talons suffice. With a pained whinny his horse lurches forward. He takes a swipe at a passing bat, and misses. His horse jolting ever so slightly to throw off his aim.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17 (Bat on Skielstregar) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21 (Bat on Randolf) GAME: Bats damaged Randolf for 1 points. 33 HP remaining.
The bats continue flapping around inside the carriage, avoiding the walls, each other, and the passengers.
Except when they bite. The one stuck in Randolf's beard bites at his neck some more.
<OOC> Vaera says, "shooting 46,11, then moving forward again" GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8: (20)+8: 28 (THREAT) GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+8: (5)+8: 13 (Not Confirmed) GAME: Vaera rolls 1d8+1: (5)+1: 6 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "kills the bat! make the pose!"
Finding moving and shooting to not be working too well, Vaera pauses and takes aim, shooting down one of the bats instead before the horse gallops ahead. Seeing those in the cart with few remaining, she continues along beside them, stopping to take aim at those that were attempting to swarm, peppering them with arrows and dropping several in their retreat. "They do not seem to wish to flee, do they?" The red makari growls.
Skielstregar watches Randolf warily as he scrabbles for the bat in his beard. Did all softskins have hair like that? Or was it just these kinds of softskins? He considers reaching out to help grab it, but based on how careful Randolf has been with it, he doesn't want to accidently insult him.
Instead, he turns to the last one, snatches it out of the air, and simply flexes his large hand. Crunch.
It goes limp, and he tosses it out of the window. As they're in the clear, the effects on the makari warrior subside. The double fangs go to one set of fangs, the talons recede some, and the glint in his eye goes back to a normal, dead silver. The dread in the cabin goes down about three octaves. He slumps against a seat, exhausted. "... ssssorry for ssscaring you," he apologizes to Randolf, looking sheepish now. "Vaera, thisss one is uncertain, but they are glad we are out of the thick of it...
"Get out get -out- GET OUTTA MY BEARD!" By now Randolf's voice has risen to a panicked shriek as he tries to get ahold of the bat. Auburn tufts of his beard go flying as the bat hisses and skrees at him in return. Finally, with a desperate pounce, he just gathers his entire beard in his hands and wrings it with a vicious twist. There's a CRAUNCH as he snaps the bat's neck, and the beastie goes limp. Panting for breath, he shakes his whiskers until the dead bat falls limply to the coach floor. Stooping down, he scoops it up and chucks it over the side. "GAH!" He looks around with wild eyes, his poor beard all tangled and mussed. "ANYBODY ELSE?!" he shrieks furiously. The poor dwarf has been pushed to the very edge of sanity by this traumatic ordeal.
Bats, madness, in every direction. The last one in Coach the coach, dies with an angry 'SQUEE!' before it's bones crunch. It's thrown out, all the furry, flighty rodents are thrown outside.
The adventurers were winning, with a sense that this was all falling behind them.
"Get them all? Good." Coach intones, then repeats, "We can't stop, this is bat country."
Bat country indeed, as they continue to trickle past in ones and twos to the swarm forming back down the road. A swarm that never quite comes together before Coach the coach, has rumbled everyone out of sight.
"Let's finish the song!" Coach says encouragingly, "everyone, sing!"
- "Seventy Nine Bottles of Bats on the Wall."
- "Seventy Nine Bottles of Bats!
- "Smack one down, toss it around.
- "Seventy Eight bottles of bats on the tracks."
Onward Coach the coach rumbles, one of Reos' own prototypes. A high powered golem of some kind never considered for mass production. Too weird to live, too strange to die.
Combatty
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
19 Skielstregar 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 Randolf 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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14 Aetheras 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Sjach 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Bats
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Vaera 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
19 Skielstregar 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 Randolf 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Aetheras 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 14 Sjach 1 <<
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Bats
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Vaera 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds remaining)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
20 Coach!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Skielstregar 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 Randolf 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Aetheras 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Sjach 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Bats 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 7 Vaera 1 <<
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 4 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
20 Coach! 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Skielstregar 1 Raging (3 rnds active)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 Randolf 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 14 Aetheras 1 <<
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Sjach 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Bats 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Vaera 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 5 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
20 Coach! 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Skielstregar 1 Raging (4 rnds active)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 Randolf 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Aetheras 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 14 Sjach 1 <<
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Bats 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Vaera 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 7 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
20 Coach! 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 Skielstregar 1 Raging (6 rnds active)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 17 Randolf 1 <<
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Sjach 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Bats 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Vaera 1
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==============================================================================
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Name | Race | Class | CHP | HP | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Aetheras |SHADOW_ELF|Mnk/Swb/Wiz| 20 | 20 |16/13/16 | 19 | 2 | 7 | 4 |
|Randolf |MOUNTAIN_D|Wiz | 40 | 40 |11/10/11 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
|Sjach |SITH-MAKAR|Rgr | 23 | 23 |21/18/13 | 17 | 6 | 6 | 2 |
|Skielstreg|SITH-MAKAR|Brg | 17 | 29 |18/16/10 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
|Vaera |SITH-MAKAR|Rgr | 24 | 37 |19/15/14 | 19 | 7 | 8 | 3 |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Name | Race | Class | CHP | HP | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Randolf |MOUNTAIN_D|Wiz | 40 | 40 |11/10/11 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
|Sjach |SITH-MAKAR|Rgr | 23 | 23 |21/18/13 | 17 | 6 | 6 | 2 |
|Skielstreg|SITH-MAKAR|Brg | 7 | 29 |18/16/10 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
|Vaera |SITH-MAKAR|Rgr | 24 | 37 |19/15/14 | 19 | 7 | 8 | 3 |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Name | Race | Class | CHP | HP | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Randolf |MOUNTAIN_D|Wiz | 34 | 40 |11/10/11 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
|Skielstreg|SITH-MAKAR|Brg | 6 | 29 |18/16/10 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
|Vaera |SITH-MAKAR|Rgr | 24 | 37 |19/15/14 | 19 | 7 | 8 | 3 |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Name | CHP (T) | HP |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Randolf.......| 36 | 40 |
| Sjach.........| 23 | 23 |
| Skielstregar..| 6 | 29 |
| Vaera.........| 24 | 37 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Name | CHP (T) | HP |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Randolf.......| 33 | 40 |
| Sjach.........| 23 | 23 |
| Skielstregar..| 6 | 29 |
| Vaera.........| 24 | 37 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MAP!
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mh6zpl4fe1j
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "hehe, this encounter is great"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "glad you like, I'm having fun."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "and the swarm condition was '6 bats had to be in a square, and spend a full round turning into a swarm'"
<OOC> Vaera says, "Thank you for running it! That was fun"
<OOC> Randolf imagines Randolf will spend the rest of the trip hugging his beard, huddled up in a corner of the coach, all wide-eyed and trembling as he quietly sings 'ninety-nine bottles of bats on the wall' in a crazy voice.
<OOC> Randolf says, "Softly rocking back and forth."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "heee! Poor Randolf, poor beard!"
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "lol randolf"
<OOC> Randolf says, "The bats... the -baaaaats-..."
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "at least he has prestidigitation to help with that"