Waylaid, Part 1
Log Info
- Title: Waylaid, part 1
- Emitter: Thurid
- Characters: Ashes, Sabina, MAC-B1G, Lanier
- Place: Road to Blar
- Time: Monday, March 08, 2021, 2:14 PM
- Summary: Much of the life of an adventurer is spent traveling, whether by foot, mount, cart, boat or airship. And not all journeys are uneventful. What dangers lay in wait on the road? Ashes, MAC-B1G, Sabina and Lanier meet up on the Road to Blar. They are journeying there for various unstated reasons, although MAC-B1G is searching for a left-handed smoke sifter. After traveling for some time, a carriage approaches, guarded by a rough looking human and Mul'niessa, who glare dismissively as they pass. The carriage seemed to contain a baby hill giant, kissing her sister! This mystery is left undisturbed as Lanier finds a spot for them to make camp. Watches are taken, Ash's is uneventful. Lanier awakens the party, there are giants. An attempt at parlay on shows that the ettins want to eat the adventurers! Battle ensues, with Lanier and Spud taking heavy injuries, while Sabina and Ashlee hang back. Sabina heals and uses ranged magic, while Ash shoots her sniper crossbow and webs up the second Ettin, stating firmly they she is not food, but he is the BBQ. The pair of giants are defeated!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in Order -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ashes 5'11" 177 Lb Hobgoblin Female A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face MAC-B1G 6'6" 303 Lb War Golem Neuter Drab gray primarily metal humanoid with cyan-lit optical receptors. Sabina 5'4" 130 Lb Human Female Tsuran woman of dark hair and green eyes Lanier 6'0" 245 Lb Human Male Young, lean and strong Acanian wearing hide clothing. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thurid 7'1" 249 Lb Giantborn Female Bright-eyed, muscular, blond Giantborn woman. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
The life of a traveller is always an interesting one- for better or for worse. On a less well traveled road, in the southern reaches of Alexandros- far from the city, four unlikely companions have come upon one another and decided to share in their journey. How much they share of themselves or their destination remains to be seen, but nevertheless- traveling is always safer in a group, and so until their destinations diverge, they are together, at least for the time being.
Though spring has sprung, and early blooming flowers can be seen amongst the grasses by the side of the road and the trees have their leaves, the days are not quite so long as they are in the summer, and the sun begins its journey down over the horizon early. As such, the sky is tinged with the orange hues threatening imminent sunset, and twilight soon thereafter. It is still some way from the next inn any of them know of, so the decision must be made whether to make camp or press onwards.
An Arvek Nar on a pale horse walks along the road. This is not an unexpected sight, the Arveks do love their horses. This one in particular is female, wearing the kilted breastplate armour of the heavy cavalry. The rest of her ensemble obscures her, also military issue, the greaves, vambraces, gauntlets and helmet. It has a visor, which is down. The rank of Leftennant is clearly visible on her shoulder and breast.
A few pieces seem to be missing, her shield and spear, although they have been replaced by a parasol which she holds open and above her head. A tattered leather messenger bag is slung to her back, not unusual, but not standard issue either. A khopesh is in a saddle scabbard, and the emblem on the front of her armour identifies her as a Vardamite.
She appeared with one word to identify her destination, "Blar." She's been silent since. Her helmet turning to watch the sides of the road. Her gaze lingers on the flowers.
The construct's preference for the city is primarily a factor of population density rather than geographical location. This density is conducive to excessive interaction of occupying units, of which MAC-B1G was directed to study in depth. One of its more recent interactions involved a young man in dire need of critical supplies. As a requirement for that biological unit's continued function, the construct began its journey away from the walls in search of the rare 'left-handed smoke-shifter.' It has located no sign of such a device in the passing 98.039 hours.
The Tarienite Sabina is out of the city on a lark. Happy to put her feet apon the road and travel after a long stay in the city. The genereally warming weather and desire to travel have met one another rather nicely and thus it is that she ran into Ashes, who gets a warm greeting. "Hello! How are you, Ashley?" And then Mac as well. "Greetings to you Mac-B1G. I hope you fare well today?"
Her peacock Emp is on his perch that is Sabina's shoulder and the mithral coyote mask adorns the upper part of her face as well. She's dressed for the road and weather both in rugged pants and shirt as well as warm coat and feathered cloak. Only the slippers on her feet look out of place.
A figure cloaked against the cold can be spotted occupying a portion of the road, leading a small hand wagon behind him as he walks along. Shadowing him, occassionally trotting ahead or following behind as smells to investigate and uhh, territory to mark, calls for, is a dire wolf. Honestly, you probably spotted Spud first. Lanier Vaylen, one of the Green Wardens of Gilead. At one point, he stops to turn his head to look down the road, keeping an eye out for oncoming traffic so as to better manage his cart and his company.
The sun creeps lower in the sky overhead as the group make their way down the road. The road has not been particularly busy- it's not a major trade route, and not so many people have cause to travel this way. Nevertheless- down the road they see a carriage cresting a shallow hill. Drawn by a pair of horses, and fairly appointed, it must be some noble or wealthy merchant. Especially given its entourage- a pair of riders. In armor- though not shining. They have the appearance of mercenaries, with won or else second hand armor, and carry falchions and crossbows rather than knightly weapons like lances or sabers.
"I'm wanted for interrupting a murder in Alexandria," Ashlee says, in her typical monotone. It's muffled a little by her helmet's faceplate. She flips the visor up, her skull markings showing in the depths, and yes, that matches the sketch that has been posted around the city. "I'm worth more alive than dead."
She pauses, looking at her companions, "Hello Lanier. Hello MAC Bee One Gee. Don't take me in, I will resist." She peers ahead at the carriage, "that looks suspicious and dangerous."
"Units designate Ash, Sabina," MAC acknowledges. Further initial greeting protocols are disrupted by Ash's statement, and subsequent parsing of the same. "Acknowledged. Query: Do you possess information on the location of one or more devices referred to as: left-handed smoke-shifter?"
Its faceplate rotates to direct optics towards the travelling carriage. "Additional query: Probability that such a device is present upon the conveyance?"
A small rapid bit of blinking from Bina as Ashes speaks of being wanted. Two and two are put together and she ahhs softly and nods. "They came and arrested Bannon just a few days ago. You were there too? Was I the only one not present?" She tsks sadly. "I really need to get out more." Like she is now.
Her eyes move to take in the approaching horses, horsemen and carriage and she hms. "Look like travelers to me. Perhaps in a hurry. I suggest keeeping to one side of the road and stay out of it's way." She turns back and gives Lanier and Spud a friendly wave.
Another set of blinks as Mac speaks a language that is close to but not quite common. "Smoke-shifter? Er.. no I don't and I don't know if they do eitther."
Lanier peers curiously towards Ashes, "Hello Ash." There is a momentary look of confusion that passes over his face before he looks towards Spud. He then shakes his head, looking back towards Ashes, "I might have been out of the city for too long. What happened?" He then looks towards MAC for a moment, "What is a left-handed smoke-shifter?"
The carriage is indeed moving at a fair clip, but by no means all out. As they draw nearer, the features of the armed escort become clearer. Their armor bears no particular insignia, nor any common styling, and seems to be by and large cobbled together with mismatched gauntlets and repaired plating. One of the pair is a severe looking half-mul woman, imposing despite short stature. Wicked scars, like as not the result of an animals fangs or claws, rake the side of her skull- no hair grows there. The other is a human man, in his early fourties, with a shorn head. He has a multitude of scars on his face, one of which is a long and jagged one that runs through his milk-colored left eye. He leers at the group of adventurers as they draw nearer, but neither are reaching for their weapons.
"Ok." Ashes says, guiding her horse to the side of the road and slowing down. Being visible is usually better. She sits ramrod straight in her saddle, holding her parasol above her, no other obvious weapons in hand. She absently twirls the haft, setting the parasol spinning. The Mourner continues in muffled monotone, "there was a trial. Delilah was convicted. I objected and we got her out of there."
Her attention remains fixed on the carriage and its outriders. At least, she's facing that direction. "I don't think so, MAC Bee One Gee. I can make you one."
Ashlee faces the two escorts, expression hidden by her helm. The mismatched armour irritates her hobgoblin sensibilities. She doesn't care that their gear doesn't match, but she notices. She raises her empty hand in a wave, calling out, "Hello." Loud enough a passenger would hear, monotone and unthreatening enough to be a meaningless greeting for two groups passing.
GAME: Ashes rolls sense motive: (3)+10: 13 GAME: Lanier rolls Sense Motive: (10)+4: 14 GAME: Sabina rolls sense motive: (17)+7: 24
They seem rough and dangerous, but aren't doing anything directly threatening.
MAC-B1G lifts its primary manipulator and begins to oscillate it, per observed greeting protocols.
Bina pauses along side Ashes and listens as she watches the other group approach and hopefully passs by. "Everyone stay calm and nuetral." She says just loud enough that her road companions can hear and not the mercenaries. "They're looking for a reason to have trouble." Otherwise she's all smiles as normal. Then on with a more normal tone. "Can you really make one of... whatever it is he's looking for?And what exactly is it?"
Lanier turns to look towards the approaching escorts, then looks further over his shoulder. His words switch to a melodic Sildanyari, which Spud responds to immediately and comes up beside Lanier. Might have been the Sildanyari equivalent of 'heel'. He looks back to Ashes and raises his eyebrows, "Well, you've been busy. At this moment, I'll choose to do nothing about it. With what you've mentioned before, and me probably not being able to take you in a fair fight, I think it's best that Spud and I leave it be." He does cast another glance towards the riders but then nods to Bina, "Sounds best."
The human rider sneers as the adventurers make way, and he carries on ahead. The half-mul rider, still looking imperious as though she hasn't even noticed the ragtag band slows to be closer to the carriage they escort. The carriage trundles past- burgundy curtains bar the leaded glass windows of the carriage, and make it difficult to see inside, if one were curious. Once passed the adventurers, they return to a formation that spans the entire road, and continue riding onwards to wherever their destination may be.
The sun, by now, is hanging low. Like as not, they will need to find a place to camp sooner than later if they intend to stop, else they'll be comitted to pressing on through the twilight or setting up tents in the dark.
GAME: Ashes rolls perception: (1)+3: 4 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Sabina rolls perception: (14)+5: 19 GAME: Lanier rolls Perception: (13)+13: 26
Leave it be. Don't cause trouble. Just follow orders. Solid advice that hasn't always served Ashlee well. Still, no reason to cause problems. She is a wanted woman. She focuses on one of the temple mantras, be the death in life. Just lie there, or stand there in this case, let it happen and watch the world go by.
Ashlee stares in the smoked window as the carriage rumbles by. The Mul'niessa's attitude doesn't surprise her. She's met a few and disliked them all. "I thought I saw a baby hill giant."
MAC-B1G's faceplate pans to follow the carriage as it passes. The near-setting sun in the disctance is noted soon after. "Advisory warning: twilight imminent. Alternative lighting and/or designated rest period recommended for units requiring such."
MAC-B1G says, "Entering Low-Power Regeneration Cycle." Alternative lighting activates and it seems to enter partial shut-down.
Lanier's head turns as the carriage rolls by. A moment later, he nods his head to Ashes, "I think so to. It was..." Lanier trails off, looking away with an expression that seems troubled and a voice that sounds quite skeptical, "It was kissing its little sister, I think..." He then shakes his head, shrugging his shoulders towards Sabina, "Southern Hill Giants, I suppose. What can you do?"
Bina winces as they speak of Giants and kissing sisters. She hopes the pair doesn't manke anything of it. She takes the new topic and runs with it. "A place to stay for the evening! A lovely idea. Wise. Shall we search for something?"
GAME: Lanier rolls Survival: (2)+13: 15 GAME: Lanier rolls Knowledge/Local: (17)+4: 21
Lanier is able to find a suitible camping location in short order. A ways off the main path, though not too far, and well sheltered by a hill on one side and trees on two others, it should provide ample protection from the elements. The ground is soft, but not muddy, and there are no obvious signs of predators about. It seems the ideal spot to set up camp- and the nearby woods provide ample supply of firewood, although it's not the driest or easiest to ignite, it burns well enough once it gets going.
Ashlee follows and watches the camp be set up. She ties off her horse and finds a good spot for the War Golem to recharge in. She'll do as directed, otherwise she stares as Lanier collects wood, starts a fire. She can't really help, her woodsy skills are largely academic, or relating to herbs. She's found it's not appreciated to go picking flowers when other more serious tasks are being undertaken.
So, she helps, or not, depending what Lanier tells her to do, and brushes her horse in the meantime. "I can make water and purify food."
Bina is not the best at woodsy things either yet she's willingly lending a hand where she can. She pays attention to the surroundings as well. They're out of the city now and anything can happen. Better to be aware then caught off guard.
As the fire is started and everything is in place for a good and safe night's sleep, Lanier falls to a seat next to the fire, joined a few moments later by Spud. The ranger nods to the dire wolf and then grunts, "It might be helpful to refill our canteens and get a pot of water boiling on the fire if we want to eat tonight. I brought some vegetables and meat for a stew. Should be enough to go around."
GAME: Ashes casts Create Water. Caster Level: 4 DC: 13
The ashen Arvec nods and sits on a log she has pulled up near the fire. She holds her hand out for a canteen. Taking it, she gestures above the mouth and wiggles her fingers. Wisps of darkness following the wake of her hand, "Feiu of the Tears, fill this with your tears."
And then it's full of water. Very unlikely it's Goddess tears. Ashlee repeats the ritual over the remaining canteens, then finds a pot to set above the fire. It's filled with tears too. "That's done."
Ashlee collapses her parasol and slips it into her messenger bag. She rumages around and a light crossbow comes out. She rests it across her lap and waits. She's immobile for quite a while, on watch apparently, or waiting to be told to do something.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Fort save, DC10 to avoid falling asleep during your watch." GAME: Ashes rolls fortitude: (18)+7: 25 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d100: (89): 89 GAME: Ashes rolls perception: (18)+3: 21 GAME: Ashes rolls stealth+1+3: (1)+19+1+3: 24 (EPIC FAIL)
Ashlee takes first watch. She has no trouble staying awake, and keeps to the bushes and shadows. Still, she steps on an awful lot of twigs, even if it is when the fire pops on its own. Her dark-adjusted eyes see the occasional wild animal, but they stay clear. The watch passes largely uneventfully.
When it's done she approaches Lanier, then wakes him gently with a nudge. She tries not to look at him as she does. People react badly to shadowy, skull-faced figures looming over them while they're sleeping, Ashlee has found.
GAME: Lanier rolls Fortitude: (19)+9: 28 GAME: Lanier rolls Stealth: (19)+15: 34 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d50: (20): 20 GAME: Lanier rolls Perception: (1)+13: 14 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Thurid rolls 17: (20)+17: 37 GAME: Thurid rolls -5: (19)++-5: 14 GAME: Lanier rolls Knowledge/Local: (20)+4: 24 <OOC> Thurid says, "Ashes and Sabina, you can roll perception, -20 since you're asleep." GAME: Ashes rolls perception-20: (19)+3+-20: 2 GAME: Sabina rolls perception -20: (2)+5+-20: -13
Lanier awakens quickly, then goes about the business of preparing for his watch. He lights his ioun torch, wakes Spud, and begins a circuitious patrol around the camp. About two hours in, something catches Lanier's attention, and in turn, catches the attention of something regardless of his painstaking efforts at remaining stealthy. Lanier's eyes narrow for a moment, but then he's up and removing his bow from his shoulder. He then calls out, "Spud! Everyone up! Awaken! Ettin approaching the camp!"
Sabina wakes slowly at first. She'd forgotten how tired travel on the road could make you. All but prying her eyes open she sits up when the word ettin finally sinks in. She scrambles to her feet, thankful she can sleep in her gear, grabbing up her buckler and calling Emp to her side.
Ash sits up immediately, the sleep takes a few moments to clear from her eyes and head. Words parse through and her threat tree activates. She picks up her light crossbow and loads it, then stands. Chippen runs out of her satchel, up her leg and beneath her nightshift. That's all she has on, her boots will have to wait. She rubs at her forehead, she has a couple spell options, but she's still shaking the grip of sleep away.
Coming from deeper in the forest, the pair of two-headed, giant creatures come plodding towards the camp. They are dressed in tattered and rotting furs, seemingly crudely stitched straight together and uncured. Each of them carry a pair of roughly made flails- little more than anchor chains wrapped around thick oak log sections, and studded through with any sharp thing that could be hammered in- nails, broken swords, bits of stone.
Fun fact- Ettin are usually pink or brown skinned, but typically appear grey because they actively avoid bathing and kill anyone who tries to force them to.
And no one could figure out how to interrupt MAC's Rest Cycle. It is a simple 256-bit hexadecimal passphrase!
Lanier ends up staring at Ashlee, a meaningful glance that says 'do something' as he readies his bow.
GAME: Ashes casts Comprehend Languages. Caster Level: 4 DC: 14
<OOC> Thurid says, "Alright, it's a DC10 intelligence check to make yourself understood to them,
you speak two of the three languages that make up their Pidgin language."
GAME: Ashes rolls intelligence: (7)+4: 11
"It can't hurt to talk." Ashlee says to the others, then waves her hand in an arcane fashion. The glimmering-dark energies gather and settle on her ears and eyes as she murmurs, "Feiu of the Tears, help me to understand."
She follows with monotone shouting in all the languages she knows, Goblin, Infernal, Khazdul, Trade and Yrch-Speak. The same phrase repeated in each one and highlighting the oddities of the various tongues,"We do not wish to fight. What do you need?"
"I hope they understood some of that."
"Dey seen us." One of the four heads says. Another, attached to the same Ettin, responds, "Yous fault. Too fat. Fatty." As they hear a few words they recognize, both heads look towards the camp. "Wanna eat!" the first head shouts back. "Shush up. Don tell em. Dey run. Stupid. Fatty stupid." the other head scolds it. They continue to plod towards the camp- their pace is not particularly quick, but their giant legs carry them a fair distance regardless.
The other one says, "Shush up boffa yous!" and swings her flail violently shattering the trunk of a tree as she passes it. "Jus get em!" the- now apparently female (it really is hard to tell through all the furs and grime) ettin's other head calls over to her male companion, and breaks into a lope towards the party.
GAME: Lanier rolls weapon2-2: (9)+13+-2: 20 GAME: Lanier rolls weapon2-2: (3)+13+-2: 14 GAME: Lanier rolls weapon2-5: (14)+8+-5: 17 GAME: Lanier rolls 1d8+4: (1)+4: 5 GAME: Lanier rolls 1d8+4: (5)+4: 9 GAME: Lanier rolls 1d8+4: (8)+4: 12 <OOC> Thurid says, "Oh! Yes, spud can act, sorry." <OOC> Lanier says, "If I'm going by dire wolf stats, it's a 5' reach, so no. He'll provoke." <OOC> Thurid says, "Space and Reach are usually listed in the Offense stat block." GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+9: (15)+9: 24 GAME: Lanier rolls 1d12+14: (10)+14: 24 GAME: Thurid rolls 12: (11)+12: 23 <OOC> Lanier says, "AC is 19. That's a hit." GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6+6: (9)+6: 15 <OOC> Lanier says, "Ok. Now here's Spud's trip." GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+13: (17)+13: 30
Lanier stands a silent and watchful vigil, both him and Spud on edge and trained like knives on the approaching Ettin. The dire wolf, the size of a horse, stalks quietly while it's the ranger that bares his teeth and seethes at the approaching potential foes. When one of the Ettin swings the flair that decimates the tree, it seems to be decided that this is not a fate that he wants to companions to share. Like lightning, the Gilead ranger raises his bow, pulls back the arrow and releases. Seeming at the speed of light, one arrow lodges in the chest of the female Ettin. A moment later, three additional 'fwips' sound as the ranger releases a follow on flurry of arrows, one more of which finds its target.
With a righteous growl, Spud takes off towards the Ettins, leaping right into the thigh of the male Ettin, teeth gnashing and biting off flesh. Having gained enough purchase, the dire wolf companion of the ranger thrashes left and right, dragging the giant down to the ground. He's awesome, and he knows it.
GAME: Sabina casts Bless. Caster Level: 4 DC: 14
Bina all but tosses Emp toward a tree with a command of 'hide!' going to him empathicly. She in turn races over to find some cover behind a tree and hastily pulls out her holy symbol. "Oh Tarien, my god and lover or leasons, help my friends and I by guiding our hands and hearts against these giants lest our laughter be silences forever."
There is a burst of silvery energy from her, faint but there, that rolls out to touch all of the group.
GAME: Ashes rolls weapon2-4: (17)+8+-4: 21 GAME: Ashes rolls damage2+1d6: aliased to 1d8+0+1d6: (5)+1+(3): 9 (flaming) <OOC> Thurid says, "Oh, it would have been another -4 as he's prone"
The ashen Arvec moves up, keeping pace with Sabina and standing a bit behind Lanier. She raises her crossbow, aims at the female Ettin. She exhales, like Elyanna taught her to, lines up the shaft. She depresses the lever.
The bolt flies true, igniting as it leaves the bow and streaking a trail of light through the darkness. It strikes the female giant.
"We're not food.." Ashlee emphasizes.
<OOC> Thurid made a slight mistake on the ettin's attack roll last round.
They don't suffer dual wielding penalties at all, on second reading. So.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Er, but -4 to all of them. Prone"
GAME: Thurid rolls 14: (13)+14-4: 23
GAME: Thurid rolls 14: (9)+14-4: 19
GAME: Thurid rolls 9: (17)+9-4: 22
GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6+6: (6)+6: 12
GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6+6: (4)+6: 10
GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6+6: (9)+6: 15
Both heads of the male Ettin yell out in frustration as they are toppled by the canine, and a sizeable chunk is removed from its grimy thigh, red blood staining the undergrowth. It lands heavily on its back with a resounding thud. As the dire wolf bears down on him, he brings up his flails and swings them wildly- heavy oaken logs slamming into the wolf and sharp adornments puncturing it and staining its fur in turn.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Ettin 2 moves up and attacks Lanier." GAME: Thurid rolls 14: (9)+14: 23 GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6: (10): 10
The female Ettin, for her part- seems entirely uncaring that her apparent mate has been downed and is being mauled by an oversized wolf. She is rather incensed at the arrows she has sprouted from her chest, and she lopes across the woodland towards Lanier- her crude flails tearing ruts in the ground as they drag along. She swings one around and smashes it into the Ranger as she draws near enough.
<OOC> Lanier says, "Dropping the bow, quick drawing the greatsword, and vital striking the Ettin. Spud will withdraw." GAME: Lanier rolls weapon7-3: (16)+14+-3: 27 GAME: Lanier rolls weapon7-3-5: (8)+14+-3+-5: 14 GAME: Lanier rolls 2d6+7+9: (10)+7+9: 26 <OOC> Thurid says, "Because power attack is always an even bonus." <OOC> Lanier says, "So it's 2d6+5 (Str) + 2 (2H Str * .5, rounded down) + 6 (Power Attack) + 3 (2H Str * .5)"
Lowering the bow, Lanier's emerald eyes glare at the quickly approaching Ettin. He tosses the bow asside and tenses up, taking a hit from a flail that flings him into a tree. He takes a moment to get his bearings, and then the dauntless ranger reaches up to grash the two-handed hit above his shoulder. With a tug, he frees the greatsword from its clash and pulls it around, howling as he immediately launches into a swing that threatens to match the power of even the giant before him.
Spud yelps at the retaliation from the Ettin, leaping back a few feet and then breaking away from the attack he just launched. He spins his way through the forest until he comes upon Sabina, whom he stays nearby when the healing is rendered. It could be said that he might be liking her a little more than he likes Lanier right now.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Alight, sabina. Cast whatever you're trading for the cure and make your rolls." GAME: Sabina casts Hold Person. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15 GAME: Sabina rolls 2d8+4: (11)+4: 15
Bina is about to run for Spud when the dire wolf scampers back in her dirrection. She winces as she gets a better look at the wolf's injuries and quickly lifts her holy symbol again. "Tarien, please grant this creature your healing mercy so that it may find happiness once more!" Her hand is incased in silver light and she cautiously reaches out to touch Spud, some of his wounds closing rapidly. "Good Boy.. good boy.."
GAME: Ashes casts Web. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16 GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (20)+3: 23
"Feiu of the Tears, enshroud them." Ashlee says, making a crawling-spider motion with her hand away from her. At the full extension of her arm, she clenches and makes a fist in the male Ettin's direction. Shadowy spiders appear, surrounding him, in the trees and out of the ground. Dark, whispy orb and weaver spiders, trailing webs that attach to branches, blanket the terrain and hang in sheets between trees. The Ettin is in the thick of it, and untouched by it.
She lowers her crossbow next, cocking the reloading lever and dragging it to the end of the stock. The catchers pull the wire in place, clicking, then slide back to the front as she return pumps it. A bolt is slipped in, and Ash raises it, flicking the safety off.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Ettin 1 will attempt to stand. He'll try not to get grappled in the process." GAME: Thurid rolls 16: (4)+16: 20
The webbing unfurling around the ettin doesn't seem to bother him- judging by the thick coat of grime he wears with pride, he's quite accustomed and perhaps even comfortable with being sticky. He pushes himself to his feet, the webs tearing clods of ground and bark from trees as they still stick to his massive limbs.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Ettin 2 will power attack full attack Lanier." GAME: Thurid rolls 14-3: (19)+14+-3: 30 GAME: Thurid rolls 14-3: (10)+14+-3: 21 GAME: Thurid rolls 9-3: (9)+9+-3: 15 GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6+6+6: (5)+6+6: 17 GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6+6+6: (9)+6+6: 21
The Ettin flinches at the gash to her midsection- as hard as they hit, they don't seem unassailable- both ettins are bleeding heavily from their wounds. But, she remains standing. And moreover, she launches into a furious assault in return- She flicks both of the flails up into the air, and then brings the pair of them crashing down atop Lanier, rusty blades and heavy oaken logs tearing vicious wounds and threatening to crush bone.
GAME: Lanier rolls weapon7-3: (18)+14+-3: 29 GAME: Lanier rolls weapon7-8: (9)+14+-8: 15 GAME: Lanier rolls 2d6+7+9: (8)+7+9: 24 <OOC> Thurid says, "Any action from Spud? "He can get into flanking." GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+11+2: (5)+11+2: 18 GAME: Lanier rolls 1d12+10+6: (11)+10+6: 27 GAME: Lanier rolls 1d20+11+2-5: (9)+11+2+-5: 17 (Trip)
Lanier almost falters under the combined attack of both flails. He takes a step back, gritting his teeth and a desperate light coming to his eyes, "Spud!" He then takes a step to the side, bringing his sword up as Spud leaps away from Sabina with a glance towards the web-surrounded Ettin. Lanier and Spud seemed to have this well timed, from years of working together. With the Ranger raising the sword, he presents a big, mean, bleeding, sharp, and deadly target. He's attention getting, but his attention is only somewhat on his target as Spud rounds a tree and leaps towards the attacking Ettin. Spud grabs her by the thigh, and simultaneously, Lanier swings the greatsword in two deadly circuits, the first one missing while the second one burries into flesh.
GAME: Sabina casts Lesser Restoration. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15 GAME: Sabina rolls 2d8+4: (13)+4: 17
Sabina slips up behind Lanier, and weaves her hands through the air. She laughs and says, "Tarien, his injuries are a joke right? They don't really hurt do they?"
And then they don't.
GAME: Ashes rolls weapon2: (14)+8: 22 <OOC> Ashes says, "over 50% for the hit chance" GAME: Ashes rolls 1d100: (47): 47 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d100: (89): 89 <OOC> Ashes says, "it's 2d4 from the web burning" GAME: Thurid rolls 2d4: (6): 6
As the female Ettin goes down, Ashes raises her crossbow and takes careful aim, lining up on the obscured, two headed figure of her mate in the distance. She exhales, squeezes the trigger.
>Snap<
Her bolt fires, streaking flame and lighting up the night. It's right on target. Until the last moment, a strand catches on the fletching and diverts it. So close.
Still close enough to set the webs alight. The strands go up in flames, and with it a sizzilng noise as the Ettin starts to cook in his natural grease. He screams, squeals and roars, thrashing about.
"Now you are the Bar Bec Que.." The Mourner says quietly.
<OOC> Thurid says, "He's going to try and leave the now burning web." GAME: Thurid rolls 16: (17)+16: 33
Between the onslaught of the Green Warden and his animal companion, one of the attacking Ettins falls to the ground dead.
The Ettin caught in the web is having a bad day. First he gets spotted, then he gets bit by a giant wolf, then he gets covered in sticky webs, then he gets set alight. He barrels through the remaining webbing, tearing his way towards the edge and then bursting free from it. He pats out the remaining bits of clinging webbing that still smoulders, tangled up in his matted furs. "Gonna smash you and eat you up! YUM YUM!" he bellows at Ashes.
<OOC> Lanier says, "Ok. Holding action until after sabina." <OOC> Sabina says, "cast scorching ray. Gotta make bbq a real thing.." <OOC> Sabina says, "Oh.. and swift action to use arcane armor training. should bring it to 0 fail." GAME: Sabina casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 7 DC: 15 <OOC> Sabina says, "Should be 2 rays." GAME: Sabina rolls ranged: (15)+5: 20 GAME: Sabina rolls ranged: (9)+5: 14 GAME: Sabina rolls 8d6: (29): 29
Sabina has no idea what Ashes has said to the ettin but the foolish thing is still heading their way despite the flames. "That's enough out of you. No more undoing my devine healing." Her hands come up and she quickly casts a spell of the arcane type and points to the ettin. Two rays of blazing red strike the creature and burn him horribly. Black lines crossing his skin.
<OOC> Lanier says, "Going to drop my sword, pick up my bow (I haven't moved) and shoot E1." <OOC> Lanier says, "Heheheh. I'm going to Rapid Shot + Vital Strike." GAME: Lanier rolls weapon1-2: (14)+13+-2: 25 GAME: Lanier rolls weapon1-2: (3)+13+-2: 14 GAME: Lanier rolls 2d8+8: (7)+8: 15
As the Ettin falls, Lanier takes a quick look around and says, "Spud, stay here." He drops his greatsword on the ground, huffing as he leans forward and picks up his longbow. He pauses for a moment, looking towards Sabina as she seems about ready to do something. As the scorching rays hit, Lanier's eyes pop up momentarily. He then raises the bow and fires two arrows in quick succession at the standing Ettin. One of which hits dead center.
GAME: Ashes rolls weapon2: (5)+8: 13
Ashlee brings up her crossbow, aiming at the Ettin, a little startled to find she reloaded it without even noticing. The flaming giant is drawing closer, and the Arveck Nar is really conscious of how little she's wearing, a single long nightshirt that will not stop one of those flails at all.
She fires a little too soon, a little too anxiously. The flaming bolt streaks by the burning man-thing.
She drops the crossbow, pulls the lever, drawing it back and reloading again. Her drill sergent is echoing in the back of her head, and Elyanna too now. Focus. Take the time to get it right.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Ettin 1 moves up and Cleaves Lanier" GAME: Thurid rolls 14: (3)+14: 17
The Ettin is wheezing, and blood trickles from the corners of his mouthes, as the combination of arrows and flames have clearly ruptured something important. But it doesn't stop him- he staggers towards Savina and Lanier, and hefts his flail once more. His wounds slow him enough, though, and neither of them are struck by the blow- it falls short and sends dirt and leaf litter scattering instead.
<OOC> Sabina is... crazy. Will draw dagger as I move around to provide/get flank with Lanier.
Then attack from back. I have mobility feat..praying for a bad roll from ettin.
GAME: Thurid rolls 14: (12)+14: 26
GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6+6: (4)+6: 10
GAME: Sabina rolls melee+2: (13)+3+2+1: 19
GAME: Sabina rolls 1d4: (3): 3
There is a cry from a peacock as Sabina goes dashing about the ettin. The oversized weapon from her foe catching her just under the ribs and pushing her along her running path or else she'd have toppled over in pain.
Gasping for breath she makes it to the backside of the giant and slices across it's leg, aiming high as she can. She hits and is rewarded with a showering spray of blood that quickly coats her in the hot liquid. %R She's still gasping as the giant wobbles and then topples over to one side, reviling the blood covered Bina.
As the surprisingly grevious wound pours of blood, the Ettin's eyes- all four of them- roll back in his head. He collapses, first to his knees, and then to his side, as he loses conscious- and swiftly bleeds his last. With both giants felled, and eerie silence falls over the bloodied forest, the wildlife scared away by the conflict.
As the last of the Ettin drops, Lanier takes a deep breath and shoulders his bow. He quickly picks up his sword and walks up to the fallen Ettin, hacking down quickly twice more in apparent rage to make sure it's really dead. He then wipes his sword on the corpe.
He switches wordlessly to clean up tasks, resecuring the weapon to his back as he asks, in no particular order, "Are you okay, Spud?" He then looks Sabina, "You took a solid hit there." There's a pause as he considers, then adds with a shrug, "You can also do with a bath."
Ash waits a moment, feeling the silence and trying to lose herself in it. She approaches the pair of giants and her companions. They seem dead. The giants that is. The Mourner utters a brief prayer, "Feiu of the Tears, pull them further back."
An eerie sensation surrounds the ashen Arvec, a little like being in a cemetary, a little like being buried. A clammy, damp chill that feels like earth. When it passes, their wounds are a little improved.
The Ettins remain down, and Ashlee lowers her crossbown, then carefully de-cocks it. Don't strain the wire. "I'll prepare them to meet the Feiu of the Tears."
Her nostrils flare a little at their stench. She raises her head to stare at Lanier, a skeleton in a nightdress, "We're going to need a lot more wood."
Combatty stuff
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
18 Ashes 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Ettin 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Ettin 2 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 Lanier 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 4 Sabina 1 <<
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Name | CHP (T) | HP |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Ashes.........| 47 | 47 |
| Lanier........| 67 | 67 |
| (C) Spud......| 44 | 59 |
| Sabina........| 36 | 36 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Name | CHP (T) | HP |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Ashes.........| 47 | 47 |
| Lanier........| 51 | 67 |
| (C) Spud......| 7 | 59 |
| Sabina........| 36 | 36 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Name | CHP (T) | HP |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Ashes.........| 47 | 47 |
| Lanier........| 51 | 67 |
| (C) Spud......| 22 | 59 |
| Sabina........| 36 | 36 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Name | CHP (T) | HP |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Ashes.........| 47 | 47 |
| Lanier........| 13 | 67 |
| (C) Spud......| 22 | 59 |
| Sabina........| 36 | 36 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~