Scouting Party
Plot: Scouting Party
Level Range: 2-5
GM: Kisaiya
Participants: Aznara, Gregor, Sorscha, Talion, Tirrynelth
Summary:
A call has gone out to do a bit of scouting near Alexandria. There has been some warning that a group of nefarious sorts might be lurking around. The adventurer's guild was asked to investigate it.
Log of Scouting Party:
The adventurer's guild was pretty prompt about sending you all out, it wasn't really the time to ask questions. The horde of people hinted at were somewhere between 20 and 100. They aren't really sure, but that - in of itself - seemed like a good enough reason to send people. That's where you all come in, map and a direction for where they were last seen. They were spotted to the east of Alexandria and headed in a somewhat northerly direction.
The map also said that they could be anywhere off that way. Somewhere between the Coast and Mictlan.
Because that's not a small area.
Ugh. People. Well! Welcome to a scouting mission then!
Gregor rides up on his horse, ready to scout. And we're off. He'll ride for a preference. And when we get to the area, he will look for tracks and signs of passage. It was a bit hastily put together, but he understands that they feel this is urgent.
Yay more adventuring with the adventurere's guild! And Tirr is yet again out and doing adventures. Honestly she's starting to enjoy it, and thinking maybe her uncle had it right with her getting out of the library now and then. Of course she has her backpack with her favorite book in it of late.... Soo here she is wandering along with the group while looking around curiously and whistling,l how she does it with her muzzle might be anyone's guess but she's having fun at least.
This brings the attention of Sorscha, and her rather unusual tiger 'kitten' Aurora. Sorscha and pets her tiger as she looks to Gregor.
Talion also arrives on his horse, looking about the area for a moment. Seeing as Gregor would take off in a direction, he nods to him. "Godspeed." before he looks down at his own horse, petting it softly. "Ready Waker?" the Horse neighs at the Half-Sil in response. He waits to make sure everyone catches up safe and sound..though his horse starts to trot north little by little, keeping his head down and using tree cover to help.
With her cloak pulled snugly around her against the cold wind of the day, Aznara also walks along, a scarf wrapped around her neck and up over her head (to cover her ears), even with the hood of her cloak up, as well.
GAME: Gregor rolls perception: (11)+5: 16
GAME: Aznara rolls perception: (10)+11: 21
GAME: Sorscha rolls perception: (3)+7: 10
GAME: Serraphine rolls +6: (12)++6: 18 to Kisaiya
GAME: Serraphine rolls +10: (16)++10: 26 to Kisaiya
GAME: Talion rolls perception: (15)+5: 20
GAME: Tirrynelth rolls perception: (9)+6: 15
There are no tracks around here besides the usual sort of foot traffic. You're not seeing anything in particular that's out of place. If there's a large group (some 20-100 people) all moving about through this area, you don't think that they've been here yet. That could mean they either are closer to Mictlan still, or down toward the Coast.
The coast would seem the most likely considering you got the call after people saw it, then those people told people, and those people told the adventurer's guild... you get the idea. So some time has passed, but that's just a guess since you don't see anything hinting at a group that size moving through together.
The course was made, and you turn toward the south, heading in the direction of the coast. You head toward the trees, spread out just enough that you can listen and give aid to the rest with Tirrynelth hanging back a little so (if you do stumble upon anything) she's not in the front lines.
Quietly, so as not to be heard at a distance, Aznara says, "There are others in the wood; I think they are tracking our progress." She makes no sudden move for a weapon, although she does free one hand from holding her cloak against the wind... her right hand, which she pulls back into her cloak to rest on her whip, which is presently still coiled up on its hangar at her hip.
Aurora rumbles and Sorscha looks to Aznara. "I'm not surprised...."
Talion keeps venturing towards the coast, which brings him and the group he travels with into the forest. He dismounts for a moment as if to look for tracks, but then one of his pointed ears perks at the smallest sound and he turns his head to the sound, seeing the enemy. "We are not alone." and his hand moves to grip the hilt of his sword as if waiting for the first move. Though he sees them...he's quiet. "Prepare for combat." he whispers. because they do not look friendly.
Gregor will zigzag across the path, looking for the tracks of those we're searching for. At Aznara's warning, he'll start watching our backtrail also. At Talion's warning, he'll close up ranks with the group, so that whatever we face, we'll face it together.
GAME: Tirrynelth refreshes spells.
Tirr yup, she's in the back, following along with everyone else.. She hears mentioning for preparation for combat and blinks, nodding... She's so not used to combat.. She mutters to her self, weaving a spell of protection about her self before she glances around again curiously and fiddles in with her belt. Out comes a light crossbow, which she sets a quarrel in it. She also checks to make sure her wand is fine before she glances around yet again.
GAME: Tirrynelth casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Kisaiya has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Kisaiya to instruct you further.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
GAME: Kisaiya rolls 6: (12)+6: 18
GAME: Kisaiya rolls 1d6: (4): 4
As you all start to gather up from the warnings that are given, there's a pause like the coming before the battle. As a couple of you already have spotted them. What you didn't see though was the one in the middle. A man steps out from behind a tree and looses an arrow in the same moment, "ATTACK!" He yells as the arrow hits home, cutting across Sorscha's arm though thankfully not a deep wound.
As the man yells, eight others (two groups of 4) leap from the trees and bushes about you. Looks like you've found at least part of the forces in the area!
GAME: Kisaiya advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 19.
It is now Sorscha's turn! Officer is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Sorscha ended.
GAME: Sorscha rolls ranged: (6)+7: 13
GAME: Kisaiya advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 13.
It is now Officer's turn! Talion is next!
Despite being a paladin, Sorscha is still an elf. So she draws her bow and fires an arrow at the one who shot at her.....and misses.
The officer moves forward as he calls out, "You! YOU!" pointing first to the one group, then the other, "Remember Aloft Seaker! Remember what they did, this is not the time for bandying about, this is the time for glory!" And both groups looks inspired by it.
GAME: Kisaiya advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 13.
It is now Talion's turn! Aznara is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Talion ended.
GAME: Talion rolls weapon1+2: (19)+4+2: 25 (THREAT)
GAME: Talion rolls weapon1+2: (2)+4+2: 8
GAME: Talion rolls 2d6+3: (4)+3: 7
GAME: Kisaiya advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 11.
It is now Aznara's turn! Gregor is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Aznara ended.
GAME: Gregor rolls 1d20+8: (16)+8: 24
GAME: Gregor rolls 2d8+8: (9)+8: 17
GAME: Aznara rolls weapon2+1: (10)+12+1: 23
GAME: Aznara rolls 1d3+7: (2)+7: 9
GAME: Aznara rolls intimidate: (19)+11: 30
GAME: Kisaiya advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 11.
It is now Gregor's turn! Fighters is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Gregor ended.
GAME: Kisaiya advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 10.
It is now Fighters' turn! Tirrynelth is next!
Gregor nudges his heels into his horse's ribs and lowers his lance. Just a scout? He could've been a lancer. He's as good as those posh bastards! Damned blue-nosed bastards with their superior attitudes! Brimming with indignation, his lance skewers one of the riders, who spins off his horse in a swirl of blood as Gregor's lance rips through him.
Aznara trots out ahead of the group, pulling her whip from its hanger and unfurling it with a flick of her wrist as she moves. Then, she extends her arm, flicking the whip out to the side and behind herself as she moves... and then brings her arm forward, snapping it back when the whip's fully extended, the end popping loudly as it comes right up close to the officer's face -- where it leaves a welt on his skin! "You have no clue who you face", she says, directing her voice to the man she just whipped.
GAME: Kisaiya rolls 2d6+3: (9)+3: 12
Talion is a half-elf. Means he is quite -fast-. He covers 30 feet in distance in quick order, keeping his head down until the enemy is right in front of him. Drawing that massive greatsword, he easily decapitates one of the enemy on the left side with almost insulting ease, and he keeps his eyes on the others as he enters a defensive position...then Gregor lends him a hand. "If you do not fear my blade, come!" he keeps his eyes narrowed, ready to face the enemy.
GAME: Aznara rolls weapon2+1: (9)+12+1: 22
GAME: Aznara rolls 1d3+7: (3)+7: 10
GAME: Kisaiya rolls 2d6+3: (5)+3: 8
GAME: Kisaiya advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 10.
It is now Tirrynelth's turn! Sorscha is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Tirrynelth ended.
As she attacks the 'bandit' leader, the other group of bandits comes in at Aznara's flank. As they come, she lashes her whip out and the POP of her whip is matched by the eye of one of her new attackers splattering out of its socket. The man is down and out of the fight, but the rest of the group puts Aznara on the defensive!
As Gregor lanced hard into one, he cried out in pain and nearly died on the spot. His horse rode down another, but in doing so the man's sword came up and under Gregor's armor - catching him in the leg. The last remaining on in the group cuts down toward Talion - cutting him as Talion cut down the other. The other group charged in at Aznara, doing its best to attack her as her whip does its evil work.
Huh? (Type "help" for help.)
GAME: Kisaiya rolls 1d20: (18): 18
GAME: Kisaiya rolls 7: (14)+7: 21
GAME: Tirrynelth rolls 1d6: (3): 3
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Kisaiya advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 19.
It is now Sorscha's turn! Officer is next!
Soor Tirr has a wonderful Idea, try to grab a flank on the guys attacking and maybe hit the officer too.. Instead of waving hands and casting a spell per say, Tirr takes a deep breath, arcs of electricty lick around the Bronze-Sith Makar's lips briefly before she belches out a blinding blast of lightning... Saddly though, maybe her aim's off or some such as she seems to hit the ground near her first and then has to raise her head, running the lightning blast along the ground and through scrambling bandits who are trying to get out of the way and near the officer too...
Tirr Frowns briefly and sighs... "Ooooh that's soooo much tougher than I though tit should be..."
GAME: Sorscha rolls 1d20+5: (18)+5: 23
GAME: Sorscha rolls 1d6+2: (1)+2: 3
GAME: Sorscha rolls weapon1: (9)+9: 18
GAME: Sorscha rolls 1d8+3+1: (7)+3+1: 11
GAME: Kisaiya advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 13.
It is now Officer's turn! Talion is next!
GAME: Kisaiya advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 13.
It is now Talion's turn! Aznara is next!
"Go help Talion, Aurora." Sorscha says as she runs off to help Aznara. Aurora lets out a mighty growl and rakes a claw over that one guy's back.....while Sorscha brings her sword down and through one of the enemy's form. "Keep calm Aznara. I'm here."
The Officer moves back and then behind the last two remaining that are next to Aznara and Sorscha. "Keep fighting! We can still win this! They - They are not that strong. They are no stronger then the men and women we have fought and trained with."
GAME: Talion rolls weapon1+2: (16)+4+2: 22
GAME: Talion rolls 2d6+3: (6)+3: 9
GAME: Kisaiya advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 11.
It is now Aznara's turn! Gregor is next!
Talion winces when that guy stabs him right in the side, and before he can counter, the tiger takes down the man for him and manages to do him in pretty good. but Talion isn't one for chances, so when he moves again, Talion lifts up that massive greatsword and proceeds to stab the man right in the heart, effectively destorying it. He takes a moment then to look for the officer, keeping his head down.
GAME: Aznara rolls acrobatics: (9)+13: 22
GAME: Aznara rolls weapon2+1: (18)+12+1: 31
GAME: Aznara rolls 1d3+7: (1)+7: 8
GAME: Kisaiya advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 11.
It is now Gregor's turn! Fighters is next!
Aznara, on the defensive, ducks then leaps backwards into a somersault... avoiding attacks from the group of men threatening her in the process. She continues along, following after the officer... and flings her whip's length up and over the heads of his men in a way that brings its end down first, right near his body. She then flicks back her arm and the whip *CRACKS* against his body once again! "You thought you could escape?", she calls out to him.
GAME: Gregor rolls 1d20+8: (13)+8: 21
GAME: Gregor rolls 2d8+8: (6)+8: 14
GAME: Sorscha rolls weapon1: (12)+9: 21
GAME: Aznara rolls weapon2+1: (10)+12+1: 23
GAME: Aznara rolls 1d3+7: (2)+7: 9
GAME: Sorscha rolls 1d8+3+1: (4)+3+1: 8
GAME: Aznara rolls intimidate: (18)+11: 29
Gregor wheels his horse around and looks for more enemies. Figuring Aznara and Sorscha can take out their remaining foes, he spurs Traveller after that leader, who's been shooting people and causing trouble. Levelling his lance as he approaches, he strikes at a flat angle and runs the length of the lance through the leader's chest, killing him dead. Gregor gives an exultant warcry of victory as he wheels around again to see who's left.
Aznara, as the remaining men break and begin to flee, lashes her whip out, popping it at one, who stumbles, but continues to run... though his ear has definitely seen (heard?) better days than with a whip. Even as she starts to move after him, she calls out, "You will not escape! If you wish to live, surrender!"
GAME: Kisaiya advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 10.
It is now Fighters' turn! Tirrynelth is next!
The last two turn and run, but only one of them makes it any distance before the whip cracks across his head, "HELP!" He yells out, "HELP!" And he trips, stumbling over as Aznara tells him to surrender. He holds his hands up above his head, cowering down, "Okay! OKAY! OKAYOKAY! I SURRENDER!"
GAME: Kisaiya removes the timestop.
Timestop by Kisaiya has left.
GAME: You remove the timestop.
Just as the one soldier moves to run, Sorscha brings down her blade again to cut the soldier down. "That was unpleasent." She says as she starts to wipe off her blade. "Aurora. We have a....guest." And Aurora's tail begins to swish....and she lets out a rumble....staring at the remaining soldier.
Gregor wheels his horse around and rides back to the group, seeing we've got a prisoner now. Well, that makes things a bit more complicated, but not unmanageable. "Alright, dirtbag," he glowers. "Where's the rest of your band?"
GAME: Talion rolls 1d6: (4): 4
GAME: Gregor rolls intimidate+4: (14)+6+4: 24
"You killed them! You killed my band!!" The man holds his hands up over his head, cowering as Gregor comes over to him. "We're the scounting party!"
Sorscha says, "Scouting Party for what?" She says as she walks over...with Aurora licking her teeth."
GAME: Aznara rolls weapon2+1: (15)+12+1: 28
GAME: Sorscha rolls intimidate+8: (7)+2+8: 17
Aznara, as Gregor begins questioning, throws back her hood and pulls down her scarf, so as to fully reveal her face -- and that she's a mul. (Her people tend to have a 'bad' reputation... and the party's trying to get info out of this guy, after all.) Then, she lashes out her whip... but not at him. Instead, she uses the end of it to snag the man's dropped weapon, his club... and yanks back on the whip, catching the club in her off-hand, even as the whip, with another flick of her wrist, seems to coil itself up for her to catch with the fingers of her main hand.
The man seemed a lot less intimidated, even with the Tiger licking, but that crack of a whip made him jump and raise his hands up again above his head, higher than before, "okay! OKAY! OKAY! Uh, uh! There's a force of people. About... I duno... Fifty? Sixty? I'm not sure I didn't count!"
TIrr stares at the head band fellow curiously, now just standing in th eback nad watching things going on and well committing everything to memory.
Talion puts his hand on his wound and it manages to heal for the most part, but he doesn't want to waste the energy so he takes what he can get. He looks to Gregor, giving him a greatful nod as he cleans the blood of his blade. "Thank you, my friend, for the help." he says with a smile as he moves to the group, only to find one still alive and being interrogated.
He watches quietly, not interfering.
Gregor can intimidate to assist?
Aznara walks forward, and reaches out with her coiled up whip to tuck it up under the man's chin. "I recommend you tell us -everything- you know about where they are and the group's purpose here. I ... strongly... recommend it", she says to him in just above a whisper.
GAME: Aznara rolls intimidate+6: (9)+11+6: 26
"Okay! Alright! I..." He falters and licks his lips, looking up at Aznara with his eyes growing wider still. He makes a little whimpering noise, "You're a Mul. You'll probably kill me anyway. Your kind... I know them well. We see them in Charn." He shrinks back, holding up his arms again, "We're here for those fugitives! Those ones that sunk the ship in Hextor!"
"If you seek justice, attacking persons at random as they travel will do you no good. Bandits are not welcome in this area, and if you act as bandits, you will be treated as bandits... and put down without mercy", Aznara says, flatly.
Tirr's eyes narrow now and veritably glow as she stares at the fellow being interrogated... "So! You work for the Charn then?" She says, her voice prim, propper as usual and with that learn-ed accent. But yah there's a bit of a feral growl in there as well...
Talion narrows his eyes for a moment, watching as the interrogation takes place. Though when the bandit reveals his true mission, he sighs a moment, but retains an utterly serious expression towards him, letting theo thers do their work as he sheathes his massive greatsword.
GAME: Tirrynelth rolls Bluff: (6)+8: 14
GAME: Gregor rolls perceptin: (3)+perceptin: 3
GAME: Gregor rolls perception: (13)+5: 18
Gregor growls at the man, "Tell us where your people are." He's got his flail out now and he's affecting to idly swirl the big spiked ball around in an unfriendly way.
GAME: Aznara rolls perception: (16)+11: 27
GAME: Talion rolls Perception: (9)+5: 14
GAME: Sorscha rolls perception: (13)+7: 20
GAME: Sorscha rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17
GAME: Tirrynelth rolls perception: (15)+6: 21
"They're... They're..." He gestures back toward the coast and shrugs. It's about that point that you all can hear it, the sound of people moving. A group of them, horses, the clatter of carts, they're not rying to hide their movement - their scouts after all are out there for a reason. Their scouts...
Didn't one of them just yell for help?
Sorscha looks to the side and winces. "time to go. there's others headed our way.....and we've gotta warn Alexandria."
"Pass my words to your boss. If you act as bandits, you will be TREATED as such... and bandits are NOT suffered in this area", Aznara says, before tosses the man's club aside, nodding her head to Sorscha... before turning to club the man in the side of the head with the butt of her whip's handle, aiming to knock him out.
GAME: Aznara rolls weapon2+1: (6)+12+1: 19
GAME: Aznara rolls 1d3+7: (3)+7: 10
Tirr's crest raises slightly and she over her shoulder, head swiveling around dang near 180 degrees, joys of a long neck... "We have company on the way, think we should leave?" She asks curiously and glances to the other.. "I think I hear horses..."
"Let's hurry away", Aznara agrees. Looking to their mounted companion, she says, "You should not wait for us. Warning Alexandria of this force of bandits, a small army, being in the area... that takes priority."
GAME: Aznara rolls intelligence: (9)+2: 11
GAME: Tirrynelth rolls intelligence: (20)+2: 22
GAME: Sorscha rolls intelligence: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Gregor rolls intelligence: (4)+1: 5
Talion hears the words before his ears perk up at the sound of movement...lots of it. With that, he mounts his horse and he sighs a moment looking to everyone else....
GAME: Talion rolls intelligence: (20)+2: 22
Tirr tilts her head "Am thinking Gregor can be getting back to Aleandria in time, but by then they can allready be hitting Mictlan.... " She says and rubs at the back of her neck. "Everyone needs warning too..." She mutters and ummms.... "Mayhapse some of us can run to Mictlan and he can go to Alexandria to warn both groups?"
With Talion already mounted, he nods at Tirr's words. "Mictlan is far closer than Alexandria. They must be warned first or they will be taken completely by surprise. I will make the journey with a few others, if they are willing. If not, then I will go alone." he states his conviction. Pft. Paladins.
You all can hear it now, the thundering of hooves headed in your direction. The Military minded of you recognize the steady beat of cavalry. It is really time unless you intend to wait and see what's been sent out to greet you.
Sorscha says, "One Goes to Mictlan and the other to Alexandria. MOVE!" She then looks to the rest of them. "the rest of us need to get out of here and move as fast as we can.....at least to hide.""
"I didn't know how near or far we were from Mictlan. We need our riders to split up, take the warning where it is needed!", Aznara agrees. "We'll move as quickly as we can, avoid them as best we can... but the warning must take priority!"
"They're on horses, if we get off the road, and go through trees and scrub we'll negate their mounted advantage." Tirr suggests and starts moving toward the woods.... She pauses and glances back at the others. "Or is that nnot the bes tway?"
and with that, Talion is off to the races, riding his horse as far as it can run;. "Come on Waker, show them the meaning of haste!" and the horse starts to move faster, but Talion only hopes he can make it in time.
Gregor says to his companions, "As fast as they're moving, they're not tracking anyone. If you move off their path, they'll go right by you. Just leave the road and stay out of sight." And with that, he'll ride off to warn Alexandria.
GAME: Tirrynelth rolls athletics: (15)+1: 16
GAME: Aznara rolls stealth: (1)+10: 11 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Aznara rolls athletics: (5)+8: 13
GAME: Talion rolls 8: (4)+8: 12
GAME: Gregor rolls 8: (7)+8: 15
Hooves thunder by as Aznara dives into her cover, huddling behind some of the scrub brush as they slow up at the signs of the battle. She second guesses herself and then bolts off after Tirr, crashing through the underbrush. She can see Tirr up ahead, a call from behind her alerts that they've spotted her and possibly the tall form of the Sorceress making a hasty retreat.
The hooves of Gregor's mount pounds into the dirt, and with a burst, he finds himself on one of the hard packed and rutted roads heading toward Alexandria. He strides hard, with only the whistling of the wind in his ears.
Talion too rides, though his goal is Mictlan. He weaves along the narrow path with the whip of tree branches hitting him as he makes his way. The snap of a few right into gaps of the armor leaving welts as he pushes the mount hard. Must go faster! He can almost feel the attacking forces behind him.
Gregor manages to arrive at Alexandria soon enough to warn them and start a force moving in the direction of Mictlan. That alone may turn the tide depending on what happens up north. Talion arrives to warn them, ensuring that they can at least start on some sort of defensive force before the people from Charn arrive.
But what of the others? Sorscha it's hard to say, somewhere she was separated with the group and found her way back in Alexandria. Tirrynelth ran through the woods and stumbled out, clutching her sides and in pain from the effort. Aznara on the other hand... One of the riders over took her, and that - that is a question for you all to find out for yourselves.