Encounter With Halflings, Rennik Fires, Garyth Charges, Others Run to Help
Subject: Hey Karl
Nevermind. Your email was getting routed to the wrong folder.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Hey Karl
And here I was, about to send out an email reading: "We're just waiting for Ty to check in."
;)
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (4)
Rennik, Garyth and Mission move quietly toward the area of the frightened birds. Rennik moves quickly to the front, staying so low to the ground that his already diminutive size is nearly halved, and even the smallest of trees and shrubs provide good cover. Garyth follows as best he can, trying to stay within line of sight of the Halfling. Mission brings up the rear, moving quietly in his loose garments, and keeping his eyes on Garyth's back.
Mission stops after 20 feet or so, unwilling to leave the mages so far to the rear. He keeps his eyes on Garyth's glinting armor, and curses the luck that caused the fog to burn away just when it would be useful. Eventually, they get so far away, that he loses sight of Rennik entirely, and can only see Garyth's movements when the sun glints off a metal stud.
Garyth notices that Mission is no longer at his back, but not wishing to let Rennik get out of his sight, continues to follow. He stays as far back as possible while not getting separated from the small barbarian.
Rennik spots something unusual in a thicket of trees ahead, and drops to the ground, effectively vanishing from Garyth's sight. Not being a fool, Garyth drops too, and stops moving, waiting for a signal. He does not see Rennik move.
(stopping here to get some info from Rennik, then the turn will continue)
From: Karl
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (4)
Farron leans against a nearby tree (if one is available) and chatters quietly with Jack.
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (4)
Garyth sees Rennik suddenly reappear. Placing his bow at his feet behind the shrubbery, he stands with his hands raised above his shoulders and splayed wide.
He speaks loudly and clearly in the halfling tongue and is sure not to make any sudden movements.
"Brother halfling! I know not your tribe, but we do not seek war! The human is clumsy and foolish, but my hunting party brought him along out of pity! We apologize if we trespass! I ask that you lower your bow so that we may speak!"
Garyth just barely has time to utter a, "What the?" when sudden movement in a small copse of trees about 200 feet away alerts him to a cleverly hidden person holding a bow. He can see that the bow was probably previously aimed at him, but has now swung around to aim at Rennik.
"Looks like the jig is up, boys," a high pitched Halfling voice says. "Try to get one of 'em alive."
This is followed by the musical twang of a bowstring and the whistle of an arrow in flight. The arrow [Total roll: 17 vs. AC:18] actually passes through a loose fold of Rennik's leopard skin covering and he feels it's tug on his clothes at just an instant after he hears the bow. His reflexes fling him to the ground anyway, even though it's too late.
(Rennik is in a fight. Garyth can see a fight. Mission can barely see Garyth, and can make out nothing that is happening at this point. The mages and Cadfael are just hanging out. However, all four of them can hear a distant twang, that may or may not be a bowstring.]
From: Matt
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (4)
Rennik pops back up from behind the bushes, bow in hand and sends an arrow back at the soon-to-be dead halfling who had the unmitigated gall to fire at him.
As he looses his arrow, he calls out again:
"Halfling of the honorless tribe, now you die!"
From: Mike
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (4)
Garyth drops his bow and draws his sword. "Overlook!" he cries at the top of his lungs and runs at full speed toward the nearest hostile halfling.
(OOC: He will, of course, attack as soon as he gets the chance.)
From: Matt
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (4) part deux
Rennik looses another arrow into the same halfling who had shot at him and curses under his breath as he sees Garyth charging forward. "Stupid humans... always underestimate our size and numbers"
He shouts as he looses another arrow into any other halfling with a bow.
"Fall back to a more reinforced position you fool!"
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (4) part deux
Ok, for the four who are back at the trail, you can travel 4x your normal movement if you run flat out. However, you will still take about 3 rounds to get to the fight even running. I just need you to check in and let me know if that's your plan.
Just check in quick and tell me what you are doing.
From: Raja
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (4) part deux
Sa'id will use this round to cast Mirror Image on himself, then start running next round.
From: Scott
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (4) part deux
Mission drops his staff, draws and loads his crossbow. His heart thuds within his chest. Blood calling blood. The marks that run from his wrists, up his arms, then down his back, thighs and calves warm as he whispers softly to himself.
"Blood be stone. Blood be stone." He calls to the mages and cleric. "Ambush!"
"Fall back!" he hears (hopefully? He is Listening, after all . . . :) ) Rennick cry.
Mission will move within the crossbow's striking distance as quickly as possible (40 ft/round x 4= 160 feet/round. Is this right for a lvl 5 monk, Ty? It's been a long time since I've calculated movement. . .). He will cover Rennick and Garyth with ranged attacks as best he can.
OOC: If either of you two mages have any charm or confusion spells, barbarians are not known for their WIL saves. I think.
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (4) part deux
Yes, you are calculating his movement correctly. You do in fact hear Rennik yell.
From: Dan
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (4) part deux
Cadfael moves out at his max rate, keeping one eye behind him on the mages to make sure nothing pops out at them while he's gone.
He does not draw his mace, preferring to leave one hand free to cast spells with.
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (4) part deux
Cool all, we just need Karl and I will do first round mayhem. :)
From: Scott
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (4) part deux
If possible, when he is near enough to crossbow the halflings, Mission will fire upon the enemy closest to Rennick-- since they both take action before anyone else, perhaps that will allow us to eliminate some of our enemies more quickly.
From: Karl
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (4) part deux
At Mission's words, Farron will head toward the fighting in an all out run. (I'll check my spell list and let you know what I'm going to do once I get in position.)