Ty Returns, Mission Spots Birds, Rennik and Garyth Leave to Investigate
Subject: He's Back! And now in a new 'stay fresh' pouch!
I am back from Texas.
I was in a hotel that charged 9.95 a day for internet access, and I refused to pay it, so I was cut off from the world. Sorry about that.
Ok. I am ready to write up the next turn, but I would like to get one more piece of info first. I would like to know what Cadfael's response to Garyth is.
Oh, and to answer Karl, I would let Farron cast mount and ride it himself, and let his horse carry the corpse. I'm just not sure a magical mount lets other people carry it.
From: Karl
Subject: RE: He's Back! And now in a new 'stay fresh' pouch!
(OOC) I think that's a jab at my grammar choice, but I have re-read it and will defend it to the death - well, I'll defend it with a good hard weasel bite, at least.(/OOC)
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (3)
Mission is the last to walk away from the fallen man. He has been dead only moments, so there is no stiffness or stink, only the perfect stillness that only a dead man can achieve. Mission knows that there is nothing to be feared in death, it is merely another step on the path of blood and stone. The man's blood has cooled, but the earth will accept him into itself again. The earth keeps no account of sins, and all men are treated equally in the end. He nods once, and utters a short prayer, then follows the others.
Cadfael and Garyth walk side by side for a while, Cadfael slapping him on the back several times, and doing his best to look light hearted, but there is a hunted look in the way his eyes dart about when he thinks no one is watching. It is easy to understand, when so much has already happened in so short a time.
The path is so easy to follow, and the ground is so even, that Farron becomes tempted to conjure his magic mount and ride in comfort for a while. When he mentions this out loud, Garyth says, "The terrain is easy for horses here, it's true. But the farther inland we go, the harder travel becomes. I am not sure how far the lady knight thinks she will be able to take that heavy charger of hers."
Rennik nods his agreement. "I've thought the same. If the mountains are indeed their goal, they'll not be able to take those mounts with them." When he sees that Cadfael and Mission are looking at him curiously, he explains further. "The island itself is mostly flat. The only real rise in elevation is there, at the center of the island. And then it rises fast, very fast. Mount Kessel is near two miles high, and steep as a wall most of the way up. She collects a lot of weather around her. In the center of the isle, it rains almost every day, and the forest is more like jungle. My people can move through it well enough, but you larger folk will have a time of it. And I've not met the horse yet that can forge through that growth."
This silences the party for a time, as each man considers the possibility of traveling such unpleasant terrain in the near future. The two wizards, accustomed to warm libraries and well appointed accommodations, look especially unhappy. The others hear Farron mutter to Sa'id about the advisability of a 'magic hut' when that time comes.
Rennik has such an easy time tracking the warhorse, that he begins to move off the path, from side to side, looking for other, older tracks. He sees that this path is relatively recent, but well used. Often he finds tracks off the path that follow it, showing that parties too large to travel the path comfortably had spread out. The tracks themselves are varied in type; some animal hooves, but mostly human feet and boots. An occasional lighter track, like an elf might make, and a disturbing number of smaller Halfling tracks. "A lot of people going east, these days," he mutters under his breath. Garyth, who is standing nearby, nods and keeps his hand on his sword.
Mission has been trailing the party ever since they left the dead man. He walks like a man lost in his thoughts, but his training keeps him alert even when his mind is occupied. Several times he looks off to the north, then finally says, "Master Rennik. Do you see that?" pointing to the north.
Rennik stops. "See what?" In a moment, it becomes clear what Mission is pointing to, when several birds suddenly take off several hundred yards to the north of the party.
"Birds. That's the fourth time I've seen birds take off to the north of us. It is always that same distance away, and seems to be traveling parallel with us. I've watched, and there are birds to the south of us that are much closer, but they do not take off. Could someone be moving along a parallel path?"
"Aye," says Rennik with an irritated look on his face. "And damn my eyes for not seeing it sooner. You are a watchful man, monk. I would say that that is exactly what is happening."
(Turn 3 takes place immediately following this exchange between Rennik and Mission. Please send your reactions along with any conditional responses you wish.)
From: Mike
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (3)
Garyth's eyes narrow as he looks off to the north. "There's only one way to be sure."
He turns to Rennik. "At least one of us needs to get over there and have a look."
(OOC: How much cover is there? If we're in a forest, there should be rather a lot. Garyth will want to see for himself.)
>
> From: "Daniel Bates"
> Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (3)
>
> "But... there's now way that anyone could see us through the trees. They
> can't be trailing us intentionally. Like Brother Rennik said, there are
> many paths that lead east; surely they are simply on another one? The fact
> that they seem to be shadowing us could easily be coincidence."
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (3)
The cover is sparse. A few trees and bushes by this point, now that you are out of farmland. Howevever, the distance from where the birds are taking off means that there is enough of these trees and bushes to obscure the view.
Visibility is about 50 yards on the ground. The location of the (presumed) other group is several hundred yards.
From: Scott
Subject: RE: He's Back! And now in a new 'stay fresh' pouch!
It's good to have you back-- I was in a similar situation.
I love the game, but darned if I'm paying just to play. . .
:)
From: Scott
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (3)
There is much about this party that Mission does not understand-- but why they have forsaken the hunt for monsters that ARE real in exchange for the shadows presented by a rambling, poisoned, apparent enemy is foremost among them.
And so he is quiet as the party makes their way eastward, having seen how little favor his questions garnered earlier in the day. Perhaps the wereboars seek this tower the man spoke of-- evil drawing evil, like to like.
Perhaps Anileth is-- Mission shudders. That is not a thought that bears further thinking. Here is the path, in front of him, hard enough to walk as it is, without adding caltrops to the path of the future.
He is careful when he points out the flights of birds to keep his voice calm, inquisitive-- though he knows, as well as Rennick, what they might mean.
"Maybe it is just another group of people headed. . .eastward." He does not say, 'to the tower,' but that is implied, and what everyone is thinking anyway. "They have been moving parallel to us for some time--if they meant us harm, they would have moved closer by now. Perhaps."
He grins. "I'd like to make sure."
From: Matt
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (3)
Rennick kicks himself for not seeing the birds sooner. Too busy trying to decipher the many trails and pick up on something of the wereboars.
Then to Garyth.
"I should go ahead, but it would be good if you follow. We don't know how many there are, and if either of us reveals our position we'd best have backup."
He glances at Mission.
"I would suggest that the monk comes with us, but I worry about leaving the wizards with only one strong arm to defend them..." He glances disparagingly at the wizards lack of bodily protection.
Rennik slings his axe back upon his back and straps it in with a leather strap, then draws his bow before proceeding off the path toward the place just ahead of where the birds flew from.
(OOC: He'd be using all his powers of stealth and perception... and he'd also take notice of any strange behavior of animals, or animals not indigenous to the region. If we used Farron's ferret as a scout, they may use something else to keep track of us)
From: Raja
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (3)
All right, I'm not home and I won't be home until tomorrow. However, this is not Sa'id's area of expertise; he will defer to the party's decision and follow whatever course Garyth, Rennik, and Mission settle on.
:)
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (3)
I just need Karl to check in.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (3) calling Karl
Mission bites his lip as Garyth follows Rennick north, watching as the warrior's polished armor glints in the sun.
"Cadfael," he murmurs. "Could you ask your god to shine a little LESS brightly on Garyth? A blind man underwater could see him coming."
Mission will keep his ears (and eyes) open for an ambush. He will patrol as stealthily as possible, ranging no more than 20 ft. from the farthest magic user-- thus, if there is Archer trouble, he can get quickly to the enemy while Cadfael protects our mages from melee fighters. If there is a melee attack, he is within Tumbling distance to slip between fighters and our mages and lay down an hurting.
Rennik's Face
Subject: Rennik's Picture
I did mention back in the group photo emails that I was working on character sketches, and I still am. This is the rough for Rennik at the moment. As I try to capture each of your characters, I'll send them to you individually for review and then adjust to your comments.
Once I get faces down a bit, I'll work on bodies more (though I have a pretty decent idea of those at the moment... except for Sa'id who's being camera shy... well, pencil shy...).
In any event, here's a rough sketch of the angry halfling. :)
Farron Waits, Karl Comments on Rennik Pic and Responds to Downtime
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (3)
Farron, who currently recognized Garyth as the authority in the group will do as he suggests.
From: Karl
Subject: RE: Rennik's Picture
Now that's pretty cool! Strangely, that's very much what I was picturing in my mind for Rennik, also.
From: Karl
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; on the trail (3) calling Karl
Sorry. Once I leave work on Friday, my computer time is unpredictable at best. Haven't been at home on weekends much these days.
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.)
Results for Rounds 1, 2 and 3, Mission Pic
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
Round 1:
Seeing that his first arrow struck to good affect, and not wishing to lose the initiative, Rennik fires two more arrows in quick succession at the staggered halfling. Both arrows hit [25 & 26 to hit] and the Halfling who fired on him falls into the brush in a red mist. [5 & 9 damage]
Mission runs toward the battle with astonishing speed to those behind him. He covers 160 feet in just a few seconds, trying to get into crossbow range. He gets into visual range of the battle just in time to see one of the Halflings struck by an arrow and go down. By next turn he will feel comfortable with the range.
As the Halflings begin to spread out from their hiding places, Rennik and Garyth notice that one of them, equipped a little better than the others, is staying toward the rear and shouting orders. He points in Rennik's direction and shouts something, and half the group charges at him. The other half moves toward the approaching Garyth.
Garyth, shouting his war cry, charges the Halfling group. They have arrayed themselves in a rough half circle in an attempt to surround him when he arrives.
Farron and Cadfael run after Mission, quickly falling behind the fleet footed monk.
Sa'id pauses for a moment to utter a few quick syllables, and three exact duplicates of him pop into being. The four Sa'ids run after the rest of the group, about a hundred feet behind.
(Next round, Garyth and Rennik will be in melee combat. Mission will be in crossbow range at the end of the round, and Farron, Cadfael, and Sa'id will still be running toward fight. However, Farron will be able to see the fight about 300 feet away, and may attempt to cast long range spells if he wishes to stop running.)
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
It was pointed out to me that I may not have been clear on needing new turn instructions from everyone. My little synopsis at the end is just the left overs from last round. I need you to check in and tell me what you want to do THIS round too. :)
From: Mike
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
Garyth, seeing the halflings arrayed before him, moves toward one side of the group in an attempt to keep from being flanked. He proceeds to attack the nearest halfling.
(OOC: He'll move to whichever side is closest to him, the goal being to keep the closest halfling between himself and the rest of the group.)
From: Raja
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
All four me's will run toward the battle sounds until I can see what's going on. :)
From: Matt
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
Rennik looks for a moment at the leader and debates loosing two more arrows, but the charging halflings obscure his view. Growling under his breath, he looses two arrows into the halfling leading the pack.
After the second arrow is away, Rennik drops the bow and makes to draw his axe.
"Come to your deaths!" he shouts as the group closes on his position. "I am Rennik, warrior of Chorrdath, and I will use your bones as wood for my fire!"
From: Dan
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
Cadfael continues huffing and puffing his way toward combat.
From: Karl
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
(OOC - Where is the apparent halfling leader in relation to the battle? )
Farron plans to move to within 150 feet of the battle before stopping to cast Magic Missile. (He should be able to evoke 3 missiles at his level, right?) He will choose the best target once he has gotten in range.
(OOC - I'd have had Farron stop at 300 feet, but unfortunately he doesn't have any prepared spells with a range that far. In fact, most of his spells seem to have a range of about 35 feet.)
From: Raja
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
Sa'id can fling a Fireball up to 600 feet, but unfortunately it looks like the fight will have progressed to a bunch of melee brawls by the time he gets there, so he could either roast everyone for 5d6 or run much, much closer and use one of his ray spells.
We shall see. :-D
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
We need a feat for 'Fireball of Selectiveness'.
:)
From: Raja
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
Well, it's not like our fighters couldn't take it ;)
From: Dan
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
Don't think I'm going to clean up your mess, boy :)
From: Matt
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
Okay... you try out your fireball on the halfling, and he'll try out his axe on you. Sound fair? :)
From: Raja
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
:-D
The ray spells are only 35 feet. But then that's why I have the mirror images... hopefully no one will shoot me with arrows while I'm running up into the midst of the battle to start casting :-P
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 2
(Scott, I don't normally like to go without everyone checking in, but Mission is just running this round anyway, so I decided to go ahead)
Rennik shouts in triumph when he sees the first Halfling fall. He immediately looses two more arrows at the five who are charging him, scoring only a single hit [Attacks 22 & 16]. The struck opponent staggers a bit as the arrow bites into his thigh, but keeps running [Damage 7].
Mission continues charging toward the fight, eventually getting into a range he feels comfortable with (160 feet, -1 to hit) then dropping to one knee to take careful aim (he can fire next round).
As Garyth arrives at the second group, a wiry and tough looking halfling wielding a short sword lunges at him while he is still trying to maneuver his position, but he easily parries the attack with his long sword [Attack 13]. Garyth promptly ripostes after the block, and slices open his attackers exposed arm [Attack 25, damage 6].
The Halfling that you have come to think of as the leader mutters a few words, and everyone who can see him promptly stops thinking of him at all. (no one can direct attacks or spells at him)
The other four Halflings attacking Garyth spread around him attacking while he defends himself from his first opponent, and even though he dodges and evades with all his considerable skill, two of them landing blows that hurt [Attacks: 21, 19, 8, 11; damage 2 & 5] Neither blow does serious harm, but he will wear two large bruises under his armor.
Cadfael and Farron continue losing ground on Mission (they are half way to the fight, about 250 feet remain).
Sa'id follows in the rear, another 100 feet or so behind Farron, and mentally flipping through the list of spells he can use when he gets in range, while cursing that this big, easily fireballed group is standing so close to his companions.
(send me actions for round 3)
From: Dan
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 2
Nice day for a jog, don't you think?
(jog jog jog)
(stupid armour, making my base move only 20', before too long Sa'id's probably going to pass me!)
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 2
You know what? You're absolutely right.
I have been letting you move too fast. :) You are actually 340 feet from the fight, back with Sa'id. Farron is way ahead of you.
Sorry about that.
From: Matt
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 2
Rennik unclasps the leather strap holding his axehandle, and swings his waraxe down from the sheath on his back. Screaming, he lunges into battle, swinging his axe at the nearest halfling to him. (OOC: adjust -2 to strike and add that to his damage, please, if you would. He's using Power Attack)
From: Dan
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 2
Curse my honesty and rugged good looks!
Oh well, at least I'm well out of fireball range ;)
Where are Garyth and Rennik relative to one and other? Or can I even see the battle at this point?
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 2
Garyth and Rennik are about 70 feet apart. You are closest to Rennik. Yes, you can make out flashes of the fight through the brush and trees.
From: Mike
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 2
Garyth continues trying to maneuver to get the first halfling between himself and the rest of those attacking him, and presses the attack on the one he has wounded.
(OOC: He'll continue dodging the one he's already engaged.)
From: Raja
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 2
(OOC: Could I see the leader when he cast his spell? Will I be able to fry him when I get closer?)
The four Sa'id's continue running toward the battle.
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 2
You saw something happen, though you are too far away to use spellcraft, and in any case, you are totally uninterested in that person anymore.
From: Scott
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
Obviously, keep moving 'till I can pin some of them there halfling folk to the ground. . . :)
And while this isn't nearly as artistic as Twinky's Rennick sketch, this is what I developed (via NWN's Toolset) for Mission.
Disregard the actions if we've moved on to the second part of the battle. . . I think I was pretty clear what I wanted monk-ey boy to accomplish in my previous slate of emails.
From: Scott
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 2
Just a blink, and the halfling hanging back from the pack was gone. Mission squints-- was he even there to begin with? The pulse of his blood is a chant in his veins, as he moves swiftly into position.
He will fire off one bolt, into the halfling nearest to Rennick-- if Rennick and Garyth are still trying to retreat, he will continue the next round with crossbow fire. If they look to be holding their ground, Mission will decide then.
Are any of the halflings trying for ranged attacks?
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 2
The Halflings you can see are all attacking with melee weapons.
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 1
Twinky (Sa'id) didn't do the Rennick sketch. FlyingCow (Rennick) did.
:)
From: Karl
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 2
Farron will keep running. If he gets within 150 feet (I'm calculating that right, right?) he will cast Magic Missile (3 missiles all aimed at the nearest enemy halfling).
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
As the halflings eagerly converge on Rennik, he hurls down his bow and draws his heavy dwarven axe. He moves a step forward and prepares to swing at the leader, hoping to decapitate him in a single blow. The man he was before he left his people would have felt only the rage and bloodlust of his berserker training, but his years traveling with and learning from the elves have made him more perceptive. Perhaps it is this that causes him to look into the eyes of his first attacker, seeking some meaning in their charge. What he sees there is only madness; madness he has never before seen in the eyes of his people. His blood runs cold as he realizes that these foes will not stop, that only the complete destruction of one side or the other will end this fight.
Rennik grunts and swings, putting extra effort into the blow. To get so much power into the swing, he winds up earlier than usual, and the lead halfling's eyes go wide as he sees the attack coming. He ducks with a speed that only men who see their death before them can muster, and Rennik's axe ruffles his hair as it passes over his head. [Attack 14]
Mission has been down on one knee drawing careful aim. He sees the group of five converge on Rennik, sees Rennik swing and miss the first, and knows he could be overwhelmed without help. The wounded halfling, with an arrow still in his leg, is moving around to the side, hoping to flank. Mission takes a breath, then lets half out, and gently squeezes the trigger. The bolt flies true, and strikes the limping halfling square in the back, just below the shoulder blade [Attack 20]. The halfling screams in pain [damage 5] and falls to one knee. He appears grievously wounded, but not dead.
Garyth continues to move and circle, hoping to keep his group of foes from completely surrounding him. Some part of his mind wonders if yelling and charging was the best tactical decision, but that thought is quickly forgotten as the need to avoid getting stabbed takes greater priority. The halfling that he has already wounded attacks him again with startling quickness, but again, Garyth's skill with the long blade turns the blow aside [Attack 7]. This time, he knocks the smaller man's sword wide, completely opening his defenses, and lunges forward. He drives his sword to the hilt in the halfling's chest [Attack 26; Damage 12]. He yanks the sword out quickly to protect himself from the four that still surround him, and his mortally wounded opponent falls.
They swarm him all at once as their companion dies, and only Garyth's quick footwork keeps him from being overwhelmed. For the next few seconds, he puts on a display of swordsmanship that is astonishing to see. None of the four can get a blade past his defenses [Attack 16, 13, 1 (automatic miss), 14] and one of the four trips and almost goes down after a particularly powerful block.
Farron stops running about 130 feet from the fighting. He closes his eyes for a second, and tries to control his heavy breathing as he prepares to cast a spell.
Cadfael continues to lumber up the hill, hoping to reach his companions before one of them falls. He is vaguely disconcerted by the fact that lightly outfitted Sa'id goes loping past him even though he had a considerable head start. ( Cadfael is 260 feet from the fight now, and at 80 feet per round, still a good 3 rounds out of it L; Sa'id is 230 feet out)
The cluster of halflings around Rennik thrust and feint like a pack of dogs harassing a wolf. They stay out of reach of his axe, and try to turn him so that those at his flank may strike. The only one who does not attack is the halfling that Mission's bolt drove to his knees. Of the other four, the first to feint is almost knocked down by a block from Rennik [Attack 1 automatic failure], but his three friends take advantage and all three hit Rennik's exposed sides or back [Attacks 21, 18, 18; Damage 4, 1, 2].
(Round four after everyone checks in)
From: Mike
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
Garyth continues to maneuver around his enemies. His eyes widen as he sees one of the halflings trip; he doesn't miss the opportunity.
(OOC: He'll attack the halfling who tripped. Make his Dodge point the next closest halfling after that.
Also, I was wondering what you all thought about the possibility of moving the game to another medium. I'm hosting a forum at my website and I could easily set one up for this game. Obviously email has it's benefits, but it would make archiving the game a bit easier. I could go either way, really. Let me know what you think.)
From: Matt
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
Something snaps inside Rennick as he watches the four circling halflings, feeling like a bear at bay. His eyes glaze over in his rage, and he bears his teeth in a vicious snarl. His focus is clear - a single goal. Live long enough to beat Garyth within inches of his life for getting him into this mess...
Rennick will press his advantage on the halfling who has been knocked off balance, swinging hard at its chest and growling like a caged beast. (Power attack, again shift two dice to damage... and he's raging for the next 7 rounds)
OOC: Well, on the bright side, my last attack would have missed regardless of the power attack negatives... :whew:... on the not so bright side, why does Garyth get all the crosseyed halflings?)
Oh, and yeah, the drawing is me. Hi there! I'll be getting around to my own Mission drawing, and I'll be using that pic as its basis!)
Counting Halflings, Round 4 Results, Combat Map, Archives Introduced
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
(OOC-- For a little DM-lovin'- Ty, this was a great write up.)
Out of the corner of his eye, Mission finds himself most impressed by Garyth's defensive sword-work.
Mission will stick here for the next round and continue to lay crossbow havoc on the halflings around Rennick. He will, however, take note of where Farron is, and will try to be aware of any ranged attacks directed toward the wizard.
If Rennick gets hit again next round (round 4), Mission will run to assist him in melee combat the round after that (Round 5).
If any archers move to attack Farron this round, or if there is any threat AT ALL to the wizard, Mission will
attack that threat in Round 5, via crossbow bolt. The wizard takes precedence over Rennick.
(OOC again: I include instructions for round 5 because it looks like everyone is online at the same time but me. Don't want to hold the game up. . .)
Where exactly IS Farron in relation to Mission? If I read things right, Mission is 160 feet out from the battle; Farron is 130 feet out. If our Dear Little Friend (100 no-points if anyone can guess the literary reference) pops back into existence in front of Farron to smash him with a mace, could Mission run to him and attack him all in 1 round?
From: Scott
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
Just a quick count of our enemies:
1 Dear Little Friend DisApparated or Otherwise Missing;
5 (1 wounded) around Rennick
4 around Garyth
That's 10 total that our characters know about-- there are 12 total in Ty's initiative run down.
Tricksy little halflingsss.
From: Karl
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
(OOC-Is Farron closer to Rennik's battle or Garyth's? If he is equidistant, he would fire at the nearest halfling attacking whichever of his friends is in most apparent trouble. If this is a wash, then he will fire on the halfling nearest to himself.)
From: Karl
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
I'm for staying with email, really. In the other game I'm playing, we toyed with a forumn briefly, but for some reason it didn't seem to work very well for everyone. (Truthfully, I can't remember why, exactly.) I'm easy, though, so I'll go with whatever the group wants.
From: Karl
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
I'd like to take this opportunity to say that Matt has done a really cool face pic of Farron.
From: Scott
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
Matt:
My apologies for getting the wrong artist. . . what can I say? I'm an idiot.
You, however, are a supremely talented artist, whose art supplies I am not worth to jam into my eyes.
:)
From: Scott
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
I cast my vote for staying with email. . . I fear change. . .
From: Raja
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
The four Sa'ids will keep running toward the battle.
(OOC: I'm happy with how email is working.)
From: Matt
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
Yeah, I'm pretty much for email, but I could always give a forum a shot.
As for art supplies, feel free to jam mine or anyone else's into your eyes at any time... ;p
As far as the original count of halflings goes, Rennick already killed the first one we saw, who had his bow trained on Bright-Shiny-Boy-Who-Likes-to-Charge-Blindly-with-No-Regard-for-Numbers (three guesses who that is, and the first two don't count). So..
1 dead with three Rennik arrows in him (he was their bowman, it seems)
1 dead from Garyth's sword
1 guy we've forgotten about (leader boy)
4 crosseyed ones on Garyth
1 wounded guy on Rennik who doesn't attack
4 more on Rennik
That's 12 for ya.
From: Scott
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
Math was never my strong point. . .
From: Dan
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
Cadfael silently hopes that the runty little wizards who took off past him don't get themselves whooped before he gets to the battle. Other than that, he continues running toward the battle and vows to lay off the doughnuts. For real this time.
OOC -- While the forum is an interesting idea, E-mail is probably better. We all check our E-mails more than we'd check a forum, don't we? And as far as archiving goes, the only problem I've had is not having a record of all the thing my character has said. Which is something I might ask for eventually, because it'd be nice to see how I've been developing the guy.
From: Mike
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
Sounds like the consensus is to stick with email, which is cool. Just thought I'd throw the idea out there. Regarding archiving: I have been logging almost all of my received messages in daily digest form. I'm missing a few messages here and there, though. Some I deleted because they were OOC, some are because I forgot to save a local copy of my own posts and some I don't know why they're gone. I could post those to my web site if you like.
From: Raja
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 3
Sounds good to me. And that way you'd start getting more traffic right away ;)
:-D
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 4
Rennik lets out a roar that is loud enough to have come from the great cat whose pelt he wears. The five halflings facing him look stunned for a second as he becomes a whirling dervish of death, swinging his heavy axe like it was a twig. This second of hesitation proves to be the first halflings death, as Rennik's axe smashed down on top of his head [Attack 26], and doesn't stop until it exits out just below his left arm [Damage 19].
Mission quickly reloads, and decides that his safest shot is at the wounded halfling he already hit. That one has started to get up, and despite his wounds looks more than willing to get back into the fight. Mission utters under his breath, "No. Stay down," and fires a second bolt at him. Just as he pulls the trigger, he sees something horrifying out of the corner of his eye, and his discipline breaks just enough to pull the bolt to the right [Attack 8] where it flies harmlessly past its target.
Garyth has begun to feel more confident about winning this fight, but at the same time, more confused by the fight itself. Why are these halflings, who are clearly outclassed, continuing to press the fight? He has known quite a few of the small folk in his time, and none of them were battle maddened suicide fighters like this. Again though, his thoughts are swept away by the need to keep these confusing halflings from poking holes in his well cared for armor. He takes a swipe at the opponent who tripped, but his confusion has taken away his concentration, and the attack [Attack 10] doesn't even come close. He curses under his breath and tries to clear his head and focus.
Farron has all the focus he needs. After a couple of quick deep breaths, he opens his eyes and raises one hand. A few perfectly enunciated arcane syllables bubble from his lips, and three impossibly fast shards of light streak from his hands to strike one of Rennik's opponents in the back. The halfling gives off a gurgled yell [Damage 2, 4, 5] and staggers forward. He turns around and looks for whoever did that to him. Seeing Farron standing there with his finger pointed, he taps a companion on the shoulder and the two of them run down the hill toward him.
The thing that drew Mission's attention makes its appearance. A grotesque spider several feet across is running rapidly down the slope in Farron and Mission's direction. At it's current speed, it could reach either of them next round.
The two halflings fighting Rennik cast an irritated look at their companions who have taken off after the mage, but they show no sign of giving up. Both let out high pitched screams and lunge at Rennik with their short blades. Now facing more reasonable numbers, Rennik is able to easily turn them both aside [Attacks 8, 6].
Garyth is having his own troubles managing the four fighters that still harass him. They have begun to use quick feints and flank attacks, much like the tactics that worked so well on Rennik last round. [Attacks 13, 10, 18, 19] Two of them land solid blows, and one of the two finds an open spot in his armor to cause a serious wound [Damage 5, 3 + 1d6 flank attack for 4; total 12].
Cadfael lumbers up to within 180 feet of the main fight, and within 30 feet of Mission.
Sa'id runs past the casting Farron, still trying to get into his spell range, he is now 110 feet from Garyth's fight.
(The appearance of the spider reminds everyone who saw him of the vanishing guys existence, for some reason, though he remains vanished)
From: Raja
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 4
(OOC: I've finally caved in and drawn up a sketch of where I think everything is. Feel free to correct it, Ty. Downed halflings are not shown.)
Sa'id slows as he approaches and passes Farron. He grimaces at the sight of the two oncoming halfings, realizing he won't be able to lend any aid to Garyth without dealing with these two first. His grimace turns even more dour as the giant spider materializes on the scene, and he realizes what the tickle in his mind means. Flicking mentally through his options one more time, he regretfully puts the Fireball incantation, that had been primed and ready at the front of his mental queue, aside. As much as he would like to use it on the spider, there is no certainty that the blast would also hit its master.
Sa'id's eyes flick back to the closing pair of halflings disdainfully, and he mentally recites the incantation of Scorching Ray.
(OOC: As soon as they are in range, I will loose the ray at whichever one is closer. My primary goal is still to get close enough to Garyth to cast Colour Spray, but I also don't want the halflings to get to Farron. I want to cast Scorching Ray on one of the two approaching halfings this round, on whichever one has been hurt the least, then I'll keep going toward Garyth until I'm in Colour Spray range.)
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 4
The map isn't bad, and I am going to steal the idea and use it going forward. The one change is that the spider is much closer to the mages than the map shows it. It is actually on the OTHER side of garyths group.
From: Matt
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 4
The edges of Rennik's snarl turn upwards into a growling smile as the shower of blood from the shattered halfling splatters across its two companions. Further pressing his advantage, he swings at the midsection of the halfling already wounded by arrow and bolt. (normal attack, no Power Attack, but still in rage)
Seeing Garyth's trouble, he tries to maneuver his way in that direction, directing the dance of death with the other two halflings to draw himself closer to the other fight and more targets.
From: Karl
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 4
The map helps a lot. However, shouldn't it also show the other three
Sa'ids?
From: Karl
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 4
Farron will cast Summon Monster III to summon 1d4+1 fiendish monstrous scorpions. (OOC - I'm not exactly sure how this works. Do I tell you where? If so, place them so they are between the spider/halfling attackers and Sa'id/Farron/Mission to the degree that is possible.)
From: Karl
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 4
(OOC-actually, I just noticed something. . .how small is "small"? I think I'll change that to 1d4+1 of Celestial Giant Fire Beetles)
From: Dan
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 4
Seeing the spider Cadfael calls out, "Mission, remember you're carrying antitoxin!" and continues at a run. He's going to move his Maximum 80 feet to place himself between the oncoming Halflings and the mages. Along the way he's going to pull out his mace, as the party is far too spread out to gain any real benefit from his boosting spells and he's not close enough to use any touch spells that he might want to use.
If the halflings beat him to the mages (which they probably will) he'll simply get close enough to engage in melee combat.
From: Mike
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 4
How close is Garyth to the two halflings approaching the magic users?
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 4
Right now about 80 feet. But 150 feet by next round.
From: Scott
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 4
There HAD been a halfling. Mission curses his lack of concentration as a creeping spider appears from nowhere-- the rush of memory and its appearance startle him into misfiring his crossbow.
The runes on his wrists pulse within his shirt sleeves.
Mission will move to attack the spider with flurry of blows.
From: Mike
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 4
Garyth grits his teeth in pain as the halflings' blades find their marks. A moment of fear passes over him as he sees the two halflings break off to attack the magic users, but they are too far, and he cannot risk disengaging from those already attacking him. He snarls and continues to attack.
From: Mike
Subject: Game Archives
I've posted the first four days of archives to my website. You can find them at:
http://www.sakeriver.com/game/
There may be some posts missing, I'm not sure. I'll post the remaining days as I have time to convert them.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Game Archives
Sweeeeeeeeeet!
There are a couple of omissions that I can see, but nothing important. :)
On reading the stuff over, it seems I was given a potion of moderate healing but didn't notice. I've updated my equipment. :)
Thanks, Dan. :-P
From: Karl
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 4
Ty, can we get a Hit Point update after the next round? Is anyone is serious trouble yet?
Potion Inventory, Round 5 Results
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 4
I'm going to the beach today, so I'll be incommunicado until late afternoon/early evening. If the situation doesn't change seriously, Rennik will continue doing what he's doing... fighting with his two halflings and working them towards Garyth's group, at which point he'll start pounding on those.
Talk to you later on.
From: Dan
Subject: RE: Game Archives
Thanks for the archives :)
Good to know that you're not paying attention to what I'm writing, twinky
:)
Just to make sure nobody missed anything this is what I gave to everyone:
Rennik: 1 vial of antitoxin, 2 potions of cure moderate wounds
Garyth: 1 vial of antitoxin, 2 potions of cure moderate wounds
Mission: 1 vial of antitoxin, 2 potions of cure moderate wounds
Farron: 1 potion of cure moderate wounds
Sa'id: 1 potion of cure moderate wounds
From: Ty
Subject: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
(HP update: Garyth has 24 out of 43, and Rennik has 40 out of 47)
It is barely 30 seconds into the fight, and already weariness creeps into the combatants. It can be seen in the way blows are slower, and dodges and blocks are correspondingly slower as well. Though his face shows only grim determination, the back of Garyth's pants are soaked with blood from a wound in his ribs.
Rennik thinks, we must end this fight now. He has not lost his barbarian rage, but he adds to it a bit of ranger trickery. He turns his back on the wounded halfling, appearing to dismiss him as a threat. When the two halflings charge, Rennik winds up for a mighty swing at the opponent in front of him. That one skids to a stop, not wanting to get in range of the axe. But Rennik is already pivoting on one foot, letting the weight of the axe pull him around 180 degrees, and aiming the back of the axe at the wounded halflings head. It connects with a sickening crunch [Attack 19], and the stricken man falls like a wet sack of flour [Damage 14]. Rennik quickly swings back around to face his single remaining opponent. He keeps edging towards Garyth's fight while the halfling harasses him.
Mission tosses aside his crossbow in favor of more direct means. He shouts something in a strange tongue and leaps at the approaching spider. As he flies through the air in front of Farron, Farron notices that the tattoos that mark Mission's forearms and ankles have begun to burn with a bright light. When the first foot of his flying kick lands, there is a flash of light and a sound like a thunderclap. [Attack 20 possible critical, threat roll 20, critical hit] The blow shatters the spider like an explosion, hurling pieces of it as far as 20 feet away [Damage 20 + 1d6 blood and stone bonus of 6, total damage 26]. Mission lands lightly on his feet, and drops into a loose fighting crouch to face the two approaching halflings.
(Congratulations to Scott for scoring our first critical hit, and in such spectacular fashion too!)
Garyth doggedly presses on in attacking his four remaining foes. He gives up on finesse for a moment, and just grips his longsword with both hands and smashes it down on the halfling in front of him, hoping to batter aside the smaller man's defenses. It works. The halfling, who has become accustomed to Garyth's skillful fighting style, is unprepared for such an attack [Attack 22], and the blow cleaves his left collarbone [Damage 12], knocking him to the ground.
Farron saw all of this through glazed eyes. He is standing in the path of the two running halflings with one hand outstretched, and a small candle clutched in the other. Mission hears the last few syllables he utters, then sees a quick flash of light and two Giant Beetles appear between Farron and the halflings. (Augmented Beetles 6HP, AC 16, bite +1 for 2d4+2 damage)
Two of the halflings surrounding Garyth attack. One dives at his legs, the other charges him, hoping to trip him. The charging halfling runs right past his defenses and thrusts his short sword into Garyth's abdomen [Attack 21, Damage 6], causing Garyth to stagger back. The second halfling grapples with his legs [Attack 9], but Garyth is able to kick him away and avoid the trip. There is, however, another blood stain on the front of his armor.
Cadfael Arrives next to Farron and Mission, and now must decide whether to keep running toward Garyth, or to stay here with the Monk.
Sa'id runs through the middle of the dead spider and Farron and the two charging halflings. Almost as an afterthought, he stops and fans out the fingers of one hand and utters a quick incantation [Concentration check successful]. A blinding spray of multicolored light springs from his outstretched hand and envelopes the running halflings. [Will Saves 11, 20] One of the halflings collapses to the ground, stunned, unconscious and blinded. The other throws his hand up in front of his face and keeps running.
He runs straight at Sa'id with his short sword outstretched. He leaps forward striking an incredibly accurate blow [Attack 22, threat roll 1, critical failed], and one of Sa'id's doubles disappears in a flash of light.
Rennik's single remaining opponent continues to press his hopeless attack. He is clearly outmatched now, and his sword clatters off Rennik's axe in an easy block [Attack 14].
Garyth's two remaining opponents also appear to be running out of steam. They both attack, hoping to flank him again, but he has recovered his feet from the trip attempt, and he easily parries both. [Attacks 5, 6]
(After this round, Garyth is now down to 18 HP)
From: Mike
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
Garyth gasps as yet another of the halflings' blows strikes home. It's clear that he's weakening, but the look in his eye leaves no doubt about his spirit. He grips the hilt of his sword tighter and continues to attack the halfling he has wounded.
From: Scott
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
OOC: Couldn't have done it without you, Ty! :)
Mission stomach turns as he sees the conjured beetles. Not illusions, these, but summoned monsters. Summoned by his ally, and that is something that he must remember. Ally. A wizard, his ally. Mission sucks in his breath at the thought.
As he runs to face the single halfling menacing Sa'id and Farron he calls, "There a halfling mage loose around here! He disappeared, and then summoned the spider! Do one of you possess the magic to find him?"
Mission marks the stunned halfling-- perhaps a prisoner for later. He will use flurry of blows against the halfling that is attacking Sa'id.
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
Garyth was grappled in that 5th round, and I failed to give him his attack of opportunity. My bad. Please be patient with me. J
Game:
The Halfling that tried to trip Garyth attempts to stand up. While he is occupied with this, Garyth swings a quick backhand blow with his sword [Attack 17] that takes a bit of flesh out of the halflings back. [Damage 7]
From: Mike
Subject: RE: Game Archives
The archive is now complete through yesterday.
From: Ty
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
I am going to wait for Dan to check in, since he has some important decisions to make this round.
From: Matt
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
(OOC: I really hate power outages.)
Rennik's rage is tempered by confusion at why this halfling would continue his assault. He has lost three of his companions by Rennik's hand alone, while in a group, yet he persists alone. No wild halflings he has ever known or heard of have had such fanatical devotion to their attack, such mindless bloodlust. When the battle turns sour, you run and hide... then strike again unexpectedly... something evil is at work, and it is targeting halflings...
That thought makes him angrier, and he strikes to kill the last halfling and move to Garyth's aid. (Power Attack -2)
From the corner of his eye, Rennik notices the impressive display of force made by Mission and feels his confidence surge. The monk is a powerful companion, and has gained a measure of respect.
Lots of Hmph-ing, Round 6 Results
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
"The monk is a powerful companion, and has gained a measure of respect"
---while, of course, the wizard who drew two of your attackers off you is merely chopped liver. (hmph!)
From: Scott
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
From Karl:
> ---while, of course, the wizard who drew two of your
> attackers off you is merely chopped liver. (hmph!)
Keep it up, and you will be! :)
I'm sure Rennick just hasn't noticed your efforts. Yet. Because magic missile is SO impressive. Like, only the most POWERFUL of mages can cast it. A spell of most dread and weighty proportions, magic missile. How can he not comment on your efforts? He must be in awe.
:D
From: Karl
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
(Sniff) If anyone needs me, I'll be in my trailer (Farron leaves the set to go sulk in trailer)
From: Dan
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
(OOC) Suddenly Cadfael's batteries come back to life. With a *diagnostic complete* light returns to his eyes and he surges back to life. Go team power! Sorry for the delay, guys.
Cadfael sees one halfling fall to Sa'id's magics and notes that it is now the 2 wizards, the monks and 2 summoned monsters against one halfling. Surely they can deal with that? Besides, he's none too eager to enter combat himself.
He carries on past them, hussling toward Garyth, sweaty hand gripping his mace and ready to give one halfling a solid knock on the back of the head. Hearing Mission talk of some wizard, he also keeps on wary eye out for some suspicious looking halfling.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
(OOC: Rennik kinda sees Magic Missile as cheating. Plus, he whacked a halfling with some beams of light and made it angry.... Mission made a huge spider explode with his foot. Slight difference.)
From: Karl
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
Yeah, yeah, I get the message. Wizards get no respect. (Again I say "Hmph!")
From: Scott
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
:snicker:
From: Karl
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
Hmph!
Hmph, hmph, hmph, hmph, HMPH!!!!!!!!!!!
From: Mike
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
"I didn't get a harrumph out of you!"
"Harrumph!"
"You watch your ass."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 5
OMG! I just watched that movie last night. Quelle coincidence!
From: Ty
Subject: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 6
(I haven't heard from Sa'id for this round, but I assume that is a blackout related issue, and I have his old move declaration to go on, so I will go ahead and do round 6 before the weekend)
The fight is ending. Those combatants in full control of their minds can feel it. Though Garyth still struggles desperately against four opponents, two of them are seriously wounded, and help is coming quickly. Rennik continues to drive his attacker toward Garyth's group, and without help, the single halfling is unable to effectively resist. Cadfael rushes up the hill to Garyth's aid. Sa'id is moving to assist. The feeling of, "It's almost over, everyone is going to get out alive" is nearly palpable.
Rennik, having pushed the halfling around enough, decides to finish him. He confidently lunges forward swinging his axe in a vicious arc at his opponents head. When discussing it later, Rennik will vehemently claim that blood had made the grip of his axe slippery, but whatever the reason, his blow lands nowhere near its target. [Attack 1, automatic miss]
As Sa'id continues up the hill, counting on his illusionary doubles to protect him from the one remaining conscious enemy, Mission moves forward to keep the halfling from pursuing the wizard. The halfling ignores him, to his great regret. As the halfling attempts to move past Mission, Mission strikes him twice in the throat [Flurry of blows -2; Attacks 22, 14]. Only one of the blows hits the exposed neck, but it lands with devastating force [Damage 13 versus 3 remaining HP; -10]. The halfling's neck snaps so loudly that Garyth and Rennik can hear it even through the din of their own fights. He is dead long before he falls.
Garyth hacks down again on the halfling he already damaged. His blow batters aside his opponents defenses again [Attack 24], and the already wounded shoulder is split open down to the rib cage [Damage 10] instantly killing the halfling.
Farron, confident now in Mission's ability to protect him from harm, is ignoring the closer opponents in favor of those pressing Garyth. He decides to finish off one of the wounded, and once again points a finger and utters a few harsh syllables. Three move rapid streaks of energy strike the halfling that tried to grapple Garyth's legs, and pierce him through [Damage 3, 3, 2]. In just a few seconds time, Garyth has gone from four active opponents to two.
Cadfael rushes up to the fight, and will be able to take actions next round.
Sa'id, had planned to use a color spray on the group attacking Garyth. Now, with only two left, and with two of his own companions so close by, he decides to use a more accurate spell. He points at one of the remaining two halflings, and a lance of fire erupts from his fingertip [Ranged touch attack 17], and burns the hapless hobbit alive [Damage 2, 4, 2, 4 = 12]. Though his target does not die, most of its body is covered with severe burns, and it looks moments from expiring.
At this point, any opponent with even an ounce of logic or reason would be surrendering, or running away.
These halflings do neither. Instead, they continue to hurl themselves at the attack. Rennik's opponent lunges at him, stabbing with its short sword in an attack that would normally miss, but hits because Rennik's berserker rage has taken away some of his defensive mind set [Attack 16; Damage 5]. Garyth's remaining opponent (who isn't currently smoking) also presses his attack. But now, with only one opponent to worry about, Garyth's superior swordsmanship is displayed, and the attack is easily knocked aside [Attack 10].
(Cadfael can act next round, for the very first time in this fight! Yay)
From: Ty
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 6 addendum
Karl, I didn't mention what your beetles did, but if you want, they can have devoured the unconscious halfling, or they can have started moving up the hill to Garyth, just let me know. Devouring the unconscious guy is a free attack, coup de gras, and requires no rolls.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 6
Farron, now seeing that the battle is nearly over, begins to search the area in earnest for the missing halfling leader. He is looking and listening for any sign that might betray this last enemy's whereabouts. He chatters to Jack who jumps down and darts through the grass and brush to see if he can sniff anything out.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 6
(OOC: See, that, in a Werewolf game, would easiy have garnered me a point of temporary rage... grumble, grumble... I missed, and the little bastich hit me...)
Rennik howls as the sword sword pierces his body and brings the axe down on the shoulder of he halfling's offending arm, hoping to sever it (and its sword) from the aggressor's body. (again, Power Attack -2)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 6 addendum
(OOC: Okay, I'm back in the world of the living... at least for now. I hate Ernie Eves. "Ontario will be fine for power this summer," MY ASS, Mr. Premier. What a knob.)
Sa'id turns as Mission dispatches his pursuer. "Thank you, Mission," he says with a smile and a nod. Then, opening his scroll case, he turns to look at the empty area where the halfling leader disappeared. He quickly reads the incantation -- Detect Magic; Sa'id hopes to determine precisely where the leader was when he disappeared, and where the spider summong spell was cast or took effect.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 6
Garyth swallows down a surge of relief; the fight is not over yet. Grimacing in pain, he focuses on his remaining opponent. Disarming him would be useless; it is obvious that if he is left nothing else the halfling would use his teeth. Garyth moves to finish him off.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 6
(OOC: I'm going to be out of town until Sunday night, and I can't promise I'll be able to get online. Sorry guys.)
From: Scott
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 6 addendum
Mission grins cheerfully at Sa'id. "You're welcome." But then the wizard removes a scroll, and the words he speaks, unnatural, wild, chaotic words, make Mission shudder.
The halfling he killed-- as wild an chaotic as magic. Mission remembers the look in his eyes. Bestial. Devoid of hope and sense. . . he cannot shake the feeling that it wasn't the halfling he was fighting at all. . .
Mission will keep one eye on the Garyth's and Rennick's mop-up activities, but will focus on listening for the remaining halfling. He will continue to remain close to the mages to protect them from any suprises.
Archive Update, Mike Is Cool, Cadfael Joins The Fight
Subject: Re: Game Archives
Now complete through 8/15. I also added some slightly more descriptive titles for ease of browsing. From here on out I won't bother letting you all know when I update unless it's something important.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Game Archives
Thanks. I think it's cool that you are doing this.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Game Archives
What Karl said. The archive is awesome. If you ever need any help formatting the emails as plain text or however it is you're doing it, let me know (though I recently deleted my own archive, so you'd have to forward them to me).
From: Dan
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 6
Cadfael closes in on Garyth's fight, his chest heaving from the long run through the forest. Looking around him it is clear that the fight is almost finished, only a few enemies remain standing.
He notes the blood staining Garyth's clothes and realizes that more of it is his than he would like, but the wounds are not yet life threatening. Better to take care of the dangers now and deal with the wounded in the relative peace that should follow the battle.
Gripping the haft of his mace he mutters, "Pelor, forgive me the wounds I must inflict." and swings at one of the remaining halflings.
(OOC I don't think I sent this in yet, did I?)
From: Raja
Subject: RE: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 6
Nope. At least, I hadn't seen it before.
Worries About Ty, Round 7 Results, Mailing List Intro
Subject: RE: Game Archives
Would you mind sending out the archive URL again? I want to do some reading while I'm here at work ;)
..is Ty on vacation? Or has the game moved on without me or something?
From: Mike
Subject: RE: Game Archives
The archives are at http://www.sakeriver.com/game/
Has anyone even heard from Ty? I'm starting to get a little worried. I haven't even seen him on AIM.
From: Ty
Subject: RE: Game Archives
Sorry guys, I'm back.
I had to teach a class on inventory management, and it was ALL FREAKINGDAY!!!
I hate that.
Next turn coming in just a moment.
From: Ty
Subject: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 7
It has ceased to be a fight, and has become butchers work now.
Rennik brings his axe down in a powerful stroke aimed at his enemy's shoulder. The blow is accurate [Attack 21] and powerful [Damage 15]. His goal is achieved, and the arm is totally severed. The halfling falls to his knees gasping and spraying the area around him with blood, then falls over and goes about the quiet business of dying.
Garyth too, just wants the fight to be over. He thrusts at the unwounded halfling still facing him [Attack 15], but his blade is turned aside by his leather armor.
Farron has stopped fighting in favor of searching for the halfling that disappeared. He and Mission, accompanied by the beetles (I typoed that as the 'beatles' the first time. 'Ringo makes a tracking roll! George casts prismatic spray!) begin combing the area while avoiding the remaining fight.
Garyth's opponent continues his suicidal attack, lunging at Garyth's thigh [Attack 11], but easily deflected away.
Cadfael rushes up to the fight just in time to see the badly burned halfling getting up. The halfling is covered in horrific burns, in large sections his skin is falling off like snow, exposing raw open wounds underneath, and yet the creature picks up its sword, and prepares to attack Garyth again. It is beyond reason. After uttering his prayer, Cadfael strikes the wounded creature, uttering "Be finally at peace" as he swings. The blow lands directly on top of the halfling's head [Attack 19], and is exceptionally powerful [Damage 11]. The stricken man drops to the ground instantly dead.
Sa'id reads from his scroll. When he finishes, there is a glimmer to his vision. Some of the weapons and armor of his party gleam with various enchantments, but he expected that and ignores it. Harder to ignore is Mission. All down his arms and legs there are runes that glow like fire. Still, there is a purpose to this, and Sa'id determines to look into the mysterious monk at another time. He prowls up the hill casting his gaze left and right. At the top of the hill, perhaps 50 feet in front of the copse of trees in which the halflings hid, is a faint aura of conjuration, probably from the spider summoning. There is, however, no hint of the invisible halfling, or any remnant of the spell he used to disappear.
(There is one halfling left fighting Garyth)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 7
(OOC: (There is one halfling left fighting Garyth)..... not for long... )
Having dispatched his last opponent, Rennik looks toward Garyth and notices the blood seeping out from under his armor, likely causing the lack of vigor in the fighter's last attack. Rennick sees the threat and moves to overtake the halfling, moving the final few feet toward the melee and planting the blade of his axe in the halfling's spine. (Power Attack -4... goin' for the gusto on this one)
When the halfling has fallen, Rennik will scan the perimeter for any other threats (still raging).
From: Scott
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 7
Mission almost stumbles over his own feet as the runes on his limbs light up with the touch of Sa'id's spell. He supresses a groan of disgust and wills himself to look away from the wizard. That was the trouble with magery-- it was wild, unpredictable, touching those it had no right to touch, stealing into minds and flesh, violating. . .
Mission rubs the tattoos on the insides of his wrists, and reminds himself of the values that each of the runes represents.
Mission has never felt the need to hit something so keenly since leaving the Mossground. And his eyes fall on the halfling struggling against Garyth.
Mission will attack the halfling using Flurry of Blows. (If he can reach him in this round)
(OOC: Are any of the halflings alive and unconscious? I thought one hit by the Color spray was. . .)
From: Ty
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 7
The halfling hit by color spray was munched by Farron's bugs.
PS Scott, Mission would not have seen his tattoos light up, since the detect magic spell only affected Sa'id, but your writeup was so cool, that we will just say that Mission's sensitivity to such things warned him that Sa'id was viewing him magically.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 7
Farron notices Sa'id reading his scroll too late to stop him. I could've cast that and saved us a scroll, he thinks to himself; we really need to talk about coordination before the next battle. "Do you see anything, Sa'id?" he asks. In a whisper to Sa'id he adds, "I can cast a spell to try and disrupt his invisibility if we can figure out his general vicinity. Alas, the coverage area is not as big as this field."
Farron will continue looking for any sign of movement or presence of the missing halfling, and Jack and the beetles will do the same.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 7
(OOC - Boy! I'd hate to be that halfling! He's gonna be puree in a minute.)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 7
Garyth curses inwardly for missing the last blow. How many times had his father rebuked him for slacking when victory was near? He redoubles his efforts to end the fight.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 7
(OOC - applauds Mike for a nice touch in explaining the unfortunate roll.)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 7
"GAH!" Sa'id stamps his foot and staff in frustration. Hearing Farron's words, he turns to face the other wizard. "No, it didn't work. I detected all of us -- Mission glows like the sun -- and the residual aura of your summoning spell. Even if the aura from the halfling's invisibility spell hadn't quite dissipated when I cast the spell, it will almost certainly be gone now. We'll have to hope that he comes out." (OOC: that aura lasts 1-6 rounds, and now it has been seven rounds since it was cast, IIRC)
"Khara y'lutt wijj'ak!" he curses at the invisible halfling, his voice louder than is perhaps appropriate. ("May shit be smeared all over your face.")
From: Ty
Subject: Re: First Day: the hunt; Battle is Joined 7
I just need info from Cadfael. I need to know if he is fighting, or if he is healing Garyth, or what. :)
From: Mike
Subject: Mailing List, sort of
In a further attempt to streamline the gaming process, I was wondering what you all thought of setting up a sort of mailing list. I can set up an email forwarding account through my domain, something like game@sakeriver.com or whatever, that will auto-forward anything sent to it to everyone. It's not quite as automated in terms of subscribing, unsubscribing, and archiving as a real listserv, but it would save me the trouble of having to check to make sure all the email addresses are included every time.
Speaking of which, did Tom and Anne Kate ask to get dropped from the list, or did we just forget them?