A Tale of Two Orphans — IC

Post by **PureZaros** » Sun Mar 09, 2014 9:32 pm

Seeing the greedy motion by McCormic, Embla barely suppressed another wave of anger. Realizing she wasn't being particularly helpful Embla, with some difficulty, swallowed her desire to maim for the moment. Eyes still flinty, she turned to McCormic and said, "Look, we're not asking you to fight the damn witch. We just need to get to her. If you lead us there and I get to blow holes in something at least, I'd be more than happy to forgive your misdirection last night. She seemed to choke a little bit as she got to the forgiveness part. "And I can be trusted to keep my word. Usually. Either way, you get a piece of the Wellesly's money, while we get to deal with your town's problem."

Post by **Fialova** » Mon Mar 10, 2014 8:35 pm

"Fight the witch?! Fight... the witch? Man, you folks are a crazy lot if there ever was one." Cormic pauses, eyeing Embla in particular, but overall just giving a look of disbelief that is directed towards the entire group. He stays silent for a few moments, going over the options in his head, before finally responding.

"Ok, I tell you what: I will lead you into the woods and try to help you find this witch, but if she is real and she shows up I am not lifting a finger and I expect you to make sure I get out of there alive. If you don't protect me I'll be gone, and you will never find your way back out of those woods." Ignoring Embla now, he approaches the noblemen and holds out a hand. "Deal?"

Post by **Namelessjake** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 6:40 am

Drake glanced back at the others, gauging their reactions. "Deal." He said, shaking the man's hand. As much as he hated it, they needed him. Without a guide they didn't have a hope of finding the witch and Garland would stay out of the war until the Imardanian army was at the gates. "When can we leave?" He asked, hoping the answer would be soon if not immediately. Every day they achieved nothing made the Imardanians one day closer to victory.

Post by **Fialova** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:26 am

"Good," the woodsman replies, his smirk returning to his face. "Well, if all of you have what you need then we can head out now. If not, you better hurry if you want to cover any ground before nightfall. Make sure you bring food, the wildlife has been a bit scarce recently."

Post by **Scratcherclaw** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 5:13 pm

Caelen sighs a breath of relief, his worries that the group would be forced to fend for themselves in the unknown wood due to Embla's irrational behavior fading. Phew... I fretted we'd be alone on this and going astray in a strange woodland doesn't sound enjoyable. Oh, the allure of money. His relief and comfort is quickly displaced by the realization that he'll have to delve deep into the forest and confront the vile witch. To keep from being overcome by anxiety, Caelen works to distract himself with aimless thoughts. It really is a lovely day. That Todd was awfully fidgety. I wonder what Embla's favorite food is... I sure hope that Wellesly man has some chocolate when we return. I can't believe that brute knocked me out. I hope it's not noticeable. Can cows swim? His mind races, all in an effort to conceal his true fears deep inside. He sighs as the witch resurfaces in his thoughts. I'll just be glad when this is all over. "I-I'm r-r-ready to g-go," he stutters, overcome with apprehension.

Post by **ratwizard** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 9:00 pm

Valc excuses himself quickly, not yet ready for the trek. He hastily marches around the market, peering into the different shops and stands until he finds what looks to be some sort of exotic ivory-working shop. He peeks his head in and finds just the right kind of thing that he is searching for. A little pricey, but this will do.

Valc checks his coin-pouch and reluctantly hands over 7 gold coins to the ivory-crafter, pointing to an ornate, ivory warhorn that rests on the counter to his left. 8 silvers left. Let's hope that we bag this witch or else I might starve before I even get to fight any Imardanians.

The lordless knight returns to the group a few minutes after he departed, looking satisfied and in a little better spirits. "We've got a witch to hunt."

kalis5 · Post by **kalis5** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 9:03 pm

Rorin walks back over to the group once he's done looking at the wares of the marketplace. He honestly can't wait for this to be over and to get paid, if nothing more than for the fact he's flat broke at the moment and needs the gold before they even try and sleep in another hotel. He hopes that their wealth won't be called into question by any of the lords in the near future, otherwise there'll be a number of problems.
"Let's get going."

Post by **PureZaros** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 9:10 pm

Embla mutters half-curses and darker things under her breath. Glaring at the woodsman, she strokes one of Fluffy's tentacles. "The sooner we get going, the less time I have to change my mind. Let's go kill a pretender."

Post by **Fialova** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 9:22 pm

"I have no shopping to do, so I suppose I am ready as well," Zara says, a bit saddened at the lack of coins in her purse with such a large market to browse. After Wellesly pays us, I will have to come back here.

With this, she looks to Drake expectantly, the only one to not speak up so far. She doubts he has any objects to moving on, but the young lord was not an easy one to read like most of the others. "Shall we be going then, Lord Aerden?"

Post by **Namelessjake** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:46 am

"Well then, Cormic, lead the way." Drake said, stepping aside to let the Woodsman through to the front of the group. I really do hope we'e may the right choice. He thought to himself, eyeing up the man as he walked past. The sooner we get this done the better.

Post by **Fialova** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:31 pm

With everyone ready to go, Cormic leads the group out of the northern gate of Garland and into the forest. For the rest of the evening the group. At first, the woods are not too dense and very quiet, just as was the case on the road to the city from Greywood. However, after about an hour the trees get much thicker and the canopy begins to block out much more light. In not too long, light is hard to come by and Cormic lights a torch before continuing to lead the way.

After a few hours of walking through the tangled forest floor, you arrive at a clearing. "This is a good place to stop for the night," the woodsman says. "There is not a good chance of finding another clearing before the darkness fully sets in, and we will want a nice open area in case anything decides to bother us." He says these last words with a bit of fear in his eyes, and anyone who had been paying attention might guess he was referring to the night creatures Zara mentioned before.

Before anyone has a chance to respond, Cormic climbs up into a lone tree in the middle of the clearing and lays on a branch with his back against the trunk. "I'm set, you folk do whatever you need to do." Nearby there is a recently collapsed tree covered in barely-decayed branches and leaves, the perfect easily-gathered campfire source. The group makes a fire near the now-barren log and set up their beds around it. It is not yet completely night yet, but the rest of the forest around them is certainly as dark as if it were.

[SHOW]: While everyone is becoming situated, and conversations begin to start, you hear a faint rustling coming from the surrounding forest. It begins very quietly - only barely noticeable among the other sounds emanating from the trees - but it quickly becomes louder and more distinct. Whatever it is, it's certainly not standard animal noises. And whatever it is, it sounds as if it is getting closer.

Post by **Scratcherclaw** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:13 pm

Caelen relaxes by the fire, the mesmerizing flames clearing his mind of the overcoming terror he had faced earlier. For the first time since entering Garland, he feels tranquil. But only for a moment. He hears the faintest rustling in the brush which quickly becomes much louder. Growing wide-eyed with horror as whatever creature it is draws nearer, he points toward where the sound originates, his arm visibly shaking. "G-g-g-guys, s-s-something's out th-there." His entire body trembles as trepidation sets in.

Post by **Fialova** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:02 pm

Zara is just finishing setting up her tent when she hears the sounds coming from the woods. At first she thinks little of it, figuring a fox or some other small creature moving erratically through the forest. But it doesn't stop, and instead gets louder. The sign she knew all too well. Before she can speak up, Caelen does, the young elf noticeably - and rightfully - showing signs of fear.

"Yes, more than one something," Zara responds, as she reaches for her swords. Looking around, and addressing everyone, she continues, "not to alarm you all, but you may be meeting the night creatures sooner rather than later."

[SHOW]: Initiative: 14

Everyone roll initiative and link it in a Mechanics block like this after your next post, and then we will begin the first encounter.

Post by **Namelessjake** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:13 pm

Drake rose to his feet as Zara spoke, the rustling in the bushes now clearly audible. "Well then, I'll have to introduce them to my steel!" He said, unsheathing his longsword. "It's been a while since I've bloodied it." He finished as he raised he sword and shield in anticipation of whatever creature was hurtling towards them through the undergrowth.

[SHOW]: Initiative: 10

Post by **ratwizard** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:33 pm

Valc is laying next to the fire on his bedroll, relaxing from the long hike through the woods the group undertook during the day. When Zara calls them to arms, he quickly stands up, reaching into his backpack for a sunrod. He slaps it firmly against his open palm to activate it, and with a hefty throw, sends it flying in the direction that the elf pointed in hopes of spotting their predators. It smacks against a few trunks along until it comes to a halt, the strong, bright light of the sunrod illuminating the nearby area. He turns, grabbing his tower shield and tearing his bastard sword from its long scabbard on his hip. I guess the tales were true, then, he thinks. "Stay close, every one. We don't want any of these things hauling one of us off into the night."

[SHOW]: Initiative: 1d20+2=13

kalis5 · Post by **kalis5** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:45 pm

Even as the first sound of something that isn't a forest animal starts to reach the group, Rorin's already preparing for combat, crouching down a little bit as he attempts to perceive where the first attack will come from through the trees.
"If we're lucky they won't try to surround us. Otherwise... Better hope they aren't melee fighters."

[SHOW]: Initiative Rolle:17(1d20) +4 = 21
Perception Roll: 6(1d20) +6 = 12

Post by **PureZaros** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:10 pm

"Woo! Let's rip some things to pieces, Fluffy," Embla cried, leaping to her feet. Spinning to face the direction of the rest of the group, she made the mistake of taking a step forward at the same time, tripping over her own feet and landing back on the ground.
"Oof!"
Standing back up she, with more care this time, placed herself in a ready stance, unslinging staff from her back. Fluffy crouched behind her, growling into the night.

[SHOW]: Initiative: 7(1d20) +1 = 8

Post by **Scratcherclaw** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:24 pm

Caelen pauses for a brief moment, taken by the realization that these creatures of the night were no fable. He snaps back into focus and grabs his longbow lying next to him. Please just be a rabbit.... Please just be a very large rabbit. He knows he isn't right, but he still hopes. He grabs a slim arrow from his quiver, his hands shaking from anxiety. Easy Caelen. He calms himself. Just remember what Father taught you.

[SHOW]: 17(1d20) +5 = 22

Post by **Fialova** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 5:37 pm

Encounter 1

Valc's sunrod lights up the clearing, revealing the myriad walking corpses that have surrounded the party's location. There are many of them, some with weapons but most without. They move slowly and make loud moaning noises when they do, and they are most definitely coming closer.

"Good luck with those," shouts Cormic down to the group. "I hope you can handle them. I'm staying up here." With that he climbs higher into the tree, until he is completely out of sight. The group will have to fight these without his help, though that shouldn't come as a surprise given his earlier remarks.

Go: Caelen, Rorin

[SHOW]: It's now time for combat. If you have still not read over the combat rules, you should do this ASAP since they are now relevant. However, here I will give the short summarized version of them so that we can at least move on quickly.

During any normal turn, each person gets up to 3 actions (though you won't always end up using all 3). You get one each of a Standard Action, Move Action, and Minor Action, but you can trade higher tiered actions for lower tier ones if you wish (they are tiered in the same order I listed them). Apart from your individual powers, you can find lists of standard actions and which type they count as in the PHB.

Additionally, each encounter you can use up to 1 action point if you possess any. Everyday you start with one, and gain another for every two encounters you go without taking an extended rest.

Each turn, post a text description of your actions and include all of the mechanics in a spoiler block like this one. Mechanics will include attack names, targets for the attacks, attack and damage rolls, and then any relevant extra info (extra effects of attacks, save rolls, etc.)

At the end of every post until the encounter is over, include an updated version of your character's combat block that takes into account any ongoing effects, changes in health, etc. Once the combat ends, you may take a short rest to spend any number of healing surges as well as recharge your encounter powers. That signals the end of the encounter, and after your short rest post you need not add a combat block with your posts anymore until the next encounter begins (unless something changes on it outside of combat).

[SHOW]

[SHOW]: Tree: (O, 21 - P, 22) These spots cannot be entered and block line of sight for attacks for you and enemies. Cormic is up in the tree at (P, 22)

Tents: Zara's and Embla's tents block line of sight, but can easily be knocked over by moving into their squares.

Log: The squares occupied by the fallen log are difficult terrain. If you aren't entirely sure if one counts, just ask.

Fire: (M, 19 - N, 20) ending your turn in any of the squares makes you take 3 fire damage.

[SHOW]: Zombie: These shambling corpses seem fragile and weak. They have no armor or weapons, and can likely be disposed of quite easily.

Large Zombie: Unlike most of the walking dead in this fight, these seem significantly more formidable. They still possess no weapons or armor, but their bulk and stance gives off a sense of strength the others seem to lack.

Skeleton: These seem to be the most formidable of the enemies that have surrounded you, possessing both a sword and a bow each, with leather armor draped over their thin skeletal bodies. Perhaps they were once rangers, long ago.

[SHOW]: 22 Caelen (P, 19) HP: 24/24 AP: 1/1
21 Rorin (J, 21) HP: 24/24 AP: 1/1
17 Skeleton 1 (G, 10) HP: ??/??
17 Skeleton 2 (AA, 27) HP: ??/??
14 Zara (L, 22) HP: 25/25 AP: 1/1
13 Valc (J, 17) HP: 25/25 AP: 1/1
10 Drake (L, 16) HP: 31/31 AP: 1/1
9 Large Zombie 1 (L, 32) HP: ??/??
9 Large Zombie 2 (W, 11) HP: ??/??
8 Embla (N, 21) HP: 26/26 AP: 1/1
3 Zombie 1 (H, 13) HP: 1/1
3 Zombie 2 (K, 9) HP: 1/1
3 Zombie 3 (R, 11) HP: 1/1
3 Zombie 4 (X, 17) HP: 1/1
3 Zombie 5 (X, 21) HP: 1/1
3 Zombie 6 (U, 26) HP: 1/1
3 Zombie 7 (O, 31) HP: 1/1
3 Zombie 8 (J, 28) HP: 1/1

Fluffy HP: 13/13

kalis5 · Post by **kalis5** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 6:18 pm

As one of the first few that has their wits about them enough to act, Rorin draws his hand crossbow and moves to the rear of the party, firing a bolt off at the large zombie to the rear with the intent of killing it quickly before it can engage the rest of the party.
"Zara, Embla, I'm going to need a hand here. Let's kill off the ones on the edges so we can focus our defenses on one point."

[SHOW]: Move to M24

Minor to draw Hand Crossbow

Sly Flourish on Large Zombie VS AC: 16(1d20) +8 = 24

(If hit) Damage: 4(1d6) +7 = 11; 12(2d8) = 12 (Second roll, 2d8, is sneak attack damage granted by acting first.)

Free action to reload crossbow