The Savage Tide, Part 2 (IC)

[Swami Monsoon]

Tom stays silent for the moment, only nodding when he is introduced. He's content to leave this Queen in charge of her little kingdom, and he's not sure this is any more their business than the battles between birds and beasts. He listens to the discussion in some foreign language...

I hope they know what they're doing...

Spoiler

Show

Senses Aura is on.

[PSinger]

"It would've been better if Amella could do this," thinks Eliezer. "Telling stories is her forte. Oh, well, here goes."

Skald, Eliezer tells the epic story of the trials and travails of the doomed Sea Wyvern from the time it disembarked Sasserine. The heroes lost, the battles won, the strange sights seen, and his own marooning on Tamochtli where he met Shouting Tree. After he and Quickslayer killed the basilisk, they killed other strange monsters in the ancient ruins. Quickslayer stayed behind to show reverence and guard over Korian's statue, for the latter was the son of the God of Frostfell Animals, and Quickslayer's patron. The Idol of the Bat, which still puzzles Eliezer, was recovered from the ruins, and then again from the Sea Wyvern. He believes it to be some type of artifact. Finally, he tells of the great battle against the monster lizard that you finally felled with an unbelievable shot from your bow.

Spoiler: Story Time

Show

Perform: Oratory, untrained (1d20+6)[14] ... hopefully, a natural 22 CHA and perhaps a bonus from the DM will go far?

[lostsole31]

Skald can tell Elliezer is no storyteller, but his forthrightness serves him well. Besides, the tale practically tells itself. Lithira listens with rapt attention.

Once he is done, she says, "I thank you for your tale.The world beyond sounds truly wondrous and I would very much like to visit it one day. As for your journey, there is little I can do to aid you. You should know that the way south is dangerous. There are unnatural things that lurk in the dark places, now more so than in the past. I know that four eyes have gazed upon you and their servant seeks you out. You would do well to avoid him.

"If you plan to head south, take the dark mountain pass that travels under the peaks. It was made by the ancient ones, but beware - hungry birds nest near its opening not far from here, and they are fierce near their young. May you wander the web to find your wayhome."

Any other RP or questions with Lithira?

[PSinger]

Eliezer considers the increase in unnatural activity that this long-time resident has noticed, and what the heck is this four eyes business about?

"Do you have any further insight on what you've told us? How do you know them to be true?"

[lostsole31]

She nods slowly.

Spoiler: Sylvan

Show

"Yes, the 'path under the mountain leads to the bay on the other side, but I have not been that way in ages. It is much easier than traveling around or over the mountains. I know nothing in particular of the unnatural things that lurk in the dark places, except that they are numerous now and their powers is growing."

With that, Lithira turns into a old hairy spider and crawls away, allowing you to leave in peace.

Amella looks nervous. "She is an aranea, a race of magical shapechangers that can take the form of one humanoid and their natural spider form, and they have moderately capable sorcery in misdirection. But I never heard of them actually controlling spiders. She might be friendly, but the thousands of other spiders - some really big - well, I don't know. Sooo ... let's carefully beat feet now!"

You see that the rest of the colonists and Avner are looking incredibly nervous, and Thunderstriker is very skittish.

[PSinger]

Eliezer looks at his nervous bunch. He nods, "There we have it. Let us quit this place and seek the undermountain pass, unless someone has a better idea."

[lostsole31]

Any input?

[TickleMeTemplar]

"Is the pass under the mountain really our best option? The old one said herself that a darkness festers there now more powerful than before. Besides," his wings twitch, "I feel uncomfortable underground. There's no room to move and fight. There air is moldy and stale. And, most importantly, we know what treads above the ground. We can only guess what scurries beneath us."

[Swami Monsoon]

"We know this jungle is pretty damned deadly as well. The old lady is probably speaking from experience. The real question is how much we can trust her..."

[PSinger]

"I sensed no malice in her words, and with our story of the world beyond her own, she seemed genuinely grateful. Tom is right. We don't know all the dangers the jungle holds; we're just familiar with the ones we've met. If there are dark forces with eyes upon us, then they know where we are, regardless. Trying to take the colonists through the mountains with the provisions is asking to be picked off, even though Skald and I would have advantage of flight, and Skald would be in tune with the sky. Avner's horse also might not make it assuming footing is treacherous.

"Meanwhile, with an undermountain pass - and I surmise from her words that this pass is more constructed in nature and thus more navigable than simple spelunking - we can protect colonists from both sides, and possibly bottleneck any enemies, even if they attack from two sides. The litters can be trailed, and Thunderstriker can be guided. We're all casters here, so light shouldn't be a problem. If air is an issue, I am sure, Skald, that you have the means to help with that, given sky powers might carry over to powers of air, a common element for druids, right?

"No," pronounces the rabbi, "your arguments have merit, but we will take the undermountain pass. For the safety of all, I am more than willing to forgo my advantage of flight."

[lostsole31]

"Och. I'll follow ye wherever you go, captain," says Amella, "In the jungle we're a bunch of road rollers with a trail as big as one o' them trees. GangofThieves! Not like we're not gonna' fight no matter which way we go. But if you bloody carpetsellers don't mind, let's go .... now!"

[lostsole31]

The party needs to bed down shortly thereafter. Are there any special precautions the group takes?

[PSinger]

Eliezer informs of his orders (per OOC).

[lostsole31]

Spoiler

Show

Just doing this much to keep from back-and-forthing the obvious, PSinger.

"To arms!" calls Eliezer when the party is sleeping. "Terror birds in the jungle!"

He easily wakes folks up. You each have one round to do something. Note that you are prone so a move action (MA) would be required for you to stand, an another SA>>>MA to grab a weapon. Spell component pouches are assumed to be worn, and thus not picked up off the ground. You do not sleep with "weapons in your hand," since sleeping is a deeper form of unconscious, which is a deeper form of stunned, in which you hold nothing in your hands (or at least not properly "wielded").

Go ahead and state your actions. No order is required. Tom, no auras are up while you are asleep, so if you spend a SwA (swift action) to bring one up, be sure to note that in your actions. Nobody has recovered any spells or anything from the previous day.

[PSinger]

Spoiler

Show

No problem. Saves a day of back-and-forth interaction that nobody wants.

Normally, Eliezer might take wing. But with the colonists, it's more important he stay grounded to help protect them. His orders were that the colonists sleep in the middle of the large encampment, along with the food and the horse. The rest of the party was to space themselves around the perimeter. The downside to that is a party member might be alone for a round or two while others come to their aid if they're not engaged with a foe.

Eliezer touches one of the two beads on his necklace, praying aloud to Moradin for strength in battle against the foe. Everyone is filled with an increased sense of courage. The head of Gili-Nachum bursts into flame as the dwarf-chalkydri stands ready for battle.

Spoiler: Bead of Blessing

Show

As expected, using the bead of blessing for the bless effect.

[Swami Monsoon]

Tom is startled awake and quickly leaps to his feet. He looks out into the jungle, trying to find the threat...

Spoiler

Show

His standard action will be determined by what he can see and where the birds are (if they're visible).

[lostsole31]

You can spend your SA to get a good look. Otherwise, time is of the essence.

[TickleMeTemplar]

Skald will stand and ready/equip/proper phrasing his bow.

[lostsole31]

Avner gets up, drawing his scimitar. Though it appears to be a jade-like breastplate, his seems to be very light and he can sleep in it without waking up exhausted. "Thunderstriker, up!"

His steed awakens and trots over to him

Ix-Caban gets up and nudges Shouting Tree. Amella gets up and casts a invisibility, disappearing from view. Shouting Tree stands, getting his spear of fertility; he makes gestures to his jaguar.

Round One ...

R1T24: "HA-ha-ha!" calls Avner. "We'll see whose night it is."

He spins onto the Thunderstriker's back in a blink, and hunkers down onto the saddle and man, and guides his mount to ready to charge.

R1T23.9: Ix-Caban stands next to her master, ready to pounce.

R1T22: A terror bird bursts forth. It was heading towards Amella, but she suddenly disappeared so it veers over to Eliezer.

R1T19: A terror bird comes out of a different side towards the frightened colonists, but before it can even intercept that group Avner he shouts, "You're mine, you blasted turkey!"

He zooms into the thing with a critical strike for 33 damage! It's still up and has some fight in it, but that was still a perfect blow. Thunderstriker, on his charge, puts power behind its hoof to crack the bird for 14. The bird stops in its tracks, but moved enough from the jungle to not be able to attack.

R1T17: Tom, you sense that there may be a couple more out there, but you can't see them ... and you didn't raise your senses aura to help yourself and the party for initiative. There are two terror birds at camp, though. Avner/Thunderstriker is engaging one, and the other is facing off with Eliezer. What do you do?

Eliezer on deck ...

[Swami Monsoon]

Tom will finish the first round by picking up his weapon and activating the toughness aura.

Now he steps forward and attempts to finish off the bird wounded by Avner.

Spoiler

Show

Attack [roll]1d20+11[/roll]
Damage [roll]1d6+5[/roll] [roll]1d6[/roll]

[Swami Monsoon]

Trying that again...

Spoiler

Show

Attack (1d20+11)[30]
Damage (1d6+5)[7] (1d6)[2]

[lostsole31]

R1T17: Tom activates his toughness aura while picking up his spear, and he moves over to help the braggart. With his aura, every single one of the colonists might at least have a small measure of protection if attacked, though Tom realizes it's not nearly enough. Tom analyzes the bird's movements, and imagines himself making a near-perfect blow.

Spoiler: Action Breakdown

Show

MA to pick up weapon, SwA for aura, second MA to get over to Avner. Everyone is spread out to help make a perimeter around the encampment.

R1T16: Eliezer had dropped his aura, though he was distant enough from Amella, to make sure that any spells that might be helpful can aid him ... especially considering the terror birds are animals. He raises Gili-nachum and slams down for 10 and 2 fire.

R1T10: A terror bird comes out towards Ix-Caban, but the savage duo are already on the counter-charge. As the terror bird moves to within 15', Ix-Caban launches forward and bites for 15, and latching on; a claw slashes on a crit for 20, another claw for 12. Shouting Tree's charge finishes it off.

R1T9: A high-pitched, loud, screaming noise pitches forth from a blank area to hit the rabbi's opponent for a pinpoint shot for 18. Amella appears 30' away, further away from the camp so as to be just barely in shadowy light. "That's it, you feather-headed tribe of Polynesians!"

She looks down to her new 'toy,' the hand crossbow. "I'll be a salty tramp o' the wharf, but I like me shooter."

R1T8.9: Skald, what do you do?

Eliezer's enemy on deck ...

[Swami Monsoon]

Spoiler

Show

Sorry, I thought this was an entirely new round.
Will I need to reroll for an attack next round?

[TickleMeTemplar]

Skald fires three arrows in the blink of an eye at the remaining terror bird. The silvery contrails left by the arrows streak against the night sky and look almost like shooting stars.

Spoiler: +4s for Favored Creature: animals

Show

Attack 1: (1d20+17)[23]
Attack 2: (1d20+17)[18]
Attack 3: (1d20+12)[24]

Damage 1: (1d8+8)[13]
Damage 2: (1d8+8)[15]
Damage 3: (1d8+8)[14]

[lostsole31]

R1T8.9: Skald fires three arrows in the blink of an eye at the two terror birds engaged in combat.. The silvery contrails left by the arrows streak against the night sky and look almost like shooting stars. The first two shots fell the one in combat with Eliezer, and the second shot fells the one fighting Avner and Tom.

R1T8.8: Yet another terror bird comes charging out of the jungle and gets to Skald though it doesn't have time to attack.

End Round 1, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T24: Avner waves his scimitar around in a circle above him, shouting holier-than-thou imprecations at the new foe, and he guides Thunderstriker across camp, deftly moving through the allied colonists. He does seem to wield his scimitar with a defensive strategy. His focus on the creature, and a max-damage strike, does 21. Thunderstriker throws out a hoof, but the beast's thick, feathery hide softens the blow.

R2T17: Tom, it would take you a full 45' to get to the other side of camp just to get to this last terror bird on Skald (and Avner). What do you do?

Eliezer on deck, Ix-Caban in the hole ...

[Swami Monsoon]

Tom moves towards what is, for the moment at least, the last remaining bird. For a moment he thinks about throwing his spear, but he decides not to let go of the only weapon he has at hand. Instead he concentrates for a second... The snarl of an angry panther appears to come from right behind the bird. Maybe that will confuse it just a bit while they deal with it...

Spoiler

Show

Move 30'. Cast Ghost Sound.

[lostsole31]

R2T17: Tom moves towards what is, for the moment at least, the last remaining bird. For a moment he thinks about throwing his spear, but he decides not to let go of the only weapon he has at hand. Tom is cursed, for the vaguest spirits haunt him from time-to-time, but he has learned to sometimes mentally collect them and "direct" them for small tasks. He concentrates for a second and casts a quick spell.

The snarl of an angry panther appears to come from right behind the bird. The bird definitely lets out a shrill caw to look behind it.

R2T16: Eliezer, you saw Tom cast the spell and you only just barely recognize it but your hunch is confirmed when you hear the panther's snarl and see nothing. You do recognize that the terror bird, while a little upset by that sudden development, is not particularly thrown off its game. What do you do?

Ix-Caban and Shouting Tree on deck, Amella in the hole ...

[PSinger]

As a LG dwarf-angel, it's not about being imaginative, merely effective. Lazer swings again.

Spoiler: Batter Up!

Show

Attack (1d20+11)[22], damage (1d8+6)[11] + (1d6)[2] fire

[lostsole31]

R2T16: As a LG dwarf-angel, it's not about being imaginative, merely effective. Lazer swings again and thud-singes his opponent for 11 + 2 fire. That hit made its mark and the last bird is showing some combat fatigue.

R2T11.2-11.1: Shouting Tree orders Ix-Caban to attack. She zooms across the camp and bites the bird for 14. Shouting Tree then throws his spear and it crits the bird for 21, dropping it.

Combat Ends ...

Spoiler

Show

TickleMeTemplar has some IRL stuff going on, so his characters are DM-controlled for the next couple days.

The battle done, Shouting Tree collects his magic spear.

Skald is frowning as he looks at the scene. He looks around. "It will only get worse. Terror birds are sure-footed in the hills. This wasn't just a hunt. Instead of charging in to get food, this seems like a pack tactic used to kill or chase away enemy families.

"We are somewhere within the creatures' main den, and that isn't good. I don't think I'll be able to calm any that come along to find a meal elsewhere. We are on their lands and they will just as soon kill us than worry about if we're tasty or not. I say recommend we push on to the pass now, not in the morning. We aren't going to get a break, and they'll keep coming."

[PSinger]

"Agreed. We will do nothing but use up our magic and resources without knowing exactly how many enemies we have. Tired or not, we need to strike camp and head for the pass. The birds see as well as any animal in starlight, so it doesn't hurt us to use torches and light spells."