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Thread: The End of an Era Part 1
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2023-08-02, 02:31 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2020
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Leylek looks up at the sky, his wrath shrinking back into what one might describe as wounded disgust. Unlike the shaman, he cannot tell if the Oni is truly gone, but that doesn't worry him the most: he's yet to see a light drizzle putting out burning fat. The issue lies with the way forward. This bodes ill for the tracks. he stares into the clouds, his voice dry. And that he flicks a clawed finger towards the burning monster might bode ill for us. Shimura-sama, when I first found their trail, I noticed that a horse ran unshod. I thought little of it, at the time. But now I fear it was no horse. The Crabs might be consorting with strange powers.
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2023-08-04, 11:03 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2019
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Raksha slunk over to Ahalyā, whimpering "...I am sorry, mistress..."
"Hush, Raksha...facing an evil like that would unnerve even the bravest of souls." Ahalyā gently skritched behind the wolf's ears. "But we have returned that evil to the grave. Now, see if you can help Master Leylek find our quarry, yes?"
Inwardly, the shaman was concerned. It was one thing if this oni had been a chance assault, looking for easy prey. But if it had indeed been working with the thieves in some way...
(1d20+4)[15] Raksha: Aid Another Track (via Scent)
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2023-08-04, 03:15 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2020
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Not waiting any further for an answer, lest the tracks get washed away altogether, Leylek turns around, falling very quiet for a moment as he studies the ground. That wretched thing has wasted enough of their time.
Spoiler: OOC
Survival: (1d20+10)[17] (add another +2 if there are human tracks).
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2023-08-06, 12:50 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2011
- Location
- Spain
- Gender
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
The rain soon turns the snow into mud, tracking becomes almost impossible. Your only clue is keeping the road uphill as intended, it is not intense enough to quench the fire that burns down the Oni.
Resigned, and after calming the panicked horses, you move on. As you march on, and turn around the mountain passes, you see the ocean far away, the water shinning under the sun beams that pierce the dark clouds. The rain eventually stops. You have moved about two hours since your encounter with the Oni. The road starts to descend into a forest of tall lean trees, the rain and snow don't seem to have reached this far and leylek can again find a track, six horses this time, probably crossed half a day ago, split in two groups.
Ahalya, you sense something changed for good after the Oni's death and as Leylek is trying to re-stablish the trail, Raksha's neck goes tense and a moment after a doe spirit jumps into the road and faces you, only you and Raksha seem to notice it.
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2023-08-06, 06:08 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2019
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Ahalyā bowed her head in respect as the spirit passed, murmuring her thanks softly to it in the Spirit Tongue. The woods were in balance again with the defeat of the oni -- she could feel it. Perhaps finding the path of their quarry again was the spirits' gratitude at work.
Or, just a happy coincidence. Either way, the shaman knew it was best to give the spirits their due in situations like this.
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2023-08-07, 12:16 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2020
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Perfectly unaware of the silent encounter between shaman and spirit going on in what is, for him, the background, Leylek busies himself with his own task, his head jotting up and down, scanning the horizon now, and the ground immediately after. Their lead grows. he grumps. I count six. Not riding together anymore. he hisses something more under his breath, probably a swear word too horrible to even contemplate, in a tongue alien to his companions' ears. He leans forward once more, going over both sets of tracks, looking for the trail of the shoeless horse bearing no rider. Could it have really been the Oni? Soon enough, he should know for certain.
Spoiler: OOC
Survival, if needed: (1d20+10)[13], assuming Raksha can bother to assist; and
Knowledge (geography): (1d20+3)[23]
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2023-08-07, 04:02 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2008
- Location
- ಠ_ಠ
- Gender
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
"Leylek-san" Shimura responded in mind, if not a little late, he was still within his own thoughts, and the meaning of what they had just fought, the shock was plain on his wide eyes, supernatural Oni was not something they teach you in the Dojo's of the Dragon clan. "If not the Crab clan, then someone else wants us to believe they are. When dealing with honerless foes, everything is a feint, every move, every action planned out, we must not falter, either path is good, when one is not the needed path, we will know the other is."
Spoiler
Any healing would help
Miromoto Shimura
M LG Human (dragon) Samurai Level 5, Init 3, HP 37/51, Speed 30
AC 19 Touch 15 Flat-footed 15
Fort +7 Ref +4 Will +4
Abilities Str 18, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition 50% fortification
Special Law devotion [1/1], Belt of Healing [3/3], Anklets of Translocation [2/3]
Boon Mirumoto Niten dragonmark 2/2 essentia invested (25%/e fortification)
speech: 008080
Spoiler
Bel's Compendium
Homebrew sig
Epic items of interest
Sir cowabunga of clubs
ENTJ-A
“Take but degree away, untune that string, And, hark, what discord follows!” -Shakespeare
“Gnyðja mundu nú grísir, ef þeir vissi, hvat inn gamli þyldi” -Ragnar Lodbrok
"I have a high art; I hurt with cruelty those who would damage me." -Archilochus
Discord -Now with a recruitment bot!
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2023-08-08, 03:04 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2017
- Location
- Germany
- Gender
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Onka was pretty happy about the rain. They obviusly avoided a bad fortune and Leylek of course had no problems following the trail of they're targets. Though the dancer couldn't really help with the tracking he definitely did his due in the fight with the horrible abomination they faced.
You think we have to face even more foes like that one oni? It already was pretty horrifying.
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2023-08-08, 11:41 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2019
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
"May it at least not be today..." murmured the shaman with some solemnity.
Then...
"EEP! Oh, foolish foolish me! You two are still wounded! This must be tended to with haste -- yes, yes, yes!" Ahalyā suddenly rapped her knuckles to her temple, then released her healing magiks upon Shimura and Leylek. "Ohhhh, may we not fall into battle again this day too!"
Spoiler: Action
Converting a lvl 2 slot to Cure Moderate Wounds on Shimura (2d8+5)[13] and a lvl 3 slot to Cure Serious Wounds on Leylek (3d8+5)[19]
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2023-08-08, 07:25 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2011
- Location
- Spain
- Gender
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Ahalya
The spirt salutes you and hops out of sight as you move in to heal Shimura San
eylek
In your time in the region you have learn a few things. One group of riders is going south-east, into the valley of Eno, there's a small settlement there, loyal to the regent. It is about a three hours ride.
The other group moved east. That's the direction of the small port of Kare. A tiny commercial outpost embedded in the cliffs. That's about a day away.
Spoiler: OoCWhat do you do?
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2023-08-09, 11:58 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2020
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Good of you to notice. Leylek tells the Vanara dryly, but with a thankful nod as he watches his wounds fade. As for paths. he scowls Some rode east, to Kare, no doubt. A stinking port, a day from here. Their obvious choice, I would say: though small, it lets them take the sea. He then motions at the other trail, almost contemtuoulsy. These took more to the south. Eno. It is close. Three hours, if we make good time. But it is true to the Regent: a curious destination for the treacherous. It would seem that had he teeth, the bird would now be grinding them. Shimura-sama, I'd urge you to choose the sea-path. Three hours seems little, but the thieves are far ahead. If they have a ship waiting, we'll lose them.
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2023-08-09, 12:28 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2008
- Location
- ಠ_ಠ
- Gender
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Shimura nods in thanks to the strange shaman as his wounds began to knit together, and the sharp pain of the wounds soothed into a slow throbbing dull pain, much easier to handle.
"You cut straight to it, the seaport seems the logical direction to me as well, how fast can we go?" he says in earnest
Spoiler
Miromoto Shimura
M LG Human (dragon) Samurai Level 5, Init 3, HP 50/51, Speed 30
AC 19 Touch 15 Flat-footed 15
Fort +7 Ref +4 Will +4
Abilities Str 18, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition 50% fortification
Special Law devotion [1/1], Belt of Healing [3/3], Anklets of Translocation [2/3]
Boon Mirumoto Niten dragonmark 2/2 essentia invested (25%/e fortification)
speech: 008080
Spoiler
Bel's Compendium
Homebrew sig
Epic items of interest
Sir cowabunga of clubs
ENTJ-A
“Take but degree away, untune that string, And, hark, what discord follows!” -Shakespeare
“Gnyðja mundu nú grísir, ef þeir vissi, hvat inn gamli þyldi” -Ragnar Lodbrok
"I have a high art; I hurt with cruelty those who would damage me." -Archilochus
Discord -Now with a recruitment bot!
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2023-08-11, 10:43 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2017
- Location
- Germany
- Gender
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2023-08-11, 02:38 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2020
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Leylek looks at his companions in turn, before resting his gaze on the samurai once more. That appears settled. How much haste we can make depends on how bold we are. he explains, his expression only halfway to a frown this once. More if we ride for Kare blindly, fast as the horses can run, less if I keep watching the ground, lest my instinct deceives us.
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2023-08-15, 05:13 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2011
- Location
- Spain
- Gender
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Deciding the port of Kare is the most likely destination, you step up the chase, pushing the horses to their limit you try to make up for the lost time. But the beasts are fatigued, taken to the brink of exhaustion by the climb and the freightening Oni's attack. As you ride almost oblivious through the forest, Ahalya senses a melancholy in the place, the well-kept road snakes through ancient dense maples, black and red pines, and tall cedars pass in a blur. The late winter sun starts setting when the horses finally give in, exhausted, moving increasingly slower.
You come up to a clearing almost without warning, and almost out of nowhere, you see the bodies of three horses lying around the charred wood of an extinguished bonfire.
Spoiler: OocWHAT DO YOU DO?Last edited by Auranghzeb; 2023-08-15 at 05:14 AM.
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2023-08-15, 05:37 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2017
- Location
- Germany
- Gender
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Spoiler: Constutition check(1d20+7)[12] included the +4 bonus for riding up until now.
At the beginning Onka spurred his horse like any other, but the fact that he wasn't a seasoned rider did soon catch up to him. He hurt in places he know he could hurt, but also some he didn't knew about before. But the dancer gritted his teeth. He had weathered harsher conditions before and the pain was almost nostalgic. He would emerge as a better rider at least.
When they reached the clearing Onka had a good excuse to get off his mount. The dancer winced when adjusting his weight but got closer to these horse bodies to take a look at them.
What happened here?
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2023-08-15, 09:16 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2019
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Spoiler
CON checks DC 15
(1d20+8)[18] for Ahalyā
(1d20+5)[6] for Raksha
Ahalyā was still fine. Raksha (perhaps on the basis of carrying Ahalyā) was not. And promptly laid down, panting with fatigue.
Giving her wolf a reassuring pat, Ahalyā murmured a prayer for the souls of the dead horses. "Senseless, tsk. If they needed to reach the port in haste, why kill their steeds? Unless there is somewhere else in this area they wanted to go instead? Some place they did not want the hoofprints to lead us to..."Last edited by Cygnia; 2023-08-15 at 09:22 AM.
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2023-08-15, 10:06 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2020
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Leylek stops himself, thoroughly winded. It's his sheer obstinacy alone that carried him this far at this pace: he spent so much time on the slow watch, and so much time on the slow hunt since he got stranded in these lands, as it would appear, that he no longer knows how to sweep through the plains like the summer storms, fast and tireless. He clenches both fists in frustration and anger. Is this where the winds are taking him?
But he, mercifully, doesn't get the time to truly wallow. There is work to do still. Do not be too quick in judgement. I've seen horses rrun to death. Wise warriors ride with more than one, change them every so often. Our foes did not ride with spares. he warns the Vanara, moving forward to inspect the ground, the horses, the fire, trying hard to hide how laborious his breath was made by the haste. Perhaps they changed steeds here, wastefully. We shall see.
Spoiler: OOC
Survival (incl. for stuff like when did the fire burn out, not just how creatures moved about the clearing): (1d20+8)[18] (+10 to pick up the signs of Humans doing stuff)
Search: (1d20+8)[17]
Perception: (1d20+5)[6]
Knowledge (nature) (if it helps with telling how the horses died): (1d20+9)[29]
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2023-08-15, 10:35 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2008
- Location
- ಠ_ಠ
- Gender
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Riding his steed as hard he could, without causing it harm, and without stripping his companions, he used a modified canter, helping ease the ride...mostly.
Evenstill, when they got to the clearing, his horse was ragged breathed, eyes frowning, he reigned in the beast, and dismounted, tying the horse to a nearby tree branch. "What happened here indeed." he stated, repeating the Shugyosha Onka's words. He is on high alert, hands ready to draw his blade.
Spoiler
Miromoto Shimura
M LG Human (dragon) Samurai Level 5, Init 3, HP 50/51, Speed 30
AC 19 Touch 15 Flat-footed 15
Fort +7 Ref +4 Will +4
Abilities Str 18, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition 50% fortification
Special Law devotion [1/1], Belt of Healing [3/3], Anklets of Translocation [2/3]
Boon Mirumoto Niten dragonmark 2/2 essentia invested (25%/e fortification)
speech: 008080
Spoiler
Bel's Compendium
Homebrew sig
Epic items of interest
Sir cowabunga of clubs
ENTJ-A
“Take but degree away, untune that string, And, hark, what discord follows!” -Shakespeare
“Gnyðja mundu nú grísir, ef þeir vissi, hvat inn gamli þyldi” -Ragnar Lodbrok
"I have a high art; I hurt with cruelty those who would damage me." -Archilochus
Discord -Now with a recruitment bot!
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2023-08-15, 05:01 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2019
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
The shaman said nothing to Leylek's words, instead turning her own clinical eye towards the deceased horses. The fact that there was great sadness in this spot was not encouraging...
(1d20+10)[18] Heal check to determine cause of death & how long they've been dead (CAdv p101)
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2023-08-16, 06:41 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2011
- Location
- Spain
- Gender
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Leylek, you astutely understand the riders must have refresh horses here. The bonfire tells you right away that someone camped here last night and by the amount of footsteps and hoof tracks is evident that there were at least six horses leaving the camp.
They have the advantage. You are so focused on your tracking and deductions that you don’t see anything else during a few minutes.
Shimura, alert and aware, you keep a hand ready next to your sword as leylek explores the perimeter and Onka and Ahalya inspect the horses.
Ahalya and Onka. You approach the slaughtered animals. The cause is clear, their necks show a big gash and their heads lay in dark pools of blood. They are placed almost ritualistically. But you soon realized you have overstepped as an invisible wave of negative energy washes you both emanating from the ashes where a green ember glows briefly.
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2023-08-16, 07:21 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2019
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Spoiler: Will Save (DC12)(1d20+15)[21]
As the tainted magic attempted to strike her, Ahalyā hissed out a curse in her native tongue. Bad enough the horses were killed, but to disrespect their bodies even further in a filthy trap?! What if the local animals needed to feed, helping return the corpses to the earth?!
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2023-08-16, 07:33 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2017
- Location
- Germany
- Gender
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Leaving you're horses behind was one thing, but killing them in such a gruesome manner was something altogether. If the oni really was hired somehow by the crabs, combined with this...
Spoiler: Will save.Against 12: (1d20+2)[6]
Onka sees the flickering of a cursed ember instead of bracing against the impact he strides forward, plunging his hand into the ashes to get ahold of these accursed flames.
Spoiler: OOCAttack the ashes: (1d20+10)[20]
Damage: (1d8+4)[10] Charge bonus: (1d4)[3] Sonic. Unarmed attack counts as magic (Wyrmfang Amulet)
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2023-08-16, 08:17 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2011
- Location
- Spain
- Gender
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Onka jumps into the ashes with a descending chop that smashed the embers to dust and a Sonic effect that produces a small cloud of ashes to rise. The dancer clothes are covered with tiny ashes.
But that’s nothing. Raksha growls and the fur in its back stiffens in stress.
The horse that Ahalya is inspecting open its eye. A black pool of despair of an eye and in a second the flesh and muscles of the slain horse fold back as if someone had flayed the animal. There are three unnatural screams. And the horses start to rise.Last edited by Auranghzeb; 2023-08-16 at 08:21 AM.
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2023-08-16, 08:47 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2017
- Location
- Germany
- Gender
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2023-08-16, 09:39 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2008
- Location
- ಠ_ಠ
- Gender
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
As he keeps a stoic eye on his companions, as well as the treeline, everything happens all at once, and all he can think of was: Of course.
Spoiler
Initi - (1d20+3)[14]
Miromoto Shimura
M LG Human (dragon) Samurai Level 5, Init 3, HP 50/51, Speed 30
AC 19 Touch 15 Flat-footed 15
Fort +7 Ref +4 Will +4
Abilities Str 18, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition 50% fortification
Special Law devotion [1/1], Belt of Healing [3/3], Anklets of Translocation [2/3]
Boon Mirumoto Niten dragonmark 2/2 essentia invested (25%/e fortification)
speech: 008080
Spoiler
Bel's Compendium
Homebrew sig
Epic items of interest
Sir cowabunga of clubs
ENTJ-A
“Take but degree away, untune that string, And, hark, what discord follows!” -Shakespeare
“Gnyðja mundu nú grísir, ef þeir vissi, hvat inn gamli þyldi” -Ragnar Lodbrok
"I have a high art; I hurt with cruelty those who would damage me." -Archilochus
Discord -Now with a recruitment bot!
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2023-08-16, 10:31 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2019
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
A chance to rest. That's all Raksha wanted.
Instead, as her mistress and the hoomin-with-the-spirit-in-him examined the corpses, something Evil got set off. That was bad enough. But then the hoomin decided to attack the campfire...
...
...
...and then all hell broke loose.
For all thecomplaintstalk about vanara being far too Curious about Things, hoomins seemed to be much worse in their recklessness!
Meanwhile, Ahalyā let out a surprised screech as the corpses of the horses began to get up. Frantically, her mind whirred about what unnatural things they had now become!
Spoiler: Rolls
(1d20+2)[16] Initiative
(1d20+13)[25] Knowledge: Religion + Collector of Stories (for Knowledge Devotion)
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2023-08-16, 02:59 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2020
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Leylek was quite ready to share his findings, but the commotion with the ashes and the rising horses are quick to change his priorities. Truly? he hisses, with the deepest disgust a bird can express in his voice and on his face. He is of the steppes, after all; and this is no way to treat a horse.
Spoiler: OOC
Initiative: (1d20+3)[11]
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2023-08-17, 11:36 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2008
- Location
- ಠ_ಠ
- Gender
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
Sucking in his breath, Shimura quickly advances to the foul things, his blade flashes like lightning, once, twice
Spoiler
Move to AG8
Attack: (start with AF7)
Attack 1 - (1d20+11)[25]
Damage - (1d10+7)[13] and Iaijutsu Focus - (1d20+10)[25] for [16] damage (rolled in discord)
Attack 2 - (1d20+6)[11]
Damage - (1d10+7)[11]
Miromoto Shimura
M LG Human (dragon) Samurai Level 5, Init 3, HP 50/51, Speed 30
AC 19 Touch 15 Flat-footed 15
Fort +7 Ref +4 Will +4
Abilities Str 18, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition 50% fortification
Special Law devotion [1/1], Belt of Healing [3/3], Anklets of Translocation [2/3]
Boon Mirumoto Niten dragonmark 2/2 essentia invested (25%/e fortification)
speech: 008080
Last edited by BelGareth; 2023-08-17 at 11:38 AM.
Spoiler
Bel's Compendium
Homebrew sig
Epic items of interest
Sir cowabunga of clubs
ENTJ-A
“Take but degree away, untune that string, And, hark, what discord follows!” -Shakespeare
“Gnyðja mundu nú grísir, ef þeir vissi, hvat inn gamli þyldi” -Ragnar Lodbrok
"I have a high art; I hurt with cruelty those who would damage me." -Archilochus
Discord -Now with a recruitment bot!
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2023-08-17, 12:41 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2019
Re: The End of an Era Part 1
"ACK! Undead -- Onikage! What are they DOING here -- this is not the Shadowlands!" screeched Ahalyā. Such foul magicks must indeed be in play to pull unclean monsters into the land of the living!
Ahalyā immediately drew herself away from the rising equine corpses and Raksha followed suit with a tired whine. "HO! Ancestors, hear my plea! Drive this accursed spawn back to the Shadowlands and let these poor animals return to their eternal rest!" cried the shaman.
Spoiler: Actions
5ft to AE9
Turning attempt (turns as a lvl 3 cleric)
(1d20+3)[5]
Potential Turning Dmg
(2d6+6)[17]
Declaring my Dodge on the Onikage at AF7
Raksha will use Aid Another to give Ahalyā +2 to her AC
Vs AC 10 (1d20+1)[2] (penalty for Fatigued factored in)
Spoiler: Statblock
Ahalyā
F CG Vanara Shaman, Level 5, Init 2, HP 36/27, Speed 30
AC 15, Touch 12, Flat-footed 13, Fort 8, Ref 9, Will 15, Base Attack Bonus 3
Unarmed Strike +5 (1d6-1, x2)
MW Sickle +6 (1d6-1, x2)
Least Crystal of Adaptation Leather Armor +1 (+3 Armor, +2 Dex)
Abilities Str 9, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 20, Cha 16
Condition Endure Elements (from Least Crystal of Adaptation)
Low-Light Vision