Adventure 2: Jaston's Good Fortune

[Ikul]

Suibne did not anticipate a hobgoblin in the cart.
In truth, Suibne did not anticipate being in the cart until he was in the cart, as his mind was still catching up to the rest of him. But there he is, with some creature swinging a weapon at him. Suibne looks back, at where his equipment is neatly stacked by his bedroll. Then at the axe, coming in for a second swing. He blinks, then yanks free the dagger and swings it at the hobgoblin.

 

Move action - Draw dagger from the merchant's chest. Sorry merchant.

Main Action - Stab!

[another aka]

Xan Lycas

After a panicked moment of indecision while her new peers run to address whatever it was that was going on with The Instant Clay! (just add water) wagon, Xan settles on defending the other carts. Grounded by having a target to defend, Xan's demeanor shifts from fretful and self-effacing to that of an experienced pugilist.

Weight equally distributed on the balls of her feet, Xan brings closed fists to either side of her face, and begins to take short, quick steps - ready to reposition herself as needed to defend the rest of the caravan.

ooc

Move action: Hold an action - Xan is waiting to see if whatever or whoever is meddling with their charges has friends

Move action: Screen ally - if so, she will interpose herself

 

[Bobcloclimar]

With a heavy snort, Toktok heaves himself up off the ground, snatches up his axe and shield, and dashes up to the cart.

 

OOC

Pick up axe and shield, move to the hex N of Suibne.

 

[Powderhorn]

Combat!

No doubt on account of the skill and adroitness of the group, each blow seems to land cleanly, and the bugbear is INJURED. With enemies all around, it quickly sizes up the least threatening-looking of the lot, and swings at Eabha!

 

[Tecumseh]

Otto Eckhart

Otto draws his trusty stiletto and races around Toktok to further surround the bugbear.

The stiletto is small but precise. In fact, Otto designed his armor specifically to resist such pesky instruments. He now puts his own blade to the test.

The bugbear is up on the cart and Otto is down below, so the only thing he can aim for is the creature's legs. Not being familiar with bugbear physiology, he swings at what he imagines to be the Achilles tendon or the bugbear equivalent thereof. However, it's dark, there's a lot of commotion, and the target is moving around. Otto manages to connect but it's not as substantial as he hoped.

 

 

OOC

Move action: Run (15') around Toktok to get to the north side of the bugbear., won't get Otto all the way there but should get him within the 30' range of his thrown light spear

If I'm understanding the rules correctly, he doesn't need an action to draw the weapon because it is already "Readied" from an Encumbrance standpoint. Using an action to draw is only necessary if the weapon is Stowed.

Main action: Make a Melee Attack, not sure how much of a lighting penalty to take here, I'll start with -1 since Otto will be pretty close.

Edit: A 10 won't hit but the Shock 3/18 should still apply vs. Pieced Armor (AC 14).

Edited March 23 by Tecumseh (see edit history)

[Bobcloclimar]

Toktok bellows loudly and swipes at the bugbear, hoping to put it down before it can hurt Eabha again.

 

OOC

Assuming his darkvision mitigates the lighting penalty; his shock is 2/15.

 

Edited March 24 by Bobcloclimar (see edit history)

[Primeval Stasis]

 

Eabha

As the monster whirls on her, she has a flashback to their last adventure. Sometimes one cut is all it takes to bring death. Letting out a cry, she beats the attack aside with her shield and then takes a wild swing at the creature with it.

OOC

Healer's eye. Attack with large shield.

Niahm moves 2 hexes southwest, and 1 south. Uses notice to try to detect threats.

 

 

[another aka]

 

Xan Lycas

The clash of weapon and shield, the grunts and yells of the combatants; the auditory artifacts of the battle taking place within a stone's throw of where she is standing send a ripple of doubt through Xan's inner stillness. The knowledge that the other carts require defending, that her companions are not only competent, but also well used to fighting together - Suibne's tales of their exploits still fresh in her mind, help her to find calm anew.

ooc

Move action: Hold an action - Xan continues to be vigiliant should others seek to meddle with their charges

Move action: Screen ally - if so, she will interpose herself

[Ikul]

With nothing but the hobgoblin's dagger between himself and getting stabbed again, Suibne swings his weapon before he swung at.

[Powderhorn]

Combat!

Surrounded by all sides, the creature knows that it is NEAR DEATH. It takes one last desperate swing at Eabha!

 

[Bobcloclimar]

Seeing an opportunity as the bugbear slows down, Toktok makes a set of measured cuts at the beastly thing.

Edited March 28 by Bobcloclimar (see edit history)

[Tecumseh]

Otto Eckhart

Otto sees Toktok drive home a solid strike. In case it's still kicking, he tries to deliver the killing blow.

Reaching up, he swings for the inside of the creature's leg, trying to hit an artery. The stiletto drives deep, punching a menacing hole in the creature's thigh.

OOC

Move action: None

Main action: Make a Melee Attack, should be a hit for 4 damage

Edit: In my own moment of derp, I realized that I've been neglecting to add my Attack Bonus (from being Warrior/Expert)

Edited March 29 by Tecumseh (see edit history)

[Powderhorn]

Dungeon Master

Unable to withdtand so many blows, the bug ear falls still, adding its sanguineous fluids into the Instant Clay.

The evening is quiet once again... until the merchants start talking amongst themselves, deeply concerned.

 

[Primeval Stasis]

 

Eabha

Having blocked its final attack, Eabha watches as the creature staggers back and falls into the (not)silt. Such needless death. The sight of blood does not bother her - she had seen and received more than her share of lashings. But death... the goddess would not be pleased.

She looks at Suibne, at the blade still dripping with the merchant's blood. "But for that knife," she says, "you too might be dead." She leaves a pause before continuing, "Help Toktok lay the man to rest in the ground."

Turning to Otto and Toktok, Eabha says, "Thank you for coming to our aid." She approaches the Dwarf and passes him a small packet of seeds. "Sprinkle a few of these over the grave. Then say a few words to avert the Goddess's displeasure on us and to entrust him to Miach."

Striding back to the camp, she spots Xan standing among the carts and at the ready. She gives the woman a nod. Loud enough for the merchants to hear as well, she tells her, "Thank you for keeping the carts safe." To the merchants she adds, "We have dealt with the threat, but unfortunately, one of our own has passed beyond this life." Naihm approaches her, weaving between the carts to circle around her legs, caught once again in the reassuring glow of the fire. "I will not speak ill of the dead, but I will thank you all for following our directions. There is a reason for us circling the wagons, and asking for you to sleep among us where we can better watch over you."

"There was a saying where I grew up: the obedient survive. It is no less true tonight than any other night. Those who wisely slept in a place of safety have survived."

 

[Tecumseh]

Otto Eckhart

When the final blow falls, Otto makes sure the creature is well and truly dead. He stabs it gratuitously until it becomes obvious that he's venting. Finally he collapses, wracked with guilt.

_{"How could this happen?"} he whispers, mostly to himself. _{"We were right there, keeping watch. How did we not notice?"} The look on his face is agony.

He contemplates the fallen merchant. "I'm so, so sorry..." he tells the body quietly.

Otto will do anything instructed, eager to stay busy and keep his mind off the cascading waves of remorse that wash over him. Inwardly, he's very grateful to Eabha for talking to the other merchants. Otto doesn't think he could face them, or even speak coherently. What Eabha says is true, and needs to be said, and he's glad she does. He doesn't chime in, even though he agrees, as he is eager not to undermine her authority with his own weak voice.

He moves to help Suibne and Toktok remove the bugbear and dump it somewhere nearby. Then he helps to dig a grave and give the merchant as much of a funeral as they can manage under the circumstances.

He looks to see if the "Instant Clay! (just add water)" is still silt or if the blood has indeed turned it into clay. He considers if any of it is salvageable, or should just be used during the funeral rites. There was a certain symmetry and symbolism to burying a merchant in their product; Otto very much hoped to be laid to rest in his armor, but not for a long time.