Month 2 - Into the Border Zone

[Pheonixfire]

Draco Tiras (sheet)
Male NG Human (Brass) Eldritch Scion Magus 1, Arcane Duelist Bard 1 (Aristocrat 0), Level 2, Init 3, HP 21, Speed 30
AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 4, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
+1 Rapier +4 (1d6+3+1, 18-20/*2)
Explorers outfit donned under Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 10, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition None
Speaks Common and Draconic

---

 

Draco fiddles with a cloak to hide himself under, contemplating if he could even pass for a woman, even if it was under cover with only a general shape visible. He understood where some of them were coming from, but he wanted to know what she did to them. Because as much as he loved being able to use magic, if he's suddenly going to drop dead in a few months or some demon is coming for is soul he wants to know so he can try to figure something out or try to undo this stuff. "Maybe stick close Coals. I don't want you to be caught up in the magic I use, 'cause I'm not entirely sure I can change it's shape." He decided that using that light magic was the best chance he had to stun them. Especially to make sure that the sound of fighting doesn't alert anything else. "But what about afterwards? We wouldn't be able to ambush everything?"

 

Actions

 

[TheFred]

Nancy looks conflicted. Coals is right... but truth be told, she doesn't really care what happens to Cessah, or whether saving her is right or not, not after what she did.

"We all hate Cessah - or should do, after what she did to us," she grumbles - though the heat isn't there. She sighs. "Look, I agreed to come and get her... I just don't think we should be diving into a fight we know nothing about."

She frowns at the kobold.

"Is it "right" to attack these people we've never met, maybe kill them?" she challenges. "They haven't done anything to us. They sound like brutes... anyone who wants someone to kidnap women for them... for that... is... but we've only his word for that."

She glares at Byran, clearly still unhappy about being forced to work with their former captor.

 

 

Statblock

[URL=/sheets/?id=2079966][B]Nancy Netherwater[/B][/URL] [B]Senses:[/B] Darkvision 60ft, Perception +6, [B]Init:[/B] +3 [B]HP:[/B] 16/16, [B]Resist:[/B] Cold 5, Elec 5, Fire 5 [B]AC:[/B] 18, [B]Touch:[/B] 13, [B]Flat-footed:[/B] 15, [B]CMD:[/B] 12 [B]Saves:[/B] Fort +0, Ref +3, Will +5 (+2 vs divination/fear) [B]Mythic Power:[/B] 5/5, [B]Spells:[/B] L1: 5/5, [B]Other:[/B] Unearthly Terrain 7/7 [B]Special:[/B] Spell Resistance 7

Nancy Netherwater
Senses: Darkvision 60ft, Perception +6, Init: +3
HP: 16/16, Resist: Cold 5, Elec 5, Fire 5
AC: 18, Touch: 13, Flat-footed: 15, CMD: 12
Saves: Fort +0, Ref +3, Will +5 (+2 vs divination/fear)
Mythic Power: 5/5, Spells: L1: 5/5, Other: Unearthly Terrain 7/7
Special: Spell Resistance 7

[Robot]

Ingrid Hearthkeep

Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20
AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1
Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3)
Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW)
Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10
Condition None
Speaks Common, Dwarven

"Byron isn't feigning innocence in any of this, and we all saw that thing he was carrying around with him. No one in their right mind would carry a monster like that astride their shoulders. Whether he remains in his right mind or not remains to be seen." Ingrid spoke quietly from her seat. "Ambush should be attempted before we can assess what is next Draco. We can't plan for everything, and hated or not, only Cessah has the answers we need. If they are keeping her against her will, they are no better then any other slaver. Weeds that should be stamped out and burned."

A slow exhale and a nod to Vannan, she was too glad to have him along. His confidence gave her a measure of comfort she didn't feel herself in these moments. They would get through this if they had to claw their way out, battered and bloody. She hadn't come this far to quit now. A calloused hand settled over the puckered scar where she'd taken a spear point in their first skirmish with the orcs. Her first impalement. It was such an alien thing to consider, and here she was. Looking into the maw of something horrible once more.

 

[Doby]

~ North of Citadel Forge ~

~ Month 2, Day 9: Afternoon ~

Battle Map

With everyone loaded and relatively hidden in the back of the wagon, Byran drove towards the looming mountain range and the cave ahead. The cover provided you some amount of concealment, but it also limited your ability to see much beyond it. Through slight slits and gaps you did your best to keep tabs on what was happening around you.

"Ahoy!" you heard Byran call loudly with an exaggerated wave of his arm. Looking forward, you spotted a pair of strange looking humanoids emerge from the cave. The closer Byran approached with the wagon, the more you saw stepping out of the relative darkness. Each held a three-pronged spear in their hands, a trident, and they kept them pointed up and at the ready.

Urged on by the largest of the bunch, they moved quickly towards the wagon. Two went towards Byran and the wagon's head, tridents aimed directly at the driver. A few others moved along the wagon's side and towards the back opening, and as they drew closer to the wagon you could see that they indeed looked like they had the heads of some frog or fish-like being. Rows of sharp, protruding teeth on the top and bottom of a mouth that looked unnaturally wide, scaly skin that ranged from green to yellow to gray, and strange fins and spines along parts of their heads and necks.

"I'm here, as I said I would be!" Byran called out in as friendly a voice as he could muster. He kept his hands up, doing his best to appear non-threatening and put the fish creatures as ease. The points of their tridents stopping only inches from his head made you wonder if they could even understanding his words.

As the large skum nearby continued to call out to the rest, three of the skum circled around towards the back of the wagon.

"My friends, let's not be strangers!" Byran called out loudly.

[Illogictree]

Coalscuttle

Coalscuttle Kobold Paladin 2 || Guardian Tier 1 LG AC 21 HP 25/25 Speed 20ft Str 11 (0) Dex 13 (1) Con 11 (0) Wis 10 (0) Int 9 (-1) Cha 15 (2) Attacks Dagger +3 (1d4), +1 Longsword +4 (1d6+1), Light Crossbow +4 (1d6) Mythic Power 5/5 (+1d6)

---

Coals draws her sword and readies her shield, straining to listen to the voices of the creatures, listening for any sign they're in position for their ambush. She is surprised that they are apparently speaking Undercommon, although she's not able to fully catch what is being said. Not that it's inobvious what the conversation is entailing at the moment.

She begins to sniff the air, smelling for the whiff of evil.

OOC

Coals will use her Detect Evil ability while she's waiting for further developments.

 

[TheFred]

 

 

Somehow, despite her vehement protests at the idiocy of the plan, Nancy finds herself hidden in the back of the wagon, ready to jump out and start trying to murder creatures she's never met in order to rescue a woman she hates, based on the testimony of a man who was complicit in kidnapping and enslaving them. How has it come to this?

Hearing Byran, she scowls at the others, and checks her crossbow, loading a bolt.

 

 

 

 

 

Statblock

[URL=/sheets/?id=2079966][B]Nancy Netherwater[/B][/URL] [B]Senses:[/B] Darkvision 60ft, Perception +6, [B]Init:[/B] +3 [B]HP:[/B] 16/16, [B]Resist:[/B] Cold 5, Elec 5, Fire 5 [B]AC:[/B] 18, [B]Touch:[/B] 13, [B]Flat-footed:[/B] 15, [B]CMD:[/B] 12 [B]Saves:[/B] Fort +0, Ref +3, Will +5 (+2 vs divination/fear) [B]Mythic Power:[/B] 5/5, [B]Spells:[/B] L1: 5/5, [B]Other:[/B] Unearthly Terrain 7/7 [B]Special:[/B] Spell Resistance 7

Nancy Netherwater
Senses: Darkvision 60ft, Perception +6, Init: +3
HP: 16/16, Resist: Cold 5, Elec 5, Fire 5
AC: 18, Touch: 13, Flat-footed: 15, CMD: 12
Saves: Fort +0, Ref +3, Will +5 (+2 vs divination/fear)
Mythic Power: 5/5, Spells: L1: 5/5, Other: Unearthly Terrain 7/7
Special: Spell Resistance 7

[Basil_Bottletop]

Once beneath the cloth, Quim barely had a moment to himself. He spent the entire span of travel worried that the worg pup would give them away. He soothed the beast into a nice slumber just as they came into view of the cave guards. It wasn't exactly silent -worgs seemed to be a snoring bunch- but it was better than any whines or howls.

Bound by some invisible honor that preceded him, Quim's motivation to charge out from beneath the blankets hadn't quite hit him yet. Besides, he'd promised to be the chaser, and if that meant sitting back and waiting, then he'd wait.

 

 

 

 

Rolls and Such

 

 

 

 

[Pheonixfire]

Draco Tiras (sheet)
Male NG Human (Brass) Eldritch Scion Magus 1, Arcane Duelist Bard 1 (Aristocrat 0), Level 2, Init 3, HP 21, Speed 30
AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 4, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
+1 Rapier +4 (1d6+3+1, 18-20/*2)
Explorers outfit donned under Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 10, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition None
Speaks Common and Draconic

---

 

Draco was muttering under his breath, trying to keep as silent as he could, but he had a plan to delay some of these creatures and with any luck, it would work. Otherwise there is going to be a fight and he really wanted to to keep injuries to a minimum. He could even feel some of his instincts flare up about the danger the group was in, but at the same time he needed to do this. If only to ask that woman what the hells she did to them. Because while magic was cool, all these new urges and instincts was worrying.

 

Actions

Draco will ready himself to cast Colour Spray at the creatures as soon as the jig is up.

[Robot]

Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20
AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1
Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3)
Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW)
Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10
Condition None
Speaks Common, Dwarven

Ingrid waits, listening intently. The clatter of the latch and squeak of the door opening would be their cue. Once Draco loosed his spell, she would make way. It would not do to be stalled inside this tight space whilst they might alert others. The situation needed to be reversed, and these Skum contained. Her knuckles pressed hard against the inside of her shield, and wrapped around the handle of the mace, down in a 'lunge' position.

(Readied Action, Bullrushing the one at the door after Draco's spell goes off.)

 

[Doby]

~ Skum Cave Entrance ~

~ Month 2, Day 9: Afternoon ~

Battle Map

As the creatures continue to advance around the wagon towards its rear, Coal focuses internally to try and determine their moral bent. She begins to sense that there is evil afoot, though her concentration is taking longer than she'd hoped and she can't pinpoint just where the sensations are coming from.

The group sees the tips of a three-pronged trident as it shifts into view, and the rest of the creature appears immediately afterward, and then another steps into view behind the first. The strange frog-men doesn't have time to react as Draco blasts it with an explosion of lights and colors. Unfortunately, they seem only briefly fazed, and seem to suffer no longer lasting effects as they raise their spears in defense.

Before they can get set for combat, Ingrid tries to rush the creature, but it manages to stand it's ground.

[Basil_Bottletop]

Quim shadowed the lunge of his dwarven companion. He too launched himself out of the wagon and into the dirt below. His intention was to land feet square first, movement would come second. So focused, he didn't see that she remained in the back of the wagon.

The young man's attention was on the ones furthest away. He'd made a promise and he meant to keep it. No one was getting back to the cave.

He drew his blade and looked to engage the frog man without being cut by the long-reaching spear.

Behind him, the worg pup leapt from the wagon too but its attention was drawn to the frog man engaged with Ingrid.

 

 

 

Rolls and Such

Landing in J12, then moving to H12. May incur an AoO.

+1 for Desperate Battler to melee atk and damage.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 21, 2023 by Basil_Bottletop (see edit history)

[Pheonixfire]

Draco Tiras (sheet)
Male NG Human (Brass) Eldritch Scion Magus 1, Arcane Duelist Bard 1 (Aristocrat 0), Level 2, Init 3, HP 21, Speed 30
AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 4, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0
+1 Rapier +4 (1d6+3+1, 18-20/*2)
Explorers outfit donned under Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 10, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition None
Speaks Common and Draconic

---

 

Draco hops out of the cart, their surprise attack so now it was time for steel to come to bore. Drawing his Rapier and channelling a little bit of power into it, he attempts to stab the Frog-man with the blade.

 

Actions

Step into L14

Swift: Use Arcane Strike for +1 Damage

Standard: Attack K14 and Damage

[Illogictree]

Coalscuttle

Coalscuttle Kobold Paladin 2 || Guardian Tier 1 LG AC 21 HP 25/25 Speed 20ft Str 11 (0) Dex 13 (1) Con 11 (0) Wis 10 (0) Int 9 (-1) Cha 15 (2) Attacks Dagger +3 (1d4), +1 Longsword +4 (1d6+1), Light Crossbow +4 (1d6) Mythic Power 5/5 (+1d6)

---

The stench of evil is definitely in the air, and Coals is ready to leap into action. The fact Ingrid fails to budge the frog-fish-man-thing puts a wrench into her plans, but she is able to use her small size to wriggle past her friends and hop out of the wagon. Before the creatures realize what's happening, she takes up a defensive position and strikes out at one of the creatures nearby.

OOC

Coals moves, going from her starting position at L12->L13->L14->K15.

She attacks next, striking at the Skum at K14.

She will use Sudden Block this turn to protect Draco if he is attacked.

Attack

Damage

Critical confirmation

Edited December 24, 2023 by Illogictree (see edit history)

[Robot]

Ingrid Hearthkeep

Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 33, Speed 20
AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1
Masterwork Heavy Mace +4 (1d8+2, 20/x3)
Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, 0 Dex), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW)
Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10
Condition None
Speaks Common, Dwarven

Adopting a defensive stance, the dwarf trundles out and moves to assist her comrades, mace in hand as the cry goes up. Shield high, she whips it back and away as her mace whistles towards one of the Skum in the cluster she had moved herself into.

(Ingrid moves to J14 and fights defensively, increasing her AC to 22, prioritizing the enemy at K14 unless it is downed by the others, at which point J15)

 

[Doby]

~ Skum Cave Entrance ~

~ Month 2, Day 9: Afternoon ~

Battle Map

Quim slipped right between two of the creatures, though they were still getting their bearings and hadn't brought their spears up high enough to use them just yet.

Coalscuttle's sword comes close to impaling some vital part of the creatures internal organs, but she still manages to leave it bleeding and battered.

Nancy slides towards the rear of the wagon as she starts to speak her devilish language. When she finishes, her hands glow briefly, and she flings a nasty curse at the skum threatening Coalscuttle.

While Draco's rapier missed it's target by only inches, Ingrid's warhammer landed flush enough. But these creatures were clearly hearty enough, and the blow left it standing.

Vannan lifted his sword in both hands and rose to his feet. With the rear of the wagon clogged with bodies, he stepped towards the front. As he did, Byran stood in the driver's box and sent a vicious kick at the head of one of the skum near the horses. Byran seemed only to be armed with a shield, though nasty spikes or horns extended from opposite sides, and his kick was good enough to be a weapon. Vannan stepped in behind him and swung at the other skum near the front, and nearly cleaved the frog-man's shoulder off.

The skum nearest Quim barked something that sounded angry and dark, though in a language few of you had ever heard. Only Coalscuttle could make out even part of it, and the command to attack was clear enough to all.

Whatever stories you may have heard or repeated amongst your selves about their viciousness and dangerousness proved exceedingly true. Their counter-attack was brutal, and it was clear these frog-men were no strangers to combat. Each of them took turns using tridents, claws, and even their nasty, jagged teeth for biting as they took any opportunity they were given to try and hurt anyone nearby them.

-As one of the skum was closing in on Draco, Coal's shield flew up to protect her companion, and caught the frog-man's face as it lurched forward to bite Draco. Coal's sword found an opening and thrust forward into the skum's chest, and she continued to press forward even as the creature fell to the ground dying.-

Only the apparent leader, the one near Quim barking orders, seemed to be more interested in the overall conflict then it was in inflicting damage. He merely swiped at Quim with his trident, as one might bat a bothersome fly away, but Quim easily dodged the blow. The skum turned most of its attention to how its companions fared, and paid only what bare attention to Quim that he needed.

DM

Nancy cast ill omen at the skum at J15.

The following characters took the following damage:

Draco 4 - negated by Coal's saving shield, and her counter-attack downed the skum

Coal 2

Ingrid (took a crit) 8

 

Party is up!

 

Edited December 30, 2023 by Doby (see edit history)