Month 2 - Into the Border Zone

[Robot]

Ingrid Hearthkeep

Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 32, 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), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC)
Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10
Condition None
Speaks Common, Dwarven

If Ingrid heard Coal, she made no indication beyond the tightening of her jaw, and swapping the hand her warhammer was in as she awkwardly shimmied along the back of the bouncing wagon, winding back for a second strike. "YOU LOT IN THE WAGON, BRACE!" She bellowed, swinging at the other rear wheel. This was going to get messy and some quick. Blessedly, Quim had been slowing the horses, so even when the wagon fell out from under them there was some hope for minimal injury. The consequences of their actions came later, Coal's too, but that was then. This was now.

 

[Basil_Bottletop]

 

For the first time since joining this little chase, he felt at a loss for what to do. His success at getting to the front of the wagon now felt a little like his own personal curse. He could slow the thing down, but only if the driver didn't coax his chargers from pushing onward. He couldn't defend himself with his back to the driver, and thus the idea that he was seconds away from a crossbow bolt to the back itched at the edge of his mind.

Trust in his own horse to keep to a safe pathway wasn't really an option either. The darn thing was probably as miffed about its new lead position as he was, and it'd do anything to change that for the sake of slowing down or leaving the race completely. Quim had pushed it hard for a bit and wasn't even sure if the thing had much spirit left in it anyways. This wasn't it's fight and they'd pulled it from its night time routine to do it.

Quim heard the words from the driver, but didn't realize it wasn't meant for him. He snarled at the perceived insult. "The Abyss I don't!" He shouted over his shoulder, renewed in his vigor to get this wagon stalled out. He unhooked his left foot from the stirrup and swung his body around so that he was hanging mostly by his right foot stirrup and his right hand on the pummel of the saddle. He drew his sword out from over his shoulder with a half-clean slide, only catching it on the sheathe because of his unsteady ride. "Stop now." He warned, brandishing his sword as best he could.

 

 

 

 

 

[Doby]

~ Citadel Forge, Wagon Chase  ~

~ Month 2, Day 6: Evening ~

Battle Map

Ingrid swings her hammer again. This time, however, the slowing of the wagon and change in speeds must have thrown off her balance, as her hammer completely misses the wheel.

Quim continues to slow his horse, and it turn slows the wagon. Between the broken wheel and Quim's presence it doesn't take long for the wagon to come to something akin to a full stop, with the horses drawing it rocking back and forth uncomfortably.

The man gives up on trying to push the horses forward. He throws the reins down in anger. "You don't understand! She'll die because of what you're doing here!" 

He stands up in the driver's box, his arms and body tensed as he prepares and decides what his next course of action is. But before he can do anything, his cloak flies up, seemingly of its own accord. It wraps itself around his head, neck and upper shoulders, and seems to tighten around him. As it continues to move and shift, you think you can make out a large set of dark eyes, and soon a wide and toothy maw is revealed as well. Whatever it is, it seems primarily occupied with the guard for the moment as he struggles to free himself.

 

Edited July 6, 2023 by Doby (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 dismounts and takes a peek at the situation. Glad the others could stop the cart. And now he watches the cloak seem to turn into a demon or something like that and mumbles under his breath, letting his eyes slit as the magic takes hold.

 

Actions

Standard: Casting Detect Magic

 

[Illogictree]

Coalscuttle

Coalscuttle Kobold Paladin 2 || Guardian Tier 1 LG AC 21 HP 24/24 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 wagon stops, and Coals realizes that the game is probably up. It sounds like a struggle has started?

The kobold pries herself free of the wagon and drops down onto the ground, scurrying out to see what is going on.

And what's going on makes no sense to Coals. The guard is apparently struggling with his own cloak? Did Nancy or Draco cast a spell on it? She has no idea what magic they can do after all. She pauses, uncertain of what to do next.

[Basil_Bottletop]

 

The pace slowed and Quim almost immediately lost the urge to look forward. His attention was backwards completely now. His horse and then the wagon eventually came to a stop. Quim adjusts himself slightly in his saddle so to free his boot from the stirrup, he now longer needs the security of it and can simply use it as a place to balance.

The driver's words mean little to him, in that they don't make much sense. Quim looked beyond the driver and saw the caged wagon. Nothing about slaves logical leapt to the life nor death of their new owner. Quim's brow furrowed as he tried to piece together things that were not alike in his mind.

When the driver stood, Quim's body tensed. He was ready to give chase again but this time he thought he could do on foot. His chances felt far better there. Quim moved to step down from the saddle but before he was halfway to the ground he looked up to see the driver struggling in melee. His foot hit earth hard and his second one was close behind.

Out of the corner of his eye, Quim could see Draco, but it was inconsequential to what his mind was already telling him: they were engaging. Quim's footsteps tore across the street as he circled around the pull horses and climbed up on the bench to join in, expecting one of his own to be standing behind the driver with a clean grab of the man.

As he got to the height of the driver's bench, he stopped short as he realized there was no one behind the man.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 14, 2023 by Basil_Bottletop (see edit history)

[Doby]

~ Citadel Forge, Wagon Chase  ~

~ Month 2, Day 6: Evening ~

Battle Map

Draco magically imbued sight detects many auras and emanations in the area, but he knows it will take a few seconds of concentration for him to get any useful information about where they might be coming from.

Quim scrambles up with ease, and in short order he's pulling himself up and onto the driver's box. Before he can get to his feet, the monstrous shape enveloping the guard whips a tail-like appendage at Quim, but it flies high over his head.

DM

This is a mid-round post on my part to give feedback to players who have posted. I'm going to give @Robot and @TheFred a little longer to post before I post NPC actions and start a new round.

 

[Robot]

Ingrid Hearthkeep

Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 32, 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), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC)
Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10
Condition None
Speaks Common, Dwarven

"I'd say that sounds ruddy fair, considering she left us to die in that cave after carting us about, putting us in harm's way then ducking when things went poorly!" Ingrid snapped, before a brief exchange atop the wagon snagged at the edge of her attention mid-swing. Quim had gotten onto the front of the wagon, and the driver was... not driving anymore. He was fighting with some-thing. Cussing, she moved to climb from her precarious perch against the back of the wagon.

 

Edited July 14, 2023 by Robot (see edit history)

[Doby]

~ Citadel Forge, Wagon Chase  ~

~ Month 2, Day 6: Evening ~

Battle Map

Ingrid's climbing skills are just adequate enough, it turns out. She nearly slides back down one of the wheel after she pulls herself on top, but she's able to haul her dwarven frame all the way to the top of the wagon. No sooner then when she pulls herself to her feet does the creature's tail whip out and strike Ingrid before she's able to effectively defend herself.

DM: Ingrid

Ingrid takes 9 damage.

The creature oversized mouth seems to chop and chew on the guard within as it's jaws grind back and forth. Despite how muffled the sound is, you can clearly hear the guard yelling out in pain. While it's body is engaged with the guard, it's tail is still free to attack, and it darts at Quim. Fortunately, Quim dodges underneath the strike.

The guard inside tries to pull his arm free of the giant mouth, but the creature doesn't give any ground and continues to engulf the man's entire torso.

[Basil_Bottletop]

 

 

Blade in hand, Quim was itching to do something. The problem; he wasn't sure what that something was at the moment.

He watched in confusion as the man fought with his clothing and was being devoured by textiles. The inability to decide what to do only irritated Quim more. Finally, he raised the blade above his head and just started to swipe at the attacking cloak as best he could, trying not to cut the man beneath it.

 

 

 

 

[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 continues to focus, seeking a magical aura that wasn't within the group. He was hoping someone was doing this magic nearby so they could get some answers from someone who was a bit more open to questioning than this guy. His eyes begin to glow with magical power, his slitted eyes peering at something beyond the normal as his blood starts to boil with magical power.

 

Actions

Standard: Maintain concentration on Detect Magic to find out more info

 

[Illogictree]

Coalscuttle

Coalscuttle Kobold Paladin 2 || Guardian Tier 1 LG AC 21 HP 24/24 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 4/5 (+1d6)

---

Quinn has started to attack the cloak, and it's started to attack back, so Coals decides this is probably not according to some plan.

"Whichever deity is listening," she prays, "aid my hand! So I do not hit someone I am not supposed to."

She scrambles up the side of the wagon, and if successful, drawing her weapon and trying to spot an opening to attack.

OOC

EDIT: Coals invokes Smite Evil with the cloak monster as the target.

Coals will climb the wagon. If she succeeds she draws her sword so she's ready for next turn.

Climb

 

Adding Mythic Surge to that.

Edited August 13, 2023 by Illogictree (see edit history)

[Robot]

Ingrid Hearthkeep

Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 23/32, 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), Heavy Mythril Shield (+2 AC)
Abilities Str 15, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10
Condition None
Speaks Common, Dwarven

There was a flicker of concern on the dwarf's face. For all of her temper, wearing and then being eaten by a nightmare was not something she wished on the man. His loyalty to Cessah was a point of confusion to her after she'd used him to cushion her fall in the caves. At least that had always been Ingrid's assumption. A barbed tail whipped at her face and she jerked her head to one side to save the eye, a long cut lashing itself across her cheekbone, under her ear to the edge of her neck. That would scar. It all scarred despite her best efforts these days, but she found herself strangely at peace with it, as if each mark she took were a badge of honor. Some homage to an ancestry she'd lost grasp of when her family was forced from their homes.

Choking up on her hammer, she hoped she might be able to save the man, but it was likely this would hurt him as much as the creature. She swung.

 

[Doby]

~ Citadel Forge, Wagon Chase  ~

~ Month 2, Day 6: Evening ~

Battle Map

Quim's slice cuts only air as it passes by the monster's leathery, flowing body.

Draco continues to study the area, though he's surprised when he finds that all of the auras seem to be coalescing around the party. The strongest aura seems to be emanating from Coalscuttle, strangely enough.

Coalscuttle nearly slips as she gets halfway up the back of the wagon, but she catches herself and makes it to the top. The monster's tail fires out and stabs at her, but it just misses.

Ingrid's hammer hits squarely, though her concerns about hurting the man underneath the monster seem warranted. She can see both the man and the monster recoil in pain from slam.

Nancy mutters something to herself, an infernal sounding curse, and directs it at the monster. She spits on the ground to emphasize the act.

The monster continues to writhe as it's body stays wrapped around the guard. Blood begins to seep down his body from whatever wounds the creature is inflicting on him hidden from your view. The creature's tail whips around and whacks the guards exposed hips. You can clearly see the guard stop struggling and his body and legs go limp. The monster releases its toothy grip and the guard slides out of the giant mouth and drops down into the driver's box of the wagon.

[Illogictree]

Coalscuttle

Coalscuttle Kobold Paladin 2 || Guardian Tier 1 LG AC 21 HP 24/24 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 3/5 (+1d6)

---

The cloak-thing lashes out with a tail that reminds Coals far too much of the whips the Duergar often used to 'increase productivity'. The unpleasant memories echoing in her mind, she acts almost without thinking and strikes out against the thing in retaliation.

OOC

Coals will use Sudden Block as an Immediate Action, granting the guard her Tier AC bonus for all the good it will do. She then counterattacks, ignoring any DR the cloaker has, and I will list the Smite Evil bonuses separately.

Sudden Block Counterattack +2 if target is Evil
+1 Longsword damage +2 if target is Evil

Edited August 13, 2023 by Illogictree (see edit history)