This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
ELMER BARTHEN: “Well safe travels my new friends! Don’t forget to stop by my store and stock up on provisions for your journey!” says the merchant in a cheerful tone. “We’ve plenty of farms in the area, I’m sure we could procure a goat or swine for all your, uh, baiting needs!” he shouts while waving as the party moves on from the hiring board.
Per Discord request, Vaxis makes an Intelligence (Nature) check (13) to see what he can recall concerning the biology and habits of manticores...which is no more than what he has just learned from Elmer Barthen.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The hooded figure of the elf followed a little ways behind the dragonborn. She'd been listening to that soldier - she was sure of Barric's military training, which was clear from the way he held himself, as well as from the thousand-mile, haunted stare in the young human's eyes: a certain vacant look typical of those who'd seen death at close quarters - and his suggestion of bringing cattle along to give out to the manticore lit up a faint recollection of some old text Tabesha'l remembered reading during her time at the High Arcanum Magistry.
As they started filing in behind Connak, she reflected on this, trying to dig up some detail she felt was missing.
' Rogues Will Be Rogues ' (Circle of Fives Admission Rules, § 6 par. IV) " Put It Down. Now. Or Be Sorry. " (D. Khar-Errendis' Reported Tips For Curing Soul Ailments And Assorted Bad Behaviours, v. LIV p.XIII) " Tween thisThy and yonThou, shall I prove to Thee that these art what thou dost see ? " (Grimoire of The Great Pananthyr) " This One has said enough. Now, we fight. This way please ?" (8th Grade Bronze Disciple Raulnar Drohjo, Way of the Open Palm)
... his suggestion of bringing cattle along to give out to the manticore lit up a faint recollection of some old text Tabesha'l remembered reading during her time at the High Arcanum Magistry.
Nature: 19
Tabesha’l remembers a chilling entry on manticores from her “Monstrosities for the Mage’s Apprentice” primer:
“I've seen some creepy smiles in my time, but this is the creepiest yet. The creepiest of all creepy smiles belongs to a charming beast called the manticore. The body of a lion, a man's head with rows of shark-like teeth, and a tail covered in poisonous quills capable of being shot from a good distance away. The beast also has a voice like a trumpet, the ability to leap great distances, and the energy to keep coming back again and again and again. Any unfortunate traveler captured by a manticore is consumed entirely, including bones, clothing, and items carried. A manticore will often query its intended meal with riddles before killing it. The manicore's name means man-eater. It's a good name and states the case. It is very fast and has a special appetite for human flesh.”
Barric watches the sky nervously as he grasps his bow in a clammy hand, his fear and uncertainty distracting him ((previously rolled a 4 on perception)).
He looks over the rest of the group. The dragonborn, valiant and ready for a fight. The firbolg, towering over the others, with arms thicker than his legs. The two elves, aloof and mysterious. What are you doing, fool? You are going into the belly of the beast, and likely are going to die in one. And the worst of it is you will get them killed along with you. Are you so eager to throw your life away for a little coin?
He wipes a film of sweat from his forehead, only discipline earned in years of training keeping one foot in front of the other.
"So..." Barric says hoarsely, then clears his throat. "So, we do not want to try to satiate the manticore? Do we have a plan to slay the beast then, perhaps?"
The hooded figure of the elven enchantress starts talking, her lilting Common ringing clear, yet almost too soft for the others to hear: " The ancient texts do mention the manticore's love for riddles. I daresay this could be used in a desperate attempt to earn a little time before being devoured. Or to keep the beast busy, while the remainder of our group tries to flee. But if thou really dost mean to face something of its likeness head on..."she continues, her eyes fixed calmly on Vaxis' scaly back, " ... then we shallt need all thy godly intervention, indeed. Be it Wyrm, or otherwise."
She then falls silent and proceeds to make her way after their wood elf scout.
' Rogues Will Be Rogues ' (Circle of Fives Admission Rules, § 6 par. IV) " Put It Down. Now. Or Be Sorry. " (D. Khar-Errendis' Reported Tips For Curing Soul Ailments And Assorted Bad Behaviours, v. LIV p.XIII) " Tween thisThy and yonThou, shall I prove to Thee that these art what thou dost see ? " (Grimoire of The Great Pananthyr) " This One has said enough. Now, we fight. This way please ?" (8th Grade Bronze Disciple Raulnar Drohjo, Way of the Open Palm)
Deep in the heart of the Neverwinter Wood, the sky darkens briefly as a large form glides through the air above a small hunting lodge. The lodge’s elderly cook and a young stablehand glance skyward looking for the source of the large shadow that has swooped over them, but they see only a fleeting glimpse of wings, a tail, claws...They cast puzzled looks at one another before the realization hits them and they scramble for the entrance to the hunting outpost.
A moment later, the shadow returns, this time centered over the livestock pens which contain two dozen chickens and a rooster, six pigs, and four goats. Sensing danger, the animals begin panicking in their pens and one of the goats lets out a loud bleat before being ripped from its place as a massive, scaly form swoops low across the yard. Looking out the window, the cook and the stablehand can see the goat struggling in the clawed grasp of a ghastly white reptilian form, flapping expansive, leathery wings as it floats into the distance and out of sight...
(Current time: 3pm) The party has made it’s way down the miner’s trail for about an hour heading towards the ancient dwarven battle site known as Umbrage Hill. A light breeze skips across the tops of the rolling hills which are mostly devoid of tall trees and thick forest, but dotted here and there by large outcroppings of bushes and rock formations.
As the party moves around a bend in the path, Connak peers around the blind corner of a large copse of bush and immediately spots danger...two wolves waiting patiently for their next meal to arrive...
(OOC: ROLLING INITIATIVE! Neither party is surprised. Current battlemap is updated in the Discord channel.)
Tabesha'l felt a small tinge of surprise: why would two wolves take on a full party of two-legs ? This whole thing was wrong, as she knew the shy nature of these creatures, who often would rather run and hide than confront humanoids, especially near settlements. Could it be that the dragon already devoured or drove away all the local game... ? For certain, she'd never seen wolves of such an agressive nature, except during exceedingly harsh winters.
She knew she soon wouldn't have the luxury to reflect further on these subtleties, however, and so she took a steady position with both legs firmly planted on the road, as she uttered the incantation and formed the arcane symbols she would need to protect herself from the two rabid, desperate beasts. As she felt the magical barrier rise around her, she slowly but steadily backed away from the wolves, retreating behind the rest of the group and concentrating on her next spell.
** Casting Mage Armor on herself as an Action and moving 30 feet back up the road. **
' Rogues Will Be Rogues ' (Circle of Fives Admission Rules, § 6 par. IV) " Put It Down. Now. Or Be Sorry. " (D. Khar-Errendis' Reported Tips For Curing Soul Ailments And Assorted Bad Behaviours, v. LIV p.XIII) " Tween thisThy and yonThou, shall I prove to Thee that these art what thou dost see ? " (Grimoire of The Great Pananthyr) " This One has said enough. Now, we fight. This way please ?" (8th Grade Bronze Disciple Raulnar Drohjo, Way of the Open Palm)
As Barric hears Connak's warning, he knocks an arrow to his bow, the manticore pushed to the back of his mind for now. Seeing Tabesha'l retreat behind, he stands his position in front of her, watching Vaxis getting his shield up and Brutus ready to move into the fray. He can barely see the shapes moving behind the brush, and holds his aim steady, waiting for a clearer shot.
No movement. Readying a longbow attack when a wolf is not behind the cover of the trees. If triggered, 22 Damage: 11
Seeing Connak, the starving wolf sprang from his hiding place to pursue his meal. Vaxis and Connak were steeling themselves for a vicious attack by a wild and desperate predator when a streaking arrow split the air between their heads (only a few feet apart!) The missile found its mark in the wolf’s throat, opening the jugular artery and cleanly severing the spinal cord...the animal gave barely a muffled yelp before it collapsed; the inertia of its forward sprint causing it to cartwheel a full rotation before coming to rest in a bloody heap in the road.
(OOC: Not bad for the first combat roll of the campaign! Well done, Barric! The perfectly placed long shot has inflated your confidence as your new teammates look back at you in amazement. You have earned a point of inspiration!)
Brutus takes his movement as far as he can to get himself between the wolf and the rest of the party. Putting his axe away, and crouching down on all fours. Speaking to the wolf.
“Don’t end up like the one over there.” Nodding to the dead wolf. “There is no food for you here, run away now.... please”.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As Brutus calls out to the remaining wolf, he can hear the beast both growling and wincing with pain in the bushes. He sees a shaggy grey form moving from behind the obscured brush, and then the beast appears in the road glaring at him, driven mad with hunger, and then prowls slowly towards the gentle giant before lunging at him with teeth bared:
Wolf attacks Brutus with bite: 13 vs. AC 14
Fearing he may not be able to convince the wolf to leave, Brutus was ready to successfully fend off the attack, but now he has a hunger-crazed, injured and desperate wild animal up on two legs with its forward paws on his chest and razor-sharp teeth snapping at his face!
Brutus puts a hand on Vaxis shoulder. “It’s okay, it’s her fault she was so stubborn.” A comforting smile comes across Brutus’ colossal head. Taking a moment to the rest of the group. “Should we do anything with them? It may take a bit, or should we just keep moving to go get that lady?” As he points to the two deceased wolves.
" Nothing in Nature goes to waste, I don't see how we should make an exception to this primordial rule. It would honor them, and thus these noble beasts' deaths will not have been for nothing."Tabesha'l has moved closer to Brutus and the bodies of the wolves, her head tilted to the side as she seems to consider what just happened. The faintest of shimmers hovers around her, showing the effects of her protection spell. After a moment she turns her startling blue eyes towards the firbolg:
" I find it somewhat surprising that these would have had enough courage... or desperation to pounce on a group as large as ours. Not their usual behaviour. Would you say these were rabid ? Or tainted by some other illness ?"the elf asks the big barbarian, though it's hard to say if her interest has been sparked by genuine concern or cold professional intent.
' Rogues Will Be Rogues ' (Circle of Fives Admission Rules, § 6 par. IV) " Put It Down. Now. Or Be Sorry. " (D. Khar-Errendis' Reported Tips For Curing Soul Ailments And Assorted Bad Behaviours, v. LIV p.XIII) " Tween thisThy and yonThou, shall I prove to Thee that these art what thou dost see ? " (Grimoire of The Great Pananthyr) " This One has said enough. Now, we fight. This way please ?" (8th Grade Bronze Disciple Raulnar Drohjo, Way of the Open Palm)
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ELMER BARTHEN: “Well safe travels my new friends! Don’t forget to stop by my store and stock up on provisions for your journey!” says the merchant in a cheerful tone. “We’ve plenty of farms in the area, I’m sure we could procure a goat or swine for all your, uh, baiting needs!” he shouts while waving as the party moves on from the hiring board.
Per Discord request, Vaxis makes an Intelligence (Nature) check (13) to see what he can recall concerning the biology and habits of manticores...which is no more than what he has just learned from Elmer Barthen.
The hooded figure of the elf followed a little ways behind the dragonborn. She'd been listening to that soldier - she was sure of Barric's military training, which was clear from the way he held himself, as well as from the thousand-mile, haunted stare in the young human's eyes: a certain vacant look typical of those who'd seen death at close quarters - and his suggestion of bringing cattle along to give out to the manticore lit up a faint recollection of some old text Tabesha'l remembered reading during her time at the High Arcanum Magistry.
As they started filing in behind Connak, she reflected on this, trying to dig up some detail she felt was missing.
Nature: 9
' Rogues Will Be Rogues ' (Circle of Fives Admission Rules, § 6 par. IV)
" Put It Down. Now. Or Be Sorry. " (D. Khar-Errendis' Reported Tips For Curing Soul Ailments And Assorted Bad Behaviours, v. LIV p.XIII)
" Tween thisThy and yonThou, shall I prove to Thee that these art what thou dost see ? " (Grimoire of The Great Pananthyr)
" This One has said enough. Now, we fight. This way please ?" (8th Grade Bronze Disciple Raulnar Drohjo, Way of the Open Palm)
Tabesha’l remembers a chilling entry on manticores from her “Monstrosities for the Mage’s Apprentice” primer:
“I've seen some creepy smiles in my time, but this is the creepiest yet. The creepiest of all creepy smiles belongs to a charming beast called the manticore. The body of a lion, a man's head with rows of shark-like teeth, and a tail covered in poisonous quills capable of being shot from a good distance away. The beast also has a voice like a trumpet, the ability to leap great distances, and the energy to keep coming back again and again and again. Any unfortunate traveler captured by a manticore is consumed entirely, including bones, clothing, and items carried. A manticore will often query its intended meal with riddles before killing it. The manicore's name means man-eater. It's a good name and states the case. It is very fast and has a special appetite for human flesh.”
(OOC: AC 14, 68 hp, 50-ft fly speed, 3x multi-attack, Darkvision 60 ft.)
Barric watches the sky nervously as he grasps his bow in a clammy hand, his fear and uncertainty distracting him ((previously rolled a 4 on perception)).
He looks over the rest of the group. The dragonborn, valiant and ready for a fight. The firbolg, towering over the others, with arms thicker than his legs. The two elves, aloof and mysterious. What are you doing, fool? You are going into the belly of the beast, and likely are going to die in one. And the worst of it is you will get them killed along with you. Are you so eager to throw your life away for a little coin?
He wipes a film of sweat from his forehead, only discipline earned in years of training keeping one foot in front of the other.
"So..." Barric says hoarsely, then clears his throat. "So, we do not want to try to satiate the manticore? Do we have a plan to slay the beast then, perhaps?"
Vaxis strokes his scaly chin.
"I suppose we can have talking to it first. But when negotiations fail...we will have blood. The Platinum Wyrm abides no evil."
DM - Saturday and Tuesday: Eberron
Player - PBP: (Vaxis, Dragonborn Cleric of Bahamut, DoIP), Discord: Byron Bojengles III (Dragonmarked Half-Elf Rogue/Warlock Hexblade)
Other games: (Aardwolf MUD, Diablo 3, Starcraft 2, Pokemon, Borderlands {all})
The hooded figure of the elven enchantress starts talking, her lilting Common ringing clear, yet almost too soft for the others to hear: " The ancient texts do mention the manticore's love for riddles. I daresay this could be used in a desperate attempt to earn a little time before being devoured. Or to keep the beast busy, while the remainder of our group tries to flee. But if thou really dost mean to face something of its likeness head on..." she continues, her eyes fixed calmly on Vaxis' scaly back, " ... then we shallt need all thy godly intervention, indeed. Be it Wyrm, or otherwise."
She then falls silent and proceeds to make her way after their wood elf scout.
' Rogues Will Be Rogues ' (Circle of Fives Admission Rules, § 6 par. IV)
" Put It Down. Now. Or Be Sorry. " (D. Khar-Errendis' Reported Tips For Curing Soul Ailments And Assorted Bad Behaviours, v. LIV p.XIII)
" Tween thisThy and yonThou, shall I prove to Thee that these art what thou dost see ? " (Grimoire of The Great Pananthyr)
" This One has said enough. Now, we fight. This way please ?" (8th Grade Bronze Disciple Raulnar Drohjo, Way of the Open Palm)
Vaxis chuckles a bit. "Do not be having worry, friend. Bahamut is a merciful urathear, and will have blessings on our troubles."
DM - Saturday and Tuesday: Eberron
Player - PBP: (Vaxis, Dragonborn Cleric of Bahamut, DoIP), Discord: Byron Bojengles III (Dragonmarked Half-Elf Rogue/Warlock Hexblade)
Other games: (Aardwolf MUD, Diablo 3, Starcraft 2, Pokemon, Borderlands {all})
MEANWHILE, IN ANOTHER PART OF THE REGION:
Deep in the heart of the Neverwinter Wood, the sky darkens briefly as a large form glides through the air above a small hunting lodge. The lodge’s elderly cook and a young stablehand glance skyward looking for the source of the large shadow that has swooped over them, but they see only a fleeting glimpse of wings, a tail, claws...They cast puzzled looks at one another before the realization hits them and they scramble for the entrance to the hunting outpost.
A moment later, the shadow returns, this time centered over the livestock pens which contain two dozen chickens and a rooster, six pigs, and four goats. Sensing danger, the animals begin panicking in their pens and one of the goats lets out a loud bleat before being ripped from its place as a massive, scaly form swoops low across the yard. Looking out the window, the cook and the stablehand can see the goat struggling in the clawed grasp of a ghastly white reptilian form, flapping expansive, leathery wings as it floats into the distance and out of sight...
(Current time: 3pm) The party has made it’s way down the miner’s trail for about an hour heading towards the ancient dwarven battle site known as Umbrage Hill. A light breeze skips across the tops of the rolling hills which are mostly devoid of tall trees and thick forest, but dotted here and there by large outcroppings of bushes and rock formations.
As the party moves around a bend in the path, Connak peers around the blind corner of a large copse of bush and immediately spots danger...two wolves waiting patiently for their next meal to arrive...
(OOC: ROLLING INITIATIVE! Neither party is surprised. Current battlemap is updated in the Discord channel.)
Connak will immediately give warning, pointing out the wolves. He'll fire an arrow at the furthest wolf since the line of sight appears clear...
Short BowAttack: 16 Damage: 6
... then move his entire movement back towards the party (Left 5, Up 1).
Tabesha'l felt a small tinge of surprise: why would two wolves take on a full party of two-legs ? This whole thing was wrong, as she knew the shy nature of these creatures, who often would rather run and hide than confront humanoids, especially near settlements. Could it be that the dragon already devoured or drove away all the local game... ? For certain, she'd never seen wolves of such an agressive nature, except during exceedingly harsh winters.
She knew she soon wouldn't have the luxury to reflect further on these subtleties, however, and so she took a steady position with both legs firmly planted on the road, as she uttered the incantation and formed the arcane symbols she would need to protect herself from the two rabid, desperate beasts. As she felt the magical barrier rise around her, she slowly but steadily backed away from the wolves, retreating behind the rest of the group and concentrating on her next spell.
** Casting Mage Armor on herself as an Action and moving 30 feet back up the road. **
' Rogues Will Be Rogues ' (Circle of Fives Admission Rules, § 6 par. IV)
" Put It Down. Now. Or Be Sorry. " (D. Khar-Errendis' Reported Tips For Curing Soul Ailments And Assorted Bad Behaviours, v. LIV p.XIII)
" Tween thisThy and yonThou, shall I prove to Thee that these art what thou dost see ? " (Grimoire of The Great Pananthyr)
" This One has said enough. Now, we fight. This way please ?" (8th Grade Bronze Disciple Raulnar Drohjo, Way of the Open Palm)
As Barric hears Connak's warning, he knocks an arrow to his bow, the manticore pushed to the back of his mind for now. Seeing Tabesha'l retreat behind, he stands his position in front of her, watching Vaxis getting his shield up and Brutus ready to move into the fray. He can barely see the shapes moving behind the brush, and holds his aim steady, waiting for a clearer shot.
No movement. Readying a longbow attack when a wolf is not behind the cover of the trees. If triggered, 22 Damage: 11
Seeing Connak, the starving wolf sprang from his hiding place to pursue his meal. Vaxis and Connak were steeling themselves for a vicious attack by a wild and desperate predator when a streaking arrow split the air between their heads (only a few feet apart!) The missile found its mark in the wolf’s throat, opening the jugular artery and cleanly severing the spinal cord...the animal gave barely a muffled yelp before it collapsed; the inertia of its forward sprint causing it to cartwheel a full rotation before coming to rest in a bloody heap in the road.
(OOC: Not bad for the first combat roll of the campaign! Well done, Barric! The perfectly placed long shot has inflated your confidence as your new teammates look back at you in amazement. You have earned a point of inspiration!)
Brutus takes his movement as far as he can to get himself between the wolf and the rest of the party. Putting his axe away, and crouching down on all fours. Speaking to the wolf.
“Don’t end up like the one over there.” Nodding to the dead wolf. “There is no food for you here, run away now.... please”.
Persuasion: 9
As Brutus calls out to the remaining wolf, he can hear the beast both growling and wincing with pain in the bushes. He sees a shaggy grey form moving from behind the obscured brush, and then the beast appears in the road glaring at him, driven mad with hunger, and then prowls slowly towards the gentle giant before lunging at him with teeth bared:
Wolf attacks Brutus with bite: 13 vs. AC 14
Fearing he may not be able to convince the wolf to leave, Brutus was ready to successfully fend off the attack, but now he has a hunger-crazed, injured and desperate wild animal up on two legs with its forward paws on his chest and razor-sharp teeth snapping at his face!
Vaxis raises both his shield and a clawed han.
"I am having sorrow, noble creature. But you may not eat my new allies. To Bahamut with you."
He whispers the incantation of the spell known as Toll the Dead, and an eerie bell can be heard from the wolf.
(Target: Remaining Wolf. Wis Save DC 12. 4 damage on hit)
DM - Saturday and Tuesday: Eberron
Player - PBP: (Vaxis, Dragonborn Cleric of Bahamut, DoIP), Discord: Byron Bojengles III (Dragonmarked Half-Elf Rogue/Warlock Hexblade)
Other games: (Aardwolf MUD, Diablo 3, Starcraft 2, Pokemon, Borderlands {all})
Wolf rolls WIS saving throw against Vaxis’ Toll the Dead: 11
The wolf’s eyes go black and slumps to the ground away from Brutus as its soul departs its body
Vaxis steps near Brutus, looking concerned for his new ally.
"I am sorry thurirl...I could not risk the rest of you getting wounded. It dies a noble death."
DM - Saturday and Tuesday: Eberron
Player - PBP: (Vaxis, Dragonborn Cleric of Bahamut, DoIP), Discord: Byron Bojengles III (Dragonmarked Half-Elf Rogue/Warlock Hexblade)
Other games: (Aardwolf MUD, Diablo 3, Starcraft 2, Pokemon, Borderlands {all})
Brutus puts a hand on Vaxis shoulder. “It’s okay, it’s her fault she was so stubborn.” A comforting smile comes across Brutus’ colossal head. Taking a moment to the rest of the group. “Should we do anything with them? It may take a bit, or should we just keep moving to go get that lady?” As he points to the two deceased wolves.
" Nothing in Nature goes to waste, I don't see how we should make an exception to this primordial rule. It would honor them, and thus these noble beasts' deaths will not have been for nothing." Tabesha'l has moved closer to Brutus and the bodies of the wolves, her head tilted to the side as she seems to consider what just happened. The faintest of shimmers hovers around her, showing the effects of her protection spell. After a moment she turns her startling blue eyes towards the firbolg:
" I find it somewhat surprising that these would have had enough courage... or desperation to pounce on a group as large as ours. Not their usual behaviour. Would you say these were rabid ? Or tainted by some other illness ?" the elf asks the big barbarian, though it's hard to say if her interest has been sparked by genuine concern or cold professional intent.
' Rogues Will Be Rogues ' (Circle of Fives Admission Rules, § 6 par. IV)
" Put It Down. Now. Or Be Sorry. " (D. Khar-Errendis' Reported Tips For Curing Soul Ailments And Assorted Bad Behaviours, v. LIV p.XIII)
" Tween thisThy and yonThou, shall I prove to Thee that these art what thou dost see ? " (Grimoire of The Great Pananthyr)
" This One has said enough. Now, we fight. This way please ?" (8th Grade Bronze Disciple Raulnar Drohjo, Way of the Open Palm)