Most of the group is so caught up in their sparing that only Azure notices the distant figure standing in the fog. As he motions towards the group standing in the road, the fog seems to dissipate out away from the genasi... heading towards the stranger very quickly before the fog begins to reclaim the road. The small temporary part in the fog is enough for the entire group to spot their strange spectators. Through the fog, a tiny reflection off of a cow bell was visible.. standing next to a tall figure wearing a thick black coat with a black hat on his head. The hat would resemble the same types of black hats you had just seen being worn by the two kobolds lighting the lamps earlier in town.
"Shouldn't you be at the inn? Hear the mayor has a big announcement... " A deep and gravely voice would ask through the fog.
All the normal sounds of the swamp seemingly stop at the sound of the voice. down the road, even more dark misty figures appear behind the mysterious stranger. "I was just heading there now.... I thought I would bring along some... friends.." He would add as even more black figures began to emerge in the mist.. all of them large and similar in shape to the cow-like looking thing next to him. More and more klunks and clanks echo through the night as the tall figure seems to disappear backwards into what looks like just one large stinking and klunking shadow moving through the fog...
“Nah.., I saw an odd man in a tall hat leading a few cows through the fog,” Bey remarks in a calm tone. “Nothing to fear. And yes, who would turn down the promise of a free drink from the mayor? Should we make our way to the inn? I’m ready for my free mug, of glass, or dram, or whatever he’s offering.”
"Uhh Yes sir. Deputy Azure here. Just making sure everyone made it safe through the fog. Would you and your friends like an escort?" Azure says hurriedly at the figure lowering his shield slightly before turning to Bey and addding, "It is gettin late I suppose."
As you talk among yourselves and address the shapes in the fog, at first there is no response. Then, after a few very long seconds... there is a loud moan... Then a scream.. and then another as the ground beneath your feet begins to shake. The putrid musty rotting smell is almost overwhelming as sound of baying and screaming and moaning animals nearly drowns out the sound of their charging hooves. As the stampede of livestock rush towards the five of you, you can see shapes that look like cows, bulls, horses, goats, and donkeys.. but they are different. It is hard to see details in the dark and they are still a ways away but you get the feeling that something is very very wrong with the creatures. The ground continues to tremble as your eyes burn and your mouth begins to water as the smell coming from these rapidly approaching creatures files your nostrils and nearly causes you to gag. The clunking cow bell echoes through the darkness.
(OOC: So there is a stampede of livestock charging towards the group. If you think you want to fight you will need to roll initiative. If you want to run to the inn or whatever, feel free to RP and we won't need initiative)
"I don't know what is with all of these crazed, putrid smelling, animals but we can't let them make it to town!" Norge pivots to face the stampede and take a defensive stance with his shield positioned to the front. "Brace yourselves! We need to stop as many as we can!"
A shudder would run through Azure's frame as the realization of a stampede hit him. He'd shake his head for a second as Norge spoke. Azure would run up beside Norge and plant his footing raising his shield. "Get behind us" If he has time, he'll cast Light on the front of his shield so they can get a better glimpse of their enemies as they approach.
Bey is a bit taken aback as she watches her companions dig in ahead of the stampede. She’s not normally inclined to kill normal animals, but there is definitely something very odd, mysterious and unnatural about these beasts. This whole situation seems odd, and she wonders if she read the scene wrong just now.
She decides that standing directly in the path of the charging herd is not the wisest choice for her. Drawing her bow again, she moves to position herself off to the side, as close to Tiriana as she can get.
Azure, Mitt, and Norge stand towards the center of the road in a defensive position while Tiriana stands behind them. Bey quickly races out of the way and takes up a position behind a tree along the swamp next to the road. The ground shakes and your armor and teeth begin to chatter. Azure manages to illuminate his shield as the group of beasts close in and the fog seemingly retreats from the impending clash. It isn't until the creatures are within 15ft of you that you can truly see what it is you are dealing with. Stinking farm animals charge towards you with bits of decaying flesh falling from their still living bodies. Black, green, and blue colored mold and fungus fill large open wounds and sores that seem to cover these animals. Their eyes yellow as they charge forward with no fear as steam billows from flaring nostrils.
The charging creatures will slam into anyone standing in their way within moments. They are 15ft away. Mitt, Trianna, and Norge have a split second before the first of the creatures slam into the group!
OOC: Triangle is Azure and Diamond is Trianna... these will show up in future pictures!
Tiriana turns her look of surprise into a glare at the incoming weird animals. She speaks an ancient arcane word and gestures like she's throwing something. A small mote of light soars at the incoming beasts, the SKBull, her target.
The mote of flame dances across Tiriana's fingers before streaking through the sky and slamming into the creature. As the flame hit's its mark, the bull staggers and stumbles but continues its charge. The stinking beast continues to push on.. seemingly un-phased as bits of its hair remain ignited as smoke billows from its rotting hide.
(OOC: You get the feeling that the flames did damage but not as much as you would have hoped. )
Norge realizes that he needs to find a way to slow down the charging beasts and sprints forward toward the same bull that Tiriana struck with the fire bolt. Norge plants his feet in the bull's path and once it draws near delivers a strike with his mace. As he delivers the strike Norge attempts to knock the bull into the other stampeding animals to cause them to stumble or fall.
"When you hit with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to add the total to the damage roll, and if the target is Large or smaller, it must make a STR saving throw (DC 13). On failure, you push the target up to 15 ft. away from you."
(OOC: The goal is to knock the bull in front of the other animals to cause them to trip and fall or to at least slow them down. I have +3 animal handling if that helps. If I am moving an animal am I not handling it at that point? :P)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(OOC: I am going to take a couple liberties a bit with the movement of the bulls since they were still 15ft away and charging on your turns but some of you were RPing as though you were waiting for them to hit you so let me know if you don't agree with anything.)
As the creatures charge forward, flames burst across the side of the bull just as Norge swings his warhammer towards the beast. The large creature manages to duck its head under the weapong before quickly raising up its head and attempting to drive its horns into the fighters stumach!
Stench Bull Gore Norge Attack: 12 Damage: 16
The pulls horn slams into the stomach of the fighter and flings him into the air.. sending him cartwheeling like a ragdoll in the night sky before landing with a sickening thud among the stomping hooves of the stampede.
The Stench Kow (2) running alongside the bull will charge ahead and lower itself in an attempt to crush the water Genasi with its large bovine battering ram head...
Stench Bull Gore Azure Attack: 19 Damage: 17
The raging creature rams its head into Azure's metal shield, sending it backwards into his face and slamming into his forehead. The Genasi is knocked out cold as he falls backwards on the ground inbetween the stomping hooves of the stampede.
The third stench Kow to rush towards the group snorts wildly as it lowers its head to ram Mitt. As it does so, the Kobold leaps into the air and drives both scimitars down deep into the shoulders of the beast. The Stench is nearly overwhelming as the animal collapses under its own weight and Mitt quickly draws his gore soaked weapons from the hide of the animal.
(OOC: Norge and Azure are both unconscious and Mitt managed to Kill SK. BEY is up and I need a con save from MItt and a Death save from Azure)
Most of the group is so caught up in their sparing that only Azure notices the distant figure standing in the fog. As he motions towards the group standing in the road, the fog seems to dissipate out away from the genasi... heading towards the stranger very quickly before the fog begins to reclaim the road. The small temporary part in the fog is enough for the entire group to spot their strange spectators. Through the fog, a tiny reflection off of a cow bell was visible.. standing next to a tall figure wearing a thick black coat with a black hat on his head. The hat would resemble the same types of black hats you had just seen being worn by the two kobolds lighting the lamps earlier in town.
"Shouldn't you be at the inn? Hear the mayor has a big announcement... " A deep and gravely voice would ask through the fog.
All the normal sounds of the swamp seemingly stop at the sound of the voice. down the road, even more dark misty figures appear behind the mysterious stranger. "I was just heading there now.... I thought I would bring along some... friends.." He would add as even more black figures began to emerge in the mist.. all of them large and similar in shape to the cow-like looking thing next to him. More and more klunks and clanks echo through the night as the tall figure seems to disappear backwards into what looks like just one large stinking and klunking shadow moving through the fog...
Tiriana takes some slow steps backward away from the road and the stranger. She bows her head, but raises her eyes to keep it in sight.
Insight: 5
"Methinks I need to lay off the dwarven ale or did the rest of you see the same thing I did? I think we need to warn the town!"
Mith says after rubbing his eyes for a second.
“Nah.., I saw an odd man in a tall hat leading a few cows through the fog,” Bey remarks in a calm tone. “Nothing to fear. And yes, who would turn down the promise of a free drink from the mayor? Should we make our way to the inn? I’m ready for my free mug, of glass, or dram, or whatever he’s offering.”
"Uhh Yes sir. Deputy Azure here. Just making sure everyone made it safe through the fog. Would you and your friends like an escort?" Azure says hurriedly at the figure lowering his shield slightly before turning to Bey and addding, "It is gettin late I suppose."
As you talk among yourselves and address the shapes in the fog, at first there is no response. Then, after a few very long seconds... there is a loud moan... Then a scream.. and then another as the ground beneath your feet begins to shake. The putrid musty rotting smell is almost overwhelming as sound of baying and screaming and moaning animals nearly drowns out the sound of their charging hooves. As the stampede of livestock rush towards the five of you, you can see shapes that look like cows, bulls, horses, goats, and donkeys.. but they are different. It is hard to see details in the dark and they are still a ways away but you get the feeling that something is very very wrong with the creatures. The ground continues to tremble as your eyes burn and your mouth begins to water as the smell coming from these rapidly approaching creatures files your nostrils and nearly causes you to gag. The clunking cow bell echoes through the darkness.
(OOC: So there is a stampede of livestock charging towards the group. If you think you want to fight you will need to roll initiative. If you want to run to the inn or whatever, feel free to RP and we won't need initiative)
"I don't know what is with all of these crazed, putrid smelling, animals but we can't let them make it to town!" Norge pivots to face the stampede and take a defensive stance with his shield positioned to the front. "Brace yourselves! We need to stop as many as we can!"
Initiative: 20
A shudder would run through Azure's frame as the realization of a stampede hit him. He'd shake his head for a second as Norge spoke. Azure would run up beside Norge and plant his footing raising his shield. "Get behind us" If he has time, he'll cast Light on the front of his shield so they can get a better glimpse of their enemies as they approach.
Initiative: 12
Tiriana sticks her sword into the ground beside her and prepares to defend herself.
Initiative: 21
Mitt looks up at the cows and stampede. With both rapists out he grins.
"Well then, lets do this!"
Initiative 22
Mitt moves to stand next to Azure and Norge.
Bey is a bit taken aback as she watches her companions dig in ahead of the stampede. She’s not normally inclined to kill normal animals, but there is definitely something very odd, mysterious and unnatural about these beasts. This whole situation seems odd, and she wonders if she read the scene wrong just now.
She decides that standing directly in the path of the charging herd is not the wisest choice for her. Drawing her bow again, she moves to position herself off to the side, as close to Tiriana as she can get.
Initiative: 12
ENEMY Initiatives!
SC 14
SC2 20
SD 16
SH 1
SB 10
SG 13
Total initiative order!
Mitt Initiative 22
Trianna Initiative: 21
Norge Initiative: 20
Stench Kow Bull 19
Stench Kow2 18
Azure Initiative: 12
Bey Initiative: 12
Stench Horse 12
Stench Kow 7
Stench Donkey 6
Stench Goat 2
Azure, Mitt, and Norge stand towards the center of the road in a defensive position while Tiriana stands behind them. Bey quickly races out of the way and takes up a position behind a tree along the swamp next to the road. The ground shakes and your armor and teeth begin to chatter. Azure manages to illuminate his shield as the group of beasts close in and the fog seemingly retreats from the impending clash. It isn't until the creatures are within 15ft of you that you can truly see what it is you are dealing with. Stinking farm animals charge towards you with bits of decaying flesh falling from their still living bodies. Black, green, and blue colored mold and fungus fill large open wounds and sores that seem to cover these animals. Their eyes yellow as they charge forward with no fear as steam billows from flaring nostrils.
The charging creatures will slam into anyone standing in their way within moments. They are 15ft away. Mitt, Trianna, and Norge have a split second before the first of the creatures slam into the group!
OOC: Triangle is Azure and Diamond is Trianna... these will show up in future pictures!
Tiriana turns her look of surprise into a glare at the incoming weird animals. She speaks an ancient arcane word and gestures like she's throwing something. A small mote of light soars at the incoming beasts, the SKBull, her target.
Fire bolt attack: 20, damage: 10
The mote of flame dances across Tiriana's fingers before streaking through the sky and slamming into the creature. As the flame hit's its mark, the bull staggers and stumbles but continues its charge. The stinking beast continues to push on.. seemingly un-phased as bits of its hair remain ignited as smoke billows from its rotting hide.
(OOC: You get the feeling that the flames did damage but not as much as you would have hoped. )
Mith stares down the SK at H13, When it comes into melee range he strikes out at it with both blades.
Attack: 12 Damage: 11
Attack: 15 Damage: 7
Mith may move right to avoid the stampede if he kills SK
Norge realizes that he needs to find a way to slow down the charging beasts and sprints forward toward the same bull that Tiriana struck with the fire bolt. Norge plants his feet in the bull's path and once it draws near delivers a strike with his mace. As he delivers the strike Norge attempts to knock the bull into the other stampeding animals to cause them to stumble or fall.
Attack: 7 Damage: 10
Pushing Attack: Superiority Dice: Attack: 6 Damage: 6
"When you hit with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to add the total to the damage roll, and if the target is Large or smaller, it must make a STR saving throw (DC 13). On failure, you push the target up to 15 ft. away from you."
(OOC: The goal is to knock the bull in front of the other animals to cause them to trip and fall or to at least slow them down. I have +3 animal handling if that helps. If I am moving an animal am I not handling it at that point? :P)
(OOC: I am going to take a couple liberties a bit with the movement of the bulls since they were still 15ft away and charging on your turns but some of you were RPing as though you were waiting for them to hit you so let me know if you don't agree with anything.)
As the creatures charge forward, flames burst across the side of the bull just as Norge swings his warhammer towards the beast. The large creature manages to duck its head under the weapong before quickly raising up its head and attempting to drive its horns into the fighters stumach!
Stench Bull Gore Norge Attack: 12 Damage: 16
The pulls horn slams into the stomach of the fighter and flings him into the air.. sending him cartwheeling like a ragdoll in the night sky before landing with a sickening thud among the stomping hooves of the stampede.
The Stench Kow (2) running alongside the bull will charge ahead and lower itself in an attempt to crush the water Genasi with its large bovine battering ram head...
Stench Bull Gore Azure Attack: 19 Damage: 17
The raging creature rams its head into Azure's metal shield, sending it backwards into his face and slamming into his forehead. The Genasi is knocked out cold as he falls backwards on the ground inbetween the stomping hooves of the stampede.
The third stench Kow to rush towards the group snorts wildly as it lowers its head to ram Mitt. As it does so, the Kobold leaps into the air and drives both scimitars down deep into the shoulders of the beast. The Stench is nearly overwhelming as the animal collapses under its own weight and Mitt quickly draws his gore soaked weapons from the hide of the animal.
(OOC: Norge and Azure are both unconscious and Mitt managed to Kill SK. BEY is up and I need a con save from MItt and a Death save from Azure)
Total initiative order!
Mitt Initiative 22
Trianna Initiative: 21
Norge Initiative: 20 - unconscious
Stench Kow Bull 19 - 5 damage
Stench Kow2 18
Azure Initiative: 12 - unconscious
Bey Initiative: 12 <--- UP!
Stench Horse 12
Stench Kow 7 - deadStench Donkey 6
Stench Goat 2
Azure Death Save: 8