Still feeling the affects of the poison says, "Well mates, I got a few of these javelins but at this distance and lack of light, if one of them land I will consider myself lucky. Perhaps we try to think of ways to take away it's vision and rush it. I'd much rather swing upclose even if I have doubled over." (OOC: Ori would feel this way, however mechanically disadvantage from the poison doesn't make it any better or worse to hit but a bit more potential damage in melee is all)
"And will it smell any less deadly if we do?" the Lyften lass asks in a hoarse whisper as she reaches for the hammer on her belt instead of her longbow and rather than looking at the creature directly, studies the reflection on the surface of her mirror-polished shield "intently.
Still gulping a little to control her stomach, Famh replies, "Maybe no ... at least the auld tales njver said ... but they did say the cure for its poison... is ... a soup made frae its head."She has to stop and swallow the lump in her throat down again at the thought. After a moment she manages it enough to finish the thought. "But otherwise we'd have to gae round about ... and maybe run into its mate ... " Just as she says this, Sir Almeric's command to fall back sinks into her foggy brain, and she turns to follow. "And it sounds like our guid knight has some thoughts about that as well"
Still feeling the affects of the poison says, "Well mates, I got a few of these javelins but at this distance and lack of light, if one of them land I will consider myself lucky. Perhaps we try to think of ways to take away it's vision and rush it. I'd much rather swing upclose even if I have doubled over." (OOC: Ori would feel this way, however mechanically disadvantage from the poison doesn't make it any better or worse to hit but a bit more potential damage in melee is all)
"Take away its vision ... "Famh thinks for a moment. Her stomach is still roiling from the vapours she has already breathed, but her mind is clearing now she is not so close to the source. "Well, there's that glamour I used in Hob's Dell ... the magic fire? If I made it appear on the road all on a sudden in this dim gloaming, maybe the glare would blind it. At the least it would distract the thing from our attack. And if naebody's fighting it at close range at the time, I could try to catch the thing in the fire."
She pauses; and a grim twinkle appears in her eye as she begins to recover a bit of her peculiar sense of humour. "I'm no sure that would improve the stench any ... but at least the head would be ready cooked for soup if we have to gae that far..."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Cainneach feels the wave of sickness crash over him and understands what had previously befallen his friends. He turns to stumble away from the bizarre creature, trying to take in the information about plans and weaknesses that they're speaking of, but his mind is not in a state to fully comprehend. Once he stops to wretch, he turns back to the thing and fumbles with his bow. "Ori, I could take a shot at it, but even if I weren't ill, it would be a challenging shot in the darkness. I think it's best to give it a wide berth and hope its effects don't linger." He turns to Famh and notes, "By Morkaan, I hope that thing never finds love ... and I don't think it could hurt to give it something fiery to ponder while we make our escape."
Famh looks at Cainneach with concern. "Oh no, leannan, are you feeling ill too? We'd best move quickly, I think that makes all of us its sickened now. If we do slip away in the darkness, maybe Sir Almeric could heal us ane by ane? And I could hold your head for ye while you're waiting ... " She smiles at him a moment before going on.
"It seems to all hinge on that ... whether there's another cure for the beast's venom besides the soup the tales tell of. If no, then we'll just be getting sicker and sicker as we march. In that case ,,, if we have to fight ... my fire could be behind it, and it would show up a better target against the flames. But if we can be cured some other way .., oh, I wish Tanawere here, she might know mair of this! ... well, in that case, we were sent to talk to this Rory Mor more than to fight beasts at this point. And then the fire could be before it to bar pursuit."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Vardi, finding herself one short of a hand to hold a lantern, shield and hammer all at once without a moment to organize herself leaves the hammer be and keeps backing away, shuttering the light behind her shield, and relying on the dim glimmer remaining to see the road.
"Might be able ta reach it wi' longbow wi'out puking." she offers quietly but concedes "Fair distance though, nay sure of my chances in this gloom either."
On the matter of glamour-raised flames, the big lass falls silent in wonder, as knowing of sorcery and the like is one thing, but using it is quite another sort of understanding and one beyond her scant lore, so she thinks on if there is anything she knows any tales of the làbh-allan that may be useful.
OOC: Vardi belatedly attempts a History check, 11.
The companions retreat back out of sight of the creature and discuss their options, looking upslope they could certainly go around over rough ground, or possibly try their hand with bows or the like....or a brave/foolhardy member could charge in and hope for the best.
“Should be easy enough to track and follow it if we wanted to with that smell, but it may be for the best just to go around. Still, I hate to see it cause trouble for some other poor traveler.” Thatch looks in the darkness for a path that would keep them away from the creature if the decision is to go around.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Cainneach joins Thatch in searching for a path through the rough ground to circumvent the nasty beast. He asks Famh to assist with her keen eyes, with some embarrassment ;-)
Survival10 (rolling normal w/Help to cancel out disadvantage from darkness/Poisoned)
Ori, still feeling tye sickening feeling from before, follows the others. "What are we doing? We came here to rid this area of unnatural horrors and dangers. Going around because it's more convenient defeats the purpose of us being sent here. If we don't kill the thing, who do you suspect will aye. I still vote we take the bloody thing out of existence." Ori didn't want to fight whatever the creature truly was but something felt... wrong, with leaving this problem for someone else to stumble into.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
EDITED 6/20
Famh follows Cainneach's lead in searching for paths, watching to see which places he checks and herself looking in the spots next adjacent to them. Using this alternating pattern they are able to cover the ground reasonably thoroughly while Helping each other through the worst of the sickness (Famh's Nature with Help 11). But as she proceeds she becomes more and more troubled as she reflects that, independent of any disagreement between Cainneachand Ori, she herself could see almost equally compelling reasons to pursue either course of action. And true to Famh, in the trouble of her spirit she begins to quietly sing. Blending her recently acknowledged secret dream of becoming one of the Wise who sang her people's history alive and were thrice welcome the length and breadth of Thuland, old faerie memories or dreams of memories, and a sudden half preserved memory of her own: Brither Cadfael, the confessor and eventually sole friend of her girlhood, singing a ballad of the love of Gatanades, that would even give His own life to save the ones He loved; belnding all of these her voice sighs out, a warbling nightingale such as were said to soothe the lake-haunted isle of Innisfree. But of course, her lingering sickness and her anxieties about all the troubles that have been hovering about the retinue ;ate;y like threatening clouds of shadow lend the performance a slightly haunting timbre...(Performance; DIS from poison 14).
"There were three ravens sat on a tree,
(down a doun, hey down a doun)
an' they were black as they micht be.
(with a doo - oo- own)
The ane o thaim says tae his mate,
"Whit shall we for our breakfast take?"
(down a doun, derry derry doun, doo - oo-- own.)
...
Down i yonder gree - en field (down a doun, hey down a doun)
lies a knicht slain under his shield. (with a doo - oo- own)
Down thare comes a fallow doe,
as great wi' young as she micht go. (down a doun, derry derry doun, doo - oo-- own.) ...
She liftit up his bluidy head (down a doun, hey down a doun)
an kissit his wounds that were sae red. (with a doo - oo- own)
She liftit him upon her back
an carriit him tae the earthen broch. (down a doun, derry derry doun, doo - oo-- own.) ...
She buriit him before his bride; (down a doun, hey down a doun)
she wis deid herself ere e'en tide. (with a doo - oo- own)
Gatanades send aw gentle men
fine hawks, fine hounds an sic a lovin' friend. (down a doun, derry derry doun, doo - oo-- own.)"
It is surely the purest of coincidences that just as she sings the last four words she finds herself right next to Cainneach in their search; and nothing but the most venomous of gossip would allege that her arm just happened to brush over his shoulders just then.
Vardi considers the options of a slow wasting away or death in battle with a stinking rat the size of a dog, and her duty to the crown, and to the land and the people.
"If ye be a kind of people, Skoggi, then I suppose tha' poor goat counts as people too..." she murmurs "...Not sure if tha' rat does." then smiles thinly as she concludes "But I doubt tha rat has wealthy kin ta object..." and begins to consider what can be done, no, what must be done about the four-footed sort of trouble.
OOC: How is Skoggi faring?
The big lass moves up to Almeric and says quietly to him "If we dinnay deal wi' tha' damn beast now, we will be the ones answerable for tha harm it does in the meantime. I get tha' it may nay be a matter of concern for yer Baron, Ser Almeric, but it is likely ta be one ta tha local lords if it kills livestock, or worse. So, as a man who knows of strange beasts, and has a knack for seeing through tha dark, I humbly ask ye: How do we go about stopping it? Flame called down on it and arrow fire, or charge in and hope nay ta choke?"
“Should be easy enough to track and follow it if we wanted to with that smell, but it may be for the best just to go around. Still, I hate to see it cause trouble for some other poor traveler.” Thatch looks in the darkness for a path that would keep them away from the creature if the decision is to go around.
Cainneach joins Thatch in searching for a path through the rough ground to circumvent the nasty beast. He asks Famh to assist with her keen eyes, with some embarrassment ;-)
Survival9 (rolling normal w/Help to cancel out disadvantage from darkness/Poisoned)
Ori, still feeling tye sickening feeling from before, follows the others. "What are we doing? We came here to rid this area of unnatural horrors and dangers. Going around because it's more convenient defeats the purpose of us being sent here. If we don't kill the thing, who do you suspect will aye. I still vote we take the bloody thing out of existence." Ori didn't want to fight whatever the creature truly was but something felt... wrong, with leaving this problem for someone else to stumble into.
Famh follows Cainneach's lead in searching for paths, watching to see which places he checks and herself looking in the spots next adjacent to them. Using this alternating pattern they are able to cover the ground reasonably thoroughly while Helping each other through the worst of the sickness (Famh's Nature with Help 14). But as she proceeds she becomes more and more troubled as she reflects that, independent of any disagreement between Cainneachand Ori, she herself could see almost equally compelling reasons to pursue either course of action. And true to Famh, in the trouble of her spirit she begins to quietly sing. Blending her recently acknowledged secret dream of becoming one of the Wise who sang her people's history alive and were thrice welcome the length and breadth of Thuland, old faerie memories or dreams of memories, and a sudden half preserved memory of her own: Brither Cadfael, the confessor and eventually sole friend of her girlhood, singing a ballad of the love of Gatanades, that would even give His own life to save the ones He loved; belnding all of these her voice sighs out, a warbling nightingale such as were said to soothe the lake-haunted isle of Innisfree. But of course, her lingering sickness and her anxieties about all the troubles that have been hovering about the retinue ;ate;y like threatening clouds of shadow lend the performance a slightly haunting timbre...(Performance; DIS from poison 10).
"There were three ravens sat on a tree,
(down a doun, hey down a doun)
an' they were black as they micht be.
(with a doo - oo- own)
The ane o thaim says tae his mate,
"Whit shall we for our breakfast take?"
(down a doun, derry derry doun, doo - oo-- own.)
...
Down i yonder gree - en field (down a doun, hey down a doun)
lies a knicht slain under his shield. (with a doo - oo- own)
Down thare comes a fallow doe,
as great wi' young as she micht go. (down a doun, derry derry doun, doo - oo-- own.) ...
She liftit up his bluidy head (down a doun, hey down a doun)
an kissit his wounds that were sae red. (with a doo - oo- own)
She liftit him upon her back
an carriit him tae the earthen broch. (down a doun, derry derry doun, doo - oo-- own.) ...
She buriit him before his bride; (down a doun, hey down a doun)
she wis deid herself ere e'en tide. (with a doo - oo- own)
Gatanades send aw gentle men
fine hawks, fine hounds an sic a lovin' friend. (down a doun, derry derry doun, doo - oo-- own.)"
It is surely the purest of coincidences that just as she sings the last four words she finds herself right next to Cainneach in their search; and nothing but the most venomous of gossip would allege that her arm just happened to brush over his shoulders just then.
Famhs tune may win no contests but it is heartening nonetheless, between her, Cainneach and Thatch they find a path up towards the ridgeline that will lead them around the danger if they so choose.
Vardi considers the options of a slow wasting away or death in battle with a stinking rat the size of a dog, and her duty to the crown, and to the land and the people.
"If ye be a kind of people, Skoggi, then I suppose tha' poor goat counts as people too..." she murmurs "...Not sure if tha' rat does." then smiles thinly as she concludes "But I doubt tha rat has wealthy kin ta object..." and begins to consider what can be done, no, what must be done about the four-footed sort of trouble.
OOC: How is Skoggi faring?
The big lass moves up to Almeric and says quietly to him "If we dinnay deal wi' tha' damn beast now, we will be the ones answerable for tha harm it does in the meantime. I get tha' it may nay be a matter of concern for yer Baron, Ser Almeric, but it is likely ta be one ta tha local lords if it kills livestock, or worse. So, as a man who knows of strange beasts, and has a knack for seeing through tha dark, I humbly ask ye: How do we go about stopping it? Flame called down on it and arrow fire, or charge in and hope nay ta choke?"
( Skoggi seems unaffected....perhaps the creature is only reacting to things it perceives as possible threats....though Skoggis pride may be bruised a little by being excempt from that category.)
Cainneach is torn between his loathing for the bizarre creature that so easily sickened them all and the sentiments of duty expressed by Ori, Thatch, and Vardi. Famh's song and gentle touch soften his heart and strengthen his resolve. "It seems we have to make a choice. The path away from danger lay before us, or we can stay to assault that beast, lest it harm any more of the livestock or their keepers in this countryside. You've all judged it truly: if we walk away, the further damage it does will be our responsibility. Perhaps if Famh can illuminate it with her flames, Thatch and I will be able to sight it clearly enough to strike ifrom afar with our arrows. Then you three can rush in to finish it off. What say you, Almeric?"
This had been the a difficult tactical situation for Almeric. Weighing in the balance their primary objective of seeking out and destroying monsters such as this, compared with the duty of keeping the Retinue alive by avoiding unnecessary risk. The situation on the beach with the Draugr had taught Almeric the importance of bringing people along with you, or allowing them to travel a different path, but that reached the same destination. This was not achieved by barking orders. Sometimes charm and persuasion would work. Here, each person had reached their own conclusions using their own wisdom and experience
Being 'ambushed' by a creature that can kill on sight from 100 yards away was unexpected and truly disturbing. The Retinue had experienced much worse at Hobb's Dell though. With the whole party effected and resolve weakened, the sensible thing to do was retreat and regroup. In truth it was the last thing Almeric wanted. Every instinct in his body was to charge, alone if necessary, but that is not how the Retinue works best.
Almeric's grimace turns into a broad beaming smile. He clasps every person by the shoulders in his admiration and respect of them for arriving at this decision alone. The same decision he reached a few moment ago, but was unable to enact given the new dynamic within the group.
"This is who we are and this is what we do. De defend the helpless, we protect the innocent, we meet justice and we fight against dark forces that would destroy everything we hold dear. It is an excellent plan that you all have. Myself, Ori and Vardi with charge into melee. Famh, Cainneach and Thatch will give missile support. Whatever happens, we fight till the creature is slain. Once dead, we will retain the head for the remedy."
Taking a few moments to encourage everyone (3 CR), Almeric bestows Fey Gift: Hospitality upon Ori +3 Temp HP and Vardi for +8 Temp HP, while Laying on Hands for Almeric +2HP.
Drawing sword and hefting shield, Almeric stands at the front "I can see in the dark and will take us straight to it. Ready?"
"What about its sight, we got anything to block it? Either something we can do to it or perhaps something we can carry to block the view of us?" Ori had his mask but was sure that wasn't enough. What part does it need to see to kill? Eye contact perhaps, or maybe vital parts of the body.
"Famh, how close do you need to be to create your fire near the beast? It's a long shot for me at this distance in the dark, but even if it wounds me again, I don't fear my odds will be any worse. If we can illuminate it with the lantern and the fire, I'll strike it any many times as I'm able so that you might close the distance without drawing its attention. Even if Thatch and I miss, hopefully I'll distract it enough to keep you all safe."Cainneach fidgets with his bow. Now that he's committed to this line of action, the familiar nerves settle in as he waits for the assault to begin. "Ori, I don't know, other than to try and hide behind your shields as you approach. Stay close with Almeric and Vardi. Maybe if you don't see the thing, it won't affect you? If you all fall ill again, then split up. Either way, just kill it as quickly as you're able."
Almeric:"...Myself, Ori and Vardi with charge into melee."
Vardi nods in agreement, figuring the odds on three are better than on one warrior reaching striking range of the creature, and will aid in drawing its attention away from the others to take their shots from cover.
Almeric: "I can see in the dark and will take us straight to it. Ready?"
Ori: "What about its sight, we got anything to block it? Either something we can do to it or perhaps something we can carry to block the view of us?"
The warrior woman offers "Got a shield silvered and polished bri' as a lady's mirror. Could shove that between us and its face when I'm close maybe? Nay sure if its gaze will bite it back if it sees itself, but I doubt it can see through metal. Got a shuttered lantern we could aim at tha creature's face as well ta dazzle it for a moment? Tha' might work."
She looks pensive as she adds "If it be a rat at heart, then maybe throwing one of Skokki's sheepskins from his basket over it would help block both smell and sight and scare it witless inta tha bargain? Might work as a shield of sorts too if ye held it out in front of ye while charging up to get at it."
"Famh, how close do you need to be to create your fire near the beast? It's a long shot for me at this distance in the dark, but even if it wounds me again, I don't fear my odds will be any worse. If we can illuminate it with the lantern and the fire, I'll strike it any many times as I'm able so that you might close the distance without drawing its attention. Even if Thatch and I miss, hopefully I'll distract it enough to keep you all safe." ...
Almeric: "I can see in the dark and will take us straight to it. Ready?"
"Well, the second time in Hobs' Dell wis the farthest, I think ... " Famh pauses a few moments to recall exactly how far it was. Hazy shadows of elm leaves dance through her memories for some strange reason, making her recollections misty and dreamlike; but eventually they clear away enough for her to come up with a reasonable estimate. "Tuannon Dhur wis aboot four rods away from us, if I'm remembering right, and ma fire wis fair close tae that... three and a half rods, maybe? But I dinnae think we shoud all be straight on in a line, or the fire will blind Sir Almeric and the rest instead o' the beast. If we movit a few paces tae the left of where they'll be charging from, and then came within three rods o't before we open fire," (she giggles at her pun, then finishes), "it shoud work out nicely."
As she finishes her last words, her eyes are already going dreamy as she prepares to call on her faerie gifts. She also draws out her sling from its pouch by her side in case she needs a somewhat more solid argument in the retinue's upcoming dispute with this lavallan over rights of passage ... and venery. After all, she highly doubts the goat it killed was taken in strict accordance with Duke Carnasse's game laws; and she naturally takes more of an interest now in those things her beloved forester is concerned with as part of his profession. ;-)
=========
(OOC: Each rod is 16.5', so 3 1/2 rods = @ 60 feet. For longer distances, the furlong is equal to 40 rods or 660 feet)
( We'll make this a very rough combat as it'll be over fairly sharpish I think. Everyone post a movent and an Action + Bonus Action and we'll see how things shake out.....currently 100' and a bit from target.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Cainneach approaches the beast cautiously, at Famh's side, keeping a close eye on her. Once he reaches a distance from which he can clearly sight the foul thing, he takes hold of Famh's shoulder. "I think I can hurt it badly enough from here, if I can manage to hit it at all. Whatever it's done to me is making it difficult to focus."Cainneach takes a shot with his longbow to test his aim. "Do you want me to come closer with you so you can create your fire? I don't think we're near enough yet." Seeing just the hint of fear somewhere in those dreamy eyes, the forester breathes in deep, takes a moment to capture every detail, every potential weakness of the lavallan, then follows his beloved to within the requisite 60'. Cainneach then waits until her fire is unleashed, then looses another arrow at the monster.
Round 1 Movement - 30' to get w/in 90' of the lavallan Bonus Action - Hunter's Mark targeted on the lavallan. Cast when w/in 90' range. Action - Longbow - Attack vs. lavallan: 17, damage (piercing): 14 (w/disadvantage due to Poisoned, w/Hunter's Mark dmg)
Round 2 Movement - 30' to get w/in 60' of the lavallan alongside Famh . . . will roll once other Round 1 turns are resolved.
Still feeling the affects of the poison says, "Well mates, I got a few of these javelins but at this distance and lack of light, if one of them land I will consider myself lucky. Perhaps we try to think of ways to take away it's vision and rush it. I'd much rather swing upclose even if I have doubled over." (OOC: Ori would feel this way, however mechanically disadvantage from the poison doesn't make it any better or worse to hit but a bit more potential damage in melee is all)
Still gulping a little to control her stomach, Famh replies, "Maybe no ... at least the auld tales njver said ... but they did say the cure for its poison... is ... a soup made frae its head." She has to stop and swallow the lump in her throat down again at the thought. After a moment she manages it enough to finish the thought. "But otherwise we'd have to gae round about ... and maybe run into its mate ... " Just as she says this, Sir Almeric's command to fall back sinks into her foggy brain, and she turns to follow. "And it sounds like our guid knight has some thoughts about that as well"
"Take away its vision ... " Famh thinks for a moment. Her stomach is still roiling from the vapours she has already breathed, but her mind is clearing now she is not so close to the source. "Well, there's that glamour I used in Hob's Dell ... the magic fire? If I made it appear on the road all on a sudden in this dim gloaming, maybe the glare would blind it. At the least it would distract the thing from our attack. And if naebody's fighting it at close range at the time, I could try to catch the thing in the fire."
She pauses; and a grim twinkle appears in her eye as she begins to recover a bit of her peculiar sense of humour. "I'm no sure that would improve the stench any ... but at least the head would be ready cooked for soup if we have to gae that far..."
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Cainneach feels the wave of sickness crash over him and understands what had previously befallen his friends. He turns to stumble away from the bizarre creature, trying to take in the information about plans and weaknesses that they're speaking of, but his mind is not in a state to fully comprehend. Once he stops to wretch, he turns back to the thing and fumbles with his bow. "Ori, I could take a shot at it, but even if I weren't ill, it would be a challenging shot in the darkness. I think it's best to give it a wide berth and hope its effects don't linger." He turns to Famh and notes, "By Morkaan, I hope that thing never finds love ... and I don't think it could hurt to give it something fiery to ponder while we make our escape."
Active - Player: Sleeping Gods ---- Complete - Player: Masquerade, Teleportation Machine ---- Complete - DM: Extradimensional Spaces
Come join the Worlds of Pphost, a new and growing PbP community! Adventures are currently running in the world of Haven or do some role-playing!
It never hurts to help! ---- PbP: [Rolling Dice] [Tooltips] ---- DDB Content: [Free Adventures] [Encounter of the Week]
Famh looks at Cainneach with concern. "Oh no, leannan, are you feeling ill too? We'd best move quickly, I think that makes all of us its sickened now. If we do slip away in the darkness, maybe Sir Almeric could heal us ane by ane? And I could hold your head for ye while you're waiting ... " She smiles at him a moment before going on.
"It seems to all hinge on that ... whether there's another cure for the beast's venom besides the soup the tales tell of. If no, then we'll just be getting sicker and sicker as we march. In that case ,,, if we have to fight ... my fire could be behind it, and it would show up a better target against the flames. But if we can be cured some other way .., oh, I wish Tana were here, she might know mair of this! ... well, in that case, we were sent to talk to this Rory Mor more than to fight beasts at this point. And then the fire could be before it to bar pursuit."
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Vardi, finding herself one short of a hand to hold a lantern, shield and hammer all at once without a moment to organize herself leaves the hammer be and keeps backing away, shuttering the light behind her shield, and relying on the dim glimmer remaining to see the road.
"Might be able ta reach it wi' longbow wi'out puking." she offers quietly but concedes "Fair distance though, nay sure of my chances in this gloom either."
On the matter of glamour-raised flames, the big lass falls silent in wonder, as knowing of sorcery and the like is one thing, but using it is quite another sort of understanding and one beyond her scant lore, so she thinks on if there is anything she knows any tales of the làbh-allan that may be useful.
OOC: Vardi belatedly attempts a History check, 11.
The companions retreat back out of sight of the creature and discuss their options, looking upslope they could certainly go around over rough ground, or possibly try their hand with bows or the like....or a brave/foolhardy member could charge in and hope for the best.
( Vardi recalls nothing about the beastie.)
“Should be easy enough to track and follow it if we wanted to with that smell, but it may be for the best just to go around. Still, I hate to see it cause trouble for some other poor traveler.” Thatch looks in the darkness for a path that would keep them away from the creature if the decision is to go around.
Cainneach joins Thatch in searching for a path through the rough ground to circumvent the nasty beast. He asks Famh to assist with her keen eyes, with some embarrassment ;-)
Survival 10 (rolling normal w/Help to cancel out disadvantage from darkness/Poisoned)
(How's Salt holding up?)
Active - Player: Sleeping Gods ---- Complete - Player: Masquerade, Teleportation Machine ---- Complete - DM: Extradimensional Spaces
Come join the Worlds of Pphost, a new and growing PbP community! Adventures are currently running in the world of Haven or do some role-playing!
It never hurts to help! ---- PbP: [Rolling Dice] [Tooltips] ---- DDB Content: [Free Adventures] [Encounter of the Week]
Ori, still feeling tye sickening feeling from before, follows the others. "What are we doing? We came here to rid this area of unnatural horrors and dangers. Going around because it's more convenient defeats the purpose of us being sent here. If we don't kill the thing, who do you suspect will aye. I still vote we take the bloody thing out of existence." Ori didn't want to fight whatever the creature truly was but something felt... wrong, with leaving this problem for someone else to stumble into.
EDITED 6/20
Famh follows Cainneach's lead in searching for paths, watching to see which places he checks and herself looking in the spots next adjacent to them. Using this alternating pattern they are able to cover the ground reasonably thoroughly while Helping each other through the worst of the sickness (Famh's Nature with Help 11). But as she proceeds she becomes more and more troubled as she reflects that, independent of any disagreement between Cainneach and Ori, she herself could see almost equally compelling reasons to pursue either course of action. And true to Famh, in the trouble of her spirit she begins to quietly sing. Blending her recently acknowledged secret dream of becoming one of the Wise who sang her people's history alive and were thrice welcome the length and breadth of Thuland, old faerie memories or dreams of memories, and a sudden half preserved memory of her own: Brither Cadfael, the confessor and eventually sole friend of her girlhood, singing a ballad of the love of Gatanades, that would even give His own life to save the ones He loved; belnding all of these her voice sighs out, a warbling nightingale such as were said to soothe the lake-haunted isle of Innisfree. But of course, her lingering sickness and her anxieties about all the troubles that have been hovering about the retinue ;ate;y like threatening clouds of shadow lend the performance a slightly haunting timbre...(Performance; DIS from poison 14).
It is surely the purest of coincidences that just as she sings the last four words she finds herself right next to Cainneach in their search; and nothing but the most venomous of gossip would allege that her arm just happened to brush over his shoulders just then.
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Vardi considers the options of a slow wasting away or death in battle with a stinking rat the size of a dog, and her duty to the crown, and to the land and the people.
"If ye be a kind of people, Skoggi, then I suppose tha' poor goat counts as people too..." she murmurs "...Not sure if tha' rat does." then smiles thinly as she concludes "But I doubt tha rat has wealthy kin ta object..." and begins to consider what can be done, no, what must be done about the four-footed sort of trouble.
OOC: How is Skoggi faring?
The big lass moves up to Almeric and says quietly to him "If we dinnay deal wi' tha' damn beast now, we will be the ones answerable for tha harm it does in the meantime. I get tha' it may nay be a matter of concern for yer Baron, Ser Almeric, but it is likely ta be one ta tha local lords if it kills livestock, or worse. So, as a man who knows of strange beasts, and has a knack for seeing through tha dark, I humbly ask ye: How do we go about stopping it? Flame called down on it and arrow fire, or charge in and hope nay ta choke?"
( Salt made his last save so is pretty ok.)
Famhs tune may win no contests but it is heartening nonetheless, between her, Cainneach and Thatch they find a path up towards the ridgeline that will lead them around the danger if they so choose.
( Skoggi seems unaffected....perhaps the creature is only reacting to things it perceives as possible threats....though Skoggis pride may be bruised a little by being excempt from that category.)
Cainneach is torn between his loathing for the bizarre creature that so easily sickened them all and the sentiments of duty expressed by Ori, Thatch, and Vardi. Famh's song and gentle touch soften his heart and strengthen his resolve. "It seems we have to make a choice. The path away from danger lay before us, or we can stay to assault that beast, lest it harm any more of the livestock or their keepers in this countryside. You've all judged it truly: if we walk away, the further damage it does will be our responsibility. Perhaps if Famh can illuminate it with her flames, Thatch and I will be able to sight it clearly enough to strike ifrom afar with our arrows. Then you three can rush in to finish it off. What say you, Almeric?"
Active - Player: Sleeping Gods ---- Complete - Player: Masquerade, Teleportation Machine ---- Complete - DM: Extradimensional Spaces
Come join the Worlds of Pphost, a new and growing PbP community! Adventures are currently running in the world of Haven or do some role-playing!
It never hurts to help! ---- PbP: [Rolling Dice] [Tooltips] ---- DDB Content: [Free Adventures] [Encounter of the Week]
This had been the a difficult tactical situation for Almeric. Weighing in the balance their primary objective of seeking out and destroying monsters such as this, compared with the duty of keeping the Retinue alive by avoiding unnecessary risk. The situation on the beach with the Draugr had taught Almeric the importance of bringing people along with you, or allowing them to travel a different path, but that reached the same destination. This was not achieved by barking orders. Sometimes charm and persuasion would work. Here, each person had reached their own conclusions using their own wisdom and experience
Being 'ambushed' by a creature that can kill on sight from 100 yards away was unexpected and truly disturbing. The Retinue had experienced much worse at Hobb's Dell though. With the whole party effected and resolve weakened, the sensible thing to do was retreat and regroup. In truth it was the last thing Almeric wanted. Every instinct in his body was to charge, alone if necessary, but that is not how the Retinue works best.
Almeric's grimace turns into a broad beaming smile. He clasps every person by the shoulders in his admiration and respect of them for arriving at this decision alone. The same decision he reached a few moment ago, but was unable to enact given the new dynamic within the group.
"This is who we are and this is what we do. De defend the helpless, we protect the innocent, we meet justice and we fight against dark forces that would destroy everything we hold dear. It is an excellent plan that you all have. Myself, Ori and Vardi with charge into melee. Famh, Cainneach and Thatch will give missile support. Whatever happens, we fight till the creature is slain. Once dead, we will retain the head for the remedy."
Taking a few moments to encourage everyone (3 CR), Almeric bestows Fey Gift: Hospitality upon Ori +3 Temp HP and Vardi for +8 Temp HP, while Laying on Hands for Almeric +2HP.
Drawing sword and hefting shield, Almeric stands at the front "I can see in the dark and will take us straight to it. Ready?"
"What about its sight, we got anything to block it? Either something we can do to it or perhaps something we can carry to block the view of us?" Ori had his mask but was sure that wasn't enough. What part does it need to see to kill? Eye contact perhaps, or maybe vital parts of the body.
"Famh, how close do you need to be to create your fire near the beast? It's a long shot for me at this distance in the dark, but even if it wounds me again, I don't fear my odds will be any worse. If we can illuminate it with the lantern and the fire, I'll strike it any many times as I'm able so that you might close the distance without drawing its attention. Even if Thatch and I miss, hopefully I'll distract it enough to keep you all safe." Cainneach fidgets with his bow. Now that he's committed to this line of action, the familiar nerves settle in as he waits for the assault to begin. "Ori, I don't know, other than to try and hide behind your shields as you approach. Stay close with Almeric and Vardi. Maybe if you don't see the thing, it won't affect you? If you all fall ill again, then split up. Either way, just kill it as quickly as you're able."
Active - Player: Sleeping Gods ---- Complete - Player: Masquerade, Teleportation Machine ---- Complete - DM: Extradimensional Spaces
Come join the Worlds of Pphost, a new and growing PbP community! Adventures are currently running in the world of Haven or do some role-playing!
It never hurts to help! ---- PbP: [Rolling Dice] [Tooltips] ---- DDB Content: [Free Adventures] [Encounter of the Week]
Almeric: "...Myself, Ori and Vardi with charge into melee."
Vardi nods in agreement, figuring the odds on three are better than on one warrior reaching striking range of the creature, and will aid in drawing its attention away from the others to take their shots from cover.
Almeric: "I can see in the dark and will take us straight to it. Ready?"
Ori: "What about its sight, we got anything to block it? Either something we can do to it or perhaps something we can carry to block the view of us?"
The warrior woman offers "Got a shield silvered and polished bri' as a lady's mirror. Could shove that between us and its face when I'm close maybe? Nay sure if its gaze will bite it back if it sees itself, but I doubt it can see through metal. Got a shuttered lantern we could aim at tha creature's face as well ta dazzle it for a moment? Tha' might work."
She looks pensive as she adds "If it be a rat at heart, then maybe throwing one of Skokki's sheepskins from his basket over it would help block both smell and sight and scare it witless inta tha bargain? Might work as a shield of sorts too if ye held it out in front of ye while charging up to get at it."
"Well, the second time in Hobs' Dell wis the farthest, I think ... " Famh pauses a few moments to recall exactly how far it was. Hazy shadows of elm leaves dance through her memories for some strange reason, making her recollections misty and dreamlike; but eventually they clear away enough for her to come up with a reasonable estimate. "Tuannon Dhur wis aboot four rods away from us, if I'm remembering right, and ma fire wis fair close tae that... three and a half rods, maybe? But I dinnae think we shoud all be straight on in a line, or the fire will blind Sir Almeric and the rest instead o' the beast. If we movit a few paces tae the left of where they'll be charging from, and then came within three rods o't before we open fire," (she giggles at her pun, then finishes), "it shoud work out nicely."
As she finishes her last words, her eyes are already going dreamy as she prepares to call on her faerie gifts. She also draws out her sling from its pouch by her side in case she needs a somewhat more solid argument in the retinue's upcoming dispute with this lavallan over rights of passage ... and venery. After all, she highly doubts the goat it killed was taken in strict accordance with Duke Carnasse's game laws; and she naturally takes more of an interest now in those things her beloved forester is concerned with as part of his profession. ;-)
=========
(OOC: Each rod is 16.5', so 3 1/2 rods = @ 60 feet. For longer distances, the furlong is equal to 40 rods or 660 feet)
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
( We'll make this a very rough combat as it'll be over fairly sharpish I think. Everyone post a movent and an Action + Bonus Action and we'll see how things shake out.....currently 100' and a bit from target.)
Cainneach approaches the beast cautiously, at Famh's side, keeping a close eye on her. Once he reaches a distance from which he can clearly sight the foul thing, he takes hold of Famh's shoulder. "I think I can hurt it badly enough from here, if I can manage to hit it at all. Whatever it's done to me is making it difficult to focus." Cainneach takes a shot with his longbow to test his aim. "Do you want me to come closer with you so you can create your fire? I don't think we're near enough yet." Seeing just the hint of fear somewhere in those dreamy eyes, the forester breathes in deep, takes a moment to capture every detail, every potential weakness of the lavallan, then follows his beloved to within the requisite 60'. Cainneach then waits until her fire is unleashed, then looses another arrow at the monster.
Round 1
Movement - 30' to get w/in 90' of the lavallan
Bonus Action - Hunter's Mark targeted on the lavallan. Cast when w/in 90' range.
Action - Longbow - Attack vs. lavallan: 17, damage (piercing): 14 (w/disadvantage due to Poisoned, w/Hunter's Mark dmg)
Round 2
Movement - 30' to get w/in 60' of the lavallan alongside Famh
. . . will roll once other Round 1 turns are resolved.
Active - Player: Sleeping Gods ---- Complete - Player: Masquerade, Teleportation Machine ---- Complete - DM: Extradimensional Spaces
Come join the Worlds of Pphost, a new and growing PbP community! Adventures are currently running in the world of Haven or do some role-playing!
It never hurts to help! ---- PbP: [Rolling Dice] [Tooltips] ---- DDB Content: [Free Adventures] [Encounter of the Week]