"Right," Denae agrees with Utar and Neya. "That is why I said "possibility," you know? Anyhow, follow me. I'll lead the way down the path. Assuming the path itself doesn't lead us astray, then there is little need to do any proper ranging. Let us just go onward."
Half of this new day passes as you continue down the path. At some point, the path becomes nothing more than an animal run stretching out before you. The run is a natural pathway, trampled by countless hooves and paws over time, leading deeper into the heart of the forest. You marvel at the sheer length of the animal run, imagining the curious creatures that may have once roamed through it. You can almost feel the pulse of the forest, the rhythm of life that flow through every tree and heart within its boundaries. And yet, there are not many animals around. Some of them came and bothered you through the night but, now, as it were with the day before, animals are heard but not seen.
A few more hours in, something different catches your senses. You smell it before you see it. Rounding a bend in the path, you find the body of a male human lying face down in the dirt with a half dozen arrows embedded in his back. As you approach, a black cloud of flies takes flight, filling the air with the drone of their wings. The man's clothes are simple homespun and he carries no weapon. He holds a strung shortbow, and a shabby longsword is sheathed at his hip. He also wears a satchel slung over his shoulder; the flap buckled closed.
Though inwardly amused at Biscuit's concern at first, the thought of the squirrels being possible spies of the hag had gnawed at Doozey partway into assuring the beast with much a head scratching and fur ruffling. But almost as soon as worry began to visibly creep into his expresion, the stoutling promptly shook his head in denial, before then turning to the others and grunting an agreement to moving on.
Over the next several hours of travel both Doozey and Biscuit try relax and find comfort in the various scents and general peaceful atmosphere of the forest. And to a some small degree... they succeed. The moment they catch the scent of decay(likely far sooner the the rest of the party) however, the two are immediately on guard but proceed onwards to the source of the smell after sparing the others a quick look.
"Hmn... We'll need to have a closer look, but seems we found one of our missing men. Perhaps even the one from the story before, but..."Doozey frowns and rubs at his chin. "Looks like yer up, Neya." He adds prior to stepping past the body to see if he could even a hint of a possible elven presence observing the scene. A nigh impossible task no doubt, especially with the rot so close by to help mask the scent, nevermind any possible magic at play to thwart the effort. But still, Doozey scans the surroundings as best he could.
"Do they have the letter? Or any other distinguishing marks? There might be those waiting on their return at Kabel's Hill. It is a sad duty to inform next of kin. Best be certain if it is."
"I don't expect them to have a copy of the letter," Denae reminds Utar. "Rerk had all six copies pinned to his chest, remember? Well, I guess Hupe had a spare copy too, but it would be quite a lucky break for an eighth copy to exist, don't you think?"
Following Doozey's request, Neya steps up and studies the body. It is clear to her that the villager was killed by numerous arrow wounds, and further study reveals that it has been dead for over a tenday. Had she met this man previously, she might have been able to identify him. Since this is not the case, a small birthmark hidden by the man's left sideburn will have to do it in terms of committing any identifying marks to memory.
Leaving the others to look over the body, Doozey focuses his sense past the nearby decay. The effort pays off, as the hunter smells an ambush. Three black panthers approach CRAP stealthily and would have been in prime position to surprise the party were it not for CRAP's incredible senses. Denae has some training to do, as she is not as attentive. As the creatures pounce, the half-elf is caught off-guard, unlike Utar, Doozey, and Neya.
As the creatures move in for their first strike, you notice they do not favor their large and sharp claws or fangs, but instead prefer the gnarly claw-like protrusions emerging from the end of each of the two tentacles sprouting from their shoulders.
NOTE: For this fight, please roll two separate attack rolls for each attack you perform. There is no need for separate damage rolls for the two d20s representing one attack.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Quick to act, Neya stands up and draws her Splashbow. She first tries to loose an arrow at the beast closest to the body (the southern(?) one), then one closest to the surprised Denae (eastern (?) one).
Neya is the quickest, as is tradition. She whips her bow around and launches an arrow at each of the two closest targets. The first one misses due to some nearby tree coverage. The second one does not. (Displacer Beast#2 {BB-31;BC-32} takes 13 magical piercing damage.)
The creatures then approach CRAP with calculating steps. At the vanguard, Doozey attracts the attention of two of them; Denae is the last one's chosen target:
Although the first tentacle attack catches Doozey unprepared, the second one is stopped by the halfling's armor. The two follow-up attacks are then easily dodged. (Doozey takes 16 bludgeoning and piercing damage.)
Denae is pushed around a bit, paying the price for being initially unaware of the nearby danger. (Denae takes 18 bludgeoning and piercing damage.)
The creatures then retreat a bit, putting some distance between them and their prey. (They never came within melee distance of you, so no opportunity attacks are triggered unless you have range or a similar ability.)
-> They are now at {AX-9;AY-10}, {BH-19;BI-20}, and {BE-31;BF-32}.
Denae seems almost ready to join the fight properly, but not quite yet.
(Doozey and Utar are up next. Kind reminder to observe the "note" below the map in the initiative tracker above.)
"Gah! I see ya got some bite to ya in more ways than one! But,so.Do.We!" Doozey's voice deepens towards the end of the spiel as once more joints pop and fur grows as the stoutling undertakes his badger hybrid form. "Biscuit! Badger!" He bids the best while jabbing a claw to the western creature. His gaze, however, stayed largerly on the southern most one as he drew forth a dagger and glared at the creature. "Mind yer footing now, by the way. Stray too far off the path, who knows what'll come of it." He warns. Then with a click of his tongue and a sharply whispered enchantment, he sends it flying for the southern most beast.
Bonus Action(Doozey): Transform into Hybrid State, gaining +1 to AC (and other bevvies).
Movement(Biscuit): To AZ-11. (I believe that's within 40ft, though feel free to correct DM and I'll update accordingly!)
Action(Doozey): Bestial Tempo vs Displacer Beast(#1?) at [AX-9;AY-10]. (Lethal, Charge)Maul - Attack #1: 12 Damage: 17 of magical piercing damage. (2ndry roll: 18) If hit, target needs to succeed a Strength Save(DC 16) or be knocked prone. (Replacing 1st attack to allow Biscuit to take the attack action)
Movement(Doozey): To BB-20.
Action(Continued): Bestial Tempo vs Displacer Beast(#2?) at [BH-19;BI-20}. (Lethal, Favored,Thrown)Dagger - Attack #2: 20 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll. of non-magical piercing. (2ndry 22.) If hit, target is marked as Doozey's Favored Foe. Damage included in above rolls.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Applying a similar tactic to the one used in the most recent fight, Doozey sends Biscuit to keep one of the enemies busy while he himself focuses on a different target. It looks like the beast's bite attack is about to miss the tentacled animal, but Biscuit sinks his fangs into it in the end. When the mastiff pulls on it, the creature loses balance and falls prone. (Displacer Beast#3 {AX-9;AY-10} takes 12 magical piercing damage.)
Doozey moves relatively little from his starting spot and throws an accurate dagger at his prey. It is just enough to mark it (Favored Foe) for the hunt. (Displacer Beast#1 {BH-19;BI-20} takes 11 piercing damage.)
Utar then finds cover in a nearby bush and launches a Guiding Bolt at the third enemy. The effort is ill-aimed, however.
NOTE: For this fight, please roll two separate attack rolls for each attack you perform. There is no need for separate damage rolls for the two d20s representing one attack.
"Well, considering what has happened to them recently, I'm not expecting them to be too eager to accommodate us."
Extended Signature
"Right," Denae agrees with Utar and Neya. "That is why I said "possibility," you know? Anyhow, follow me. I'll lead the way down the path. Assuming the path itself doesn't lead us astray, then there is little need to do any proper ranging. Let us just go onward."
Half of this new day passes as you continue down the path. At some point, the path becomes nothing more than an animal run stretching out before you. The run is a natural pathway, trampled by countless hooves and paws over time, leading deeper into the heart of the forest. You marvel at the sheer length of the animal run, imagining the curious creatures that may have once roamed through it. You can almost feel the pulse of the forest, the rhythm of life that flow through every tree and heart within its boundaries. And yet, there are not many animals around. Some of them came and bothered you through the night but, now, as it were with the day before, animals are heard but not seen.
A few more hours in, something different catches your senses. You smell it before you see it. Rounding a bend in the path, you find the body of a male human lying face down in the dirt with a half dozen arrows embedded in his back. As you approach, a black cloud of flies takes flight, filling the air with the drone of their wings. The man's clothes are simple homespun and he carries no weapon. He holds a strung shortbow, and a shabby longsword is sheathed at his hip. He also wears a satchel slung over his shoulder; the flap buckled closed.
Though inwardly amused at Biscuit's concern at first, the thought of the squirrels being possible spies of the hag had gnawed at Doozey partway into assuring the beast with much a head scratching and fur ruffling. But almost as soon as worry began to visibly creep into his expresion, the stoutling promptly shook his head in denial, before then turning to the others and grunting an agreement to moving on.
Over the next several hours of travel both Doozey and Biscuit try relax and find comfort in the various scents and general peaceful atmosphere of the forest. And to a some small degree... they succeed. The moment they catch the scent of decay(likely far sooner the the rest of the party) however, the two are immediately on guard but proceed onwards to the source of the smell after sparing the others a quick look.
"Hmn... We'll need to have a closer look, but seems we found one of our missing men. Perhaps even the one from the story before, but..." Doozey frowns and rubs at his chin. "Looks like yer up, Neya." He adds prior to stepping past the body to see if he could even a hint of a possible elven presence observing the scene. A nigh impossible task no doubt, especially with the rot so close by to help mask the scent, nevermind any possible magic at play to thwart the effort. But still, Doozey scans the surroundings as best he could.
-Doozey Search for Elven Presence Nearby: 31.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Do they have the letter? Or any other distinguishing marks? There might be those waiting on their return at Kabel's Hill. It is a sad duty to inform next of kin. Best be certain if it is."
Neya looks over the body, trying to find anything identifiable through the decay.
Medicine: 26
Extended Signature
DM's Screen:
20 (20)
20
13
"I don't expect them to have a copy of the letter," Denae reminds Utar. "Rerk had all six copies pinned to his chest, remember? Well, I guess Hupe had a spare copy too, but it would be quite a lucky break for an eighth copy to exist, don't you think?"
Following Doozey's request, Neya steps up and studies the body. It is clear to her that the villager was killed by numerous arrow wounds, and further study reveals that it has been dead for over a tenday. Had she met this man previously, she might have been able to identify him. Since this is not the case, a small birthmark hidden by the man's left sideburn will have to do it in terms of committing any identifying marks to memory.
Leaving the others to look over the body, Doozey focuses his sense past the nearby decay. The effort pays off, as the hunter smells an ambush. Three black panthers approach CRAP stealthily and would have been in prime position to surprise the party were it not for CRAP's incredible senses. Denae has some training to do, as she is not as attentive. As the creatures pounce, the half-elf is caught off-guard, unlike Utar, Doozey, and Neya.
As the creatures move in for their first strike, you notice they do not favor their large and sharp claws or fangs, but instead prefer the gnarly claw-like protrusions emerging from the end of each of the two tentacles sprouting from their shoulders.
ROLL FOR INITIATIVE!
Utar: 3
Doozey Initiative: 7.
Doozey readily snarls a warning at the creatures as he and Biscuit snap into low stances as if ready to pounce at any moment.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Neya initiative: 29
Extended Signature
(Neya goes next.)
Quick to act, Neya stands up and draws her Splashbow. She first tries to loose an arrow at the beast closest to the body (the southern(?) one), then one closest to the surprised Denae (eastern (?) one).
Splashbow Attack: 16 Damage: 10 (13, 9)
Attack: 12
Damage: 11(13)Acid Check: 12 Damage: 1 (12, 4)
Extra Splashbow Attack: 18 Damage: 10 (24, 13)
Attack: 23
Damage: 9(30)Acid Check: 10 Damage: 1 (1,6)
Extended Signature
Neya is the quickest, as is tradition. She whips her bow around and launches an arrow at each of the two closest targets. The first one misses due to some nearby tree coverage. The second one does not. (Displacer Beast#2 {BB-31;BC-32} takes 13 magical piercing damage.)
The creatures then approach CRAP with calculating steps. At the vanguard, Doozey attracts the attention of two of them; Denae is the last one's chosen target:
-> Tentacle vs. Doozey: Attack: 18 Damage: 15
-> Tentacle vs. Doozey: Attack: 15 Damage: 19
-> Tentacle vs. Doozey: Attack: 22 Damage: 11
-> Tentacle vs. Doozey: Attack: 26 Damage: 16
-> Tentacle vs. Denae: Attack: 23 Damage: 14
-> Tentacle vs. Denae: Attack: 23 Damage: 7
Although the first tentacle attack catches Doozey unprepared, the second one is stopped by the halfling's armor. The two follow-up attacks are then easily dodged. (Doozey takes 16 bludgeoning and piercing damage.)
Denae is pushed around a bit, paying the price for being initially unaware of the nearby danger. (Denae takes 18 bludgeoning and piercing damage.)
The creatures then retreat a bit, putting some distance between them and their prey. (They never came within melee distance of you, so no opportunity attacks are triggered unless you have range or a similar ability.)
-> They are now at {AX-9;AY-10}, {BH-19;BI-20}, and {BE-31;BF-32}.
Denae seems almost ready to join the fight properly, but not quite yet.
(Doozey and Utar are up next. Kind reminder to observe the "note" below the map in the initiative tracker above.)
Utar shifts position to make himself the more likely target and points Bonecounter at the beast which has now retreated to BE-31;BF-32.
Move: AZ,27
Action: Cast guiding bolt
Attack Roll 1: 23
Attack Roll 2: 15
Damage Roll: 13
"Gah! I see ya got some bite to ya in more ways than one! But, so. Do. We!" Doozey's voice deepens towards the end of the spiel as once more joints pop and fur grows as the stoutling undertakes his badger hybrid form. "Biscuit! Badger!" He bids the best while jabbing a claw to the western creature. His gaze, however, stayed largerly on the southern most one as he drew forth a dagger and glared at the creature. "Mind yer footing now, by the way. Stray too far off the path, who knows what'll come of it." He warns. Then with a click of his tongue and a sharply whispered enchantment, he sends it flying for the southern most beast.
Bonus Action(Doozey): Transform into Hybrid State, gaining +1 to AC (and other bevvies).
Movement(Biscuit): To AZ-11.
(I believe that's within 40ft, though feel free to correct DM and I'll update accordingly!)
Action(Doozey): Bestial Tempo vs Displacer Beast(#1?) at [AX-9;AY-10].
(Lethal, Charge)Maul - Attack #1: 12 Damage: 17 of magical piercing damage.
(2ndry roll: 18)
If hit, target needs to succeed a Strength Save(DC 16) or be knocked prone.
(Replacing 1st attack to allow Biscuit to take the attack action)
Movement(Doozey): To BB-20.
Action(Continued): Bestial Tempo vs Displacer Beast(#2?) at [BH-19;BI-20}.
(Lethal, Favored,Thrown)Dagger - Attack #2: 20 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll. of non-magical piercing.
(2ndry 22.)
If hit, target is marked as Doozey's Favored Foe. Damage included in above rolls.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
DM's Screen:
STR 16: 21
Applying a similar tactic to the one used in the most recent fight, Doozey sends Biscuit to keep one of the enemies busy while he himself focuses on a different target. It looks like the beast's bite attack is about to miss the tentacled animal, but Biscuit sinks his fangs into it in the end. When the mastiff pulls on it, the creature loses balance and falls prone. (Displacer Beast#3 {AX-9;AY-10} takes 12 magical piercing damage.)
Doozey moves relatively little from his starting spot and throws an accurate dagger at his prey. It is just enough to mark it (Favored Foe) for the hunt. (Displacer Beast#1 {BH-19;BI-20} takes 11 piercing damage.)
Utar then finds cover in a nearby bush and launches a Guiding Bolt at the third enemy. The effort is ill-aimed, however.
END OF INITIATIVE ROUND 1
(Neya goes next.)
Neya keeps firing volley after volley of arrows at the beast to the south.
Splashbow Attack:24
Attack: 20
Damage: 12 (if crit add: 9)
Extra:
Splashbow Attack:11
Attack: 11
Damage: 12 (if crit add 10)
Extended Signature