Nefire is a nimble little halfling of hate, dancing around amongst the trees and splattering Knifewings down in explosions of blood and skin left and right. Both her strikes hit and eliminate the targets...
Next up, Knifewings C, J and K...
Knifewing C and J both scurry 30' up their respective trees and then "dash" by launching themselves off the tree and flying back the way they came from, a weird kawing like call coming from them as they do. They are 30-50ish feet up in the air so any attack would need be ranged...
Knifewing K doesn't bother scrambling further up the tree and instead launches themselves from the ten of fifteen foot height they were already at. It launches itself right at Nefire and makes a slashing attack as it passed by her. (Flyby feature so Nefire gets no opportunity attack as it passes though is is low enough after the attack to be struck if in melee range...)
Knifewing K vs Nefire: 16to hit for 5slashing damage...
Actually Next Up: Jordgubb & Raevyn!After them Krumar and Nefire will be back up again as the Knifewings between you all are all dead.
Raevyn will look to the one in the tree before her. Lifting her hand, she conjures a mote of fire and with a flick of her wrist, she sends it towards the creature. Or tries too.
Attack: Nat 1 in log
(Sorry about the delay and short post. I don’t want to to seem as if I’ve lost interest. I just haven’t been in a good place and been having a hard time. Thank you for your patience.)
Jordgubb, no longer in stealth from his reactionary attack, walks over to knifewing K and pounces upon it, (17 to hit, 6 slashing) and then immediately stalks into a prowl, moving away from the knifewing and toward Raevyn and Nefire ready for C & J to approach. (20 stealth, Jordgubb Panther is hidden)
Raevyn's wolf pup squiggles and nuzzles at an inopportune time and throws off her casting and the spell fizzles...
Jordpanther jumps up into the air and descends upon a poor Knifewing as if it was a chew toy laced with catnip! Another knifewing is done for... Jordgubb then returns to his fellows and hides, preparing to pounce again.
Knifewing D (oops, almost missed he was still alive) takes to the air and sets off to follow his fleeing companions heading south...
Next Up: Krumar & Nefire
Note: Knifewing F is still in your immediate general area scrambling up a tree. I'd probably give it 1/4 or 1/2 cover just 'cause I envision it like a squirrel scrambling up a tree all curvy and winding around it? The other remaining Knifewings D, C and J, all seem to be flying away and are all 25-40 feet up in the air so would need to be hit with ranged attacks if targeted.
Annoyed that Krumar is mocking the one that she can reach instead of the ones flying away that she really can't, she swings at F as well, hoping she can at least get a piece of it.
But it doesn't matter as her swing goes wide, chopping at the branches around F instead of actually coming near the creature.
Knifewing F fails it's save and, upon hearing Krumar's song, falls right out of the tree... Nefire tries to bat the lizard-bird out of the air but it's a swing and a miss!
Knifewing C and J continue flying (move and dash) away and basically make good their escape. Knifewing D is still visible but too high in the air for melee. Jordgubb or Raevyn could try some kind of ranged attack (it's only about 20' away since we don't use geometry and such, thank god) or choose to let it escape as well.
Up Next: Effectively everyone. We're basically out of combat as I suspect you'll either let the Knifewing go, kill it, or it'll escape...
There is a bit of a path heading southeast that you were following... It is similar to the path the knifewings came from and fled down... You don't have much info on where the strange fae creatures may be but what you do have generally points you in that general direction. Or you can decide the wildlife around here is too dangerous and retreat and reformulate a new plan...
Jordgubb having re-stealthed stalks toward the fleeing knife wings and pounces upon the straggler, (movement up to 50ft, 19 to hit 7 slashing)
If the knifewing goes down Jordgubb does indeed start going to town ripping this thing limb from limb and eating as much as possible before returning to the group, panther maw drenched in blood and viscera still dangling from his sharp teeth.
Raevyn’s sharp gaze followed the fleeing knife wing, her mind calculating the best moment to act should Jordgubb falter. As the creature darted through the air, she fired a quick Fire Bolt, the flare of magical energy streaking toward it with precision. The attack hit, a small but potent crackle of flame that added to the mounting pressure on their foe. She had faith in Jordgubb’s abilities, but always kept a careful eye on the situation, prepared to act if needed.
Once the battle was over, Raevyn moved methodically through her post-conflict routine. She checked on each of her companions, starting with Nefire, her fingers reviewing her wounds with a practiced touch. As Jordgubb returned, content and bloodied, she followed up with him, inspecting his health. Finally, she turned to Krumar, giving him a glance that said more than words an assessment both practical and insightful. With the group in good enough shape, Raevyn jotted down her notes, as always, before turning her attention to the fallen enemies. A moment of solitude passed as she helped herself to fresh meat and innards, offering some to the pup with a quiet murmur.
The suggestion to track the fae came easily from her, her mind already assessing the group’s next move. She glanced over her notes, referencing what she knew of fae lore as she prepared to help guide the group’s steps. "We could attempt to track their direction," she said thoughtfully. With a subtle gesture, she cast Guidance, her eyes narrowing as she concentrated, trying to recall any small detail that might aid the more skilled trackers in their pursuit.
Jordgubb rushes through the foliage in panther shape, eyes his targeted knifewing, gauges his pounce and... Cannot jump that high! The lowest escaping Knifewing is at least 25 feet in the air so even the panther-druid's greatest leap into the air isn't enough...
Raevyn, on the other hand, snipes the lizard-bird with her fire bolt. The dark little cleric doesn't have a lot of oomph in the bolt but that Knifewing was flying on it's last feather, so to speak, and Raevyn does twice as much damage as needed to knock the thing out of the air.
The singed, medium-rare lizard-bird drops down cooked and steaming right in front of panther Jordgy like a treat from the gods themselves...
The other two Knifewings keep fleeing and are lost to you...
Raevyn finds that Nefire, as would be expected since she was the center of everything, took the most damage of any. In fact the only other wound is a minor nick barely worth mentioning... Raevyn could use a healing spell or you could all choose to take a short rest - Party's choice.
After checking on the party, Raevyn scavenges the battlefield, collecting the felled creatures and examining their usefulness for snacks or meals. To travel any distance the meat would likely need to be treated somehow - dried or salted or something. ((I don't even know. I am no hunter or anything but raw lizard/bird meat, I assume, only travels so much...?)) While doing this she finds the hides of the creatures interesting and unusual... She thinks perhaps something could be do with them so she tries to carefully skin and save the hides but it'll probably take more thinking for her to decide for sure... ((I rolled a 14 perception for Raevyn... Higher she would already have an idea but for now she just thinks... something.))
Next: Short rest and risk possible return of the Knifewings or other creatures or press on?
Jordgubb, eats and returns to the group, lending some survival instinct to the transportation of poultry meats, "if you cut out the darker meatssss they'll take longer to turn bad, these creaturesss didn't seem to have any poison glandsss like I do, so should be safe to eat" he hisses, remaining in his panther form, but he looks ready to get going if the others are.
(Forgot to apply the temp hp from new 2024 wildshape rules, so technically Jordy is still full health.)
After a brief respite, the party resumes its journey into the heart of the forest. The trail—leading off in the same direction as the elusive Knifewings—winds its way through gnarled trees and tangled underbrush. Night has deepened, draping the woods in an impenetrable darkness and the hushed silence is broken only by the soft crunch of your cautious steps.
As you press onward, the path twists and turns with the land itself, slowly giving way to a well-trodden dirt road—a stark, unmistakable sign of recent passage. The forest's dense cover finally parts to reveal an eerie clearing. Before you abandon the safety of shadow, you slow your pace, straining to discern its secrets, not yet desiring to stumble into the open.
To your left looms a dilapidated wooden cabin, its weathered walls succumbing to rot and draped in a cloak of moss, while its sagging roof speaks of long-forgotten decay. To your right, the path diverges. One branch beckons toward a feeble, flickering light—a solitary campfire perhaps—and a scattering of hastily assembled huts. Meanwhile, the main trail disappears into an abyss of darkness, its destination shrouded in mystery.
What will you do next?
From your hidden vantage, you can inch closer to investigate these unsettling signs or venture boldly down the uncertain path. The choice is yours... as are the consequences.
(Cabin is to the north in middle of map, tried to just show outer wall but it's all but hidden... but it is there.)
Jordgubb eyes the cabin nd crouches down, "I could do some reconnaissance in that cabin, check it out myself, I'd need to be a cat to do it and I'd not be able to transform again thissss day, but it hasss raised my curiosity... Unlessss anyone hasss some concernsss I'll be back soon, and I'll yowl if theresss danger hm?"
If the group agree to Jordgubb going it alone whilst they check out out other curiosities, then Jordgubb will transform and trot off.
Krumar looks around at the creepy cabin and across the way to the lit up hovel "Uhhh why would we go to creepsville and not the pleasant looking huts?"
"no, no, I go to creepsville alone, in stealth and unseen then report back anythingssss that I find. You guyssss go to the pleasant yet obvious trapsssss" Jordgubb chuckles
Seeing Krumar just about surrounded, Nefire runs up to E, swinging the battleaxe happily... she's in her element.
Attack: 17, Damage: 15 + 2
Then if that one is down, she'll move to H, otherwise stay put.
Attack: 13, Damage: 18 + 2
Nefire is a nimble little halfling of hate, dancing around amongst the trees and splattering Knifewings down in explosions of blood and skin left and right. Both her strikes hit and eliminate the targets...
Next up, Knifewings C, J and K...
Knifewing C and J both scurry 30' up their respective trees and then "dash" by launching themselves off the tree and flying back the way they came from, a weird kawing like call coming from them as they do. They are 30-50ish feet up in the air so any attack would need be ranged...
Knifewing K doesn't bother scrambling further up the tree and instead launches themselves from the ten of fifteen foot height they were already at. It launches itself right at Nefire and makes a slashing attack as it passed by her. (Flyby feature so Nefire gets no opportunity attack as it passes though is is low enough after the attack to be struck if in melee range...)
Knifewing K vs Nefire: 16 to hit for 5 slashing damage...
Actually Next Up: Jordgubb & Raevyn! After them Krumar and Nefire will be back up again as the Knifewings between you all are all dead.
Raevyn will look to the one in the tree before her. Lifting her hand, she conjures a mote of fire and with a flick of her wrist, she sends it towards the creature. Or tries too.
Attack: Nat 1 in log
(Sorry about the delay and short post. I don’t want to to seem as if I’ve lost interest. I just haven’t been in a good place and been having a hard time. Thank you for your patience.)
just an unstable unicorn.
Jordgubb, no longer in stealth from his reactionary attack, walks over to knifewing K and pounces upon it, (17 to hit, 6 slashing) and then immediately stalks into a prowl, moving away from the knifewing and toward Raevyn and Nefire ready for C & J to approach. (20 stealth, Jordgubb Panther is hidden)
Raevyn's wolf pup squiggles and nuzzles at an inopportune time and throws off her casting and the spell fizzles...
Jordpanther jumps up into the air and descends upon a poor Knifewing as if it was a chew toy laced with catnip! Another knifewing is done for... Jordgubb then returns to his fellows and hides, preparing to pounce again.
Knifewing D (oops, almost missed he was still alive) takes to the air and sets off to follow his fleeing companions heading south...
Next Up: Krumar & Nefire
Note: Knifewing F is still in your immediate general area scrambling up a tree. I'd probably give it 1/4 or 1/2 cover just 'cause I envision it like a squirrel scrambling up a tree all curvy and winding around it? The other remaining Knifewings D, C and J, all seem to be flying away and are all 25-40 feet up in the air so would need to be hit with ranged attacks if targeted.
Krumar wondering if JOrdy would eat these things raw or cook them first decides the more dead the merrier. He mocks F Wisdom Save 14
Through brambles thick, it ran away,
Its tiny heart began to sway.
With every turn, it lost its cool,
Like chickens chased, it played the fool
Vicious Mockery Damage: 4
Annoyed that Krumar is mocking the one that she can reach instead of the ones flying away that she really can't, she swings at F as well, hoping she can at least get a piece of it.
But it doesn't matter as her swing goes wide, chopping at the branches around F instead of actually coming near the creature.
Knifewing F fails it's save and, upon hearing Krumar's song, falls right out of the tree... Nefire tries to bat the lizard-bird out of the air but it's a swing and a miss!
Knifewing C and J continue flying (move and dash) away and basically make good their escape. Knifewing D is still visible but too high in the air for melee. Jordgubb or Raevyn could try some kind of ranged attack (it's only about 20' away since we don't use geometry and such, thank god) or choose to let it escape as well.
Up Next: Effectively everyone. We're basically out of combat as I suspect you'll either let the Knifewing go, kill it, or it'll escape...
There is a bit of a path heading southeast that you were following... It is similar to the path the knifewings came from and fled down... You don't have much info on where the strange fae creatures may be but what you do have generally points you in that general direction. Or you can decide the wildlife around here is too dangerous and retreat and reformulate a new plan...
Jordgubb having re-stealthed stalks toward the fleeing knife wings and pounces upon the straggler, (movement up to 50ft, 19 to hit 7 slashing)
If the knifewing goes down Jordgubb does indeed start going to town ripping this thing limb from limb and eating as much as possible before returning to the group, panther maw drenched in blood and viscera still dangling from his sharp teeth.
Raevyn’s sharp gaze followed the fleeing knife wing, her mind calculating the best moment to act should Jordgubb falter. As the creature darted through the air, she fired a quick Fire Bolt, the flare of magical energy streaking toward it with precision. The attack hit, a small but potent crackle of flame that added to the mounting pressure on their foe. She had faith in Jordgubb’s abilities, but always kept a careful eye on the situation, prepared to act if needed.
Fire bolt Attack: 21 Damage: 2
Once the battle was over, Raevyn moved methodically through her post-conflict routine. She checked on each of her companions, starting with Nefire, her fingers reviewing her wounds with a practiced touch. As Jordgubb returned, content and bloodied, she followed up with him, inspecting his health. Finally, she turned to Krumar, giving him a glance that said more than words an assessment both practical and insightful. With the group in good enough shape, Raevyn jotted down her notes, as always, before turning her attention to the fallen enemies. A moment of solitude passed as she helped herself to fresh meat and innards, offering some to the pup with a quiet murmur.
The suggestion to track the fae came easily from her, her mind already assessing the group’s next move. She glanced over her notes, referencing what she knew of fae lore as she prepared to help guide the group’s steps. "We could attempt to track their direction," she said thoughtfully. With a subtle gesture, she cast Guidance, her eyes narrowing as she concentrated, trying to recall any small detail that might aid the more skilled trackers in their pursuit.
Arcana: 12 + 3 Guidance
just an unstable unicorn.
Jordgubb rushes through the foliage in panther shape, eyes his targeted knifewing, gauges his pounce and... Cannot jump that high! The lowest escaping Knifewing is at least 25 feet in the air so even the panther-druid's greatest leap into the air isn't enough...
Raevyn, on the other hand, snipes the lizard-bird with her fire bolt. The dark little cleric doesn't have a lot of oomph in the bolt but that Knifewing was flying on it's last feather, so to speak, and Raevyn does twice as much damage as needed to knock the thing out of the air.
The singed, medium-rare lizard-bird drops down cooked and steaming right in front of panther Jordgy like a treat from the gods themselves...
The other two Knifewings keep fleeing and are lost to you...
Raevyn finds that Nefire, as would be expected since she was the center of everything, took the most damage of any. In fact the only other wound is a minor nick barely worth mentioning... Raevyn could use a healing spell or you could all choose to take a short rest - Party's choice.
After checking on the party, Raevyn scavenges the battlefield, collecting the felled creatures and examining their usefulness for snacks or meals. To travel any distance the meat would likely need to be treated somehow - dried or salted or something. ((I don't even know. I am no hunter or anything but raw lizard/bird meat, I assume, only travels so much...?)) While doing this she finds the hides of the creatures interesting and unusual... She thinks perhaps something could be do with them so she tries to carefully skin and save the hides but it'll probably take more thinking for her to decide for sure... ((I rolled a 14 perception for Raevyn... Higher she would already have an idea but for now she just thinks... something.))
Next: Short rest and risk possible return of the Knifewings or other creatures or press on?
Jordgubb, eats and returns to the group, lending some survival instinct to the transportation of poultry meats, "if you cut out the darker meatssss they'll take longer to turn bad, these creaturesss didn't seem to have any poison glandsss like I do, so should be safe to eat" he hisses, remaining in his panther form, but he looks ready to get going if the others are.
(Forgot to apply the temp hp from new 2024 wildshape rules, so technically Jordy is still full health.)
Krumar takes out his lute and begins to strum
"I was quite deadly....good thing I was here to protect you eh Neffy? Maybe next time I can give you a boost so you don't miss with that axe of yours"
"Well we could roast them no? We don't have to eat them.......raw"
"cooking meat makesss it so dry though, ugh" the panther states in disgust at krumar's thought.
"Uhhh yes well the thought of eating raw meat makes me...." Several gags later "Gag"
After a brief respite, the party resumes its journey into the heart of the forest. The trail—leading off in the same direction as the elusive Knifewings—winds its way through gnarled trees and tangled underbrush. Night has deepened, draping the woods in an impenetrable darkness and the hushed silence is broken only by the soft crunch of your cautious steps.
As you press onward, the path twists and turns with the land itself, slowly giving way to a well-trodden dirt road—a stark, unmistakable sign of recent passage. The forest's dense cover finally parts to reveal an eerie clearing. Before you abandon the safety of shadow, you slow your pace, straining to discern its secrets, not yet desiring to stumble into the open.
To your left looms a dilapidated wooden cabin, its weathered walls succumbing to rot and draped in a cloak of moss, while its sagging roof speaks of long-forgotten decay. To your right, the path diverges. One branch beckons toward a feeble, flickering light—a solitary campfire perhaps—and a scattering of hastily assembled huts. Meanwhile, the main trail disappears into an abyss of darkness, its destination shrouded in mystery.
What will you do next?
From your hidden vantage, you can inch closer to investigate these unsettling signs or venture boldly down the uncertain path. The choice is yours... as are the consequences.
(Cabin is to the north in middle of map, tried to just show outer wall but it's all but hidden... but it is there.)
Jordgubb eyes the cabin nd crouches down, "I could do some reconnaissance in that cabin, check it out myself, I'd need to be a cat to do it and I'd not be able to transform again thissss day, but it hasss raised my curiosity... Unlessss anyone hasss some concernsss I'll be back soon, and I'll yowl if theresss danger hm?"
If the group agree to Jordgubb going it alone whilst they check out out other curiosities, then Jordgubb will transform and trot off.
Krumar looks around at the creepy cabin and across the way to the lit up hovel "Uhhh why would we go to creepsville and not the pleasant looking huts?"
"no, no, I go to creepsville alone, in stealth and unseen then report back anythingssss that I find. You guyssss go to the pleasant yet obvious trapsssss" Jordgubb chuckles
Krumar looks around still nervous "But the last time we went into a creepy hut we were attacked by kobold ghosts or something"