Hurrying towards the clearing, Arren has his mind occupied with other matters and doesn't notice 'Tace' casting a spell behind him. Despite noticing that the flame went out, he'd rationalise that the Corporal must have blown on the candle or otherwise extinguished the fire by some mundane means.
Earlier, when the two soldiers circled the clearing while maintaining a safe distance, they could still see most of the clearing. There were parts of it they couldn't see, so it's possible that Emma was there and therefore went unnoticed, but that seems unlikely. However, there's no reason to believe she couldn't have gotten there after, and also no reason to believe she'd have done so by walking this same direct route between her hideout and the clearing.
The path is short, and it takes only a bit to get close enough to see the clearing's edge, but no sight of Emma or any other living creature yet. However, even though they cannot see the source yet, both Arren and Bryn can now hear noises from the clearing. Unlike the voice just a few moments ago, those are sounds of crunching and munching, tearing, cracking and occasionally, low thuds. And while faint under the rain's constant tapping, these sounds unmistakably come from not-so-far and just ahead.
It is then that Arren slows down, in hopes of making less noise, and 'Tace', who follows just a little to his left, notices the change and can choose to follow suit (or not). Please make Stealth checks if you wish to sneak.
((I am currently unable to edit the map, so for this post, please refer to the one shown in post #225. I'll update the map for my next post.))
Nearing the clearing slowly, it gradually comes into view. The pair approaches from the east (Arren along the 'H' row and Bryn on 'J', from high numbers and descending), and at first only the empty clearing is seen, and soon the dead log where the spiders came out of the ground eralier.
As they get closer and closer, the sounds heard before get louder and clearer. There is no doubt, something living is there. And as he gets a little bit closer and can see better, Arren (now at H-25, a little closer than 60 feet due to the trees blocking sight before) can see something on the log. It isn't a spider, as it is too large for even the spiders they encountered before, and yet it doesn't look like a person either.
And then, suddenly, the sounds stop. The mass on top of the log moves sharply, raising its head that was previously hidden behind the log. Now it is clear, that Emma's overdress made her behinds look wide and shapeless, but now with her head raised, Arren can recognise her even from behind.
(I assume that Arren stops the moment he notices Emma, and that Bryn stops with him. If that is the case, Bryn currently cannot see Emma due to trees in the way, and can barely see the log itself.)
However, something feels off to Arren. Emma doesn't stand straight. Instead, she is leans on the log with her hands, her feet on the ground beneath. Since the log isn't large, she could easily stand up and thus, it seems strange.
She freezes there for a moment, her head held high. To Arren, apart from the strange posture she took, Emma looks normal. At least as far as he can tell from this distance. Then, Emma raises her head a little higher. But instead of standing up, on her legs, she arches her back downwards to do so.
And then, sharply, Emma turns to face Arren. From this distance in the dark, it's hard to tell details, but Arren has no doubt she noticed him. Now, turned to his direction, Emma remains on all four. She starts making a low growling sound which both Arren and Bryn can hear.
And then, Emma starts galloping towards Arren, on all four, like a beast. Even like that, she runs very fast, closing the distance swiftly. After a few steps of hers, 'Tace' can see her too, clearly headed for Arren.
Please roll for initiative. We will act according to normal initiative this time, each on their turn. Arren is on H-27, while Bryn is on J-27 and Emma on H-18 and is galloping in your direction. Movement between the trees can be assumed to be made as normal, but there are trees all around you.
Emma rolled a total of 10 for her initiative. Any who roll above that may act on their turn.
'Tace' does freeze when Arren stops, his eyes narrowing as the sounds from the clearing also stop. When Emma starts to growl, he carefully places the lantern on the floor.
When Emma finally comes into view, on all fours galloping towards the Sergeant, his eyes widen. So the monster does exist, and it is Emma.
Initiative: 6+4=10(Will wait for confirmation whether his +4 Dex wins the tie breaker)
As 'Tace' stares at Emma, a number of thoughts race through his mind. Do we fight her? Or do we run? Or can she be reasoned with?
He decides on the latter option for now, with her being so far away and wanting to distract her from the path that seems to be taking her directly into confrontation with the Sergeant. He steps behind a tree so Emma cannot see him.
"Emma, you are in no danger. It is Sergeant al-Nasrid and Corporal Peite, come back as we promised we would. Come back to help. Try and control the monster, Emma", he calls out.
He isn't sure whether he thinks she can do that, or if he is just trying to distract the monster in control, but he knows his position has been exposed. And so he quietly retreats to another tree a little behind the Sergeant and hides again.
Action: Persuasion: 7+4=11 Movement: 15ft NE to a tree slightly NE of Arren (would possibly be G28 if the map extended, but wherever there is an appropriate tree that would block LoS from Emma really) Bonus Action: Hide - 3+6=9
Emma continues to gallop in Arren's direction. However, galloping may not be the best description of the motion. As far as either Arren or Bryn can see, Emma's Humane form is unchanged, and so galloping as an animal of equine build would be awkward. Instead, it looks like she effortlessly buries her fingers into the ground, then pulls herself forward while pushing with her legs, launching herself into the air and quickly forward, and swiftly repeating the motion whenever she lands.
Within a few seconds, she's already reached the treeline. Emma leaps onto the nearest tree and grabs onto it with one hand. She doesn't, however, hold onto the tree by hugging it a a person would (if they tried), but rather, it seems like she can hold onto the bark while leaning away from the tree (a posture that resembles, let's say, spiderman hanging on the side of a skyscraper).
She leaps from tree to tree, hanging onto each tree in turn in the same way for just a moment, while maintaining almost the same pace she did on the ground. When she hears "Tace's" call, however, she hangs onto the current tree a moment longer before resuming all the same. Within just a few seconds, she had reached the tree next to Arren, and she hangs onto it for a moment longer. She looks down towards Arren and growls again.
Now that she's so close, Arren can see her in greater detail. First, he notices, her hands have transformed slightly, and now resemble claws more than a Human's hands. Her left 'claw' holds onto the tree by digging deep into it, and her free right claw looks dangerously sharp as well. Her face, changed as well, still resembles Emma as he saw her before, but her features are all sharper now, and when she opens her mouth to snarl at him, Arren sees her teeth, especially the fangs, are all longer and sharper now. Her expression, not unlike that of a wild dog, looks straight at Arren, and yet... it feels off. It looks like she's looking at him because her face is turned towards him, and yet Arren doesn't feel like her eyes are watching him.
The map below is a close-up of the (extended) map previously discussed. Each of the stamp-like objects represents a tree (not exactly to scale). The green bush-like objects are various bushes, and passing through them is possible, but they count as difficult terrain and make noise when passed through (which could impose disadvantage on stealth checks and the like). Passage between two adjacent trees is, generally, possible, but some cases might require you to squeeze (M-27/28 for example).
Emma is 10 feet high on the tree's trunk. Currently, melee attacks can still reach her from the same range as normal, and it is possible to stand below her (at G-27). Melee attacks from the 27th column can still be made but Emma will have half-cover against those.
Upon seeing Emma—or rather, what Emma seems to have transformed (or half-transformed? he isn’t sure) into—Arren’s muscles tense all at once. With the shield already loosened and resting on his left arm, his right hand instinctively moves toward the longsword. Every part of him screams to draw it. To face the creature. To strike before she does.
It is only because he's been in tense situations before—though certainly never against an opponent quite like this—and because he's endured rigorous training, that his mind manages to overrule his instincts.
As such, he stills his hand and lets it rest by his side—not entirely relaxed, just held away from the weapon. Ready to shift stance, if necessary. He hopes that moment never comes. That Emma responds to the Corporal's call. That all he'll need to do is raise his shield to make sure he protects himself. And the Corporal as well, if it comes to that.
Even as he focuses on holding that defensive stance, Arren pushes his luck and speaks, addressing Emma in as calm a voice as he can manage. "Come on, Emma. After all you've endured, don't let yourself fall to this. Remember who you are. The Stewpot. Fir. Olive. Your mother. Your drawings. Your favourite frying pan. You can do this, Emma."
Movement: None Free action: If allowed, speak to her. Action:Dodge Reaction: If applicable, Fighting Style (Protection)
'Tace' listens to the Sergeant, and notices he hasn't drawn his sword as yet. Ok, we keep trying to get through to her.
Leaning around the tree to better see what is happening, the full visual impact of Emma's transformation is apparent. We must be mad.
He sheathes his dagger and steps out behind the Sergeant, unarmed and with his hands slightly raised to emphasise that fact. He does make sure to keep the Sergeant and that big old comforting shield between him and Emma, although he is more than aware she can circumvent it and get to him.
"You may not believe it, but you do have control, Emma. Remember the warnings you carved? That was you wanting to keep people safe. I know what is happening is scary, but try and focus your thoughts. You don't want to hurt anyone", he says.
Free Action: Sheathe dagger Bonus Action: Disengage(In case he was within melee range of Emma and moved out of range when he stepped behind Arren) Movement: Steps out and behind Arren Action: Dodge
Emma leaps off the tree, seemingly oblivious to Arren's call. She lands a few feet away, and she flattens against the ground, almost prostrating but with her head held high, and having seen her leaps from this position earlier, Arren can just barely prepare himself for her lunge forward in time.
Emma darts forward and, with great force, slams into Arren. Her claws stretched forward - which seems strange, as if she didn't expect the shield - Emma slams against the metal, producing a horrible sound. The force of the impact is greater than Arren anticipated, equal to some of the strongest blows he'd faced. He now has no idea that this... creature, what Emma had become, can be lethal. Is lethal.
Arren barely recovers from her last attack and Emma is already about to claw at him again when... 'Tace' calls out to her, and this time, Emma freezes momentarily. She straightens her back for a moment and looks in "Tace's" direction, though Bryn feels the same odd feeling Arren felt before, that Emma is looking in his direction but not at him. Then, without warning, she leaps up to another nearby tree, holding onto it the same way she did to the other tree before.
Arren, please make an Athletics or Acrobatics check against DC13 or fall prone as a result of Emma's slam against him (despite taking no damage).
Arren remains in the same spot (whether prone or not), Bryn is at H-29 (I think?), and Emma returned to G-26 but is now on the tree on F-26, again 10 feet up. Ranged attacks, or melee attacks made from G-26 (below Emma), can be made with advantage against Emma if made before the start of her next turn.
A burst of fear ripples through Arren's body as Emma slams into him with terrifying force. If he hadn't had his shield raised and braced himself for the attack ... better not to think about it.
Through the sound of his heart pounding furiously in his ears—and thanks to his own strength, and perhaps a bit of luck—the Sergeant manages to stay on his feet (Athletics: 9+6 = 15). When he hears the Corporal call out to her again, and sees Emma suddenly jump away toward another tree, he has a brief moment to focus. Is she… blind? Is she guided by sound?
He glances at Tace and silently mouths “She is blind?”, adding an uncertain gesture aftewards.
Despite having a clear shot while she clings to the tree she's in, Arren instead draws one of the two javelins he brought along and hurls it at a nearby trunk. He aims low—enough to produce a sound and, perhaps, compel Emma to leap at it, while staying on the ground. Maybe even get her to turn her back to them.
Movement: None Free action: Mouth some words to Tace. Action: Throw Javelin against J28. But I rolled a nat1. Reaction: If applicable, Fighting Style (Protection)
((Just so you know, I don't consider talking an action, so no need to mention it. As long as your sentences can fit around a 6-10-second window, it shouldn't collide with anything. Maybe just a little less if you also cast a spell requiring Verbal components, but that's not something I imagine I'll be measuring. As long as you don't start a 3-minute monologue during a 6-second round, all is good.))
A sudden gust throws Arren's aim off just a little, and the javelin misses the tree by a hair's breadth. Instead of sticking into the tree, the javelin lands softly on the pine needles blanket covering the floor, too silent to hear over the hard rain. Unlucky, and furthermore, Arren isn't sure he could have thrown so silently even if he wanted to.
However, even if no sound attracted Emma's attention as Arren had hoped it would, Arren (and Bryn) does notice that Emma didn't react in any way to the act of drawing and throwing the weapon either. Not even a slight movement in response, despite facing his direction the entire time.
'Tace' flinches at the force of the blow against the Sergeant's shield, and wonders how they manage to stay on their feet. But there is some relief when his words seemingly land home, and what was Emma leaps away. So we were right, she does have a little control.
When the Sergeant mouths the thought she might be blind, he is uncertain as well. She certainly does not see as I do. And yet she leaped to the tree quite purposefully. Emma did say she felt the weather, perhaps she feels other things. Perhaps that is why it looked like she didn't expect the shield, because it was not natural.
As the Sergeant looks to test his theory, he speaks quietly to him, "She perhaps senses natural things. Possibly hears as well". She didn't react to the javelin either, will corroborates that theory.
He starts to move the other way to the javelin, making sure to remain quiet. He keeps an eye on Emma to see if she tracks his movement at all.
Once he reaches his destination, he will speak to her once again, still testing what she reacts to.
"You are doing well, Emma. Remember, we are not enemies or prey. We want to talk. Can you do that?".
He will once again prepare for an attack to come his way.
Bonus Action: hide - 7+6=13 (focussing on staying quiet really) Movement: Goes to F30, trying to gain a little cover from the trees at G30 and F31. Charisma: 13+2=15 Action: Dodge
As Bryn walks away, Emma tracks his direction for a bit before a tree (at G-27) blocks her view, at which point she focuses back on Arren's direction. From behind the nearby tree, Bryn can't see whether she responds, but Arren sees her briefly shift her gaze from him in "Tace's" voice's direction. This time, however, it doesn't seem to affect her much, and she immediately looks back in Arren's direction.
Emma leaps from her tree to the one next to him, then quickly leaps into the air again and... rather than a tree, she now leaps onto Arren! Arren raises his shield, but this time, he is not quick enough. Emma lands on Arren and claws his shoulder as she does. Her sharp, strong claws pierce through Arren's chain mail and dig into his flesh, dealing 9 points of slashing damage. Additionally, Arren needs to succeed on a DC 17 Athletics/Acrobatics check or fall prone.
Emma then tries to bite Arren, but this time, the soldier interposes his shield between them. Once her mandible hits metal, rather than flesh, Emma leaps off Arren and climbs another nearby tree. She snarls at him again, but while she does, she climbs along the tree until she is right above 'Tace', looking straight in his direction.
Emma moves to F-30, 10 feet above ground, right above Bryn. (I'll make an updated map for my next post, so we'll have it on the next page.)
If you wish to recall some information/make a deduction based on it, consider the Study action with a Nature check. (OOC: Also, after reading the Influence action, I decided I do not like it and am ignoring it, so you may continue as we've done so far - talking to Emma without any action cost.)
It all happens too quickly. Arrennotices Emma glance in Tace's direction—and then, suddenly, she's above him. Testing his theory was clearly a mistake, and that mistake has turned into lacerating pain tearing through his shoulder. Between this and the spider's bite from hours ago, the wounds are starting to take their toll on the Half-Elf.
Fortunately, he manages to withstand the creature's impact and stays on his feet once again (Athletics: 19) Through the pulsating pain, he acknowledges his error—and he's sure as hell he won't make it again.
In the Sergeant's mind, the game has changed. He unsheathes his longsword, raises his shield, and runs toward the corporal, intent on positioning himself between him and the creature. If she attacks him, she'll find him ready. If she goes for Tace, she'll meet his shield first.
"You do the thinking, I'll do the shielding,"Arren addresses Tace, loud and clear. "If we don't figure this out fast, we pull back."
Movement: H27 → E30. Special:Maneuver (Bait and Switch). Assuming Tace is willing, Arrenswitches places with him. Arren stays in F30, and "Tace"ends up in E30. Superiority die: 3. "Tace's" AC = 15 → 18 until the start of Arren's next turn. PS: Tace can still see Emma behind Arren's cover, right? Action:Dodge Reaction: As usual, Protection
FireCat is currently at 3444 posts and I'm at 3222. Cool! Satisfying number patterns lol
Hurrying towards the clearing, Arren has his mind occupied with other matters and doesn't notice 'Tace' casting a spell behind him. Despite noticing that the flame went out, he'd rationalise that the Corporal must have blown on the candle or otherwise extinguished the fire by some mundane means.
Earlier, when the two soldiers circled the clearing while maintaining a safe distance, they could still see most of the clearing. There were parts of it they couldn't see, so it's possible that Emma was there and therefore went unnoticed, but that seems unlikely. However, there's no reason to believe she couldn't have gotten there after, and also no reason to believe she'd have done so by walking this same direct route between her hideout and the clearing.
The path is short, and it takes only a bit to get close enough to see the clearing's edge, but no sight of Emma or any other living creature yet. However, even though they cannot see the source yet, both Arren and Bryn can now hear noises from the clearing. Unlike the voice just a few moments ago, those are sounds of crunching and munching, tearing, cracking and occasionally, low thuds. And while faint under the rain's constant tapping, these sounds unmistakably come from not-so-far and just ahead.
It is then that Arren slows down, in hopes of making less noise, and 'Tace', who follows just a little to his left, notices the change and can choose to follow suit (or not). Please make Stealth checks if you wish to sneak.
Varielky
(Arren's stealth: 12+2 and 11+2 = 13)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
'Tace' does indeed slow, but only slightly in order to move stealthily.
Stealth: 9+6=15
(OOC: Due to his cunning action he can still move pretty much normally)
((I am currently unable to edit the map, so for this post, please refer to the one shown in post #225. I'll update the map for my next post.))
Nearing the clearing slowly, it gradually comes into view. The pair approaches from the east (Arren along the 'H' row and Bryn on 'J', from high numbers and descending), and at first only the empty clearing is seen, and soon the dead log where the spiders came out of the ground eralier.
As they get closer and closer, the sounds heard before get louder and clearer. There is no doubt, something living is there. And as he gets a little bit closer and can see better, Arren (now at H-25, a little closer than 60 feet due to the trees blocking sight before) can see something on the log. It isn't a spider, as it is too large for even the spiders they encountered before, and yet it doesn't look like a person either.
And then, suddenly, the sounds stop. The mass on top of the log moves sharply, raising its head that was previously hidden behind the log. Now it is clear, that Emma's overdress made her behinds look wide and shapeless, but now with her head raised, Arren can recognise her even from behind.
(I assume that Arren stops the moment he notices Emma, and that Bryn stops with him. If that is the case, Bryn currently cannot see Emma due to trees in the way, and can barely see the log itself.)
However, something feels off to Arren. Emma doesn't stand straight. Instead, she is leans on the log with her hands, her feet on the ground beneath. Since the log isn't large, she could easily stand up and thus, it seems strange.
She freezes there for a moment, her head held high. To Arren, apart from the strange posture she took, Emma looks normal. At least as far as he can tell from this distance. Then, Emma raises her head a little higher. But instead of standing up, on her legs, she arches her back downwards to do so.
And then, sharply, Emma turns to face Arren. From this distance in the dark, it's hard to tell details, but Arren has no doubt she noticed him. Now, turned to his direction, Emma remains on all four. She starts making a low growling sound which both Arren and Bryn can hear.
And then, Emma starts galloping towards Arren, on all four, like a beast. Even like that, she runs very fast, closing the distance swiftly. After a few steps of hers, 'Tace' can see her too, clearly headed for Arren.
Please roll for initiative. We will act according to normal initiative this time, each on their turn. Arren is on H-27, while Bryn is on J-27 and Emma on H-18 and is galloping in your direction. Movement between the trees can be assumed to be made as normal, but there are trees all around you.
Emma rolled a total of 10 for her initiative. Any who roll above that may act on their turn.
Varielky
Arren's initiative: 2+2 = 4
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
'Tace' does freeze when Arren stops, his eyes narrowing as the sounds from the clearing also stop. When Emma starts to growl, he carefully places the lantern on the floor.
When Emma finally comes into view, on all fours galloping towards the Sergeant, his eyes widen. So the monster does exist, and it is Emma.
Initiative: 6+4=10 (Will wait for confirmation whether his +4 Dex wins the tie breaker)
As 'Tace' stares at Emma, a number of thoughts race through his mind. Do we fight her? Or do we run? Or can she be reasoned with?
He decides on the latter option for now, with her being so far away and wanting to distract her from the path that seems to be taking her directly into confrontation with the Sergeant. He steps behind a tree so Emma cannot see him.
"Emma, you are in no danger. It is Sergeant al-Nasrid and Corporal Peite, come back as we promised we would. Come back to help. Try and control the monster, Emma", he calls out.
He isn't sure whether he thinks she can do that, or if he is just trying to distract the monster in control, but he knows his position has been exposed. And so he quietly retreats to another tree a little behind the Sergeant and hides again.
Action: Persuasion: 7+4=11
Movement: 15ft NE to a tree slightly NE of Arren (would possibly be G28 if the map extended, but wherever there is an appropriate tree that would block LoS from Emma really)
Bonus Action: Hide - 3+6=9
Emma continues to gallop in Arren's direction. However, galloping may not be the best description of the motion. As far as either Arren or Bryn can see, Emma's Humane form is unchanged, and so galloping as an animal of equine build would be awkward. Instead, it looks like she effortlessly buries her fingers into the ground, then pulls herself forward while pushing with her legs, launching herself into the air and quickly forward, and swiftly repeating the motion whenever she lands.
Within a few seconds, she's already reached the treeline. Emma leaps onto the nearest tree and grabs onto it with one hand. She doesn't, however, hold onto the tree by hugging it a a person would (if they tried), but rather, it seems like she can hold onto the bark while leaning away from the tree (a posture that resembles, let's say, spiderman hanging on the side of a skyscraper).
She leaps from tree to tree, hanging onto each tree in turn in the same way for just a moment, while maintaining almost the same pace she did on the ground. When she hears "Tace's" call, however, she hangs onto the current tree a moment longer before resuming all the same. Within just a few seconds, she had reached the tree next to Arren, and she hangs onto it for a moment longer. She looks down towards Arren and growls again.
Now that she's so close, Arren can see her in greater detail. First, he notices, her hands have transformed slightly, and now resemble claws more than a Human's hands. Her left 'claw' holds onto the tree by digging deep into it, and her free right claw looks dangerously sharp as well. Her face, changed as well, still resembles Emma as he saw her before, but her features are all sharper now, and when she opens her mouth to snarl at him, Arren sees her teeth, especially the fangs, are all longer and sharper now. Her expression, not unlike that of a wild dog, looks straight at Arren, and yet... it feels off. It looks like she's looking at him because her face is turned towards him, and yet Arren doesn't feel like her eyes are watching him.
The map below is a close-up of the (extended) map previously discussed. Each of the stamp-like objects represents a tree (not exactly to scale). The green bush-like objects are various bushes, and passing through them is possible, but they count as difficult terrain and make noise when passed through (which could impose disadvantage on stealth checks and the like). Passage between two adjacent trees is, generally, possible, but some cases might require you to squeeze (M-27/28 for example).
Emma is 10 feet high on the tree's trunk. Currently, melee attacks can still reach her from the same range as normal, and it is possible to stand below her (at G-27). Melee attacks from the 27th column can still be made but Emma will have half-cover against those.
It is Arren's turn.
Varielky
Upon seeing Emma—or rather, what Emma seems to have transformed (or half-transformed? he isn’t sure) into—Arren’s muscles tense all at once. With the shield already loosened and resting on his left arm, his right hand instinctively moves toward the longsword. Every part of him screams to draw it. To face the creature. To strike before she does.
It is only because he's been in tense situations before—though certainly never against an opponent quite like this—and because he's endured rigorous training, that his mind manages to overrule his instincts.
As such, he stills his hand and lets it rest by his side—not entirely relaxed, just held away from the weapon. Ready to shift stance, if necessary. He hopes that moment never comes. That Emma responds to the Corporal's call. That all he'll need to do is raise his shield to make sure he protects himself. And the Corporal as well, if it comes to that.
Even as he focuses on holding that defensive stance, Arren pushes his luck and speaks, addressing Emma in as calm a voice as he can manage. "Come on, Emma. After all you've endured, don't let yourself fall to this. Remember who you are. The Stewpot. Fir. Olive. Your mother. Your drawings. Your favourite frying pan. You can do this, Emma."
Movement: None
Free action: If allowed, speak to her.
Action: Dodge
Reaction: If applicable, Fighting Style (Protection)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Arren, please make a Charisma check.
In the meantime, it is Bryn's turn again. I will only post Emma's actions, along with the result of Arren's check, on her turn.
Varielky
(ooc: and here I was thinking I wouldn't have to rely on dice karma just yet :D Got a 4+3= 7 /cry)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
'Tace' listens to the Sergeant, and notices he hasn't drawn his sword as yet. Ok, we keep trying to get through to her.
Leaning around the tree to better see what is happening, the full visual impact of Emma's transformation is apparent. We must be mad.
He sheathes his dagger and steps out behind the Sergeant, unarmed and with his hands slightly raised to emphasise that fact. He does make sure to keep the Sergeant and that big old comforting shield between him and Emma, although he is more than aware she can circumvent it and get to him.
"You may not believe it, but you do have control, Emma. Remember the warnings you carved? That was you wanting to keep people safe. I know what is happening is scary, but try and focus your thoughts. You don't want to hurt anyone", he says.
Free Action: Sheathe dagger
Bonus Action: Disengage (In case he was within melee range of Emma and moved out of range when he stepped behind Arren)
Movement: Steps out and behind Arren
Action: Dodge
Bryn, please make a Charisma check (for this combat, whenever you try to talk to Emma, roll a Charisma check. I'll account for it if relevant).
Varielky
'Tace'
Charisma: 18+2=20
(OOC: Sorry it took so long, busy day)
Emma leaps off the tree, seemingly oblivious to Arren's call. She lands a few feet away, and she flattens against the ground, almost prostrating but with her head held high, and having seen her leaps from this position earlier, Arren can just barely prepare himself for her lunge forward in time.
Emma darts forward and, with great force, slams into Arren. Her claws stretched forward - which seems strange, as if she didn't expect the shield - Emma slams against the metal, producing a horrible sound. The force of the impact is greater than Arren anticipated, equal to some of the strongest blows he'd faced. He now has no idea that this... creature, what Emma had become, can be lethal. Is lethal.
Arren barely recovers from her last attack and Emma is already about to claw at him again when... 'Tace' calls out to her, and this time, Emma freezes momentarily. She straightens her back for a moment and looks in "Tace's" direction, though Bryn feels the same odd feeling Arren felt before, that Emma is looking in his direction but not at him. Then, without warning, she leaps up to another nearby tree, holding onto it the same way she did to the other tree before.
Arren, please make an Athletics or Acrobatics check against DC13 or fall prone as a result of Emma's slam against him (despite taking no damage).
Arren remains in the same spot (whether prone or not), Bryn is at H-29 (I think?), and Emma returned to G-26 but is now on the tree on F-26, again 10 feet up. Ranged attacks, or melee attacks made from G-26 (below Emma), can be made with advantage against Emma if made before the start of her next turn.
It is Arren's turn again.
Varielky
A burst of fear ripples through Arren's body as Emma slams into him with terrifying force. If he hadn't had his shield raised and braced himself for the attack ... better not to think about it.
Through the sound of his heart pounding furiously in his ears—and thanks to his own strength, and perhaps a bit of luck—the Sergeant manages to stay on his feet (Athletics: 9+6 = 15). When he hears the Corporal call out to her again, and sees Emma suddenly jump away toward another tree, he has a brief moment to focus. Is she… blind? Is she guided by sound?
He glances at Tace and silently mouths “She is blind?”, adding an uncertain gesture aftewards.
Despite having a clear shot while she clings to the tree she's in, Arren instead draws one of the two javelins he brought along and hurls it at a nearby trunk. He aims low—enough to produce a sound and, perhaps, compel Emma to leap at it, while staying on the ground. Maybe even get her to turn her back to them.
Movement: None
Free action: Mouth some words to Tace.
Action: Throw Javelin against J28. But I rolled a nat1.
Reaction: If applicable, Fighting Style (Protection)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
((Just so you know, I don't consider talking an action, so no need to mention it. As long as your sentences can fit around a 6-10-second window, it shouldn't collide with anything. Maybe just a little less if you also cast a spell requiring Verbal components, but that's not something I imagine I'll be measuring. As long as you don't start a 3-minute monologue during a 6-second round, all is good.))
A sudden gust throws Arren's aim off just a little, and the javelin misses the tree by a hair's breadth. Instead of sticking into the tree, the javelin lands softly on the pine needles blanket covering the floor, too silent to hear over the hard rain. Unlucky, and furthermore, Arren isn't sure he could have thrown so silently even if he wanted to.
However, even if no sound attracted Emma's attention as Arren had hoped it would, Arren (and Bryn) does notice that Emma didn't react in any way to the act of drawing and throwing the weapon either. Not even a slight movement in response, despite facing his direction the entire time.
Bryn is up.
Varielky
'Tace' flinches at the force of the blow against the Sergeant's shield, and wonders how they manage to stay on their feet. But there is some relief when his words seemingly land home, and what was Emma leaps away. So we were right, she does have a little control.
When the Sergeant mouths the thought she might be blind, he is uncertain as well. She certainly does not see as I do. And yet she leaped to the tree quite purposefully. Emma did say she felt the weather, perhaps she feels other things. Perhaps that is why it looked like she didn't expect the shield, because it was not natural.
As the Sergeant looks to test his theory, he speaks quietly to him, "She perhaps senses natural things. Possibly hears as well". She didn't react to the javelin either, will corroborates that theory.
He starts to move the other way to the javelin, making sure to remain quiet. He keeps an eye on Emma to see if she tracks his movement at all.
Once he reaches his destination, he will speak to her once again, still testing what she reacts to.
"You are doing well, Emma. Remember, we are not enemies or prey. We want to talk. Can you do that?".
He will once again prepare for an attack to come his way.
Bonus Action: hide - 7+6=13 (focussing on staying quiet really)
Movement: Goes to F30, trying to gain a little cover from the trees at G30 and F31.
Charisma: 13+2=15
Action: Dodge
As Bryn walks away, Emma tracks his direction for a bit before a tree (at G-27) blocks her view, at which point she focuses back on Arren's direction. From behind the nearby tree, Bryn can't see whether she responds, but Arren sees her briefly shift her gaze from him in "Tace's" voice's direction. This time, however, it doesn't seem to affect her much, and she immediately looks back in Arren's direction.
Emma leaps from her tree to the one next to him, then quickly leaps into the air again and... rather than a tree, she now leaps onto Arren! Arren raises his shield, but this time, he is not quick enough. Emma lands on Arren and claws his shoulder as she does. Her sharp, strong claws pierce through Arren's chain mail and dig into his flesh, dealing 9 points of slashing damage. Additionally, Arren needs to succeed on a DC 17 Athletics/Acrobatics check or fall prone.
Emma then tries to bite Arren, but this time, the soldier interposes his shield between them. Once her mandible hits metal, rather than flesh, Emma leaps off Arren and climbs another nearby tree. She snarls at him again, but while she does, she climbs along the tree until she is right above 'Tace', looking straight in his direction.
Emma moves to F-30, 10 feet above ground, right above Bryn. (I'll make an updated map for my next post, so we'll have it on the next page.)
If you wish to recall some information/make a deduction based on it, consider the Study action with a Nature check. (OOC: Also, after reading the Influence action, I decided I do not like it and am ignoring it, so you may continue as we've done so far - talking to Emma without any action cost.)
It is Arren's turn.
Varielky
It all happens too quickly. Arren notices Emma glance in Tace's direction—and then, suddenly, she's above him. Testing his theory was clearly a mistake, and that mistake has turned into lacerating pain tearing through his shoulder. Between this and the spider's bite from hours ago, the wounds are starting to take their toll on the Half-Elf.
Fortunately, he manages to withstand the creature's impact and stays on his feet once again (Athletics: 19) Through the pulsating pain, he acknowledges his error—and he's sure as hell he won't make it again.
In the Sergeant's mind, the game has changed. He unsheathes his longsword, raises his shield, and runs toward the corporal, intent on positioning himself between him and the creature. If she attacks him, she'll find him ready. If she goes for Tace, she'll meet his shield first.
"You do the thinking, I'll do the shielding," Arren addresses Tace, loud and clear. "If we don't figure this out fast, we pull back."
Movement: H27 → E30.
Special: Maneuver (Bait and Switch). Assuming Tace is willing, Arren switches places with him. Arren stays in F30, and "Tace" ends up in E30. Superiority die: 3. "Tace's" AC = 15 → 18 until the start of Arren's next turn. PS: Tace can still see Emma behind Arren's cover, right?
Action: Dodge
Reaction: As usual, Protection
FireCat is currently at 3444 posts and I'm at 3222. Cool! Satisfying number patterns lol
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren | Lyra