“Seriously? What are the odds he was heading to Sundabar? Fumbles - when has “dust” become worth dying for and do you have anything on the name Elric?”, I say as I watch him.

    "I hope that was of use to one of you gentlemen. I haven't a clue as to what the poor soul mentioned." Y'lovisa tries to take a closer look at the powder on the man's clothes - taking her dagger to cut away a piece of fabric that has a good sample.

Investigation 8

"Is Dust some sort of narcotic?  He doesn't look like he could have been carrying much, so whatever it is it must have been valuable to make a trip onhis own through dangerous terrain.  Either way, while it is mysterious, we are heading in the other direction, this may need to wait for another time.  This Elric may have answers, or it may take us somewhere new entirely, but for now we have a sample of that powder and the words of a dead man, which won't take us far. We should deal with his remains and be gone from here."

"I will start a burial spot for him. If anyone has a shovel, I will be glad to take care of the matter, otherwise, I will gather stones for his body."

"A cairn may be faster anyway, let us find the stones and do this thing quickly." Karst sheathes his sword and sets to the task immediately.

"I don't know any dust worth dying for, Aradurk, but I think Karst may be on the right track. Drugs can be a nasty business," Fumbles answers.

After spending some time building a cairn for the man, Fumbles leads you for a short distance off of the trail, next to a small outcrop in the nearby forest.

"We should make camp here. Our events cost us some time," he suggests, "If we leave quickly in the morning we will reach the tower in the late afternoon."

I start collecting the rocks to make a cairn for the body.

"I'll take the first watch, I'm not ready to sleep yet." Karst looks out over their surroundings looking for cover enemies could use to sneak closer and to familiarise himself with the lay of the land. 

“ wake me up when you need a rest”

     "I dont require as much sleep. I can take the last watch but also assist with another."

(Did we lose another? Prof hasn't posted in a few days.)

OOC: Not sure, I'll move forward and give Uldrem some time to rejoin us. Watch order is Karst, Aradurk, Y'lovisa x2.

DM Screen:

Y'lovisa sits by the fire, as the rest of the party sleeps. Hours earlier, Aradurk had stirred her from her trance for her turn at watch, which has passed by peacefully so far. The ambience this far from Sundabar is a quite pleasant backdrop - a blend of white noise from the sounds of small animals chittering in the forest, the horses whinnying restlessly, the crackling of fire, and the clattering of bones...bones?

The sudden strange noise registers to Y'lovisa, suddenly alert. In the distance, shadowed at the edge of the firelight, the elf only sees a shadow - a massive hulking form is approaching. There are gaps in its skeletal form, and the dark outline of an axe is raised as it lumbers toward her.

     The peaceful sounds of the night had caused Y'lovisa to recall her less adventure times back in The High Forest before this new life had begun. However, her time of reflection was soon interrupted by the strange new sounds approaching from the woods. 

     Catching sight of the lumbering - and armed - figure she quickly rouses the others. "Wake up... we have a visitor!" She picks up a small rock and illuminates it. She tosses it near the figure to try to get a better look at it.

Aradurk startles awake and looks over at the light emanating from the rock, draws his long sword and holds his action.

"Y'lovisa - you have my undivided attention."  

Karst surges to his feet, shield strapped in place then longsword drawn. In this time he is scanning the area looking for other threats. As he secures his weapons he steps up shoulder to shoulder with the cleric. 

OOC if he still has an action left he will dodge 

OOC: Karst is using an action to don his shield, so no dodge available yet.

For Karst:

The rock fully illuminates the ghastly sight. Nearly ten feet tall, this skeleton's skull is that of a bull complete with horns, though it walks upright on two thick boned legs. Remnants of rotted flesh hang from its shoulders and ribcage. Its mouth opens as if to roar, but the only sound is its teeth chattering in the attempt. Intent on the party, it charges with its battle axe raised high.

Initiative:

Round Order:
Minotaur Skeleton
Players

OOC: A quick note/reminder for Y'lovisa, to keep posts flowing in combat, I roll initiative in groups of players and enemies, using the average roll of that group to determine the initiative order. Characters can then act in any order when their group's turn is up, and I resolve in order of posts.

Gore vs. Karst: 19
Karst STR Save: 13

The undead creature sprints alarmingly fast, lowering its head and charging straight at Karst. Unable to move away in time, the aasimar takes the hit straight on, taking 27 piercing damage, and is launched through the air 10 feet, sliding prone to a stop.

Round 1 Order:
Minotaur Skeleton
Players <=====

Tracking:
Y'lovisa is 10 feet from the skeleton.
Karst is lying prone 10 feet from the skeleton.
Aradurk is 30 feet from the skeleton.

Running over to within 10 feet of the creature, near Karst and Y‘lovisa and taking the Dodge action. With a free action, I call over to Karst, “Dude - you ok?”

       "Araleth's light!" Y'lovisa extends a hand towards Karst and a beam of healing energy surrounds the paladin.

(BA: Healing Word, 3rd 14 on Karst)

     The cleric then retreats (35' movement) not desiring to be the target of the next bull rush. "The bells shall toll for you again!"

(Action: Toll the Dead, DC 15 WisST, 8 (if uninjured) or 13 (injured) on fail)

".....rrrr" Karst growls as he rises to his feet. Sending a spark of power into his blade he channels Hoar's deadly hunter aspect.

Charging the remaining distance to the monstrous undead creature he swings repeatedly at it, seeking to end it quickly.

Bonus Action Hunter's Mark

Attack 1 27 damage 8 + 4 slashing damage

Attack 2 20 damage 9 + 3 slashing damage

As the first attack hits home he charges the blade even further, tapping his strength a little to add radiant energy to the attack.

Spends a 1st Level spell to Smite 

Additional crit damage 7

Damage from Smite 16

OOC: Wow, don't mess with Karst.

DM Screen:

Skeleton WIS Save: 17
Battle Axe vs. Karst: 11

The sound of a bell peals through the air as Y'lovisa attacks the undead creature with necrotic energy, simultaneously sending magical healing toward Karst, who is already back on his feet and charging back at the skeleton. His blade seems to sear through the bone, tearing through the creature's massive ribcage like a hot knife through butter. A second strike tears bone from one of the creature's legs, leaving it standing shaky on its feet.

The monster's powerful arms bring its battle axe down into Karst's shoulder, cutting through links of his chain mail, dealing 27 slashing damage, but not cutting deeply enough to shake the tough paladin. However, it seems this axe was crafted quite well.

Round 2 Order:
Minotaur Skeleton
Players <=====

Tracking:
Karst is engaged in melee combat with the skeleton.
Aradurk is 10 feet from the skeleton.
Y'lovisa is 45 feet from the skeleton.

"Any time you're ready Aradurk, anytime at all." the paladin shrugs off the fresh wound as best as possible laying into his enemy again with furious strikes of his longsword.

Attack 113 for 14 + 1 slashing damage

Attack 2 11 for 9 + 2 slashing damage