Rhanloi's Romp Through the Sword Coast

Perkas follows Wakka to the crowd and listens to the stone mason talks about the happenings in the water and the fishing folk shouting. 'No one noticed or cared enough to stop to help them?' Perkas shakes her head with a frustrated sense ofconfusion. She asks the stone mason. "What exactly has been going on in the swamp?"

Out of the corner of her eye she sees penumbra march off in the direction of the town. She let's out a frustrated growl, but knows that penumbra probably has the right idea that time is of the essence and turns and runs to try to catch up to her. 

She calls after her "wait a gash dang minute will ya?" As she catches up with her she's huffing ad puffing a bit. And looks around to see where the others are. "Something sure tied your tail in a knot. What do ya know that your not sayin'? Yea seen something like this before?’

(OOC: Sorry for slow posting, been recovering from some flu-like side effects from my second vaccination)

Manfred nods to Penumbra, and follows her. 'That's the spirit, we need to find the children...' he looks over to Silla 'Would you help these people while we look for the children, my dear? I wouldn't be able to concentrate if I thought you were in danger, and these people are in need of your gifts to raise their spirits...'

(Persuasion: 20)

(@JorvikDave - nice use of Silla to both keep her from following you into potential danger and to help settle the villagers down! Inspiration to Manfred!)

As soon as you set off for the town, you hear several exclamations coming from the group of townsfolk. Looking over your shoulder, you see 6 older children run off in multiple directions, laughing! The little scamps bolt towards the woods to the east, some towards the beach to the west, and others running past you towards the town!

"Children! CHILDREN!! You come back here this instant! I'm warning you...STOP! No - stay together! You'd better be by my side before I count to five!" the female dragonborn yells. The younger children, still clustered around her and another priest of Lathander, start to cry and wail.

The dwarf starts cursing. The human guard in chainmail spits on the ground and chuckles at the mayhem all around. The male priest calls out to you, "Ahh...wait! Please retrieve these youngsters before heading into town to find the other two...we must watch these littles." 

It's Hide-And-Go-Seek time! East to the woods? West to the beach? South towards town? You can see where the kids are headed now, but chasing after one group means you will likely lose sight of the others. 

And for extra drama...here's a DM countdown to something - else! 6

"Shit!" Wakka replied as the children scattered.  "I'll take the beach, you guys take the other areas!" he yelled to the party before rushing off (without waiting for a reply).

‘Perks, you take the woods - Penumbra, Droop and I will brave the town. Join us as soon as you can?’ he suggests, not pausing in following the child(ren) into town. ‘You too, Wakka! Meet in town!’ he shouts after Wakka.

’Wait for me! I only have little legs!’ he shouts after the child(ren) who just ran past him…

(Persuasion: 13)

Hearing the commotion of the Dragonborn, Perkas stops following Penumbra and turns to see the one kid running past her.

She smiles sly and says "Ah my favorite game." as she turns and heads to the east and after Mannys directions. 

Perkas will try to note where the east kid went into the woods and check for tracks and signs of where the kid went when they entered

Survival check (prof bonus doubled for favored forest terrain?) : 15 (+3 if doubled)/18

OK - here's how this will work. For each group (woods, beach, town) I need certain Skill checks in order. If you fail a check, the next one will add 2 to the DC. If you fail by 5 or more, add 2 more! If you succeed by 5 or more, you can reduce the next check by 2. So, here they are:

1. All - DC11 Perception to see where the pair of kids are headed.
2. All - DC12 Investigation to find their hiding spot(s).
3. Woods: DC13 Acrobatics and Animal Handling(or)Nature == Beach: DC13 Athletics and Intimidation(or)Persuasion == Town: DC13 Survival and Stealth(or)Religion == These checks are to convince the kids to come with you, or rescue them from a tree, or whatever you think up!

This is your chance to make some mundane rolls, but to write up your own mini-adventure here! There are two kids at the beach, two in the woods, and three in town. Each group of kids stays together. Each check takes about one minute to complete. Your total time retrieving kids is how many rolls you need to be successful plus 1 minute (to walk back to the group with kids in tow.) The best possible time is 5 minutes. And...go!

When Perkas catches up to Penumbra and questions her she replies, "No, not exactly anyway. I just can't stand idly by while some innocent kids are in danger, an ordering everyone to just wait and see what happens just seems wrong when we can do something about it." (Penumbra has a low charisma score to roleplay that I am trying to remember that she lacks social graces. She means well but can come off as a bit rough around the edges, and she could probably stand to bathe a bit more often and learn to chew with her mouth closed or at least use a fork once in a while.)

Before she can reply to Manfred the other children bolt and she becomes distracted by the commotion. "What!? You gotta be kidding!" She nods agreement to Manfred"s plan and the chase begins!

Perception: 19

 Seeing clearly where the kids are heading Penumbra points the way and starts running. "Droop! Manfred! that way!"

Investigation: 15

Survival: 14

Stealth: 32

Penumbra easily spots where the children have hidden themselves in an old barn on the very outskirts of the town. Once inside the kids quickly ascend to the hayloft and find hiding spots in the deepest shadows. A wicked, but playful, smile creeps across Penumbra's face as she decides what she is going to do. Just as Droop and Manfred catch up she turns to them and says, "Droop follow me and keep quiet. Manfred wait here and when the kids come running out you guide them back to safety, they should be good and willing to follow you."

With her sidekick in tow Penumbra sneaks around the back side of the barn. Positioning droop at the door she instructs him. "When I give the word you throw open that door and yell and scream and be as scary as you can." Then with a little jump and a couple delicate flaps of her wings she reaches the second level and throws open the loft door. She bursts in cackling like a mad witch. "AH-Hahahahaha! What's that I smell? Smells like dinner!" She stomps around and knocks over hay bales revealing the children's hiding places and causing them to run for the ladder back down to the ground floor. As soon as the last child climbs down she pops her head outside and looks down to Droop. "Now!" Droop kicks open the door and runs in screaming sending the children out the other door in a panic. Looking for someone to save them from the crazy demon lady and her goblin the children run directly towards Manfred.

(Fun!!)   

Dashing in the general direction he saw a few of the kids run off to, Wakka was able to deduce relatively quickly that they were headed towards the beach.  Sprinting in that direction he eventually made it to the sandy shore where his movements were instantly slowed down due to the sand.  Looking back, he was lucky that the sand had slowed him or else he would've completely missed the children hiding in a rocky alcove a few feet off the ground.  How in the Hells did they get up there that fast?!? he thought to himself exasperated as he trudged towards them before quickly pulling half of himself up to greet them.  "Why hello there kids!  Why don't you follow me down and back towards your family?" he offered in a nice a voice as he could manage.  A rock to the head and a short tumble to the ground quickly let him know how the children felt about that.  Growling in annoyance, he climbed up again, this time all the way into the alcove.  "Well that wasn't very nice..."  Wakka began, a slight edge in his voice.  "Here's the thing.  I don't like having rocks thrown at me and I'm not leaving here till you come back with me, so why don't we talk like adults and figure out what it'll take to go back to your families."  A short negotiation later where he essentially agreed on behalf of their parents to give them whatever they wanted for a year, Wakka and the two children were on their way back to others, all smiles and high-fives.  Children are pretty easy I guess.  Not sure what all the fuss is about... he thought to himself, rather pleased with successful search & rescue/ babysitting routine he had just accomplished.

• Perception: 15  
• Investigation: 12  
• Athletics: 21    
• Persuasion #1: 8  
• Persuasion #2: 18  

(Overall 6 mins total!!)  

Seeing the panicked children running towards him, and still not knowing what had caused the evacuation of the town, Manfred decides to get them out as quickly as possible.

’Quick! Come with me! Let’s get back to the rest…’ he whispers loudly to the children, projecting an aura of confidence and direction… He doesn’t try to slow them overmuch, but just directs (and joins) them in a hurried journey back to the townsfolk.

(Perception: 19 - looking to avoid anything dangerous in the town as he shepherds the children back)

(You guys are nailing this little interlude!! Love the write-up scenes =) If you don't have Inspiration already, you do now! Once Perkas' scene is done we'll move on. Thanks!!)

(sorry big day today just getting the little one inside fed and down to bed. Here are my rolls and I'll think about my write-up and do it after she's down.)

Perception: 9- Fail - add 2 to next
Investigation DC now 14: 16  - passed so next is normal
Acrobatics DC 13:  5 - epic fail +4 to next
Animal Handling DC 17: 12  Failed it all! This should be fun

Perkas walks into the woods where she thinks she saw the kids enter the forest. Fairly quickly she spots some potential hiding spots the kids could be in. One by one she checks the trees first. Nothin better than climbing trees as a kid, but to no avai no kiddos.

"Drat, where in the gods names are you hidding little ones?" As she goes to climb down the tree she's scanning other potential hiding spots she neglects to see the hole she has placed her foot into as it makes a sucking noise as she tries to pull her foot out. A slight buzzing noise starts to hit her ears as a faint giggle can also be heard nearby. She growls to herself and mutter a few choice curse words under her breath as she fights to get her foot out of the tree she looses her grip and tumbles to the ground landing on a thorny bush beneath the tree.

Perkas let's out a frustrated yell "aaaahhhhhh, you damn kids. If you want to DIE out here in the beak of a bugbear well so be it! STAY OUT HERE FOR ALL I CARE!" Perkas screams out into the forest trees watching birds scramble from her yelling. She stomps off back toward the group of people out of the forest grumbling.

As she breaks thru the trees foot covered in sticky honey and herself covered in twigs and leaves she screams. "SOMEBODY GO GET THOSE BRATS! NATURE AND I ARE HAVING A BIT OF A FIGHT!"

To Perkas' surprise, and dismay, the two kids followed her out of the woods, throwing pine cones and bits of animal scat at her as she stomped out of the woods. As bad as pixies, and utterly off-limits to retaliate! To make matters worse, EVERYONE saw her come out of the woods looking disheveled and covered in goop and bracken. Her tormentors were grabbed up by the dragonborn, but you can tell by their cruel smiles and laughter that these two boys are bullies who have found their new victim...

Unfortunately, you do not have a chance to console the ranger or recount your own stories. Approaching quickly from the town, two strange knights bearing a symbol with three lightning bolts ride horses made of water. They are accompanied by a wagon of two archers, pulled by another of the water steeds. The knights level their lances and charge at the townsfolk, while the archers fire arrows from longbows! (Map) The townsfolk scatter towards the relative safety of the forest. The Lathander priests take firm control of the children this time - although the new danger are making them more compliant now...

Roll Initiative (and post your first action.)

Initiative: 12

Manfred’s eyes narrow at this rude interruption. ‘That’s quite enough of that!’ he shouts, twanging loudly on his lute, a set of notes calling forth strongly to the earth, such that a 60feet wide Wall of Thorns materialises right under all the horses (and their riders!) - or as many as possible, rippling up to a jagged, spiked wall 10feet high…

(45 piercing damage, DC14 DEX ST for half damage. The wall also blocks sight, for the archers)

‘Give them hell, Perks!’ he shouts encouragingly (1d8 bardic inspiration for Perkas!)

Whispering his secret phrase, Wakka activated his Animated Shield as he drew his Longbow from his back.  Notching a couple of arrows, he fired at the (Dark Blue) Knight before moving forward towards to his enemies, hoping to keep their attention away from the fleeing crowd.

• Initiative: 7
• Attack: Hit 16/ Damage 5 Piercing
• Extra Attack: Hit 16/ Damage 11 Piercing
• Bonus Action: Activate Animated Shield

Initiave 18

Perkas, covered in literal crap and debris welcomes this new challenge. As she walks forward 15-20feet she speaks "Oh yeah, here we go" as she raises lil' Bess and takes aim Hunter's Mark  at one of the long bow knights

Attack 1.  15 to hit / 11+4(hm)=15

Attack 2   25 to hit / 13+3(hm)=16

Round 1: Dark Red Archer(18) == Perkas(18) == Dark Blue Knight(18) == Light Red Archer(15) == Manfred(12) == Wakka(7) == Light Blue Knight(4) == Penumbra(??)/Droop 
(For all targeting --> 1,2=Droop; 3,4=Manfred; 5,6=Penumbra; 7,8=Perkas; 9,10=Wakka)

• The archer wearing a dark red sash takes careful aim and looses two arrows - one at 8 (Archer's Eye Attack: 19 Damage: 8) and the other at 3 (Attack: 23 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.)
• Perkas returns fire, just missing with her first shot but landing a solid blow with the second (hitting Dark Red archer)
• The knight wearing dark blue accents charges forward, a long lance leveled for a strike. (move and dash for 60')
• The other archer, with a light red plume of some kind of coral, also looses two arrows at the group - one at 1 (Archer's Eye Attack: 23 Damage: 8) and the other at 3 (Attack: 23 Damage: 11)
• Manfred presents the enemies with a 'thorny dilemma' - causing a 5' wide and 10' tall wall of thorns to spring up under the light blue knight and the wagon of archers (catching one - light red) DC14 Dex saves: Knight 5 :: Archer 22
• Wakka takes a couple of shots at the dark blue knight before moving to combat, hitting both times as the knight charged forward! Somehow, the knight almost dodged out of the way of the first arrow (1/2 damage) but catches the second full on...
• The light blue knight fights out of the Wall of Thorns and advances on Manfred, only going 40 feet past the barrier. (move and dash)
• Penumbra/Droop...(will add in where your initiative goes!)

Round 2: Dark Red Archer(-16) == Perkas(-0) == Dark Blue Knight(-13) == Light Red Archer(-45) == Manfred(-0) == Wakka(-0) == Light Blue Knight(-45) == Penumbra(-0) == Droop(-5)

(I don't wanna post to early, but the next day might be kinda busy so I wanted to make sure I did)

"Thanks buddy!" She says to manny her ye still on her mark.

Perkas takes two more shots at the dark red archer before letting lil less swing back over her shoulder and withdrawing her swords as the knights get closer.

Attack 1: 25 to hit / 8+3(hm) +1(inspiration)=12

Attack 2: 23 to hit / 12+3(hm)=15

She steps into the clear line between the knight and Manfred. Swords drawn she gives them a spin, ready to go. ( if that is too much for an action I can move that to my next round)

Initiative: 23

Penumbra hurls a firebolt at Dark Blue.

Attack: 19 Damage: 6

Droop follows it up with two arrows.

Attack: 8 Damage: 7

Extra Attack: 25 Damage: 10

Penumbra moves in front of Droop hoping to shield him from the charging knight.

• Penumbra hurls a firebolt at the charging knight, but misses! However, it was distracting enough that Droop hits the knight with both of his arrows!

Round 2: Dark Red Archer(-16) == Perkas(-0) == Dark Blue Knight(-32) == Light Red Archer(-45) == Manfred(-0) == Penumbra(-0) == Droop(-5) == Wakka(-0) == Light Blue Knight(-45)

• The dark red knight is blocked from your vision...
• Perkas (the archers are blocked from your sight by the Wall of Thorns - will move your attacks to the light blue knight unless you want to change it!) looses two bolts at the oncoming light blue knight, hitting with both and knocking the knight from his mount! The water horse dissipates into the ground, indicating that the knight is down for good. 
• The dark blue knight attacks Penumbra with his lance, (Attack: 10 Damage: 5) keeping 10 feet away. (reach weapon...)
• The light red archer extricates herself from the Wall of Thorns, sending another two arrows at you. (One at 4 (Archer's Eye Attack: 18 Damage: 16 ) and the other at 10 (Attack: 26 Damage: 19))

Round 2 (con't): Dark Red Archer(-16) == Perkas(-7) == Dark Blue Knight(-32) == Light Red Archer(-45) == Manfred(-0) == Penumbra(-10) == Droop(-5) == Wakka(-0) == Light Blue Knight(-65)