This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
PODOL PLAZA
(@Ori: {BB-12} is where the werejaguar is. I assume you meant {BA-12}.)
Biscuit's breathing get a bit weaker. This is enough for Doozey to decide on his next move. A dangerous one, for sure, but he sees no other way. With a spin of blade and buckler, the hunter approaches his companion and quickly forces a potion down its throat.
The werejaguar tries a snap of its maw at Doozey as the halfling turns around to rescue his mastiff. The attempt fails and he is free to administer the potion. Once done, the ranger runs a cirle around one of the mutts to return to his old spot {BA-12}. (Biscuit heals for 13 HP.)
Avoiding another snap at his turned back, the stubborn halfling taunts his adversaries once more. Now back up, Biscuit begins to move northeast, not exactly in the direction of the docks {AV-16}. He is careful while moving, but not enough to not turn his back at the other mutt.
-> Claw vs. Doozey: Attack: 25 Damage: 8 piercing.
The hunter ducks away from the first attack, but not the second. Doozey now has three new vertical slashes marked on his face. (Doozey takes 8 piercing damage.)
A whistle orders the two mutts to change target, and they too try to punish the halfling:
-> Bite vs. Doozey: Attack: 23 Damage: 3 piercing.
-> Bite vs. Doozey: Attack: 18 Damage: 6 piercing.
The first mutt's bite forces Doozey to stay put, the next hits the jugular. (Doozey takes 9 piercing damage and is now unconscious, incapacitated, and prone. DEATH saving throws coming up.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Biscuit's Fight or Flight Save(DC 15): 10.
Doozey finally breaks, if only for a moment. While he was able to hold in a cry of pain from the claws, the fresh wounds being teared open in a bite to the leg proves to much. His only saving grace, if it can be called that, is that its immediately muted to choking sounds as he finally falls to the ground. His last sight before the darkness creeps into his vision is the mutts chasing after his beloved brother.
Surrounded and outnumber, Biscuit growls at the trio, weighing his options in what little capacity he has for such things since the re-bonding ritual. Seeing his master out of the corner of his eyes bleeding out decides things. Turning on the trio with renewed viciousness in his eyes, he immediately leaps upon the one he managed to bite last time, determined to rip out its throat, just as the same happened to Doozey.
#1 Death Save: 9.
(@Lerus: For the sake of brevity, I'll roll the Death Saves ahead of time, as short of nat 20, Doozey's effectively out of this fight and likely deadzo, depending on the enemy intentions.)
#2 Death Save: 18. Turn 8 #3 Death Save: 11. Turn 9 #4 Death Save: 10. Turn 10
(@Lerus: He actually acts on his own accord when I'm incapacitated or absent. The save above was just to see how he would go about it. So unless being overruled, the best way he'll go with the instinct of 'kill' to protect both himself and Doozey.)
If you are incapacitated or absent, the beast acts on its own, focusing on protecting you and itself. The beast never requires your command to use its reaction, such as when making an opportunity attack.
(Lethal)Bite - Attack: 21 Damage: 8 non-magical piercing to most weakened mutt. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
"Weremutts, you say? Alone?" Moneus double checks with Neya. "Well, he must indeed have considerable skill, because there are a lot of them in this shapeshifters' gang." He explains: "Their leader, Joana, used to be one of our ranks. She disagreed with the change of focus the Welcomers decided to undertake and vowed to fill in the gap in thievery we left. She said it was an opportunity she couldn't let pass, and that she'd create her own clan to take it. We've been keeping an eye on her even since, but a few robberies have never been enough to raise a Welcomer's eyebrows." Moneus finishes that sentence with a hand movement that pushes his red-pinkish hair away from the left side of his face. You notice that he is missing his left ear. He had both of them last time Utar saw the tiefling.
"How do you rejoin with him, then? Do you know where he is? The raven was silent on that point..." Moneus asks.
Utar runs a hand over the back of his neck, a look of concern spreading over his face.
"Hmmm I don't like the idea of him and Biscuit facing off against those were-creatures alone. Doozey would have presumably come back into town via the nearest gate and presumably was heading to meet us in the docks. We could head that way, try to see if we can see him?"
Biscuit is unable to leave Doozey behind. He stands his ground and, for the first time in this fight, lashes out at an opponent whose back is not turned. A deep bite to the shoulder severely hinders the already bleeding mutt, but the creature still stands. (Weremutt # 3 takes 8 piercing damage.)
The heartbeats of an unconscious Doozey slow down (Failed DEATH saving throw.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
PODOL PLAZA
After biting one of the mutts, Biscuit becomes the target of a slew of incoming attacks:
-> Bite vs. Biscuit: Attack: 12 Damage: 6 piercing.
-> Bite vs. Biscuit: Attack: 20 Damage: 3 piercing.
-> Claw vs. Biscuit: Attack: 18Damage: 6 piercing.
-> Claw vs. Biscuit: Attack: 10 Damage: 7 piercing.
The mastiff puts up a good fight, hopping out of the way of an attack. Three others follow in rapid succession and Biscuit his the ground. (Biscuit is now unconscious, incapacitated, and prone.)
The handler folds his piece of paper and offers it to the black raven, who snatches it in its beak and flies off.
Utar blows out his cheeks, muttering for a moment. On the one hand not wanting to leave Doozey, on the other keen to pick up his conversation with Moneus. He shakes his head, knowing that right choice is to find the stoutling. "Moneus, we need to find him. Come with us, or get yourself somewhere safe for.thw night. I'll be in touch."
Kneeling by Gravy, Utar offers a hand to the raven, hoping it might take it as a perch.
"Do you know where Doozey is? Can you take us there?"
A thought comes him, "Or take him a message? You know, halfling, travels with a big dog? Could you tell him: We're coming?"
Moneus agrees with Graxx: "Yes, a risky attempt, I'd say."
Then, once Utar mentions that he should stay safe, he adds: "I'll come along for now. Safer that way. Though, we should reconvene with Litta once this business is dealt with. Agreed?"
Gravy turns its head from one side to the other while Utar addresses it. It skips from Neya's shoulder onto Utar's hand and listen attentively once the half-orc says the word "message." Having made use of Gravy's innate spell in the past, Utar understands he has initiated the necessary steps of casting animal messenger on Gravy.
(@MB: The description of Doozey given above is sufficient for that portion of the spell but you still need an exact message and a general location. See spell description for details.)
As the raven gives a quizzical head turn to Utar, he quickly realises that he no idea of the exact location of Doozey and Biscuit. He knows where they were and where they were going, but not the route.
"He'll be inside Phlan now..."
Utar unfurls his map of the town, holding it up for Gravy with his free hand.
"He was here," indicating the two forested areas outside the town walls, "then we're guessing he released you and carried on his way here," Utar runs a finger of his other hand/perch in an as the raven flies straight line between the two.
He turns to the group, "I'm talking to a bird, anyone else have any ideas?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
PODOL PLAZA
Both Doozey (DEATH saving throw #2 - success) and Biscuit (DEATH saving throw #1 - success) look momentarily stable, but the weremutts are out for revenge.
Moneus begins to drag one of the dead Gricks toward the loading door, which is the one that opens directly to the water. He is clearly struggling. He looks first at Utar and then at Neya and says: "Do you mind helping me clean up while you decide on a strategy? It sounds like you are leaning towards using the messenger bird. That could work, though the raven is bound to fly aimlessly through town until he finds your friend. There is no guarantee it will be a quick mission."
Almost on cue, a second raven arrives. This one is black as the night, and is starting to look familiar now in its third visit. Its arrival also startles Moneus, who begins to wonder what is up with your group and ravens. The bird flies from one window to the next until it finds its way into the warehouse though the loading door Moneus kept open. The black raven flies up and lands on the rafters. It seems to look straight toward Graxx, again. It then releases from its beak a piece of folded paper. Before it hits the ground, the bird is already flying out and away.
Assuming one of you go for the piece of paper, it reads:
We've been keeping our eyes on you just as much as you have been keeping your eyes on us. The difference is, you now have four fewer eyes. Come looking again and you'll lose more.
Utar offers Gravy a perch on a create within the warehouse and rolls his map back up. Helping Moneus manhandle the corpses of the Gricks out into the water.
PODOL PLAZA
(@Ori: {BB-12} is where the werejaguar is. I assume you meant {BA-12}.)
Biscuit's breathing get a bit weaker. This is enough for Doozey to decide on his next move. A dangerous one, for sure, but he sees no other way. With a spin of blade and buckler, the hunter approaches his companion and quickly forces a potion down its throat.
-> Bite vs Doozey: Attack: 11
Damage: 13 piercing.The werejaguar tries a snap of its maw at Doozey as the halfling turns around to rescue his mastiff. The attempt fails and he is free to administer the potion. Once done, the ranger runs a cirle around one of the mutts to return to his old spot {BA-12}. (Biscuit heals for 13 HP.)
-> Bite vs Doozey: Attack: 13
Damage: 4 piercing.Avoiding another snap at his turned back, the stubborn halfling taunts his adversaries once more. Now back up, Biscuit begins to move northeast, not exactly in the direction of the docks {AV-16}. He is careful while moving, but not enough to not turn his back at the other mutt.
-> Bite vs Biscuit: Attack: 23
Damage: 4 piercing.Some deity must be certainly watching, as the mastiff begins his escape with no extra bite marks.
(Enemies go next.)
PODOL PLAZA
The werejaguar tries slashing Doozey with his claws next:
-> Claw vs. Doozey: Attack: 25
Damage: 9 piercing.-> Claw vs. Doozey: Attack: 25 Damage: 8 piercing.
The hunter ducks away from the first attack, but not the second. Doozey now has three new vertical slashes marked on his face. (Doozey takes 8 piercing damage.)
A whistle orders the two mutts to change target, and they too try to punish the halfling:
-> Bite vs. Doozey: Attack: 23 Damage: 3 piercing.
-> Bite vs. Doozey: Attack: 18 Damage: 6 piercing.
The first mutt's bite forces Doozey to stay put, the next hits the jugular. (Doozey takes 9 piercing damage and is now unconscious, incapacitated, and prone. DEATH saving throws coming up.)
-> Both Hunter's Mark and Crimson Rite drop.
All three shapechangers then run after Biscuit, effectively surrounding the beast and blocking his previously clear path {AU-17. AU-16, and AV-15}.
Not too far from there, the animal handler puts his quill away. A black raven flies in and perches on his left shoulder.
END OF INITIATIVE ROUND 7
(Doozey goes next. Biscuit can only move and use the dodge since Doozey is not awake to give him orders. Please roll a DEATH saving throw.)
Biscuit's Fight or Flight Save(DC 15): 10.
Doozey finally breaks, if only for a moment. While he was able to hold in a cry of pain from the claws, the fresh wounds being teared open in a bite to the leg proves to much. His only saving grace, if it can be called that, is that its immediately muted to choking sounds as he finally falls to the ground. His last sight before the darkness creeps into his vision is the mutts chasing after his beloved brother.
Surrounded and outnumber, Biscuit growls at the trio, weighing his options in what little capacity he has for such things since the re-bonding ritual. Seeing his master out of the corner of his eyes bleeding out decides things. Turning on the trio with renewed viciousness in his eyes, he immediately leaps upon the one he managed to bite last time, determined to rip out its throat, just as the same happened to Doozey.
#1 Death Save: 9.
(@Lerus: For the sake of brevity, I'll roll the Death Saves ahead of time, as short of nat 20, Doozey's effectively out of this fight and likely deadzo, depending on the enemy intentions.)
#2 Death Save: 18. Turn 8
#3 Death Save: 11. Turn 9
#4 Death Save: 10. Turn 10
(@Lerus: He actually acts on his own accord when I'm incapacitated or absent. The save above was just to see how he would go about it. So unless being overruled, the best way he'll go with the instinct of 'kill' to protect both himself and Doozey.)
If you are incapacitated or absent, the beast acts on its own, focusing on protecting you and itself. The beast never requires your command to use its reaction, such as when making an opportunity attack.
(Lethal)Bite - Attack: 21 Damage: 8 non-magical piercing to most weakened mutt. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
THE MEETING
"Weremutts, you say? Alone?" Moneus double checks with Neya. "Well, he must indeed have considerable skill, because there are a lot of them in this shapeshifters' gang." He explains: "Their leader, Joana, used to be one of our ranks. She disagreed with the change of focus the Welcomers decided to undertake and vowed to fill in the gap in thievery we left. She said it was an opportunity she couldn't let pass, and that she'd create her own clan to take it. We've been keeping an eye on her even since, but a few robberies have never been enough to raise a Welcomer's eyebrows." Moneus finishes that sentence with a hand movement that pushes his red-pinkish hair away from the left side of his face. You notice that he is missing his left ear. He had both of them last time Utar saw the tiefling.
"How do you rejoin with him, then? Do you know where he is? The raven was silent on that point..." Moneus asks.
Utar runs a hand over the back of his neck, a look of concern spreading over his face.
"Hmmm I don't like the idea of him and Biscuit facing off against those were-creatures alone. Doozey would have presumably come back into town via the nearest gate and presumably was heading to meet us in the docks. We could head that way, try to see if we can see him?"
Graxx picks his halberd back up off the ground.
"I didn't like him going off by himself to begin with? Let's head out."
PODOL PLAZA
(@Ori: On his on accord it is!)
Biscuit is unable to leave Doozey behind. He stands his ground and, for the first time in this fight, lashes out at an opponent whose back is not turned. A deep bite to the shoulder severely hinders the already bleeding mutt, but the creature still stands. (Weremutt # 3 takes 8 piercing damage.)
The heartbeats of an unconscious Doozey slow down (Failed DEATH saving throw.)
(Enemies go next.)
PODOL PLAZA
After biting one of the mutts, Biscuit becomes the target of a slew of incoming attacks:
-> Bite vs. Biscuit: Attack: 12 Damage: 6 piercing.
-> Bite vs. Biscuit: Attack: 20 Damage: 3 piercing.
-> Claw vs. Biscuit: Attack: 18
Damage: 6 piercing.-> Claw vs. Biscuit: Attack: 10 Damage: 7 piercing.
The mastiff puts up a good fight, hopping out of the way of an attack. Three others follow in rapid succession and Biscuit his the ground. (Biscuit is now unconscious, incapacitated, and prone.)
The handler folds his piece of paper and offers it to the black raven, who snatches it in its beak and flies off.
END OF INITIATIVE ROUND 8
(Doozey goes next. Please roll a single DEATH saving throw for Biscuit.)
Biscuit's Death Save #1: 14.
#2: 2.
#3: 4.
#4: 17.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar blows out his cheeks, muttering for a moment. On the one hand not wanting to leave Doozey, on the other keen to pick up his conversation with Moneus. He shakes his head, knowing that right choice is to find the stoutling. "Moneus, we need to find him. Come with us, or get yourself somewhere safe for.thw night. I'll be in touch."
Kneeling by Gravy, Utar offers a hand to the raven, hoping it might take it as a perch.
"Do you know where Doozey is? Can you take us there?"
A thought comes him, "Or take him a message? You know, halfling, travels with a big dog? Could you tell him: We're coming?"
THE MEETING
Moneus agrees with Graxx: "Yes, a risky attempt, I'd say."
Then, once Utar mentions that he should stay safe, he adds: "I'll come along for now. Safer that way. Though, we should reconvene with Litta once this business is dealt with. Agreed?"
Gravy turns its head from one side to the other while Utar addresses it. It skips from Neya's shoulder onto Utar's hand and listen attentively once the half-orc says the word "message." Having made use of Gravy's innate spell in the past, Utar understands he has initiated the necessary steps of casting animal messenger on Gravy.
(@MB: The description of Doozey given above is sufficient for that portion of the spell but you still need an exact message and a general location. See spell description for details.)
As the raven gives a quizzical head turn to Utar, he quickly realises that he no idea of the exact location of Doozey and Biscuit. He knows where they were and where they were going, but not the route.
"He'll be inside Phlan now..."
Utar unfurls his map of the town, holding it up for Gravy with his free hand.
"He was here," indicating the two forested areas outside the town walls, "then we're guessing he released you and carried on his way here," Utar runs a finger of his other hand/perch in an as the raven flies straight line between the two.
He turns to the group, "I'm talking to a bird, anyone else have any ideas?"
Graxx nods.
"Talking to the bird may be the best idea. Gravy can fly and find him quicker than we can. Trouble will be us being able to follow Gravy."
"I think I might be able to keep up with Gravy," Neya says. "As long as there are shadows, I should make up for lost ground."
Extended Signature
PODOL PLAZA
Both Doozey (DEATH saving throw #2 - success) and Biscuit (DEATH saving throw #1 - success) look momentarily stable, but the weremutts are out for revenge.
-> Bite vs. Biscuit: Attack: 13: miss.
-> Bite vs. Biscuit: Attack: 18: two forced DEATH saving throw fails.
A second whistle brings their attack to a stop, for now...
FADE TO BLACK
THE MEETING
Moneus begins to drag one of the dead Gricks toward the loading door, which is the one that opens directly to the water. He is clearly struggling. He looks first at Utar and then at Neya and says: "Do you mind helping me clean up while you decide on a strategy? It sounds like you are leaning towards using the messenger bird. That could work, though the raven is bound to fly aimlessly through town until he finds your friend. There is no guarantee it will be a quick mission."
Almost on cue, a second raven arrives. This one is black as the night, and is starting to look familiar now in its third visit. Its arrival also startles Moneus, who begins to wonder what is up with your group and ravens. The bird flies from one window to the next until it finds its way into the warehouse though the loading door Moneus kept open. The black raven flies up and lands on the rafters. It seems to look straight toward Graxx, again. It then releases from its beak a piece of folded paper. Before it hits the ground, the bird is already flying out and away.
Assuming one of you go for the piece of paper, it reads:
We've been keeping our eyes on you just as much as you have been keeping your eyes on us. The difference is, you now have four fewer eyes. Come looking again and you'll lose more.
Utar offers Gravy a perch on a create within the warehouse and rolls his map back up. Helping Moneus manhandle the corpses of the Gricks out into the water.
"Okay, let's get going quickly though."
Athletics 15
Panting with the effort of attempting to roll the rubbery body of the Gricks towards the water, Utar looks up towards the open warehouse door.
"This can't be good. That is definitely the same raven we've been seeing around town."
Graxx keeps his distance not wanting to be pecked again he pulls up the scroll and reads it aloud to all.
"Four fewer eyes..." Graxx repeats.
Graxx crunches the message in his hands and draws his halberd.
"THEY GOT DOOZEY AND BISCUIT!!!" roars the barbarian.
"I WILL STRANGLE THEM WITH THEIR OWN ENTRAILS! IT WAS BLASTED BIRD!" says Graxx.
Graxx turns to Moneus.
"Can you take us to someone who would know about this?" Graxx growls.