The Untamed Wilds: Caravan Campaign

[Aust Thale]

Aust & Revan:

OOC: how many combatants are we dealing with?

From their vantage point, Revan notches and arrow quickly, pauses the extra couple of heartbeats, and breathes out slowly...releasing the arrow at the head of the first contact she has that attempts to close the gap into melee range on the encircled group. Aust uses one of his javelins and attacks the closest combatant to him and Revan. He then directs Revan to move steadily to stay on the flank of the attackers, outside their primary kill area. He watches and attempts to keep any combatants from reaching her as she steadily aims and shoots her arrows until she has a) exhausted her arrow supply, b) sticks all of the targets, c) sufficiently distracts them until other party members can engage, or d) kills all of the attackers, whichever happens first.

Revan uses the Way to keep track of where Aust is relative to her. Aust will try to remain focused on moving her and protecting the group, but he will break off defense of the group and viciously attack any combatant targeting Revan. Likewise, she will perform the same. Left unfettered, they will shoot-flank-shoot-flank-shoot-and so on.

 

[MacConnell]

Engaging the Quarry

It is impossible, at this point, to gauge the number of assailants, as they continue to move a full speed in a standard gyre direction. (counter-clockwise) A voice from a distance across the camp shouts back in response to Aust and Sannit.

"Dievrynthei o kyklos! As diafygis kanena!"

A definitive sound of a language rather than simple sounds or noise, but none of the party understands it. What everyone quickly notices is that the sound of running feet seems to be widening to encompass Aust and Revan. The quarry weaves in and out of the trees closing and then departing, always in constant motion, none yet trying to fire or engage, but glimpses of them become more identifiable.

​

Sheldon bumps Indigo and cocks his head. The two of the move at full speed to their left. They will cross the campsite in front of San-Bolo continuing on toward merin and Tor. Sheldon shouts.

"They are using a herding tactic! They want to bunch us up! We need to move! Anything to ruin their strategy!"

As he says this, an arrow whizzes by where he and Indigo were standing, a terrible shot, obviously not intended to hit anything.

OOC: Combat Sequence: Merin = 1st action using way by touch Indigo = 1st action Aust = 1st action with lanzita Tor = 1st action with shield Merin = 2nd action using way by touch Indigo = 2nd action Bolo = 1st action with bow Aust = 2nd action with lanzita Sannit = 1st action with crossbow Sheldon = 1st action with bow Revan = 1st action with bow Shimadow Hunter = 1st action with bow Tor = 2nd action with shield or sword Shimadow Seekers = 1st action with bows Merin = 3rd action using way by touch Indigo = 3rd action Shimadow Lookouts = 1st action with bows Aust = 3rd action with lanzita Shimadow Runners = 1st action with bows

GM: Merin, Indigo, and Aust are of course forced to delay their ready action as they are working with their partner and hoping to engage at melee distance.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

When the arrow whizzes by Sheldon and Indigo, Tor moves into action. Seeing their gyrewise motion, he begins running in the direct opposite direction---counter-gyrewise---his shield up in front of him, hoping to collide headlong with one or more of them. His intent is to literally run them down and shield bash them, following up with sword stabs, if he can get one of them prone.

Merin follows quickly behind, letting Tor lead the way; his intent is simple: if Tor connects with one of the assailants, he will sidestep, flank the opponent, and attempt to paralyze with a touch. Despite learning how to use Way at a distance, Merin still feels more comfortable with touch attacks at this point; they are still slightly quicker, and easier to perform.

 

[Kwargrow]

San-Bolo dig in their heels and keep their heads on swivel. If they see a target they will shoot. If they are engaged in melee Sannit will drop the bow and pull his axes while Bolo will continue to use her bow if she can. If they see any other member of the group engaged in melee they will move to cover their flank.

 

[MacConnell]

Combat Ensues

As San-Bolo creep forward toward the clearing, Sheldon and Indigo run past behind them heading from right to left. Tor and Merin are running forward in the opposite direction from the Shimadow.

Tor spots one of the painted, pale warriors running in a direct collision path before it can loose an arrow. Tor snorts to himself as he barrels at assailant barely over half his size, crashing into the woman and knocking her flat, her arrow sailing away high into the sky. She hits the ground fairly hard, but before she can even consider recovering, Merin stomps on her chest.

OOC: Lookout: Body(10) - 2 = 8 winded Body(8) - 2 = 6 hurt Mind(10) - 3 = 7 slightly hindered

As Sheldon and Indigo reach the point they think Merin and Tor were, seeing no quarry, they turn without pausing in the direction of Aust and Revan. Weaving in from the trees to the front of the campsite Bolo spots an enemy and looses arrow which punches through the patchwork hide covering the woman's torso. The Seeker takes two strides forward before falling prone.

OOC: Seeker: Body(10) - 13 = -3 incapacitated Mind(10) - 3 = 7 conscious, slightly hindered

Seeing the woman fall, one of her partners pauses for a second allowing Sannit to fire his crossbow with equal effectiveness to Bolo's arrow.

OOC: Runner: Body(10) - 15 = -5 incapacitated Mind(10) - 5 = 5 conscious, hindered

As Sheldon and Indigo are turning, a Shimadow runs headlong into their intended path. Before it can loose, Indigo turns back swinging her sword as she does, slicing through hide armor, flesh, and even some bone.

OOC: Runner: Body(10) - 16 = -6 incapacitated Mind(10) - 6 = 4 conscious, hindered

At almost the same instant Sheldon fires his ready arrow at another, also piecing armor and flesh.

OOC: Runner: Body(10) - 12 = -2 incapacitated Mind(10) - 2 = 8 conscious, barely impared

As the enemy is trying to widen its circle, Revan spots a clear shot and looses her arrow.

OOC: Runner: Body(10) - 15 = -5 incapacitated Mind(10) - 5 = 5 conscious slightly hindered

Completely across the distance, the first effective attempt of the enemy comes in the form of a lossed arrow flying from cover west of the campsite toward Sannit. The bone-tipped arrow strikes soft leather hauberk but simply bounces aside falling harmlessly to the ground.

Seeing that their opponent is still functional, with at most two heartbeats passing, Tor uses his sword to finish their opponent.

OOC: Lookout: Body(6) - 28 = -22 incapacitated Mind(7) - 22 = -15 unconscious Essence(10) - 15 = -5 dead

As he does so, an arrow flies toward him, the bone arrowhead shattering on the wooden shield. Arrow begin to fly from all direction as the remaining enemy finally coordinates to loose.
An arrow deflects off Sheldon's chitin buckler.
An arrow narrowly misses Merin.
An arrow harmlessly strikes Indigo's clothing.
An arrow harmlessly strikes Bolo's armor.
An arrow deflects off Revan's chitin buckler.

As the volley is loosed, Aust who has been ready, the heartbeats seeming minutes, finally sees his opportunity. Not being able to close to melee, he launches his lanzita at a near target, drawing his fighting axe as he does.

OOC: Lookout: Body(10) - 13 = -3 incapacitated Mind(10) - 3 = 7 conscious, barely hindered

Noting the futility of their initial assault, the same voice from before shouts.
"Pigainete sto melee! Skotose aftous tous misthoforous!"

GM: Due to spacing all further actions are forfeit. Everyone state intentions for second combat sequence.

 

[Kwargrow]

Sannit reloads his crossbow while Bolo keeps him covered with an arrow drawn. Heads still on swivel.

As usual Bolo has no interest in talking. If there are any Southroad Seekers nearby San-Bolo will move towards them, in case the tribals try to separate them again.

If there any hostile targets they will fire.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Merin and Tor immediately rush toward the source of the arrows, using the same tactic as before; Tor leading the charge, Merin following behind. Their hope is to reach the archers before they can re-acquire targets.

 

[MacConnell]

Combat Sequence 2

Sannit reloads his crossbow while Bolo keeps him covered with an arrow drawn. Heads still on swivel.

As usual Bolo has no interest in talking. If there are any Southroad Seekers nearby San-Bolo will move towards them, in case the tribals try to separate them again.

If there any hostile targets they will fire.

OOC: Based on memory and hearing, San-Bolo know Merin And Tor to be in front of them as well as the voice of the enemy speaker, Sheldon, Indigo, Aust, and Revan to be behind. They choose to move forward to aide Merin and Tor.

Merin and Tor immediately rush toward the source of the arrows, using the same tactic as before; Tor leading the charge, Merin following behind. Their hope is to reach the archers before they can re-acquire targets.

OOC: With arrows flying from all directions, Merin and Tor choose to continue on forward toward the sound of enemy speaker.

OOC: Combat Sequencing: Sheldon = 1st action not using way Hunter = 1st action Lookouts = 1st action Merin = 1st action not using way Seeker = 1st action Runners = 1st action Indigo = 1st action Sheldon = 2nd action using way Aust = 1st action Hunter = 2nd action Sannit = 1st action Lookouts = 2nd action Merin = 2nd action using way Seeker = 2nd action Runners = 2nd action Bolo = 1st action Revan = 1st action Tor = 1st action

The Shimadow have changed tactics. Having forsaken their bows, they rush from cover running in a crisscross pattern crossing inward, perpendicular to their previous circular pattern, much more quickly than expected.

Sheldon reacting even more quickly than they to the change in tactics drop his bow to the side as a Runner comes toward him wielding what appears to be a hip bone from some large animal. Sliding his chitin shield in the way of the weapon, Sheldon continues the motion across the face of his would-be assailant knocking the Runner to the ground with a jarring force.

OOC: Runner: Body(10) - 6 = 4 hurt

The man clearing cover and running toward Sannit is extremely quick, wielding two heavy-bladed kukri knives that are obviously steel, not some bone rudiment. He laughs and snarls as he closes. Seeing the futility of reloading his bow, Sannit quickly drops it in favor of his axes, but he yet too slow. The knife cuts through both the leather and silk hauberks and into the abdomen

OOC: Sannit: Body(10) - 9 = 1 severely hurt

Merin quickly assesses their error of the continued tactic, but not quite quickly enough to react with way or weapon. As Tor charges with his shield, this particular Shimadow is much too agile, he dodges to the side and sling out with his flint bladed kukri around the shield, the silk hauberk saving his life.

OOC: Tor: Body(10) - 9 = 1 severely hurt

Aust having already loosed his spear finds himself ready as the Runners charges toward him wielding a bone weapon, he swings his fighting axe upward with his left hand extending his reach, punching through the rough hide covering and cracking the sternum.

OOC: Runner: Body(10) + Mind(10) + Essence(10) - 36 = -6 dead

A second Shimadow races past Sheldon closing on Indigo before she can bring her small sword to bare, swinging in with a flint bladed kukri, which cuts straight through her silk vest.

OOC: Indigo: Body(10) - 8 = 2 severely injured

As the Shimadow runs by, Sheldon, desiring to finish the one he knocked down, quickly kneels slamming his elbow into the Runner's chest with such force it cracks the bone.

OOC: Runner: Body(4) - 4 = 0 incapacitated

Moving past the injured Sannit, the Hunter brings his second kukri to bear on Bolo. The swing travels above her lizard hide skirt and into and through the soft leather vest.

OOC: Bolo: Body(10) - 8 = 2 severely injured

Sannit from his falling position has yet to give up the fight despite his injury. He swings his carving axe at the foe even as he is going down. Catching the motion out of the corner of his eye, the Hunter laughs wickedly as he dodges. Bolo's retributive strike, likewise, is unable to connect with the highly agile foe.

The Seeker, having stuck Tor, spins around behind his body to attempt to use his second kukri on Merin, who catches the wrist of the weapon hand, manipulating way as he does. The Shimadow cocks his head and jerks free, unimpaired.

The Hunter, having moved into the clearing to engage San-Bolo, finds himself in view of the distant Revan to the East who fires her bow. The arrow, despite the distance, penetrates his deer skin armor.

OOC: Hunter: Body(10) - 3 = 7 hindered

There is a hush for a heartbeat as the two second of combat close, no birds chirp or insects sing or even a leaf rustles. A heartbeat is an eternity in the adrenaline of a fight. The Seeker that jerked free from Merin and the Lookout that felled Indigo turn to run. The Hunter slides backward away from the now fallen San-Bolo, grasps the shaft of the arrow and breaks it, shouting a curse as he does.

"Tha sas teleiosei akoma!"

GM: This ends combat sequence 2.

GM: Sannit, and Tor can act and move but at 90% reduction in movement rate. Bolo and Indigo are at an 80% reduction. There are 3 foes visible to party members, one near Merin-Tor, one near San-Bolo, and one near Sheldon-Indigo. Merin-Tor are about 5 paces (30') to San-Bolo's left. Sheldon-Indigo and Aust-Revan are about 7 paces behind San-Bolo and 2 paces from each other.

GM: Everyone state intentions.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Tor somehow finds the wherewithal to remain standing; as the Seeker is distracted by Merin's attempt to paralyze him, Tor will attempt to hamstring him with his sword. Merin changes his tactic, remembering his earlier experimentation with fire; he attempts to ignite the clothing and hair of the Seeker by using Way.

 

[Kwargrow]

If Sannit can rise to at least his knees he will throw one of his axes at their attacker hoping to at least stall another charge, keeping the other one ready for defense.

Bolo draws her knives and takes up a defensive position next to Sannit, putting her leg against his side to have a physical touch with him. She will attempt to heal them both.