(Casual D&D) A Game of Trust

[dpdx]

[Is Fendric w/in 60' of most of the rats? If so...]

Fendric grasps his holy symbol, facing the rats, and begins to intone in Elven, building to a crescendo: "In the name of Pelor, the Radiant Light, His Brilliance most Holy, I invoke thee, BEGONE!"

[Fendric invokes his Sun domain power, Greater Turning: (turning check: 12 +2 = 14; turning damage 7 +5 = 12); this destroys 12 HD worth of the nearest undead creatures within line of effect to 60' at 4 HD or lower.]

[If he is not within range to deploy this power, he'll move toward the Northeastern perimeter until he is, then invoke it on the next round.]

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Round 3 cont'd

Fendric's turning attempt seems to have no effect. Niccolo?

 

[dpdx]

[Oh, that's just cruel. Can Fendric see what undead Lucian is attempting to turn? And if so, can he have that back and just move?]

 

[Uriel]

OoC:OK, we seem stuck in as far as this one goes...NOW I Inspire Courage

IC:Niccolo sings his littlr Gnomish heart out, Inspiring his companions with the Heroic Tale of Exantrius and the Red Giant of Nimdrogim, something he learned as a child.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

(dp - Fendric sees what's described -- as far as he can tell, Lucian's invoking it toward the rats. I'll compromise and let you move to the Northeastern corner and invoke, since you had time for both.)

Vitz leans down in a line between Niccolo and the rats, his shoulders balanced to deliver a big swing when they arrive. They swarm through the first line's feet, losing a few to the stabs and slices of the Heironeans, and split -- some stay back and nibble and claw at Fendric, the others head on toward Niccolo. Vitz' swing sends most flying, and the others are taken care of before they have any real chance to find somewhere on Niccolo they can reasonably bite. The same goes for Fendric, who suffers no injury as the rats swarm his legs, but are quickly removed then dispatched by his guardians.

As the yowling approaches from the south, the Heironeans have time to organize a good defensive line against them. Balger and Marten lead the way, charging into the brush in an attempt to head off any strike before it happens. There's a glint of flailing swords as Shavah attempts to keep you back in the center -- "it's you two they're after, I think" -- and the two return, holding a pair of jackals by the scruff of their neck.

(Sorry to cut you out of the action, so to speak, but considering the vipers were the only real threat, I didn't feel it was worthwhile to slow down the game much more.

Anyway, combat's over, and that means XP:

Nurthk: 450
Niccolo: 400
Fendric: 375

Note that this should bring Niccolo and Fendric to 4th level.)

As the campsite is cleared of debris, Hasdural approaches, concerned about the poisoning; he can memorize a few lesser restorations tomorrow, if needed. Lucian explains his turning attempt -- something of a hunch, the situation seemed unnatural and considering who they were up against, it seemed like a possibility.

Laam echoes the sentiment, clearly troubled: "Snakes don't hunt in packs. Rats don't... do that... The jackals... The jackals must have been hunting the snakes. The jackals are normal." He seems relieved by his own odd justification for a moment, but his chest falls back down. "But the snakes..."

At this point, it seems quiet enough that you might continue your camp, though enough of you are rested that you could probably get moving onward (spells should be memorized with no problem, and I won't throw fatigue in after six hours' rest, unless it goes on like that for a few consecutive days...). The sun is rising -- you could take an hour to prepare spells, and then move, if so desired.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Nurthk cleans the blades of his weapon, and slings it over his back next to his bow.

"You people are in an odd situation aren't you? From what I know of animals I can second your opinions, rats and snakes just don't do this. I'm even suspicious of the jackals, when would they go after game like this? Outnumbered by prey more dangerous than themselves," Nurthk says, and nudges a dead snake with his booted foot, "To attack you your enemy must have known where you were. This does not bode well, we should leave very soon."

Nurthk goes about calming the horses if necessary, and gets his own steed ready to ride.

 

[Uriel]

Niccolo shakes the sleep from his head, wondering just what had happened.


OoCid I use my Inspire? I guess it doesn't matter unless we get jumped by some marmosets & cane toads & ocelots....in another wierd migraory drive-by

 

[dpdx]

[Ah, thanks for updating the XP totals where I can see them, GP. It does indeed bring us to 4th.]

Fendric looked around, angry. Angry that his turning didn't work, angry that he'd been protected like a princess, angry that his poor steed, Sunray, Pelor Bless Him to the Zenith of the Light! should be subjected to the brunt of the recent attack, angry that there was evil in the world, and further angry that it should select HIM, of all the middling halfbreed altarboys under the Sun, to pursue with such vexing vigor!

So, like he had always been taught to do in that situation, he wiped the scowl from his face, knelt down, and consulted his God.

Oh, God of Radiant Light, blessed be Thy Life-Giving Brilliance, I beseech Thee...

And to his everlasting shock, clear as thunder in his mind, he heard a response.

What is it, young Fendric?

The voice sounded like Exantrius, but it couldn't have been. Fendric tried to collect himself. The others did not react, so they must not be able to hear. He heard himself continue, without speaking.

My God, I fear that I am unworthy of the task before me, and this frustrates me. Powerful enemies are set against this noble cause, and they know of me, specifically, and of Niccolo, bless his noble little soul...

Would it dampen your resolve if you knew who they were? Would you fear a name?

Honestly, no, Your Radiance. I know I shouldn't, and we have resisted the serpents, and the rats, and the jackals. I thank Thee for that.

Then I shall not give you a name, or the knowledge of who they are. Instead, I shall grant you an improvement. How do you wish to improve?

Fendric thought on this for a while. He needed to choose wisely...

Then it is done.

"I do not understand, Your Brilliance."

No, not completely, My Child. But you understand a little more than you used to.

As he finished the prayer, it dawned on Fendric just how he had been gifted, and at that moment, a ray of sunlight caught the beatific expression on his face. He stood, and walked over to gather his pack and Sunray.

My Child? Try to be more patient with the Heironians...

 

[dpdx]

[I don't see where Niccolo made his Fort save vs. Poison.]

After setting up his pack and leading Sunray back toward the road, Fendric approaches Niccolo, an expression of concern upon his face. "Pelor Protect Us, it would appear that we are marked men, my friend. Did you not notice that the snakes and rats came to us, when there were at least ten other targets in the vicinity?"

It is here that Fendric notices Niccolo looks a little pale. Casting Detect Poison, he confirms (or not) that Niccolo has indeed been poisoned.

If he has:

"Well, I cannot remove the poison, but I can restore some of your health... if you need it.

He will then cast Lesser Restoration, restoring 4 points of Constitution.

 

[Uriel]

OoC:I think I'm poisoned...

IC" 'Your ministrations would be most welcome, friend. I do feel a bit sick and I fear that the venom of that serpent does indeed flow through my veins...'

Niccolo stops, realizing that fendric is the closes thing that he has had to a proper friend in many a month. Sighing at those lost along the way, Niccolo hopes that Fendric, too, would not fall or become disenchanted with the Mission.