(Casual D&D III) The Man in Black
- Thread starter Guilt Puppy
- Start date
Guilt Puppy
First Post
(I'm sure there's some sort of rolling involved in teaching birds tricks, but whatever it is, I'll put that in the category of "character sheet stuff" which I don't need to approve. So just figure that out to your own individual satisfaction, I'll be fine with it.)
The night passes quietly in your wooded camp; morning is signalled by the sudden clatter of a light hailstorm, unexpected given the fairly clear skies seen at last light. The trees provide enough shelter to sit for a reasonably comfortable breakfast, the icefall dying out and returning intermittently.
As the rest of the group retires to prayer and practice, Tatlock finds time after his own chores to sit at the edge of a near clearing, to watch the hailstones hop across the grass. Nurthk has by now perfected the activating snap of his new double-axe, and can devote his time to the education of his new bird.
After a short time, the silence of morning ritual is broken as Tatlock calls out: "Mister Raven! Mister Raven!"
From the damp soil of Tatlock's clearing, and a great shape can be seen arising. The roots rise first, then dark mud and stone; it is the form of a massive earthen stag, wriggling upward from the ground, crowned by a pair of wooden antlers which span at least twelve feet. Two whirling forms manifest at either side, amorphous torrents around three feet across, visible only as twisting disturbances in the falling ice.
(Neither side really warrants receiving a surprise round, so just go ahead and roll initiatives, and we'll play it out from there. Characters were placed pretty randomly, so if you feel like "no, I should start here", feel free to state that point.)
The night passes quietly in your wooded camp; morning is signalled by the sudden clatter of a light hailstorm, unexpected given the fairly clear skies seen at last light. The trees provide enough shelter to sit for a reasonably comfortable breakfast, the icefall dying out and returning intermittently.
As the rest of the group retires to prayer and practice, Tatlock finds time after his own chores to sit at the edge of a near clearing, to watch the hailstones hop across the grass. Nurthk has by now perfected the activating snap of his new double-axe, and can devote his time to the education of his new bird.
After a short time, the silence of morning ritual is broken as Tatlock calls out: "Mister Raven! Mister Raven!"
From the damp soil of Tatlock's clearing, and a great shape can be seen arising. The roots rise first, then dark mud and stone; it is the form of a massive earthen stag, wriggling upward from the ground, crowned by a pair of wooden antlers which span at least twelve feet. Two whirling forms manifest at either side, amorphous torrents around three feet across, visible only as twisting disturbances in the falling ice.
Code:
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3 * R N
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6 * * #
7 *
8 * F
9 O
10 * * *
11 * * H
12 * A S
13 * *
14 * *
15 *
16 * * *
17 *
18 @ * T
19 *
20 \-/ * *
21 /V\ @ *
22 \-/
23 * * *
24 * *
25 *
26 * *
F = Fendric R = Raven
O = Oliver A = Aerda
N = Nurthk n = Niccolo
H = Hiritus S = Shavah
T = Tatlock
# = campfire * = Tree
\-/
/V\ = Stag @ = Air elem.
\-/
[/font](Neither side really warrants receiving a surprise round, so just go ahead and roll initiatives, and we'll play it out from there. Characters were placed pretty randomly, so if you feel like "no, I should start here", feel free to state that point.)
Festy_Dog
First Post
[ooc: btw, with the axe, for the purpose of rolls and stuff can I safely assume both heads are +1 and flaming?]
Init: 9
"Now that can't be good..." Nurthk laments, and places his pet raven on a nearby tree branch, "Niccolo, do those things look hostile to you? I'd hate to think the land itself opposes us."
Nurthk, whether given an answer or not, then moves up alongside Oliver. He flicks his wrists and the axe heads come to life. They give off the occasional hiss as pieces of hail strike the hot metal.
Init: 9
"Now that can't be good..." Nurthk laments, and places his pet raven on a nearby tree branch, "Niccolo, do those things look hostile to you? I'd hate to think the land itself opposes us."
Nurthk, whether given an answer or not, then moves up alongside Oliver. He flicks his wrists and the axe heads come to life. They give off the occasional hiss as pieces of hail strike the hot metal.
dpdx
Explorer
[Hiritus: Spot - 11 +2 = 13; Initiative - 16.]
[Justice: Spot - 15 +4 = 19; will act on Hiritus' initiative.]
[Fendric: Spot - 12 +5 = 17; Initiative - 20.]
"That damned druid, again... or not. Pelor Preserve Us, I hope it is the Princess, but I suspect not," Fendric mutters to himself. Hand immediately upon his holy symbol, he guides his horse to a central location among the group so as to catch the most people with his Bless spell. He does not dismount as yet.
[Move 5' to U7, cast Bless: +1 to attacks and saves vs. fear for the next 6 rounds for anyone within 30' of him.]
Hiritus' horse takes notice of the disturbance before the paladin himself does; the horse snorts slightly, and stops. (This appears to be trouble, Sir Hiritus. We should wait for it to make a hostile action before we act. That is Just.)
Hiritus, noting that the creatures appear to be water or ice-based, fingers his newly gained Necklace of Fireballs. Searching for the largest bead by touch, Hiritus prepares to throw it at the large earthen stag to cover Tatlock's retreat.
[Remain in current square; ready an attack with the largest Fireball bead - condition: any attack on Tatlock or the group. Hiritus will aim for a center square, out of range of Tatlock's current position. Assuming they didn't move, B22 would be a likely target.]
[Justice: Spot - 15 +4 = 19; will act on Hiritus' initiative.]
[Fendric: Spot - 12 +5 = 17; Initiative - 20.]
"That damned druid, again... or not. Pelor Preserve Us, I hope it is the Princess, but I suspect not," Fendric mutters to himself. Hand immediately upon his holy symbol, he guides his horse to a central location among the group so as to catch the most people with his Bless spell. He does not dismount as yet.
[Move 5' to U7, cast Bless: +1 to attacks and saves vs. fear for the next 6 rounds for anyone within 30' of him.]
Hiritus' horse takes notice of the disturbance before the paladin himself does; the horse snorts slightly, and stops. (This appears to be trouble, Sir Hiritus. We should wait for it to make a hostile action before we act. That is Just.)
Hiritus, noting that the creatures appear to be water or ice-based, fingers his newly gained Necklace of Fireballs. Searching for the largest bead by touch, Hiritus prepares to throw it at the large earthen stag to cover Tatlock's retreat.
[Remain in current square; ready an attack with the largest Fireball bead - condition: any attack on Tatlock or the group. Hiritus will aim for a center square, out of range of Tatlock's current position. Assuming they didn't move, B22 would be a likely target.]
Last edited:
Sparky
Registered User
Oliver sat at the edge of the group, staring into the woods, he'd been quiet since his outburst. Withdrawn. He'd removed the dark stained lute from the safety of its case to find it horrifically out of tune, and a string broken. Nicollo, worried for his own instrument, checks his and finds it fit as a... well, a fiddle. Oliver gets a spare string from the case and spends a while tuning the lute, but puts it away without playing or noodling at all. Since tuning the lute he'd sat, staring at a patch of woods until it grew antlers and came for him.
Yes.
Nurthk stalks up next to the old rogue, axe heads blazing. "Atta boy, Nurthk, nothing appeases wood-spirits like fire." He grunts as he struggles to his feet and draws his swords, feeling the routine of preparing his mind and body for battle settle him down into a well-worn rut. Rut. Much too old for this. Bastrop brays his agreement from where the animals are tied. An old, old ass. And a donkey. And an owl. And a horse. And a tree stag. What do I know about these... something... I seem to recall something...
OOC: Oliver has 1 rank and LOTS of INT bonuses in all the standard knowledges except Arcana and the The Planes. I'm not sure which is appropriate, but let me know and I'll roll it - or you can at +5 to the rolls.
Initiative: 14
Spot: 24
Yes.
Nurthk stalks up next to the old rogue, axe heads blazing. "Atta boy, Nurthk, nothing appeases wood-spirits like fire." He grunts as he struggles to his feet and draws his swords, feeling the routine of preparing his mind and body for battle settle him down into a well-worn rut. Rut. Much too old for this. Bastrop brays his agreement from where the animals are tied. An old, old ass. And a donkey. And an owl. And a horse. And a tree stag. What do I know about these... something... I seem to recall something...
OOC: Oliver has 1 rank and LOTS of INT bonuses in all the standard knowledges except Arcana and the The Planes. I'm not sure which is appropriate, but let me know and I'll roll it - or you can at +5 to the rolls.
Initiative: 14
Spot: 24
Guilt Puppy
First Post
Tatlock retreats hastily under Raven's instruction, returning to the center of the camp.
Fendric moves to bless the party, benefitting all but Tatlock.
The stag advances forward, its legs seeming to merge with the ground -- indeed, the very earth it walks upon seems to flow through its body as it strides. It weaves between the trees nimbly, then pauses for a moment to consider its path.
The swirling currents move much more quickly, zigging and zagging toward Aerda and Oliver. Both are struck by a blast of cold air (Oliver: Attack 14, Damage 3; Aerda: Attack 12, Damage 4... Keep in mind flat-footedness) as they arrive.
Hiritus releases his bead, engulfing the clearing in a great ball of flame. All three enemies can be seen to take damage from the blast, though none are destroyed.
Nurthk moves in beside Oliver, axeheads alight (assuming +1 flaming for both heads will be fine for now. As for Oliver, Knowledge (Local) should apply.)
Neither Oliver nor Raven can see any sign of other attackers present. Niccolo, occupied with his own defense, calls out: "Oh my! Keep a tree between yourselves and the beast! I've heard legends of his charge..." (Natural 20 on Bardic Knowledge, he'll have more to share at an appropriate time
)
Shavah draws her sword and takes a clumsy swing at the entity attacking Aerda, with no apparent effect.
(Oliver and Raven still have actions they can take... A bit out of order, but shouldn't make a big difference.)
Tatlock 24
Fendric 20
Stag 17
Hiritus 16
Oliver 14
Raven 12
Niccolo 10
Nurthk 9
Aerda 8
Shavah 1
Fendric moves to bless the party, benefitting all but Tatlock.
The stag advances forward, its legs seeming to merge with the ground -- indeed, the very earth it walks upon seems to flow through its body as it strides. It weaves between the trees nimbly, then pauses for a moment to consider its path.
The swirling currents move much more quickly, zigging and zagging toward Aerda and Oliver. Both are struck by a blast of cold air (Oliver: Attack 14, Damage 3; Aerda: Attack 12, Damage 4... Keep in mind flat-footedness) as they arrive.
Hiritus releases his bead, engulfing the clearing in a great ball of flame. All three enemies can be seen to take damage from the blast, though none are destroyed.
Nurthk moves in beside Oliver, axeheads alight (assuming +1 flaming for both heads will be fine for now. As for Oliver, Knowledge (Local) should apply.)
Neither Oliver nor Raven can see any sign of other attackers present. Niccolo, occupied with his own defense, calls out: "Oh my! Keep a tree between yourselves and the beast! I've heard legends of his charge..." (Natural 20 on Bardic Knowledge, he'll have more to share at an appropriate time
)Shavah draws her sword and takes a clumsy swing at the entity attacking Aerda, with no apparent effect.
(Oliver and Raven still have actions they can take... A bit out of order, but shouldn't make a big difference.)
Fendric 20
Stag 17
Hiritus 16
Oliver 14
Raven 12
Nurthk 9
Shavah 1
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[/font]Sparky
Registered User
Oliver nods at Niccolo's cry, wracking his brain for legends of the Free Cities or the Glades as the swirling wind howls near, lashing him, with a leeching cold that sinks into his old, tired joints.
He moves to get a tree between him and the stag spirit, hissing with the still-receding pain deep in his bones. A dull whump and a flare of heat banishes the cold in Oliver's bones and summons the face of a girl in a basement not far from here, and a similar girl in a similar room very, very far from here.
He grits his teeth, tasting blood, and swings with an anger the swirling wind hardly warrants.
OOC: Oliver takes a 5' step to (O, 8).
AC: 13
Attack/Damage: 14/1
Attack/Damage: 21/3
Knowledge (Local): 23
He moves to get a tree between him and the stag spirit, hissing with the still-receding pain deep in his bones. A dull whump and a flare of heat banishes the cold in Oliver's bones and summons the face of a girl in a basement not far from here, and a similar girl in a similar room very, very far from here.
He grits his teeth, tasting blood, and swings with an anger the swirling wind hardly warrants.
OOC: Oliver takes a 5' step to (O, 8).
AC: 13
Attack/Damage: 14/1
Attack/Damage: 21/3
Knowledge (Local): 23
Ac 17 Hp 50
"Tatlock, stay with me." Raven shouts as his nimble hands pluck the arrows from his quiver and send a flurry of arrows towards the stag. He takes a few steps sideways to get a better aim at the elemental, and to get closer to a tree. When tatlock gets closer Raven says in a hushed voice:
"Tatlock, get down, and sneak away, quiet as a mouse. Keep some trees between you and the stag, and look for the druid, or whatever it is what summoned them. Then come back here and tell me where he is. Whatever happens, do not attack. We're all counting on you'
"HEY, OVER HERE YOU ANTLERED PIECE OF MUD. COME ON. I'M GONNA BUY ME A BIG HOUSE WITH A BIG FIREPLACE JUST TO PUT YOUR HEAD ON THE MANTLEPIECE."
(OOC : 5' step to O3. Rapid shot +11/+11/+6 (bless), ; nat 20 conf AC 28 dmg 7+2+5+(3*3)=23, AC22 dmg 2+3=5, AC 11)
"Tatlock, stay with me." Raven shouts as his nimble hands pluck the arrows from his quiver and send a flurry of arrows towards the stag. He takes a few steps sideways to get a better aim at the elemental, and to get closer to a tree. When tatlock gets closer Raven says in a hushed voice:
"Tatlock, get down, and sneak away, quiet as a mouse. Keep some trees between you and the stag, and look for the druid, or whatever it is what summoned them. Then come back here and tell me where he is. Whatever happens, do not attack. We're all counting on you'
"HEY, OVER HERE YOU ANTLERED PIECE OF MUD. COME ON. I'M GONNA BUY ME A BIG HOUSE WITH A BIG FIREPLACE JUST TO PUT YOUR HEAD ON THE MANTLEPIECE."
(OOC : 5' step to O3. Rapid shot +11/+11/+6 (bless), ; nat 20 conf AC 28 dmg 7+2+5+(3*3)=23, AC22 dmg 2+3=5, AC 11)
Guilt Puppy
First Post
Oliver's first swing of the sword misses its target, but the second sweeps through the being directly. He can feel for a moment a soft resistance, which releases quickly as his adversary dissipates, and the hailstones return to their normal course through the space which it once occupied.
As he turns to look again at the raging growth of earth, he recalls a legend of the region... Ran, the Father Stag, Guardian of the Glades, and of... something else. Some detail just out of mind's reach, part of some other lore too remote to commit to memory. Owl and horse and fish and stag...
Raven, meanwhile, steps and aims between the trees, finding a clear window to target the stag. His first arrow lands directly in the creature's throat, though it seems to inflict no particularly vital damage; the second gouges briefly down its chest; the third sails harmlessly through its twisting antlers. (Classic quote there, btw )
(Autopilot) Aerda steps back, and with one brief arcane utterance calls forth a magnificent spiral of lightning, searing through both remaining enemies. The amorphous presence of his attacker shines brightly for a moment, then disappears entirely into the lifting white trail of steam that remains. The stag seems little bothered by the blackened, smoking dent left in the soil of its shoulder.
Tatlock rolls his sling up in his fist, and ducks behind Raven while looking for safe, subtle routes to explore about the camp.
(Round 2, Fendric's initiative)
Tatlock 24
Fendric 20
Stag 17
Hiritus 16
Oliver 14
Raven 12
Niccolo 10
Nurthk 9
Aerda 8
Shavah 1
As he turns to look again at the raging growth of earth, he recalls a legend of the region... Ran, the Father Stag, Guardian of the Glades, and of... something else. Some detail just out of mind's reach, part of some other lore too remote to commit to memory. Owl and horse and fish and stag...
Raven, meanwhile, steps and aims between the trees, finding a clear window to target the stag. His first arrow lands directly in the creature's throat, though it seems to inflict no particularly vital damage; the second gouges briefly down its chest; the third sails harmlessly through its twisting antlers. (Classic quote there, btw
)(Autopilot) Aerda steps back, and with one brief arcane utterance calls forth a magnificent spiral of lightning, searing through both remaining enemies. The amorphous presence of his attacker shines brightly for a moment, then disappears entirely into the lifting white trail of steam that remains. The stag seems little bothered by the blackened, smoking dent left in the soil of its shoulder.
Tatlock rolls his sling up in his fist, and ducks behind Raven while looking for safe, subtle routes to explore about the camp.
(Round 2, Fendric's initiative)
Fendric 20
Stag 17
Hiritus 16
Oliver 14
Raven 12
Niccolo 10
Nurthk 9
Aerda 8
Shavah 1
Code:
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ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
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2 * * T *
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6 * * #
7 F *
8 * O
9 N
10 * * *
11 * * HJ
12 * A
13 * *
14 * * S
15 \-/ *
16 * * /V\ *
17 \-/ *
18 *
19 *
20 * *
21 *
22
23 * * *
24 * *
25 *
26 * *
F = Fendric R = Raven
O = Oliver A = Aerda
N = Nurthk n = Niccolo
H = Hiritus S = Shavah
T = Tatlock J = Justice
# = campfire * = Tree
\-/
/V\ = Stag @ = Air elem.
\-/
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