Forest of Doom - IC Thread

[S'mon]

You head north, there are no longer any visible tracks on the ground.

Day 2, 1.30pm

You have travelled a couple miles north along a narrow and twisting forest trail, when you see a small sinewy creature with brown scaly skin sitting on a fallen tree about 50' ahead - possibly a Goblin or similar Chaos creature. It has a sullen expression on its face as it slowly tosses a shiny black rod between its hands.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Jonath Cailan:

Jonath pauses as soon as the goblinish creature comes into view, and rapidly backs several feet back down the trail, hoping to put a turn between him and the creature. Glancing around, he finds the likeliest spot to conceal himself and, possibly, the rest of the group from the creature's vision, hoping it hasn't seen them yet.

He whispers to his companions, "We may have found the first piece of the hammer. Anyone know what that creature is?"

 

[Cor Azer]

Paaq tries staying quiet and out of sight as well. "I'm not sure if that's a goblin or not myself - never met one before and my mentor only had crude drawings of them. The rod could definitely be the polished ebony of the hammer though."

He frowns in thought, wondering why the creature migt be so sullen. "Is it waiting for us? Or, well, someone else?" he thinks aloud, whispering to no one in particular. "Do you think it's bait for an ambush? Or just happenstance to be on the road?"

From a, with luck, hidden vantage, Paaq tries to get a better read on its behavior.

 

[AlphaSheWolf]

Keena attempts to use the vegetation to conceal her presence from the goblin as she sneaks up on him. She also listens for the sounds of anyone or anything else.

 

[AlphaSheWolf]

OOC: sorry about the above..didn't realize i hit the 5 when i attempted my move silently roll making it a 15.

 

[S'mon]

GM: The creature won't spot or hear those PCs who retreat or hang back, but it does get a chance to spot & hear Keena as she sneaks up on it. Will roll Spot + Listen for it.

 

[S'mon]

GM: As Keena sneaks closer (about 30' away from it), the Creature suddenly looks up - and fixes her with a look that freezes her blood! In a sickening moment it metamorphoses before your eyes. It becomes much taller (almost 7ft. tall) and its scales turn green in colour. A large spiny tail extends from its lower back, its arms thicken and its hands grow sharp claws. The creature's face is also distorting to become reptilian with red eyes and a wide mouth full of razor sharp teeth!

 

[S'mon]

Initiative Rolls - Keena is 30' away from it, the other PCs are 50'-60' away from it through heavy undergrowth, so movement rate is halved - speed 30' > 15' move.

 

[S'mon]

GM: Jonath, Kip and Lirael beat the creature on Init.

Lirael:
As it transforms and rises from the log with clear murderous intent, Lirael swiftly raises her hand and a bolt of white light flies through the trees to strike the Shapechanger's chest.

 

[S'mon]

GM: The creature does not seem badly affected as it closes on Keena. Jonath & Kip can act (post) before it attacks Keena.

Remember to resolve your actions yourself if possible, the Shapechanger has the following stats:

AC 15 (melee), 19 (ranged - due to cover from the trees, unless you're under 30' away)
Hit Points: 18/22
Save Fort +4 Ref +5 Will +4

Edit: If you Ready actions & wait until the creature is within 30' - ie closer to Keena - before shooting at it, it will still be AC 19 due to the difficulty of shooting at it without hitting Keena, however it will have taken a -2 penalty to AC for charging, making that a net AC 17.