[LPF] Rodents of Unusual Size, pt 3

[BigB]

Crue lookis at the sun as the fog gives way to the warmth of the suns rays. When Hawks brings up the question of their direction of travel he tries to interpret their position relative to the map. "A more direct route is preferred if possible. We have been delayed a bit already. If south is more direct then that is the way we should go."

[sblock=mini stats]
Cruendithas
Initiative +1
AC: 17 (with shield/ Flat:16, Touch: 12)
HP: 18 current: 18
CMB: +0 / CMD: 11 Fort: +1 / Ref: +4 / Will: +4
Resistence: 0
Current Weapon in Hand: Buckler in off hand

Spell Like Abilities: Dancing Lights, Ghost Sound, Prestidigitation, Speak with Animals

0 Lvl Spells:
Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Mage Hand, Message

1st Lvl Spells: 3/3 per day
Cure Light Wounds, Grease, Expeditious Retreat

Archaeologist's Luck (+1) rounds/day: 6/6
[/sblock]

 

[Satin Knights]

[section]

"Let me see the map please." Mystie looks it over, spinning it around a couple times to get her bearings. "Mother Rabbit, show us the quickest way to the hole." After staring at the map some more, "That's there. That was back there. We want there. Okay, this way."

She scratches Bubba's ears and points the way for him to go, leading off the dirt road and into the forest.
[sblock=Actions]Bubba:
Mystie: Cast Guidance and look at map, Kn Geography + Guidance (1d20+2+1=20). She may not be correct, but she is confident she is.
Marching order: Up front, so she isn't staring eye level at a horse's butt.
[/sblock][sblock=Mystie Thissiledew's Mini-stats]Mystie Thissiledew
HP 34/34, AC 14, 10 Touch, 14 FF; Init -1, Darkvision 60', Move 15'
Fort: +4, Reflex +1, Will +5, CMB -3, CMD 6
Perception +4, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +5, Linguistics +2, Stealth +4, Handle Animal +9

Dagger -1, d4-3
Lt Crossbow +1, d6, range 80' increment, 9 bolts
Thrown Dagger +1, d4-3, range 10' increment

.,,,.....,,,,,,..Orisons: Detect Magic, Read Magic, Create Water, Guidance, Stabilize,
.,,,.....,,,,,,..Orisons: Mage Hand, Ghost Sound
.,,,.....,,,,,,.Cantrips: Message, Jolt, Breeze, Umbrella
.,,,,,,,,,Racial Spells: (1/day) Dancing Lights , Flare, Prestidigitation,Produce Flame
.,,.,,...Oracle 1st Lvl: 5/5 remaining; Cure Light Wounds, Bless, Protection from Evil, Ill Omen (pugwampi)
.,,.,,.,,..Bard 1st Lvl: 1/2 remaining; Share Language, Grease (DC 15)
.Bardic Performance: 8/8 remaining;
......,,.......Consumables: 1 Cure Light Wounds potion, Mystie's Wand of Cure Light Wounds (25/25 ch)
......,,.......Consumables: 3 Alchemists' Fires, 2 Antitoxin, 4 Antiplague, 10 Vermin Repellants
....,,.........Consumables: 2 Scrolls of Lesser Restoration, 12/12 days trail rations, 12/12 days of dog food
....................... Scrolls: Endure Elements, Comp Languages, Diagnose Disease
....................Channels: 5 of 5 left, 1d6, DC 15, Selective excluding 4 opponents
.........Immediate Action: Misfortune, force immediate reroll, once per creature per day
..................................If bad guy rolls 15-20, reroll
..................................If friend rolls 12 or less on a dangerous save, reroll
..................................If friend rolls 10 or less on an attack for the base die roll, reroll
..................................This consumes the swift action
.................................
Bubba: Mastiff riding dog, Low light vision + scent; Perception +5,
Understands Common (from Share Language)
AC 13, Touch 12, FF 11
HP 16/16.... Fort +5, Reflex +5, Will +1; Move: 40'
..................CMB +3, CMD 15 (19 vs. Trip)
Melee: Bite +3, 1d6+3 plus trip
Tricks: Attack, Attack Unnatural Creatures, Defend, Heel, Flank and Hunt

Effects:
In hand:
[/sblock]
​

[/section]

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

[section]

Jonas reins Myrtle over to follow the halfling lass and her mutt, chuckling good naturedly as he says, "If Mystie says that's the way, then the way it is. Whether it is or it isn't."​

[/section]

[sblock=Actions/Rolls]--[/sblock]
_______________
[sblock=Mini Stats]
Jonas Psalter

Initiative: +02
AC: 17 (12 Touch, 15 Flat-Footed)
HP: 31/31
Senses: DarkVision (60’) Perception: +10
CMB: +05 CMD: 17 (+7/19 vs. Trip)
Fort: +06 Reflex: +02 Will: +04
[/sblock]

 

[Guest 11456]

Hawk, Little Halfling with a Big Sword

Upon hearing Mystie's reaction and then Jonas' revelation, Hawk merely shrugs and follows after the gnome.

[sblock=Hawk Mini Stats]Hawk
AC: 20 (16 flat-footed, 15 touch)
HP: 26/26
CMB: +3 CMD: 17

Fort: +6 Reflex: +5 Will: +1
Perception: +7 Sense Motive: +0
Initiative: +4

Current Weapon in Hand: Greatsword(2-handed)
Current Conditions in Effect: None
Rage Rounds remaining Today: 8/8[/sblock]

 

[Aura]

Bubba steps off the road, carrying Mystie with him. Hawk and Jonas, a near complete contrast in size, go next, although the work the horses put into it serves as a near-immediate reminder of the fact the course correction will make travel more difficult, although every indication is it seems entirely necessary.

Ahead lies some rough, albeit not unpassable, terrain. Even from the road, it is obvious that it's a bit rougher than the off-road terrain outside Venza--not uncommon for the areas close to a river system. Hills and stands of trees make hard to see particularly far, so relying on the sun for directional navigation will be paramount.

[sblock=Everyone following?]Let me know if there are any objections. Assuming none, we'll be moving on with the off-road travel soon.[/sblock]

 

[BigB]

Crue falls in line behind Hawk and Jonas as they move off the trail following Mystie. "This way it is." He gives Penelope a pat on the neck as they move on.

[sblock=mini stats]
Cruendithas
Initiative +1
AC: 17 (with shield/ Flat:16, Touch: 12)
HP: 18 current: 18
CMB: +0 / CMD: 11 Fort: +1 / Ref: +4 / Will: +4
Resistence: 0
Current Weapon in Hand: Buckler in off hand

Spell Like Abilities: Dancing Lights, Ghost Sound, Prestidigitation, Speak with Animals

0 Lvl Spells:
Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Mage Hand, Message

1st Lvl Spells: 3/3 per day
Cure Light Wounds, Grease, Expeditious Retreat

Archaeologist's Luck (+1) rounds/day: 6/6
[/sblock]

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Dunkel grumbles a bit under his breath and turns a shade of red in embarrassment, but then finally says, "Well, nothing for it. Let's accept what's what and take the direct course correction."

OOC: Dunkel follows, still guarding the rear.

 

[Aura]

With a certain level of agreement, the rest of the heroes follow Mystie, Jonas and Hawk off the path and (hopefully) towards their intended destination. As you start to travel southward, there is still some fog left, but the level of visual impairment quickly drops to a very mild issue, only apparent when viewing distant objects. Everything within a good hundred yards is perfectly visible.

Any whiff of the swampy odor is also long since gone. However, a tree-line intersects your path, and it seems like it could be rather dense, at least for a while. Looking to the left and right, you're not sure how far you have to travel to get around it (what little lingering fog is left makes gauging the edge of the tree-line rather difficult.) It's worth noting there is no 'forest' marked on the map at this location.

[sblock=Rolls]At the same time that you decide on how to approach the tree-line, everyone may make a series of 3 or 4 rolls: Survival, Perception, Initiative and (if you have it) Kn:Nature. Then I won't have to ask if/when the results are needed. I will happily fill in the rolls for anyone that prefers a DM roll in these areas.[/sblock]

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Dunkel approaches the edge of the tree line and attempts to peer in.

OOC: 1d20+3=12, 1d20+3=9, 1d20+3=7
Survival: 12, Perception: 9, Init: 7

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

[section]

Jonas dismounts and leads Myrtle over toward the treeline, squinting a bit as he tries to make out anything within the shadows of the densely packed branches and leaves.​

[/section]

[sblock=Actions/Rolls]Survival: 1d20+6=16, Perception: 1d20+10=18, Initiative: 1d20+2=12, Knowledge (Nature): 1d20+5=18

Well, that's about as average a set of rolls as you're gonna get Know (Nature) is a 20 if it's in regards to strengths/weaknesses of enemies.[/sblock]
_______________
[sblock=Mini Stats]
Jonas Psalter

Initiative: +02
AC: 17 (12 Touch, 15 Flat-Footed)
HP: 31/31
Senses: DarkVision (60’) Perception: +10
CMB: +05 CMD: 17 (+7/19 vs. Trip)
Fort: +06 Reflex: +02 Will: +04
[/sblock]

 

[Guest 11456]

Hawk, Little Halfling with a Big Sword

[sblock=Rolls]Survival roll: 1D20+5 = [12]+5 = 17
Perception roll: 1D20+7 = [12]+7 = 19
Initiative roll: 1D20+4 = [2]+4 = 6[/sblock][sblock=Hawk Mini Stats]Hawk
AC: 20 (16 flat-footed, 15 touch)
HP: 26/26
CMB: +3 CMD: 17

Fort: +6 Reflex: +5 Will: +1
Perception: +7 Sense Motive: +0
Initiative: +4

Current Weapon in Hand: Greatsword(2-handed)
Current Conditions in Effect: None
Rage Rounds remaining Today: 8/8[/sblock]

 

[Satin Knights]

[section]

"Well, who ever drew the map forgot to put those on it." as she points at the trees.
[sblock=Actions]Bubba: Perception (1d20+5=24)
Initiative (1d20+2=12) if it applies
Survival (1d20+1=4) just in case
Mystie: Perception (1d20+4=19)
Kn Nature (1d20+6=19)
Survival (1d20+0=2)
Initiative (1d20-1=11)
Marching order: Up front
[/sblock][sblock=Mystie Thissiledew's Mini-stats]Mystie Thissiledew
HP 34/34, AC 14, 10 Touch, 14 FF; Init -1, Darkvision 60', Move 15'
Fort: +4, Reflex +1, Will +5, CMB -3, CMD 6
Perception +4, Sense Motive +4, Spellcraft +5, Linguistics +2, Stealth +4, Handle Animal +9

Dagger -1, d4-3
Lt Crossbow +1, d6, range 80' increment, 9 bolts
Thrown Dagger +1, d4-3, range 10' increment

.,,,.....,,,,,,..Orisons: Detect Magic, Read Magic, Create Water, Guidance, Stabilize,
.,,,.....,,,,,,..Orisons: Mage Hand, Ghost Sound
.,,,.....,,,,,,.Cantrips: Message, Jolt, Breeze, Umbrella
.,,,,,,,,,Racial Spells: (1/day) Dancing Lights , Flare, Prestidigitation,Produce Flame
.,,.,,...Oracle 1st Lvl: 5/5 remaining; Cure Light Wounds, Bless, Protection from Evil, Ill Omen (pugwampi)
.,,.,,.,,..Bard 1st Lvl: 1/2 remaining; Share Language, Grease (DC 15)
.Bardic Performance: 8/8 remaining;
......,,.......Consumables: 1 Cure Light Wounds potion, Mystie's Wand of Cure Light Wounds (25/25 ch)
......,,.......Consumables: 3 Alchemists' Fires, 2 Antitoxin, 4 Antiplague, 10 Vermin Repellants
....,,.........Consumables: 2 Scrolls of Lesser Restoration, 12/12 days trail rations, 12/12 days of dog food
....................... Scrolls: Endure Elements, Comp Languages, Diagnose Disease
....................Channels: 5 of 5 left, 1d6, DC 15, Selective excluding 4 opponents
.........Immediate Action: Misfortune, force immediate reroll, once per creature per day
..................................If bad guy rolls 15-20, reroll
..................................If friend rolls 12 or less on a dangerous save, reroll
..................................If friend rolls 10 or less on an attack for the base die roll, reroll
..................................This consumes the swift action
.................................
Bubba: Mastiff riding dog, Low light vision + scent; Perception +5,
Understands Common (from Share Language)
AC 13, Touch 12, FF 11
HP 16/16.... Fort +5, Reflex +5, Will +1; Move: 40'
..................CMB +3, CMD 15 (19 vs. Trip)
Melee: Bite +3, 1d6+3 plus trip
Tricks: Attack, Attack Unnatural Creatures, Defend, Heel, Flank and Hunt

Effects:
In hand:
[/sblock]
​

[/section]

 

[Commander_Fallout]

"Is that so? Well, isn't that curious," Wahyu looked from Mystie to the forest before them, "I haven't often been outside the confines of a city, but even in my limited experience with nature, I know that trees don't have a tendency to move."
"Quite unlike us," he continued as he sidled Ridley towards the tree line. He closed his eyes, muttering some incantation under his breath. His pony stopped some yards from where the first tree began, and he opened his eyes, which had turned bone white.
[sblock=OOC]He casts Detect Magic on the trees and holds it for however long he can. The whole 3 rounds preferably.
Skills:
Perception (1d20+4=21)
Survival (1d20=15)
Initiative (1d20+6=21)[/sblock][sblock= Wahyu's Mini Stats]

Wahyu
AC: 16 (14 flat-footed, 13 touch)
HP: 16/16
CMB: 0 CMD: 12
Fort: +1 Reflex: +2 Will: +4
Perception: +4, Darkvision 60 ft
Initiative: +6
Current Weapon in Hand: Light Crossbow (+4, 1d6+0, 19-20 x2)
Current Conditions in Effect: Detect Magic
Spells Remaining (1st): 5/5

Used Items:
-
Abilities Used:
-[/sblock]

 

[Aura]

While Mystie and Wahyu consider the map, Dunkel and Jonas approach the natural barrier. For the latter two, three things quickly become apparent. First, there is just a little light shining through the densely packed trees, suggesting they are not very deep and getting through should not take a significant amount of time. Secondly, they are so thickly packed that certainly nobody can ride through on horse back, perhaps people can ride through on pony back, and Mystie should be able to ride through on Bubba back.

Finally, a single plant dominates the ground cover under the trees:


[sblock=Wahyu]Wahyu is easily able to keep Detect Magic running for 3 rounds. In those three rounds, he starts detecting magic, but realizes it's Jonas he's detecting, who has moved into the field of view to examine the situation. Eventually he can make the trees out for what they are, and doesn't suspect any magic about them.[/sblock]
[sblock=Jonas]The majority plant you are seeing is Stinging Nettles. Wearing sufficient protective clothing is enough to alleviate the threat they present. Certainly, as long as you don't go rubbing your elbows along the ground, you'd be fine. However, many of your friends are not as protectively clothed or nearly as tall, and certainly horse legs and dog paws are vulnerable. If there is a safe route through here that doesn't require protecting all exposed surfaces, it will take a more time than your initial assessment to determine.[/sblock]

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

[section]

"Well, well. This could delay us a little." Jonas turns back to the others. "The undergrowth here - see these plants? - is Stinging Nettles. Nothing more than a slight inconvenience for us larger folk who's clothing will protect us. But for you smaller ones to brush them can be quite painful, and the animals' fur will afford them no real protection."​

[/section]

[sblock=Actions/Rolls]--[/sblock]
_______________
[sblock=Mini Stats]
Jonas Psalter

Initiative: +02
AC: 17 (12 Touch, 15 Flat-Footed)
HP: 31/31
Senses: DarkVision (60’) Perception: +10
CMB: +05 CMD: 17 (+7/19 vs. Trip)
Fort: +06 Reflex: +02 Will: +04
[/sblock]

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Dunkel asks, "What if we were to wrap our faces and hands with some extra cloth? I imagine that might provide some protection? Also, we won't be able to bring the animals through here because of the nettles and undergrowth. If we are not near our goal, hitching them up to nearby trees might be ruinous for them and letting them go loose will cost us greatly."

 

[BigB]

"Well, unless somebody can remove the undergrowth it looks as though we go around. Or at least look for a clear way through." Crue studies the options for a moment and follows the group whichever way they decide. He is determined to see this through although prefers to not just wander through so uncomfortable an area if he can help it.

[sblock=mini stats]
Cruendithas
Initiative +1
AC: 17 (with shield/ Flat:16, Touch: 12)
HP: 18 current: 18
CMB: +0 / CMD: 11 Fort: +1 / Ref: +4 / Will: +4
Resistence: 0
Current Weapon in Hand: Buckler in off hand

Spell Like Abilities: Dancing Lights, Ghost Sound, Prestidigitation, Speak with Animals

0 Lvl Spells:
Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Mage Hand, Message

1st Lvl Spells: 3/3 per day
Cure Light Wounds, Grease, Expeditious Retreat

Archaeologist's Luck (+1) rounds/day: 6/6
[/sblock]

 

[Commander_Fallout]

Wahyu stroked his chin with his long fingers, "I could ask for counsel at this juncture, but such could take some time. A mere few minutes, yet still time that I would have to meditate undisturbed. We could have an answer then, I suppose. I know that patience, especially for a gamble, is not inherently valuable to those people without much time to spare. Which is why I have another idea as well."

He grinned and reached into his bag, an ornate pouch which hung across his chest and sat on his hip. He spent several seconds rummaging around, creating quite a clamor for such a simple task. Finally he managed to yank something out, his fist leaving an ever-so-slight trail of smoke behind as it emerged from the vessel. He outstretched his arm, opened his hand; sitting on his palm was, almost anticlimactically, merely a simple bit of flint, and a sharp knife.

[sblock=OOC]His ideas are essentially for him to use his Wisdom of the Ancestors mystery, in which he spends 10 minutes essentially casting an 80% effective augury (It gets better with level, I swear ), or to just simply blaze a trail. Literally. [/sblock]

 

[Aura]

Looking out over the nettles, a casual observation is that the tallest of them are 4-ish feet tall. They dominate the undergrowth under the trees, but there are stands of other (apparently harmless) plants as well, and some simply bare spots here and there.

[sblock=Level Ups]Today, Cruendithas, Hawk and Wahyu officially have enough xp to advance to level 3. All three may work on their level ups, although hold off changing your mini block until you've dealt with my magical stinging plants of death(™). You're level 2 until the encounter is resolved.

This said, player specific actions will resolve as they are declared, but group actions only with consensus.[/sblock]

 

[Aura]

[sblock=Options]We've lost a little forward momentum, so allow me to summarize the options people have suggested we can get back on track:
(1) Try to find a safe path through the nettles. Even by casual observation there are some bare areas, plus not all the plants are necessarily nettles.
(2) Try to cover up enough that contact with the nettles is not painful. This will require head to toe coverage of small characters--they nettles are as tall as they are.
(3) Go around the nettles. However, due to what is left of the morning fog obscuring long distance vision (short distance vision is fine), you don't know how far that will be.
(4) Clear a path through the nettles.
(x) Have Wahyu consult a higher power for advice. (Warning: This is limited in effect and you have to use it carefully to get useful information.)

Keep in mind any plan of going through the nettles, one way or another, is dismounted for the medium characters. Tree limbs are too low. It's kinda a pain for characters on ponies to stay mounted, and easy for characters mounted on dogs.[/sblock]