Tests and Trials (Manzanita Judging)

[Rae ArdGaoth]

Luthiel's Party: As they walk around the clearing, the adventurers hear chirps and squeaks emitting from the holes. The party talks amongst itself a bit, but as soon as Luthiel finishes speaking, another head pops up from the same hole, staring in the group's direction. It's hard to tell if it's the same one. A split second later, a half dozen other heads pop up, staring in the group's direction. Squeaks and shrieks issue from their tiny mouths. The first little animal comes all the way out of it's hole and dashes up to the edge of the clearing, squealing loudly. The others disappear into their holes and reappear in others, making it impossible to get an exact count.

Devlin's Party: The creatures are about 40' into the clearing on your side and 10' from the other side. Devlin successfully reaches his friends without making much noise, but now the 5 goblinoids are all outside of their tents, sniffing the area and cocking their heads while they creep slowly to the opposite edge of the forest, sure that the attacker hasn't gone far.

 

[scout989]

Luthiel Faradar Elven Rogue1

"You know, it almost looks as though that one is calling to something else," says Luthiel, nodding at the creature that ran to the edge of the forest. "I wonder if we shouldn't retreat back towards the path. That way we won't have an enemy in front and those little creatures behind. Garrit, I believe this one is your call."

 

[Animus]

Garrit, sword at the ready, says, "We came here to hunt the critters right? That is what we were asked to do? I think we should stand our ground. However, if the two of you aren't feeling up to this we can withdraw."

 

[Rae ArdGaoth]

Luthiel's Party: As the paladin and the rogue debate, their decision is suddenly made for them. The throng of animals, there are 6 of them in all, races across the ground to the group of three. Always on the alert, the adventurers notice the charge immediately.

[b]Initiative Count:[/b]
Jasper        21
Garrit        20
Luthiel       19
Animals (6)   17 and lower

OOC to Jasper:[sblock]'Bookworm' realizes, now that they're a bit closer, that these creatures are actually weasels, but he knows from his wide range of knowledge that such creatures are unlikely to attack unless their prey is very small or they are directly threatened. He easily concludes that these are not normal weasels.[/sblock]

 

[Dungannon]

Devlin quietly approaches his companions. "I think it best if we leave now, unless you fancy a face to face meeting with those things."

With that, Devlin begins to stealthily head back to their base camp.

 

[Enkhidu]

Malen, Dwarf Wiz1

Malen follows as quietly as he can, and with an eye over his shoulder for pursuit if it comes. He cradles his loaded crossbow like a baby in his arm, with one hand straying to his various pouches looking for a handful of sand in case he decides their pursuers need to take a nap.

 

[Tassadar]

Cursing how he could possibly not have taken out his crossbow already, with the onset of danger ahead, Jasper begins casting Ray of Frost at the closest target. After the spell is cast, Jasper yelps, "Angry weasels..." and moves behind the paladin while unhooking the crossbow from his side. Jasper prepares to load it at the next possible opportunity.

[sblock]Unless I'm mistaken, you'll be rolling the ranged touch attack for me, at a +5, as well as the damage for the spell, which is 1d3 points of cold damage.[/sblock]

 

[Animus]

Garrit will protect Jasper by standing next to him and attacking any creature that he can 5 foot step to threaten.

 

[scout989]

Luthiel Faradar Elven Rogue1

Luthiel steps to make his position match the diagram below.

creatures coming from here
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXX431XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXL2XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXJGXXXXXXXXXXXX

He readies an action to attack any creature that enters space 2,3, or 4. If a creature enters space 1, he will not use his readied action, but will instead wait and see if it moves on to space 2, thus getting an attack of opportunity against it. He'll also give a short explanation of what he's doing to Garrit, expecting him to do the same to protect Jasper.

 

[Rae ArdGaoth]

As the group sets up their defensive positions, the crazed weasels charge. Jasper lets out a tiny blast of cold from his finger aimed at the leading rodent. For a moment it stops as though frozen, but it shakes its head and continues racing with the pack. The frozen weasel seems to be moving a a lot slower than the rest.

The other 5 weasels, however, have no such problem reaching Luthiel at the front of the formation. One leaps through the air toward him, and the elf throws out his rapier, hoping to impale the little thing. It contorts its body impossibly and flies right by the rapier, but also misses its target. It lands right in front of Luthiel, teeth bared and mouth foaming, ready for another attack.

Three of the other creatures use the opportunity to latch onto Luthiel's legs. One of the weasels, blind with rage, actually rips into one of its own, tearing it off of the elf's leg. Using their struggle to his advantage, Luthiel stabs into the ball of sleek weasel flesh but misses. Garrit, also seeing a chance, strikes at the pair but misses due to their wild thrashing.

OOC: 3 damage to Luthiel, 2 attached weasels (deal damage each round unless grappled off).

Jasper's turn.