PrP: A Boy's First Hunt
Log Info
- Title: A Boy's First Hunt
- Emitter: Mab
- Characters: Munch Level 3, Azog Level 5, Yaakrr Level 2,
- NPCs: Ardith Lucrecio
- Place: Deep Forests
- Time: March 23, 2012
- Summary: A young noble boy is escorted into the forest in order to hunt the ferocious creatures therein! The intrepid adventurers in this instance being the harsh Oruch warrior Azog, the cleric of the hunt Yaakrr, and... the hungriest War Golem to ever enter these lands, Munch. Important lessons are learned, but whether the lad has learned anything will be something that only time can tell.
- APL: 3
- Encounter 1: 1 Owlbear, CR 4
- Encounter 2: 1 Dire Boar, CR 4
<OOC> Mab says, "I'm also going to open 'in media res' if you guys don't mind. If you'd like to buy things, let me know now!" <OOC> Azog says, "That's cool and I'm good on stuff." <OOC> Azog approves of James Bond opening. <OOC> Yaakrr needs to upgrade armor one of these days, but I'm still figuring it out so, I'm good. GAME: Yaakrr refreshes spells. <OOC> Munch also needs armor, but not for a few rounds of profit yet. ;)
The road is hard and the road is long and as adventurers, it can sometimes feel like the road itself is home. The roads to Alexandria are large things, vital for the trade and lifeblood of the city. Go a few days out, though, and it can soon turn nasty. But there are some who take the strange and often dangerous wildlife that lurks so close to civilization as a personal challenge.
For that reason, three brave souls have been contracted to help the young nobleman Ardith Lucrecio on his first hunting trip. The noble young lad is perhaps sixteen years old, and is leading the way despite any and all objections to the contrary as well-traveled road descends into wild and tangled forest.
"Do try and keep up, chaps!" He declares cheerfully, gesturing wildly with his very shiny sword as he does so. "I think I see some tracks up ahead! Gosh, this is fun, isn't it?"
Munch isn't really much of a woodsman, but does well enough along the road less traveled, his tireless stride keeping up well. Absently checking the large axe held between his stubby wings, the golem peers towards the indicated tracks, and shrugs. "What 'xactly is it you're looking for, anyway?"
<OOC> Azog says, "Are we afoot or mounted?" <OOC> Munch personally sees horse as a food group, but not sure if the others are mounted. <OOC> Mab says, "I'll leave that up to you - the noble will be on horseback, which I forgot to mention as I am a dope."
Azog finds it good that a young man is seeking out challenges and making an attempt to prove himself, and while he normally prefers to lead the way into danger, he's more than willing to let this fellow show his mettle and will ride along second. He does keep an eye on the tracks, and will note to himself where the actual tracks go, but since we've been hired to follow the young man, and since he's proving his skill at tracking, Azog's not going to mention if we waste some time in the wrong direction. Azog's horse says Neigh, but otherwise makes no comment.
Yaakrr has his bow out and is looking around the woods with a watchful eye and an arrow nocked. The cleric seems oddly comfortable in the woods, if not exceedingly skilled but then he is a cleric to the Great Hunter. "The hunt can be a wonderful event, quite invigorating if dangerous at times. What is the game you hope to catch," he asks of their young leader idly.
"You know, I'm not really sure." Ardith admits, as he inexpertly wheels his horse towards the area he thinks he sees tracks in. "There's all sorts of game in these parts, my father says. Boar, deer, even big dashed bears and things. Though I'm not sure I could much handle a bear on my own. I guess that's what you chaps are for, eh?!" He grins a cheeky grin, winking back at the group. He's certainly got spirit in him, and he doesn't seem to mind that he's 'leading' a group of a war golem, oruch, and eaglefolk at all. City life and all that.
"Hm. That looks like a pretty interesting sign though, what?" He says, pointing off into the forest. Some small distance away, there is a tree. Or the remains of one. It looks like it has been torn apart somehow!
<OOC> Mab says, "You can give me Survival or Knowledge/Nature if you want to inspect the tree!" GAME: Azog rolls survival: (11)+10: 21 <OOC> Mab says, "Oh, derp, I'm wrong. Not nature, Arcana. But survival stands." <OOC> Yaakrr still has neither. GAME: Munch rolls knowledge/arcana: (15)+7: 22 You paged Azog with 'You've seen this sort of thing before; that tree has been torn down by a really powerful animal of some sort, trying to get after its meal. You'd estimate, given the relative height, it is probably about eight feet tall.' GAME: Yaakrr rolls Survival: (13)+3: 16 You paged Munch with 'You've seen something like this before. In fact... looking closer, those claw marks and the ripping/tearing into the bark above it... why, that's /owlbear/ damage that is!' You paged Yaakrr with 'You're pretty sure that tree didn't fall over naturally.'
Yaakrr trots along behind the mounted lordling, doing his best to keep up with the horse. Thankfully the forest slows them down enough he doesn't have too much trouble. Shading his eyes the eagllefolk peers at the distant tree and hrms softly. "Looks like a tree that has seen better days... and I don't think lightning did that..."
Azog may be amused at the young man's lack of purpose, but he doesn't let on. Perhaps he even approves of just going out and looking for trouble? Maybe a little. There's a hint of a smile behind the normally impassive expression. "It's certainly a sign of -something-." He looks towards the tree and considers, riding closer to have a better look. "Probably our quarry," he tells the young man. "A beast of great strength, to prove your worth." Azog approves. He'll look and see which way the perpetrator went.
Munch ahs, and shrugs lightly, not particularly concerned at having no specific game in mind for this hunt. He peers again towards where is indicated, staying a bit back from the horses, his form tending to make them nervous. Buzzing softly, the golem blinks with a soft click, and pauses. "...not lighting. Owlbear, I think. Vicious, but tastey."
<OOC> Mab says, "Okay... don't worry about a survival check, Azog, you can't fail but track the Owlbear. (Not known for their cunning and well-concealed ambushes, these beasts)"
The Owlbear has left a trail of carnage and devastation throughout this part of the forest. Tracking it is easy, and from the look in the young nobleman's eye, exactly what he wants to do! "Tasty, you say?" He says, diplomatically not wondering *aloud* whether war golem and people food is the same. "Well, lets get off after it, then! Something this big has to be worth taking back, eh?"
"Owlbear," Yaakrr says thoughtfully. "Definitely a worthy prey for a hunt. Not something that Needs to be killed like abominations but still a fierce creature." The cleric seems to be just spouting some dogma from his faith as he covers any nervousness. That or he just likes spreading his faith whenever he can. Once they start actually following the path of destruction he will become more silent however, not wanting to become an owlbear snack.
Azog nods at the suggestion of owlbear, he thinks that's a good possibility as well. He'll ready his shield and nod to the young man. Not about tasty, which he's definittely unsure of, given things he's seen Munch eat, but definitely a worthy prize. He'll get on after it, then, riding along the trail, but letting the lad lead, in order to prove himself.
Munch shrugs, and trails after, keeping an eye towards the groups back trail as a bit of mild caution, and a chance to grab a bit of bark from the broken tree to nibble upon. Munch's dietary choices differ graetly from those of a human... and most any other creature. It isn't long until the great creature comes into view. Massive at about eight feat tall, the monstrous beast turns one mad eye towards the approaching party.
Both great feathered arms are raised, and that viciously hooked beak opens in a terrifying HOOT of AGGRESSION!
"KAWHOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAARGH!"
The young noble, to his credit, does not immediately try to flee. Although he does look a little more pale...
===== Current Initiative Order ========= ---------------------------------------- 25 Hooty ---------------------------------------- 15 Ardith ---------------------------------------- 5 Munch ---------------------------------------- 3 Azog ---------------------------------------- 3 Yaakrr ---------------------------------------- ======================================== GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10 GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10 GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+8: (14)+8: 22 GAME: Mab rolls 1d6+4: (4)+4: 8
The owlbear charges through the brush, ripping up small bushes as it goes! Ardith does his best to steel himself... but he's not the only untested member of the party here. His horse, too, doesn't really know what to make of this. It is a hunting animal, not a warhorse! And a slavering owlbear crashes into it with terrifying force.
Ardith swears in a MOST ungentlemanly fashion, and bucks atop his steed as he tries to keep control. Unsurprisingly, he fails, and the horse, panicking, attempts to flee.
Which gives the owlbear all the opening it needs for a second vicious swipe, downing the unfortunate beast and sending Ardith sprawling form the saddle heavily. "Damn and blast!"
<OOC> Mab says, "(And it is your turn)" <OOC> Munch makes no promises of the steeds eventual fate, but for now moves towards the owlbear, preferabally between it an Ardith. <OOC> Mab says, "Okay, you can get in there." <OOC> Munch says, "Okay. For this round, that's all." <OOC> Mab says, "Okay, Azog!" <OOC> Azog says, "Do owlbears have reach?" <OOC> Mab says, "Five feet of it." <OOC> Yaakrr hehs. <OOC> Mab says, "However, it has used its AoO this round mashing up a retreating horse." <OOC> Azog says, "OK, I'll ride on up to 10' away, dismount as a move action to adjacent to the owlbear, and attack." <OOC> Mab says, "That works, go for it." <OOC> Azog says, "Ah, can I ride behind to flank it?"
Munch moves foreward, bodily placing himself in the path of the big beast. "Okay big guy, enough with the prey animals. Get up kid! I'm not gonna distract this thing forever."
<OOC> Azog says, "And Azog's horse is an actual warhorse." <OOC> Mab says, "I'm going to say that'll need a DC 10 ride check to negotiate the close tree-strewn quarters, but certainly." GAME: Azog rolls ride: (17)+-4: 13 <OOC> Mab says, "Nicely done!" <OOC> Azog rolls attack at +2 for flanking if Munch threatens, and +1 for the fighter bonus thing which doesn't factor into the canned attack calculation? <OOC> Mab says, "Yup, swing away!" GAME: Azog rolls 1d20+13: (7)+13: 20 <OOC> Mab says, "A palpable hit!" GAME: Azog rolls 1d10+8: (4)+8: 12 <OOC> Mab says, "Yaakrr! Cast away noble birdman!" GAME: Yaakrr casts Bless.
Azog doesn't so much as flinch at the cry of the owlbear. He's been expecting it, of course, and knew how fresh the tracks were. He nods as the lad stands his ground when the owlbear charges, but when he fails to control his horse, his expression changes to a frown. He'll ride on up, through the trees and debris, and dismount behind the owlbear, his warhorse looking calm enough as Azog clambers down without too much complication. It's the lad's fight, but Azog's not going to turn down a scrap with such a ferocious creature, and maybe if it's facing Azog, the lad'll regain some spirit. He swings his blade, which glows faintly with corpselight, and draws blood, stinging the creature with his blow.
GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+8: (13)+8: 21 GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+8: (15)+8: 23 GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+8: (14)+8: 22
Yaakrr moves a little closer so that he can affect his companions and the noble lad. Raising a hand to his pendant he murmurs a soft prayer and as a glow emanates to fill his allies with courage he calls out to Ardith, "Be steadfast and face your fears. Show this beast your mettle!"
GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+7: (18)+7: 25 GAME: Mab rolls 1d8+1: (7)+1: 8
The owlbear roars its fury and lunges to face Azog. Sweeping around with mighty claws and rending beak, the creature smashes into him with all the force it can muster. It is to no avail. Sturdy warrior as he is, Azog's shield stands firm in the assault and...
Clambering up to his feet, emboldened by the encouragement of his allies, the young would-be hunter strikes out with his sword. Though it may not be as impressive a wound as that scored by the oruch, for a young man with no real skill in proven combat, it strike home deep and true, drawing a second bellow of fury from the bloodied creature!
"That'll teach you, you blackguard! Knock ME from my horse, will you!"
<OOC> Mab says, "Munch!" <OOC> Munch says, "Aid Another to Ardith... which I'm not wholey clear on what or how that works...." <OOC> Mab looks it up. <OOC> Mab says, "You can choose to either give him +2 on his next attack or +2 AC if the owlbear decides to rip his head off." <OOC> Munch nods, reads as well. Bonus to his attack. <OOC> Mab says, "Okay! Azog!" GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+5: (12)+5: 17 <OOC> Munch has to hit an AC 10, to do so, yes? <OOC> Mab nods, "You're good." :) <OOC> Yaakrr says, "Is the horse still alive?" <OOC> Azog says, "I'll smack it. It's the boy's fight, but my understanding is that its not dishonorable for him as long as he's in the fray with everyone?" <OOC> Mab says, "Just about, Yaak." GAME: Azog rolls 1d20+13: (13)+13: 26 <OOC> Mab says, "And yeah, he's proving himself pretty well by not fleeing with tears in his eyes. :P" GAME: Azog rolls 1d10+8: (5)+8: 13
Munch steps back and forth, trying to keep the owlbear's attention and let the kid get a good lick in. "Good shot. Give him another, and watch for those claws. One wrong step, get yourself a nasty scar."
Azog weathers the owlbear's blows, shield deflecting the worst of it, pushing back to keep it from getting its claws latched into him. He does allow a smile as the lad strikes back against the creature, and he'll counterattack, too, thrusting his blade in under the owlbear's guard and scoring another wound before it twists away from him, and forces him to take a step back.
<OOC> Yaakrr shall shoot an arrow into the fray. No Point Blank so I have the -4 <OOC> Mab says, "Okay." GAME: Yaakrr rolls bow+1-4: aliased to Weapon1+1-4: (6)+3+1+-4: 6 <OOC> Yaakrr says, "Whiff." <OOC> Mab nods. "Sorry!" GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+8: (15)+8: 23 GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+8: (20)+8: 28 GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+8: (3)+8: 11 <OOC> Mab says, "Okay, threatens a crit on you Azog, but no confirm." <OOC> Azog says, "Whew." GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+16: (4)+16: 20 GAME: Mab rolls 1d6+4: (1)+4: 5 GAME: Mab damaged Azog for 5 points. 35 remaining.
Yaakrr draws an arrow back and after a second lets it fly into the melee. Sadly the egalrin's eyes are not keen at this time and the arrow flies by without finding its mark.
The Owlbear's rage is just growing as it finds itself surrounded. It lays into Azog all over again, and this time, one of those vicious claws does manage to smash through around the Oruch's guard, trying to drag him in close towards its open maw. Thankfully, the creature can't maintain the grip, so whilst the claws dig in, the situation is not as dire as it might have been.
Ardith gets a second telling shot in on the flank, with Munch's help, stabbing in deep and eliciting another howl of rage. There's no words this time, apparently he's starting to feel some of the seriousness of this situation. He's helping kill another living thing... and it, given a minute mistake, would surely kill him too!
<OOC> Munch says, "aid again, seems to be working thus far. ;)" <OOC> Mab says, "Okay!" GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+5: (5)+5: 10 GAME: Azog rolls 1d20+13: (11)+13: 24 GAME: Azog rolls 1d10+8: (2)+8: 10
Munch glances towards Azog, mildly concerned when blood is drawn, and nearly slips up himself. But the golem steps in for a moment, tapping the owlbear lightly to distract as Ardith sets up for another go.
<OOC> Mab says, "Okay, that downs the owlbear, it is unconscious."
Azog bears up under the owlbear's furious assault, roughed up a little as it catches its claws at the joint between his shoulder and bicep, but even as a splatter of yrch blood runs down the steel plates, Azog growls defiance and pulls free before it can grab onto him, now no longer playing. He draws back with his sword and thrusts forward, driving the point deep into its chest, then stepping back as it falls, bleeding.
Yaakrr lowers his bow and refrains from trying another shot at the beast. He approaches the rest of the party and looks at everyone. After a moment's thought he reaches a hand to his pendant and sends out a wave to heal those present making sure not to have the owlbeast rise again. "How are you faring Ardith? You did great against such a fearsome beast.
GAME: Yaakrr rolls 1d6: (3): 3
The young nobleman looks at his horse, a little shaken as the thing is obviously in serious pain from the wounds it has taken - though as fresh energy surges into it, it looks a little better. It stops bleeding, at least. He presses his lips together as he finally looks at his blood-slick sword, eyeing the owlbear.
"So... do we finish it off?" He asks, directing his question to Yaakrr; the priest of the Great Hunter would surely know what to do next.
GAME: Mab damaged Azog for -3 points. 38 remaining.
Munch clicks softly, but holds his opinion, glancing towards Yaakrr as well.
Azog nods at Yaakrr in thanks for the healing, and nods in agreement about the lad, saying to him, "You did well. And you see the value in training a mount for battle now." Azog's own horse is calmly cropping grass where he left it, not ten feet from the bleeding corpse of the owlbear. He snorts at the question about killing the unconcious and dying owlbear, replying, "To leave it in pain serves no purpose. Give it a last mercy and slay it."
"The creature is down but not yet dead," comments Yaakrr glancing at the downed beast. "I believe it would be best to put it out of its misery. As this is your hunt you should have the honor of the final cut." He nods at the boy and gestures to the head of the owlbear. "It is also a good way to mark your victory."
<OOC> Mab says, "Perception checks please!" GAME: Azog rolls perception: (4)+0: 4 GAME: Yaakrr rolls perception: (20)+5: 25 GAME: Munch rolls perception: (9)+4: 13 <OOC> Yaakrr <-- Eagle eyes You paged Yaakrr with 'You can hear something - probably a good hundred feet off to the left. The sound of a crashing animal, not as big as the owlbear, but probably attracted by the sound of the fight. Which implies it is not a peaceful critter!' The boy raises his sword high. This is, after all, what he came out here to do. Now that he's faced with the reality of it, though, it isn't quite as elegant as he had somehow imagined it would be.
He brings it down once, and doesn't quite get all the way through. Which leads to some more grisly hacking motions to get its head off. When he's done, he stands up with a half-grin. "Messy business. But, thank you. And yes. I'll, certainly make sure I come with a more... suitable steed in future. I couldn't have done this without you, friends."
Yaakrr jerks his gaze to the left and holds up a hand. "Beware. There is something else approaching," he says softly. "It doesn't sound friendly."
Munch nods in agreement to the others, focus upon the young man. "If hunting to keep prey alive, shouldn't be carrying deadly weapons." He blinks at Yaakrr's words, and peers. "A mate, perhaps? Didn't think was late enough in the season for that."
Yaakrr raises his bow and points it in the direction of the noise he heard. The cleric moves back a little so he isn't such a nice easy target.
Azog looks over in the direction Yaakrr notes, and brings his shield up, peering over and stepping in that direction, to stay clear of the blood and mess underfoot.
The thing which crashes through the underbrush is far less insane than the owlbear... but no less scary for that, either.
The sight of it actually makes Ardith yelp with fear, which is embarrassing, and the owlbear's head bounces off the floor.
Azog is the one practically eye-to-tusk with it though. A hugely muscled boar, some nine feet long, with viciously sharp, curving tusks and leathery, thick hide. Apparently having been attracted by the sounds of battle, the 'wild boar' that Ardith's father told him all about...
Well, given its frothing tusks and deadly charge, it doesn't look like much of an exaggeration!
GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+10: (15)+10: 25
And the creature barrels headlong directly into Azog's shield, rebounding off with a bone-shaking *crump*. It does not stay down for long, though. Shaking its head to clear whatever had stunned it.
<OOC> Yaakrr says, "No Ardith this time?" <OOC> Azog says, "Normal attack" <OOC> Mab says, "Nope, he's too stunned." <OOC> Yaakrr says, "Gotcha" GAME: Azog rolls 1d20+2: (16)+2: 18 <OOC> Mab says, "Hit" GAME: Azog rolls 1d10+8: (8)+8: 16
Azog smirks at the irony of our quarry finding us, rather than the reverse, and after we fought the owlbear. As the huge boar charges, he leans into the shield and takes the hit with a small grunt, and brings his bloody sword around to stab the angry beast, drawing blood.
GAME: Yaakrr rolls bow+1-4: aliased to Weapon1+1-4: (20)+3+1+-4: 20 <OOC> Mab says, "Roll again for potential crit!" GAME: Yaakrr rolls bow+1-4: aliased to Weapon1+1-4: (11)+3+1+-4: 11 <OOC> Mab says, "Alas, no crit, but you still hit!" GAME: Yaakrr rolls 1d8: (1): 1 <OOC> Yaakrr says, "pthbt!" <OOC> Munch says, "Is there room to move to flank with Azog? ( moves barbarian +10 if matters)" <OOC> Mab says, "You can just about manage it."
Yaakrr moves over to their young ward/leader in case he has need to protect the boy. He keeps an arrow trained on the new menace and once he stops near Ardith, the cleric lets fly and watches the arrow speed towards the boar where it manages to scratch the beast with fearsome flimsy.
<OOC> Munch then shall Rage, move, and smack. GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+5+2+2: (18)+5+2+2: 27 GAME: Munch rolls 1d12+4+2: (2)+4+2: 8 GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+8: (14)+8: 22
"Bacon! It's bacon! I love these things!!" With a noise like a gleeful buzzsaw (not a noise you're likely to hear elsewhere) Munch rushes around to the side of the large boar, the rubbery organs just below his skin pulseing with excitement. Swinging his large axe, the golem slices a fair furrow of pork.
The boar's frenzied state doesn't seem to be getting any less intense as it froths and rages, trying to bring Azog down underneath its hooves with its vicious tusks. All it manages to get for its trouble is a vicious slice along its side.
Ardith seems pretty overwhelmed. "How many of these blasted things are there in this deathtrap?!" He blurts, perhaps not showing the same deference to the forest as one *should* in such a situation.
GAME: Azog rolls 1d20+14: (8)+14: 22 GAME: Azog rolls 1d10+8: (1)+8: 9
Azog doesn't mind leaping into the fray first, but when the young man fails to join the fight against the very creature he'd intended to fight, Azog growls, "Boy! You've won a fight and taken no hurt. Will you now pick up your sword and fight again, or cower in fear for no good reason, to live your life in shame?" Azog lets out a great Yrch shout and strikes a perhaps dramatic stance, hauling off for a mighty blow against the boar that gores his shield to no effect. He strikes a slash down its side, perhaps meant to enrage it more than hurt it, though it's a fierce enough wound even so. Maybe he wants the lad to get a chance to get his act together and join the fight before the beast is slain.
GAME: Yaakrr rolls bow+1-4: aliased to Weapon1+1-4: (14)+3+1+-4: 14 <OOC> Mab says, "Miss, I'm afraid." <OOC> Mab says, "Munch!" <OOC> Munch says, "Smack it again! ;)" <OOC> Mab says, "Roll on, Macduff." GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+5+2+2: (15)+5+2+2: 24 GAME: Munch rolls 1d12+4+3: (4)+4+3: 11
"That is the danger of the woods," says Yaakrr as he lets another arrow fly. Perhaps he shouldn't have distracted himself with talking since the arrow goes wide. "A fight can draw another one down on you. Be brave though and ride the victory of your last fight into defeating this monstrous boar. Come on lad!"
GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+8: (16)+8: 24 GAME: Mab rolls 2d6+9: (6)+9: 15 GAME: Mab damaged Munch for 15 points. 19 remaining.
Munch bahs good-naturedly. "He got the last one, can leave this to us. Or join, it's all good." Seems the golem is having fun, for now. The boar is actually starting to slow down as the oruch and war golem tear into it with renewed enthusiasm. After Munch's second swing takes a large gouge out of its side, it turns and rounds on the hungriest war golem to ever stalk the land. Its tusks rip into the enthusiastic machine, but it is starting to wobble visibly.
Ardith, meanwhile, does not look like he wants to join the fight very much. He manages to get up to his feet, which is a good start, but he clears his throat. "It looks like they've got the situation well in hand. I wouldn't want to, steal their glory." He lies, unconvincingly.
<OOC> Mab says, "Azog!" <OOC> Azog says, "I can't use intimidate to bully him into fighting as a single-round action, I don't think?" <OOC> Mab says, "Probably not, no. :P" <OOC> Azog says, "Bah. Azog's really upset that the kid is wussing out." [RPTwo] Munch says, "Think in theory could try to brow-beat him into it. 'You will attack or shall cuff your ear!' ...but unlikely effective." <OOC> Yaakrr says, "Could I diplomacy him into it?" [RPTwo] Azog says, "The way the mechanics work, I could do that, but it takes a minute." <OOC> Mab says, "Not as a single round action no, each round is 6 seconds. :P" <OOC> Azog says, "You know what? I'll start that full round action." <OOC> Azog says, "Full minute action" <OOC> Mab says, "Ten rounds? Okay." <OOC> Yaakrr says, "Is the sword Ardith's only weapon? That is, any ranged?" <OOC> Azog says, "Well, if Munch gets hit again, I'll break off." <OOC> Mab says, "He's got a shortbow." <OOC> Yaakrr says, "I'd like to head over and heal Munch. Can I do that with out going thru a threatened square?" <OOC> Mab says, "Yup." <OOC> Yaakrr waits to make sure Azog is done.
Azog actually turns from the fight for a moment, though he keeps his guard up, as the boy wimps out of the fight, and he rounds on the boy with a ferocious bellow of rage. "You! You came here to find honor. To prove your worth? To be a man? And you've had success. So why, now, do you choose the path of weakness? Do you think your task is done? That you've earned your reward?" He looks over, but Munch is berserking on the thing, so it's probably cool to keep going. "A warrior's work is never done while there are foes to fight. You do not pick and choose when you are hunting and your allies are threatened. Be a man now, or your whole life is worthless."
<OOC> Yaakrr shall go heal Munch, spontaneously casting to do so, and try and talk Ardith into attacking on the way. GAME: Yaakrr casts Magic Weapon. GAME: Yaakrr rolls 1d8+2: (1)+2: 3
"At least take up your bow and add a few feathers to the beast for me," Yaakrr says before leaving the stunned kid to go help the war golem. Stepping up behind the berserker he channels healing energy through another spell to add a little back to the warring golem.
GAME: Munch rolls 1d20+5+2+2: (12)+5+2+2: 21 GAME: Munch rolls 1d12+4+3: (2)+4+3: 9
Munch hisses as the boar's tusks rip into him. And sputters a bit as well, but that's more from the punctured organs then any vocalized sound. The golem is distinctly less gleeful about this fight. "...okay, that hurt." Spareing a brief nod to thanks to Yaakrr, the barbarian sets his feet and swings again, axe slicing another gouge in the boar's side.
GAME: You roll initiative for Ardith: Roll: 13 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 14 GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+8: (10)+8: 18 GAME: Mab rolls 2d6+9: (6)+9: 15 GAME: Mab damaged Munch for 15 points. 7 remaining. GAME: Mab rolls 1d20+4: (2)+4: 6
The raging boar tears into Munch in return. It may be about to die, but it has every intention of taking the raging machine down with it.
The harsh words of his companions seem to have spurred Ardith on to some sort of action... but he's all but untrained with his bow, and though he lets loose an arrow, he may as well not have bothered. A little grunt of frustration in his voice. "I'm not *afraid*." He says, irritably. "I just thought you could handle an oversized pig, damn you!"
<OOC> Azog says, "Ohohoh. He's so .... well, fight the pig, first." GAME: Azog rolls 1d20+14: (9)+14: 23 GAME: Azog rolls 1d10+8: (2)+8: 10 <OOC> Mab says, "And dead, instantly. :P"
Azog, hearing the boar going roughly on Munch, stops yelling at the boy and turns on the boar. His own ire growing stronger even as he brings his faintly glowing blade around in a flat arc to strike at the critter, and he shouts, "If you claim not to be afraid, then you're a vile companion to leave your foes to fight without you. Fool! Useless, if you will not stand and fight. You don't need to win every fight, but you need to -fight- ever fight." Philosophy pouring out as he strikes, the mighty orc delivers a deathblow powered as much by sheer orneryness as the strength of his arm.
Munch coughs, and spits in mild annoyance to the side, the gobbual sizzeling where it hits the grass. Eyeing the fallen boar, the golem sighs softly and leans upon his axe, small plumes of noxious fumes leaking from his torso; part from his wounds, part as side effect from his efforts in battle. "Not quite how I'd have liked that to go. But I'm standing and the bacon isn't, good enough." Glancing to Azog a moment, he nods, and turns to Adrith. "Chooseing to sit out a fight is one thing, but when companions are in solid danger, can't just sit passively. I underestimated the bacon myself, so no foul by my view. You stepped up when things turned sour." Yaakrr nods at Azog's words as he puts forth one last bit of healing into Munch as the boar goes down. "I must agree with him. If you don't take part in the hunt, then you are not part of the hunt. I may not have landed many blows, but I take part and do what I can to help and that is what counts the most. At the end of the day you do everything you can to help your companions come out victorious."
GAME: Yaakrr casts Sanctuary.
GAME: Yaakrr rolls 1d8+2: (5)+2: 7
To his credit, Ardith does not actually cry. However, the words hit him almost as hard as the oruch's blade slaughters the pig. Okay, maybe not quite that hard. But he is definitely upset, and it shows. His lips press together tight, and he does his best to cling to some semblance of dignity, making sure that his words are carefully controlled so as not to quiver.
"Well. I think that's enough hunting for one day. Lets, just go back to the city. I'll pay you for your services and you can be back about your business."
It seems the words of the other two don't do much to lift his spirits. Sullen, he doesn't even bother to pick up the 'trophy' of the day. He just starts back towards the road; what's done is done, it all seems a little bitter now.
GAME: Mab damaged Munch for -7 points. 14 remaining.
Yaakrr shall walk with the kid and do what he can to lift his spirits, talking about it was a good first hunt, how one must learn to overcome the shock of battling monstrous beasts, how some adventures can be a bit harsh. Mostly he alternates between praise and criticism and trying to help the lad realize how to learn from this experience.
Azog nods at what Munch and Yaakrr say. "Your horse has more honor than you," he tells the boy, "it was too wounded to take part in the fight. You, no excuse." At least the boy doesn't try to take his trophy; Azog would have stopped him from that in any event. He'll clean off his sword on the boar's fur and sheath it, putting his shield across his back and mounting up. He grumbles quietly as the boy goes all emo, but he says no more, for his part.
Munch takes a few minutes to seal off his various internal organs and put everything back in place again, quietly thanking Yaakrr for the healing magics. That bit aside, the golem takes time to slaughter and pack up some of the slain. To kill something, and NOT eat it, just doesn't sit right with his viewpoint. Some feathers for the kid to remember by, some meat for the orphans, they seem to like this stuff, and a few bones and organs for himself. Locals will eat the rest eventually.