PrP: Salted Pork - part 2
PrP: Salted Pork (part 2)
Runner/DM: Raniq Level Range: 4-7 Location: RPOne Date: June 10, 2016 Participants: Mel (Rog6), Raethon (Wiz6), Aurora (Dru4), Kalkorth (Bbn4), Aya (Mnk6) Monsters: 3 sea hags (a coven)
GAME: Aurora refreshes spells.
SET: The party had met with a pig rancher who seemed like the ordinary farmer-needs-adventurers-to-stop-his-farm's-destruction. When the party obliged, they followed their feet to a nearby saltmarsh, wherefrom a flock of geese loudly departed. Just afterwards, a horde of bones in the marshes animated into eight pig skeletons. The party despatched them handily, but is now standing at the swamp's edge knowing that whatever or whoever animated those bones is still herer, and still a threat.
"Welp....we've got a necromancer around here somewhere it seems." Rae says to Aurora as he looks about.
Mel is hustling up from back in the town. "Hello, the Guild party!" he calls out from a little ways off. Best not to surprise adventurers. He's still hustling along as he comes up even with the party. and huffs to a stop, taking out a cloth to wipe his brow. "Hey, sorry I'm late."
"Necromancer." THe word fairly seethes from the halfling's lips, from where she sits atop the haunches of her Snow Leopard. her grip tightens around the handle of her weapon, and her mismatched eyes narrow. "We shall find this evil," she hisses, "And when we do I shall strip flesh from bone and make mulch from their skeleton. Seems only fitting -- in life they brought death... let them bring life."
Raethon says, "You're just in time. We have a Necromancer to hunt." He then looks to Aurora. "not all Necromancers are bad, but it's the bad one that brings a bad name to it.""
The marshes themselves smell salty, but are still teeming with vegetation. Judging by the look of the landscape, you migt estimate that the marshes extend for several acres, with a small stream a couple miles distant, by which the wetlands drain off.
Mel gets there just in time to hear Aurora's graphic plan, and he winces a little, but says nothing. Tucking his rag away, he looks around for necromancers. "Uh, can one of you track? Maybe the monsters you just killed came from where their lair is?
Raethon says, "I fear I cannot track. All of my skills are in my spells." he then looks to Aurora. "Can you?"
GAME: Raethon refreshes spells. GAME: Raethon casts Mirror Image. Caster Level: 6 DC: 17
GAME: Aurora rolls perception: (5)+13: 18
"Over there." The halfling points with her shillelagh, gesturing towards a spot... over there. It's probably not immediately clear where she's pointing, it's mostly just a vague direction. "About sixty feet off." She drops her voice as she speaks, just to be heard by her immediate neighbors; even the snow leopard she rides perks her ears up a bit, to hear. "The grass is different. We should investigate." The halfling makes good on her suggestion, without delay. "Come, Sydie." she murmurs to her feline companion, who slinks off in the direction the halfling pointed.
Saltwater is harsh enough, but stagnant saltwater? Aya is in no hurry to rush into the muck. "Does anyone-" and the halfling speaks. "Excellent." Grass she can walk through, and she moves for it.
Mel looks up in alarm as Aurora mentions something a mere 60 feet away. That's an easy bowshot or javelin-throw," he mumbles as he slinks off in that direction, attempting to blend in to the swamp's abundant natural foliage and move quietly.
GAME: Mel rolls stealth: (1)+18: 19
Raethon follows Aurora as best he can. he's not meant for stealth...or diplomacy, or much like that....
Mel wades through the swampwater as quietly as he can, but he surprises one of the last geese, who flies up honking. He freezes for a moment to see what happens.
GAME: Raethon rolls perception: (4)+10: 14 GAME: Aurora rolls perception: (6)+13: 19 GAME: Mel rolls perception: (15)+12: 27 GAME: Aya rolls perception: (11)+14: 25
And then, there are voices. The Halfling hears them; so does Sydie, who's ears perk up, and her lips peel back from her rather large teeth. "Patience," whispers the halfling. The feline she rides slinks low to the ground, while her halfling ducks down as low as she can in turn, all to keep as difficult a profile as possible. Forwards the proceed, but not straight forwards; they move off to the side, seeking to approach the target's flank. All without their approach being directly pinpointed, or so is the hope.
Mel holds up a hand, and puts a finger to his lips as he points ahead to a spot in the reeds he apparently feels is significant. He looks puzzled as he tries to think of a handsign, then just holds up his hand, palm out, fingers up. What might be more of a clue to his allies is that he's grabbing a javeling from the quiver at his hip and setting to throw.
Aya gives Mel a brief, curt nod to indicate that she's aware without having to speak up. Her steps are quiet, or attempt to, as she continues to approach.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Raniq has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Raniq to instruct you further.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
GAME: Aurora rolls initiative: 15 + 3 = 18 GAME: Raethon rolls initiative: 9 + 7 = 16 GAME: Raniq rolls initiative for Helga: Roll: 11 + Bonus: +3 = Total: 14 GAME: Mel rolls initiative: 6 + 4 = 10 GAME: Raniq rolls initiative for Inga: Roll: 5 + Bonus: +3 = Total: 8 GAME: Raniq rolls initiative for Olga: Roll: 3 + Bonus: +3 = Total: 6 GAME: Aya rolls initiative: 2 + 3 = 5
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 18.
It is now Aurora's turn! Raethon is next!
GAME: Note flat-footed on Aurora is ended.
GAME: Aya refreshes special ability pools.
GAME: You damaged Mel for -100 points. 50 remaining. GAME: You damaged Aurora for -100 points. 24 remaining. GAME: You damaged Raethon for -100 points. 36 remaining. GAME: You damaged Aya for -100 points. 51 remaining.
Apparently, approaching in the stealthy fashion that the Halfling would prefer is entirely impossible in this terrain. She sighs softly, as even Sydie isn't quite able to pull it off. "Just go get them," she decides; the cat growls an agreement, but it's still going to be a moment or two before they can actually get into chomping range.
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 16.
It is now Raethon's turn! Helga is next!
GAME: Note flat-footed on Raethon is ended.
GAME: Raethon casts Haste. Caster Level: 6 DC: 18
Rae is definitely having difficulty getting around, but the best part of his profession is that he doesn't really need to get around too much. "Haste...." He says and lightly taps his staff. An arcane circle spins into existence on the ground before they all see things in slow motion.
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 14.
It is now Helga's turn! Mel is next!
Helga holds action.
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 10.
It is now Mel's turn! Inga is next!
Mel freezes as he sees the reeds rustling. He's glad to see his allies realize the enemy is close, so he peers into the reeds. He can't make out any enemies, though, so he creeps closer as quietly as he can, javelin ready to throw at any bad guys.
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 8.
It is now Inga's turn! Olga is next!
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 6.
It is now Olga's turn! Aya is next!
GAME: Mel rolls fortitude: (3)+4: 7
A flash of eldritch light arcs from the base of the moving reeds a little ahead to Mel, and he is magically transformed into a bullfrog. (Baleful polymorph, DC 18)
GAME: Mel rolls will: (5)+5: 10
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 5.
It is now Aya's turn! Aurora is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Aya ended.
GAME: Aya spends ONE use of DARKNESS.
Aya didn't need much encouragement to call upon the shadows for protection; watching Mel suddenly become small, green, and croak is more than enough. She calls, and they answer darkening her person and the immediate vicinity despite the midday sun. Aya, now ensconced in what may or may not conceal her from these particular foes, then moves deftly closer.
As Mel becomes a frog, the enemy rises from the water just in front of the party. Yes water. For the mud gets slicker and suddenly gives way to water between you and these three hags in front of you.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 18.
It is now Aurora's turn! Raethon is next!
GAME: Aurora casts Summon Swarm. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16 GAME: Aurora rolls 1d20+2: (11)+2: 13 GAME: Aurora rolls 1d6: (6): 6
Sydie and her halfling push through the brush, until they find that... there are hags. In the water. The halfling tugs on Sydie's fur to draw her up short, and together they eye up the enemy. "Patience," murmurs the halfling. She takes a small square of red cloth from the back of her shield, rumples it up and pops it in her mouth. "Die," she states, "All three of you." She gulps down the cloth, while raising one hand to point languidly at the trio; and from out of the underbrush a high-pitched shrieking arises all around, preceeding an eruption of bats, that all converge on the hags; swarming and biting, but mostly just chewing on one of them. Yummy. Necromancer.
GAME: Aya rolls (on Raethon's behalf) 1d20+6+5: (19)+6+5: 30 GAME: Raethon casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 6 DC: 18
Raethon SUCCESSFULLY casts Dispel Magic, returning Mel to his human self, with all abilities restored.
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 14.
It is now Helga's turn! Mel is next!
GAME: Aurora rolls will: (12)+9: 21
Helga tries to give Aurora the Evil Eye, but to no avail. She mutters haggish in an unhappy tone.
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 10.
It is now Mel's turn! Inga is next!
GAME: Mel rolls 1d20+8: (13)+8: 21 GAME: Mel rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5
Mel is no longer a frog, and is standing where he was a minute ago, still with javelin in hand. No chance to catch them at unawares, but he hurls it anyway, cause that's about as much as he can do. It hits one of them a glancing strike and lands in the water beyond.
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 8.
It is now Inga's turn! Olga is next!
These hags are as ugly as a nymph is beautiful, but they seem to be reluctant to advance beyond the water's edge. Inga tries to give Aya the evil eye, but is likewise unsuccessful, just as her sister was with Aurora.
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 6.
It is now Mel's turn! Inga is next!
Likewise, Olga fails to affect Raethon, whose will is unyielding before her.
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 5.
It is now Aya's turn! Aurora is next!
GAME: Raniq rolls (on Aya's behalf) 1d20+9: (13)+9: 22 GAME: Raniq rolls (on Aya's behalf) 1d8+3: (5)+3: 8
Aya moves to melee range and smacks Helga square on. The hag shakes a fist and in perfect Tradespeak says, "You've bruised my beautiful face!"
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 18.
It is now Aurora's turn! Raethon is next!
GAME: Aurora rolls 1d20+2: (6)+2: 8 GAME: Aurora rolls 1d20+6: (20)+6: 26 GAME: Aurora rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Aurora rolls 1d20+6: (10)+6: 16 GAME: Aurora rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19
GAME: Kalkorth rolls initiative: 2 + 2 = 4
GAME: Aurora rolls 2d6+4: (10)+4: 14 GAME: Aurora rolls 1d4+2: (3)+2: 5
Sydie has had enough. With her halfling still clinging to her back and chanting to direct the bats (which swarm mostly around Helga, making a hell of a racket and biting at her with their tiny teeth), she lunges forwards, splashing through the water and snarling as she rushes into the fray. The bats prove inconsequential; Sydie, however, does not. The great cat leaps through the air, knocking the hag down and raking her claws across the evil creature's chest; with her still pinned down in the water she lunges, thrusting her head under the surface. The hag's hands and feet thrash about, breaking the surface before going still. When Sydie's head reappears it is stained with crimson, the same color willing up around the now still, submerged form of Helga.
GAME: Raethon casts Lightning Bolt. Caster Level: 6 DC: 18 GAME: Raethon rolls 6d6: (16): 16
GAME: Raniq rolls 1d20+7: (13)+7: 20 GAME: Raniq rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21
After Raethon makes sure Mel is completely fine, Raethon lowers his staff and points the tip at both of the remaining hags. After a bit of muttering, a lightning bolt flashes out loudly, hitting both hags. And there went my only lightning bolt spell...
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 10.
It is now Mel's turn! Inga is next!
GAME: Mel rolls 1d20+10: (13)+10: 23 GAME: Mel rolls 1d6+3+3d6: (4)+3+(13): 20
Mel takes stock of the situation and draws his sword as he moves up to one of the hags, Olga, as it happens, and he waits for a moment, and when her attention is on the leopard, he lashes out with his shortsword and shivs her right in the back.
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 8.
It is now Inga's turn! Olga is next!
GAME: Kalkorth rolls will: (11)+1: 12
Inga stares at Kalkorth, giving him the evil eye. A strange and nebulous distress and gnawing sense of impending doom plagues Kalkorth.
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 6.
It is Olga's turn! Aya is next!
GAME: Raniq rolls 1d20+4+4: (14)+4+4: 22 GAME: Raniq rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7
Olga strikes back at Sydie, drawing blood.
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 5.
It is now Aya's turn! Kalkorth is next!
GAME: Raniq rolls (on Aya's behalf) 1d20+9: (9)+9: 18 GAME: Raniq rolls (on Aya's behalf) 1d8+3: (7)+3: 10
Aya takes a swing at Olga, and barely drops her.
GAME: Olga removed from initiative list.
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 4.
It is now Kalkorth's turn! Aurora is next!
GAME: Kalkorth RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 8 temporary HP. GAME: You damaged Kalkorth for -100 points. 54 remaining.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 18.
It is now Aurora's turn! Raethon is next!
GAME: Aurora rolls 1d20+2: (19)+2: 21 GAME: Aurora rolls 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10 GAME: Aurora rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Aurora rolls 1d20+6: (7)+6: 13
GAME: Aurora rolls melee+1: (17)+4+1: 22
GAME: Aurora rolls 1d6: (5): 5 GAME: Aurora rolls 1d4+2: (4)+2: 6 GAME: Aurora rolls 1d6: (6): 6
The halfling lets loos a wordless warcry; her feline companion takes a wound to the flank, but it doesn't slow her down. Not at all! The bats are let loose to their own devices, and go straight for Inga, biting at her face and neck. Siezing the moment during the distraction, Sydie lunges into the fray; her snapping jaws fall just short, but she rakes her claws across the hag, drawing deep runnels of blood. The halfling rounds things out in passing with a solid blow to the shoulder with her shillelagh. "Die!" she snarls, drawing up a deep well of hatred for such a small creature. "And join the bones you raised!"
GAME: Raniq advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 16.
It is now Raethon's turn! Mel is next!
GAME: Raethon casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 6 DC: 16 GAME: Raethon rolls 3d4+3: (11)+3: 14
Rae Mostly agrees with Aurora. When her snowmeow doesn't do it, quite enough, Rae points his staff at the hag and shoots three magic missiles at it. All three hit and pop, bringing the hag to an end.
GAME: Kalkorth ends his rage. GAME: Raniq removes the timestop. Timestop by Raniq has left.
Mel remains quiet and posed as the last of the hags drops, perhaps waiting to see if there are any more enemies around. He's surreptitously spitting, apparently he's got a bat taste in his mouth. Well, that's what frogs eat.
The rancher is very happy and gives you all the bacon you want.