Lost Livestock, part 1
Log Info
- Title:
- Emitter: Thurid
- Characters: Katsuro, Paenitia, Carver, Mercy
- Place: H03: Eldwyn Road
- Time: Wednesday, February 24, 2021, 3:35 PM
- Summary: A party of adventurers have been hired by Dratir Bjornson, a heavyset half-oruch pig-farmer who seems more jovial that most, putting him on the pleasant side of surly. He explains that the local farmers, when they have their wits about them, have noticed a diminishing of their flocks, and all tracks lead to the nearby woods. Nearby woods that are strangely light on predators, rustlers and even birds. Sister Paenitia is sure it's the work of el Chupacabra, the others aren't but do find some tracks and a deer path. Following it, they see a wounded sheep. Advancing to investigate, Inquisitor Mercy comes under attack from an animated Brambles. Battle ensues. Carver, the expert woodswoman, advances and uses her bow, Katsuro sneaks closer and flings suriken at any bush that looks sideways at him. Paenitia and Ramirez crash through the shrubbery to attack. Mercy falls, but the combined efforts of the others take down the hostile herbs. Carver confirms, yes, the sheep is dead while Paenitia treats Mercy, who will live.
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The Eldwyn Road meanders continuously around hills, wilderness, and farmland, though it is occasionally broken by fingerlets from the great Tornmawr. At one point, the road crosses the Tornmawr itself, which takes place by use of a ferry.
Further east and past the ferry are the great Redridge Mountains. These mountains, which run mostly north and south, charge through the landscape, and even through the eastern end of the Lord's City of Alexandria.
Towards the south is the city, with its flags rising far above the walls. The fiery Rising Phoenix almost glows in the sunlight and airships may be seen both in flight and in dock, as they make use of a carefully sculpted section of the Redridge.
Towards the north, the landscape of rolling hills and farmland breaks into denser forest.
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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing, in Order -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Katsuro 5'4" 160 Lb Human Male A small but sturdy Xian man, young and keen-looking. Paenitia 3'0" 34 Lb Halfling Female A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery. Carver 5'7" 133 Lb Human Female A plain-faced woman with a brown top knot. Mercy 5'5" 150 Lb Human Female A platinum haired Aesir woman, in flamboyant black. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- As the GM -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thurid 7'1" 249 Lb Giantborn Female Bright-eyed, muscular, blond Giantborn woman. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Word has gone out that a farmer in the lands north of Alexandria have been having trouble with more of their livestock going missing than usual. They've hired local hunters, expecting to find an unusually large population of wolves or bears for the time of year- but the hunters have reported something strange as well. There seem to be relatively few predators about- in fact, there seem to be less animals than they'd expect in the area in general. And so, a contract has been posted in the Alexandria Guild of Adventurers, requesting that they investigate to see if they can get to the bottom of the disappearances.
To that end, their contact point is a Half-Oruch pig farmer and the de-facto leader of the loose organization of homesteaders and farmers that are the closest thing to a village this far outside of the city limits. The advenuturers are directed to meet this Half-Oruch, one Dratir Bjornson, on one of the farms which seem to have suffered the worst recent losses.
Katsuro has shown up for this mission, though there's no dancing or juggling involved. His fame as a street entertainer is in decline, most likely, but a man needs to eat, and the Guild offers odd jobs. This is about the right level of odd, for him, and so he'll volunteer and head out. No warrior, he shows up none the less, ready to go.
And riding out to meet Dratir is one Knight of the Pillar, a defender of the common folk, sworn to give aid and charity. A halfling in red armour, astride an ivory steed, a magnificient hippogryph peacock the size of a heavy warhorse and very feathery.
Very feathery. Also loud.
The little Lucht guides her mount over to the half-oruch and calls out. "Hola! I am Sister Paenitia Snapdragon del Haranna, Knight of the Pillar and Paladien of Tarien. My compatriots and I, we are here to help."
Carver gathers thick waves of her brown hair, ribbon held between her teeth. Once she has an acceptable bundle of it, she takes the thick band of red cloth and ties it all back and away into a top knot as the Lucht takes over introductions, for herself, and identifying the rest as compatriots. Better that than the help.
While she has a moment, she takes stock of her companions first. It only takes a second for her to move away from the befeathered cacophany and closer to Katsuro. "We are here to help." Reinforcing the Knight's eloquent embrace of courtly etiquette with homespun brevity.
The average age Inquisitor in Black and Platinum. follows the rest of the group, letting Paenitia take the lead. She is watching not exactly, warily, but intently. taking in her environment.
Dratir is burly, like most of his stock, but not quite so surly. With a slight pot belly that says his pig farming business does well for itself, and a full beard with two stripes of salt amidst the pepper, he seems pleased to meet the adventurers, raising his hand to hail them as they approach. He leans on a rake, and calls out, "Well met!" though he waits for them to draw nearer before he continues.
"Right, don't know what all ended up on the guild fliers. You know how it is, pass a message along and it ends up a game of goblin whispers." he says then. He looks out across the field, in which are a number of sheep, thick winter fleeces looking like they are ready for sheering in a few weeks time. But not many of them, "This here is ol' Coney's farm. He's been worst hit, though we're all suffering." he adds. "Sheep started going missing right around the last thaw. Now Coney reckons all the missing sheep went thataway-" he aims his rake as pointing device, towards a patch of woodland outside the farm, "An' never come back. Mind, his memory aint what it used to be so I'd take that with a pinch of salt." he says, and then guffaws at his own joke.
Katsuro nods a greeting to Carver as she steps away from the halfling, and introduces himself to the other adventurers as, "Katsuro." He listens as the older half-orc explains the situation and nods. "I'm no tracker, myself, but surely one of us can?" He looks over to his companions. He's skilled, but no one can do everything.
Mercy frowns. "I have some minimal training. I wouldn't call myself a tracker"
"How many days since their disappearance, and how much rain, Goodman Dratir?" Carver asks, her light eyes shifting to follow Dratir's gaze. She only, very briefly, gave his potbelly a glance. She looks more akin to a half-starved muddy tomcat so perhaps seeing someone who eats well and enjoys the fruits of his labor stirs an envy that would be rude and inappropriate to mention. "I may be able to pick up their trail, Katsuro. If the Paladine will allow for the delay. Carver, by the way."
The little Lucht nods, remaining in her saddle. It allows her to look down on Dratir as well as see where he is pointing. Otherwise she would have only a view of his belly and the fence. She stands in her stirrupts, attempting to see further.
"The other farms, they have lost flocks to the same woodlands? Were there noises in the night?" She turns to look over at Katsuro on the other side of Ramirez and laughs, "Ha ha! No. I can only track the beer lost in a night of drinking. The guild, she sends Carver. We must follow her lead."
Paenitia has twisted around to observe their muddy cat, and head bobs in her direction. It's hard to make out what's on the halfling's mind at times, with the way her stylized mask hides all expression. This is one of those times.
"Goodly amount of rain, I'd reckon. About average for the season." Dratir offers to Carver's question, and reaches up to scratch his thinning pate. "Well, livestock go missing now and then, wolves or even rustlers take them sometimes. But we first started noticing it was more than we'd expect about a moon back. Some local hunters went to go thin the wolves down, but found no wolves to thin, which had us scratching our heads. They even found a carcass or two, but said they didn't look to've been eaten by predators. No tooth marks on the bones, and such. Fleeces was good and shredded, mind, so it aint like they just tripped or whatnot."
Carver nods her understanding. While they continue their conversation with the Goodman, she will search for any start of tracks for them to follow. Just to be efficient.
He turns his attention to Paenitia's questioning next, "Aye, these woods are around about in the middle of our little community. Always been some supersitition about 'em, too. Old wives tales. Or mayhap not." he chuckles again, but it's a bit less humorous than his earlier guffaw. "And noises? Now you mention it, been awful quiet of late, actually. Which is passing strange in itself."
Katsuro wonders curiously, "Have you noticed anything else strange around? It certainly -seems- like your herds have been herd-napped. But If so, then they ought to be able to be found. Either herds or bones, in any event, depending on what they were taken for."
GAME: Paenitia rolls knowledge/local: (1)+8: 9 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Carver rolls survival: (6)+8=1: 15 GAME: Mercy rolls survival: (19)+7: 26
Mercy is scanning the environment with an investigators keen gaze looking for any detail amiss.
'Ruaaaaahhh!' Ramirez squawks. Peacocks are loud, a horse sized one has exceptional volume. The Red Knight leans against the neck of her steed, patting him. "Ramirez! That was not the invite to challenge. You are not to defeat the quiet."
Ramirez whickers, and shakes his head, rattling his halberds. Finally he snorts. Paenitia straightens, "Yes! The chupacabra! Look for the long feet, with the claws."
Settling back she watches Carver make her preliminary excursion into the field, looking for things. Paenitia is savy enough not to go riding Ramirez, with his hooves and fifteen foot train of feathers, into the field ahead of her. Her peacock would sweep and harvest it at the same time and obliterate any hope of tracking. "My friend, we will trail you. Tell us the safe distance to follow."
Mercy crouches down and puts her finger into one hoof print, and then moves a few feet forward to examine a bramble bush for a shred of wool. She looks up, stand up and puts a hand to the brim of her hat. "Well, This most recent one went into the woods." She points at the compass point on the perimeter of trees. "Follow the other woman and me and we will head into those woods with direction"
Carver waves for them to follow, glancing toward Mercy with begrudging respect when she's already spotted the path from a distance, before doing what she does best. Carving a path for others to follow. She moves quietly, trained and comfortable with long walks, pausing occasionally to ascertain any obvious signs of a large herd being herded. Or attacked. Both should leave enough telltale signs through the forest for sheeps are not an organized bunch especially when they are being savaged. "I will keep an eye out for especially long feet, Paladine." She smiles, so as to not offend. A jest. She nods at the Inquisitor, respecting the understated confidence.
Katsuro will follow along, though he's only following his compatriots at this point, and hanging back, as recommended, so as not to confuse the trail.
Mercy nods her head graciously and tips her hat in return.
Paenitia makes a clicking noise and guides Ramirez into the field after the rest of the party
"Chupa-?" Dratir begins to say, brows furrowed, but then the trackers of the party find their trail and are off. "Right, well, have at it then!" he calls after the adventurers cheerily, as they depart.
Following the tracks isn't too difficult- the ground is no longer frozen, and the sheep are heavy with winter fat and wool, and leave deep footprints. Quite a few tracks lead into the woods, only a few fail to return- seems whatever is nabbing these sheep is picking them off one at a time, or grabbing stragglers. Not unlike wolf behavior, but apparently that's been ruled out already. The other thing the trackers are like to note is that there are much fewer tracks than one might expect- just as the hunters said. And there seem to be less rabbits and birds and such in the vicinity as well.
The woods are fairly thin close to the farm, but the path narrows quite quickly to a deer trail. A mix of leaf litter, ferns and bramble make up the underbrush. And the woods themselves are a mix of spindly deciduous trees, fresh young leaves forming on branches- and sturdy connifers, standing resolute and bedecked with blue-green needles.
"Something has been driving off the prey." Carver informs those who would not be aware by the tracks, only the messages of the other hunters. "And here, and here... catching stragglers. Picking at the edges of the crowd." She points where one set of footprint seems to suddenly end. She looks up into the tree to ascertain if the attacks come from above. Broken branches, signs of obvious nesting? Then back to the trail and thinks of her past. Was something guiding these sheeps out... or were they wandering on their own somehow?
Carver is trying to reason why people would be bringing the sheep HERE through the forest. If they are being guided at all, or somehow enchanted/drawn in by something less physical.
Mercy says, "I believe you have it correct. I think we should move on single file. You take the lead and I shall follow up and try to refine our path and watch our flanks."
Katsuro will follow along single-file, then, trying to be alert, palming something from his beltpouch. Just in case.
"Ramirez and I, we shall cover the backs! Nothing shall get past his tailfeathers." Paenitia declares. Her peacock hippogryph will have a struggle getting past some of the trees, he's bigger than a deer. The pair are on look out, gazing in opposite directions of each other, then switching in harmouny.
There aren't any human tracks among the sheep tracks, they seem to just wander this way. Difficult to say whether it's by their own accord or under some influence that doesn't leave physical tracks.
GAME: Paenitia rolls perception: (17)+4: 21 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (3)+5: 8 (Ramirez Percep)
"No bootprints, they seemed to be acting alone." The great sheescape. Carver monotones, fingertip brushing her axehandle distractedly. She moves further to the front of their single-file, scanning for every possible clue.
It is a narrow deer path, with thick undergrowth and wide trees that would make excellent places for archers to lie in wait. Paenitia is convinced! A few times the little knight declares, "Ah ha!" and charges a bush. This goes as well as can be expected. She finds no ambushers then struggles to get peacock-andalusin out of the thickets.
"They have hidden so well, even the birdsong has gone with them."
The Path closes in, and the light of the field they leave behind begins to become harder to see. It's not too dark, though- the foliage is not back in full force yet, this early in the spring, so sunlight filters throug mostly bare branches to dapple the forest floor. Even still, the woods seem to close in- and it's easy to see how superstitions arise.
The party is taking it single file right. Carver up front, Paenitia in the rear, and the other two in the middle. Carver ten feet ahead, as she doesn't want disturbed tracks.
GAME: Mercy rolls perception: (15)+3: 18 GAME: Carver rolls perception: (19)+8: 27 GAME: Katsuro rolls perception: (20)+6: 26 GAME: Paenitia rolls perception: (9)+4: 13 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (8)+5: 13 (Ramirez Percep)
The group finally spy- up ahead, one of the unfortunate missing sheep. It's just off the path, halfway buried in a thick patch of brambles. It isn't moving, and its fleece is torn and stained with blood. Perhaps it got caught in the brambles, or simply stumbled there after being wounded. It's hard to say.
There is nothing much to see unfortunately. An unfortunate sheep and thick brambles- neither of which seem especially notworthy.
"That's bait." Carver says with a fingerwag. Like she's seen this in a play. Or observed similiar tactics in her undoubtedly well-practiced, wordly life as the youngest member of their team.
The black clad inquisitor approaches the fallen sheep. She plays with the brambles and crouches down to examine the animal. in an after thought she draws and cocks her cross bow. Finally she says. "I have nothing"
Katsuro ahems, says, "Perhaps bait, perhaps we've just stumbled on the bush eating the sheep? A bit of turnabout, then?" He hangs well back, though.
As Mercy approaches the corpse of the sheep, any doubt is cast to the wayside as the Brambles wrapping it begin to writhe and lash towards the Inquisitor.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Oh, hoops, they also get a surprise attack against Mercy since she approached without spotting it." GAME: Thurid rolls 4: (17)+4: 21 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2
There's plenty of partial cover. Mercy's has hustled up to the sheep, placing her fifty-five feet ahead of Katsuro. The nearest mobile bramble is a little over forty feet to him, north northwest. It would be possible to get close, within ten feet, but the faster he moves the more visible he will be.
GAME: Katsuro rolls stealth: (6)+9: 15 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d20: (15): 15
Katsuro can sense something going on ahead, but really can't see to clearly. So, he will creep forward, hoping to find a better vantage point, quietly as he can go, which unfortunately is 'not very'. He's used to cities and buildings, this outdoors business is not his strong suit.
'RuuuUaaah!' Ramirez calls out. He is the glorious, beautiful peacock, the valliant steed, renowned for his bravery. He does not like fighting bushes. The leaves, the little twigs, end up stuck in his feathers. The preening afterwards takes forever. With a mighty squawk of frustration the white hippogryph surges forward, claws landing and threshing the brambles in front of him.
Paenitia, readying her shield and raising her lance, stabs at the shrubbery. This may be an ineffective method of attack in general, she's not sure. Her last encounter in the woods was a constant struggle with entanglement.
"Inquisitor! We come. Stand firm." The Red Knight calls out happily as leaves explode in her wake.
GAME: Mercy rolls Weapon4: (19)+4: 23 (THREAT) GAME: Mercy rolls Weapon4: (13)+4: 17 GAME: Mercy rolls damage4: aliased to 1d4+0: (4)+0: 4 GAME: Mercy rolls damage4: aliased to 1d4+0: (4)+0: 4
The inquisitor has just been whipped by the bush. It HURT!
Yelping as she is lashed by spikey whip-like brambles Inquisitor Hjarlhundr tries to back off. She cries out "Deus" and takes one hand off her cross bow to try and draw her dagger to use it on the malevolent plant. Blood flies from her lacerated right arm as she attempts to slash back at the evil plant.
Her desperate slash chops away the offending whip entirely
"Taste my JUSTICE foul Vegetation!" She shouts.
GAME: Thurid rolls 4+2: (17)+4+2: 23 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5 <OOC> Thurid says, "And you're still bleeding."
The brambles demonstrate themselves to be more than just motile- they are ambulatory. As evidenced by the one whcih had been suckling on the nearly dessicated sheeps corpse to swithe across the ground, inching closer to Mercy while she is facing the one that lashed out at her to begin with, and it rakes her back with barbed thorns, causing fresh bleeding wounds.
GAME: Carver rolls 2: (1)+6-4: 3 (EPIC FAIL)
Carver will step off the road, clearing the path for the rapidly advancing screamy bird mount. She reaches, first, for the axe on her hip then reconsiders and instead arms herself with the longbow. She will move forward, to the small tree northeast of herself and take aim at the same bramble that Mercy cut at. Without a catchphrase other than the twang of her shot.
And her shot goes wild.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Bramble 1 does nothing, Bramble 2 will also attack Mercy." GAME: Thurid rolls 4+2: (16)+4+2: 22 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5
The animate brambles move with- well, alacricity would not be the right word, but mindless perserverence certainly to surround Mercy. Thorny tendrils wrap whip at her, drawing more blood to soak into the rich, dark soil- and they wrap around her extremities, trying to drag her down to the ground.
GAME: Katsuro rolls stealth: (20)+9: 29
Katsuro continues to creep forward, hanging by the brush at the side of the trail, trying to remain unobserved. When he's even with Paenitia, he sees that he hasn't got a good shot, so he will continue to sneak forward, out of sight of the bushes, or out of however they sense, hopefully.
GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+6+2: (2)+6+2: 10 (Ramirez Beak attack) GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon8: (16)+5+4: 25 GAME: Paenitia rolls damage8: aliased to 1d6+1: (3)+1: 4 GAME: Paenitia rolls damage8: aliased to 1d6+1: (3)+1: 4
"Ramirez! Attack the shrubbery!" Paenitia cries. With a great whinny-ruaaah-ha, the peacock andalusian surges forward, wings curled in but still brushing the undergrowth on either side of the path. His fury is great. The inadequate foe, a entwining bramble that slashes at Mercy, gets such a peck!
Sadly, beak-pokes do not seem to damage the animate bush, at least not this effort.
The little Lucht knight, leaning forward in her saddle, braces as her lance stabs. She strikes at the root! Advice she has often told others, although in a more metaphorical sense. The deadly point of her lance drives in, scoring a solid hit that carries through into the earth beyond.
GAME: Mercy rolls fortitude: (16)+3: 19
The warrior of JUSTICE screams as new whip lashes across her scalp and knocks her hat off into the bushes.
"You'll pay for that." She says hissing. But then stops as blood trickles down her past her eye and The brambles entrap her arms and legs. She then moans, her eyes roll up in her head and she crashes to the ground.
The animate brambles stop their violent lashing when Mercy's struggling stops, and they settle ontop of her, wrapped around her limbs with thorns pressing into skin, but doing no further harm to her- nor seeking out the other adventurers. It seems they prefer for their prey to come to them.
GAME: Carver rolls weapon2: (9)+6: 15 GAME: Carver rolls damage2: aliased to 1d8+0: (8)+0: 8
Carver scrambles in the wake of the gryphon's charge, far less impressive or screamy. She plants her feet, and in one smooth motion, draws up straight with an arrow back. It soars with nary a wobble. When it strikes the vine, it pins the dangerous carnivorous plant to the earth.
The brambles do nothing.
GAME: Katsuro rolls stealth: (7)+9: 16 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d20: (2): 2 GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d20+5: (17)+5: 22 GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d2+3+1d6: (1)+3+(6): 10
Katsuro sneaks a bit closer to ensure his shot is good. This is his main thing, though everyone else has /been/ fighting. He feels a bit guilty about not getting into the fray, but at least he makes good on his throw, hurling his small metal throwing star deep into the plant's .... planty bits. Turns out there's a bit in the middle that moves as the plant shifts, but with care, a direct hit can stop the plant in it's tracks. If plants have tracks.
GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14 (Ramirez Beak) GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon8: (13)+5: 18 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d6+3: (1)+3: 4 (Ramirez Damage) GAME: Paenitia rolls damage8: aliased to 1d6+1: (1)+1: 2
The peacock-hippogryph and the Lucht knight advance, with the great beast stepping carefully around the fallen Inquisitor's form. He snaps at the other set of brambles. For all his delicate-seeming appearance, there is strength behind his attacks, and a large sharp beak. Vines are sliced.
This is followed by his Mistress' attacks, Paenitia's lance thrust at the base of the vine. Less effective than her earlier attack, she is still on target, still damages the strange foe. She calls reassuringly, "We are here!"
The Inquisitor slips fully unconscious from her wounds.
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d2: (2): 2 (attacks Ramirez) GAME: Thurid rolls 4: (16)+4: 20 GAME: Thurid rolls 4: (9)+4: 13 <OOC> Paenitia says, "I can make a ride check" <OOC> Paenitia says, "adding in 6 to counteract the ACP" GAME: Paenitia rolls ride+6: (13)+3+6: 22
The vines, sensing the approach of fresh, warm bodies stir to life once more- they rustle towards Paenitia and her mount even as the pair of them hack the vines to pieces, the remainder seemingly uncaring o its missing tendrils as it tries to wrap itself around the avian mounts ankles to bite into flesh and draw blood- but to no avail.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Without a miss chance. Go ahead and roll your attacks, -2 penalty on all for rapid shot." GAME: Carver rolls weapon2 -2: (1)+6+-2: 5 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Carver rolls weapon2 -2: (18)+6+-2: 22 GAME: Carver rolls damage2: aliased to 1d8+0: (1)+0: 1
"Sorry!" Carver yells, just as an arrow almost takes Paenitia in the back. The next shot is cleaner, passing through and slicing past the bramble rather than a clean hit, the woman counting her arrows with a quick pass of the hand. "Nine left..."
<OOC> Thurid says, "Alright, AoO it is, then?" GAME: Thurid rolls 4: (7)+4: 11 GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14 GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d6+3+1d6: (3)+3+(3): 9
Katsuro slips his thin shortsword from the plain scabbard. It's a well-crafted blade, and one might wonder why a non-descript fellow like him carries a blade like that. It seems he's no stranger to its use, though, slipping past the questing vines, picking his spot, and thrusting his blade deep into the foliage. The plant stops moving, though he pulls back warily all the same.
The chopped off bits of vine continue to writhe and squirm for just a few moments more before going limp, and the stillness of the woods return. The rich dark soil explains both the abundance of undergrowth- as well as the missing sheep. But so far the party have only encountered one corpse- many more are reported to have gone missing.
A breeze from the north brings with it the scent of iron.
Carver moves over to the sheep, laying a hand on its still head. "Sorry, little one. We wool remember you." She says this quietly so that the others hopefully do not overhear, and then goes to collect her arrows if she can.
GAME: Paenitia takes ten on heal+2+1: (10)+8+2+1: 21 <OOC> Thurid says, "Alright, that heals her by 2. She regains consciousness after an hour of treatment."
"Ramirez! I dismount!" Paenitia instructs her hippogryph, stowing her lance in its sheath. He extends a wing and she hops out of the saddle, grabbing her healer's kit as she does. She slides down the feathers and lands, then goes over to Mercy.
The Dark Lucht starts first aid, then progresses to more elaborate bandaging and treatment. It takes some time, her kit is spread open. Guaze, pads, bandages, coagulating powder, other ointments. She seems to know her way around it. And times passes.
A goodly hour at least.
Combatty Stuff
Map: https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mmhb3ro0gaz
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
23 Katsuro 1
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23 Paenitia 1
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16 Mercy 1
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10 Bramble 3 1
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>> 9 Carver 1 <<
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8 Bramble
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6 Bramble 2
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==============================================================================
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| Name | CHP (T) | HP |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Carver........| 17 | 17 |
| Katsuro.......| 14 | 14 |
| Mercy.........| -1 | 12 |
| Paenitia......| 32 | 32 |
| (C) Ramirez...| 19 | 19 |
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Dramatis Personae
Carver
A plain-faced young human woman whose muddied face is beset, even in youth, by hard frown lines. A strange eclectic pattern of tattoos, faded cyan, speak of a nomadic lifestyle but the studded armor and well-worn weapons suggest that she gave up the huntsman lifestyle for something else entirely. Her long, thick brown hair is kept up in a top knot tied with a red ribbon and a matching one is tied to the woodsman's axe at her hip. Complete with an unstring bow, slung casually across her back, she could be from anywhere or everywhere. It's only the striking green-on-blue-on-yellow of her eyes that keep her from being arguably ugly; twin auroras with dark bags under them.
Katsuro
Katsuro is a short human of Xian descent in his early twenties. He's got tanned skin, with dark hair cut short and dark eyes, with thin eyebrows that arch. His build is pretty sturdy, with thick arms and strong legs, and he has a graceful stride, like a dancer.
He's currently wearing a plain tunic and breeches in neutral brown, with thin black slippers. The tunic is drawn up and closed up to his throat, the breeches are drawn around his ankles and puff out a bit to his knees. Over the tunic and breeches is a boiled leather cuirass dyed dull black. A thick belt around his waist boasts dull metal studs, and from it hangs a short sword, with a well-made scabbard in the Xian style. A backpack on his back has a few items in it, and a dark blue cloak hangs down his back to his knees. It's voluminous, and he could wrap it around him if he desired.
Mercy
Black and Sliver, or maybe Platinum? That's your first impression, from floppy brimmed and plumed hat to thigh high black boots. This white-blonde Aesir woman is dressed rather flamboyantly. Ice blue eyes can be piercing or laughing, depending on her mood, but they are surrounded by smile crinkles. Her outfit does little to hide her womanly curves, although she is short and slight for an Aesir. Hands have the callouses of both sword work and a sailing ship's ropes. She is armoured in a silver-washed chainmail shirt that descends to just above the tops of her black and white metal buckled thigh high boots. The shirt is covered by a black tabard in front and a black cap in the back. Both are centred with a dragon embroidered with white metallic thread. A light repeating crossbow crosses her back, a longsword graces her right hip, while daggers are sheathed in her boot tops and left hip.
Paenitia
Small, dark and winsome.
On a Giant white peacock.
Sister Paenitia Snapdragon del Harrana, is a crimson knight astride an ivory steed. A dark skinned Lucht Siuil, her black hair hangs in ringlets to mid-back, wild, untamed, loose. Matching fetlocks curl about her shins, demure, tamed, tied back with crimson bows. She wears a broad feathered hat, a matching single shoulder cape, both crafted from the bold feathers of her mount; striking white with red eyes. Beneath that hat, a smiling mask with rosy cheeks and a wide upturned moustache. Her armour has the same patina, an elaborate breastplate, rusted to match the mesas of her homeland. Paenitia's deep eyes smoulder behind the mask, and her skin, where visible, is a warm mahogany that is both heritage and time in the sun. She moves with an intensity overwhelming for her size.
Ramirez, her mount, is an eye-catching hippogryph. An albescent peacock gypsy-andalusan breed. Glorious, the size of a strong warhorse, his tail could cover a cart and easily hides his fluffy equine hind. His forelegs are the delicate and deceptively strong legs of the avian, and his body flows well into his feathery trail. Almost completely white, Ramirez is blood red on his neck, shoulders and breast, with the same bold colour in his crown and his many tailfeather eyes. He struts about regally, staring imperiously, proud and beautiful. Paenitia's saddle straps his midsection and has its own tail fan, a scabbard candelabra of pole arms that lies along his back.
She's from the land of the wind, tilting against windmills. A self-appointed knight, tiny and trite, riding a fancy and brings twice the fight.
===========================> Sheet for Paenitia <===========================
===============================> Companion <================================
Name: Ramirez Type: HIPPOGRIFF SIZE: L Levels: 3
HD: 3 (D8) HP: 19/19 BAB: 2 MELEE: 4 RANGED: 4 AC: 16 CMB: 6 CMD: 19
MOVEMENT: 40 ATTACKS: Bite +4 1d6+3 and 2 claws +4 1d4+3
SPECIAL: DARKVISION 60 FT, EVASION, GLIDE, LINK, LOW-LIGHT VISION, MAGICAL
CREATURE COMPANION, SCENT, and SHARE SPELLS
Saves: FORTITUDE: 5 REFLEX: 6 WILL: 2
Skills: Fly 1(7), Perception 1(5), and Stealth 1(3)
Feats (2): ARMOR PROF LIGHT and COMBAT REFLEXES
Tricks(8):
Attributes: STR: 16 DEX: 16 CON: 14 INT: 2 WIS: 12 CHA: 11
==============================> Emblem of Ea <==============================
<OOC> Katsuro keeps thinking of Sean Connery from Highlander.
<OOC> Paenitia says, "You. Are absolutely correct."
<OOC> Paenitia is dressed like Ramirez, and her horse is named after him.
<OOC> Carver says, "wow that's a deep cut"
<OOC> Thurid says, "With some Don Quixote and V thrown in."
<OOC> Carver says, "didn't think i'd be hearing about sean connery from highlanders in 2021"
<OOC> Paenitia nods!
<OOC> Mercy says, "we are OLD"
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Well he passed away when I was app-ing the character too.."
<OOC> Thurid says, "Indeed. MUSHers are getting on a bit, for the most part ;)"
<OOC> Carver cries
<OOC> Katsuro comforts Carver, helps her pick up her social security check.
From afar, to (Paenitia, Mercy): Katsuro approves of insiration
Mercy pages: funny as hell LOL
<OOC> Paenitia says, "I rolled a glorious Nat20 for init, we're staying in combat. :)"
<OOC> Carver laughs.
<OOC> Paenitia says, "it will be my only 20 today. You are not making me re-roll init!"
<OOC> Mercy says, "LOL"