The Lion's Way

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Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 20, 2021 2:33 am
Jun 20, 2021 2:33 am
The Lion's Way
The dawn is especially cruel this morning.

Aiwe and those who accompany her (or creepily follow her from a distance) make their way back to the site of the ambush just as the morning’s rays illuminate the area. The night’s rain has washed away most of the signs of battle… except for the bodies. The archers remain where they fell, with several carrion birds digging in happily. Keggruk’s armored form doesn’t seem to have been bothered yet. The ogres…

The ogres’ corpses are feeding a half-dozen wolves. The canine beasts rip and tear with bloody muzzles. Occupied as they are, they don’t seem to have noticed the newcomers yet.

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 20, 2021 3:14 am
Jun 20, 2021 3:14 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"Just as hungry in the south," Shelur mutters to herself. "Not as big though." She climbs into a tree where she can get a decent view of the bodies, as well as their surrounding area, without being too exposed herself. She is very aware the site may become that of a double-ambush. "Be on the lookout, Snitch. There might be traps, and we don't want to be seen by anyone at all, just in case."

Aiwë is looking for any signs of traps, watchers, oncomers on the road, etc.
Last edited June 20, 2021 3:23 am

Rolls

Survival - (1d20+1)

(13) + 1 = 14

Snitch helps! - (1d20+1)

(14) + 1 = 15

Ossein Handel

yaroto98Inactive forever!

Jun 20, 2021 4:34 am
Jun 20, 2021 4:34 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"Well, that Orog fellow never liked me, nor how I do things. But that's mostly because he's one of them. If you don't mind tossing me over near one of those archer chaps, I think I'll make a new friend."

Ossein looks around for Bert and Happy.
Last edited June 20, 2021 4:34 am

Rolls

Investigation for Happy - (1d20+4)

(15) + 4 = 19

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmageInactive forever!

Jun 20, 2021 9:24 pm
Jun 20, 2021 9:24 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Wirrow, given that they've made it to their destination, makes her way next to her friend... and the metal contraction with her... and the odd knife looking to get itself a new host. As she nears them, the smell of blood mixed with corpse invades its way into her nose. Not a very pleasant combination. Well, really any combination involving corpses wasn't.

"So, what are we doing, then?" Wirrow's whispered use of the plural pronoun is as matter-of-fact as can be. She pulls out an arrow and gestures questioningly to the wolves. Are we going to be the ambushers this time? her expression says.
Last edited June 20, 2021 9:26 pm

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 20, 2021 9:52 pm
Jun 20, 2021 9:52 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
"Not yet," Aiwë appeases the weapon at her belt.

"We." It echoes in Aiwë's ears strangely.

"We're making sure the ambushers didn't wait for us to come back, or set traps," Aiwë whispers. "And that there aren't travelers coming, who could spot us and get word to them. The wolves are whatever. They won't bother us. I just need Keggruk." The last sentence does that funny echo again, and her throat hurts for some reason.

"And one of the archers, I guess?" she adds, nodding to Ossein.
Last edited June 20, 2021 10:06 pm

Ossein Handel

yaroto98Inactive forever!

Jun 20, 2021 10:17 pm
Jun 20, 2021 10:17 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
"Well, I could use one if those ogres, but based on what the wolves have done to the bodies, I'd be pretty...drippy...after. the archers seem more intact. Do you happen to see Bert? I'd like to get Happy and a secret package Keggruk gave me before he died."

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 12:09 am
Jun 21, 2021 12:09 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Aiwe carefully scans the scene for a few minutes and finds no other threat than the wolves. Every so often one of the beasts turns and nips at another for coming too close.

Ossein easily spots Happy in the dried mud near the bodies of Bert and Keggruk. The torch has only the smallest flame burning at the moment. No doubt it didn't enjoy being left out in the rain overnight.

Rolls

Mystery Roll - (1d20+5)

(20) + 5 = 25

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 12:32 am
Jun 21, 2021 12:32 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"All clear."

Aiwë weighs her options carefully while she ties her rope into a lasso. If they run out of time, she can toss Ossein to the bodies, she decides. Keggruk first.

She swings the lasso around a few times, aims carefully, then tosses it toward Keggruk. It lands neatly around his foot and catches on the metal boot covering. A sharp tug tightens the lasso, and Aiwë begins carefully and slowly dragging Keggruk toward her.
Last edited June 21, 2021 12:36 am

Rolls

Lasso (athletics) - (1d20+5)

(15) + 5 = 20

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmageInactive forever!

Jun 21, 2021 12:51 am
Jun 21, 2021 12:51 am
Re: The Lion's Way
As Aiwe starts dragging the orog's body (not something Wirrow had expected, but it seemed to be working), the pale ranger nocks the held arrow and takes up a hopefully-concealed position a dozen or so feet away. If the moving body interested the wolves and they came this way, she'd hopefully be able to surprise them before they attacked.

While they wait, Wirrow takes a deeper breath. Like it or not--mostly because it was all unfamiliar--this weapon was one of their allies now too. "If you get one of the archers, make sure to bring their arrows too," she mutters to Ossein.

Rolls

Hiding (Stealth) - (1d20+7)

(14) + 7 = 21

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 1:18 am
Jun 21, 2021 1:18 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"I'm not sure how much time we have, and we need to be as far as possible," Shelur murmurs to the others as she pulls on the rope. "What's my priority, Ossein? Bert or the archer?"

Imoen

AraklustaInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 1:24 am
Jun 21, 2021 1:24 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"I agree with Wirrow. We should really get the archer and his arrows first."

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 1:29 am
Jun 21, 2021 1:29 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Aiwë twists one arm to secure the rope around it in the same motion that she pulls a dagger from her belt and points it at the girl with the other.

"What are you doing here?"
Last edited June 21, 2021 1:32 am

Ossein Handel

yaroto98Inactive forever!

Jun 21, 2021 1:35 am
Jun 21, 2021 1:35 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"Bert is the priority. I'm not sure if I could stomach my things falling into the wrong hands or getting lost. Raising the archer will take several minutes. You can always throw me and I'll catch up later if something happens. I'm very easy to delay, but extremely difficult to be put down for good.
Last edited June 21, 2021 1:36 am

Imoen

AraklustaInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 1:36 am
Jun 21, 2021 1:36 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Imoen shakes her pink hair out of her face. "Um, adventuring, duh." She looks down at Aiwe's dagger. "Is that real? Nice!" Her voice, though chipper as always, is pitched carefully not to carry over to the feasting wolves. "I brought a weapon too!" She holds up a shortbow and raises her eyebrows. "I stole it. I'm such a rebel! I just... uh... forgot to steal some arrows to go with it..."

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 1:40 am
Jun 21, 2021 1:40 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Imoen's chipper voice grates in Aiwë in a way she can't explain. "Good for you," she replies. "Forgot arrows?"

She sheaths her dagger and begins pulling Keggruk again. She thinks over Ossein's words. Something about them made her pause, but something else about Imoen was still bothering her, and she can't figure out what he's getting at.

"Bert next. You got it."
Last edited June 21, 2021 1:42 am

Imoen

AraklustaInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 1:48 am
Jun 21, 2021 1:48 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"Oh, thank you! I just knew we would make best adventuring buddies! Hey, where's Stella? And-"

It seems that for the first time, Imoen sees who Aiwe is dragging. "Is that..." Suddenly her voice is very small. "Oh no..."

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 1:52 am
Jun 21, 2021 1:52 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"Dieter is dead, too." Keggruk arrives below their branches, and Aiwë cuts the rope as low as she can. "Go home, Imoen." She reties the end into another lasso.

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 2:03 am
Jun 21, 2021 2:03 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Aiwe finishes dragging Keggruk's over-sized body to her, and... it isn't a pretty sight. It's immediately apparent, however, how the orog was slain. A neat hole more than a half-foot deep is where one of his eyes used to be. It's a garish wound, but also eerily precise. How could a man score such an accurate blow in total darkness?

Wirrow notices the wolves acting strange. Several of them start pawing at their own faces, and the others are dancing forward and back, as though something is keeping them from finishing their meal.

Imoen

AraklustaInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 2:05 am
Jun 21, 2021 2:05 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"There's no way they'll let me back in. I was only kind of partially an Avowed. An honorary one, you could say. And so... um... I'd need a book to get back in. A rare one." Imoen looks down at poor Keggruk again. "I... I'm sorry, Aiwe. He was such a nice man..."

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 2:10 am
Jun 21, 2021 2:10 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"You're a child. If they won't let you back into your father then they deserve their ruin more than I thought." Aiwë throws the lasso around Bert's neck. She doesn't respond to the condolences. Snuck away from home and didn't even take a key?

Aiwë is so incensed she almost misses her shot, but Snitch flies by and adjusts her aim as the rope leaves her hand.
Last edited June 21, 2021 2:13 am

Rolls

Athletics - (1d20+5)

(2) + 5 = 7

Snitch help - (1d20+5)

(18) + 5 = 23

Imoen

AraklustaInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 2:29 am
Jun 21, 2021 2:29 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"Foster father..." Imoen mutters. She scratches her head. "Look, I can be useful, okay? I stole this too."

She pulls out a slender length of polished wood topped with some sort of reddish gemstone. A wand.

"I almost hope the wolves come after us! I could fend 'em off with this bad boy." Imoen gives the wand an enthusiastic wave through the air.

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 2:45 am
Jun 21, 2021 2:45 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Quote:
"Foster father."
Aiwë's hands shake as she reels in Bert. "Oh, you're right," she begins, voice a hissed whisper. "I'm sorry. That qualifying label completely negates the love and care he's shown you, as well as your familial responsibility to reciprocate. Now I definitely understand why you stole from home and took off without a thought. Even so, we're currently being hunted so the most useful thing is one less person to babysit right now. So unless that thing raises the dead, take it HOME, IMOEN."
Last edited June 21, 2021 2:46 am

Rolls

You are literally proving my point every time you open your mouth - (1d20+5)

(14) + 5 = 19

Imoen

AraklustaInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 3:03 am
Jun 21, 2021 3:03 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Imoen listens carefully, eyes wide. "My friends are being hunted?" She glances over the worn battlefield again. "Look." Her voice drops to a low whisper. "You think me just some silly girl, but it seems to me like you and my friends need all the help you can get. I've done some hard things in life, and I know more than you think I do." She takes a deep breath. "Tell me you want me gone one more time, and I'm gone. But remember, I'm the one who snuck up on you."

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 3:09 am
Jun 21, 2021 3:09 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Suddenly exhausted---weird, Bert does not weigh that much---Aiwë leans down and cuts the rope again, and Bert falls beside Keggruk.

"Whatever, Imoen. It's your life." With the bodies beneath them, the parallel "and your death," is unnecessary.

She ties the third and final lasso and aims for the most intact looking archer. Even with Snitch's help, Shelur can't get her coordination right. She mutters a quiet orcish curse in the back of her throat and reels in the rope for another try.
Last edited June 21, 2021 3:11 am

Rolls

Athletics - (1d20+5)

(1) + 5 = 6

Snitch help - (1d20+5)

(4) + 5 = 9

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmageInactive forever!

Jun 21, 2021 3:12 am
Jun 21, 2021 3:12 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Quote:
"I agree with Wirrow. We should really get the archer and his arrows first."
Wirrow, after being spooked nearly out of heart function by the appearance of Imoen, barely keeps herself from shooting the pink-haired girl in a panic. How had she not noticed?
Quote:
Wirrow notices the wolves acting strange. Several of them start pawing at their own faces, and the others are dancing forward and back, as though something is keeping them from finishing their meal.
Was there something else here causing that, invisible like Imoen must have been?

As the conversation on the side deteriorates into more of an argument, Wirrow at first tries not to get involved, but then finds she can't get a word in edgewise. Imoen stealing from Candlekeep would only bring more people hunting after them, and those lot had already decided they didn't like Wirrow for some magical reason... Aiwe also makes a rather good point. Several.

Harsh, but direct; Wirrow wishes she had thought of all that. But people and figuring things out involving them aren't her thing. Surviving? Well, it was supposed to be more a part of her. She tries to tune out the slowly rising voices and focus on that.

If the wolves weren't going to act predictably, then other things could go wrong. They could be attacked, by the wolves, or by something else. Imoen would try to use her (stolen) magic wand, and Wirrow doesn't have a lot of faith in the girl's ability to use it carefully... or even be responsible enough to know how to use it at all. If only she could figure out why...

Rolls

Survival (Why are wolves acting weird?) - (1d20+4)

(9) + 4 = 13

Imoen

AraklustaInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 4:14 pm
Jun 21, 2021 4:14 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Imoen exhales in relief and nods. "Good good good..."

She watches as Aiwe reels in the rope. "Can I try?" The girl narrows her eyes, and then with a flick of her wrist sends the lasso right around the dead archer's neck. A nudge from Snitch secures the line, and Imoen giggles lightly. "Such a useful little critter!"

Then she tries to pull the body in, but after a couple of useless tugs she sheepishly hands the rope back to Aiwe.

Rolls

Throw that rope juuuust right (sleight of hand) - (1d20+7)

(19) + 7 = 26

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 4:23 pm
Jun 21, 2021 4:23 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
From what Wirrow can tell, the wolves are being cautious because something is there, on or in the ogre bodies. As she peers more closely, her vision seems to swim slightly. No, not her vision. The ogre's flesh. Could there be some kind of vermin infesting the bodies?

Whatever it is, the wolves decide they want no part of it. First one, then another, then all six leave the area, trotting off in search of something else to eat.

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 4:36 pm
Jun 21, 2021 4:36 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Aiwë takes the rope from Imoen and pulls it in. Once the archer is safely next to the other bodies, she drops the rope, scans once more for watchers or dangers before climbing down the tree.
Last edited June 21, 2021 4:39 pm

Rolls

All clear? (Perception w/ Snitch's help) - (1d20+1, 1d20+1)

1d20+1 : (16) + 1 = 17

1d20+1 : (3) + 1 = 4

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 5:01 pm
Jun 21, 2021 5:01 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Aiwe does notices two things. One, the archer isn't human. It's got the height and stature of a man, but with goblinoid features. Though she's never seen one before, she thinks it must be a hobgoblin.

Two, the ground around the ogres looks like a dark carpet that is growing and spreading out. Tens of thousands of black ants, each one at least an inch long, with sharp mandibles and wicked stingers.

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmageInactive forever!

Jun 21, 2021 5:19 pm
Jun 21, 2021 5:19 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Well. That would do it.

As the wolves leave and the insects reveal themselves, Wirrow adopts a simultaneously disgusted and fearful tone. "Well, that's probably all we need from here, right?" There's no way Aiwe hasn't seen the bugs.

She starts to back away from the road, in the direction they had come from. She can't help with carrying Keggruk's body, and she can't do anything against tiny threats like that either.

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 7:23 pm
Jun 21, 2021 7:23 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Aiwë drops from the trees. She deposits Ossein on the dead archer's chest. "Here you go. Catch up as soon as you can." Then she grabs Keggruk's arms and pulls him over her shoulders with a sharp exhale and begins to jog back through the forest.
Last edited June 21, 2021 9:26 pm

Ossein Handel

yaroto98Inactive forever!

Jun 21, 2021 7:27 pm
Jun 21, 2021 7:27 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
"This will do nicely, thank you. Oh Imoen and Wirrow, feel free to take whatever items you would like from this body, we won't be needing them. I recall something said about arrows."

Ossein begins the process to raise this archer as his new bearer.
Last edited June 21, 2021 7:30 pm

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 9:27 pm
Jun 21, 2021 9:27 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Imoen drops to the ground and snatches up a quiver of arrows, and then the three young women move out.

The hobgoblin archer's corpse begins to transform under Ossein's necromantic power. Meanwhile, the swarm of ants blankets the remaining corpses. Surely they'll come for this archer as well.

Carrying Keggruk should be no easy task. The orog's large body weighs several hundred pounds. Add in the plate armor, and very few people would be able to manage it. Yet somehow Aiwë keeps up with her two companions as they move over rough terrain. Still, as time wears on, Aiwë finds the she has less strength to give. The previous evening was spent traveling at a hard pace, fighting off an ambush, and then fleeing for hours in the rain. The adventurers are hardly at their best.
OOC:
DC 10 Constitution save for Wirrow and Aiwë, or gain a level of exhaustion.
Before the ten minutes are up, Ossein observes dozens of ants crawl onto the archer's body and dig in with their mandibles, chewing up mouthfuls of flesh and carrying it away.
OOC:
A DC 10 Arcana check will let you speed up the process. Failure won't mean you don't get the servitor, but it'll be especially ugly if the ants get away with so much of its skin and stuff.

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 21, 2021 9:29 pm
Jun 21, 2021 9:29 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Aiwë knows how to pace herself for long travel. She has practice carrying heavy loads. Keggruk's head lolls over her shoulder as Aiwë jogs, the mark of Gruumsh staring at her in her periphery.

She keeps her eyes forward, and jogs.
Last edited June 21, 2021 9:33 pm

Rolls

Con Save - (1d20)

(11) = 11

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmageInactive forever!

Jun 21, 2021 11:14 pm
Jun 21, 2021 11:14 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
The dawn is new, and true to character, Wirrow had woken up far later than everyone else the day before. That extra alertness and energy has turned out to be an advantage now. Though she isn't sure how long it will last as the sun rises and the day heats up, she's glad for it in the moment.
Last edited June 21, 2021 11:20 pm

Rolls

Con Save - (1d20+2)

(17) + 2 = 19

Ossein Handel

yaroto98Inactive forever!

Jun 22, 2021 1:47 am
Jun 22, 2021 1:47 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Hmmmm I wonder what will happen if I...


Ossein focuses trying to speed up the process in order to blend in better, and have a less messy bearer. He's not sure what this will do with the ants crawling in him, maybe his bearer will grow mandibles, or maybe some chitin in place of the missing skin? That could be handy, Bert died way too easily.

Rolls

Arcana - (1d20+4)

(3) + 4 = 7

Imoen

AraklustaInactive for 2 months

Jun 22, 2021 2:39 am
Jun 22, 2021 2:39 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Imoen keeps pace with the other two, having had less rough of a night. Unfortunately, her mouth keeps up too.

"Wow! I'd almost forgotten what it's like to feel real dirt under my boots!"

"See that bird there? It's a robin! You can tell from the reddish-orange breast. The ones around Candlekeep are practically tame. Why, this one time..."

"Do you think those wolves could be following us? I've never really seen one up close, except for a taxidermized one. But that doesn't really count, does it? I wish I had wolf legs. I bet I could run forever!"

"So... how about them boys? I heard Mesen talking about you, Aiwe. He seemed pretty infatuated..."

"Wirrow! It's such a pretty name. Like 'Willow', but with some 'aarghh' in it. I don't suppose you've ever thought to take up piracy? Just think! Your pirate name could be 'Wirrow the....' Hmm... You know, I can't think of anything good right now. You might want to rethink this whole 'piracy' thing."

With her pink hair plastered to her forehead with sweat, Imoen finally seems too winded to keep up her babble. But no complaint passes her lips.
OOC:
Time for a Survival check to see how we be! DC 13, por favor! I imagine it'll probably be Wirrow, with advantage. Aiwe can also make a check for the other activities she wanted to do during the journey, make false trails and such. DC 10 on whatever you roll for that!

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 22, 2021 2:47 am
Jun 22, 2021 2:47 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Despite Ossein's focus, he can't seem to speed up the animation process. It's a good thing he doesn't get headaches, or such a strain could produce quite a migraine! Still, eventually the undead hobgoblin stands, a couple of arrow shafts protruding from it. Its skin is mostly gone. It isn't a pretty sight.
OOC:
You're free to go!

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 22, 2021 2:56 am
Jun 22, 2021 2:56 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Aiwë doesn't have the energy to spare to beg Imoen's silence. If Wirrow has any sense or fear of her assassins then she'll quiet the girl herself.

"Get them out."

Shelur occasionally splits off from the group to lay diverting trail and misleading signals. She has only rarely done so amongst such green undergrowth, or any undergrowth of any trees for that matter, but she thinks her father would be proud.

She doesn't think much else, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. Keggruk's armour makes noise as she walks, creating a rhythm with her footprints.

thump clang-thump
rattle
thump

The sound drives her as she moves ever forward, completing her orders.
Last edited June 22, 2021 3:13 am

Rolls

Survival - (1d20+1)

(15) + 1 = 16

Ossein Handel

yaroto98Inactive forever!

Jun 22, 2021 3:33 am
Jun 22, 2021 3:33 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Oh well, Ossein tried to consider his traveling companions when bringing his bearer back to life. Good thing Ossein can't smell.

Leaving the arrows in, his companions might need an extra few, Ossein has his bearer hobble over to Bert. Picking up Happy, he greets his friend.

"Hey Buddy, sorry I dropped you, Bert died and I had to get a new body. But we're good now, perk up, I'll make sure to put you in a nice campfire tonight. I just need one more thing."

Digging through Bert's old belly wound, Ossein has his bearer pull out the package Keggruk had given him to hide from the guards in Candlekeep when they were searching everyone. It's likely either what they were looking for, or something embarrassing. Knowing paladins it's likely the second. It might be some juicy correspondence. Maybe he has a mistress and he didn't want his daughter finding out. I should probably just destroy the evidence and let gis family remember the best version if him. Not the side of paladins that Ossein is familiar with.

Giddy up new bearer....thata way. We really need to get aquatinted you and I. I'll tell you a few stories about me tonight, and you can tell me a few about yourself. Let's wait until later tonight when everyone is asleep, it gets quite boring, you'll see.

Now back to the matter at hand. Holding happy in one and the mystery package in the other. This is a difficult decision, Ossein's burning hatred for the paladins of Hoar bleed over into his feelings for other paladins. Best to keep that repressed while around others, but what they don't know won't hurt them.

The burning torch and the mysterious package get closer and then draw away from each other. Back and forth as the new bearer shambles. Quite like Ossein's decision before him.
yaroto98 sent a note to Araklusta
Last edited June 22, 2021 3:36 am

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmageInactive forever!

Jun 22, 2021 4:12 am
Jun 22, 2021 4:12 am
Re: The Lion's Way
For a second, it almost sounds like like Wirrow is reciprocating Imoen's talkativeness. "Willow and marrow, actually."

Then the other shoe drops. "Like the thing inside bones, that I'd rather not have ripped out because something that wants to kill us manages to find us."

Wirrow goes silent again. Was that harsh? Maybe. Aiwe had been harsher, though, so it was fine.

And I thought Aiwe talked a lot...

Imoen's newfound quietness, whether it is due to Wirrow or not, is a blessing; without it, Wirrow doubts she could keep her thoughts straight enough to guide them.
Last edited June 22, 2021 4:15 am

Rolls

Survival (I think I'm navigating, then?) - (1d20+4)

(9) + 4 = 13

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 22, 2021 3:20 pm
Jun 22, 2021 3:20 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Happy is glad to be back among friends. Its flame brightens up and crackles cheerfully, spreading both physical and emotional warmth as the hobgoblin zombie totters on its way.
Araklusta sent a note to yaroto98

With Aiwe taking some time to set up misleading trails, Ossein catches up to the others without much trouble. Wirrow leads the group true, avoiding the road and heading north. as they go, they find no sign of the armored or hooded ambushers from the previous night. By midday they arrive at the area where they split from the rest of the party. From what they can piece together from the tracks, it looks like the others followed Aiwe's instructions to keep off the road. Their trail leads further north.
OOC:
Following the trail is somewhat easier, since there were more people (and a horse) making tracks. So DC 10 Survival with advantage! Also someone roll a d100 for funsies :D

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmageInactive forever!

Jun 22, 2021 3:57 pm
Jun 22, 2021 3:57 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Wirrow feels a small wave of relief. They'd be able to make it back to Stella and the others a lot sooner than she'd been fearing at this rate.

Following the tracks, and the lingering smells of corpse left behind by the paladin's horse, she continues to guide the group. Wirrow deliberately avoids looking at Ossein's new host whenever she looks back to check on her followers.
Last edited June 22, 2021 4:03 pm

Rolls

Tracking Time! (Survival) - (1d20+4, 1d20+4)

1d20+4 : (15) + 4 = 19

1d20+4 : (11) + 4 = 15

This will in no way cause problems for us - (1d100)

(96) = 96

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 22, 2021 4:48 pm
Jun 22, 2021 4:48 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Aiwë's relief at finding the trail is tempered by the knowledge that if she can find it, others can too. She continues her attempts at laying misleading tracks.

Rolls

Survival - (1d20+1)

(9) + 1 = 10

Snitch help - (1d20+1)

(2) + 1 = 3

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 22, 2021 5:19 pm
Jun 22, 2021 5:19 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Aiwë is laying a false trail a short distance of from her companions when she notices a peculiar smell. Granted, between Keggruk's corpse and the animated archer, not to mention sweat from so much exertion over the last 24 hours, her nose has become inured to unpleasant smells. This is something different.

Then the tree next to her begins to move.

No, not a tree. What she had taken for moss-covered trunk and branches are actually a large creature. Its head turns around to regard her, and she catches a glimpse of bloodshot eyes, a large nose, and vicious teeth. Troll. It seems to have actually stabbed itself in the shoulders with branches full of leaves to give the extra appearance of a tree.

"Duul morakte ztein!" Its voice is a burbling rasp, and Aiwë catches the carrion stench of its breath.

Rolls

Mystery Roll - (1d3)

(2) = 2

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 22, 2021 6:45 pm
Jun 22, 2021 6:45 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Aiwë freezes. She's never encountered a troll before, but she has heard enough stories.

"If I catch you," she begins, Elvish whisper eerily sing-song as she carefully strafes around to the other side of the troll, "the trees will have your corpse as recompense."

Aiwë casts Dissonant Whispers, and tries to position herself so that the troll will run back the way she came from and away from where the party is going just before she casts it. If the troll fails, she runs!! She probably also runs if it passes but let's get this far first.
[ +- ] Dissonant Whispers
Last edited June 22, 2021 6:46 pm

Rolls

Psychic damage - (3d6)

(551) = 11

Wisdom save for troll - (1d20-1)

(19) - 1 = 18

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 22, 2021 7:08 pm
Jun 22, 2021 7:08 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
The troll lets out a wet roar, for though Aiwe's magic doesn't find a good hold, never has this monster come across magic that could directly attack its mind.

Aiwe slips away and begins running. Behind her, she can hear the troll moving.

"Blod unst fliegen!"

There is the sound of rocks rolling and tumbling. A quick glance behind her shows shows a second troll pulling itself free from the earth. This one had apparently been disguised as a boulder.

Roaring and stomping, the two smelly green giants give chase!
OOC:
Aiwe can make an Athletics check to see if she outruns these moops. DC 12

Ossein, Wirrow, and Imoen can hear this commotion. It's all happening about a minute's casual walk away.

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 22, 2021 7:30 pm
Jun 22, 2021 7:30 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
"Run forward!" Aiwë yells to her companions as she runs. "But keep away!" She doesn't need a fight right now. She sprints, dodging around trees and stumps.

"This would make a really great story," Aiwë huffs, "if I weren't living it."

A sharp eye and timing her running well enough to keep the trolls close but not too allows her to impale one troll on a thick and sharp tree branch. The second troll gets its leg stuck in a tangle of dead wood and rocks.

Neither obstacle will keep trolls down long, she knows, but by the time she rejoins her companions she is comfortable that the trolls will be frustratedly returning to their ambush predation.

"Trolls," Shelur tells the others. Two ambushes in as many days," she thinks sullenly, hitching Keggruk up higher on her shoulders.
Last edited June 22, 2021 10:49 pm

Rolls

LEG IT (athletics) - (1d20+5)

(17) + 5 = 22

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 22, 2021 11:05 pm
Jun 22, 2021 11:05 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
With the trolls handled, the group sets out again following the other party's trail. The afternoon sun begins its inevitable dip to the west, heralding the approach of evening. The heat and humidity and hours of exertion weigh heavily on the group - other than Ossein and his new friend, who don't seem to mind - and once again they must steel themselves if they are to continue to journey through the night.
OOC:
Wirrow and Aiwe, DC 12 Con saves against exhaustion! Assuming you're going to continue until you reach the other group. If you're going to stop and sleep, disregard the saving throw.

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 22, 2021 11:07 pm
Jun 22, 2021 11:07 pm
Re: The Lion's Way

Rolls

Gotta do the thiiiiiing - (1d20)

(3) = 3

Inspiration (GOTTA DO THE THING) - (1d20)

(13) = 13

Ossein Handel

yaroto98Inactive forever!

Jun 22, 2021 11:22 pm
Jun 22, 2021 11:22 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
"Whew, those blokes stank really bad, right guys? Right? I mean they were so much worse than anything I've ever smelled before. Yuck! Like, take a bath sometimes trolls."

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmageInactive forever!

Jun 22, 2021 11:29 pm
Jun 22, 2021 11:29 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
After the near encounter with trolls, everything goes swimmingly. Including Wirrow's vision. The sun is catching up to her; even with trees overhead half of the time, it's hotter than anything she's ever dealt with. The nights were warmer here. The days? She's had enough of the day.

Too much of the day, really.

Wirrow doesn't even catch the dizziness and black encroaching in on her vision until she crouches down to look at the tracks again... and suddenly finds herself unable to get up. Every time she does, the feelings spiral back up. Her legs feel unnaturally weak, and her eyes have only a dull unmoving focus at the ground directly in front of her.

Wirrow blinks several times, trying to make it go away. This is what I get- "...too much..." Her thoughts are half internal, half mumble.
Last edited June 22, 2021 11:40 pm

Rolls

Con Save - (1d20+2)

(7) + 2 = 9

Imoen

AraklustaInactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 12:02 am
Jun 23, 2021 12:02 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"Hey Wirrow, you don't look so-" Imoen tries to kneel down next to the ranger, but ends up falling on her rear instead. "Say, I don't suppose anyone... brought some extra... water...? No? Well, that's fine." She forces herself to her feet, then offers a hand to Wirrow. "I've never been out here before, but I wore down dozens of candles while pouring over maps of the Sword Coast. Between the two of us, I'm sure we can figure this out."
OOC:
Imoen takes the Help action for Wirrow, give her advantage to negate the disadvantage from exhaustion.

And now, DC 13 Survival check! Aiwe, please declare in the chat if you're going to help with bardic inspiration or not.

Rolls

Imoen Con save vs exhaustion DC 10 - (1d20+1)

(3) + 1 = 4

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmageInactive forever!

Jun 23, 2021 12:53 am
Jun 23, 2021 12:53 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"Don't need your help," Wirrow mumbles. This time, the mumble is because she's clearly biting her lip internally. Hard. Wirrow inhales deeply through her nose, and her gaze sharpens up.

It was rough right now, but night would fall soon, and their hurt companions would probably stop.

She stands, a faint glisten of blood shining off her grimly-pursed lips. "Come on."
Last edited June 23, 2021 1:01 am

Rolls

Survival (Navigation once more) - (1d20+4)

(17) + 4 = 21

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 1:42 am
Jun 23, 2021 1:42 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"Wirrow has lots of cold water," Shelur mutters to Imoen. "Better have some, girls. We're not stopping for a while." Gruumsh's eye continues to stare at her as she walks. She ignores it, and the plate armour digging into her back, and plods on.
Last edited June 23, 2021 1:45 am

Imoen

AraklustaInactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 1:55 am
Jun 23, 2021 1:55 am
Re: The Lion's Way
Imoen gasps and turns to Wirrow. "You do have water? And it's cold? Oh, please, you must share! I only need a mouthful..."

Ossein Handel

yaroto98Inactive forever!

Jun 23, 2021 5:10 am
Jun 23, 2021 5:10 am
Re: The Lion's Way
As the group walks bits of Ossein talking to himself float past.

"...but did you want to be an archer?"
"...did you become a hob..."
"...blood isn't love letters..."
"... could be a laxative..."
"...legs, definitely legs..."

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmageInactive forever!

Jun 23, 2021 2:51 pm
Jun 23, 2021 2:51 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Wirrow looks away, down at her satchel to hide her grimace. Why did Aiwe have to go and bring that up? She still didn't know why- Fine. You know what, let's just get it over with. Just this once because it is water, and because someone's blatant lack of preparation is already abundantly clear.

"Just this once." Wirrow opens the black satchel and hands Imoen a chilled flask, and waits for the girl to finish and hand it back before they continue on their way. "If you can steal a bow and magic wands but can't even remember to bring arrows and water for yourself, you shouldn't be out here."

Imoen

AraklustaInactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 3:04 pm
Jun 23, 2021 3:04 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Imoen takes a waterbag from her pouch and holds it upside down, shaking it at Wirrow. Nothing comes out. "I brought water, it's just out. I can't believe you haven't had anything to drink all day! I've been watching." She sighs. "No, no. I thank you for the water. That's it. That's all I have to say."

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 3:08 pm
Jun 23, 2021 3:08 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
They continue on with renewed determination as the sun begins to fall behind the western horizon, but Wirrow navigates with uncanny skill. Here is where a wounded party member brushed up against a bush, and here is where someone changed their bandages. And here is where they stopped to look at a... a what? The prints are cloven, like a deer's or elk's, but far larger and heavier.

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 3:22 pm
Jun 23, 2021 3:22 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Aiwë's breath is heavy as she pauses to look at the tracks. "The wolves are smaller but the deer are bigger?" She is tired of the south. No. She's just tired. "Maybe they caught it," she says hopefully. Fresh meat. Hot blood. A small glimmer of something pleasant in an agonizing two days.

She sighs. The meat won't be fresh and the blood won't be hot if they still take hours to catch up yet. She tightens the ties keeping Keggruk's arms together around her neck, and continues on.
Last edited June 23, 2021 3:22 pm

Imoen

AraklustaInactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 3:35 pm
Jun 23, 2021 3:35 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Despite her exhaustion, Imoen hops up and down excitedly. "A deer! A giant deer! Oh, those are supposed to be special..." She furrows her brow and holds the bridge of her nose. "I just can't remember! But... I hope they didn't catch it. Something special..."

While thinking, she wanders over to Ossein and his walking corpse. "You don't happen to remember anything about-Aaaaaagghgh!" She stumbles away from the zombie, who has three huge nasty bugs perched on his back, sucking out whatever juices they can. As Imoen watches in horror and disgust, a fourth buzzes over to land on Ossein's new friend.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e3/04/a0/e304a0de2981f9c68f8cb51f64d0734f.jpg
"Ewwww!"

Rolls

Imoen history (disadv) - (1d20+2, 1d20+2)

1d20+2 : (5) + 2 = 7

1d20+2 : (18) + 2 = 20

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 3:47 pm
Jun 23, 2021 3:47 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Round 1 Player Phase!
OOC:
4 yucky stirges!
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/5b/14/97/5b1497c0acba6d63ec6c5326eb355a81.jpg

Imoen

AraklustaInactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 4:05 pm
Jun 23, 2021 4:05 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Imoen skitters back from Ossein's zombie and takes aim with her bow. One of the stirges flaps around suddenly and spooks her just as she looses the arrow, and it *thunks* into the zombie's back (Ossein's archer friend takes 5 damage).

Rolls

Imoen vs Stirge 3 - (1d20+5)

(1) + 5 = 6

FUMBLE - (1d100)

(82) = 82

dmg to Archer - (1d6+3)

(2) + 3 = 5

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmageInactive forever!

Jun 23, 2021 4:12 pm
Jun 23, 2021 4:12 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Wirrow sighs (mostly internally) at Imoen's incompetence. It was a good thing the person she'd shot hadn't been alive, or there might be serious consequences. She moves forward to hack at least one of them off, but while the sun is setting, a few stray rays catch her in the eyes and she slashes at nothing but air.

(Missed both attacks on the stirges, yay...)

HP: 20/20
AC: 14
Up next to the stirges.
Last edited June 23, 2021 4:20 pm

Rolls

Shortsword vs Stirge 1 - (1d20+5)

(5) + 5 = 10

Shortsword (Offhand) vs Stirge 1 - (1d20+5)

(2) + 5 = 7

Ossein Handel

yaroto98Inactive forever!

Jun 23, 2021 4:36 pm
Jun 23, 2021 4:36 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
"...huh? Oh, my where did those come from?"

A burst of various spectral weapons slide out of the archer.

DC 12 dex save or taken2 damage, everything within 5 feet of me.
Last edited June 23, 2021 4:37 pm

Rolls

Sword burst damage - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 4:37 pm
Jun 23, 2021 4:37 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
The spectral weapons slice through two of the stirges and drop them in pieces to the ground. But two of them cling on with stubborn tenacity.

Rolls

stirge dex saves (1-4) - (4d20+3)

(20796) + 3 = 45

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 4:44 pm
Jun 23, 2021 4:44 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Aiwe pulls two of her mallets from their case at her hip and beats at the bugs. One falls to the ground, thoroughly squished, but the second evades her sluggish swing.
Last edited June 23, 2021 4:46 pm

Rolls

Attack - (1d20+5)

(13) + 5 = 18

Bonus attack - (1d20+5)

(5) + 5 = 10

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 4:59 pm
Jun 23, 2021 4:59 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
With people beating and swinging and shooting at them, the stirges flurry about Archie and Ossein, each one picking a target. By the time three are killed, Wirrow sports a nasty wound (Wirrow takes 5 piercing) and the last of Archie's fluids are slurped away (Archie takes 7 dmg and 'dies'. But he can be reanimated same as normal).

Rolls

stirge 1 vs Aiwe - (1d20+5)

(1) + 5 = 6

stirge 2 vs Archie - (1d20+5)

(18) + 5 = 23

stirge 3 vs Imoen - (1d20+5)

(1) + 5 = 6

stirge 4 vs Wirrow - (1d20+5)

(15) + 5 = 20

dmg to Archie - (1d4+3)

(4) + 3 = 7

dmg to Wirrow - (1d4+3)

(2) + 3 = 5

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 5:04 pm
Jun 23, 2021 5:04 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Round 2 Player Phase!!
OOC:
Kill it kill it kill it
Stirge 3
HP 2/2
AC 14

Ossein Handel

yaroto98Inactive forever!

Jun 23, 2021 5:06 pm
Jun 23, 2021 5:06 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
"Taking a nap already? We've barely started. Wake back up, c'mon."


Ossein re-raises the archer.

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmageInactive forever!

Jun 23, 2021 5:12 pm
Jun 23, 2021 5:12 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Wirrow looks practically offended at the stirge's attempt to drink her blood. Even as it goes to bite her, she whips her sword through the air and cuts the bug in half lengthwise, bursting open the part of it that holds blood from all of its previous victims, as well as her own. The impromptu red shower hits everyone nearby; Wirrow herself looks more satisfied and vindicated than disgusted by it.

(Stirge 3 is a heckin dead bug)

HP: 15/20
AC: 14
Last edited June 23, 2021 5:21 pm

Rolls

Shortsword - (1d20+5)

(20) + 5 = 25

Shortsword damage - (1d8+3)

(5) + 3 = 8

Shortsword crit damage because apparently I didn't type it right - (1d8+11)

(3) + 11 = 14

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 5:18 pm
Jun 23, 2021 5:18 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
Wirrow nearly disposes of the last bloodsucker, though not before it sinks its nasty proboscis into her calf (Wirrow takes 7 piercing damage).
OOC:
End of combat!

Rolls

Stirge 3 vs Wirrow - (1d20+5)

(16) + 5 = 21

Dmg to Wirrow - (1d4+3)

(4) + 3 = 7

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmageInactive forever!

Jun 23, 2021 10:00 pm
Jun 23, 2021 10:00 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
"I've decided I hate them." Wirrow sends a casual, blood-splattered glare at the bug carcasses on the forest floor. Not much point dwelling on it. There had better not be any more, though.

As the group starts on their way once again, Wirrow closes one of her hands and focuses on it. She'd read about a lot of different things in Candlekeep, but only since the assassin attack did she start feeling different. What better time than now to try and see about that magic?

When she opens her hand again, in her palm rest ten red beads, like perfectly spherical berries. Wirrow is almost surprised by how easy it comes to her; Stella had complained a couple of times about magic lessons, so she'd expected more difficulty.

Well, she wasn't going to complain with results like that. They even taste alright too, and the reclamation seems to be working from what she can tell. Spirits and condition a little higher, she catches up the few paces she's fallen behind.

(Wirrow casts Goodberry, and then consumes all of them over the next little bit to regain 10 HP)
[ +- ] Goodberry

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 23, 2021 11:55 pm
Jun 23, 2021 11:55 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
"Bugs," Aiwë says, an obvious agreement with Wirrow's decision. She stows her mallets and brushes her hands against Imoen and Wirrow's arms, muttering a snippet of song to herself about a frog eating flies on a log. The two become clean of blood at her touch.

"We have to keep moving," she says. "You'll catch up again?" she asks the mace. She turns and continues plodding on, not waiting for a reply.

Ossein Handel

yaroto98Inactive forever!

Jun 24, 2021 12:03 am
Jun 24, 2021 12:03 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"Yes, yes, yes. I'll catch up again, just make sure wherever you go, it's obvious. I'm not one for tracking. And when I do catch up, if you'd like, I can take over that manual labor. My archer might not be able to lift that big fellow, but he can drag him and he doesn't tire. Might at least give you a break, even if we go a little slower."

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 2 months

Jun 24, 2021 2:19 am
Jun 24, 2021 2:19 am
Re: The Lion's Way
"It's safer for me to carry him. A drag trail is hard to cover and easy to follow." She pauses and looks back at the weapon. "Thanks though. Maybe Archer can carry our packs if there's time to trade later."
Last edited June 24, 2021 2:20 am

Araklusta Inactive for 2 months

Jun 24, 2021 3:06 pm
Jun 24, 2021 3:06 pm
Re: The Lion's Way
The group continues on as darkness falls. Just when they think they can go no farther, they stumble into their friends' campsite!
OOC:
The adventure continues here!
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