Barrow Mounds: Hallowed Ground expedition

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin sighs "Well yes it would be nice to know their value..sometimes i have an eye for that you know."

[Spearmint]

Barrow Mounds, south of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.

May 9th 1066.
9.05am. light breeze, dry conditions.
Light: Exterior visibility limited to 60'ft through thick mist.
Lanterns (Reuben).
Vann Hector -2hp, Savant -1hp, Reuben -2hp. Eldon -2hp, Dalin -1hp.
Effects: none.

I am fine with Dalin being cast in the mudloam at the same time as Vann as others guard during the last pre-dawn hours so have noted +2hp but take the bowl from your trove list.

After a pause for the group to give thanks in any way they see fit, certainly the NPC's do add something to the mammoth trinkets; an arrow from the ranger and some pages of Psalms from the priest.

You take a short westwards trek sticking to a hard mud path and avoiding boggy ground before turning northwards. Wary of passing within the area the lizardman bandits ambushed you, Tamson goes around the route as advised by Vann.

The jars are heavy and you have to take care not to drop the encumbering items. Sarge proves an able guard, barking at some startled raptors. A pride of voracious nippers feasting over a deer carcass. They have their banquet however and you pass them by. Further on though you are forced to stop. A croaking of frogs grows louder and approaches your position, forewarning you of approaching creatures. You each drop packs and reach for weapons.

Either side of a grassy trail, several toads are buffeting each other in their quest to mount a female. The large amphibians kick and bite their rival suitors to obtain first mating rites. The female, leading the chase on hops down the trail and lands, bug eyed and open mouthed, surprised among you.

actions please

You have surprised the giant toads and can take a free attack before initiative.

give me two attack rounds each to cover the surprise round and the next.

[Stirling]

Vann Hector

Figures if we see the rutting males, it might be best to chase the female away or let her hop elsewhere. But when a make frog leaps in, to protect the smaller of the group who could be swallowed, he attacks.

Vann Hector longsword melee [1d20+1]=19+1=20 damage [1d8]=6 Group initiative [1d6]=5
Vann Hector longsword melee [1d20+1]=9+1=10 damage [1d8]=2 Group initiative [1d6]=4

[LordKane77]

Savant takes shots with his bow at who he deems to be the bigger threat. He focuses all his arrows on a single target until it falls. (like, the males are the threat because they're aggressive males, or if they really just seem like they're focused on her, and she'll attack, he goes for her) Whatever the vibe is for him, ....(of course he'll pick a target where he doesn't shoot a friend in the back, or have to take penalties as a first priority, regardless)

Regardless, Elven archery school is in session......
Short Bow [1d20]=15 ---> [1d6]=1 Dmg
Short Bow [1d20]=16 ---> [1d6]=4 Dmg
Short Bow [1d20]=19 ---> [1d6]=2 Dmg
Short Bow [1d20]=2 ---> [1d6]=6 Dmg

if for some obscene reason swordplay is necessary.... or... whichever round they close....
Longsword [1d20]=14 ---> [1d8]=3 dmg
Longsword [1d20]=16 ---> [1d8]=6 dmg

The keen observer will note just a tiny bit of gloss in his Elven eyes. Archery is like, his THING.

[torkill]

Eldon and Sarge lunge at the back of the same frog that Van Hector attacks. The mastiff has much better success than the small halfling.

Eldon
To Hit [1d20+4]=6+4=10, Damage [1d6x2]=4x2=8 Round 1 Surprise Backstab failure
To Hit [1d20]=6, Damage [1d6]=2 Round 2 Whiff

Sarge
Bite Attack [1d20+1]=19+1=20, Damage [1d6+1]=5+1=6 Round 1 Bite
Bite Attack [1d20+1]=14+1=15, Damage [1d6+1]=6+1=7 Round 2 Bite

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin crossbow loaded with regular bolts fires at the same target as Savant.

Light Crossbow [1d20]=15 to hit, [2d4]=6 dmg
Light Crossbow [1d20]=17 to hit, [2d4]=2 dmg

[Spearmint]

Barrow Mounds, south of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.

May 9th 1066.
1.30pm. light breeze, dry conditions.
Light: Exterior visibility limited to 60'ft through thick mist.
Lanterns (Reuben).
Vann Hector -2hp, Savant -1hp, Reuben -2hp. Eldon -2hp, Dalin -1hp.
Effects: none.

Forewarned by croaking so as not to be taken by surprise, the group down jars and take a defense line in the trail.

The first volley of arrows and bolts take down two critters mid leap, the pincushioned toads landing with a splat on the muddy trail. Vann Hector and Reuben hack at a third while Sarge grapples with a tasty but raw frog-leg.
Eldon tries to backstab the creature but it leaps trying to escape the chomping jaws of the mastiff and takes the surprised halfling with him on its back. Toad, dog and halfling bound over the trail.

if you can make a 4d6 vs Dex Dave to hang in, I will give you another backstab attempt at it.

The female of the species, croaks, ignorant of the mayhem befalling the randy suitors and leaps in a random direction, thankfully away from the group. However the toads are fully of excitement and amphibious testosterone. Half pursue the in-season female and others suddenly decide adventurers are in season too and all this frantic leaping makes them mighty hungry. A few follow the ridden toad and others leap upon the group.

Reuben [1d20+2]=3+2=5 Mace [1d6]=5 Tam longbow [1d20+3]=20+3=23 [1d6]=5 [1d20+3]=16+3=19 [1d6]=3
Reuben [1d20+2]=17+2=19 Mace [1d6]=3 Tam longbow [1d20+3]=1+3=4 [1d6]=4 [1d20+3]=5+3=8 [1d6]=5Toads in the Moor [2d6]=3 vs party [1d6]=3

I will use your rolled attacks Savant but you can choose to stay on the trail or attack those leaping after the stray halfling.

actions please

[torkill]

Eldon tries to hold on to the fleeing toad, but it proves too be slippery than the greased pig at the festival. Seeing his master flung to the trail, Sarge is still wanton to release his tasty treat so he digs all for paws in to the trail trying to grapple his bouncing snack to a stand still.

Dex (16) Save [4d6]=22

No idea what, if anything to roll for Sarge to try and drag this thing down, so just rolled a straight 1d20. Do with it as you see fit.

Sarge grapple [1d20]=11

[LordKane77]

Savant holds ground on the road for those attacks.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin reloads and will shoot the next threatening creature closest to the group.

Light Crossbow [1d20]=9 to hit, [2d4]=4 dmg

[Stirling]

Vann Hector

"Tamson, target those critters after the halfling." he points to the other toads following the one with the dog and Eldon attached. He swings his longsword ineffectively at a beast hoping by.

Vann Hector longsword melee [1d20+1]=2+1=3 damage [1d8]=8 Group initiative [1d6]=5

[Spearmint]

Barrow Mounds, south of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.

May 9th 1066.
1.35pm. light breeze, dry conditions.
Light: Exterior visibility limited to 60'ft through thick mist.
Lanterns (Reuben).
Vann Hector -2hp, Savant -4hp, Reuben -6hp. Eldon -2hp, Dalin -1hp.
Effects: none.

Eldon finds he cannot rude bareback upon the leaping toad and falls off into the grass. Sarge also releases his grasp upon the hind leg and that toad hood away. Three other toads land around them and each tries to take a chunk or sweep them into their open maws to swallow but each pounce is just out of reach. The mastiff snarls at one and Eldon fends another off inflicting a minor wound.

The guys standing in the trail are not as fortunate. Three large toads assault them, one grabbing Reuben and crunching him for -4hp and a second grabs an elven leg, pulling Savant to the ground as it slobbers over him, drooling. -3hp

The group retaliate. The ranger Tamson pings two arrows into the back of a creature attacking Eldon and it jerks violently, spasms of death shuddering its mottled body. Reuben bashes the creature that has grabbed him forcing it to release him from its grasp. Savant stabs into the one biting him. Dalin and Vann Hector are ineffective in their targeting.

Though one of the toads leaps away from the trail after the female, the other four giant toads are eager for a quick meal and dilate their bug eyes' into concentrated predatory mode and stay to try and feast in the characters.

next attacks please.

Critters [1d6]=6 Toads in the Moor: A [1d20]=10 [2d4]=4 B [1d20]=11 [2d4]=8 C [1d20]=8 [2d4]=4Toads on the trail: A [1d20]=16 [2d4]=4 B [1d20]=6 [2d4]=7 C [1d20]=16 [2d4]=3Reuben [1d20+2]=18+2=20 Mace [1d6]=2 Tam longbow [1d20+3]=20+3=23 [1d6]=6 [1d20+3]=13+3=16 [1d6]=6Eldon melee [1d20]=18[1d6]=1Toads stay in melee or leap after female? AB DEF [1d2]=1[1d2]=1[1d2]=1[1d2]=1[1d2]=2

[LordKane77]

Savant puts his elven blade to work, first trying to dislodge the one attacking him, then attacking whatever is closest if he's successful.
Longsword [1d20]=19 ---> [1d8]=3 dmg
Longsword [1d20]=11 ---> [1d8]=6 dmg

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin remains at a ranged distance if possible to stay that way and reloads and fires again same target as before unless one pursuing the halfling is within range.

Light Crossbow [1d20]=5 to hit, [2d4]=4 dmg

[Stirling]

Vann Hector

Fast draws a hand held crossbow from his hip holster to trigger a preloaded bolt at a leaping toad but the shaft skies away.

Vann Hector triggers HH-xbow [1d20+1]=11+1=12 [2d4]=2
Team initiative [1d6]=2

[Spearmint]

will update tomorrow pending Eldon actions

[torkill]

Eldon swings his short sword at the toad attacking him, while Sarge chomps down on it.

To Hit [1d20]=19, Damage [1d6]=5
Bite Attack [1d20+1]=18+1=19, Damage [1d6+1]=4+1=5

Sorry for the delay!

[Spearmint]

Barrow Mounds, south of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.

May 9th 1066.
1.45pm. light breeze, dry conditions.
Light: Exterior visibility limited to 60'ft through thick mist.
Lanterns (Reuben).
Vann Hector -2hp, Savant -4hp, Reuben -6hp. Eldon -2hp, Dalin -1hp.
Effects: none.

The lovelorn and hungry giant toads, having tasted flesh are eager for more. Their rubbery lips running red with bloody drool from the bites wound they have inflicted. The two on the trail grab again at their opponents. Reuben is practically swallowed as the toad opens its huge gullet and leaps in him, taking him head first. The toad chokes on the cleric but vice like grips hold him firm and you hear several bones break and splinter as the unfortunate priest croaks it. His legs stop moving and he lies limp in the mouth of the predator. The toad hops away, encumbered by his prize eventually regurgitating the chainmail suit the cleric wore in a bloody pulp of squished torso and legs. The arms and head gulped down.

Savant is more fortunate as the critter leaping to grab him misses and he ripostes a slash across it with his blade. Tamson pings it with an arrow but Vann Hector and Dalin both miss as injured it hops away to follow the swarm chasing the female.

Eldon and Sarge fend off the critters that harass them. They would make suitable feasts each but the toads go hungry. One gets savaged for its troubles and after a frantic few minutes, the amphibious assault fades as the critters leap away.

Critters [1d6]=4 Toads on the trail: A [1d20]=20 [2d4]=7 B [1d20]=5 [2d4]=3Toads on the Moor: A [1d20]=10 [2d4]=5 B [1d20]=11 [2d4]=6Tam longbow [1d20+3]=2+3=5 [1d6]=5 [1d20+3]=14+3=17 [1d6]=2

next actions. You can attempt a strike at the fleeing toads if you wish as they leave.

[Stirling]

Vann Hector

Probably loads his crossbow and draws the other to point both at the fleeing creatures but dual wielding is an art he has yet to learn and both bolts fly uselessly into the mist.

Vann Hector: triggers hand-held crossbows (dual-wield penalty) [1d20-1]=5-1=4 [2d4]=5 [1d20-3]=7-3=4 [2d4]=5

"Fuck. Poor guy. Crazy in the head maybe. Hope he gives that toad the shits."

It is probably not the epitaph that Reuben may have wanted but there is nothing more we can do for him now.

"Best to keep moving?" He checks his jar is still whole and picks it up to carry in trekking.

[LordKane77]

Savant drops his sword and shield and draws his bow in a swift, practiced motion. His wave goodbye to the monstrosities is the same as his greeting upon their arrival.....

Short Bow [1d20]=15 ---> [1d6]=1 Dmg
Short Bow [1d20]=3 ---> [1d6]=5 Dmg
Short Bow [1d20]=3 ---> [1d6]=5 Dmg
Short Bow [1d20]=4 ---> [1d6]=1 Dmg

But his body protests his recent injury and his performance suffers. It seems Elven archery school has closed it's doors for the day.

He looks at the bloody mass that was Rueben. This was probably for the best. Savant had actually guessed he'd have to kill the man after he inevitably betrayed the group. And is that chainmail........?