Dalin Silverhand: Rotten to the core.

[Spearmint]

Blackened Forest west of Bhaz'rad Dur

May 25th 1066

Running through the bush, checking over your shoulder, unable to halt even for the merest moment means that you run blindly until you can create a gap between you and the chasing pack.

It means you run straight into a lurking bugbear and both if you are equally surprised.

Dalin initiative [1d6]=3 Critters [1d6]=3 compare Dex for first strike
Bugbear [1d20+1]=16+1=17[1d6+1]=3+1=4

Acting simultaneously, the dwarf strikes out with both axes while the humanoid lunges with a spear.
Unusual for dwarves, Dalin despite a rotund figure and squat muscled frame, he is surprisingly agile and dextrous and it is this well honed ability that saves him. Fractionally (17 Dex vs 16), you get critical strikes in to hack the second bugbear before he can impale you. BB -6hp deceased.

Rather than running further, you climb up the boughs of a forest pine, sheltering between the deep needle like leaves and huddled into a hollow as the trunk separates to spread. At the foot of the neighbouring tree, Bugbears gather to check over the corpse of the hacked youth. A cry goes up, there is some discussion. "He is upstream ... downstream ... running into the next valley ... hiding in a burrow."

The adolescents follow different trails, chasing their tails or the arboreal baboons. Two pick up the body to bear him away back to the village.

You wait, patient on your roost until only the night song of owls and the flitting of fruit bats disturb the night.

actions please

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin climbs back down, and tries to head in the direction of the hut Clive and the ranger were held captive in trying to find a more round about way of getting there without actually going through the bugbear village. Hoping to sneak up through the bush from behind and somehow break them out.

[Spearmint]

Blackened Forest west of Bhaz'rad Dur

May 25th 1066

Dalin just wonders how cursed he is. Afflicted by a dread disease, fleeing the haven of Helix in case he is suspected of infecting others, finding his hope of a cure not only kidnapped but now not up for ransom but caged to be burned as a holy offering.

At least his perceived unholy state saved him from that grisly fate. He binds his wounds, at least staunching any running blood though it will need addressing later.

Short on options. A long trek arcing around ridges, travelling to a far off Tor and then back towards Crooked Yew seems a lonely choice and one that doesn't address his immediate need of finding a cure to his rotting affliction. Even making that choice as a preference still leaves him in need of trekking across the Barrowmoor towards another druid's stronghold with no guarantee there either. No, the choice seems already made, a 'do or die' attempt here.

Having been escorted through the village you consider the layout you remember. On the ridge to the east, a watchtower. Guarded by a handful of tribesmen. Leading off the ridge was a track which led to the thatched huts of Bhaz'rad Dur, each built in a small corral to pen in livestock but there was no boundary stockade surrounding the village that you noticed. The forest closes in very near to the properties so it could be more easily achieved to sneak closer to dwellings.

At the western end of the village was a large patch of cleared grassland, with the constructed Jackal headed cage and bonfire wood in the middle facing the village. Sneaking into the treeline and taking several turns to study, you notice these things.

By the foot of the cage, a guard with a firebrand torch stands on some kind of guard duty. He occasionally looks up and taunts the two prisoners inside the cage torso.

A crying his heard in the village, a wailing not a celebratory call. Perhaps the kin of the Bugbears your slew earlier grieve. You hear drums too, but these emanate from a different part of the village and the rhythmic beating perhaps indicates some religious type event.

Two other Bugbears patrol around the open ground between treeline and bonfire. Behind you in the wilds of the dense forest, adolescent Bugbears continue their search for you, hoping your scalp completes their rite of passage to warrior-hood.

you have some choices to make. Do you take out the two patrolling guards or sneak by them? Wait for a surprise backstab? Web them up with the spider gland? Do you prefer to cause distraction in the village with some bonfires of your own?

considerations and actions please.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin wishing he had a way to use the spider glad on his crossbow to make a couple web bolts, weighs his options and decides that perhaps it might be best to take out the two guards by either killing them or binding them in a manner where they cannot call out an alarm. The dwarf decides not to temp his luck in sneaking as it hasn't worked out very well lately. instead he decides to try and shoot the first guard when the second is not looking. After that he is going to try and slip over and web the second one if he can even get the timing right. The dwarf is going to fire his crossbow from a concealed area in the treeline if he can.

Light Crossbow [1d20]=12 to hit, [2d4]=5 dmg

[Spearmint]

Blackened Forest west of Bhaz'rad Dur

May 26th 1066

In the night hours, the dwarf triggers a long range shot from his crossbow, the shaft flies but not very true, landing wide of the patrolling bugbear.

He turns hearing the 'whizz', suddenly taking a defensive posture and scanning the treeline but there is no follow up volley of arrows, war cry or appearance as Dalin remains sheltered in a hollow on the forest's edge.

The guard gestures to the second one and they walk closer to the treeline, one on your right and the other on the left. The third guard by the cage does not seem to have been alerted, his concentration upon the captives and the ongoing drumbeats of the ritual in the village. The pair sweep the perimeter from the outer edges, closing in meet in the middle which is yards from you.

Dalin wishing he had a way to use the spider glad on his crossbow to make a couple web bolts,

You get a moment to plan your attack. Using the spider gland might work in an ad-hoc kind of way. Perhaps just sticking it on the barbed tip and hope a hit impales the bugbear and with a splat, explodes the gland into a mass of sticky webs? The weight on the end might limit accuracy and weight but a short range if it succeeds you might be able to close to melee pretty quickly and deal with them.

actions please.

Dwarves add 1 to their dice rolls to hit vs half-orcs, goblins, hobgoblins, or orcs.

FYI: with Bugbears being 'tall hobgoblins', I add this bonus to your roll.

I noticed too that you are not adding your +2 missile to hit bonus to your attack macros from high Dex. Your last attack over medium range failed due to the -2 medium range penalty which I factor in. But your macros should read as
Dalin: light crossbow vs humanoids. [1d20+3] dam [2d4]

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin takes out the spider gland and tries to find a good spot to slip around to come out behind the bugbear on his left and tries to use the glad as directed by the ranger to shoot it's sticky webbing all over the bugbear entangling it. If all else fails the dwarf will attack with his axes dual wield attack and throwing one if that fails.
not sure what rolls you want for this type of move but here are some.
Hide in Shadows (20%) [1d100]=40
Move Silently (26%) [1d100]=40
sigh lovely...
Hand Axe (Melee) [1d20]=7 to hit, [1d6]=6 dmg
Hand Axe (Melee off hand) [1d20-2]=15-2=13 to hit, [1d6]=6 dmg
Hand Axe (Thrown) [1d20]=10 to hit, [1d6]=2 dmg

I didn't have those bonuses as I hate having 30 macros for one item I already have more macros for this character than I care for.

[Spearmint]

I didn't have those bonuses as I hate having 30 macros for one item I already have more macros for this character than I care for.

just create this one macro

Dalin: Light Crossbow [1d20+2][2d4]

I will adjust the result for any range or cover modifiers or other variables such as in this case a +1 bonus vs humanoids.

A reminder to all players! It is important players use the correct macro as I look at your posted result to determine hits and misses and with 24 characters in play, I simply cannot police everybody's sheets to make sure they have added the correct strength bonus, the Dex bonus, the weapon's magic.

It is therefore quite possible you may have hit in the past when a miss was narrated and given the crucial nature of each encounter, the correct macro might actually be life saving.

So post a Dalin special with his crossbow and I will narrate the result and following melee.

[GreyWolfVT]

Light Crossbow [1d20+2]=18+2=20 to hit [2d4]=5 dmg

[Spearmint]

Bhaz'rad Dur: rescuing Clive and Hunnicot.

A timely, well aimed shaft is loosed as the dwarf commits to his 'do or die' attempt to free the prisoners and himself of the disease.

The odds do not favour him, they never have though fate and chance play a whimsical game as he discovered blagging at Liar's Dice. At short range, the front heavy bolt nosedives but arcs into the torso of a bugbear. Not only does blood spurt from him -5hp but the spider gland explodes in a mass of tangled silky threads, splattering sticky lines in all directions that entangled the pair of Bugbears.

They thrash about, surprised by the sudden restraints which wrap around their gripped spears meaning they cannot throw them. The dwarf rushes from his covered spot to hack more with his axe. -6hp. One Bugbear guard collapses, the second begins to rip and tear the bonds. While he is bound this round you can take a +2 to hit on your attacks.

Saves vs web Bug A) [1d20]=9 Bug B) [1d20]=3 both restrained so unable to attack this round.

next attack please.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin committed to his cause tries to hack down the second guard before he can call out.

Hand Axe (Melee) [1d20+2]=4+2=6 to hit, [1d6]=5 dmg
For Off hand normally -2 should have been no bonus but I goofed again and clicked the wrong macro. Hand Axe (Melee) [1d20+2]=2+2=4 to hit, [1d6]=6 dmg

[Spearmint]

no problem. I can adjust the macros as it is just you in melee. Gets complicated with multiple players in a melee.

The bugbear dodges the flailing axes and tears free enough of the web bonds to engage in melee. The bugbear has greater height, reach and superior strength but can use none of those to his advantage. Circling each other, Dalin and the guard clash in the forest edge.

Bugbear throw spears [1d20+1]=5+1=6Bugbear [1d20+1]=10+1=11[1d6+1]=3+1=4

give me two rounds of attacks please.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin continues to attack, diving and rolling trying to avoid any hits from the larger foe.

Hand Axe (Melee) [1d20]=20 to hit, [1d6]=3 dmg
Hand Axe (Melee off hand) [1d20-2]=11-2=9 to hit, [1d6]=2 dmg

Hand Axe (Melee) [1d20]=2 to hit, [1d6]=2 dmg
Hand Axe (Melee off hand) [1d20-2]=14-2=12 to hit, [1d6]=2 dmg

[Spearmint]

The melee continues.

Dalin critically strikes the bugbear -9hp,
the creature bloodied can only struggle against the dwarf's onslaught.

Bugbear [1d20+1]=9+1=10[1d6+1]=2+1=3Bugbear [1d20+1]=11+1=12[1d6+1]=1+1=2Bugbear throw spears [1d20+1]=1+1=2Bugbear throw spears [1d20+1]=4+1=5

Dalin give me two more melee attacks versus this bugbear. Hopefully you finish him off. Then you will need to run across the clearing and take on the bugbear guard by the cage who has seen the current melee and is running towards you. He has thrown two javelins which impale the ground at your feet as charge together.

Then give me your melee attacks vs cage guard.

so three macros please.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin fights on wishing the fight had already concluded so he could take care of the guard near the cage. The guard rushing him he will throw an axe at if able to.

Hand Axe (Melee) [1d20]=6 to hit, [1d6]=2 dmg
Hand Axe (Melee off hand) [1d20-2]=16-2=14 to hit, [1d6]=2 dmg

Hand Axe (Thrown) [1d20]=17 to hit, [1d6]=3 dmg

[Spearmint]

Ok. I meant three rounds of attack routines. If you throw your axe and miss or even hit, you can't dual wield next round.

The modified off hand inflicts another wound, -3hp Bugbear deceased.

Two more of these please as you charge and engage the cage guard.

Dalin: Hand axe dual wield: main hand [1d20][1d6] off hand [1d20-2][1d6]

[GreyWolfVT]

I know if I throw one I can't dual-wield until I take the 3rd axe out of my pack. Throwing what was in my hand already is far better than trying to switch to the crossbow to shoot the runner.

Hand Axe Dual Wield: main hand [1d20]=11 to hit[1d6]=6 dmg, off hand [1d20-2]=12-2=10 to hit[1d6]=5 dmg
Hand Axe Dual Wield: main hand [1d20]=6 to hit[1d6]=1 dmg, off hand [1d20-2]=19-2=17 to hit[1d6]=3 dmg

[Spearmint]

Bhaz'rad Dur: rescuing Clive and Hunnicot.

Two Bugbears down, one to go. Dalin needs to finish the job quickly and quietly. In a frantic couple of rounds as the pair meet, the dwarf is able to hack a wound into the guard. -3hp He calls out in pain, jabbing his solitary spear at the shorter foe. Both draw blood and Dalin bleeds -2hp.

R1:Bugbear: cage guard vs Dalin [1d20+1]=17+1=18[1d6+1]=1+1=2
R2:Bugbear: cage guard vs Dalin [1d20+1]=11+1=12[1d6+1]=3+1=4
R3:Bugbear: cage guard vs Dalin [1d20+1]=12+1=13[1d6+1]=5+1=6
R4:Bugbear: cage guard vs Dalin [1d20+1]=10+1=11[1d6+1]=6+1=7

The bugbear senses he can bear the dwarf and take his scalp, Dalin taunts he will hack him down to size and take his head. While he has much less health than his larger foe, his enhanced armour and superior agility serves him well to just keep him on equitable terms.

I rolled the attacks for the following three rounds. Dalin give me three more attack routines please.

[GreyWolfVT]

Hand Axe Dual Wield: main hand [1d20]=5 to hit[1d6]=4 dmg, off hand [1d20-2]=5-2=3 to hit[1d6]=5 dmg

Hand Axe Dual Wield: main hand [1d20]=5 to hit[1d6]=5 dmg, off hand [1d20-2]=3-2=1 to hit[1d6]=1 dmg

Hand Axe Dual Wield: main hand [1d20]=7 to hit[1d6]=3 dmg, off hand [1d20-2]=8-2=6 to hit[1d6]=4 dmg

hells bells...

[Spearmint]

shocking.

The weary two would shake hands and call it quits but this is to the death and last man standing. Neither strikes a blow over the three melee rounds.

Dalin give me another three. After you post I will roll the Bugbears, compare a round by round and narrate the results.

Best of luck.

[GreyWolfVT]

Hand Axe Dual Wield: main hand [1d20]=3 to hit[1d6]=4 dmg, off hand [1d20-2]=16-2=14 to hit[1d6]=2 dmg

Hand Axe Dual Wield: main hand [1d20]=1 to hit[1d6]=1 dmg, off hand [1d20-2]=9-2=7 to hit[1d6]=2 dmg

Hand Axe Dual Wield: main hand [1d20]=11 to hit[1d6]=6 dmg, off hand [1d20-2]=3-2=1 to hit[1d6]=2 dmg