Action Thread #4 - The Marshes

[Sir Clarence]

Assuming that he can't identify them himself, Andrin lets the ranger take a close look at the tracks. "What might these be, Ogirdor?", he asks.

[zebediah]

Now the path seems to curve to the right somewhat and leads to a particularly dank and misty area. Andrin and Ogirdor find several tracks on the path, leading along it towards the distance.
[/b]

The ranger signalizes for the others to wait while he and Andrin look at the tracks.

OOC: Ogirdor will try to assess type of creature, numbers and how old the tracks are.

[Stonjuz]

During the halt, the sounds of the swamp are highlighted. The scouts' attention is broken by the sound of bubbling water. Turning in the direction of the distinct noise, they all see the back of Stonjuz as he is obviously urinating next to a tree. Finishing, he turns to see the sound has drawn attention, he adds... "What?"


just keepin it real

[Vargr1105]

Day 3 - Late Mid Morning? - The Marshes


While Stonjuz adds his own amonia-laced waters to those of the marsh, Andrin and Ogirdor take a gander at the tarcks and exchange impressions. There is much wood-lore between the half-elf druid and the human ranger and after a few minutes they can agree on the following:





- The tracks are fairly recent. Certainly no more than a day or two old.

- They were made by a group, exactly how large is difficult to determine. probably more numerous than the party itself.

- Neither of them has seen tracks exactly like these ones before, which means the creatures that made them are outside their personal expertise.

- The creatures are not large, halfling-sized perhaps and move on two legs.

- The tracks themselves are definitively not human, demi-human or humanoid. The creatures are tri-digitigrades and move barefoot. The overall impression is that they will be either reptilian or flightless avian in nature.

- Last but not least, the creatures move in a group. They seem to have come to this area from the direction the adventurers are travelling to, scurried around for a bit, then return back from whence they came.


OCC: My God! I was searching for "digitigrade footprint" on Google Images and start getting furry foot fetish erotica art in the results.

[Stonjuz]

"You don't think they eat turtle do ya? You two see any signs of droppings? Fleshtype I mean."
Stonjuz nervously tries to reach for the Boccob symbol but can't, because his hands are full due to staff and rope.

[Sir Clarence]

After Andrin and Ogirdor came to a conclusion about the tracks, the druid turns around and tells the others what might probably lie ahead. "Let's hope that we won't be attacked by them here on this narrow and dangerous path", he ends. If no one objects, Andrin then turns and continues along the path. "Be prepared to move quickly, Ogirdor. If we meet these creatures and they turn out to be aggressive, I'd like to have you in front of me", he smiles at the ranger. If possible, Andrin moves even more slowly now, listening to the sounds of the swamp around him, and trying to make out unusual noises ahead that might hint at the creatures that made the tracks.

[ragnboneshopper]

While Ogirdor and Andrin are studying the tracks, Thurinor pulls out his crossbow and sets a bolt to it. "Perhaps they are merely like large and harmless chickens," he says. He stifles his laughter though and takes to peering through the foliage on each side in case of some hidden ambush point, where the ground may be solid enough to allow for it.

[Buzz]

Malone likewise draws his shortsword and tightens his shield to his arm. "From my experience, 'large' and 'harmless' rarely coincide with eachother. If we are dealing with a pack of some sort, also bad news." He trudges slowly after Andrin keepinghis ears sharp.

[zebediah]

Ogirdor reaches for his hand axe with his off hand "Let us proceed then, keep your eyes open for overgrown chicken and other oddities."

[Stonjuz]

Stonjuz will concentrate on his ability of Infravision, especially at every point were the party stops momentarily. Looking for glimpses into the darkness behind us, that may have been missed by the forward members of our group.

[Vargr1105]

Day 3 - Late Mid Morning? - The Marshes


Stonjuz's infravision is of no aid. Even in the gloomy marsh there is still too much light for his dwarven eyes to work their magic.

Travel continues and the six notice the area they are walking towards is a little less boggy, but still the companions must peer hard through the clinging swamp-mist to see the way ahead. The path itself becomes wider, allowing for two persons to travel side-by-side if they wish; and the terrain just outside of it seems to be a bit less spongy and devoid of sandtraps. The curious tracks continue to dot the trail here and there, sets of footprints going in both directions.

The dark vegetation and gnarled trees flanking the trail seems to open gradually until the companions get the impression they are entering what might pass for a clearing within this morass they are travelling through. Through the mists they can see the shape of a tall tree at its center.

Suddenly, a breath of wind clears the mist for a moment and all can see a group of small, lizard-like creatures squatting on their hind legs at the base of an old ash tree. The beings seem to be twice the number of the party and the breeze brings the sound of their hissing, coarse, inhuman tongue.





Whatever conversation was being held, it ceases abruptly as both groups perceive each other. The lizard-like creatures get agitated, bristle the fins on their backs and heads and with much hissing the whole group begins to move towards the party. Their hostile intentions are clear as an untarnished fountain.


No surprise for either side. Post your intentions and then Initiative will be rolled. There is no time to count the exact number of foes, fair to say you think you are outnumbered 2:1. The ash tree is a bit less than 30 yards away.

[Sir Clarence]

Andrin casts Faerie Fire, trying to outline as many of the small sauroids as possible with a nice bright yellow color.

[Buzz]

Malone steps foreward in front of the rest of the party, ready to strike the first lizard to come in range.

EDIT: To Hit with Shortsword: [1d20] = 3, Dam(s/m): [1d6+4] = 2+4 = 6, Dam(l): [1d8+4] = 7+4 = 11

[Stonjuz]

Drops his rope, putting both hands on his staff. "Spread out a little boys, I'm a open up a barrel of whoopass on these little buggers if that hiss means what I think it does."

If any of the creatures is within range of his staff attack, and far enough way from his companions this turn, the dwarf will swing to attack. Otherwise he will hold position until they do get within said range. ooc here's his attack roll if needed. I assume they wont reach us until next round however.
to hit w/Staff (2 hand): thaco 20 [1d20] = 15, Dmg (s,m) [1d6+2] = 2+2 = 4, Dmg (L) [1d6+2] = 5+2 = 7

[ragnboneshopper]

If he can get a clear shot this round, Thurinor takes aim with his crossbow and fires at one of the creatures in range. If not this round, then he maneuvers to stay out of melee and tries to set up a clear shot for the following round. He laughs in a rather silly manner at the strange lizards.

Crossbow to-hit: [1d20+1] = 12+1 = 13; Damage S-M/L: [1d4+1] = 4+1 = 5/[1d4+1] = 2+1 = 3

[Ra the monk]

Sighing heavily Oz drops his rope and his dagger and pulls out his short swords... "At least this time they aren't coming down on us."

He will hold his ground and if any of this strange creatures comes to attack him he will attack back, otherwise he will just stand there for a while, meanacing them back.

Intiative:
[1d20] = 12
Or it is a d10
[1d10] = 2

Attack phase one:
To hit w/ Short Sword, main hand: [1d20+2] = 9+2 = 11, damage (s/m): [1d6+3] = 1+3 = 4, damage (L): [1d8+3] = 6+3 = 9

To hit w/ Short Sword, off hand: [1d20+1] = 5+1 = 6, damage (s/m): [1d6+3] = 6+3 = 9, damage (L): [1d8+3] = 4+3 = 7

Attack phase two:
To hit w/ Short Sword, main hand: [1d20+2] = 18+2 = 20, damage (s/m): [1d6+3] = 5+3 = 8, damage (L): [1d8+3] = 8+3 = 11

To hit w/ Short Sword, off hand: [1d20+1] = 12+1 = 13, damage (s/m): [1d6+3] = 4+3 = 7, damage (L): [1d8+3] = 5+3 = 8

[zebediah]

As the other warriors step ahead to meet the creatures Ogirdor shoots as many arrows as he can before mellee commences.



Bow, short, flight arrow - specialist - To hit: [1d20+4] = 6+4 = 10, Damage (s/m): [1d6+2] = 2+2 = 4, Damage (L): [1d6+2] = 5+2 = 7

Bow, short, flight arrow - specialist - To hit: [1d20+4] = 16+4 = 20, Damage (s/m): [1d6+2] = 5+2 = 7, Damage (L): [1d6+2] = 6+2 = 8

Bow, short, flight arrow - specialist - To hit: [1d20+4] = 3+4 = 7, Damage (s/m): [1d6+2] = 6+2 = 8, Damage (L): [1d6+2] = 1+2 = 3

[Vargr1105]

Day 3 - Late Mid Morning? - The Marshes/The Ash Tree Clearing


Boy, this is going to be a complicated round. Going to need a couple of House Rulings.



Musical Theme: Charging Spitting Swamp Lizards


Round 1

Party Initiative: [1d6] = 5, NPC/Monster Initiative: [1d6] = 3

Segments: Thurinor 2nd, Malone/Stonjuz 3rd, Ozborn 4th, Ogirdor/Lizards 5th, Andrin 6th


Having a readied crossbow Thurinor lets off a bolt before anyone else can react. The missile flies straight but misses the head of one of the bipedal lizards target by a hair's breadth.

While Andrin begins chanting in druidic, Malone and Stonjuz ready themselves to defend against the creature's approach. Ozborn pulls out his shortswords and does the same.

Ogirdor drops his weapons, pulls out his bow and begins nocking and shooting arrows. He manages to let off...

[1d100] = 72

...only one before the critters are upon the party, and the arrow fails to meet its mark.

Three of the lizards stop dead in their tracks just before getting into melee range and spit at...

Spit Victims: [1d6] = 3

Spit Victims: [1d6] = 6

Spit Victims: [1d6] = 1

...Malone, Ozborn and Thurinor.


Those three need to roll a Save vs. Wands. Depending on the result it will affect what happens next.


Two of the critters that did not stop their rush assault Stonjuz. The dwarf swing his quarterstaff at the first and hit it smack on the back. The critter tumbles sideways for almost a foot carried by the force of the blow and its own moment and does not rise from the ground again. His companion attempts to take a bite off Stonjuz shins.

Charging Lizard Attack: [1d20+2] = 17+2 = 19

And suceeds. Small needle-like teeth cut Stonjuz's flesh for...

Bite Damage: [1d2] = 2

...2 points of damage.

Two others reptilians fall upon...

[1d2] = 1

...Ogirdor, jaws salivating and a-chomping.

Charging Lizard Attack: [1d20+2] = 13+2 = 15, Damage: [1d2] = 2
Charging Lizard Attack: [1d20+2] = 1+2 = 3, Damage: [1d2] = 2

But fortunately, a combination of his mail hauberk and natural agility keep him from suffering the same fate as Stonjuz.


We are still in Round 1. After the Saving Throws are made I will proceed with the description of what happens in the rest of the round. Currently it is Segment 5; Andrin will let off his spell on Segment 6.

[ragnboneshopper]

[1d20] = 5 Save vs Wands Thurinor's save vs wands is 11. Phew!

[Buzz]

OOC :Save vs. Wands: [1d20] = 12 Malone saves for wands at 16. Guess he wasn't so lucky.