III. To Belhaim

[onlyme]

Fulp stops running, realizing the Halfling is out of danger.
He stops Ciar.
What did you see? One of them, or many?

[AleBelly]

Sylvan is relieved to see the halfling return. But he is still troubled. "We have to find a way past that thing" he muses. "I'm afraid that lizard is too powerful for any enchantment I'm capable of."

He looks into the swamp, looking for trees strong enough to climb.

[dmw71]

Ciar turn and furiously run back towards the group, angling away from the swamp as he does so.

Minor detail I forgot to include:

The crocodile is rapidly pursuing Ciar.

[hedgeknight]

Festus hurries forward, crossbow ready. "Where did it go?"
He searches for the reptile to resurface so he can drill it with a crossbow bolt!

[OGRE MAGE]

Sparrow steps up with his bow in hand. He fires at the pursuing croc, trying not to hit the fleeing halfling.

Longbow [1d20+2] = 7+2 = 9 Dam [1d6] = 1 2nd arrow [1d20+2] = 15+2 = 17 Dam [1d6] = 3

[dmw71]

Let me try to paint this picture again:

1. Ciar will begin round 1 with a slight head start and will be running at full speed away from the crocodile and towards the group.
2. The crocodile (not shown) occupies cells J6-L6 on the attached map.
3. The crocodile is giving chase on land, and is actually slightly faster than the halfling.
4. Because Ciar won initiative, and we're taking about outdoor movement (movement rate = yards, not feet), Ciar and the crocodile could meet up with any party members rushing towards them somewhere in the middle (the faster humans (Fulp and Sylvan can reach there sooner).
5. The crocodile is running on land, and is a ranged target, but the normal rules for firing into melee will apply due to the fact that it is in close pursuit with Ciar.

sw2_r1.png (80.7 KiB) Viewed 1159 times

Any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.[/ooc]


Rolls:

Initiative: Monsters [1d10] = 5, PCs [1d10] = 6

[Alethan]

Ciar adjusts his direction to head straight towards the rest of the group. Then he unshrugs his pack and tosses it to his right about 15 or 20 feet.

He tosses the pack towards square L1. This does one, possibly two things. First, it lightens his load and makes him as fast as the croc. Second, it might prove to be a distraction.

[AleBelly]

Sylvan removes a pinch of mistletoe from his belt pouch. "Plandaí! Coinnigh sin crogall!" he bellows, looking directly at the crocodile.

[Storm11]

Kassal will shout encouragement to the halfling. He will draw Silas away from the group who step forward to attack behind them.

"Watch the road behind us and the swamp, and call out if anything else comes!" he instructs the human merchant.

He will draw his dagger and prepare for battle

[onlyme]

Fulp positions himself to defend against the croc. He will use his trusty stick, hoping to dislodge the head from the rest of the body should the opportunity arise.

Staff attack [1d20+2] = 18+2 = 20 ; Damage [1d6+1] = 4+1 = 5

[OGRE MAGE]

Sparrow steps up with his bow in hand. He tries to get into a better position in order to shoot at the approaching reptile from an angle, hoping that will lessen the chance to hit friendlies. After his movement, he fires at the pursuing croc.

Longbow [1d20+2] = 7+2 = 9 Dam [1d6] = 1 2nd arrow [1d20+2] = 15+2 = 17 Dam [1d6] = 3

[hedgeknight]

"Get outta the damn way!" Festus yells, running forward, his crossbow ready. As soon as he gets a bead on the crocodile, he will kneel and attempt a shot.

[dmw71]

The crocodile gives chase as Ciar, having distanced himself from the swamp, adjusts his course and turns his bearing back towards the rest of the party. Fearful that the creature is actually gaining on him, the halfling unshrugs his backpack and tosses to his right. The maneuver pays off as the ferocious beast does pause momentarily.

An instant later, the grasses and weeds begin to reach up and entwine about the creature.

An instant after that, an arrow from Sparrow sinks into the tough, scaly hide of the beast and, while even further enraged, it remains completely immobilized.

sw2_r2.png (116.7 KiB) Viewed 1137 times

Actions?

Sparrow, please deduct two arrows.



Rolls:

Sparrow target (1 = Ciar): [1d8] = 8
Crocodile vs Spells: [1d20+2] = 1+2 = 3

[onlyme]

Fulp watches the croc get caught in the vegetation, something that relieves and worries him at the same time. He is certainly thankful he didnt have to fight the beast with his walking stick.

Ok, folks, do we continue near the river where his friends may be awaiting, or chance the woods from here?

[Storm11]

"The woods could be more dangerous than the swamp side. It's difficult to call. At least in the trackway we can see far enough ahead and behind that we can prepare. And keep an eye on each other. Kassal looks at the crocodile. do you wish to kill it druid man?" he asks, feeling the choice goes to the captor.

[AleBelly]

Sylvan speaks authoritatively. "Crocs don't tend to have friends. They often fight amongst themselves, so I doubt there are other. I'm confident enough that I will lead through the swamp if so desired.

If we plan on returning this way, we should slay the lizard with ranged weapons to avoid another encounter. If not, follow me through the swamp. The grasses will still entangle the unwary, and I know the area affected by my spell. But let's make haste. The grasses won't hold that reptile forever.

I favor returning by Silas's less dangerous path; I suggest we leave the creature be."

If desired, Sylvan will lead the party past the area of effect so they can avoid being ensnared.

[Alethan]

Ciar breathes a deep sigh of relief and retrieves his pack.

"Thanks," he says when he returns to the group. "Fortunately, I surprised it, and not the other way around, or I'd be inside that things belly right now. Jeeze, but it's big..."

Looking at Sylvan, he asks, "How much of that area does your tangle spell cover? Can we even walk around it without getting caught? Or do we need to cut through the woods for a little and then turn back to the trail?"

[dmw71]

Sylvan studies the affected area and concludes that passage along their planned route will be difficult, but there is a narrow patch bordering the swamp which is passable - with care, but just because his spell will allow it, there is always the risk of any natural threats from the waters, which have proven to be problematic.

He also cautions Ciars before the halfling recovers his pack. "It's right on the edge, but should be safe," he says.

sw2_r02.png (25.3 KiB) Viewed 1123 times

Silas, while growing more comfortable with the group's capabilities, continues to be his normal, ornery self. "I don't trust those woods," he starts. "I'm going this way." indicating the swamp route.

[Alethan]

Ciar nods at Sylvan's suggestion and carefully approaches his pack, trying to make sure he doesn't get entangled in the mess of weeds and grass.

"You sure we shouldn't put this thing out? It's obviously set up a nice ambush place for people walking between towns. It's habit has become a danger to the communities around here."

[OGRE MAGE]

Sparrow walks to the front of the animal. J7 Being from the islands, he has had his fair share of encounters with crocs. He fires again, trying to hit the spot right between the eyes but back a little further in the middle of its head.


Longbow [1d20+2] = 8+2 = 10 Dam [1d6] = 2 2nd arrow [1d20+2] = 4+2 = 6 Dam [1d6] = 5

4 arrows deducted