Dianysia: "I've really no clue."
Deladriel: "Hope we find assassin"
Jefferson Harco: "What exactly are we looking for Del?"
Deladriel: "I never meet halflings much, not know much about them"
Dianysia: "I can see it now... we knock on every door, asking 'Excuse me, but have you seen an assassin wondering around?'"
Jefferson Harco: "Any traits? or Markings?"
DM: you find yourselves coming out from the forest, with the outpost maybe a 5 min walk away... the city itself looks strangely small, until you realize that it's because the vast majority of the structures are built to Halfling scale... with maybe only about 1/4 of them scaled to fit men or elves.
DM: there's no walls, and for the last half day you've been walking down a fairly well built road
DM: the road leads straight towards the heart of town, and while you haven't passed anyone on it yet today, you can see plenty of activity around town
Dianysia: "I'm not too sure, except that the old elf thought it looked as eth does, and that it was probably a female that did or did not use a weapon, while being draped in shadow or silk..."
Dianysia: "Anyone have any ideas on how to approach this town?"
Bethany: "Walk up to it and enter it?" Bethany says.
Jefferson Harco: "Why don't we just go in?"
Deladriel shrugs and heads toward the village (She is an elf after all)
Dianysia falls in line with the elf.
Jefferson Harco is also walking to the town
Deladriel says over her shoulder to Dia..."Be careful what you say...if they try hide the assassin, they might tell her we look for her”
Dianysia: "Who said I was planning on doing the talking?" whispered Dia, coming up alongside Jeff.
Deladriel stops in her tracks
Deladriel looks like she just had a wonderful idea..and looks to Beth
DM: as you're heading into town, several of the inhabitants look up at you expectantly, but nobody seems to be paying any obvious attention to y'all, and nobody's making any sort of approach
Deladriel: "Beth...if you look like assassin...mayhap you can act like her too?"
Bethany: "Umm, yes?" Bethany says as Deladriel looks at her.
Bethany: "What?"
Bethany: "How exactly am I going to 'act' like that?"
Deladriel: "If you pretend you are her...you may find people she works with here..if any"
Bethany: "Or, I act wrong and scare of any who would help us?"
Deladriel: "You not have to act mean...just try pay attention...see if some act like they know you"
Deladriel: "And if you confronted...try act like you know them until we sort it out...can you do that?"
Bethany: "Doubt it, but I'll try," Bethany says with a shurg.
Deladriel continues into town
Dianysia stays with Del, looking at the various buildings they pass.
Jefferson Harco is listening and watching whats going around him
Dianysia: "You come here often?" asks Dia (to Del)
Deladriel: "Never"
Bethany: "Well that makes at least two of us.. whats with all the children?"
DM: okay, as you get further into town, you see that the majority of the buildings are single-family dwellings... most of the houses have vegetable gardens or other similar plots of land next to them... as you make it further into the heart of town, the homes start to give way to shops, most of them quite a bit larger than their front rooms, implying that there are living quarters as well...
DM: you are now close enough to see that the road feeds into a very LARGE town square, at least 100 yards to a side (can't tell better than that until you get closer), with most of the "full size" buildings clustered around the town square
Dianysia looks at Beth a moment, wide eyed, before laughing."
Dianysia: "They're not children. They're halflings... a smaller breed of human..."
Bethany: "Ok..." Bethany says, looking around, "Still look like children from here..."
Jefferson Harco: "So where to start?"
Dianysia continues towards the the large town square.
Deladriel follows
Dianysia: "Maybe they've got a place to purchase some food," Dia says, petting her hawkling.
DM: on reaching the town square, you find yourself facing a very large, mostly open space... carts are scattered here and there, with vendors hawking their wares... none of them have gotten too close to the buildings around the edge of the square... prominent buildings facing the square include a Church (actual cathedral, the door handles are at halfling-height, but the doors are still more than man-height tall), a man-sized inn (obvious as such from the hanging sign) with stable attached... and a large halfling-sized hall
Deladriel: "You need meat for that...not cooked"
Deladriel heads toward the obvious Inn that is designed for outsiders
Bethany: "We should goto the Cathedral," Beth says, "If Deladriel's idea is going to work, it will be in there."
Deladriel: "If you want go the church...we go"
Dianysia mutters about not liking churches.
Bethany: "Shall we then?" Bethany says, taking the lead and heading towards the church.
Deladriel follows
Dianysia follows, appearing uncertain for a moment then pasting on a large, friendly smile.
Jefferson Harco also follows
DM: okay... the outer doors stand open, leading into a small nave, where you can let your eyes adjust from the midday sun outside... leading inwards are three smaller doors, but still tall enough to allow all of you to pass through without stooping (think of the normal 2 side and 1 center aisle door arrangement)... stained glass windows fill the wall between the sets of inner doors
DM: off to one side of the nave, you can see a small alcove, a simple rope barring passage, with a bell-pull hanging down
Dianysia heads for the rope, reaching for the bell pull.
Bethany: "Don't Dia," Bethany says, "That bell is meant to call attention for various things..."
Dianysia: "Well, what else do you suggest? I don't feel like waiting around for old age, myself."
Bethany: "Follow me," Bethany says, starting to walk into the chapel area, and heading towards the front of the church
DM: upon entering the cathedral proper, you're faced with two sets of benches, running down the two halves of the hall... the rear third of each side is sized for human-sized beings, whereas the forward two-thirds are for halfling-sized people... the hall itself is large enough that it looks like it could hold the whole of the city if needed... a few halflings are scattered throughout the room in pews, most sitting there quietly or murmuring in prayer... a halfling priest is up by the altar, tending to candles along the back wall
DM: now, I need to know one important detail... Dia, are you bringing your traveling menagerie inside with you?
Dianysia: ((Uh... Yeah... altho, I think that may be a BIG mistake))
DM: okay... then dia, you make it about halfway down the aisle before the priest happens to glance up at you... then does a double-take, before pointing his finger at you, and helling out: "You desecrate the house of GOD!"
Dianysia: "So much for first impressions," Dia mutters. "I guess he doesn't like elves..."
Deladriel: "God not live in a house, priest" Del says with a haughty air
Bethany: Bethany turns around to look at Dia, trying to looked shocked at her, and stepping back as if she were not connected to Dia, "Why would you do such a thing?" she says, giving you a brief look.
DM: The priest immediately rounds the altar, heading down the aisle straight for you, still shouting out. "Remove yourself and those beasts at ONCE from this hallowed ground!"
Deladriel shifts to cat and stands in front of Dia
Deladriel: ***Insert low-rumbling cat growl here***
Dianysia: "Oh, you meant the birds and Jayde... Uhm , sorry, didn't think of that..."
Jefferson Harco sits in the farthest spot
DM: The priest glares at the now-cat. "Be ye elf or no, I'll not have you making a mockery of the god's house! Begone, 'ere I have these good people aid in removing you!" At this point, you realize that every halfling that was in the place is now staring at you, various expressions ranging from horror to anger to even outright hatred on their faces.
Deladriel stays rooted to the spot until Dia moves...
Bethany: Bethany backs away a little more, standing next to the closest halfling, wearing the same expressions to the best of her ability, then looking over to the priest.
Jayde is obviously agitated at all the commotion, but unsure of how to react
Dianysia: "Yeah, whatever. No mockery was intended." She turns and leaves, muttering under her breath.
Deladriel: As soon as Dia leaves the room...Del shifts back to Elf
Deladriel: "You know not of God...build temples and hide inside...God is everywhere...Tree, Rock, and water...you hide from god in temple" With that, Del leaves
DM: The priest is still quite agitated as he rounds on Beth. "How could you... Ah. Forgive me, I thought you were someone else. Your companions show little respect for the sanctity of this house; how is it you distance yourself from them now?"
Bethany: "I am sorry Father, I have been only half-aware for a while, my mind has been drifting, and they were merely people I traveled the road with, I was not conscious that they were still following me," Bethany says, "I am Sister Mary Ann, I come from a place best mentioned in private," she says, "As you can tell, I don't quite belong here." (She had changed back into her Shetaq clothing after the night in the tree part two if you don't remember.)
DM: "Ah... yes. Follow me, please... and I apologize in advance for the tightness of the quarters."
Bethany: "I understand, thank you father."
Dianysia: "Why'd you follow me?" Dia sks, surprised.
Deladriel: "These priests...they stupid...never like 'churches'...they build silly outhouses with fancy steeples so they hide from god
DM: the priest leads you through the door to the "right" of the altar (looking from the back of the cathedral), which you have to duck nearly double to fit through... into what is obviously an office of some sort, halfling sized... you might be more comfortable on your hands and knees...
Bethany: Carefully drops to her hands and knees, tucking her skirt under her as she does, and making sure to drop her pack by the door of the office, before crawling in after.
Dianysia: "Yes, they do. I never cared for the church much either, myself, ableit for other reasons. It's odd though. They act if the one god didn't supposedly create these guys as well. Ironically, they treat them as lesser beings, while chafing at being treated unequally themselves.
DM: The priest takes a seat at a desk overflowing with paperwork and scrolls, and nods to Beth. "What would you speak of, Sister?"
Bethany: "I am representing the Church from Shetaq, I have come here to follow up on a task... a task that one much like me, was to accomplish. Now I have already ascertained that the task was done, but I also know that she was caught, and that they know it was the church... and I am supposed to solve this problem," Bethany says.
DM: The priest's eyes narrow, and he mutters something softly... sounds vaguely like "chew rye - lose meat." After half a second, he smiles and nods. "I know little of such matters, but I can direct you to one who knows more."
Bethany: "I would appriecate that greatly, Father," Bethany says, looking at the priest.
DM: "Very well. Travel south by south west a distance of two days' march, and you will see upon the horizon a great tower. The one you seek will be found there. You would do best not to tarry, as I know not how long her business will keep her there."
Bethany: "Thank you Father, and may the God bless you and your congregation," Bethany says, trying her best to bow in respect, "By your leave Father."
DM: "Indeed. May the creator god watch over you for the rest of your days."
Dianysia watches for any atctivity change in the surrounding area as she sits by the church entrance.
DM: normal daily life in town seems to be going on
DM: you see that more than a few people have glanced at you as you sit there, but nobody seems to be taking any more notice than that... just the fairly normal business of an open-air market, which the square apparently doubles as
Bethany: Leaves the small room, grabbing her pack as she does, and heads out the door, the exiting the temple, and turns to Dia, "I may have more work for you guys, meet me at the inn?"
Jefferson Harco: "Yeah the inn sounds nice right about now..."
DM: the inn's sign proclaims it as the Boar's Tusks, and its sign shows a pair of crossed boar's tusks beneath a foaming mug... and on getting closer, you realize they're not carved boar's tusks, they're REAL boar's tusks
Dianysia: "More work for us? Perhaps a rephrase?"
Bethany: A voice is hard in the parties head, a male voice sounding like it is echoing in a crystal cavern, "Play along, she's convinced the priest that she paid you to travel with her for safety, and she knows where the assassin is."
Bethany: "Yes more work, good pay, just need an escort for a little longer," Bethany says, walking towards the inn, "I will explain over a meal."
Dianysia: "Good pay to keep you around just a bit longer? Sounds good to me."
Dianysia: "Fine by me, though inns tend to have ears.
Jefferson Harco: "I could use a drink"
Deladriel is heading to the inn
Bethany: "Its ok, its not like me saying we will be traveling a few days in one direction is not a secret," Bethany says, as they arrive at the inn.
DM: so you go inside... and the barkeep is a very rotund, very large halfling... he ALMOST comes up to Dia's chin... the inn is sized for humans/elves, but you don't actually see any around... just the halfling barkeep, who obviously has a raised platform behind the bar to stand upon. As you open the door, he calls out. "Ahh, welcome, travelers! And two elven ladies, you honor my humble tavern! Please, what can I do for you gentle folk?"
Dianysia: shrugs, not the slightest bit concerned.
Jefferson Harco: "How about a little info on the town? What do you guys do for fun around here?"
Bethany: "We need a private table," Bethany says, dropping two platinum coins on the counter.
DM: "Of COURSE, m'lady! And what drinks will ye have?" The halfling comes out from behind the bar, stepping down and leading everyone to a booth at the side of the room, and gestures at the curtains that can be pulled across the opening.
Dianysia: "Wine," Dia says without a thought.
Bethany: "I'll have some fruit juice if you please," Bethany says as she sits into the booth.
DM: "Fruit juice? You would not care for something more... suitable to the road, to wash away the dust of yer travels?"
Jefferson Harco: "And for fun?"
Dianysia: "If she wishes fruit juice, give her some. And what is on the menu for lunch?"
Dianysia takes a seat across from beth, waiting for Del to sit alongsider her.
Deladriel sits down next to Dia
DM: The halfling bows. "As you wish. I shall return anon."
DM: the halfling takes off into the back, shouting for someone named "Jud"
Bethany: "We will be traveling south, south west from here for about two days. My destination is a tower that way, as before, minimum questions, and vigilant eyes, same pay as before as well," Bethany says.
Bethany: The crystalline voice then adds, "That is where the priests said the assassin was, if you have questions about this information, tap her hand, and I will connect with your mind, then just think the question and I will tell her."
Dianysia taps Beth on the hand.
Jefferson Harco is not sure whats going on....
Dianysia thinks, "Will you please stop doing that? It's creepy."
Deladriel says nothing but just to nod at Beth
Bethany: "It is the best way to keep secrets secret, the preist believes Beth is not only a Priest also, but also one of the assassins, sent here to clean up after the other assassin" the voice echoed back into everyones mind, after echoing Dia's thought.
Dianysia taps Beth's hand again, and thinks, "What makes you so convinced they believe you?"
Bethany: "The Priest did not trust her, but that only happened once she made it known she was one of the assassins," the voice said after echoing the question, then continued, "She also knew enough to convince him that she was who she said she was, at least hopefully. Either way, it is the most concrete lead we've had and worth looking for."
Dianysia shrugs.
DM: y'all hear footsteps coming back down the hallway, as the halfling reappears, carrying a tray on which sits four pewter mugs, a wheel of cheese, and a hunk of salted meat of some form or another, each with a knife sticking out to cut it with. A loaf of bread is to the side, and following the halfling is a smaller halfling, obviously not yet a man, carrying a bottle and an earthen jug. "Here you go, good folk. My apologies for the crude service, but as you might imagine, we don't get much in the way of Lords or Ladies out this way." The halfling proceeds to set the food and drink on the table, before pushing the smaller halfling towards the back and bowing away. "If you need any more, just give me a shout, Bob be my name."
Bethany: "Thank you Bob," Bethany says.
Deladriel: "You have raw meat?"
Jefferson Harco: "Thanks Bob this Cider should be good, now what is it that you do for fun around here?"
DM: "Aah, I have none here, but I can send Jud for some should you care for it?"
Deladriel: "Animals will need"
Dianysia: "And, just out of curiosity, what stock is the wine?"
DM: "Of course, Lady." The halfling turns to shout down the hallway. "JUD! JUD, DAMN YE, RUN DOWN TO THE BUTCHER'S FOR SOME MEAT FER THE HOUND AND THE BIRDS! RUN, LAD!"
DM: "Ah, the wine was laid down by me father, Lady. I know not the maker, but 'twas over a century ago, by my reckoning."
Bethany: Thanks the jug, and pours a mug of juice, and sips at it, "If you guys are in agreement, we can set out as soon as we are ready, I would like to resupply a little before we go however."
Dianysia nods. "Very good. "
DM: The barkeep bows, backing away again. "I'll bring the meat as soon as Jud returns, m'lady."
Jefferson Harco goes and follows Bob to the counter...
Jefferson Harco: "I would like to know more about the town, what can you tell me Bob?"
Dianysia nods, puring some wine into her glass before savoring the scent and,then, the taste.
DM: "What would ye care to know, master...?"
Jefferson Harco: "What is there to do around here?"
DM: "Well, there's not that much goes on out this way. Some nomadic clans out on the plains we trade with from time to time... enough to keep us in business. Mostly we just keep to ourselves, I guess. Every so often a group of minstrels will come through town... oh, and of course there's always the Riders. Their services keep this town from disappearing, I should think."
Jefferson Harco: "The Riders? How so?"
Dianysia takes another sip of wine, before starting in on some cheese and then a bit of the meat.
Bethany: "Well if there are no questions, I will assume you all accept the job. I am going go gather some supplies, meet me back here in three hours or so," Bethany says, standing up from the booth, heading for the door, and before leaving, tells Bob that she will be back, and that her companions may be staying longer.
DM: "Have ye not heard of the Riders? Finest caravan guards this side of Almanthos, even the elven caravans'll hire 'em away from the big cities."
Jefferson Harco: "No but that is good to know. And how are you today? Do you get enough business with all the travelers passing thru?"
Dianysia: "She's a bossy one, that girl,' Dia says to Del imparticular, "but her platinum's as good as any."
DM: The bartender shrugs. "I get by. The trade from the busy season keeps me doors open the rest of the time. Plus, any time big folk like yerselves come to down, there's no other place for ye to stay, is there?"
Deladriel chuckles..."Where that meat man?"
Jefferson Harco: "I guess not, it doesn't seem like there is a lot to offer people of my statue.."
DM: about 5 minutes after Bob yelled for the meat, Jud comes running back with a trio of skinned rabbits hanging from a string, which Bob immediately brings over. "My apologies for the wait, m'lady."
Dianysia finishes off the meat, then breaks off a piece of the bread.
Dianysia: Very nice," Dia says, eyeing what was brought. I'm sure Emma will love it."
Deladriel: "I'm not eating it...throw on floor for dog and birds"
Dianysia: "One on the floor, the other two to me, please."
DM: "I thought you'd wish to provide the birds with the meat yerselves, as I've seen other falconers do." Bob drops the one rabbit to Jayde as requested though, placing the other two atop the table.
Dianysia: "You thought correctly," Dia replied. "A good head, I see. Though not the most luxurious, I may suggest this to others passing through. A barkeep having sense is much to be prized."
Dianysia feeds Emma first, then places the birds perch on the table, and attaches her to it, before bringing Onyx up to be fed.
DM: Bob bows, before backing off and going back to the bar again.
Bethany: Bethany walks back into the bar, now wearing very eloquent studded leather armor, a shield at her side of equal finery, and a short spear, making her backpack, and denim skirt seem even more so out of place, as she heads to the old booth.
Dianysia notices Beth entering the booth, and almost spews wine as she starts laughing.
Deladriel smiles slightly
Bethany: "What do you find so funny," Bethany says, leaning the spear against the wall. "I actually know how to use that stick, and I figured if I was going to lug around a spear, might as well armor up like the locals."
Deladriel: "I might wish show you where to get leggings"
Bethany: "And I would still wear my skirts," Bethany says, "Now shall we be off?"
Dianysia: "You hit it on the head Del," Dia says, recovering from her fit of laughter. In that current getup, you are more conspicuous then ever."
Deladriel shrugs..."Let us go"
Bethany: "I like having pockets, thank you," Bethany says, standing back up, and grabbing her spear. "Lets go," she says, then heads for the door.
DM: Bob grins and calls out as y'all are leaving. "My thanks for yer patronage! You come back, and ye shall be more than welcomed!"
Jefferson Harco follows Beth
Dianysia follows the group.
Deladriel follows
DM: okay... it's midafternoon, you can make it about 3-4 miles away from the outpost before it'd be time to camp for the night, or maybe further if you hustle... but then you'd have less time to set up camp
Bethany: (Beth would be in a hurry, the priest made it clear that time was of the essence to an extent, and once on the road she'd express this to the group.)
DM: right then... let's say you make it 10 miles, and it's starting to get dark (normally you stop well before dark)
DM: right... so what's the watch schedule?
Bethany: Beth can take first like she normally does...
Jefferson Harco: first sleep, then watch after
Dianysia: Final watch for me.
Deladriel: Final
DM: k
DM: nightfall
DM: it's a full moon tonight... dim illumination out to normal range for human eyes... those with low-light vision can see as well as in the day
DM: and... midnight
Bethany: And Bethany climbs into her dome tent, and warm sleeping bag and sleeps
DM: aaand... after the final changeover, pre-dawn
DM: daybreak... dia & del were on watch, so you've got stuff you can be doing before the others wake up if you choose... Dia, it'd be difficult to read w/o some additional source of light, so studying your spellbook either takes providing some light or waiting until dawn... what's everybody doing?
Dianysia: Well, at Dawn, I'll start reading, it only takes an hour
Bethany: Bethany wakes up, slipping back into her armor in her tent, before crawling out, meditating, and then breaking her little camp.
Deladriel waits for everybody to wake up
Dianysia spends some time with her birds as everyone wakes, feeding them and herself.
Dianysia: She also feeds Jayde
DM: kk... anyone doing foraging today, to make Survival checks?
Deladriel: Me
DM: kk, you find food for you and up to 3 others
Dianysia: I am as well, and flying the falcon.
DM: kk... then that provides food for everybody today...
Deladriel: "We being followed" Del says while packing up
Bethany: "Not surprised," Bethany says, as she straps her tent to her pack.
Dianysia: "Can you tell who it is?" asked Dia in a quiet, cheerful voice.
Deladriel: "Not 10 miles away"
Deladriel: "They match speed...if wait here, they overcome by midday...if not, they only shadow"
Jefferson Harco: "So should we confront them?"
Dianysia: "Wonderful. Let's continue then. If the worst we have now is a shadow, then I see no reason to be concerned as of yet."
Bethany: "Know anything more about them?"
Deladriel: "I tell you all I know"
Jefferson Harco: Ok well then we should continue
Bethany: "Depends on what is shadowing us Dia, we are going to what is most likely going to be a fight, having something on both sides of us may not be good, I say lets find some high ground that can be defended and let them come.
Bethany: "Yes, no?"
Dianysia: "Let's go."
Bethany: "Ok so we are just going to leave them at our backs then?"
Jefferson Harco: For now, later on we will have to take them on
Bethany: "Fine, lets go."
Dianysia: "I say just leave them be for now. It could be simple curiosity, it could be danger, time will tell.
Bethany: Bethany says before taking up the trail, and heading towards the sou'souwes heading again.
Jefferson Harco: We'll obviously keep an eye and ear out just in case.
Deladriel: "Riders speed pace...should be to us at dusk"
Bethany: "I suggest finding defensible ground then, and since they are riders, lets find a nice rocky tree filled field to do so... I don't know much about fighting, but I know I've broken many horses ankle on rough ground..."
Jefferson Harco: "Riders? Why do you say that?"
Jefferson Harco: "The bartender mentioned something about Riders..."
Dianysia: "What's the possibility that this location we were given was a trap?" Dia asked, voicing her concerns.
Deladriel shrugs..."I see riders approach...not know more"
Bethany: "Enough that I wouldn't discount it, of course the Church probably would not be the type to use public groups to kill us, they'd do it in private, so these guys are most likely not church."
Bethany: "At least, that is my guess, because until a few days ago, I never knew the church had assassins."
Jefferson Harco: well did you see them del? point them out to me, what direction
Bethany: "How long do we have before they are on us you think?"
Dianysia: "I'm not surprised they have assassins. Anyone with power does nowadays."
Deladriel: "They follow us...what direction you think they in?"
Deladriel: "As I said...at current speed, they catch us as we set camp"
Bethany: "If we stop moving though, how long?"
Deladriel: "three, maybe four hours"
Jefferson Harco: and if we go to them, maybe we can get the jump?
Bethany: "We have a hill a mile or two miles west of here, we set out for it at a run, gives us at least two hours to muck up the ground a bit and allows us to hold a defensive if they are hostile, if they are not hostile, then we might have some allies traveling with us, although I am in the school of thought to assume they are hostile. Yay or nay guys?"
Dianysia: "Whatever."
Jefferson Harco: sounds like an idea
Bethany: "lets get going," then to Jeff, "You're going to like this, lets run, but stay with us."
Jefferson Harco: Running!! Lets go!
Bethany: "Changes her direction and starts to take off in a run, heading towards the hill she had referred to."
Jefferson Harco runs after Beth
Dianysia runs.
Deladriel is running (in cat form) to the hill
DM: takes you about half an hour of hustling to get to the hill Beth mentioned... it's one of the rare steep hills in the area... about a 30 degree slope
Bethany: "Anyone have anything to dig with? We want to dig as many holes in the hill side before they get close enough to see what we are doing," Bethany says, dropping her pack, and looking around, "If not, will just sit on the ridge of the hill, and hit them as hard as we can as they run up it."
DM: the hill rises about fifteen feet above the surrounding land
Jefferson Harco: I can punch holes into the ground...
DM: it's GROUND, Jeff... you can't punch holes into the ground
DM: the ground = tougher than your hands
Jefferson Harco: ok fine...no punchy...
Bethany: "Take it we have nothing to dig with?" Bethany says, then looks over at Dia, "Got any spells that might help?"
Jefferson Harco: ok well I'll try making potholes.
Jefferson Harco is attempting to make holes 1 foot in diameter every 2 feet apart
Jefferson Harco: *in a section 10 feet by 10 feet
Bethany: "Better then nothing, lets work on a small trench, as long as we can make it, and three feet deep. We need to hide the dirt to the best of our abilities as well."
Jefferson Harco is still digging pot holes but now moving outward in a trench style formation
Bethany: "Actually, can you use prestigblah to make hand shovels?" Bethany asks.
Dianysia: "It'd be too weak, breakable.
Bethany: "Well lets move some dirt then," Bethany says, getting on her hands and knees, and starts to dig at the ground with her hands, trying to make trench just at the ridge of the hilltop
Dianysia places the Bow Perch on the ground, jessing Emma to it before she starts digging, trying to encourage Jayde to do the same.
Bethany: "Once we are done, put our bedrolls over the hole, we'll use stakes from my tent to hold them down, and then cover them with dirt, and hope they don't catch it."
DM: okay... you've got about 2 hours before your estimated time that the riders will be within easy visible distance... without proper tools, the best you can do in that time is one 5-ft. square, 3 ft. deep per digger
DM: adjust shape as desired and let me know where you're doing that
Dianysia: "If we had water, that'd be so much easier," she thinks aloud, noting that it would be softer dirt to mold.
Bethany: Beth uses the dress she bought earlier, and the rain fly from her tent to try and cover the trench, and puts just enough dirt on top to cover the fabric and urges the others to do similar.
Jefferson Harco rips his shirt and lays it down over his pit....Harcos chest glistens in the sun...
Bethany: Bethany tosses Jeff her parka, "Use that."
Jefferson Harco: hmm...need to spread it out more, ok if I tear?
Bethany: "No, don't tear it, it should work just fine"
Jefferson Harco: ok, maybe you should try covering it up, ill help you
Bethany: Moves to help cover up Jeff's pit, trying once again to make it look like earth.
Bethany: "Dia, Del, need any help?"
Jefferson Harco is now on the lookout for anyone approaching
Deladriel: "Fine here"
Bethany: "Remember to cover it," Bethany says.
Dianysia casts prestidigitation, attempting to make a weak cover, then carefully covers it with dust.
Dianysia: it takes Dia three times, but she does succeed in covering her hole.
Bethany: "Ok, now we need to stay on our side of the trench, no charging, just hit them from afar if you can as they come up the hill, if you can't hit from far, get ready to fight when they get up here," Bethany says, placing her spear and shield next to her, and draws her pistol.
Deladriel: "They do not come from east"
Deladriel: "They swung north...they come from northeast"
DM: okay... Jeff, you can see 'em now too... they're about a mile off
DM: five that you both can see
Jefferson Harco: Ok guys lets do this...
DM: right, so... at this point, everyone can see, there's a group of 5 riders approaching from the NE... they're still not moving very quickly... in a staggered square pattern, with one rider in the center... all halflings... and they're riding... pigs?
Dianysia breaks out in giggles.
Bethany: "Well I guess my ditch idea doesn't matter anyways," Beth said, "Dianysia, I think you should have some magical fun on them."
DM: the one in the center calls out in a loud voice. "Surrender the human woman, and the rest of you may go free!"
Dianysia: "Under what charges?!"
Bethany: "We have no human woman!" Bethany shouts back.
Dianysia: "Please, let me take care of this, my dear," Dia replies.
Jefferson Harco whispers to the group, "Maybe I should be doing the talking..."
DM: "We have been charged with protecting our Lady! The human woman seeks her, thus she shall not pass! Any who prevent us from carrying out our duty will be destroyed!"
Dianysia sighs. " What Lady?"
Bethany: "I assume the assassin," Beth says to Dianysia.
Dianysia: "I am sure they do, but so long as they're talking, they're not attacking," Dia replied
DM: "That is none of your concern! You have one minute to surrender the woman, or we shall assume you will not comply!"
Dianysia: "Well, what options do we have? We could hand over Beth - no intentions of it, but still an option - or we can fight. If so, I say we give them a chance to surrender.
Bethany: "Well, I don't like the idea of killing them, but it is becoming very obvious that we may not have a choice."
DM: "Thirty Seconds!"
Dianysia: "Are you sure you don't wish to speak it over?" Dia yells.
DM: "Twenty Seconds!"
Bethany: "Dia, you took charge here, your call..."
Bethany: "But if we have to fight, might as well we land the first blow."
DM: all five of the riders reach to their sides, pulling lances out of the holders at the sides of their saddles, readying the weapons
Dianysia shrugs and casts fireball.
Jefferson Harco: "Watch out for the Guy in the middle, I dont know what it is but his lance has a specail tip!"
DM: okay... all of them survive, with all five riders reacting quickly in the saddles as the glowing bead soars in... letting the pigs take the brunt of the damage... the four on the outsides of the box look the worst for wear, with the center one fairly un-fazed...
DM: "CHAAAARGE!"
Dianysia: Magic Missile Rider #1
DM: okay, he seems a little pissed
Jefferson Harco takes the time to actively spot the leader of the group of halfling riders.
Deladriel shifts to bird form and takes flight...
Bethany: Beth looks at the pig under the lead rider and focuses on making sure that pig feels all the pain it has felt, and ever will fill all at the exact same instance. (Recall Agony)
DM: the pig squeals out in pain... but its eyes just seem to get redder, and bristles start sticking up on its back... I think you made it angry
DM: then riders... the lead one pulls a horn from behind his saddle and blows on it loudly, a sound the rings across the plains... and continues to ride...
DM: okay... as the rider comes charging up the hill... the lance flashes with a strange light, emanating from the tip... as it hits Beth precisely in the center of mass, slamming right through her armor...
DM: amazingly... the halfling manages to withdraw the lance and KEEP RIDING away at an angle...
Dianysia: I cast magic missile at ride-by guy
DM: he slumps... and falls out of the saddle...
Dianysia: "One down. Next?" ((End turn))
Jefferson Harco: ok...5 ft adjust
Jefferson Harco: unleash a flurry of blows on the pig
DM: first hits, second glances off its thick hide
DM: and now it REALLY looks pissed... and now it's pissed at YOU
Deladriel Dives toward Rider 4....at 10 feet away...shift to cat and attempt to use momentum and weight to drag him off his piggy
DM: kk, that'll hit...
DM: he falls... hard...
DM: you just killed him with an attack that deals NO DAMAGE, lol
Bethany: Recall agony, rider 5
DM: screams as he falls out of his saddle dead
Jefferson Harco: "INBOUND BOGIES TO THE SOUTHWEST!!!"
DM: and, rider 2 attacking Jeff on a charge...
DM: his lance slips at the last second, and just punches into your side COMPLETELY missing anything important... and again, the rider changes course after the hit to continue to ride on
DM: final rider attacks Del... misses...
DM: he continues to ride (damn hill, lol)
DM: the warpig goes after Jeff with the tusks... and Jeff dodges out of the way at the last second.
Dianysia: (So, how many do we see coming from the southwest?)
DM: another wing of 5...
Dianysia: Well, I cast a fireball
(1074) DM: and that'll hit two of 'em
DM: both are still standing... as are the pigs... but 8 looks rather the worse for wear...
Dianysia smiles
Jefferson Harco puts all his weight into a flurry of blows upon the pig. First attack is a Stunning Fist
DM: then the first one is a hit...
DM: it is NOT gonna leave you alone until ONE of you is bacon...
DM: this pig is PISSED
Deladriel: Charging Mount 1
DM: but you miss
Bethany: Matter agitation on rider 6s saddle, pig and rider take damage, then solicit psicrystal (it will remain concentration for the next five rounds.)
DM: pig attacks Jeff... and misses, but just barely
DM: rider 2... charging Dia
DM: and COMPLETELY whiffs
DM: rider 3, charging dela... misses
DM: this one's not riding away
DM: rider 6 charges dia...
DM: his lance ALSO has that strange glow that the other leader's did, and you can see it's tipped by a crystal as it plunges into your belly... and then of course he wheels away...
DM: rider 8 charging beth...
DM: ALSO through the belly
Bethany: kills her... Beth drops
DM: rider 10 charges up the hill at dia... and nearly fumbles his lance
DM: can't ride away after the charge
DM: rider 7 charges Jayde... and hits
DM: rider 9 can't make it anywhere specific
Dianysia roots through her bag, withdrawing bot a potion and a box, which she activates in the square just in front of her.
DM: A strange glow appears surrounding the box Dia drops... then disappears to reveal a fairly short human woman in Mithral breastplate and wielding an adamantine greatsword.
Jefferson Harco attempts to turn the pigs ugly mug into pulp with a flurry of blows!!!
DM: you cave its side in... you hear ribs snap... it falls... and miraculously, you see its head swing towards you, EXTREMELY pissed off... it obviously won't survive much longer even if it weren't fighting... but somehow, it's still going to try and kill you...
DM: Candace's turn... she starts casting on the defensive...
DM: she gives up a level 2 spell to spontaneously cast cure moderate on dia...
Dianysia: "Thank you," Dia says, grimacing much less.
DM: Candace grins, replying in Elven: "Any time."
Deladriel: ok...Move action to retrieve my box o ally...
Deladriel: drop it ((Activated)) right next to me on my right
DM: (( ooooh... say hello to Rithuly ))
DM: Rithuly is an elf... except that he has smooth green skin very similar to a green dragon's scales in color, with green hair
DM: Rithuly grins widely... then thrusts his head forward, and breathes a cone of acid
Dianysia: "Oh, NICE," Dia manages.'
DM: nowhere NEAR as effective as it could've been...
DM: of course, it's still enough to melt the rider's face off, and he drops...
DM: the one pig will attack Jeff... and miss horribly
DM: Rider 7 is charging Rithuly
DM: and hits... goes through Rithuly's side, but he doesn't really even seem to notice it
DM: Rider 10 is attacking Dia w/ lance, while his mount tries to gore Candace... the lance hits, while the pig misses horribly
DM: and then the pig & rider make a 5-ft. adjust
DM: Rider 2 is charging Candace...
DM: glances off her armor... and pig/rider provokes an attack from Jayde as they ride away
DM: Jayde bites a chunk of ham hock as it's leaving
DM: Rider 6 is charging Del...
DM: that funny lance is glowing again... and it scores a wicked hit across your ribs
DM: Jeff, you get an attack as the rider moves off again
Jefferson Harco: Unarmed Strike
DM: hits, but he barely seems to notice it
DM: Rider 8 charges Candace... and hits...
DM: Rider 9 will attack Dia... hit...
DM: and they're done... and apparently, the new guys didn't learn well enough, because I just realized, there's some MAJOR clusterfuck going on there
Dianysia: I cast fireball
DM: all 4 riders caught in the blast drop, with the mounts smoking quite a bit
DM: Candace: E - "Oooh, nice blast!"
Dianysia: E - "Thanks... it's one of my fave's."
Jefferson Harco: E - Yeah way to go!!
Jefferson Harco attempts to deliver the good ol' 1, 2 knock-out punches to the pig!!!
DM: lol... you stave its skull in... it FINALLY drops
DM: Candace moves over and sacs a 3rd-lvl spell to cure Del...
DM: Candace: "Stick close little kitty, and I'll give you something nice in a second."
Deladriel: Charge Rider 7
DM: he gets an attack because of the lance's reach... which scores a bit of flesh but can't stop a rampaging panther
Deladriel: bite the rider
DM: that's a solid hit
DM: Rithuly is up, and he just shakes his head, grinning wider. "Watch how a real elf does it." He strides over to in front of Jeff... and thrust his head out, breathing again... this time a line of electricity heading straight for rider 6 (30 ft. line)
DM: the pig takes the full brunt of the blast, although the rider manages to twist out of the way to only take some...
Dianysia: "Ooo, again, nice..."
DM: and it's the rider's turns... rider 6 charges Rithuly... and rider 7's pig will attack Dela as the rider drops his lance, drawing a heavy flail and swinging it for all he's worth...
DM: Rithuly gets speared... 21 damage, he's still standing...
(1085) DM: the ridermisses Del, but the pig's attack makes it through
Dianysia: I'll Magic Missile #6
DM: the three missiles clearly hurt quite a bit... but he's still in the saddle
Jefferson Harco: hmm...charge #6
DM: he'll get an attack...
DM: solid hit, some of which is from that funky glow in the lance
Jefferson Harco: Unarmed Strike
DM: he grimaces in pain, I think you managed to break a rib...
DM: which means Candace is up...
DM: so she heads over to Del and starts chanting, then places her hands on Del... and you feel a surge within your muscles, growing instantly stronger... Bull's Strength, temporary +4 to STR
DM: Candace: "Go, kitty, go."
Deladriel: Yeah so...
Deladriel: Beatin da hizell outta Rider 7
DM: you tear the rider's throat out... which is quite a feat when you think about it, because he's wearing SCALE ARMOR, lol...
DM: which means it's Rithuly's turn again... he fakes a yawn... moves to get Jeff out of the line of fire... and looses another breath of electricity at Rider 6
DM: who is blasted out of the saddle
DM: which means everyone is FINALLY dead
1 comment:
Man that Jeff Guy murdered that foolish piggy!!
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