The Storm <Team Three>

[Kyeudo]

It looks like you survived it all. The time in prison awaiting trial, the two months of basic training, and the trip so far, crammed into a small room on a military transport with your squadmates. Basic was the worst, with the grueling combat drills and days of marching. The odd thing is, is that ever since you were arrested the food has been pretty much the same, a pile of brown slop the cooks brew up from whatever seems to be lying around.

Your squadmates are like you in some ways, convict soldiers serving out their sentance on the front lines. In a way, its better than ending up in the mines or the factories, slaving to death in the heat and never seeing the sun, but not by much.

You and the other squads on this ship are the "property" of the Confederacy of Stars, a cluster-spanning nation of great power. You've been sentanced to serve as Confederacy Marines for varying lengths of service, depending on the severity of the crimes you were convicted of. If you manage to serve out your term of service alive, you get the option of continuing your service or leaving with a clean slate. Not many make it that far.

You are being deployed on the border planet of Alvion IV, a small mining outpost. Alvion III recently dropped out of communication with the rest of the Confederacy, and rebellion or piracy is the suspected cause. You are on a "peacemaking" mission. If there's rebellion, put it down. If there's piracy, hunt it down. If there is niether, keep it from starting. Your commanding officer, Seargent Blake, will give you further instructions upon arrival. For now, all you can do is sit, wait, and get aquainted with your new squadmates.


Note: this story line is going to be more steam-punk than normal D&D. Expect Eberron-level magitech or more.

[DiscipleofBob]

"OY! WHER' THE BLOODY HELL AM I?! I'LL TAKE YE ALL ON YE COWARDLY BASTARDS!" It was a very familiar sound when Orgeth woke up, something that his bunkmates had to get used to. How Orgeth could even start the day off with that much energy and a hangover without any alcohol readily available was a mystery. The past two months had been the worst of Orgeth's life, even worse when he got kicked out of his homelands. It started out as just a barfight, a simple honest brawl. Maybe he started it, maybe he didn't. Who cares? Anyone who got hurt probably had it coming, and anyone who walked away had guts that Orgeth respected. It's not like it was the first barfight he'd been in, nor the first one that he was arrested and did some time for. But this last one, he wasn't sure what happened. He was still kind of drunk during the proceedings, but the next thing he knew, he was being shipped off to boot camp instead of prison or the mines. Those would've been fun. Boot camp was just annoying. Escaping was too much trouble, so Orgeth made sure to give his superiors as hard a time as he could give 'em, a practice that continued to this day. If there was one thing Orgeth hated in the world, it was authority. Almost every day he woke up forgetting where he was, and cursing at the top of his lungs before his mind reoriented itself. Aside from the outbursts and the general disdain for authority, Orgeth came to actually like some of his fellow inmates. As far as he was concerned, they were in the same boat, right now literally. Then they were finally deployed, to try and put down some rebellion or piracy or some rubbish like that. Orgeth kept wondering the whole time why he shouldn't just go side with the rebels or pirates or whatever. They gotta be a better lot than these mooks who kept ordering him around...

[Armads]

Yry gets up quickly, and looks around, ready to dodge anything that would be thrown at him. Prison was terrible, but once the wardens found out that he had been a son of a chief, they took their grudges out on him. It did not help that he was smaller than the rest, anyway.

I'll get back at those losers some day...

Letting his thoughts wander, he suddenly remembered that man's face. The one who he attacked by mistake, thinking he was a bandit. He was, actually a bandit, but he had powerful friends. It was all that man's fault, pressing for charges and getting him such a terrible sentence. But he'd made a mistake. With the training he'd acquired in Boot Camp, Yry would be sure to repay him the favor. If he survived this peacemaking mission.

[Kyeudo]

Wall of text hits you for 100d6 sanity damage!
FYI:
Crime in the Confederacy is punished in several ways. Most minor crimes (such as petty theft) recieve corporal punishment coupled with public humiliation, such as forty lashes in the public square.
More major crimes (such as assault, rape, or murder) get sentanced to work off their debt to society, either as an indentured worker or as a convict soldier. Assignments to either depend on the crime commited, the current needs of the state, and the likely aptitudes of the criminal. (This means that your fellow marines are not likely to be nice people.)

Attempting to escape your sentance is its own crime, one of the few crimes that can carry a penalty of death. Treason is one of the few others, and carries a mandatory death penalty.

Military justice can be even harsher. Insubbordination, assaulting an officer, and desertion of duty all can carry a penalty of death, although corporal punishment is more common.

Basic training for convict soldiers generaly amounts to which end of a spear goes in the enemy, a crash course in military discipline, and some specialized training for those that share a modicum of talent (such as spellcasting of infiltration skills). Those that wash out of basic training or are deemed unfit for service are sent to the mines or factories.

This does not mean that everyone in the Confederate Military is a criminal or ex criminal. Those that join willingly tend to get specialized training and are usualy deployed as officers commanding squads of convicts. Most of the upper ranks are made of those that joined up willingly.

It is possible to earn a battlefield pardon through meritous service and valor.

Convicts are easy to recognize. They are branded in the middle of their foreheads using a modifed, permanent version of arcane mark, which is removed when their sentance is up. The mark has a tendancy to shine through even magical disquises and form changes, although it is possible to hide or temporarily surpress. There is a black market for early removal of the brand, but it is extremely expensive and hard to find.

Orgeth probably got drunk in the wrong port town and ended up a hapless victim of Confederate justice.

Armads, feel free to name that man, unless you want to not know his name. You can also discribe him and how he fought, if you'd like. The more information you give me about him, the more I can flesh him out in game, if you are looking for some sort of rival/nemesis.

Everyone can feel free to choose the crime that landed them in the marines and the length of their sentance. The length of sentance won't end up mattering to the campaign (at least it shouldn't). Just give yourself something appropriate to the severity of the crime, between 2 and 20 years.

[Mantid]

Feste sat in the corner, watching is "fellow convicts" get up, as he scratched at the mark on his forehead. He knew the itching was only in his mind, just the fact that he knew it was there and couldn't see it rather then any effect of the mark itself. However, telling himself such things couldn't give him the same relief as scratching the imaginary itch did.

He certainly didn't deserve the mark. His so called crimes had been petty, a little food here, some pipe weed from the captain's private stash, a quick nap on the captain's couch when he wasn't looking... nothing serious. They couldn't expect him to sacrifice all his luxuries while he crewed their ship, after all, even if he did do as little as possible. Course none of that mattered this last time. It seems one of the younger captains Feste has served under, Erlis Headstrong, had taken up a Confederate commission and had been promoted several times. Erlis, apparently wasn't one to forgive and forget, either, as Feste hoped after running into his old captain so many years later. It wasn't like Feste had known that bottle of wine was a gift from some princess from some minor royal family, meant to be drunk the next time the princess and Erlis met!

Feste shook his head as Orgeth strung up from bed, throwing a half-eaten, stale biscuit at the dwarf. The biscuit was almost as hard as a rock, and tasted like it was only half as digestible, but it was an improvement over the gruel they were fed and was one of the few things Feste felt he could get away with "borrowing" from the kitchens.

"One of these days I'm going to sew your mouth shut while you sleep," Feste teased.

[Armads]

Yry doesn't know the name of that guy.

[Leon]

Wolfe uncurls from his bed and shakes himself down.

Anotherday, another drill, another day i wish i'd just stayed in shape. Just cant open doors like this he thinks as he pads over to the slop

[DiscipleofBob]

The stale biscuit hit Orgeth squarely in the head and fell on his lap. Rubbing his head from the pain, Orgeth quickly picked up the biscuit and started wolfing it down. "Oy, thanks for the breakfast! I owe ya one." Whether he was just being sarcastic or serious was kind of hard to tell sometimes.

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

The wiry elf in the corner doesn't rise yet, staying a little longer in that meditative posture of his. He just opens his eyes for a moment to look around and, seeing that there wasn't a big chance that anyone would try to beat him up or throw something dangerous in his direction in the next thirty seconds, closes them once more. His mind needed a bit more time to shake out the trance and pull itself in full shape, and Fel needed his mind just as much as he needed the rest of the body... probably more. He didn't feel guilty of anything, he didn't feel indebted to anyone, and he certainly didn't feel like staying... if he could help it. He had never cared much about the military and he didn't want to start now. Unfortunately, the military cared about him, it had him, and that's all that mattered at this point.

Well, that and just what in Corellon's name was that thing his father had taken and those humans were so hell-bent on. For all Felstahan knew of them, their military types didn't make that much of an effort for some old archeological find. And, on a much lesser level, just when he would have to get up: the way his cellma... okay, squadmates were rising, it might have to be soon.

Felstahan Evenbreeze breathed in heavily, opened his eyes and, for lack of a better word, unfolded.

[Kyeudo]

The door to the room slams open, revealing Lieutenient Carter. The short, stocky human, almost as stocky as a dwarf, glares at everyone, still barely waking up. "You've got five minutes to dress and report on deck. We make planetfall within the hour and the Seargent wants to be sure everyone's ready for a hot drop." He leaves just as abruptly as he came, muttering under his breath about green recruits.

[Armads]

Yry quickly dresses and goes to the deck as fast as possible. Being late would probably get him into trouble with those annoying officers.

[Mantid]

Besil jumps to his feet. He takes a quick stretch before slipping his equipment on and making sure his "borrowed" goods are safely hidden. Sipping his daggers into place, he hurries onto the deck, mumbling about having to work today.

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

The elf stands up and stretches for a few moments before changing into his "official" clothes. He doesn't seem in any particular hurry, but his movements are as fluid as they are precise. He takes up something from his pocket, fingers it slightly, and puts it in the pocket of his uniform. He goes out at the same time the others do, mumbling something in elven.

((does anyone else speak elven?))

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth mutters dwarven curses under his breath. If he were in a position to escape, these would be loud-mouthed slanders in every language he could think of. Now was kind of a tricky situation. He got dressed and got his equipment geared up, but he took his time doing so, and spat at the ground in disgust.

[Leon]

Raagh, aargt

With a Thought and a slight action and a feeling of a change in pressure.

as i was going to say, Once more unto the breach.
i wonder what drudgery will will be enduring on this foray

[Kyeudo]

You all gather on the ships deck with the other three squads stationed on this ship, lining up with formal precision. Ahead of the vessal, you can see the jagged disk of Alvion IV, a brown expanse of mostly barren dirt and rock on which some farmers and ranchers eek out an existance. Alvion IV isn't as rich a world as its rebellious neighbour, but the Confederacy doesn't like losing so much as a single asteroid, let alone a modestly useful planet.

Seargent Darius "Blackeye" Blake marches in the door, followed closely by the four lieutenents. The grizzled gnome marches to the front of the group, back ram-rod straight. His gaze sweeps out accross the assembled marines, the black stone occuping his left eye socket leaving you the eerie sensation he's still watching you, even though his real eye has since moved on. Blake is as hardnosed as they come. After one of the new marines gave him some lip over his height, he decked the man and gave him twenty lashes for disrespecting an officer. From the rumors of his exploits, you hear that was his way of being kind.

"Alright you apes, we have been given the honor of securing Alvion IV. There are only two settlements, so this should be easy. You will be deployed in two squad teams, one to each settlement. I will be leading one team to the northern settlement, while Lieutenent Anders will be leading the second team to the south. We are to cut down any resistance to Confederacy possession of the planet. Anyone who doesn't resist, don't bother. Get to the drop boats and we will get this over with. Dissmissed."

[Armads]

Yry quickly and quietly shuffles to a drop boat, and prepares for deployment as learnt from his training.


Umm, why are we at Alvion IV again? I thought the rebellion was at Alvion III

[Kyeudo]

You are being deployed to keep the rebellion from spreading. The main force is heading to Alvion III.

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth grumbles his way over to the drop boat and climbs in. Maybe if he got lucky, he could find a way out of this military bull**** on the planet below. Either way, he started taking notice to his compatriots' moods and feelings about the situation to decide whether or not any of them were trustworthy.

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

Fel looked to the side after the gnome finished, going over something in his mind. As the gnome leaves, he quietly says Hmm, so he suspects rebellion. Only natural if he hasn't been told anything to the contrary, I suppose..., mostly to himself.

He goes to the dropboat with a thoughtful expression on his mind, which he puts aside with a sigh as he prepares for deployment

[Kyeudo]

The other squad assigned to your strike team is composed of all humans. Most seem to be simple thugs, probably sentanced here for assault or robbery, although one member of that squad looks more like he's doing time for petty theft or some other minor crime, as he's so skinny. Most of them look apathetic to their fate, while the skinny guy looks nervous. The two lieutenents, Anders and Carter, look more bored than anything else.

As you all get settled on the wooden benches along the tall sides of the wooden drop boat, the two sailors manning the boats aether sails cast off from the transport. The boat sails down to wards the planet, towards a small village on the south end of the planet. From the air you can see it to be not much more than a handful of houses built around a mill and a blacksmith.

Through the void of space you can just make out similar drop boats launching from the other ships of the fleet, sending men down to Alvion III in greater number, accompanied by several fighters, easily identified by the trail of witchfire left in the wake of the small spelljammer's helms.

Your dropboat comes to rest on the west side of the small village, a stone's throw from the nearest house. As the gangway is dropped, Lieutenent Anders begins issuing orders. "Third squad, secure the blacksmiths shop. Fourth squad (that would be you), secure the mill. Let's move out."

[Mantid]

Feste hustles along to the mill, lagging a little behind the rest of the fourth squad. It was his short legs, or so he would claim.

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

The wiry elf goes with the group, at first showing quite a bit of carefulness. He takes a bow from his backpack and readies an arrow in one hand, but eases up a little when he sees no one threatening (if he does). Still, he doesn't go anywhere near the front unless explicitly told to.

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth draws a dagger just so he can have a weapon ready, and goes along with the group, hurrying towards the mill, watching and waiting for some sign of combat to begin.

[Armads]

Advancing cautiously towards the mill, Yry draws his longsword and readies his shield. He makes sure to stay behind another person, in case of an attack.

[Kyeudo]

As you hurry into town, with Lieutenent Carter following behind your group, you notice a lack of people anywhere. There is no one on the streets and doors here and there have been left ajar.

You quickly reach the mill, a large two story wooden structure with an immense water wheel churning in the river that flows past the town. There are two doors, one in the front and a larger set of double doors in the back, big enough to pull a wagon through if left open.

[DiscipleofBob]

"Seems suspiciously quiet. Eh, lads?" Orgeth heads to the door of the mill and stands just outside the door on one side, trying to sneak a peak inside or hear something without risking his head getting blown off.

[Leon]

Well, lets not Mill about

Wolfe will hang back a bit but be ready to move foward should the need arise

[The_Shaman]

((Are we going to make listen/spot checks automatically or should we ask to make them?))

<<Come out.>>

A small dark grey stone tumbles out - and up of the elf's pockets, and balances itself on his shoulder.

[Kyeudo]

If you want to roll your own, feel free, otherwise I'll roll them for you when the time comes.

[The_Shaman]

OK, make sure that the psicrystal also has his go. For now, what do we see if we take 10 on it? Me and Rocky both have a +6 on it.

[Kyeudo]

You guys do realize that you have yet to actualy knock, open the door, or go inside, right?

I won't forget the pet rock.

[Mantid]

Feste catches up the the rest of the group. "What?" he says, looking around at everyone. "Why are you all just... Why aren't..." He sighs. "Alright..."

Grumbling, the halfling walks up to the door, standing just off to the side of it opposite of Orgeth. He takes out one of his dagger and raps sharply on the door with the pommel. "Confederate Army!" he announces loudly. "We are here to protect this mill from pirates believed to be in the area! Open up!"

[Kyeudo]

No sound comes from inside. You realize that the only sound you can hear right now come from your squadmates and the other squad across town.

[Armads]

"There's nothing in here. Should we tell the commander? Or maybe...

Yry turns around.


Listen check: [roll0]

[Kyeudo]

"First, lets check the building. If there's no one here, something is definately going on." The Lieutenent tries the door and, finding it open, leads the way inside.

[Armads]

Yry cautiously follows him in, looking around at the inside of the mill.

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan goes in, but not among the first few. His eyes dart around in the gloom, as he tries to pick up anything from the area.

((ok, let's see what a spot and listen check can do... Can I take 10 or should I roll full for it?))

[Mantid]

Feste slips inside, doing his best to stick to the shadows.

Hide:[roll0]
Move Silently:[roll1]

[Leon]

Listen [roll0] & Spot [roll1]

Advance into the building after the Lt and look around

[Kyeudo]

The inside of the mill is fairly open. A staircase along the far wall leads up to a second floor, presumably where the miller and his family live. The axle of the water wheel enters at about the cieling, meshing with the wooden cogs that drive the millstones. The millstones and the framework supporting them take up a large portion of the room. The double doors at the other end are closed, with a wagon standing inside ready to be loaded with bags of floor. The place is fairly dusty, with a light coating of flour scattered across the floor, the inevitable result of milling. The room is dimly lit by the light coming from the few windows.

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth rolled his eyes. At least no one could accuse him of not being cautious. Personally though, he silently hoped the lieutenant would get shot as he walked into the mill. The last one to go in, Orgeth sincerely hoped there wouldn't be an ambush, but figured it would be pointless to try and make the entire trip in the shadows like his halfling friend. Not that he blamed him for doing so, he'd like a crawl space to hide in once the fighting started. Regardless, it seemed pointless for him to do so, so Orgeth didn't bother hiding, but kept quiet. Something was definitely not right. Orgeth began searching at the very least the opening room, keeping quiet while doing so and his eyes and ears open.


Spot Check: [roll0]
Listen Check: [roll1]
Move Silently Check: [roll2]
Search Check: [roll3] (add another 2 for stonecunning where applicable.)

[Mantid]

OCC: I'm not unsneaking no matter how much you taunt me! :smalltongue:

[The_Shaman]

If I can't take 10 under the circumstances:
Felstahan:Spot[roll0], Listen[roll1]
Rocky*: Spot[roll2], Listen [roll3](b)

If I can, all those are 16

*: another name will be decided on eventuaslly.

[Kyeudo]

Orgeth examines the room, finding signs of a a scuffle in the tracks in the flour. While you can't tell exactly who made what tracks, its aparent that at least one creature that was involved was not humanoid.

Felstahan notices a trail of dried blood drops leading towards the stairs.

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

<<Did you see it too?>>
<<Yes.>>
<<Oh, dear... I wonder what happened to those people>>

As he examines the room, the elf whispers hoarsely Halt, before crouching and touching something on the floor. He smells his brown-stained finger. Blood, he says as quietly as before, and points towards the stairs.

[Armads]

Yry turns and stops, looking at the stairs.

Do I have to make a spot check to notice it too?

[Kyeudo]

No, I just gave him the honor of being the first to spot it, since I didn't need Spot checks for enemies yet.

[DiscipleofBob]

"Looks like somebody and something had a little 'bout here." Orgeth studied the tracks. He wasn't very good at this sort of tracking business, but he tried to sound at least a bit knowledgeable. At Felstahan's motion, Orgeth made his way to the stairs and started climbing, again being wary of traps or, what was more likely, the occasional loose floorboard or railing.

Search check:
[roll0]

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

Fel waits, obviously not intent on being the first - or second - up the stairs.

[Kyeudo]

Sorry that things slumped over the holidays. I've been fairly busy so far. I should get things moving again in a day or two.

[Kyeudo]

As Orgeth ascends the stairs, he notices a small trail of dried blood drops leading upwards. The at the top of the stairs is a small landing and a door, left open. Beyond the door you can see a large room, apparently a dining room or kitchen from what you can see from the landing.

[Armads]

Yry follows Orgeth, but pauses at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for a more enthusiastic conscript to check the room.

[Kyeudo]

"What are you men waiting for? Lets hurry this up." With that, Lieutenent Carter brushes past you and into the room.

[Leon]

As the man says, onward

Readiing sword and shield as he follows

[Kyeudo]

The rooom is a simple dining room, about 20 feet by 25 feet. The only furniture in the room is a large dining table in the middle of the room and six chairs around it. There is a closed door across the room from you on the west wall, a doorway to a hallway also on the west wall, and another closed door on the the south wall.

Can I get spot checks from everyone?

[DiscipleofBob]

Spot Check: [roll0]

Barring any immediate interruptions or findings, Orgeth will do a quick once-around of the room and then try opening the door on the west wall.

Search check: [roll1]

[Armads]

Spot: [roll0]


Yry readies his sword, looking at the closed doors cautiously.

[Mantid]

Feste slips into the room, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.

Spot - [roll0]

[Leon]

Spot
[roll0]

[Kyeudo]

The Liutenent heads towards the hallway, sword drawn and wary.

Orgeth begins to move into the room, searching the room for anything of intrest. He soon uncovers more droplets of dried blood, leaving a trail towards the hallway.

Yry and Felstashan also enter the room, looking wary but unsure of what course of action to take.

Leon and Feste spot something disconcerting. A vaguely spiderlike form as big as a man lurks on the cieling, scuttling towards Lieutent Carter. The details of its form are hard to make out, as the creature's coloration is near perfectly matched to the wooden cieling behind it.

(Since only Leon and Feste are aware of the creature, there will be a surprise round. The creature also gets to act.)

Inititives:

Lieutent Carter:(1d20+2)[9] Location: D8
Orgeth: [roll0] Location: A8
Yry: [roll1] Location: A9
Festashan: [roll2] Location: A10
Feste: [roll3] Location: C10
Wolfe: [roll4] Location: B10
Creature: (1d20+7)[22] Location: C8 (On Cieling)


Map:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b30/Kyeudo/MillersHouse.jpg

[Leon]

As nice as it is to be in the game, its Wolfe not Leon who is the PC :smallsmile:

Ive also realized that ive not put a spell list down so here it is

0: Cure Minor Woundsx2, Flare
1: Cure Light Wounds, Produce Flame



On the roof!
Им теперь литье продукты пламени

Ranged Touch Attack: [roll0] Damage [roll1]

[Kyeudo]

(Sorry about that. Fixed. I assume that was Produce Flame?)

Wolfe misjudges where the creature is and his fire spell misses the creature.

The thing lashes out at the Liutenent with a barbed claw.
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[Leon]

Yeah, Produce Flame is mentioned in Russian :smallbiggrin:

[Mantid]

Feste lets out a surprised yell and fumbles with his dagger for a moment before throwing it at the arachnid.

To Hit: [roll0](-4 for throwing into melee?)
Damage: [roll1]

[Kyeudo]

The surprised Feste's thrown weapon goes wildly off course, lodging in the wall on the far side of the room.

(First round of normal combat up. Have fun.)

[Leon]

Bugger, get it down off the roof

Ripping a thin sliver of wood from the pack on his back, Wolfe throws it at the thing on the roof

Draw Javelin (move action), Throw Attack +3-4 = -1 (standard action)

Ranged Attack [roll0] Damage [roll1]

[Kyeudo]

Wolfe's javalin bounces off the thing's tough carapace with a grating noise as the creature continues to attack the Liutentent.

Claw:[roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Claw:[roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
Bite:[roll4]
Damage: [roll5]

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

While Fel has been expecting trouble, the beast startles him. With an audible gasp, he reaches for an arrow and fires at the spider

Attack: [roll0] (subtract 4 if the situation covers firing into melee, I don't have precise shot) edit: turns out it wasn't needed :smallfrown:
Damage: [roll1]

((Anyway, the creature is considered Medium, right?))

[Kyeudo]

(Creature is medium)

[DiscipleofBob]

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS THAT THING? AH THOUGHT WE WERE FIGHTIN' REBELS, NOT GIANT SPIDER FREAKS!" Orgeth yells at the top of his lungs as he moves to flank the spider with the lieutenant, stabbing wildly with the creature.


[roll0](+2 if flanking works)

[roll1]+[roll2]+2
(12 total)

[Armads]

Sorry about not posting sooner, was at a camp from monday to friday

Drawing his bow, Yry moves slightly further from the spider and fires an arrow at it.

[/spoiler]
Mechanics:
move to C10, away from the creature, drawing bow, and fire.
[roll0] for attack, [roll1] damage
[/spoiler]

[Kyeudo]

Yry's arrow lodges in the cieling a good foot from the spider.

Lieutenent Carter, finaly able to react, is bleeding heavily as he strikes at the creature.
Attack:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]

[Kyeudo]

Confirming Crit: [roll0]
Extra Damge: [roll1]

(EDIT: Wth? He isn't supposed to be this good! The NPC just showed you all up, dispite my best efforts!)

[The_Shaman]

((Well, if he's leading a pack of desperate convict-soldiers and has to keep them in line, he's supposed to be good, isn't he?))

[Kyeudo]

(Not realy. He's a lieutentent more because he joined up freely and has some combat experience, not because he's realy talented at combat or leadership.)

[The_Shaman]

((Well, we don't know that :smallwink: and it seems whatever gods the setting has like him today. It's nice to have a non-incompetent NPC for a change :smalltongue:

Anyway, which round are we doing right now? I'm pretty sure Fel's turn won't come immediately, but it's easy to lose track of whose turn it is with all the chaotic posting.))

[Kyeudo]

(All we are waiting on is Feste, then round 2 can go.)

[Mantid]

(All we are waiting on is Feste, then round 2 can go.)

((Oh? We are? :smallredface: I must have missed what happened to Feltashan...))

Feste pulls another dagger out of its sheath and flings it at the spider with a snap of his wrist.

To hit - [roll0]
Damage - [roll1]

[Kyeudo]

(He posted his action out of inititive order, which is fine. Well, that round's over, Wolfe is up.)

Feste's second dagger fares no better than the first, while Lieutent Carter's sword finds a chink in the creature's bony plating. The creature's blood is a disturbing shade of teal or cyan.

[Leon]

Taking a guess with this, Moving up onto the table to engage the foe - so from B10 to C9




Stuff this ranged business, RArrh

Wolfe leaps foward and up onto the table to be able to reach the beast

Attack (+2) [roll0] Damage [roll1]

[Kyeudo]

The creature scuttles out of the way of Wolfe's attack, then continues its now enraged assault upon the liutenent.

Claw:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]
Claw:[roll2]
Damage:[roll3]
Bite:[roll4]
Damage:[roll5]

(How do you guys manage to consistantly roll nothing higher than a 9? :smallconfused:)

[Kyeudo]

Confirm Crit:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]

(I think I figured out why. I must be sucking up all the good luck.)

[Leon]

T
(How do you guys manage to consistantly roll nothing higher than a 9? :smallconfused:)

i beg to differ, my 15 didnt hit - that would have been a 19 if not for the Shoot into combat thing

By the numbers that Lt is one tough number - better him than us & ive gone and put my self near it.....oops

[Kyeudo]

I forgot about your 15. That one almost hit. The Lt. is just a lucky warrior 2 (the bug has mostly missed his AC).

[The_Shaman]

Ok, are we going for the next round? I'd wait for other people, ideally. My attack options are sub-par in such cramped fights anyway.

[Kyeudo]

(We are currently waiting on Yry, if I don't miss my guess, although posting out of inititive order is fine.)

[Armads]

<Sorry about the wait, I've been a little busy>

Yry shoots yet another arrow at the spider.


Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[Kyeudo]

Yry's arrow clatters off of the creature's hard carapace.

The Lieutenent staggers, but continues to fight on dispite his wounds.
Attack:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]

(For those of you melee fans, the creature is NOT out of reach. Its just on the cieling and hard to flank. You guys are having a terrible time hitting AC 16.)

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth keeps frantically stabbing, trying to make his way past the legs and claws to something more meatier and vulnerable.


[roll0](+2 for flank)

>_< natural 1...

[Mantid]

Feste pulls out a third dagger and moves around the crowd of fighters to make a quick stab at the spider, lunging is wildly and trying to stay as far back as his halfling arm will allow him.

(Need to work on my combat tracking skills! All I'm sure of is I haven't acted this round. >.<)

Attack - [roll0]
Damage - [roll1]

[Leon]

Not sure if Felstahan is going to post or not but other wise its back to the top.

that 19 is a hit im hazing - yay

[Leon]

Swift Action: Predator Form

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]


/cry

[Kyeudo]

(I'll give Fel a while to post before the spider goes again.)

For reference:
Wolfe: Inititive:[23] Location: C9
Creature: Inititive:[22] Location: C8 (On Cieling)
Yry: Inititive:[20] Location: A9
Orgeth: Inititive:[19] Location: B8
Lieutent Carter: Inititive:[9] Location: D8
Festashan: Inititive:[6] Location: A10
Feste: Inititive:[5] Location: C9

Map:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b30/Kyeudo/MillersHouse.jpg

[The_Shaman]

((Kinda hard to do anything when your attack options involve ranged attacks in a melee, I have to say :) ))

<<You're not doing very well>>
<<You don't say>>
<<I suppose you can't do much with that bow>>
<<When everyone's jostling? I could barely hit it, much less harm it>>

The elf mumbles something under his nose ((tell me if someone speaks elven and cares to make the appropriate listen check)) and concentrates. A strange mass of... something appears and grows in his hands, until he shouts Duck! and hurls it at the creature.

Entangling ectoplasm, unaugmented. Touch attack: [roll0]

<<I wish you'd not be so right>>
<<Shut. Up.>>

[Kyeudo]

The spider shrieks in pain as Feste's dagger jabs between a joint in its carapace, scuttling away from the dagger wielding halfling, causing Fel's blob of goo to splatter harmlessly on the far wall. The spider continues it's single minded assault from D7.

Claw:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]
Claw:[roll2]
Damage:[roll3]
Bite:[roll4]
Damage:[roll5]

[Armads]

Yry tries to plug another arrow into the spider.


[roll0] attack
[roll1] damage

Where are the other soldiers (or are we the only ones)?

[Kyeudo]

The other squad that was dropped here are at the blacksmith's, some distance away. They probably can't here you, and definately can't be here in time to help if they could.

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth continues his unfruitful stabbing, realizes it's doing no good, and starts looking around the room for anything that might be of use here.


[roll0](+2)

[roll1]+2+[roll2]


((I think I have to roll at least a 14 or better to hit, 12 if flanking works at all))

[Kyeudo]

(Looks like I missed my cue. Sorry.)

Liutenent Carter strikes at the spider, the fight becoming more and more a matter of life and death for him.

Attack:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

<<I can't shoot, I can't use powers... What's left>>
<<Hope you get lucky?>>
<<I've been arrested, conscripted, and sent to some rock I don't give a **** about to suppress a rebelion I'd normally support with both hands, and I should rely on that?>>

Fel snarls a few words in Elven before taking another arrow from his quiver. He looks around the room for a moment, frantically looking for something he could use, before letting it fly.

Attack [roll0], Damage [roll1]; can you tell us more about what's in the room?

[Kyeudo]

(Thank heavens for ticked off elves and lucky shots. Everyone gets 200 xp.)

Fel's arrow flies true and spears the bug in what passes for its head. It's legs go limp and it falls from the cieling with a crash.

(Other than the table and the doors, there is a window on the north wall, some lamps mounted on the wall, and some simple paintings on the other walls.)

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth takes a look at the fell spider, feeling quite a bit emasculated, sighed, and went back to work, quietly cursing to himself in dwarven about having to rely on the elf of all people. Getting back to work, Orgeth moves to the nearest door, listening to whatever might be behind the door before he opens it.

Listen:
[roll0]

[Kyeudo]

The sound of silence is the only thing that comes from beyond the door.

[Leon]

<<Change back>>

Excellent shot Felstahan

Wolfe gets down off the table and has a rummage around the room to look for anything that could lend aid to what the situation beyond is

Search 1d20
As it turns out no skills in search or any Int bonus

[Leon]

Search [roll0]

[spoiler] Since it didnt work in the other[/spolier]

[Kyeudo]

There is nothing hidden to find. The table isn't even set.

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

<<Apparently, yes.>>
<<What would you do if I told you I hated you?>>
<<Hey, come on now, calm down. You're safe, and it won't really help any. I just hope there aren't any dead people here... not so likely with that blood downstairs, though.
Oh, and as for your answer: nothing, and you don't.>>

The elf seems frozen in nervousness for a moment, then starts to reach for another arrow - and realizes there's no need. After a second of insecurity, he breathes out heavily, and only then notices someone had mentioned his name. Eh? Oh, thank you.. His tone hasn't changed much from the first day the others met him, and he's just about as edgy.

He closes his eyes for a few moments, then opens them again with a slow breath. He looks at Festehan again. Anything interesting? he asks, finally taking another look at the creature... not without some disgust.

((I think I've fired one arrow that missed and has a 50% chance of being intact. [roll0] Heads or tails? Also, what knowledge would be involved to know more about that beastie?))

[Kyeudo]

The arrow's head is embedded too deeply in the wall to retrieve. As for the creature, roll a d20 and I'll compare your appropriate knowledge skill bonuses. I don't want to give away what it is just by the skill to use, at least not yet.

[Mantid]

Feste pokes at one of the spider's legs with the tip of his dagger. When the leg twitches from dying impulses, he lest out a surprised yep and jumps backwards.

"What is this thing?" he asks. "I mean, I know rebels are shown as ugly, but I wasn't expecting this!" He gives the spider one last disgusted look as if to tell it to say dead, before looking to retrieve his two thrown daggers.

[Kyeudo]

Lieutenent Carter is breathing heavily and leans on the hilt of his sword. The spider's sharp, scythe-like claws have left trails of blood running down his arms and chest, and he doesn't look like he is in shape for another such fight. He turns to face those of you not already searching. "Alright men, spread out and search the house. I don't want to walk right under another one of those things again. See if anyone's still alive in here."

[Armads]

Yry looks around for survivors, holding his bow cautiously.


Search (untrained): [roll0]

[DiscipleofBob]

Satisfied, Orgeth turns the knob and opens the door, his impatience clearly showing and begins his search of the next room, starting with the ceiling considering the content of this room.

Search Check:
[roll0]

[Kyeudo]

Beyond the closed west door is the kitchen. The room contains several counters, a stove, and some cabinets, which (if examined) contains flour, spices, and other dry goods. A door at the back probably leads to a pantry of some sort.

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth

Silently thanking his dwarven god, Orgeth turns to the others. "I got this room. You all can handle the others." He calls back before heading into the kitchen, closing the door behind him. First, however, he goes to the pantry, checking inside to make sure there's nothing that'll kill him. Then, he goes to town on the kitchen, looking for anything that might resemble decent food or a strong drink, rifling through every drawer, cupboard, and pantry in the room.


Search
[roll0]

[Kyeudo]

The pantry does not contain anything living, so no worries about getting eaten while you're eating. Also, there are no dead bodies to spoil your appitite. Between the pantry and the cupboards, you can find some dried meat, dried vegtables and fruits, some fresh vegtables, and fairly fresh bread, all ready for consumption. There is plenty more food than that, but would require preparation before it would be a palatable dish.

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth

A few months ago, Orgeth wouldn't even consider such a paltry sum of ingredients a meal, but as he looked on upon the food he gathered, his stomach grumbled with him, silencing his pride and sounding the feast horn. He was smart, however, instead of just stuffing his face, he took the food which looked like it would last the longest and stuffed it deep into his pack. Might get a little crushed, sure, but it was worth having the hidden stash. When he finished doing so, he started immediately gorging himself on whatever could be even partially considered edible. Leftovers? What leftovers? Not with a true dwarven appetite. If anyone walked into the room right now, they'd catch Orgeth stuffing his face with the food of the mill.

[Armads]

Yry

Yry searches the cabinets, pocketing some of the spices.

[Kyeudo]

(When did you also go in the kitchen?)

[DiscipleofBob]

((Seriously, I was assuming Orgeth was in the kitchen alone ransacking it until someone else walked in.))

[The_Shaman]

The arrow's head is embedded too deeply in the wall to retrieve. As for the creature, roll a d20 and I'll compare your appropriate knowledge skill bonuses. I don't want to give away what it is just by the skill to use, at least not yet.


[roll0]

Felstahan looks at the creature once more before heading through the door and giving it a good look... and then some more. Spot [roll1], Search [roll2]; Psicrystal spot [roll3]; search [roll4]

[Kyeudo]

The rooom is a simple dining room, about 20 feet by 25 feet. The only furniture in the room is a large dining table in the middle of the room and six chairs around it. There is a closed door across the room from you on the west wall, a doorway to a hallway also on the west wall, and another closed door on the the south wall.


(Which door?)

Felstashan

You've never heard of anything quite like it. Creatures such as this are outside your field of study.

[Armads]

(oops, never mind then. I assumed we were all moving together after the creature attacked)

[Leon]

Kick in the Door, Defeat the Monster, Loot the Room

[Kyeudo]

(Orgeth is currently doing Defeat Monster, Kick in Door, and is currently Looting the Room with his face. :smallbiggrin: )

Which room are you kicking the door down?

[Leon]

(Orgeth is currently doing Defeat Monster, Kick in Door, and is currently Looting the Room with his face. :smallbiggrin: )

Which room are you kicking the door down?

Wolfe heads toward the door at F8, pausing to listen before trying the door

Listen [roll0]

[Mantid]

Pulling his last dagger out of the wall, Feste turns to see where every has gone to. He frowns on seeing that the kitchen is already being "searched". He gives the kitchen door a couple strong kicks as he passes by to the hallway.

Holding is dagger out in front of him, he begins to slowly sneak down the hall, doing his best to stick to the shadows and spot any surprises.

Hide - [roll0]
Move Silently - [roll1]
Spot - [roll2]

[Kyeudo]

Wolfe hears nothing while waiting at the door.

Feste finds the hallway empty. Around the corner, you find 2 doors on the right and two on the left. The second door on the right is at the far end of the hall and is wide open.

[Mantid]

Feste tries not to shallow the lump growing in is throat as he creeps toward the open door. Pausing just outside of it, he listens for any noises coming from inside.

[spoiler]
Listen - [roll0]

[Kyeudo]

The hall is dead silent. As you aproach the door, the first thing you see of the room is the body of a man, lying facedown in a pool of blood, probably his own. Further into the room is the body of a woman, lying across the bed, slashed up and what looks like partialy eaten.

[The_Shaman]

((Can we get something like a map again? As I understand there are two doors out of the hall we fought the monster in - one to the kitchen/pantry and one to the hallway. Am I missing something?))

[Kyeudo]

Map:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b30/Kyeudo/MillersHouse.jpg

[Mantid]

Feste

The lump in Feste's throat leaps out of his mouth in a yelp as he sees the mutilated corpses. He quickly slaps is hand over his mouth. Looking around, wide-eyed and pale faced, for any unwanted attention he may have brought himself, Feste slowly enters the room to check the bodies and to search the room for any clues or valuable left behind.

Spot - [roll0]
Search - [roll1]

[Kyeudo]

There is no sign of any "unwanted attention" but given the way the spider was able to blend in so well, you can't be entirely sure.

As you enter the room further, stepping over the corpse of the man, you see the room was the site of some desperate last stand by a small family. The door is covered in deep gouges and the lock has been smashed. The bodies of two children lie between the bed and the wall, killed in a similar manner as their parents. The easiest supposition is that that spider you killed in the dining room was the culprit, given that the trail of blood drops leads here.

Searching the dresser and closet, you find little more than clothing, shoes, and an assortment of personal items of little value.

[Leon]

Wolfe enters what i think is the lounge room with sword & board ready

[Kyeudo]

The room, unlike the dining room, is well furnished. The floor is carpeted and there are a pair of plush chairs and an overstuffed couch arranged in here. No signs of any life in the room.

[Leon]

Resisting the urge to change and curl up on the couch, Wolfe has a rummage around to see if he can find anything

[roll0]

Then will head out of the other door down the hall toward the bedrooms

[Mantid]

Feste stumbles out of the bedroom further down the hall, his arm across his mouth. Seeing Wolfe entering the hall, he waves to him and points at the bedroom with the corpses. "Ugh, in there," he says, moving his arm away from his mouth but keeping his hand near his chin. "The miller and his family..." His face pales as he mentions them.

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

Fel comes out of the kitchen (the upper left rooms right?) and would be going into the lounge (lower right?) as he sees Feste come out of the bedroom. He goes in there, and lets out a muffled gasp as he sees the bodies. Merciful Sehanine he mutters in Elven, continuing in common. We can't leave them here... like that. Is there a chaplain in the teams?

Eventually, he gets himself together and looks over the entire room, though with visible distaste.

Spot: 1d20+6, search 1d20+5, psi crystal spot 1d20+6, search 1d20+2

Edit: Doesn't seem to work. I'll try it in another post, sorry :(

[The_Shaman]

Spot: [roll0], search [roll1], psi crystal spot [roll2], search [roll3]

[Kyeudo]

"What did you find?" Lieutenent Carter asks as he enters the room. Seeing the carnage, the Lieutenent becomes stone-faced. "Nothing to be done for them. We'll bury them once we have the town under control. The mill is secure, so we should head to the blacksmith and make sure they haven't encountered anything like this." He jestures to the mutilated corpses.

[Leon]

Hmm, oh well lets go see if the others have found any signs of life

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth finishes gorging and packing in the kitchen, cleans up a bit, and walks out. "Er... nothin' in here. Searched top to bottom I did. We headed out?" He asks casually.

[Kyeudo]

"Yes. There's nothing more we can do here. Let us hope that the squad at the blacksmith's faired as well as we did."

Lieutentent Carter leads the way back down the stairs and out of the mill. As you make your way back across town, you can't help but feel a little uneasy, as the scene in the mill's back bedroom offers all too easy of an explaination why no one seems to be here.

You hurry a little faster than you otherwise would, feeling like you are being watched by something. You make good time through the few streets of the small village and quickly arrive at outside the blacksmith's shop. The structure is a large, low building with a large chimney at the back for the forge. The blacksmith's is eerily silent, with not even the sounds of the other squad speaking. The door facing the street is ajar and a small trail of pale blue blood leads away from the door and towards the center of town.

[Leon]

Wolfe leans down to check for further tracks aside from the blood and to also see how recent it is

Survival Check
[roll0]

[Leon]

Heal Check
[roll0]

[Kyeudo]

The blood is fresh, only an hour or so old. There are numerous tracks of booted feet coming and going from the blacksmith's, but that is to be expected. One unusual set of tracks consists of several deep triangular impressions, as if something rather large was walking on a set of sharp claws.

[Mantid]

Feste looks at the blood and chews his lip. He turns to look toward the center of town and then back at the blacksmith's door. "I... I suppose we better have a look inside," he says with a bit of a shiver.

Shallowing hard, Feste creeps up to the door and slips inside...

Hide - [roll0]
Move Silently - [roll1]

[Mantid]

((Oh, and Spot - [roll0]))

[Mantid]

Yeah... doing well this morning!

:smallredface:

[roll0]

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth follows, but keeps to the rear of the group, mostly due to his stubby legs. He'll let the other guy scout for now in case more of those spiders show up, but that didn't mean he was going to wait for him to take all the spoils of war before Orgeth could get to them.

[Kyeudo]

The inside of the shop is a mess. Tools lay scattered about, workbenches have been overturned, and there seems to be blood everywhere, most of it bright red. The bodies of the other squad lie crumpled where they fell, most dead from deep slashes across their chest and arms. The second squad didn't go down without a fight, however. One of the chameleon spiders lies in a pools of its blood against the wall, several of it's limbs hacked off.

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

<<Oh...Ar-Sehanine, aegi'us'an>>
Great gods, Fel says quietly, his face chalk-white as he looks at the bodies and then around the house. Just what brought those monstrosities here?

[Mantid]

"Well, umm, nothing more to do here then," Feste says as he stumbles his way back out the door and into the street. His eyes widen as he suddenly realizes whatever slaughtered the second team must be loose in the town somewhere. He quickly turns around and puts his back to the wall, drawing out a dagger, as if expecting the creature to be standing right behind him.

"Li...Lieutentent," he asks hopefully, "should we head back to the ship and wait for reinforcements to take back this town?"

[Kyeudo]

"Good idea. Let's get back to the dropboat. Whatever is at work here is too much for one squad."

[Mantid]

Feste breaths a sigh of relief, but doesn't move or put his dagger away. "Well," he calls to the others, "let's get moving..."

Feste rests against the wall, his eyes darting between looking for more spiders and waiting for his squad mates to take the lead back to the ship.

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth

"Eh? We done here, already? Sure we don't want to rai--I mean check the bakery er sumthin?" Orgeth was going along with the troops anyway, but even with the crazy monster spiders, this town was ripe for the pickins. After living off of military crapcakes for months, Orgeth was eager to build some sort of an income.

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

The wiry elf looks at the dead again, and shivers. Sure. If... anyone knows the proper death ceremonies, mind you, it... would be good to do a quick rendition. I doubt we'll be coming back here shortly.

[Leon]

Sounds like a plan, im not keen to be in a bind if we encounter any more freeky arachnids

[Kyeudo]

You head back through the deserted streets to the dropboat. The town seems ever more dangerous, with eyes seeming to watch from every shadow and every window, eyes that see only fresh meat.

As you near the dropboat, just when you begin to think that nothing further could go wrong, something does. Three green creatures, looking like a cross between a spider and an ant the size of a dog, are tearing apart the rigging on the drop boat. Sharp claws cut ropes and lines with ease, and could probably be swiftly turned to more destructive ends.

[Leon]

By the Tempest!

Not sure on how close we are to the boat but Wolfe will cast Flare on one ASAP if they make motions toward coming toward us - the lead one most likely <<DC 13>>
After casting the spell he will shift to be ready for any bugs that come

Also here is a Initiative roll if you need it - [roll0]

[Mantid]

Feste looks dumbfoundedly at the trio of creatures on the boat. He chews his lip for a moment before speaking. "So, umm, is that our boat?" he asks.

He cringes as another line snaps in one of the creatures' claws. "Maybe it'll still fly..." he mumbles, getting his dagger ready to throw.

[Kyeudo]

Right now, the boat looks like it could still get off the ground if you got lucky, but if you wait much longer the bugs will reduce the rigging to uselessness. The creatures seem aware of you, but so far have ignored you in favor of trashing your easiest escape route.

[Leon]

Hows the the Lt looking in regard to the last fight, could he use a heal or is he ok

[Kyeudo]

The Lt. is not bleeding to death, but is definately a bit pale. He will not be surviving another bout as main tank without at least one heal, barring stupid luck.

[Leon]

Лечение легких ран

Wolfe lays a hand on the Lt's shoulder and restores some life into him


[roll0]

Cure Light Wounds cast on the Lt


<<Well drat, a 1>>

[Kyeudo]

It seems that I have used up all the luck in this thread somehow.

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

It looks like we should attract their attention if we don't want to stay... Fel says, and with a sad smile takes another arrow from his quiver.

Attack: [roll0] Damage [roll1]

[The_Shaman]

Well I'll be... I hope there's still some more luck left for me. Crit threat confirm: [roll0]

<<Hmm, that was a good shot.>>
<<I hope you drop that one. What are those things anyway?>>

[Kyeudo]

Fel's arrow punches through one of the bugs' exoskeletons easily. The thing shrieks in pain, and the three creatures turn as one towards your group, and begins to scrabble towards you with alien speed.

Initives:

Lieutent Carter: [roll0]
Orgeth: [roll1]
Yry: [roll2]
Festashan: [roll3]
Feste: [roll4]
Wolfe: [roll5]
Bugs: [roll6]


Inititive Order:
Orgeth: [17]
Yry: [15]
Wolfe: [15]
Lieutent Carter: [13]
Feste: [12]
Festashan: [10]
Bugs: [7]

[Leon]

My previous ready action still stands

[Kyeudo]

What ready action?

[Mantid]

I believe he was throwing a flare at the creatures...

Feste lets his dagger loose, following Wolfe and Fel's lead.

To hit - [roll0]
Damage - [roll1]

[Armads]

How far are the creatures?

[Leon]

By the Tempest!

Not sure on how close we are to the boat but Wolfe will cast Flare on one ASAP if they make motions toward coming toward us - the lead one most likely <<DC 13>>
After casting the spell he will shift to be ready for any bugs that come




Not a "ready" action per say - just what im planning to to in resposnse to the bugs

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth readies his action to move to flank one of the spiders when possible and stab it. Till then, he's staying towards the rear of the group.

[Kyeudo]

How far are the creatures?

((Within charging range. If you are worried about obstacles, you have a clear dirt street.))

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

<<They're coming! Can you delay them?>>
<<It's worth a try>>

Instead of reaching for an arrow, Felstahan's right hand clutches at the air. In a moment, a growing mass of... something starts to collect there and grows rapidly.

((Manifests entangling ectoplasm; I presume at least one target is within 35 feet. I will make a 5-foot step if threatened. Attack roll: [roll0], -4 if in melee))

[Kyeudo]

Lt. Carter draws his sword and readies himself to strike as soon as the creatures are within range.

[Leon]

Фальшфейер

Flare on the closest - using same presumption as Felstahan

[Kyeudo]

Orgeth delays, waiting for a better moment to strike.

Yry hesitates, doing nothing.

Wolfe intones the words of a spell, causing a bright burst of light to flare before one of the unwounded bugs.
Fort Save: [roll0]

Feste's dagger strikes the wounded bug in the head, killing it instantly. The other two continue past the corpse, unfazed by their companion's death.

Felstahan hurls a ball of what looks like white slime at one of the bugs. It impacts one of them, exploding into sticky strands that envelop the creatures limbs. It struggles against its binings, fighting to get closer to you.

The bugs, dispite your attempts to hider them, continue towards you. One charges Yry, at the front of the group, but before the creature can strike, Lt. Carter steps up and slices at the creature while it's guard is down.

Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

Wounded and bleeding now, the bug claws at Yry.

Claw: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]

Orgeth, seeing his chance, moves to flank the bug and attacks. (You can roll the attack and damage when you post your next rounds actions.)

The other bug, hampered by the ectoplasm entangling its legs, can't quite get within reach to attack, though it still is as determined an attacker as before.

[Leon]

Shift and moves to stand near Felstahan
Raargh

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth waits for his opportunity and then stabs furiously at the spider, hoping to get at one of its vital points. "Argh! Ye stay away from the boat, ye mangy beast! Ah ain't gettin' stuck on this rock with the rest of ye!"


Attack 1:
Damage: [roll]1d4+1d6+2
Attack 2:
Damage: [roll]1d4+1d6+2

[DiscipleofBob]

((Hm.. wasn't sure if that'd work or not. Oh well, at least this time it looks like I might've hit. :smallsmile: ))


Damage 1: [roll0]+[roll1]+2 (9)
Damage 2: [roll2]+[roll3]+2 (9)

[Mantid]

Feste pulls out another dagger and moves around the spider, trying to flank it and deliver a blow.

Attack - [roll0] (+2 if flanking)
Damage - [roll1]
Backstab (if applicable) - [roll2]

And...

Tumble (if needed to avoid AoO) - [roll3]

[Mantid]

More "if needed"

Rolled a 20:
Confirm cit: [roll0] (+2 flank and such...)
x2 damage: [roll1]

[Leon]

Move to attack the nearest bug
Attack [roll0] Damage [roll1]

[Armads]

Yry attempts to cut down the nearest bug.


Maneuvers granted: [roll0], [roll1], [roll2]
Attack: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]

If I hit, I heal Lt. Carter 2 hp if he's within 10ft of me, if not, I heal myself.

EDIT: Maneuvers granted: Charging Minotaur, Crusader's Strike, Vanguard Strike

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

With barely a nod, the elf takes up his shortbow again and nocks another arrow. It's not like I have that many options.

<<Not good ones, I'm afraid. You didn't have much time for training over at the camp. You'd think even soldiers - Sehanine's ****, human soldiers would notice the usefulness of a psionicist.>>
<<You blaspheming creeps me out, you know.>>

Shoots at the entangled spider if he has a clear shot, at one of the nearer ones if they're not: attack [roll0], damage [roll1], -4 to attack if shoting into combat.

[Kyeudo]

The bug somehow dodges Orgeth's first stab completely, dispite being surrounded. Orgeth's second strike hits home, however, and the bug's limbs give out as his dagger finds something vital.

Yry recovers, and strikes at the remaining bug. It tries to evade the warriors blow, but the sticky bindings holding it prevent it from suceeding. The Lt. suddenly looks slightly better off than before.

Wolfe swiftly finishes the wounded bug off.

((180xp to everyone))

As soon as the bugs go down, Lieutenent Carter leads the charge towards the dropboat. "Let's get off this rock as fast as we can. Any of you apes know how to sail one of these?"

The dropboat is mostly intact, but a good deal of the upper rigging has been cut away, which will make it difficult to get the boat off the ground. If you were wondering as to the fate of the crew, you wonder no more. The two crewmen lie dead in the bottom of the boat, clawed to death, one disemboweled.

[Mantid]

"Umm... not really," Feste replies, frowning at the bodies at the bottom of the boat.

Feste mumbles to himself, "Almost makes me wish I had actually paid attention on all those ships, rather then just pretending to be crewing them..."

[Leon]

APE! APE!, i aint no ape and i dont sail boats ethier[

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

((Do we know how to pilot one of these things?))

<<Oh, gods... Just what has been happening here?>>

The elf looks back at the officer, unperturbed. Let's hope mon-keighs learn fast, then. Do you know how to do it, sir? he asks, with the honorific coming almost as an afterthought.

[Kyeudo]

"I'm a soldier, not a sailor. I get the general idea, but I haven't a clue when it comes to actualy flying a ship."

[DiscipleofBob]

"Uh-huh... no way. Ye've gotta be kiddin' me! Thar's no way ah'm gonna be stuck on this rock!" Orgeth desperately goes over ship's controls, seeing as none of his companions could fly the boat. He really didn't think he could either, but that wasn't going to stop him from looking at the controls and trying to figure it out.

((What Knowledge check, if any, could that possibly be. And yes, I'm aware that this is probably an auto-fail.))

[Leon]

I think a plain Int check could do it

[Kyeudo]

"Well, since nobody knows what we're doing, let's give things a try."

((The only controls are for the rudder. The rest of manuvering is done by hoisting or lowering the sails. Everyone who wants to try and help out can make a Profession (Sailor) check.))

Lt. Carter's Proffession check: [roll0]

EDIT: Finaly the NPC rolls crappy! Maybe now there will be some luck to go around.

[Leon]

[roll0]

So we just pull on these ropes?

[DiscipleofBob]

"Come on... don't tell me we're stuck 'ere!" Orgeth frantically goes around the controls trying to make sense of them.

Intelligence Check:
[roll0]

[Kyeudo]

"We arn't stuck here if we can get the oversail open. That will take us right up."

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

The elf looks around with a scowl on his face, trying to remember what controls the pilots used... now and any previous time he'd seen them fly those things.Don't panic. It doesn't help, and you can actually break one of those things. Now... let's see. - int check, [roll]1d20+2 if an untrained profession check is necessary.

(if it's just mental checks, can I have my psicrysal make those too?)

[Kyeudo]

((Check is physical. You are trying to raise the sails.))

[Mantid]

Feste watches the others deal with the problems of running the ship. Not certain there's much he can do to help with the sails, he busies himself finding some canvas to cover the dead sailors and checking random knots and riggings.

[Kyeudo]

With much tugging on ropes, and probably getting in each others way more than making progress, the oversail slowly begins to unfurl. The deck beneath your feat groans softly, but it stays firmly on the ground. A noise, like a thousand tiny legs all working furiously, seems to be coming from the center of town.

[Leon]

The Luggage is coming!!

That noise doesnt sound good, this thing have brakes? cos we're not going up

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

At his companion's "question," Fel looks out and under to see if there is anything attaching them to the ground

<<May I take a look?>>
<<Be my guest. We don't have much time, though>>

[The_Shaman]

[roll0] for Fel, [roll1] for Rocky. Search [roll2]

[Kyeudo]

((The dropboat is not attached or anchored to the ground in any way. The oversail isn't completely open yet and isn't providing enough lift to get the boat off the ground.))

"Looks like we're making some progress. Let's hurry up and finish before we find out anything else unpleasant in this town."

Proffession:[roll0]

[Leon]

[roll0]

C'mon boat, float

HAH

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

The sail is still not open enough, the elf nearly shouts to get heard through the noise. We need it unfurled!

Having said that, he tries his hands at the controls. ((Sorry, my wisdom check didn't work - it was a 1d20+2 - so I'm repearting that: [roll0] profession sailor))

((Wow. Crap on a stick, that's some rollin' we're doin'))

[Mantid]

"Haven't you people been on a boat before!" Feste shouts, seeing their fumbling. "Gaw!"

Feste does his best to help fix Wolfe's (it is Wolfe, right?) mistakes.

[roll0]

[Kyeudo]

Orgeth manages to get the sail to open further, causing the boat to rise a few inches off the ground before stopping with a lurch. As it does, you spot just what is making that noise. A swarm of roughly thirty of the giant bugs you slew earlier spill out into the street and begin heading straight towards you, interspersced with the rippling carapaces of giant spiders like the one that killed the miller. If you don't get off the ground soon, you'll be overrun.

[The_Shaman]

((Can we retry the checks we already made?))

[Kyeudo]

((You can make new checks, yes. I thought that was obvious.))

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

Fel reaches for the controls, worry becoming obvious on his face. We need to get off... now! Does anyone know something that may delay those... things?

Profession: Sailor check [roll0]

[Mantid]

The sight of the approaching insects is enough to motivate even the lazy halfling, who begins to furiously work the ropes and riggings to try to get the boat airborne.

Profession - Sailor check: [roll0]

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth

Orgeth desperately tries to help get the sail open, as well as still trying to figure out more of the controls. Desperate to get this boat off the ground, he scurries practically in multiple places at once just to try and survive.

Strength check: [roll0]
Intelligence check: [roll1]

[Kyeudo]

With a last tug on the remaining lines, the oversail finaly snaps open, lifting the boat from the ground just before before the onrushing swarm reaches the side. Several of the smaller bugs at the front of the wave of monstrosities leap for the boat, and a pair of the creatures managed to latch on with their sharp claws.

((You can try some actions to shake the bugs loose before combat actualy starts.))

[The_Shaman]

((Any idea of how we and the critters are positioned?))

[Kyeudo]

((You're in the boat The boat is large enough to stuff about sixteen people in, but not much larger. The bugs are clinging to the side. How much more information do you need?))

[Mantid]

Feste lets out a yelp and starts to run around grabbing anything not tied down and tossing them over board in hopes of knocking some of the bugs off.

Random roll if needed for that vague action - [roll0] :smalltongue:

[Kyeudo]

((The only things not tied down are you, the rest of the party, and the bodies of the dead sailors. Which do you want to use?))

[Mantid]

((Lt. Carter! :smalltongue: Umm... so there's no debris or anything in even a small boat that was attacked by these bugs, eh? Then I'll take some other action to shake them off... whatever you had in mind. :smallredface:))

[Kyeudo]

((Whatever I had in mind? Are you sure you want to trust my twisted mind? As for other possible debris, all that the bugs left behind is shredded rope and the dead sailors. Ships are generaly kept shipshape. I suppose you might throw one of the belaying pins if you want, but you risk untying an important line.))

[Leon]

"Help me shake this chap over and clean the bugs off"
Indicating nearest dead crewman (waste not want not)

[Kyeudo]

((May I assume that Feste helps with the corpse?))

The body of the dead crewman plumets towards one of the bugs, hitting it square in its insectoid head. The bug's legs scrabble for purchase on the wood, but it can't hold both itself and the corpse up. Both drop away from the boat and hit the ground with a sickening crunch.

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth continues trying to figure out how to operate the boat, he wants to get out of here as soon as possible, and if he can figure out how to maybe shake the boat around a bit to loose the spiders.

Intelligence check:
[roll0]

[Kyeudo]

Orgeth throws the tiller hard to the right, causing the boat to lurch suddenly. Everyone is thrown about by deck suddenly moving under their feet. The remaining corpse rolls about in the bottom of the boat as it begins to spin in the air.

Balance checks to remain standing: DC 12

Spider:[roll0]
Orgeth:[roll1]
Fel:[roll2]
Feste:[roll3]
Lt.Carter:[roll4]
Wolfe:[roll5]
Yry:[roll6]

[Kyeudo]

Dispite the violent motion, the spider clings to the side. As the sudden shock subsides, it scuttles up the side and onto the deck.

Inititive:

Spider:[roll0]
Orgeth:[roll1]
Feste:[roll2]
Wolfe:[roll3]
Yry:[roll4]
Fel[roll5]
Lt. Carter:[roll6]

[Mantid]

Feste tumbles against the side of the boat. "Hey!" he shouts. "How about a little warning next time! Those of us with short legs can't react so quickly!"

Feste's jaw drops as he sees the insect crawl over the lip of the boat.

[Leon]

In early lest i am away to long again

LOL


Buggarh

{{Shift and Move to attack - Flanking if possible with whoever is there}}
Attack [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

Not again, Fel groans inwardly, taking up his shortbow again. It was about time he started practicing his talent for some more diverse... or more direct... purposes.

Attack: [roll0]; Damage [roll1] ... Wait, did you make that balance check already or do we make it now?

[Kyeudo]

((Yes, those rolls in the spoiler under the Balance check DC are your rolls.))

Lt. Carter draws his sword and hacks at the spider.

Attack:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]

[Mantid]

((Feste, btw, is standing up on his turn.))

[Kyeudo]

((Silly me. I forgot the bug goes first.))

The bug leaps off the rail and claws at Orgeth's face.

Claw:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth

"GET THIS THING OFF OF ME!" Orgeth starts shouting off a long string of dwarven curses, mostly questioning the spider's parentage as he barely manages to not get gutted by the spider. Orgeth takes a 5-foot step to flank with the spider (if necessary, and also delaying his turn, if also necessary) to try and stab at what Orgeth assumes to be a possible vital organ.


Attack Roll: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]+[roll2] (Sneak Attack)

[Kyeudo]

((Sorry guys. This got buried in my subsrciptions, again. :smallannoyed: ))

The spider's claws miss Orgeth and it lands lightly, chittering to itself as it turns to pursue it's prey.

Wolfe's jaws fail to close on the nimble spider.

Orgeth delays but a moment before stabbing at the creature. His blade finds its mark and the bug hisses in pain.

Yry again hesitates and does nothing. ((Is Armads still with us?))

Fel's arrow sails past the agile bug and off the side of the boat, plummeting towards the seething mass of insectoid forms below.

Lt. Carter's sword misses the bug as it dances out of the way.

Next Round:
The spider, bleeding but still allive, slashes at Orgeth with it's sharp forelimbs.
Attack:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]
Attack:[roll2]
Damage:[roll3]

[Mantid]

Although unsteady on his feet, Fest fumbles out a dagger and takes a wild stab at the bug.


On his turn of course...

To hit - [roll0]
Damage - [roll1]

[Leon]

Grrr


Attack Roll [roll0]
Damage Roll [roll1]

No worries Kyeudo, ive not been able to reliably access the net again for a while soon to change hopefully....

[The_Shaman]

Felstahan

With barely noticable resignation, the elf nock another arrow, trying to time his shot when he has a clear view of the insect.

Attack:[roll0], damage [roll1]

[Kyeudo]

((Well, no more actions needed.))

Wolfe's jaws close on what passes for the spider's neck, snapping it with a brutal twist. The lifeless corpse slumps to the deck.

((The boat is still spinning in circles and rising away from the planet. What are your plans? Unless it's dangerous or takes technical skill, I'll assume you take 20 and succeed on checks involving pilotting the boat.))

[DiscipleofBob]

((Indeed, I take 20 just to keep the boat stable.))

Orgeth goes back to the controls and tries to ignore the scratch the spider left him. Doing what he can, he simply tries to stabilize the boat. He can worry about actually getting out of here once he's figured out how the controls work.

[Mantid]

Feste

Feste grabs at the nearest rope, trying to secure himself as the boat plummets. he futilely studies the rigging to try to determine if there is anything that needs to be fixed to help get the ship moving away from the bug infested planet.

Take 20? If not then Profession Sailor (untrained) [roll0]

[Kyeudo]

((Feste has it backwards. The boat is spinning and going up, not down.))

Orgeth manages to get the boat to stop spinning before anyone goes over the side or becomes sick.

[Mantid]

((Well he's a bit dizzy. Whatever would stop the spinning. :smalltongue:))

[DiscipleofBob]

Orgeth continues his study of the boat's controls, once he's stabilized it that is. He takes extra care not to accidentally hit a lever that would send them plummeting to their dooms, but otherwise tries to figure out how to work the boat. He had no intention of going back down to that planet if he didn't have to.

[Kyeudo]

((I thought I made it clear that the boat is a sailing ship, not a space ship. The controls are the rudder and the lines that raise and lower the sails.))

Lt. Carter speaks up. "We'll need to report what happened back to the fleet commander, but I worry about Sargent Blake and his men. If the northern settlement has the same bug problem, Blake will be up to his ears in trouble. What do you suggest we do, men?"

[Mantid]

Feste

Feste fidgets with his daggers and sheaths for a moment. "Well it may be too late for the Sargent," he replies. "We won't help anyone if we go to help him and end up in trouble too... who'd let the fleet know?" The halfling thinks about what he just said for a moment, then shivers. "Yeah," he concludes. He sheepishly lowers his head and fiddles with his equipment some more.

[DiscipleofBob]

Let 'em rot in hell! In fact, why don't we throw ye overboard as well? At least that's what Orgeth wanted to say, but knew better. He had no allegiance or loyalties to this army, and as far as he concerned they could all be bug-food. If he knew anybody in the other squadron he might've cared more, but not enough to go back into the middle of that mess. Right now, between figuring out the controls of the boat, Orgeth was trying to figure out whether the other inmates would join him in making a break for it. Yea, getting caught meant death, but sticking around meant pretty much the same thing only in the service of his own jailers. He was already set to commit mutiny, but he knew he probably wouldn't get far without some help from the other inmates.

[Leon]

I care not for what we do just as long as we dont go back down - those things taste horrid