Serpent's Skull I, Smuggler's Shiv

[Blackhawk101]

Rising swiftly from his sleeping mat, Ankarum grabs his spear and howls his own fierce war cry!
AAAAAHEEEEEE!

He moves in a direct line with the beast as terrain allows and stabs at it using a two handed grip. Rolled 12 with mods.

[lostsole31]

R1T11: Rising swiftly from his sleeping mat, Ankarum grabs his spear and howls his own fierce war cry! "AAAAAHEEEEEE!"

End Round 1, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T25: Stephan cuts again with his sword and rocks the Red Mountain Devil for 25. The monster gives a wounded cry.

R2T12: The creature snaps desperately at Stephan, but the strange nimbus around Stephan seems to push its head slightly to the side. The monster wants no more and goes to fly away, allowing Stephan to get in another swing for 21. It tries to fly straight up to get out of the way and flaps around because of the pain.

R2T11: Ankarum moves in a direct line with the beast as the terrain allows, though in doing so he has to take care not to run on the slippery rocks of the tide pool and maybe to turn a bit here and there. He stabs at the monster with a two-handed grip and spears it solidly in the area just above the groin for 10 (max) damage - one of the finest spear thrusts Ankarum has ever made.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T25: Stephan cuts deep in an upward swing, nailing the thing under the right armpit and cutting into the upper right side of its chest for 20, the righteous smite of his attacks inflicting grievous wounds with each strike. The Red Mountain Devil doesn't even shriek, it simply falls the 5' to the ground, forcing Stephan's arms down with it before he can remove his sword. The nimbus around him and the increased glow of his sword instantly wink out, evidence that the feared chupacabra, The Red Mountain Devil, has finally been vanquished by the two heroes.

Stephan holds his hand to his heart and bows his head in silent prayer. Two rounds later, his wounds are fully gone. Stephan studies the chupacabra's body for several seconds before he lifts it high over his head in a clean snatch and jerk and then heaves it into the large pool in the middle of the lagoon. Several second later, there is a churning motion and blood coming to the surface, and every now and then a triangular fin of a shark appears above the surface. Well, at least you know what the large creature in the water is.

Stephan steps over to Ankarum. The Shoanti is too tall to slap a hand on his shoulder without it being at an awkward angle, so he simply does the forearm-to-forearm grab and nods and smiles vigorously ... the greeting of one warrior to another after a great battle.

[Blackhawk101]

Good fight Stephan! I will take the rest of the watch, get some sleep.

[lostsole31]

The rest of the night goes by uneventfully.

The following day, the gaping mouth in the mountain is no less ominous. You and Stephan go very slowly up the mountain. He leads, but does so slowly and carefully. He then ties the rope around the next bridge and steps/ climbs to the side to allow you to carefully climb up to that level. To do so to make absolutely sure is going to take some time. Once the two of you are at the top, you and Ankarum once again eye what was probably the chupacabra's nest. Stephan motions to go over to the nest, and one by one you cross the rope bridge to that side. He ties off to the bridge, but he'll be the only one to head down to keep the bridge steady.

He climbs back up. In the ground, he seems excited and makes pictures:
* The shape of a bow, with little arrow shapes next to it.
* Lots of little round circles. He makes one larger one with something vaguely like a head on it.

If you go to get it now, he stops you. Not violently, but just easily and points to the west of the island where your friends are.

Towards the end of the day's travel, you are both surprised when a web shoots down from the trees to entangle Stephan.

R1T25: Ankarum, you see a giant spider 10' up in the trees, just out of melee range. What do you do?

[Blackhawk101]

Taste my sting, foul bug!
Ankarum jerks a javelin from his quiver, and taking a short step, hurls it at the spider. (You can roll)

[lostsole31]

R1T25: "Taste my sting, foul bug!"

Ankarum jerks a javelin from his quiver, and taking a short step, hurls it at the spider. It is an easy throw for him, for the spider is the size of a man; but, even with this short distance, the trees throw off his targeting and he only does 5 (min) damage.

R1T14-5: Stephan doesn't take out his sword, but simply stands in a ready position. The spider drops down next to him in a vertical charge, but as it does so Stephan manages to take out his sword incredibly quickly and hits the monster for 10. Despite the vertical drop, on Stephan's recovery he pushes away its mandibles. Already it is not looking well.

End Round 1, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T25: Ankarum, you are adjacent to the spider, and catacorner to Stephan. I would accept that you have your shield ready because of the dangerous island, but you don't have a weapon out (you just grabbed and threw a javelin). What do you do?

[Blackhawk101]

Snarling with rage (yes Ankarum's rage ability) Ankarum moves to flank the spider and bashes it with his large wooden shield.

[lostsole31]

R2T25: Snarling with rage, Ankarum moves to flank the spider but in so doing gets big in the left shin for 5. Even in his rage, Ankarum feels a slightly numbing sensation (1 STR damage). In return Ankarum bashes at it with his large wooden shield, grazing with the edge of his shield for 5 (min).

R2T14; Stephan finishes it off.

Combat Ends ...

Ankarum, your high metabolism from the rage burnt off whatever other amount of poison might have affected you. You come out of the rage, fatigued for merely a couple rounds before recovering your wind, but finding that your leg aches some.

You get back to Aycenia's grove.

"Where have you been?!" demands Erin, angrily. "And what happened to your leg? I thought you were going to be back last night."

While she shouts you down, you and Stephan notice a particularly hopeful sight as dusk is upon you .... the lighthouse is operational!

[Blackhawk101]

Ankarum fine. Just little scratch. We have found much on Red Mountain. There is strange stone alter with stone pillars around it. Found rope bridges down to the sea where some powerful magic is holding the tide back from a wrecked ship and its little green captain. But even better, there is an entrance to an evil snake man temple across the tide pools. We should definitely go and explore it. The snake man was seen entering, and what ever it is up to cannot be good. Terrible carvings decorate the door. Bring friends to help Stephan and Ankarum fight snake man and carry treasure!
The big man grins broadly as he tells the tale to the young woman. A sudden memory makes him add as an afterthought, ​oh and we fought and killed the chubachabra thing and can now takes its treasure. What has Erin been doing?

[lostsole31]

The party actually claps and cheers when Ankarum mentions that the two of you took out the chupacabra!

"Yesterday, I provided muscle to get the lighthouse working. Today, Aron gave me the book she was reading .... the Abendego Chronicles, the unfinished work by Aerys Mavato. I was absolutely riveted. I have to say, the sense of overcoming great adversity; she died, but Aerys nonetheless understood the concept well enough to give the heroine that energy. Lalarlia will be reading tomorrow."

Though Aron, Jask, and Gelik are interested in decamping to Red Mountain so they can study the ancient ruins ... and the spellcasters can provide light .... Lalarlia is more practical. "I agree that the snake-man definitely deserves attention, regardless of ruins or treasure. However, we now have a responsibility. This big pit beneathe the lighthouse ... it looks like a bit of a drop to a cave of bones. I think this is a place where the tribe offered some manner of supplication to something below. Now that the lighthouse works, if a ship comes where are they going to land? That's right, the cliffs below the light. Without cannibals feeding whatever's down there, it's possible that something hungry will come upwards. Then any death of any sailors sits squarely on our head because we wanted to go chasing down artifacts. I think the snake-man is key to evil and what lies beneath the island, but we have to ensure the lives of our would-be saviors are safe."

[Blackhawk101]

Ankarum is skeptical that staring at funny marks on a page can be entertaining or enlightening, but to each their own. When Lalarlia speaks , he steps forward to speak,
Maybe bad in the pit, maybe not. If you don't want rescuers hurt, then turn off lighthouse until we clear the pit. Snake men maybe bigger threat or same threat. Need to find out. Anyone not coming should stay at tree, not village.

[lostsole31]

Ankarum, Gelik, Pezock, Stephan

Aron, Erinelea, Jask, Lalarlia

"I say we can do both," says Aron. "You and Stephan should return to the tidal area, and Gelik and Pezock would go with you. Meanwhile, I and Erin, Jask, and Lalarlia will investigate the pit.

"Ankarum's primary combat prowess will be mirrored in Erin; bardic abilities and support, as well as knowledge, would be me mirrored by Gelik; Pezock should go with you, because it sounds like something more constructed and there may be need of a skilled artificer like himself to check things out; and, Stephan and Lalarlia would be each group's healer and anti-undead specialist. Jask, like myself and Gelik, has excellent scholarship, and both possess some combat magic."

Though Ankarum may have a rebuttal, in the end Aron's skill with words wins out. The party will be split into two adventuring teams.

Anything before bedding down for the night?

[Blackhawk101]

UNGH....when is dinner?

[lostsole31]

Aycenia's grove is lush with fruits and vegetables and herbs.

The next day you leave for Red Mountain, this time taking the full three-hour break before heading up the mountain. You guide them safely across the rope bridge leading to the far side where you hadn't yet gone. There, 10' below you, you see the inside of the chupacabra's nest ... and it contains many coins, a quiver full of differently fetched arrows, and lots of coin!

[Blackhawk101]

Ankarum lets the others sort out the treasure and weapons while he scouts the route down to the ship and tidal pools.

[lostsole31]

Pezock and Gelik really can't do anything about what's in the nest, since it has to be climbed into a little bit. Pezock can climb some, but Stephan tends the line. They manage to get all of the larger things up, but there are a lot of small items that require a pouch or something with which to seal them.

Ankarum, you notice that It's no less difficult a climb on this side than it was before.

Stephan climbs down to the next level (on the nest side where you are), he takes out his dagger as he is still in a climbing status, and he begins to cut at one of the ropes anchoring the bridge. He easily severs it, and then moves to cut a second of the three ropes anchoring the rope bridge.

The guy is cutting down one of the bridges!?

[Blackhawk101]

Blood and bloody ashes! Stephan what are you doing?

[lostsole31]

He cuts another one, leaving one support rope for this bridgem

[Blackhawk101]

!?!? This would be so much easier if you could spreak.

[lostsole31]

Stephan cuts the last of the support ropes for the 60' elevation (2nd bridge down, 1st down from top bridge) on this side, and there she goes ....

... the bridge from this side falls in a great swing to the far side of the chasm, slamming into the cliff wall and shattering many of the old planks. Most of the old planks are there, and only a few of the supporting lashing straps from plank to secondary lashing to main rope have popped.

Stephan begins to climb back up, but grabs a handful of swag on the way, dropping off the quiver, the bow, a silvery "pirate's hook hand" and a few other things. Gelik begins to look through the things. Gelik looks confused at the stupid mute. "Great, now it's a longer climb down to the next bridge .... and I don't know how to climb as it is!"

Stephan taps Ankarum and Pezock on the shoulder to go back to the "main side," and Stephan grabs the rope you have. Pezock looks at what Stephan might be doing, for little of the like seems to escape an artificer's notice. Pezock nods and says, "Caw-lever. Very clever. I guess dumb mean not dumb."

Stephan goes across to the main side. Then Pezock. Then, ostensibly, yourself. He has you and Pezock set up as line tenders and he rappels down to this side's support of the now-hanging rope bridge attached only here. He begins cutting away at planks and lashings.

Pezock looks at the likely-confused Shoanti. "He's getting us more rope .... longer and we can knot it this time. It'll definitely help the climb and be invalua-caw to Gelik."

[Blackhawk101]

Waiting impatiently, Ankarum says to the group "Stash the coins and distribute the weapons, we have a den of snakes to dig out their hole!

[lostsole31]

Stephan will need Ankarum and Pezock both just to begin trying to haul up the remains of the bridge, using the 50' length you already have as a "pulley" of sorts. As you haul it up, planks are cut away to lessen the weight, so bringing it up becomes a faster evolution by the time you get towards the end. It's the tedious knot-tying and splicing that takes time. Stephan and Pezock both seem expert at knot tying, so are still able to do it well and with moderate speed. The rope is now long enough to go all the way down to the bottom, fully knotted for easier climbing, with room to spare so that you are able to go back a distance up top to secure it to a nub of rock on the ground that is thick enough to act as a cleat.

During this time, Stephan will get the rest of the coins. [EDITOR: It seems I vastly over-thought what coins were there.]

Spoiler: Booty Call

Show

There are 246 sp, 234 gp, 13 pp.

There is a hook designed to be worn on an arm stump, and it is made of a gleaming, silvery metal; it is a fantastic metal, very rare, known as mithral. Because of this, it's value is high, but indeterminate.

There is a fine brass sextant, and Gelik's seen enough brassware and nautical items to confidently appraise it (with Pezock's help) at 500 gp.

A magical buckler with skull and crossbones. Other than a moderate aura, its abilities are entirely unknown. While a shield for most normal purposes, it is entirely too small to be an effective weapon for a shield bash.

A magic quiver, not exactly known, carrying with it an aura of conjuration. However, there are far more arrows pulled out of the quiver than were initially seen.
* There are 20 normal arrows.
* Nine cold iron arrows. Gelik mentions that cold iron is a special material that hurts some types of fey and specific types of demons. Very hard and expensive to initially enchant.
* Seven +1 arrows.
* Two +2 arrows.
* One arrow of aberration slaying. Gelik nods, quite impressed. He explains that this magic arrow has a strong aura of necromancy. Against anyone else, it is simply a +1 arrow; however, against certain creatures categorized by academics as "aberrations" this arrow is truly deadly. A creature's internal strength may be able to rebuff the magic, otherwise the arrow has a change of causing grievous wounds or instant death against an aberration.

But it doesn't stop there. Even more items managed to be fished out of the side pockets of this magical quiver.
*There is a magic javelin called a javelin of lightning. When thrown, it becomes a bolt of electricity, but it's a one-shot that's consumed once thrown.
* There is a masterwork composite longbow. It just happens to be of the right pull for Ankarum (+3 Str).

Anytime these items are placed back in the quiver, the weight only equals that of the quiver itself. The weight of the arrows, javelin, and bow seem to be magically nullified until pulled out. The quiver weighs 2 pounds.

Stephan smiles and hands Ankarum the magical quiver. He pats Ankarum on the shoulder and nods his head in pride. Powerful item(s) earned for the destruction of a powerful enemy.

Stephan will take the magic buckler with skull and crossbones. He can still wear it while carrying a two-handed weapon (though it can't help him while he attacks and even throws off his attack's balance when worn), but he doesn't seem to mind, and he does have a short sword and a dagger. Stephan is incredibly agile, but that hasn't been enough in the past, so hopefully the late Hacker's armor and this shield will help him with defense. In addition, though it weighs five pounds, its construction and balance is enough that it won't hinder Stephan when using more physical skills.

The coins and other items are left up here for now ... it's not like anyone is likely to take them. The knotted rope is secured and it is now time to climb down. Ankarum will be first, followed by Pezock, then Gelik, with Stephan at the end. Gelik is in tears in fear at the prospect of climbing down, shaking terribly, so Stephan will be willing to allow Gelik to switch places. Stephan will be immediately below Gelik. The poor gnome begs Stephan to carry him, but the black paladin is very stern with him. For someone who is supposed to be helpful and virtuous it seems strange, until one realizes that teaching Gelik to find his own courage is more important than being brave for him. Otherwise, the climb down the knotted rope, braced against the cliffside as it is, is incredibly easy.

You get over to the Salty Strumpet. Ankarum, the quiver is a new 2 pounds, and if you take out the bow, that's an extra 3 pounds. Do you shuck any gear or have anyone else hold onto it for now? Even Stephan looks like he's holding darn near as much as he can, and that's impressive. Also, do you go see Captain Ekubus?

EDIT: The quiver and holding the bow would bring you to 75 out of 76 pounds for a light load, so you can still do it. You just can't pick up much else that you might find without being burdened with a medium load or ditching things in the ancient temple.

[Blackhawk101]

Ankarum will leave his two hand axes and as many javalins as will not fit in his spiffy new quiver. Ankarum is unsure about using a bow instead of the familiar javelin in ranged combat, but he has used a short bow before when hunting on horseback. It will take some practice. Hopefully the snake men will oblige as target practice.
ankarum clouts Stephan on the shoulder in return for his amiable gesture. Hail salty strumpet! Cap'n we have collected our crew and are ready to set sail for the evil cave.

[lostsole31]

Nothing happens, and Stephan boards the Strumpet. Several minutes later, he exits with Ekubus.

I am sure that a similar greeting is hailed to the little Captain once he flaps his wings coming out.

"That's a fine-looking bunch of salts, lad! The rest of you, be sure to address my second mate as Mister Ankarum! Onwards, hearties, and Mr. Ankarum, take the lead."

"What ... what are you?" asks Gelik to the strange, winged creature that is about his size. "I have never seen your like before."

"I'm the captain of the Salty Strumpet, and since you like to be nosy and you're the smallest here, you'll be my cabin boy .... what's your name, gnome?"

"My name is Gelik Amb---"

"Jelly it is, boy. Don't talk so much. Cabin boys should neither be seen, nor heard except when needed. And who is this bird-brain here? Looks like he'd be fine in a crow's nest to get him close to the sky."

"Mr. Pezock, sir!"

"I have enough officers in my wardroom, thank you very much, lookout. The only 'Mister' here is Second Mate Ankarum. Move 'em out, Mr. Ankarum."

The group moves forward, and there are those massive double doors again. Gelik looks at the doors, though Pezock is horrified and looks away. He sees the vampire demons feasting on young women.

"Wow. I have no idea what cult this relates to. More than that," Gelik adds. "I can't even begin to define its age ... but it seems older than anything I've ever studied. We seem to have stumbled upon something truly amazing, historically."

Since it is understandably dark inside, Gelik casts a spell on his cap and it begins to glow as brightly as a torch.

The space just inside is about 10' x 10', and about 15' high. From there, stairs 10' wide head upwards. Gelik mentions that many ancient crypts, tombs, and temples tend to be chock full of traps for the unwary. Even if there is nothing like that here, with those ominous and vile reliefs on the door, he is quite worried. Pezock, even more nervous, is more than willing to go more cautiously. He claims that his knowledge of traps and his skill with weird science actually might help him to pick out magical traps as well. Since it is wide enough here, Stephan - also good at building traps and with a keen eye and likely for sensing traps - will work with him. Then it will be Ankarum and Gelik. Captain Ekubus will be flapping about above, and in no particular point.

Once you get up to the top of the long stairway, there is a massive room that well exceeds your ability to see everything with Gelik's light cap. There are four stone alcoves to the side just out of range of illumination, that Pezock mentions, and you see two large pillars 10' into the room. As you fully step into the room, something comes flying out of the darkness.

Surprise Round ...

A javelin just misses Stephan, but another one hits Captain Ekubus in his little left foot for a very powerful blow, and yet it seems that even though the javelin head pierced his scales, it does a lot less damage than expected, for only 5 mod damage.

Round 1 ...

R1T27: Pezock, with his keen eyes, shouts, "There are strange skeletons on a bridge raised above the floor throwing the javelins!"

He then reaches to his belt and presses a couple buttons and a force field is momentarily visible in front of him.

R1T22: Gelik casts another spell, and these four glowing lights - all casting the same light as a lantern, appear in a 10' radius of each other, but raised about 20' off of the ground. Over a dozen stone pillars support this cavernous chamber's high-vaulted ceiling; even with this light it extends into the darkness above. You came in from the north where four empty alcoves sit in the walls, their edges carved to resemble yawning, fanged mouths. There is a bridge that is 40' off of the ground, and shadowy shapes above that.

R1T20: One of the things throws a javelin, and it bounces off of Stephan's new buckler.

R1T19: Captain Ekubus begins to curse in a bubbling language you don't know. Even flat-footed Ankarum notes that the wound on the captain's foot is beginning to knit.

R1T17: One of the creatures throws at Pezock, missing wildly.

R1T12: Ankarum, what weapon do you have out? Spear and shield? or bow?

[Blackhawk101]

Ankarum is carrying his spear and shield with the bow and quiver slung over opposite shoulders. Seeing the assailents up on the bridge, he drops the spear and shield and readies the bow.
let's see what you can do.

[Blackhawk101]

Even as Ankarum sights the "skeletons" up on the bridge, he looks around to see if there is a way up from this level. He will hold his shot until the next figure on the bridge is about to throw, hoping to disrupt its shot if nothing else. He intends to shoot with a normal arrow not expecting to harm a skeleton but needing the archery practice.

[lostsole31]

R1T12: Ankarum is carrying his spear and shield with the bow and quiver slung over opposite shoulders. Seeing the assailents up on the bridge, he drops the spear and shield and readies the bow. "Let's see what you can do."

"What, are you daft, boy?!" shouts the Captain's shrill voice. "You could have at least thrown the spear!"

R1T10: Stephan then does something Ankarum has never witnessed. The Mwangi/Taldane mixed man holds his swordarm out to one side, and the other arm out to the other. He spreads his legs a little apart. His form begins to shrink a little, while his arms grow thin at first, and then a membrane grows from shoulder to body, then creeps further down arm and intercostals. His trunk lengthens and there is a cracking sound of bones as his form shifts; the largest sound being that of his knees going from a forward direction and cracking so they now go from the back, like a bird's. His torn, old boots melt into his feet, even as those feet get thin but the toes grow with hooked nails ... until they are scaly talons. His short hair shrinks into his head while the nose on his face grows and his chin extends, and scales grow across his body as what clothing he has melds into his form. When you look back to his face, he has an impressive beak. He flaps his wings impressively once.

Stephan no longer stands there, but in his place are one of those flying lizards that Sasha tried to tame. The flying lizard-Stephan then takes wing and flies up to just above one of the shapes.

End Round 1, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T22: Gelik says, "You'll have a hard time hurting skellies with an arrow, Ankarum."

He begins to tease and taunt you, goading you ... but you realize that he might just be pressuring you to do better (inspire courage +1).

R2T20: The thing no beleaguered by Stephan throws a javelin at the source of the noise .... the Shoanti man who just dropped a shield and spear to clatter on the ground, but Ankarum just barely manages to dodge out of the way.

R2T19: The captain's wound continues to heal; it is only a light scratch now. He outstretches his little hand, and an arrow of acid appears above his palm and shoots toward that enemy to hit it for 2 acid. He then flaps up towards the fight, but making sure to steer clear for right now.

R2T17: Instead of attacking with natural weapons, the skeleton follows whatever original orders it had to try to throw its javelin at Stephan. It gets slashed for 4 mod damage. The javelin still hits Stephan for 8.

R2T12: Even as Ankarum sights the "skeletons" up on the bridge, he looks around to see if there is a way up from this level. He will hold his shot until the next figure on the bridge is about to throw, hoping to disrupt its shot if nothing else. He lets fly with a normal arrow not expecting to harm a skeleton but needing the archery practice.

R2T10: You see the flying form flap down to the bridge, and in its place is a dwarf dressed like Stephan. He takes out his dread maul.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T27: "Get directly under the bridge so they can't throw at you!" caws Pezock. He then moves underneath the bridge so it's impossible to be targeted.

R3T22: Gelik, takes a a potshot at one of the stocky skeletal whatevers, firing a small bolt of fire which hits one for 4 fire. He then bolts under the bridge with Pezock.

R3T20: Since the creatures are set upon by a close-range combatant, both creatures focus on Stephan; but true to their original programming, the stupid creatures focus to throw their javelins. The first one goes to throw its javelin, but you are ready ... and how ready you are. You happen to strike it hard in the shoulder for 18 mod and spins it flat-footed, but not enough to end its attempt to throw again before being smacked by Stephan's take a clip for 11. It finally tosses its javelin but its been banged about to aim well. The magic arrow does another 3 acid.

R3T19: "Damn fine shot, Mr. Anakarum," hails Captain Ekubus. "Your dogs are cowards, but you and your shifty friend are true salts."

He keeps flapping about in circles, but seems preoccupied with something.

R3T17: The next skeleton tries to throw a javelin, but Stephan's surprising reflexes swing at him as well, but it's a wild swing that nearly has him teetering off the edge, but his instincts are still enough even in squat form to dodge the missile.

R3T10: Stephan recovers and smashes one of the skeletons, causing it to shatter and collapse in a shower of bones, many of which spill over the side.

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T27-22: "Right on, Stephan!" cheers Gelik, though he dare not come out from under the bridge.

R4T21: Ankarum, only one of these two incredibly tough, squat skeletons remaining. Your first shot was a crit; seems an auspicious beginning. What do you do?

[Blackhawk101]

Thanks Cap'n! I don't throw spear unless its last resort. Wanted to try new bow anyway.

reaching into his belt pouch, Ankarum pulls out a tanglefoot bag and attempts to attach it to a standard arrow.

Does Stephan need help Cap'n?

[lostsole31]

R4T21: "Thanks Cap'n! I don't throw spear unless its last resort. Wanted to try new bow anyway."

Reaching into his belt pouch, Ankarum pulls out a tanglefoot bag and attempts to attach it to a standard arrow, an easy enough task given the small straps ringing the bag. "Does Stephan need help Cap'n?"

R4T19: The Captain finishes his concentration and then shrugs. "Ha! Why ask me, boy?! Good instinct to ask yer cap'n, but I told you this is yer landin' party. You have to learn to take the inish."

Other than that, the captain doesn't do anything other than fly to and fro, and he has no more evidence of the wound he received.

R4T17: The monster goes to throw a javelin and Stephan makes a perfect swing to brain the monster for 28. It actually does a good job of throwing its javelin into Stephan's own head for a powerful 10.

R4T10: Stephan swings wide into its rib cage for 21, blasting it into bits of bone.

Combat Ends ...

"Seems ya' don't need whate'er that medicine bundle is, Mr. Ankarum."

[Blackhawk101]

Cap'n got the best view of the fight from up there. Ankarum was just wondering how the fight was going.
There is a crash and a shower of pulverized bone fragments. ...Never mind.
Ankarum stashes his Tanglefoot arrow for later use in his quiver.