The Treasure Map (iC)

[Metastachydium]

Spoiler: Oh, and

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Listen: (1d20+17)[35] and Spot: (1d20+17)[23]

[spectralphoenix]

Yes, fire! I've got fire! Felix replies enthusiastically, the ale having lightened his worldview by a few shades.

Remembering himself, he nods at the party and stands. I'm with Garrett. We should move quickly to save whatever survivors we can find.

[Metastachydium]

There might be none. Torta mouths at Felix, trying to keep the panicked woman out of the loop. Trolls do quick work.

[Chimaera]

Urag is glad to have some time to appreciate his beer. Sure. It was a few seconds for each mug as he drank like a man that spent months on a desert.

He eyes the woman who breaks in their camp and wait for his mug to finish before getting up and letting out a powerful burp, "Have a drink and watch over this barrel while we check for survivors".

"What about axes?", he asks Torta, "Does axes help against trolls?". He doesnt wait an answer as he happily dash to follow the others, hoping to get into a brawl just after driks. It was almost like an open air tavern, but with less idiots.

[spectralphoenix]

Felix meets Torta's eyes, his cheer fading. We'll go and we'll rescue who we can, he says, trusting her to recognize the significance of his last three words.

After the party moves out of earshot, Felix gives voice to his more cynical side But keep an ear out. She certainly LOOKED like the real deal, but there are plenty of bandits who aren't above the old 'fake damsel in distress' bit.

[Starbuck_II]

"I can cast cantrips of acid... so we can handle one troll… maybe not two or three, " Sonamy said confidently. With spells swapped out, Sonamy replaced caltrop with extra acid splash cantrips.

[MikelaC1]

Its not difficult to follow the girls path back through the woods as she was no ranger or druid and the group makes progress with Daphne trailing hopefully behind her rescuers. They soon come upon the grim sight. Three wagons have been smashed and overturned and its clear there are no survivors. Several chests are cracked open, the contents strewn around. In the clearing there are 3 bugbears (the party able to identify what Daphne could not), gnawing on the bones of the guards. When the party approaches, they toss aside their bones and draw morning stars.

Initiative. Bugbears at a distance of 60 ft.

[Metastachydium]

Torta purses her lips, annoyed. This doesn't look any good. And where's the troll (if it is a troll, anyhow)? She drifts closer to the currently visible enemies, drawing her club and, expecting Urag to do what Urag does, gets ready to cast.

Spoiler: OOC

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Initiative: (1d20+7)[10]
Free action Listen: (1d20+17)[26] and Spot: (1d20+17)[31] to detect any further hostiles, especially those vaguely troll-shaped;
move action move 20' closer to the bugbears;
standard action ready a Snake's Swiftness for the first allied martial who gets within melee reach of the b-bears (preferably Urag).

[Chimaera]

Urag never stops running towards the scene and upon seeing the assailants, his bowels cant hide his excitment as he turbo rushes towards the bugbears, as a lion pouncing on a surprised zebra.

Spoiler: Charge

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Initiative (1d20+3)[22]

Power Attack 4 Charge on a bugbear:
(1d20+9)[21] dmg (1d12+16)[19]

If he get the Snake Swiftness, here it goes:
(1d20+9)[25] dmg (1d12+16)[27]

[animorte]

Closing in on the scene, William's concern gets much more serious. There's nothing fitting her description of a green-skinned, long-clawed monster. "Where's the leader?" He makes it a point to stay within earshot Torta, who has the best chance of spotting any surprises. He tries to keep eyes on Felix and Sonamy, hoping they don't become the target.

Spoiler: OOC

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Initiative: [roll0]

Movement: hold position near Felix and Sonamy.

Ready action: cast Hold Person (provided it's humanoid) against possible surprise attacker. Will save 17 (paralyzed, up to 5 rounds)

[spectralphoenix]

Damn Felix whispers to himself. It had probably been too much to hope for survivors. All he could do now was avenge them.

Spoiler

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Initiative: [/roll]1d20+7[/roll]
If Felix is engaged he takes a 5ft step out of reach, otherwise he moves to within 40 feet of the bugbears, taking cover behind a wagon or other obstacle if he can.

Lesser Orb of Fire: Ranged Touch (1d20+5)[8] Damage (4d8)[12] fire
He targets an unengaged bugbear if he can, otherwise whichever one appears the most wounded.

[aReallyGreatAxe]

Garrett joins Felix in a few choice expletives as it becomes clear there are no survivors. He draws his shortswords with a clear sound of unsheathing metal. It was time for this new weapon to taste its first blood at his hands.

Spoiler: actions

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I initiative:(1d20+2)[6]

Actions:

Move action to accompany Urag to the nearest bugbear and attempt to flank.

Attack: (1d20+13)[32] (+2 if flanking with Urag)
Damage: (1d6+7)[13]

[Starbuck_II]

Sonamy decides to try a summoning out. He waves his arms but his spell fizzles.

Spoiler

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AC: 20 () HP: 31/31()
touch: 14, ff: 16,
Saves: +3/+8 /+5
Speed: 30 ft

Initiative - (1d20+4)[8]

(1d100)[7] need 11 or better to cast successfully
If successful, at end of turn, summon a Fiendish Spider (or celestial if option) close enough to web the enemy.

[MikelaC1]

The bugbears on one side and Urag and Garrett on the party side both charge into the fray, meeting in the middle with a tremendous crash. Felix actually attempts to draw first blood by casting an orb of fire at one of the bugbears but given all the battle confusion he misses the target completely. Urag gets first blow on a bugbear and splits him almost stem to stern but he manages (barely to keep standing). The snake's swiftness takes effect and he strikes at a second bugbear, finishing it off in one blow this time. William attempts to freeze one in place with a hold, but its not the day for magic as the beast resists the spell. The bugbears finally get a chance to retaliate, two on Urag and one one on Garrett, but their ineffectiveness is almost comical, they look they might even drop their weapons. Torta keeps an eye out for anyone sneaking up on them and then Sonomy proves it is really not magic's day and his summoning fizzles out. Garret ends the first bugbear with another skillful stroke.

Round 2
Tactical: 1 bugbear up, on Garrett.

[spectralphoenix]

Was he still a bit tipsy or did the bugbear simply make a lucky dodge? Felix refocuses and conjures another blast of fire, this one too big to miss with.

Spoiler

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Initiative: (1d20+7)[26]

Fiery Burst, 5ft radius burst. Avoiding friends, hit multiple enemies if possible, favor the most injured target.
Damage: (3d6)[14] fire, Reflex DC 18 half

[aReallyGreatAxe]

Garrett hefts his new sword and slices down at the remaining bugbear, the blade that had been his prized possession before slipping in to join the fray in his off hand.

Spoiler: actions

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Initiative: (1d20+2)[12]

Viper William will not participate, as his flanking seems to be unnecessary at the moment. He's sulking that Garrett wouldn't let him have any ale.

Attack 1: (1d20+11)[15]
Damage 1: (1d6+7)[13]

Attack 2: (1d20+9)[28]
Damage 2: (1d6+5)[9] +1 acid

[Metastachydium]

Seeing that the bugbears are taken good care of, Torta, ever more concerned, focuses on what she still does not see. The troll might still be close; but it didn't jump them when they split up and engaged its allies. In a manner slow and measured, she begins to circle around to get a better peek at what might be hidden behind the upturned wagons. With all the beer in most of the crew, they don't need a nasty surprise right now.

Spoiler: OOC

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Move action, um, move;
Listen: (1d20+17)[32] and Spot: (1d20+17)[35]

[animorte]

William also shows little concern for the remaining bugbears, and attempts to check in with the damsel in distress. Following Torta's example, he keeps his shield at the ready (and pulls the mace up in his hand) in case of any further encounter. "Let's stay aware, folks."

Spoiler: OOC

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If I still need it, Initiative: (1d20+3)[20]

Move: 30 feet toward the lady (if she's still present).

Ready action: Fighting Defensively (-4 attack accounted for in the roll, gain +2 AC), Attack: (1d20+1)[21]

[Chimaera]

Urag roars at the last bugbear standing, ever excited with adrenaline. Sadly it will be over soon, the dash here proved to make him sweat more than fighting these ruffians.

Sidestepping to get in flanking position with Garret and to make any attempt of dashing more difficult, he swjngs his axe possibly for the last time in this combat.

Spoiler: Uraaaaaargh!

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Initiative (1d20+3)[4]

PA 4, Greataxe (flanking)
(1d20+8)[22] dmg (1d12+16)[26]

[Starbuck_II]

Sonamy is sad his spell fizzled, he moves closer, then he tries an acid splash

Spoiler

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AC: 20 () HP: 31/31()
touch: 14, ff: 16,
Saves: +3/+8 /+5
Speed: 30 ft

initiative - (1d20+4)[8]

acidsplashTouchAC - (1d20+7)[9]
acid - (1d3)[1]

[MikelaC1]

Flames roar out under Felix's command, burning away bugbear fur. The beast attempts to retaliate against Garrett but misses his target and thats the last thing he will ever do as both Garrett and Urag's weapons finish him off. Meanwhile, Torta and William scout around the wreck of the wagon, looking for the leader troll who was supposedly in on the attack. While they dont find the troll, they do see some tracks leading away (not in the direction the woman would have let in), but not being rangers, they cannot identify them properly and would probably lose them soon enough in the forest

[Chimaera]

After the killing blow finished off the bugbear, the barbarian give the dead bodies a grim look.

"We should find that troll before it get into a village or find more caravans to assault. Also, someone should call the at woman back to determine the fate of the bodies of her friends: burning them would be faster, but we might as well give them proper burial and also she would be able to tell if any was taken alive if there is missing ones".

After a moment looking at the dead bugbears, he loom to the others, "We could even use this mess to get rid of the falchion and blame the bugbears".

Taking a look around, he see the tracks and calls Garret.
"Can you track the troll?

[Metastachydium]

Torta, bent down to a position just short of kneeling, considers the tracks at length, paying little heed to the fate of the last bugbear. Should pick this up. she notes, mostly to herself as Urag asks the obvious question. Tracking things, I mean. she clarifies, standing suddenly to sniff the air and stare into the woods ahead where the troll went. It shouldn't be hard for the ranger. That thing is big, bigger than Urag. Uglier, too. She'll do what she can, in the meantime: keep an eye out and let their leader lead.

Spoiler: OOC

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Listen: (1d20+17)[23] and Spot: (1d20+17)[21]

[aReallyGreatAxe]

"Shouldn't be too hard," Garrett opines in response to the questions. "a troll's a big target."

He looks to the ground, trying to pick out the footsteps against the undisturbed ground of the forest.

"while I'm picking up the trail, someone... Follow Urag's suggestion about the woman, he says, with a little surprise, but less than before. It seemed that the barbarian was a great deal smarter than his manners would suggest.

"Torta, if you were serious about wanting to learn, there's no better way than by doing. Come here, I'll show you what to look for.

Spoiler: actions

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I do think that calls for a survival check!

(1d20+11)[25]

[Chimaera]

"Actually, I guess I'll go back to the camp and bring her back here. Need to take a leak and I'm worried she might drink all my beer", he pauses for a moment, "Might as well take a quick ****. Try not to run into the troll before I get back: dont want to miss all the fun".

He then split from the party and dashes back to the camp to look for the damsel in distress and check if she didnt drink all his barrel.

[animorte]

Realizing he will be of little use in tracking, William shakes his head disapprovingly as Urag starts to run off by himself. He acknowledges Garret's advice. "First rule of travel. Never go alone. The man takes his ale seriously!" He abandons the hunt to sprint off after Urag.

[spectralphoenix]

While the others look after the woman and the signs of the remaining bandits, Felix quietly investigates the caravan and the bodies of the bugbears.

Spoiler

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Any distinguishing features of the bugbears?
Number/id of slain caravan members?
Any surprising wounds on the dead caravanners?

[MikelaC1]

With the bugbears defeated, Daphne proceeds to inspect the wreckage of the wagon. Many of the goods are just strewn around, not much is actually missing, apart from the fabric which is soiled through several layers and will be reduced in value correspondingly. However there are two things of note that are gone. One is a strongbox which Daphne tells the group contains the profits of the last sales; the other thing is the two draft horses which pulled the wagon, one carcass is still at the site which is the one the bugbears were gnawing on and the other one was presumably carted off by the troll.
Garrett inspects the tracks, teaching Torta in the process, and confirms that they are indeed troll footprints, intermingled with some horse blood. There are also some more bugbear tracks, and perhaps a couple of orcs as well.

[Starbuck_II]

"Just like one troll though? I think we can handle this. How far do the tracks travel?
Bugbears...too many might be a struggle."

[Chimaera]

Once done with his business, Urag gets back and put his large hand on Daphne's shoulder.

"I'm sorry for the loss of your friends and family. We'll track down and hunt this troll and the bandits who brought you so much misery".

Turning to the mages, he asks, "Can your magic repair the damage done to the fabric? Maybe its not beyond salvation", and then back to Daphne, "You should stay close by as there might be some more bandits wandering these area. Once we are done slaying the troll we can escort you back safely to town".