On the island: About the Ship & Cove

[Argennian]

Lauranna continues her hunt. Moving west at a cautious pace, she heads towards the last seen location.....

OOC: PM sent for Lauranna!

[SocraticLawyer]

Ulrich will hold his action as well, looking for the creature with the red eyes.

[Argennian]

The Giant Undead Island Rat Attack: Round 4A

Initiative
Party: 2*
Undead Giant Rats: Turned
Glowing Red Eyes: 6

~ Continued spell and martial attacks of the ranged and melee varieties are held by the party and other members of the crew as Ulrich uses his divine class power to successfully turn the 4 remaining giant undead rats. They continue to back away from the dwarf cleric, snapping their previously-lifeless but now-reanimated jaws in frustration and consternation that their meals of living flesh have been taken of the immediate island menu...

To the port side of the disabled Seahawk at the northern treeline and now outside the protective spell bubble surrounding the others, Lauranna continues to creep east toward the northern trail head and the object of her desired revenge. The glowing red eyes that had been concentrating on Emm turn that direction and suddenly disappear. Fingers remain on bowstring and heavy crossbow triggers on the ship and those on the beach keep their guards up and melee weapons ready for immediate application whilst the High elf stalks forward...

Emm and the others watching the northern treeline do not see any further sign of the glowing red eyes but they do see Lauranna stop suddenly and remain completely still, as if not wanting to give away her position by making any further movement. Friendly eyes continue to scan the entirety of the dark line of flora and undergrowth for another sighting of the unknown creature or entity but see nothing. The giant undead rats fall back towards the wall of fire but do not flee...

Just as those observing are starting to wonder why Lauranna hasn't moved an inch or signaled, the glowing red eyes suddenly appear in the foliage just beyond her, accompanied by an anxious whimpering like a dog waiting too long for a treat! Casters and missiliers on the Seahawk instantly realize they have no clear line of fire and therefor no shot as those watching on the beach also understand that they are too far away to come to her aid. The creature hovers beside the magically-frozen High elf and just as it's about to reach out and grab hold of her, a ghoulish green beam of energy erupts from naught 20 feet away to the east and slams into it! It's Gentleman Billy, with wand in one hand and sword in the other appearing out of thin air and now moving unnaturally fast towards them. The glowing red eyes turn his way and let forth a blood-chilling howl as the magically-enhanced retired master thief charges, blade high and prepared to strike...

... but instead of attacking the wailing, undead demon-child thing, Billy tackles Lauranna! He hits her frozen form hard and with unnatural speed, and pushes them both clear. The glowing red eyes and its angry, raking claws just catch the old thief as he pushes past and knocks himself and Lauranna out of the line of fire.

A voice booms on the Seahawk in nearly the same moment. "FIRE!!"


Actions?

Questions?

***************************************************

*** All PCs on held actions can now take action for Round 4! ***


* ~ I'm considering the above action to have happened in the first 6 segments of Round 4, so the party will now get to act on their rolled initiative of 2, which is actually the 5th segment. Ranged attackers with missile weapons readied do get their DEX bonus and could push that 2 to anywhere from a 3 to 5 depending but would not have a clear shot until the 1 (or 6th segment).

- Anyone with a missile or thrown weapon can attack here without chances of hitting Billy or Lauranna. Any spells or magic with AOE radii would have to be carefully placed as they are only about 10-15 feet away atm.
Those with melee weapons on the beach are within range to make a charge attack and would be there at the very end of the round. But if they do so, they would have to hope that those on the ship will see them close and stop shooting. Otherwise 2nd or specialist's 3rd arrows fired would have a chance of hitting anyone that makes a charge attack. Just making sure we're clear on where the friendly fire line is, good people!

POP: Those on the ship are about 75 feet away from the creature; those on the beach are about 90-100 feet away. Billy & Lauranna are now clear by @ 10-15 feet at the beginning of actions and with Billy continuing to roll away will be 20+ by end of the round.

OOC: Billy rolled separately and thankfully got a 6, so he could act in segment 1 and hit the creature with the wand before it grabbed Lauranna! Drinking a potion of speed didn't hurt his reaction time either!

Opponents Killed/Incapacitated
Horde of Giant Rats: 61 (Wall of Fire: 23, Fireball: 9, Chain* Lightning: 11, Flight Arrows: 8, Crossbow bolts: 2, Thrown/Melee weapons: 8 )
6 Undead Giant Rats: 4 turned & backing away from those on the beach; 2 dead, 2 injured
Red-eyed Creature: Right where Lauranna was!

Party Positioning/Status
Bogdan: uninjured; on the beach and ready to fight!
Caelvanna: uninjured; up on forecastle deck ready, willing & able to start shooting at her new red-eyed target!
Emm: uninjured; looking at the glowing red eyes again! (distance now 90-100 feet from)
Lauranna: injured!; magically-frozen by spell and then tackled by Billy and knocked clear!
Ulrich: uninjured; assessing situation; 4 giant undead rats he turned remain so and back away!


Total Days of Training to new level(s): 2 days (10-12 days of training still needed to officially reach the next level)

TOD: @ 2:34am of Day 9 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 20 days)

HPs/Status: Bog 34/34 ; Caelvanna 32/32 ; Emm 13/13 , Lauranna 16/16 , Ulrich 22/22 ; Griffo 24/24* ; Thalion 12/12* (* still need to roll HP!)
WIH (primary/secondary): Bog – longsword / shield & backup spears ; Caelvanna – bow* / short sword (arrows fired: 3) ; Emm – SC ; Lauranna - dual daggers /short sword ; Ulrich – holy symbol & shield / mace hanging on strap ; Griffo – short bow* / longsword (arrows fired: 3) ; Thalion – longbow* / longsword (arrows fired: 2) (SC = spell component/spell to cast, * indicates loaded and ready to fire)
M.O./Location:
On the beach: Bogdan , Emm , Ulrich
Up on the ship: Caelvanna , Griffo , Thalion
On the sand near the northern treeline; west of trail head: Lauranna & Billy

[Alethan]

Seeing the undead rats as not currently being a threat, Bog races towards the red eyed creature, sturdy silver-imbued Masterwork Karagonian sword drawn and shield braced.

He assumes there will be ranged attacks at the creature, so he will stay clear of it until they have been made; then he will attack.

[dmw71]

Caelvanna secures her bow and other possessions before leaping from the forecastle deck in an attempt to make land and join the conflict with "red eyes" as quickly as possible. Once on land, she draws her sword and charges.

[tkrexx]

Emm hears a disgusted sound come from deep in her chest, and moves toward the glowing eyes until she is within 80', at which time she chants another hymn, this one designed to bring the blessed starlight down around her foe.

Faerie Fire

[Argennian]

Caelvanna secures her bow and other possessions before leaping from the forecastle deck in an attempt to make land and join the conflict with "red eyes" as quickly as possible. Once on land, she draws her sword and charges.

OOC: just so we're clear, the top of the forecastle deck is @ 25 feet high above the shallow waters of the cove; we'll call it between 8'-10' deep around the bow of the ship and then @ 20'-25' from the hull to the beach in any direction. So if she still wants to do so, she could plunge into the water and swim to the beach in one round, or she could get a running start and try and jump the watery gap to the beach. A successful Dex check means she'd clear it but would then take 2d6 falling damage when she hit the sand for the 20+ foot drop.

POP/FYI: You've all been using the cargo nets on the starboard (right) side that lead from the main deck (@ 15' above the waterline) down to some short docks that were constructed to reach the beach on the south side of the cove.

[dmw71]

Caelvanna secures her bow and other possessions before leaping from the forecastle deck in an attempt to make land and join the conflict with "red eyes" as quickly as possible. Once on land, she draws her sword and charges.

OOC: just so we're clear, the top of the forecastle deck is @ 25 feet high above the shallow waters of the cove; we'll call it between 8'-10' deep around the bow of the ship and then @ 20'-25' from the hull to the beach in any direction. So if she still wants to do so, she could plunge into the water and swim to the beach in one round, or she could get a running start and try and jump the watery gap to the beach. A successful Dex check means she'd clear it but would then take 2d6 falling damage when she hit the sand for the 20+ foot drop.

The ever impatient Caelvanna is determined to reach land as quickly as possible to engage and assist against "red eyes." The wild elf briefly considers her options and decides there really is none. Armed with the knowledge that Shanny seems to have an unending supply of his healing brew, coupled with her strong dislike of water, she prepares herself for the rough impact and leaps from the forecastle deck to the sandy beach below.

Dexterity check (17): [1d20] = 16
Wow, that was close!

[SocraticLawyer]

The Giant Undead Island Rat Attack: Round 4A
The giant undead rats fall back towards the wall of fire but do not flee...

Actions?

Questions?

***************************************************
Ulrich: uninjured; assessing situation; 4 giant undead rats he turned remain so and back away!

OOC: Ulrich needs to keep his holy symbol up and in sight of the rats for them to remain turned, yes? He wants to get closer to the red-eyed creature, and will walk towards it, so long as he can keep the undead rats in "turned" status while he does so....

[Argennian]

OOC: Ulrich needs to keep his holy symbol up and in sight of the rats for them to remain turned, yes? He wants to get closer to the red-eyed creature, and will walk towards it, so long as he can keep the undead rats in "turned" status while he does so....

OOC: confirmed and easily done. As long as the undead can "see" the cleric that turned them, they will remain so for the 3d4 rounds duration of the turn.

POP: once whomever or whatever that's compelling the undead to attack is killed or in any way becomes unable to continue to compel them, and they are still "turned", they would then flee away as normal undead would.

[Alethan]

OOC: Ulrich needs to keep his holy symbol up and in sight of the rats for them to remain turned, yes? He wants to get closer to the red-eyed creature, and will walk towards it, so long as he can keep the undead rats in "turned" status while he does so....

OOC: confirmed and easily done. As long as the undead can "see" the cleric that turned them, they will remain so for the 3d4 rounds duration of the turn.

POP: once whomever or whatever that's compelling the undead to attack is killed or in any way becomes unable to continue to compel them, and they are still "turned", they would then flee away as normal undead would.

OOC: What does "POP" mean?

[Argennian]

The Giant Undead Island Rat Attack: Round 4B

~ Captain Billings screams fire as the creature becomes exposed. Triggers are pulled or loosed in unison and a variety of missiles streak through the still, early morning air to penetrate the translucent protective bubble and speed towards their glowing red-eyed target...

Sorelle and Griffo's shots hit first. The half-elf easterner's first silver arrow sinks deep in it's naked little chest (5dam) but the halfling's accompanying first arrow hits it right between its glowing eyes! (nat20,16dam!). Thalion's flight arrow goes just wide, as does Bradley's heavy quarrel, but Arak's bolt slams into its left shoulder (4dam) and Troc's sinks deep in it's chest (6dam). Even Blic in the crow's nest can't resist getting in on the action and sends a sling bullet down hard into its skull with a crack! (5dam). The creature staggers but somehow, does not fall...

There are no further fireballs from Aramis or blasts of lightning from Ziffiris, however. Nor are there more rapidly-fired arrows from Caelvanna. The Wild elf archer decides instead to sling her coveted bow as she hustles over to the starboard side of the forecastle. But in place of next descending the short stair to the main deck and going down the cargo nets to join the fight the traditional way, she spins, lines up the direction of their collective enemy and begins to sprint towards the port rail...

Down on the beach Bogdan and Zimba begin charging towards the glowing red-eyed creature, wanting very much to cover Billy and Lauranna and to also be in position to follow up their archer friends with a personal delivery of cold, ever-sharp Karagonian masterwork steel. Emm moves out behind the big fighters and begins casting another spell while Cutler and Farlon reposition. The grizzled-looking cook has already manned the ballista and is taking aim on the little demon-child thing while the recently healed fighter holds the line and monitors the giant undead rats suspiciously. Ulrich begins to backpedal away from the eastern line and towards the other encounter. The young priest of Moradin continues to hold his holy symbol high, keeping the giant undead rats in divine check, but is already thinking about what the others are shooting at and racing towards and what it might take to truly defeat it...

Another round of silver flight arrows is then fired from the ranged specialists aboard the Seahawk as well as the Wild elf archer specialist shooting herself off! Obviously not wanting to get wet, nor be absent when the little undead demon-child thing is cleaved in twain by her fellow fighters, a running Caelvanna leaps up and launches herself off the port rail of the foredeck, sails out over the cold, shallow water of the cove and makes a not-too-graceful landing on the beach just beyond the waterline. It wasn't pretty, and the impatient warrior suffers the effects of her purposeful launching from 25 feet up and 25 feet back (5dam) but she hits her intended beach target all the same. Sorelle and Griffo's second shots also hit their intended target again (3dam,4dam), albeit in not as dramatic fashion as before or than the Wild elf's daring, acrobatic leap.

The big half-orc and his southerner specialist counterpart look over at the newly-arrived Wild elf for not more than a mili-segment of surprise before they charge through and breech the nearly-translucent bubble. They both experience the same hard, slap in the face and kick in the stomach that Lauranna did, and their specially-designed charm bracelet they got from Billy become painfully hot in response as well. But the two big warriors barely miss a step and continue to close on their target...

Emm arrives within range and finishes casting her Faerie Fire spell next. She can feel the nature magic struggle to get past the protective bubble but it does, and the outline of the little creature suddenly becomes a soft yet brilliant purple, lighting up the darkness of the think flora and undergrowth of the northern treeline where it stands! It wails in anger and flails its arms in response, obviously not liking the fact that it's been marked and touched by the druid's magics yet again...

With the still held rigid Lauranna in an awkward bear hug, Gentleman Billy continues to try and roll away from the treeline with her and towards the protective bubble. Sand flies everywhere as he does so with unnatural speed. Bogdan and Zimba arrive to cover them but instead of closing to attack, the southerner signals his half-orc fighter companion to hold as the last volley of shots go off. Sorelle and Griffo fire their last silver arrows, both hitting their target again in the chest and other shoulder respectively (5dam,3dam). Thalion also scores a hit with his final shot (5dam), bringing his average up to .500 for the round. But it's the shot that crafty 'ol Cutler fires off that wraps it. The metal-tipped siege missile sails close past the two big fighters and slams into the poor little undead demon-child thing (12dam), lifting it off its feet and sending its purple outlined form flying back into the bushes! The undergrowth and flora within the treeline continues to glow purple but there is no sign of the glowing red-eyes or any further movement...


Actions?

Questions?

***************************************************

*** Need a d6 initiative roll for the party, Declared Actions & attack rolls for Round 5, please! ***


Opponents Killed/Incapacitated
Horde of Giant Rats: 61 (Wall of Fire: 23, Fireball: 9, Chain* Lightning: 11, Flight Arrows: 8, Crossbow bolts: 2, Thrown/Melee weapons: 8 )
6 Undead Giant Rats: 4 still turned (2 injured) & backing away from those on the beach; 2 dead
Red-eyed Creature: ???? - taken 72dam from missile weapons (7 flight arrows, 2 heavy quarrels, 1 ballista bolt)

Party Positioning/Status
Bogdan: uninjured; at the treeline by the previously glowing red-eyes!
Caelvanna: taken 5dam (injured from jump); down on beach the quick way and moving up towards Bog!
Emm: uninjured; cast faerie fire on the glowing red eyes again! (distance now 70-80 feet; already cast speak with animals)
Lauranna: injured!; still magically-frozen by spell and still rolling clear with Billy!
Ulrich: uninjured; repositioning himself closer to the action; 4 giant undead rats he turned remain so and back away!

OOC: I had Bogdan and Zimba forgo their charge attacks at the end of the round so that they wouldn't chance being hit by missiliers aboard the ship. They are now within 10 feet of the treeline and @ 20 feet from the where the purple glow is emanating from the brush. Caelvanna will be about 40 feet away from them at the end of Round 4 but since she didn't break her leg or roll her ankle in the leap, will be able to easily close that distance and make a melee attack in Round 5!

POP: Griffo's 1st shot was a nat 20 for max damage (8) & a x2 rolled damage for the critical hit follow up roll for 16dam with one arrow! Yummy stuff from the halfling archer to be sure!

OOC: What does "POP" mean?

Heh, it stands for Point of Order Pomegranate, Al. I'm guessing that Ron's girls must have listened to the audio recording of the Skype game we did with him and Greg or perhaps found out from dad that I occasionally like to make interjections by saying "point of order"? They thought it was funny, and sounded like pomegranate. So they decided to make up signs with colored pencils and glitter, displaying the phrase and then holding them up for proud papa Redmond to take a picture, so he could send it to me for a good laugh. That picture, with his 4 girls smiling and laughing was the absolute cutest and most rad picture I'd ever been sent in my life. Hence, point of order pomegranate was forever born...

Total Days of Training to new level(s): 2 days (10-12 days of training still needed to officially reach the next level)

TOD: @ 2:35am of Day 9 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 20 days)

HPs/Status: Bog 34/34 ; Caelvanna 27/32 ; Emm 13/13 , Lauranna 14**/16 , Ulrich 22/22 ; Griffo 24/24* ; Thalion 12/12* (* still need to roll HP!; ** subdual dam)
WIH (primary/secondary): Bog – longsword / shield; Caelvanna – short sword / slung bow (arrows fired: 3) ; Emm – spear & shield SC ; Lauranna - dual daggers ; Ulrich – still turning with holy symbol & shield / mace hanging on strap ; Griffo – short bow* / longsword (arrows fired: 3) ; Thalion – longbow* / longsword (arrows fired: 2) (SC = spell component/spell to cast, * indicates loaded and ready to fire)
M.O./Location:
On the beach: Bogdan , Caelvanna , Emm , Ulrich
Up on the ship: Griffo , Thalion
On the sand rolling away from the northern treeline; west of trail head: Lauranna & Billy

[dmw71]

Caelvanna quickly leaps to her feet and draws her short sword. Looking to make good on her plan, she rushes to accompany Bogdan and Zimba and the engage the red-eyed beast.

Initiative [1d6] = 2
Short sword: [1d20+1] = 3+1 = 4, vs s/m [1d6+1] = 5+1 = 6, vs l [1d8+1] = 3+1 = 4

[Alethan]

Not taking any chances, Bog rushes into the bushes and swings at the lit-up daemon child, just as soon as he sees her...

To Hit, Longsword [1d20+3] = 12+3 = 15 (plus any To Hit bonuses for the Faerie Fire)

Damage, Longsword (S/M) [1d8+6] = 1+6 = 7

[Argennian]

The Giant Undead Island Rat Attack: Round 5

Initiative
Party: 2
Glowing Red Eyes: 5


~ Cutler's beach ballista shot carries the glowing red-eyed and now also faerie-fired little evil menace back into the thicker brush beyond the northern treeline. There is no further movement from the softly-glowing purple underbrush. No longer having a target, the ranged specialists and missiliers hold their fire...

Zimba holds up his free hand in a signal of cease-fire anyway, just to be sure, before he and Bogdan move off the beach and into the treeline to put a cold, steel exclamation point on the encounter. Down on the beach, Caelvanna has already drawn her short sword and is charging to back up the two big fighters with best possible unencumbered Wild elf speed. Billy and Lauranna continue to roll over the sand and back through the protective bubble barrier wall just as Caelvanna passes going the other way. The Wild elf fighter and the now for-sure-out-of-retirement master thief and his brave, young but still magically-held High elf cargo all feel the magical slap/kick but continue on nonetheless.


With masterwork longsword and magical battle axe to hand and prepared to make it official, Bogdan and Zimba step into the dense foliage of the northern treeline and towards the soft purple glow within. As soon as they do, however, they hear a deep guttural growl beyond the bushes, and sense movement... *

As those nearby on the beach and up on Seahawk look on anxiously, a large sphere of darkness suddenly appears at the northern treeline! It completely envelopes Bogdan, Zimba and the soft purple glow, as well as the charging Caelvanna*. It must be well over a hundred feet in diameter and even comes into contact with the northern section of the nearly-transparent illusionary protection bubble, where it seems to pass through unabated...


Actions?

Questions?

***************************************************

* ~ PMs sent out for Bog & Caelvanna!

OOC: no need to roll initiative for Round 6 but do need declared actions from Emm and Ulrich. Lauranna is still held by a spell & unable to move or speak for the moment. DAs for Bog and Caelvanna will be done via pm whilst they are within the sphere of darkness and not able to be seen by the others.


Opponents Killed/Incapacitated
Horde of Giant Rats: 61 (Wall of Fire: 23, Fireball: 9, Chain* Lightning: 11, Flight Arrows: 8, Crossbow bolts: 2, Thrown/Melee weapons: 8 )
6 Undead Giant Rats: 4 still turned (2 injured) & backing away from those on the beach; 2 dead
Red-eyed Creature: ???? - taken 72dam from missile weapons (7 flight arrows, 2 heavy quarrels, 1 ballista bolt)

Party Positioning/Status
Bogdan: ???? in the sphere of darkness within the northern treeline
Caelvanna: ???? in the sphere of darkness just before the northern treeline
Emm: uninjured; already cast faerie fire on the glowing red eyes! (distance now 70-80 feet; already cast speak with animals)
Lauranna: injured!; still magically-frozen by spell but now back in the bubble with Billy!
Ulrich: uninjured; repositioning himself closer to the action; 4 giant undead rats he turned remain so and continue to stay back & away!


Total Days of Training to new level(s): 2 days (10-12 days of training still needed to officially reach the next level)

TOD: @ 2:36am of Day 9 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 20 days)

HPs/Status: Bog ??/34 ; Caelvanna ??/32 ; Emm 13/13 , Lauranna 14**/16 , Ulrich 22/22 ; Griffo 24/24* ; Thalion 12/12* (* still need to roll HP!; ** subdual dam)
WIH (primary/secondary): Bog – longsword / shield; Caelvanna – short sword / slung bow (arrows fired: 3) ; Emm – spear & shield SC ; Lauranna - dual daggers ; Ulrich – still turning with holy symbol & shield / mace hanging on strap ; Griffo – short bow* / longsword (arrows fired: 3) ; Thalion – longbow* / longsword (arrows fired: 2) (SC = spell component/spell to cast, * indicates loaded and ready to fire)
M.O./Location:
Within the sphere of darkness: Bogdan , Caelvanna
Down on the beach: , Emm , Ulrich
Up on the ship: Griffo , Thalion
On the sand rolling away from the northern treeline; west of trail head: Lauranna & Billy

[tkrexx]

Emm's eyes grow large at the vast darkness that cloaks both her friends and her quarry. Her instinct drives her forward, but a more reasonable alternative wins out. Billy! Your light coin! Bogdan, Caelvanna, Zimba! Get out of there! My voice guides you! She levels her spear at the blackness and waits.

[SocraticLawyer]

Ulrich continues towards the red-eyed creature, but stops once the magical darkness falls. He knows that there is little he can do to help by simply charging in blindly. He is versed enough in combat tactics to know that a wounded enemy of sufficient power should not be underestimated, and hence to expect trickery. Besides, he doesn't want to get too far from the undead rats, in case they somehow overcome the power of Moradin.

Ulrich will face the turned undead rats, hoping to keep them at bay, all the while attempting to look out for any subterfuge from the red-eyed creature.

[Argennian]

~ The sphere of darkness erupts from within the northern treeline, enveloping 3 members of the Karagonian escapee party and overlapping with the northern edge of the illusionary bubble surrounding the ship and cove...

The nearly translucent protective bubble stresses and strains against the darkness overlapping it and looks to be trying to push back or negate the effects. Incredibly, the intertwined rolling duo of master thief and disabled young apprentice just avoid the hungry darkness, and come to a stop on the sand within the bubble. Billy jumps up incredibly quick and leans over Lauranna's unmoving form. In a fleeting blur of movement, he pulls a silver amulet out of the neckline of his armor and kneels down to touch it on the High elf maiden's forehead. There is a sudden pulse of blue and the magic-user/thief opens her eyes and gasps, as if coming up from a long time underwater to breathe precious air again!

Meanwhile, the rest of the remaining party and crew springs into action. Billings cries out orders aboard the Seahawk and there's a flurry of commotion. Cutler abandons the beach ballista and begins sprinting towards the trail head at the northern treeline. He charges through the bubble wall and begins to move in an apparent effort to circle around the darkness counterclockwise to the right (east). Farlon unhappily holds his position guarding the beach HQ and eastern side of the bubble where the four giant undead rats remain turned but continue to linger about in consternation.

Ulrich stops his approach when he spots the darkness effect take place. His visage grows grim as he considers uncomfortable facts regarding what is definitely not a dead adversary and one that obviously commands some resilience, intellect and magical powers. Knowing he must remain in view of the giant undead rats to keep them turned, the dwarf priest decides to turn his primary attentions back on them instead, but will not be so committed to that concentration that he cannot look back and around from time to time to make sure there is nothing further sneaking in on them...

Emm sees the darkness appear and cries out to Billy about his light coin, but in the very next moment realizes that he already gave it over to her and she has the leather pouch necklace containing the magical coin around her neck! She begins to fumble for it before Billy can call that very fact back to her. Surprised by the yelling and sudden excited movement, her little pet island seagull Kuda takes flight from her shoulder and hovers nearby with an occasional confused squawk.
The young druidess fights her compulsion to rush forward recklessly and instead begins calling out towards the sphere of darkness for Bogdan, Caelvanna and Zimba within, instructing them to fall back towards her voice and the safety of the moonlit night.

"They might not be able to hear you in there, druid," replies an unfamiliar voice. It's young prince Aramis up on the Seahawk.
With his wand of fire still to hand, the until-now-silent young mage suddenly flies up off the deck of the ship via some form of magical propulsion and turns invisible just before he passes through the protective spell bubble! This spectacle causes great gasps of fear and surprise from everyone on deck. If anything were to happen to the last living heir to the Karagonian throne...

Billings cries out desperately to Shanny to do something about it and the blind old witch begins chanting something new and still indecipherable while still making a weird motion with her hands. From up on his yardarm sniper position, Sorel grabs hold of a rigging line and swoops down from the sails above, over the main deck and out onto the southern beach as if he'd practiced that exact breathtakingly-impressive move a thousand times. The half-elf easterner then sprints off through the bubble wall and it's slap/kick effects and begins to circle the sphere of darkness clockwise to it's left (west) side.

Meanwhile, Griffo and Thalion decide they have no more available ranged target and begin to debark themselves. The halfling swordsman climbs up on and over the port rail and plunges down feet first in the cool waters of the cove housing the semi-careened eastern warship, and begins to swim to the northern beach and join the counter assault. The ambitious Wood elf decides to follow a more speedy and direct method. Obviously inspired by his brave Wild elf cousin's acrobatic leap from the foredeck, Thalion sprints, jumps up on and off the port rail and sails through the cool evening air within the bubble. But whether it be due a bad launch or that he ate too much for dinner earlier that evening, the fighter/thief lands awkwardly (4dam) in the water just short of the beach with a great splash, yell of pain and string of Sylvan elf curses!

Back on deck, Jovak begins to ask what in the blazes is going on out there and starts to fuss most distastefully in dwarvish about his inability to be able to see for himself. Billings moves over and begins to respond to the sightless dwarf general as his officers all scramble to reload and start checking other areas of the cove perimeter for any additional incursions.

It is just about this time that the sporadic low growling erupts in a great roar that echoes from within the sphere of darkness. It seems filled with pain and anger and is followed up by a heavy thud and a strained human cry...


Actions?

Questions?

***************************************************

*** Need Declared Actions for Emm, Ulrich & Lauranna for Round 7, please! ***

* ~ Continued PMs going out for Bog & Caelvanna!

OOC: Lauranna is now free from the paralyzing effects that were holding her previously; she's also healed back to full HPs and can act in the next round along with Emm & Ulrich .


Opponents Killed/Incapacitated
Horde of Giant Rats: 61 (Wall of Fire: 23, Fireball: 9, Chain* Lightning: 11, Flight Arrows: 8, Crossbow bolts: 2, Thrown/Melee weapons: 8 )
6 Undead Giant Rats: 4 still turned (2 injured) & backing away from those on the beach; 2 dead
Red-eyed Creature: ???? - taken 72dam from missile weapons (7 flight arrows, 2 heavy quarrels, 1 ballista bolt)
The growling within the sphere of darkness: ????

Party Positioning/Status
Bogdan: ???? in the sphere of darkness within the northern treeline
Caelvanna: ???? in the sphere of darkness just before the northern treeline
Emm: uninjured; with light coin on beach inside bubble! (distance now @ 20 feet from darkness; already cast faerie fire & speak with animals)
Lauranna: healed; released from paralyzing effect she suffered previously; now back on beach just inside the bubble! (@ 10 feet away from the darkness
Ulrich: uninjured; holding position on beach @ 40 feet from the darkness & continuing to hold back the 4 giant undead rats he already turned!


Total Days of Training to new level(s): 2 days (10-12 days of training still needed to officially reach the next level)

TOD: @ 2:37am of Day 9 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 20 days)

HPs/Status: Bog ??/34 ; Caelvanna ??/32 ; Emm 13/13 , Lauranna 16/16 , Ulrich 22/22 ; Griffo 34/34 ; Thalion 14/18
WIH (primary/secondary): Bog – ???? ; Caelvanna – ???? (arrows fired: 3) ; Emm – spear & shield SC ; Lauranna - dual daggers ; Ulrich – still turning with holy symbol & shield / mace hanging on strap ; Griffo – short bow / longsword (arrows fired: 3) ; Thalion – longbow / longsword (arrows fired: 2) (SC = spell component/spell to cast, * indicates loaded and ready to fire)
M.O./Location:
Within the sphere of darkness: Bogdan , Caelvanna
Down on the beach: , Emm , Ulrich , Lauranna
In the water at the cove's northern beach: Griffo , Thalion

[tkrexx]

There is a moment of awe as the Karagonian Prince actually speaks (!) and courageously launches himself into the fray!

There are times when Emm wishes her enlightenment also applied to her intellect. Quietly, quickly cursing her occasional lack of brainpower, she produces the lightcoin and moves forward, not too quickly, still at the ready with her spear, until she comes into contact with the darkness inside the protective bubble. If the force of Gentleman Billy's coin is able to pierce the darkness, she will pause, despite hearing sounds of battle beyond. Again she wishes her understanding were greater, so she may realize how this particular magic of evil nature can penetrate the bubble. With that thought comes the idea to add information of others to her own.

Glancing around she notes Lauranna's awakening and the confounded expression on the Dwarven Cleric' face. Ulrich, you are unable to force that thing away, why? What does your faith tell you about it?

Lauranna, quickly! What became of you? What power held you?

[Nuke66]

Lauranna gasps as the magic holding her is dispelled. "Thank you Billy" is all she can muster before he is gone.

She rolls over and gains her feet before responding to Emm, "That bitch-child hit me with a spell, Where is she?"

She looks around trying to get her bearings on the threats facing the group. "Where is that from?" she asks, pointing to the hemisphere of Darkness.

Waiting for only a few seconds, she takes of at a run, circling the darkness clockwise, determined to put it between her and the ship.