12. Tracking the Trogs (for Alethan and Stonjuz only)

[dmw71]

You get the jump on the pesky lizards. "What the hell are these things?" Gwillt wonders aloud as he quickly drops his bow and draws his curved blade. He slices clean through one of the swarming creatures. Shannigans manages to recite the nonsensical words necessary and produces a magic projectile from the tip of his finger. The missile hits unerringly, knocking the tiny, upright lizard back, but it continue its assault along with the rest of the survivors. All of the ankle-biting attempts fail against the ranger, who's able to deftly maneuver around their lunges, but one of nuisances does manage to catch Shannigans in the knee with a claw (-1).


---

Onto round three. Initiative and actions, please. There are seven of them remaining; one of the badly wounded.

[Alethan]

Initiative [1d10] = 10

Bah...

"Shanny, can you get high? I don't think these things can climb very well, if they are what I think they are..." is about all he can manage between swings before Gwillt has to stop speaking, saving his controlled breathing for the possibly drawn-out fight...

To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 3+4 = 7

That isn't going to hit anything...

[dmw71]

"Shanny, can you get high?"[/dialog]

The terrain, unfortunately, does not allow for Shannigans to climb out of harms way.

[Alethan]

OOC: So there's no trees about? Pooh.

[Stonjuz]

"No, cant climb ANYTHING. Let's see if both my daggers can be of some help."
dagger [1d20] = 2
"Not that one. Maybe the other....?"
Shannigans' breathing gets rapid and the ranger can see that the hobbit is fighting for his life, swinging a bit wildlike.
dagger [1d20] = 17

With the penalties for two weapon, not sure if its needed but heres a damage roll for the second blade.
dagger damage [1d4] = 2 (+1 dmg for str)

[dmw71]

The pair continue to battle the pesky lizards, which act first. Gwilt continues to evade the attacks from the three creatures he's squared off against, but is equally unsuccessful in his attack attempt. Shannigans is not so fortunate and is scratched two more times (-2, -1), but is able to kill one of the four lizards he is facing with his secondary dagger attack.

---

There are six creatures left in round four; three on each of you.

I'll need initiative and actions.

[Alethan]

hang in there, Ston...

Initiative [1d10] = 8

"Yar! Come get me, ya little ankle biters!" Gwillt yells, in an attempt to get them off of the halfling.

To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 13+4 = 17
Damage, Scimitar [1d8+3] = 5+3 = 8

[Stonjuz]

"Get 'em off me!"
"There's too many of 'em"

The last words Gwilt hears from the halfling were one of the above sentences, but it's too difficult to figure out exactly what he said ..... before retreating.
The ranger has NEVER seen a halfling run as fast.

(If still alive on his turn)
Shannigans will run, as fast as his speedy feet will take him, back the 'trail' to O'hare.
(Oh crap, i just realized that is my only option in destination. LOL)
But Shannigans does have increased speed....

[dmw71]

"Yar! Come get me, ya little ankle biters!" Gwillt yells, in an attempt to get them off of the halfling. Shannigans wastes no time in taking advantage of the diversion and bolts, running fast. Very fast. So unnaturally fast, in fact, that the sight of the halfling moving so quickly is almost a distraction for the ranger. One of the creatures attempts to snipe at the halfling before he escapes, but misses... barely. The remaining five turn their attention towards Gwillt, and one manages to barely nip the ranger on his ankle (-1). Gwillt earns quick retribution, however, easily slicing through one of the remaining pests.

---

Shannigans has exited stage right, so Gwillt is left to deal with the five that remain.

Alethan, I'll need a actions and initiative.

[Alethan]

No worries, Ston... leave these little blighters to me, brother.

Initiative [1d10] = 5

Assured his little friend is safe (or, at least safely away from the mudkins, as his uncle used to call them... Gwillt has always assumed that was some play on "munchkin" and the fact that these animals tend to inhabit muddy environs), Gwillt spots a mudkin standing flat-footed and takes the opportunity to hack straight down onto it with his scimitar...

To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 20+4 = 24
(rolling second hit...)
To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 9+4 = 13

Damage:
- if that second attack hits, then (8x1.5)+3 = 15
- if that second attack misses, then 8+3 = 11

Either way, I believe that will do it for one of them...

[dmw71]

The creatures continue to swarm, acting quickly. The first to strike gets beyond the defenses of the ranger, catching Gwillt on the shin (-2), but the remaining four are unable to connect. Satisfying his need for revenge in glorious fashion, Gwillt slices the bugger that hit him clear in half (+20xp). Four remain.

---

Actions and initiative.

[Stonjuz]

Having rehearsed retreat a hundred times whilst being chased by his older brothers, Shannigans knows what to listen for. A branch breaking, leaves jossled, even a bark from his pursuer leaves the halfling no choice but to continue the run, at least for the time being. The one lizard still giving chase has his hands full. Shannignas looks for any obstacles he could easily topple that might slow his opponent along the trail.

[Alethan]

Initiative [1d10] = 1

Gwillt swings at the next critter to get within sword range...

To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 14+4 = 18

Damage, Scimitar [1d8+3] = 1+3 = 4

[dmw71]

Having rehearsed retreat a hundred times whilst being chased by his older brothers, Shannigans knows what to listen for. A branch breaking, leaves jossled, even a bark from his pursuer leaves the halfling no choice but to continue the run, at least for the time being. The one lizard still giving chase has his hands full. Shannignas looks for any obstacles he could easily topple that might slow his opponent along the trail.

Actually, you are not being pursued:

One of the creatures attempts to snipe at the halfling before he escapes, but misses... barely.

Sorry, I can see how that might have been missed. I'm wishing I would have thought to have the one continue to pursue you, though, that would have been a funny scene to picture and an interesting chase, no doubt.

You're safe.

---

Despite Gwillt's quick reflexes, the ankle-biting pests continue to react even more quickly (lower, natural weapon speed factor). Two of the little suckers manage to sneak past your defenses (-2, -1), a third narrowly misses, while the fourth doesn't even come close. The ranger retaliates.

And then there were three.

---

The little lizard beasts begin to quickly fee; back in the direction from which they came.

Shannigans: +60xp
Gwillt: +105xp


---

Gwillt will be entitled to a single attack with his current weapon if he elects. Otherwise... well, your actions are up to you. Just let me know what Gwillt would like to do. The experience points are the same regardless of whether you are able to defeat another one of the retreating creatures or not.

[Alethan]

Gwillt swings at one of the retreating creatures...

To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 11+4 = 15
Damage, Scimitar [1d8+3] = 6+3 = 9

... then chases after the other two!

He keeps making enough noise to let them know he is behind them, but stays far enough back that he is out of their range, should they decide to spit at him again. Obviously, the mudkins don't have anything on themselves, but he recalled his uncle saying something about them, "liking their shiny trinkets...". Hopefully, they aren't terribly smart and will lead him to their lair.

[dmw71]

Gwillt feels a sense of satisfaction after slicing through one of the retreating creatures, after which he begins to chase after the other two, making sure the pair know they're being followed, but without actually trying to catch the fleeing lizards.

While the nuisances prove to be slightly faster than the ranger, he does manage to keep pace with them for several minutes before they're able to escape his sight.

Gwillt suspects that tracking the beasts will be possible, but slow going, in the murky terrain.

[Stonjuz]

Having tossed a branch backwards that surely would have taken out a pursuer, the halfling looks back to see nothing chasing him. He gathers his breath, checks his wounds, sips from his winesack and slowly begins working his way back towards the ranger's last known position, bow at the ready.

[Alethan]

Concerned that these creatures may have some communication with the trogs, Gwillt feels it might be necessary to eliminate these two, if possible.

Keeping in mind their spitting attack, Gwillt warily begins tracking the two remaining mudkins... As long as he doesn't actually start walking too far into swampy waters. If that is the case, then he will beat a hasty retreat back to where he fought the little critters and start looking for Shanny.

[dmw71]

Gwillt, looking to eliminate the creatures, begins to track the two remaining mudkins. Progress is slow, but he is able to stay on their trail. His concerns are met, however, as the ranger can see the tracks leading fully into a swampy mess about a hundred yards or so into the distance.

Please roll a d20 for me.

[Alethan]

Hmmm... that's either really good or really bad.

Per DM's Request... [1d20] = 20

Let's hope it was a saving throw, and not a DEX check!

Also, if the former and not the latter, isn't there an XP bonus for critting a saving throw?