On the island: Exploring the southern trail

[Nuke66]

[1d20] = 14 CON check

Fail...

[Argennian]

Encounter with the Giant Monitor: Round 2


Initiative
Party: 3
Lizard: 4

~ The giant Monitor lizard rears back, it's tasty dwarf treat still firmly secured in the deadly vise-grip of it's dripping jaws, and spins to it's left in reaction to the wound just delivered by Thalion's longsword. It swings one of it's massive claws in retribution and strikes the unlucky Wood elf fighter/thief square in the face and chest (nat18;12dam), sending him flying through the air to land over a dozen feet away on the edge of the beach in a crumpled, heavily-wounded and unconscious pile! It continues to bite down and chew on the now-bloody cleric/fighter lord stuck in it's dripping maw (11dam).

Jovak steels himself against the ongoing, crushing damage he's continuing to receive in his impossible predicament, as he and the party struggle to fight back. He swings his masterwork battle axe again at the side of the beast's head but due the near-unbearable pressure and awkward position he's in, is again unable to land a hit.
Down below by the log, Lauranna's pulse is pounding heavily in her head and chest as she instantly considers Jovak's plight and makes to sprint away and around the giant reptile menace for a flanking maneuver and potential back-stab opportunity. Having just awoke from lying in the sun and jumping up too quickly into action, in addition to still not being fully healed from her wounds she suffered in the merman attack, she gets dizzy and has to check her pace to avoid overexerting herself and potentially passing out. She begins to circle the huge island menace to it's left, making it around almost to where Thalion lies in a bloody, unconscious heap.
Having grabbed up his trusty mace, Ulrich jumps over the fallen palm and valiantly moves to attack the giant lizard in an attempt to save his trapped and wounded mentor and hero of his people. Unfortunately, his bravery and resolute intentions do not lend him aid with his aim and he hits only air as he swings and misses the mark.
Over on the north side of the lagoon, Griffo has already dropped his masterwork short bow, realizing that any more ranged shots might hit Jovak or one of his companions, and drawn his longsword. As he begins to charge towards the giant lizard, he grabs his previously-issued signal whistle hanging around his neck with his free hand and blows into it quickly three times as hard as he can as he closes the distance. He lets it fall from his mouth and draws his dagger from his belt sheath as he approaches the beast on it's right side, and winds up with his sword to deliver as a hard a blow as he can and follow up with his dagger...

Griffo: To Hit, 2-handed fighting w/ primary weapon: Longsword (+2 charge bonus/no dual-wielding penalty due high Dex) [1d20+2] = 1+2 = 3 (miss & critical fumble), Damage vs large creatures [1d12] = 2
Griffo: To Hit, off-hand weapon: dagger (+3 Dex bonus/-2 penalty for non-prof. weapon,-4 penalty for dual wielding) [1d20-3] = 17-3 = 14 (hits AC5), Damage vs large creatures [1d3] = 3

... unfortunately, the usually-dextrous halfling warrior, concentrated in his earnest focus to come to Jovak's aid, steps on a unseen, melon-sized round rock hidden just below the surface of the beach and rolls his ankle violently. He losses his balance and goes sprawling onto the beach, unfortunately landing on his dagger and taking a lacerating wound!(4dam)


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

*** I need a d6 initiative roll and Declared Actions for the party for Round 3! ***

OOC: okay guys, apols for the late response here, work's been brutal these last 2 days!

~ Well, not the best round for the party this time. Thalion is hit for all his HP and is unconscious and out of commission (but thankfully stable since he didn't go negative), Griffo critical fumbled and took damage from his own weapon, Lauranna is still suffering the ill effects of her incapacitation and has to slow her movement and the giant monitor still has Jovak firmly locked in it's jaws. Good news is that Griffo had the presence of mind to blow the signal whistle (and yes, I rolled for that! ), so hopefully those back at the beach HQ will have heard the alarm!

Damage taken by party
Jovak - 33 damage (from giant monitor claw and continued bite attacks)
Thalion - 12 damage & unconscious (max damage hit from giant monitor claw attack!)

Damage taken by opponent(s)
Giant Monitor: taken 18 damage (3 flight arrows from Griffo, longsword strike from Thalion)

TOD: @ 11:01am of Day 2 on island

HPs/Status: Lauranna 9/9* ; Ulrich 16/16 ; Griffo 20/24 ; Thalion 0/12** (*almost recovered from incapacitation; **unconscious)
WIH (primary/secondary): Lauranna - none/SC Ulrich – mace/ SC ; Griffo – longsword/dagger (arrows fired: 5) ; Thalion – dropped both longsword & dagger (arrows fired: 0) (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location At the lagoon on the eastern beach: Ulrich (standing in front of giant lizard) , Griffo (at giant lizard's right side, lying on beach from fumble) ; Lauranna (Circling around giant lizard to it's left side) ; Jovak (in the giant Monitor's mouth) ; Thalion (Lying unconscious on beach to giant lizard's left)

[Nuke66]

Lauranna continues to try and move to out-flank the lizard, with the thought of running up its tail and back.

[SocraticLawyer]

Ulrich will attack again, hoping to draw attention away from Jovak and Lauranna.

To hit with mace [1d20] = 6

D'oh!

[Argennian]

Encounter with the Giant Monitor: Round 3

Party Initiative: [1d6] = 5

Initiative
Party: 5
Lizard: 3

~ The party moves with the utmost urgency and desperation, pressing the action and reactions!

Wanting to cover for his companions but mostly fearing for his mentor, Ulrich lunges in, swinging his mace desperately at the giant Monitor, hoping to hit and get it's attention. The attack is ill timed, however, and falls well short. Ulrich can only take his eyes off Jovak's bloody and broken form, flailing about in the monster's crushing maw, to glance over at his wand, just lying there in the sand nearby. If he only knew the magical trigger word...

Griffo picks himself up off the sand lightning quick with a muttered curse, adrenaline slapping him in the face for his fumble. He silently mouths an oath of retribution to make up for his fall, and one of anger for landing on his own blade. With teeth gritted and eyes wild with the need for blood, he swings out with his longsword and stabs down with his dagger...

Griffo: To Hit, 2-handed primary weapon: Longsword [1d20] = 18 (hits AC1), Damage vs large creatures [1d12] = 10
Griffo: To Hit, off-hand weapon: Dagger (+3 Dex bonus/-2 for non-prof weapon,-4 penalty for dual-wielding) [1d20-3] = 4-3 = 1 (miss), Damage vs large creatures [1d3] = 2

... this time he keeps his balance and his longsword rips into the reptile's tough flank! The dagger strike, however, is not so well timed and misses it's mark. The giant Monitor flinches from the blow and turns to hiss all kinds of pissed back at the resilient halfling warrior with Jovak in it's maw!

Fearing that the giant reptilian monster will at any moment swallow him and then move on to his young disciple and the others, the high priest fighter lord steels himself against the impossible, crushing pain. Massive cannon shots of adrenaline and desperation mix with the til-now untapped divine power of his rediscovered faith. He looks over blindly at the side of the Giant Monitor's head. The massive muscles on his free, unbroken arm swell and ripple as he swings the masterwork weapon with absolutely everything he has left. The enchanted dwarven battle axe of his fallen hero-father, the very weapon that slew one of the Band of Nine in the Great War, slams into the lizard's head in the eye socket area! A tremendous shower and splash of blood and ocular ichor go flying from the massive, wide-open, deep gash!

The giant Monitor jerks violently from the blow, in more pain than perhaps it's ever experienced. A roaring hiss emanates from it's throat and mouth past the cleric/fighter lord. It shakes its head twice and spits out the stinging meal before turning to run back the way it came! Jovak hits the sand hard, his broken left arm flopping limp at his side, but he does not let go of the the storied weapon in his right barrel fist. Blood gurgles and gets coughed out as he nearly chokes from laughing triumphantly! Griffo and Ulrich watch the departing reptile giant before turning to look at each other to share a split second of relieved elation mixed with confusion as to why the beast fled.

Lauranna's pulse is pumping and her vision dizzy from the sudden movement and strain of exertion. She continued to circle out and away off the creature's right, passing around the still, unmoving form of Thalion. The poor Wood elf continues to lie in a pile, his face covered with sand sticky from blood. The High elf reaches the treeline and enters it, being quick to grab a hold of a tree trunk before spinning down to a knee in the thick foliage.
Her eyes are momentarily closed and her face is flush as she steels herself against the feeling to wretch out her breakfast. Sweat already beads on her forehead and cheeks from the effort. She shakes her head and takes a deep breath before opening her eyes...

What she sees is the giant island predator racing back towards the treeline and brush and pretty much in her general direction! It's moving fast, especially without the over 200 heavy pounds of retired dwarf general in its mouth. The still wounded and now winded High elf magic-user/thief has to quickly jump to her feet, move to the right and dive out of the way into a thicket of trees surrounded with tall ferns to keep from getting trampled or making herself a departing, consultation prize!

But thankfully, the giant Monitor can't see her due it's one good eyeball being on the other side and facing away for the most part. It crashes mightily through the brush full tilt, bowling down small trees and bouncing of and bending big ones as it heads back eastward the way it came!


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

Actions?

Questions?

OOC: Ok, all, we're out of combat melee right now but go ahead and state a declared action for the next minute/round anyway, regardless.

Well, I'd say that was a round for the party! Jovak rolled a nat 20, followed up by a 19, for max damage and so it counts for a critical hit! That, with the hit from Griffo added a ton of damage this round. Even without the additional modifiers, the poor giant Monitor's moral-reaction roll was bad for him but favorable for the party!

Nuke: sorry you never got to use that roll you made. Would have needed another round in melee to apply it. Ulrich sure could've used it, though!

Damage taken by party
Jovak - 34 damage (from giant monitor claw and continued bite attacks)
Thalion - 12 damage & unconscious (max damage hit from giant monitor claw attack!)

Damage taken by opponent(s)
Giant Monitor: taken 52 damage (3 flight arrows/longsword strike from Griffo, longsword strike from Thalion, battle axe strike from Jovak)

TOD: @ 11:02am of Day 2 on island

HPs/Status: Lauranna 9/9* ; Ulrich 16/16 ; Griffo 20/24 ; Thalion 0/12** (*almost recovered from incapacitation; **unconscious)
WIH (primary/secondary): Lauranna - none/SC Ulrich – mace/ SC ; Griffo – longsword/dagger (arrows fired: 5) ; Thalion – dropped both longsword & dagger (arrows fired: 0) (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location At the lagoon on the eastern beach: Ulrich (on beach, @ 15 feet away from Jovak!) , Griffo (on beach @ 25 feet away from Ulrich) ; Lauranna (lying down in the bushes of eastern treeline) ; Jovak (lying on beach, busted up pretty good.) ; Thalion (Lying unconscious on edge of eastern beach)

[Nuke66]

Lauranna moves to Thalion and administers first aid to the fallen elf. "Are you alive?" She asks him. Checking for breathing and a heart beat, she doesn't try to move him.

"Ulrich, we need some help over here." She calls to the dwarf.

[SocraticLawyer]

Ulrich briefly looks up to Jovak, making sure his mentor is alive, before rushing to Thalion's side. He utters a quick prayer to Moradin.

Cure light wounds [1d8] = 5

[Argennian]

~ As quickly as the almost-deadly encounter with the giant island Monitor lizard went down, it is over. The massive, now one-eyed reptile can be heard retreating eastward by the smashing echo of the heavier flora in its path. Soon, the sounds can no longer be heard and the scene is back to normal, save the bloody and wounded members of the morning beach-goers scattered about.

Lauranna picks herself up out of cover and moves as quickly as she can back to where Thalion lies motionless at the edge of the beach. She reaches him and checks his vitals while questioning him as to if he's alive or dead. The Wood elf is unconscious but alive. His breathing is shallow but even and his head and face are covered in bloody sand. The High elf thinks she'd better get an expert opinion and so calls out to her cleric companion for assistance.

Having immediately gone to Jovak's side, Ulrich checks on his fallen mentor. The cleric/fighter lord smiles up at him, the look of dwarven battle-lust leaving his gaze to be replaced by thankfulness in the realization that no one got eaten and it's over. Although his left arm is broken and he looks to have some internal injuries due his spitting up and gurgling blood, the young adept can tell that he is far from finished.
"Help the others, Ulrich" the retired general urges, nodding his head to the High elf maiden's call for assistance.

Ulrich moves quickly over to where Lauranna is kneeling next to Thalion on the edge of the beach. The cleric mouths a quick prayer to mighty Moradin the Dwarf-Father, and casts a cure light wounds spell on the fallen Wood elf (+5hps). His eyes flutter open and he looks up at his two companions, a whiskey tango foxtrot juliet hotel look plastered on his visage. He takes a deep breath, trying to sit up and begins coughing sand out of his mouth and throat.

Having moved back over to recover his short bow and make ready, Griffo looks over to acknowledge the individuals that have sprinted out of the treeline on the western edge of the lagoon clearing. It's Ziller in the lead, a wand in one hand and his magical longsword in the other, both accompanied by a look of grave concern on his visage. About 80-100 feet behind is Hammal and Sorel, the easterner human and half-elf struggling to keep up with their halfling commander. Zimba and Mila are another 50-60 feet back and break into the lagoon clearing in pursuit of the vanguard reinforcements.

Ziller looks about at everyone to gauge their status and runs over to where Jovak is lying on the sand. The old dwarf is pulling himself up into a sitting position with the help of his battle axe. Griffo explains what's happened to Sorel and Hammal and they take up fire positions at the edges of the eastern beach. Zimba and Mila take up positions on each side of the lagoon 3/4 of the way down just as Yousef and Billings enter the clearing in a run and make to head over to the far beach to join the others present.

Ziller kneels down to check over Jovak and the old dwarf immediately begins to wave off his concerned scrutinizations.
"What in the blazes just happened?" he asks incredulously.
"Bah, some overgrown lizard became angry about our presence here is all. Methinks he didn't want to share his swimming hole with us!" the dwarf opines matter of factually, as if nothing even happened.
The halfling frowns most unapprovingly and shakes his head but Jovak just waves him off again. "I will be okay in just a moment, commander. Go and check on our young friends. I think the Wood elf might be hurt bad..." the general suggests, just before casting a cure serious wounds spell on himself.

Ziller sheaths his longsword and after a hard look over at the partially broken down eastern treeline, nods over at Sorel and Hammal, and points the wand eastward. With weapons still at the ready, they both nod and disappear into the thick flora. The halfling commander then moves over to where the two of you are with Thalion. Having helped the Wood elf to sit up, he sees Ziller approaching and begins trying to mimic Jovak's hand-wave to indicate that once he stops coughing up the sand he swallowed, that he'll be fine. The look on Ziller's visage is one mixed with relief but definite concern.
"Is everyone alright? What in the nine hells just happened here?!" he queries, obviously disinclined to believe the matter an event that is anything even remotely hand wave-able!


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

Actions?

Questions?

OOC: okay fellas! Go ahead and feel free to respond IC to Ziller about what happened, if you wish. We'll move things forward with the 2 scouts returning from their reconnoiter and your group returning to the beach HQ, en force. At that time, we'll move things back over into the other thread!

Note: Once you all return to the ship, I'll add the encounter with the giant Monitor lizard to the threads and assign some XP for fighting it off successfully.

Damage taken by party
Jovak - 21 dam taken; conscious (34 damage giant monitor claw and 2 concurrent bite attacks; +13hps from CSW spell)
Thalion - 7 dam taken; conscious again (max 12 damage hit from giant monitor claw attack!; +5hps from CLW spell)

TOD: @ 11:05am of Day 2 on island

HPs/Status: Lauranna 9/9* ; Ulrich 16/16 ; Griffo 20/24 ; Thalion 5/12* (*almost recovered from incapacitation)
WIH (primary/secondary): Lauranna - short sword/SC Ulrich – mace/ SC ; Griffo – short bow/longsword (arrows fired: 5) ; Thalion – none (arrows fired: 0) (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location At the lagoon on the eastern beach: Ulrich , Lauranna , Griffo , Thalion

[Argennian]

~ Ziller gets naught but shrugs and silence from Lauranna and Ulrich, an obvious is obvious, is it naught? look on their visages. Thalion continues to cough up sand as he attempts to offer verbal reassurances that he's okay and there's no need to worry.

Billings and Yousef speed past Zimba and Mila, the four of them exchanging looks of concern and relief with each other, and make their way over to where Jovak is now trying to stand up. The captain of the Seahawk and his eastern crewman arrive and lend their assistance to the big dwarf, a reward of harrumphs and protestations for their efforts.

Sorel and Hammal eventually return from their impromptu recon of the eastern treeline and area beyond and shake their heads in the negative when they meet the waiting gaze of their commander. Ziller acknowledges them with a nod as he returns his wand to the front of his belt line. He turns and addresses the cleric, the magic-user/thief and fighter/thief. "Alright then, friends, let's get back to the ship."

Ulrich and Lauranna help Thalion to his feet and with Sorel, Hammal, Griffo, Zimba and Mila covering, they begin to head back west towards the hidden cove. Jovak does his best to shrug off his two assistants but the persistent Billings stays with him to help guide him back along the trail. Yousef retrieves the cleric/fighter lord's wand and hands it over to him. He nods his thanks blindly and reaches out for it with his no-longer broken free arm, taking it back and sticking it in his belt. Sorel recovers Thalion's longbow, quiver and pack from where he was sitting before the giant Monitor lizard came along.

The procession departs the hidden beach and lagoon and makes their way back towards the Seahawk.


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OOC: We'll go ahead and pick things back up in the About the Ship & Cove thread: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=1576#p59823


~ I'll make a post there later today, once the other group from the northern trail returns. I'll then add the encounter with the giant Monitor.

TOD: @ 11:12am of Day 2 on island

HPs/Status: Lauranna 9/9* ; Ulrich 16/16 ; Griffo 20/24 ; Thalion 5/12* (*almost recovered from incapacitation)
WIH (primary/secondary): Lauranna - short sword/SC Ulrich – mace/ SC ; Griffo – short bow/longsword (arrows fired: 5) ; Thalion – none (arrows fired: 0) (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location Departing the eastern beach and lagoon: Ulrich , Lauranna , Griffo , Thalion

[Argennian]

~ The team of island invader scouts make their way into the southern treeline along the game trail, leaving the invisible Seahawk and beach HQ behind them...

Cutler takes the lead and after making sure that everyone going is ready and following close, proceeds down the path. Although easily seen at the start, the game trail becomes more smothered on each side by the thick flora as they progress. It follows somewhat parallel along the base of the cliff (roughly about 45-50 feet away on your left), and rises ever so slightly as it progresses into the island canopy. Hanging branches and leaves, both big and small, hang in the way across the trail but offer no real impediment to forward progress. Bugs the size of small fruit scamper out of the way and those flying buzz about the heads of the newly-arrived strike team as mighty Hazara continues to bring in the new day out over the watery, eastern horizon.

After a few hundred feet, the smothering floral canopy breaks open and reveals a small stream flowing from left to right (north to south). There is a small pool about twenty feet off to the left, about roughly 8 feet in diameter and maybe a few feet deep. Other than bugs zipping about in the morning air and some crawling here and there, there are no other animals visible. The calls and song of some of the island's avian inhabitants can be heard in the distance further ahead, announcing their presence and inviting the small Karagonian escapee assault force to come closer.

Cutler appears to have already accepted the invitation and crosses the stream without delay, moving with a steady cadence. The game trail again enters the thick brush, this time turning more eastward than southeast and descending slightly. After about another 120 yards or so, the chocking underbrush and bushes begin to break open for a clearing dead ahead. The grizzled, dagger-laden cook stops short to peak out before walking out in the open, and quickly assess the area ahead. Once satisfied it's uninhabited or at least free of obvious danger, waves his hand and proceeds.

The others follow, stepping out of the brush and into an open area at least 150 yards long (west to east) by at least 80 yards wide (north to south). It's the lagoon where the giant monitor lizard attacked the former beach-goers and tried to eat Lord Jovak. Lauranna shudders at the thought of that encounter, and just how injured she was when it went down. She's thankful to not be so anymore and also that she's more ready and experienced than she was then.

The game trail appears to split here and continues on on either side of the lagoon. Straight ahead to the right is the first small beach, which extends about 25 yards along the southern edge of the lagoon. At the far end of the lagoon is the other beach, which is much larger and looks to encompass the entire eastern side. That is also where the salt water lagoon looks to be fed by the sea to the south via a small inlet. Looking through those trees to the south, it appears the southern shoreline of the island is perhaps 35-40 yards through the trees and brush.

Cutler stays to the left side of the lagoon and hurriedly moves forward in a crouched run. The other team members follow and they collectively make it to the treeline at the eastern side quickly. The cook makes sure everyone is there and gets ready-nods before proceeding to follow another game trail further eastward. The well-worn path makes it's way into an area of larger trees and rises in elevation. Lauranna sees places where that giant monitor lizard fled wounded and knocked down trees and trampled the underbrush during it's escape. She remembers she was almost trampled herself in that process!


The flora soon begins to thin out more under the more impressive and sunlight-restrictive canopy some 30-35 feet above, and the team proceeds further east with more ease. The ground continues to climb and becomes less sandy. The trees get larger here with the canopy ceiling rising to over 40 feet in some spots. After another 100 yards or so, they arrive at the area where the crew felled a couple of large trees for ship repairs the week previous. Cutler takes an offshoot trail to the right (south) towards the beach and signals the others follow.

The four member strike team makes their way mostly in a southerly direction, dropping in elevation as they approach the coastline. They have to slow their progress here and there to pass through a few thick clumps of brush, but eventually approach an intersection to a larger and apparently more well-traveled game trail that goes left and right (east & west). Cutler halts for a few handfuls of seconds here to look and listen around for any potential danger. He sees and hears none and signals to the Wild elf archer, human druid and High-elf magic-user/thief to follow. He steps down onto the trail and turns left (east). The others follow, weapons ready, senses peaked and scanning for trouble. The trail starts to descend again and within the next five minutes approaches another cove up ahead.

About 100 feet before they break out into what looks to be another open area ahead, Cutler stops. He signals them hold and quickly shimmies up a tall tree there to take a look further east above the branches. In less than a minute, he's back down on the trail and motions for them to gather around.
"Okay, ladies. They're still there, and no sign of that other group," he explains before indicating the game trail they were traveling on. "It proceeds down out of the treeline and into some tall grass just up ahead. From that point there, if you're standing up, you'll be able to see the cove and inlet beyond. I'd recommend against that, just in case they're looking this way...

"The longboat and soldiers will be just to your right, at about the one o'clock position, and some 250 feet down that trail. They've tied up at the northern side of the inlet at a small beach there. One of 'em, the one with the falconer's glove on, is down by the longboat and looking up and around for what I suspect is his hawk or falcon. The other one is posted up at the edge of the treeline east of the lagoon and beach there. He's got a loaded crossbow in his hands but doesn't look to be paying too much attention...

"So if you stay low in the tall grass, you'll be able to get close to 'em without being seen. Once the tall grass ends, you'll still be about 100 feet away, so you'll have to approach 'em prone behind the cover of a thicket and couple clumps of large bushes there. I'm going to make my way around 'em to the left, on the north side, and circle around to close from the east. I should also be able to keep a better eye on the trail that the others took further inland. Give me a three minute head start before you head out and I should be able to get in position before you do, and will be ready...

"Speaking of which, what do you ladies plan on hitting 'em with? Can you get both of them with the same spell, or are ya planning on splitting 'em up?" he queries, looking mostly to Emm and Lauranna for some details on their purposed plan of action as he realizes Caelvanna's only magic is her ability with a more lethal form of ranged suppression...


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

OOC: Probably should've asked about M.O. & W.I.H. previously but just went with Cutler leading & default WIH here. Now that he's going to split away and circle the guards, I'll need you to let me know a marching/crawling order & weapon in hand for when you move forward to sneak up.

~ Would also like to confirm if any of your characters' gear/supplies are being left behind at the ship, and if so what.

If you have any questions, or need some additional clarification, please let me know!

TOD: @ 9:50am of Day 9 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 20 days)

If you have any questions, or need some additional clarification, please let me know!

HPs/Status: Caelvanna 32/32 ; Emm 13/13 , Lauranna 16/16 ; Cutler: uninjured
WIH (primary/secondary): Caelvanna – short bow* / short sword (arrows fired: 0) ; Emm – spear & shield / SC ; Lauranna - short sword or DDDs (dual daggers of death) or SC ; Cutler - none / multiple daggers & weapons (SC = spell component/spell to cast, * indicates loaded and ready to fire)
Spells cast:
Emm: speak with animals
Lauranna: none
M.O./Location: On trail approaching the lagoon: Cutler , Caelvanna , Emm , Lauranna

[Nuke66]

Lauranna, traveling light, is equipped with her stash of daggers and only a single pouch (#2) as she left behind both her armor and spell books. Wily is in his pouch as well.

"I can hit one them with Sleep or we can simply eliminate him. Emm, your plan is to Charm the Falconer?" Lauranna waits for a reply before adding "I think I'd prefer to simply eliminate the other, quickly and quietly. I will sneak up on him to begin with and get a couple of hits in, then bail to make room for arrows if necessary Caelvanna. I want to keep my spell for an emergency."

OOC: Alright, just want to clarify mechanics here. Dual-wielding daggers, I see, -2/-4 base to hit mods. Offset by DEX +3, for +1/-1 to hit. Backstab at +4 means +5 for the first one. Does she get +4 to hit on the second daggers as well? for +3?

Then +1 daggers for a total of +6/+4.....then damage...(1d4 x 2) +1 or 2d4+1?

Or, a Short sword at +5 at 1d6 x 2, or 2d6?

[tkrexx]

No! Emm whispers. If one or both of them are killed, or missing, there will doubtless be an investigation, a search... Not in our best interest. Just put them both to sleep. I will try to charm the falconeer, but my blessing stands a chance of failure. We won't know until... Well, until it's too late. I will wake him, and if he's not under my spell, well, then you can kill him. But we must be sure the body is never found! If he is indeed charmed, we'll take him for a walk before his Brother awakens, and have a discussion with him. The Druid's brow furrows a moment, as a thought seems to force it's way forward. Perhaps I can convince him we are all Wood Nymphs of some sort, and we have chosen him to remain on this Isle with us, but only if he tells us of the activities here, and agrees to spy on his comrades for us. If his falcon returns I could also have words with it. The other guard may never know we were here. She lifts her eyes to her companions and adds a thought. The more we know about our enemies, the easier it will be to thwart them. If they know nothing of us, we are impossible to defeat. If this doesn't work, Caelvanna, we could be in for a real fight.

Emm leaves her pack, taking only her shield, scimitar and spear, along with the pouch containing her spell components. (She is armored, such as it is...)

[Nuke66]

"I cannot get them both. They are too far apart. Unless we can get them together.." Lauranna responds.

"We can remove the body with us and your charmed man can give a story as to his disappearance. Else, they both die." she continues.

"Or I sleep the crossbow man, and try your charm."

[dmw71]

Caelvanna listens to the two users of magic quibble over the plan and wonders if the three minutes Cutler requested as a head start have passed. "There are two guards," she starts, hoping to bring an end to the planning and a start to the action. "The one with the bird is down on the beach, distracted." she continues. "The other has a bow, but lacks interest."

"You two figure out how to handle the bird man. I'll take care of the other. Maybe meet up with Cutler."

Unless there are any objections, she sets out towards the treeline east of the lagoon and gets as close as she safely can to gain a better perspective of the situation with her own eyes.

[tkrexx]

Emm quickly follows Caelvanna's lead, and continues discussion with Lauranna. If that is the case, I'll charm the falconeer, if you can put the other to sleep. We still stand a chance of anonymity.

[Nuke66]

"Alright, will do. I suppose we just might need some back up." Lauranna heads toward her target, no need to get too close. She take her time, making every effort not to be seen nor heard.

Once she gets just close enough she drops her spell and leaving him where he falls so as to not leave any indication or magical interference.

[Argennian]

~ The southern trail strike team discuss their tactical options and intentions...

Cutler relays the intel and breaks down the situational scenario, as well as his plans for where he'll be positioned when they make their collective move.

Lauranna reiterates her intention to use her sleep spell but details that if the two Karagonian marines remain in their current positions, she can't catch both of them with it. The High-elf magic-user/thief also relays that she wouldn't mind sneaking up on one of them and getting in a proper backstabbing if the opportunity arises or situation dictates. She queries the druidess for confirmation of her purposed planned action.

Emm relays her opinion that the application of any lethal assets in this situation, unless absolutely necessary, could ultimately cause more repercussions and ramifications of a negative nature to their current plight. She details the casting and mechanics of her charm person spell for the others and also proceeds to formulate some potential avenues of guile and deceit that she will apply if the spell works and everything else goes to plan. Ultimately, Lauranna agrees that she'll hit the crossbowman with her spell and that the druidess can hit the falconer-guard with hers.

Caelvanna takes in the strike team's quick planning session as she caresses her coveted short bow, and probably to no one's surprise, longs to use it on one, or better yet, both of them. Before they come to a consensus, the Wild-elf archer specialist opines that her druid and magic-user/thief counterpart could concentrate on the birdman and that she could... adjudicate the crossbowman. The ever-slight smirk on her usually emotionless visage indicates she would very much like to apply her own guerrilla-fighter ranged spell of three perfectly-placed flight arrows...

Cutler scrutinizes his three fellow escapee friends as he listens to their discussion, and pipes up in response. "We need to take 'em alive unless they give us no choice, okay? Alright...

"When you three sneak down and get into position, we'll plan for Lauranna sleep-spelling the crossbowman and Emm hitting the birdman with her charm spell. I'll work my way around the back side and be in the treeline nearby when you do so.

"From what I know of magics, the sleep spell should work well either way, and take the crossbow guard out of action. If Emm casts her charm spell and it doesn't appear to have worked, I'll rush the birdman and take him down," he details with a funny smirk of his own.

He then addresses the archer specialist specifically. "Caelvanna, cover 'em with your bow but do not fire on either soldier unless you get spotted or see them going for their signal whistles, okay?"

He then regards his fellow team members with final instructions before he departs. "If they see you coming and try to attack, hit them with your spells then. If they spot you and try to flee before you can get into position and crank your spells off, I'll be ready...

"If it does comes to that, I'll take the shooter down and, Caelvanna: you take the birdman. If you do have to fire, try your best to wound and not kill him, if'n you can. Once we move on 'em and take them down, you can cover the trail headed inland in case their chums return while we're at work. Agreed?"

The grizzled, dagger-laden and obviously more than just a cook fellow escapee waits for a collective agreement, or at least acquiescence, and any last questions before he departs. He again calls out for a three minute head start before the remaining strike team trio move out.


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

OOC: ok, gang. Just wanted to make sure that everyone was agreed on the plan moving forward. With my next action post, I'll have everyone moving into position and proceeding with the above actions.

POP: if anything goes down or happens before everyone gets into position, I'll detail that first and give you guys a chance to modify or update previous declared actions.


If you have any questions, or need additional clarification, please let me know!

TOD: @ 9:52am of Day 9 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 20 days)

If you have any questions, or need some additional clarification, please let me know!

HPs/Status: Caelvanna 32/32 ; Emm 13/13 , Lauranna 16/16 ; Cutler: uninjured
WIH (primary/secondary): Caelvanna – short bow* / short sword (arrows fired: 0) ; Emm – spear & shield / SC ; Lauranna - short sword or DDDs (dual daggers of death) or SC ; Cutler - none / multiple daggers & weapons (SC = spell component/spell to cast, * indicates loaded and ready to fire)
Spells cast:
Emm: speak with animals
Lauranna: none
M.O./Location: On trail approaching the lagoon: Cutler , Caelvanna , Emm , Lauranna

[dmw71]

Caelvanna, clearly not keen on taking orders from a cook, remains silent. Her nod, acknowledging her responsibility to target the bird man, if it comes to it, will serve as her acquiescence. After Cutler departs, she allows him his requested head start by counting off in her head. Once it's time, she nods to the arcane casters before disappearing down her planned route towards her final position. Where she'll wait.

[tkrexx]

Emm also nods quietly, readying herself for what may or may not happen next.

[Nuke66]

Lauranna also moves out to do her thing...