IC 003 - Expedition to Blackwater Swamp

[sulldawga]

The swamp is somewhere to the NW of your current location so you're heading in the right direction. There is nothing stopping you from circling around the wasps except it will take more time than the direct route.

You are not wasp experts but Gars knows that some wasps create nectar. This nectar could have medicinal qualities or could have other positive effects. Gars wonders if, at the very least, he could use it as a component of Elixirs of The Great and The Small.

[Marullus]

"It takes thousands of wasps to make the nectar for a good potion..." Gars muses, "I bet just one or twovof those guys could do it. I don'thave proper lab equipmentmyself but we could no doubt find a buyer."

[Rex]

Ciarra

"All good, but those things look pretty dangerous."

[Urson]

Mikhail
Ayuh, they prob'ly got stingers as long as yer hand. But most bees an' wasps are pretty calm, if ya don't rile them. Stay put- I'm gonna test the waters.
Mikhail takes a couple of steps toward the nearest of these giant wasps. IF it doesn't immediately attack, he'll wait a minute, then take another step or two.

[cybersavant]

Kaithar watches and tries to see if they fly in any sort of pattern or total randomness. He'll also try to get a rough count of numbers, or close approximations. one doz, two doz, etc

[Rex]

Ciarra

Ciarra will kneel down and try and stay alert.

[sulldawga]

Giant wasp encounter

Mikhail takes a couple of tentative steps toward the wasp in front of him, which is enough for the wasp to notice. It does not take kindly to Mikhail's approach and angrily buzzes over toward the party!

The reaction roll for the wasps was... not good.
Initiative was a tie, which means the party wins.
Right now, the only wasp attacking is the one in front of you but the others could join in at any time. There are still only four visible.

[Rex]

Ciarra

Once the wasp is within short range she throws her spear, then she readies her hammer and shield.

Thrown Spear [1d20+3]=6+3=9 to hit [1d6+3]=2+3=5 damage shock 3/AC 15

[Marullus]

Gars looks disappointed and sighs. He extends his hand outward, liquid shadow pouring from his palm to build a long blade, point toward the ground. He steps up next to Mikhail, shield ready against the stinger, to hack at it when it comes in for an attack.

Accursed Blade (1-hand): [1d20+4]=5+4=9, [1d8+3]=1+3=4, Shock: 4/AC 15
...if anyone lands a blow, add Weeping Wounds.
Weeping Wounds [1d6]=6

On-turn action: Manifest sword
Move action: position next to Mikhail, the presumed target
Delay an action for when it comes close enough.

[cybersavant]

Kaithar repositions his heavy staff to hold it with both hands, defensively ready for the wasps.


on turn action :
move action : remains where he is

[Urson]

Mikhail
Mikhail snaps off a bowshot, missing horribly. He curses and grabs for his axe.

Staying in place, readying his axe

[Enoch]

Lavin steps forward, sweeping her halberd in a downward arc at the wasp:

Halberd strike: [1d20+4]=9+4=13, damage [1d10+4]=4+4=8
If that doesn't hit, she'll do 5 shock damage.

[sulldawga]

Round 1

As the first wasp approaches, Ciarra throws her spear and misses. However, Gars manifests his occult blade and neatly slices the wasp in twain.

The sounds of combat rouse the other wasps and they turn toward the party with malice.

A thrown spear would not inflict Shock damage, as that only occurs in melee range.
Now that there are multiple enemies to deal with, please indicate the wasp you're targeting (L1, R1, or R2)
The initiative remains with the players so let me have actions for round 2!

[Rex]

Ciarra

Ciarra attacks L1 with her hammer.

War Hammer [1d20+3]=14+3=17 to hit [1d8+3]=1+3=4 damage
Shock 3/AC 20

[cybersavant]

Round 1
Now that there are multiple enemies to deal with, please indicate the wasp you're targeting (L1, R1, or R2)
The initiative remains with the players so let me have actions for round 2!

Kaithar holds his ground, heavy spear ready to strike at any wasp that targets him.

[Urson]

Mikhail
Now we done it.

Mikhail attacks R1 when it gets close enough.
[1d20+1]=11+1=12

[1d6]=3

[Marullus]

Now that there are multiple enemies to deal with, please indicate the wasp you're targeting (L1, R1, or R2)

Can we target? Or as we use melee on flying creatures are we limited to holding an action for whichever comes close enough? (the former is better for us, of course!)

Gars stands by Mikhail, the wasp ichor dripping from the matte black steel of his blade. He takes a ready stance, prepared to cut down any wasp that comes neither the pair of them.
...or R2.

"...you can save us from the venom, right?" Gars asks Ciarra with obvious concern in his voice. "Nobody let her get hit," he tells the others with emphasis.

Move Action: Guard the mules.
Action: Swing at a wasp that closes (or R2)
Reaction: Use Weeping Wounds if someone causes damage and the wasp doesn't die.
(None spent last round, 3/3 remaining)

Accursed Blade (1-hand): [1d20+4]=5+4=9, [1d8+3]=4+3=7, Shock: 4/AC 15
Weeping Wounds [1d6]=3

[sulldawga]

Lavin

The blacksmith targets one of the two wasps approaching the party from the right side. The halbard strikes deeply but somehow a killing stroke is missed. The other party members finish the job and all three assailants fall dead.

For now, the humming buzz sound ceases and all is calm.

Next steps for the party?


I randomly chose Lavin's target; it was R2. The attack was a hit for 6 HP damage but R2 has 7.
Mikhail hit R1 for 3 HP. It has 3 HP left.
Ciarra hit L1 but didn't kill it. Kaithar missed L1 but any amount of Shock damage would have killed L1 so it's out.
Gars misses R2 but his Shock damage finishes it. And the Weeping Wounds spell finishes R1.

[Rex]

Ciarra

"If we are going to collect anything now is the time."

[sulldawga]

The party takes a look around the area and finds four nests nearby. You breathe a sigh of relief as this indicates that there are likely no more wasps around. The nests are built atop or on the side of large boulders sticking out from the ground. They are massive in size, each easily as tall as a man. The walls are made of mud but are hard as rocks. You're going to have to put some effort to break into them.

You can peer into the entrance hole for each and see a row of parallel cells. Each nest has perhaps four or five empty cells, and one that's plugged up with mud.

You can make a Know or Survive roll to try to understand more, or you can attempt to break open the nests to see what's inside. It also occurs to you that some of the wasp stingers may be salvageable. Or do something else. Let me know.