Chapter 3: The Land That Time Forgot

[ChubbyPixie]

"I knew it! I knew it! We're gonna die for sure now!" yells Fiefo and hastily fires on the closest of the flying reptiles.

Attack with Short Bow (THAC0 17): To Hit: [1d20] = 9, Damage: s/M/L: [1d6] = 6
Attack with Short Bow (THAC0 17): To Hit: [1d20] = 2, Damage: s/M/L: [1d6] = 1

[SpinwardMarch]

Tullia

Fiefo: Shut. Up. Focus, and knock off the histrionics or you will die, she says with just enough volume to be heard.

[Inferno]

The Stone Forest of Towering Spires, Forbidden Island of Xygax the Wizard, Land of One Thousand Towers
Day Two. Mid-afternoon. March 26th, 912 CY
Hot, humid, partly cloudy







"SKRAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

In the strange stone forest, half the shipwrecked adventurers cross the rope bridge spanning the bottomless gorge when suddenly, four immense, prehistoric birds of prey hurtle up from the chasm, their bloodcurdling screams echoing off the cliff walls!

Before any of the explorers can act, the ravenous flying terrors descend upon Ko-Nan, alone on the bridge! A wild feeding frenzy erupts!

The gigantic, greedy carnivores each frantically try to claim their prey! In the eye of this chaotic maelstrom of thrashing wings, beaks and claws, one of the hungry hunters seizes its prize! (P1)
Its gigantic talons take hold of the barbarian (-1hp) and it flaps its vast wings, taking off, rising ten feet above the bridge with Ko-Nan in its clutches!



"SKRAAAAA!!!"


Actions?! (for the second half of this round of combat)

• • Please read!:
    Hi gang!
    The monsters won initiative, impacting your actions and, in many cases, rendering them moot.
    Ko-Nan can no longer duck under the hand rails of the bridge.
    Hiding behind rocks may not be necessary; the winged terrors are focused on Ko-Nan.
    Firing missiles into a melee has a small chance of hitting Ko-nan. Do you still wish to proceed?
    The range of Maskelyn's Darkness spell is 20 feet. He can't center it on Ko-Nan. Does he want to target something else with the spell? Or move closer to his target?
    
    You may elect to keep your actions (and rolls) as written. If so, please simply re-post them so I know your intentions. But I just wanted to give you the option to alter them because your PCs would have seen the battlefield change, and have the chance to react to it. Up to you. Thanks.

Ropebridge Map:



Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

Party is not Surprised due to their watchfulness.
Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 1, Monsters: [1d6] = 2 Monsters win.
Monsters are "charging."
P1 attacks Ko-Nan: [1d20] = 9 Hits.
P2 attacks Ko-Nan: [1d20] = 5 Misses.
P3 attacks Ko-Nan: [1d20] = 2 Misses.
P4 attacks Ko-Nan: [1d20] = 6 Misses!

PC Status:

• Chaka: Ape-Boy Thief 3: Move: 12"(6"), AC: 6, HP: 14/17
  Fiefo LeBratt: Rat-Man Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 18/20
  Jeojand: Cat-Man Magic-User 2: Move: 6", AC: 7, HP: 6/10, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
  Ko-Nan: Human Barbarian 2: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 31/32
  L.L. Adrock: Half-Elf Cleric/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 2, HP: 6/6, Spells: 4/4 1st lvl
  Maskelyn: Gnome Illusionist 2: Move: 9", AC: 8, HP: 8/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl
  Tullia Galena: Half-Elf Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 24/24

PC Magic:

• None currently

Player Resources:

• End of the World (game description)
  Strange New World (maps and realms)
  Memory Tapes (the story so far)
  Viewscreen (the story so far in images)

[ravenn4544]

Ko-nan glances down and sees the bridge still ‘safely’ below him. With the alternative of being carried off or dropped - He strikes! Hoping for a quick releas and a drop back to the bridge!

Attack: THACO (20): [1d20+1] = 13+1 = 14 / Damage: (S/M: [2d4+1] = 4+1 = 5 / L: [3d4+1] = 7+1 = 8)

[wolfpack]

Seeing his companion being carried away LL casts light in the beasts eyes as it grabs the barbarian.

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine

[SpinwardMarch]

Tullia

I am going to assume she got her shots off before Ko-nan was attacked. Was he still attached to the rope across the bridge?

Well... she would have liked to shoot at the birds, but they grabbed Ko-nan before she could do much...

Damn, they got Ko-nan. I am not going to shoot into that mess.

[OGRE MAGE]

Chaka stifles a loud shriek when he sees the huge barbarian lifted from the bridge.

Knowing he cant sling a stone from this distance without a good chance of hitting his friend, he holds his fire.

He squints at the monster from behind his rock, holding up one furry hand with his thumb straight up and index finger extended.

"Bang!" is all the ape-boy can say, though he isn't really sure why.

To be honest, I have no idea what we should do about this one......Anyone got a lightning bolt?

Hopefully the thing just wants to play?

[Urson]

Maskelyn

The illusionist readies his spell, but then realizes Ko-Nan is beyond his reach. He stops his preparations and begins rooting in his pack, hoping for something that will help- or some inspiration.

Can't go out there- Fleekin' birds would snap me up like a grub.

[Starbeard]

"Unhand him, you filthy brutes!" shouts Jeojand, and throws his rock anyway.

[ChubbyPixie]

Figuring Ko-Nan will die maybe if he accidentally shoots him but for sure if he’s carried away, Fiefo shoots without hesitation, but also without great accuracy:

Attack with Short Bow (THAC0 17): To Hit: [1d20] = 9, Damage: s/M/L: [1d6] = 6
Attack with Short Bow (THAC0 17): To Hit: [1d20] = 2, Damage: s/M/L: [1d6] = 1

Same rolls as before.

[Inferno]

The Stone Forest of Towering Spires, Forbidden Island of Xygax the Wizard, Land of One Thousand Towers
Day Two. Mid-afternoon. March 26th, 912 CY
Hot, humid, partly cloudy







"SKRAAAAAA!!!"

From out of the wild frenzy of hungry predators, one immense flying reptile from before the time of Earth That Was plucks Ko-Nan the barbarian off the rope bridge!

Fiefo La Bratt fires two arrows at Ko-Nan's abductor and both whistle past, plummeting down into the bottomless gorge. Jeojand the cat-man hurls a stone and it ricochets off one vast, leathery wing of the gigantic flying carnivore.

Adrock casts a magic spell and a burst of light explodes upon the eyes of the airborne hunter that grips Ko-Nan, blinding it!

Ko-Nan swings his great axe upward in a deadly arc! Its merciless blade sinks deep into the terrordactyl's chest, baptizing the barbarian in hot blood!

The wounded, winged terror drops Ko-nan and the huge warrior plunges down and smashes into the bridge! (-6hp)

The steel cables hold but the plank beneath him gives way with a sickening snap! Ko-Nan crashes through the bridge and suddenly stops at chest level as his forearms hammer onto an adjacent board, saving him! But his legs dangle out from the bottom of the bridge! (Please make a Strength check on 1d20 to be able to pull yourself up and take an action)

The other adventurers hold their ground or hide. Switch the dwarf takes one tentative step toward the bridge and stops. Arto the hobbit quavers, "W-will no one save him!?!"


Actions?!


Ropebridge Map:



Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

Jeojand fires into melee. Hits Ko-Nan? (5%): [1d100] = 97 Misses Ko-Nan.
P1 Save vs Spells: [1d20] = 6 Fails.
Ko-Nan falling damage: [1d6] = 6
Bridge board's Saving Throw vs Ko-Nan's impact: [1d20] = 5 Fails.

PC Status:

• Chaka: Ape-Boy Thief 3: Move: 12"(6"), AC: 6, HP: 14/17
  Fiefo LeBratt: Rat-Man Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 18/20
  Jeojand: Cat-Man Magic-User 2: Move: 6", AC: 7, HP: 6/10, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
  Ko-Nan: Human Barbarian 2: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 25/32
  L.L. Adrock: Half-Elf Cleric/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 2, HP: 6/6, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl
  Maskelyn: Gnome Illusionist 2: Move: 9", AC: 8, HP: 8/10, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl
  Tullia Galena: Half-Elf Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 24/24

PC Magic:

• Light (Adrock): Target: P1. Duration: 61 rounds.

Player Resources:

• End of the World (game description)
  Strange New World (maps and realms)
  Memory Tapes (the story so far)
  Viewscreen (the story so far in images)

[ravenn4544]

Ko-Nan pulls himself out of the bridge with a grunt and continues to sprint to the far side.

Str (17) - [1d20] = 11

[wolfpack]

having no more spells that can help and no weapon for distance LL just hides behind a rock

RUN! RUN KONAN! RUN LIKE THE WIND!

[ChubbyPixie]

Fiefo tries to get ahold of himself. He aims and fires two more arrows at whichever of the beasts makes for the sprinting Ko-Nan to grab him:

Attack with Short Bow (THAC0 17): To Hit: [1d20] = 3 Damage, s/M/L: [1d6] = 4 (Face palm )
Attack with Short Bow (THAC0 17): To Hit: [1d20] = 14 Damage, s/M/L: [1d6] = 3

[OGRE MAGE]

Chaka readies his sling when he sees the huge human fall back to the bridge and begin running his way.

He aims high, trying to hit the snake bird and not his friend.

Attack with Sling [1d20+1] = 13+1 = 14 Damage [1d4+1] = 2+1 = 3

[SpinwardMarch]

Tullia

Seeing that Ko-nan is no longer held captive by the birds, she will try to hit #2.

long bow/arrow-to hit [1d20] = 2

long bow/arrow-to hit [1d20] = 17
long bow/arrow damage [1d6] = 1

Oh, well. Damn.

[Urson]

Maskelyn

Maskelyn has been kneeling in the grass, desperately trying to think of a way to assist. He suddenly jumps to his feet, a big smile on his ugly face. Gee, Thanks, Doc! he yells, trotting to the biggest tree along the ravine.

He stops at the tree and shouts a spell magicales tenebris!. His Darkness spell Gesturing, he uses his spell to cover the tree in a black cloud.
Hey, Baggy Eyes! Over here!

IF he can draw one of the Terrordactyl's attention, his intent is draw it into crashing into the tree.

[Starbeard]

Jeojand continues to pick up rocks and hurl them at the dinosaurs, hoping to keep them distracted as Ko-nan runs to safety.

Throwing Rocks (+2 from DEX): [1d20+2] = 11+2 = 13

[Inferno]

The Stone Forest of Towering Spires, Forbidden Island of Xygax the Wizard, Land of One Thousand Towers
Day Two. Mid-afternoon. March 26th, 912 CY
Hot, humid, partly cloudy







With Ko-Nan nearly out of sight, dangerously hanging midway through the rope bridge high above the bottomless pit, the yelling from both edges of the chasm draws the terrible attention of the flying terrors!

"SKRAAAAAA!!!"

As one bleeding, blinded predator (P1) veers off shrieking, the other ravenous prehistoric carnivores (P2, 3, 4) swoop down upon Adrock, Jeojand and Maskelyn! But none of their gigantic talons can snatch up the shouting prey!

Maskelyn's jeers lures one raptor to come soaring in at him as he stand behind a tree on the precipice! The voracious bird of prey descends upon the gnome; hurtling closer, closer, and at the last second, Maskelyn conjures an immense globe of impossible darkness from up his sleeve.



"SKRAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

The bloodthirsty avian monster crashes into the suddenly unseen tree and is badly wounded but still flapping and screeching from somewhere inside the otherworldly pitch.

Ko-Nan sees his chance. The barbarian heaves himself back up onto the rope bridge and races to the far side as fast as he safely can on the row of planks that dangle in mid air.

On the ledge near Ko-Nan, Chaka and Fiefo pelt the nearest winged killer (P3) with slings and arrows, wounding it.

Meanwhile, across the gulf, on the opposite cliff, Jeojand's hurled rock sails wide and Tullia's arrow grazes another rapacious beast (P2).


Actions?!


Ropebridge Map:



Non-required Reading (rolls and rulings):

Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 2, Monsters: [1d6] = 3 Monsters win.
P2 attacks Ko-Nan (1) or a shouter? Chaka (2), Jeojand (3), Adrock (4), Maskelyn (5,6): [1d6] = 3 Jeojand
P3 attacks Ko-Nan (1) or a shouter? Chaka (2), Jeojand (3), Adrock (4), Maskelyn (5,6): [1d6] = 4 Adrock
P4 attacks Ko-Nan (1) or a shouter? Chaka (2), Jeojand (3), Adrock (4), Maskelyn (5,6): [1d6] = 5 Maskelyn
P2, P3, P4 attack Jeojand, Adrock and Maskelyn: [1d20] = 4, [1d20] = 1, [1d20] = 1 All miss! We don't have Crit Fumbles in this game. But they miss so badly that I'll say Maskelyn's gambit works. And that no Pteradactyl has successfully triggered a melee yet, so missile weapons can be safely fired this round only.
P4 tree crash is treated as falling damage: [3d6] = 11
Darkness duration: [2d4+2] = 5+2 = 7

PC Status:

• Chaka: Ape-Boy Thief 3: Move: 12"(6"), AC: 6, HP: 14/17
  Fiefo LeBratt: Rat-Man Fighter 2: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 18/20
  Jeojand: Cat-Man Magic-User 2: Move: 6", AC: 7, HP: 6/10, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl
  Ko-Nan: Human Barbarian 2: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 25/32
  L.L. Adrock: Half-Elf Cleric/Magic-User 1/1: Move: 9", AC: 2, HP: 6/6, Spells: 3/4 1st lvl
  Maskelyn: Gnome Illusionist 2: Move: 9", AC: 8, HP: 8/10, Spells: 0/2 1st lvl
  Tullia Galena: Half-Elf Ranger 2: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 24/24

PC Magic:

• Light (Adrock): Target: P1. Duration: 60 rounds.
  Darkness (Maskelyn): Target: Tree. Duration: 6 rounds

Player Resources:

• End of the World (game description)
  Strange New World (maps and realms)
  Memory Tapes (the story so far)
  Viewscreen (the story so far in images)

[Starbeard]

Jeojand looks about him for a loose rope. "Mrrrrr-Surely we still have an unused rrrrrope around here."

Assuming that his own is still free, and that it is already fashioned into a loop at the end to secure a bridge-crosser, he brings it up and tries to lasso the pterodactyl with it.

Jeojand rope trick: [1d20] = 12

If his rope isn't already prepared for that, he cowers behind the bridge's rail post and begins fashioning it into his best approximation of a lasso.