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April 29th 1066

Barrowmoor, south-east of Helix. Duchy of Aerik.

11.31am: Sunshine. Light breeze.

The quartet and bullywugs do battle, blood from each side drenching the grass where they stand. Seizing initiative, Rondahl and Dawg Dann both bring down their opponents and for once in the skirmish the party have the numerical advantage. Despite more than half their toadfaced kin spilling their guts and dying, the three remaining pass morale tests and with an unholy zeal, ribbetting some praise to an ancient slaad deity, they still attack. Leaping high with spears intent on 'death or glory'. Their fervour high but their martial skill wanes and each miss.

initiative and actions again please.

Initiative [1d6]=4

Rondahl the Grim

Seeking to take advantage of the change in numbers, Rondahl immediately turns and presses against the closest Bullywug.

Rondahl - Attack with Short Sword [1d20]=8

Vann Hector

This is hard going.

Vann Hector longsword melee [1d20+1]=10+1=11 damage [1d8]=8

Dalin just purely in survival mode strikes out at the nearest frog man.

Hand Axe (Melee) [1d20]=7 to hit, [1d6]=3 dmg

April 29th 1066

Barrowmoor, south-east of Helix. Duchy of Aerik.

11.30am: Sunshine. Light breeze.

The battle continues, still not reaching a bloody conclusion. Dawg Dann stabs and gets stabbed. -5hp Rondahl -4hp gets pierced by a leaping bullywug. The melee ebbs and flows as the injured hack and slash for their lives.
by my reckoning:

Dalin as -5hp
Vann Hector -2hp
Dawg Dann R1 -11/12hp
Rondahl -9hp.

This could be a life or death round .... Initiative and actions please.

Dalin merely attempts to learn from his mistakes and redoubles his efforts to try and strike another foe down. Though it appears his efforts did not amount to the outcome he was aiming for.

Team initiative [1d6]=5
Hand Axe (Melee) [1d20]=2 to hit, [1d6]=1 dmg

Vann Hector

Finally getting to grips with the longsword, deals some damage back.

Vann Hector longsword melee [1d20+1]=16+1=17 damage [1d8]=2

Rondahl the Grim

Realizing that the situation has become desperate, Rondahl forgoes defending himself with his buckler and lashes out with both his sword and spiked buckler.

Rondahl - Attack with Short Sword [1d20]=17
Rondahl - Short Sword Damage S,M [1d6+1]=5+1=6

Rondahl - Attack with Spiked Buckler - 2nd hand, No proficiency [1d20-4]=14-4=10
Rondahl - Spiked Buckler Damage S,M [1d4+1]=3+1=4

April 29th 1066

Barrowmoor, South-East of Helix. Duchy of Aerik.

11.35am: Sunshine but cloudy. Light breeze.
Thick mist on moor. Grass slick with blood.

The grim ribbetting bullywugs, fanatical to the end, make last desperate leaps to overwhelm the stoic defenders who brave for their attack. The Bullywug banzai is repulsed as Dawg Dann duels his opponent before a longer reach from his trusty peavy spear impales the creature at the second attempt. Vann Hector adds a second wound to open the artery of the one he and Dalin face, which crumples at their feet, jerking his lifeblood away to stain the moor in crimson. Rondahl uses a combination, sacrificing defence for an all out attack. His sword guts through green entrails and he pushes the foe to the ground with a cosh from his mini-shield.

The bullywugs have all croaked their last, nine are dead at your feet, the quartet almost dead on their feet. Barely four hours from the village, death has come knocking.

You search their bodies and the ambush hideout and discuss options for the expedition. I will detail your finds, if any, next update.

next actions and plans please.

Vann Hector

Checks the area is safe before addressing his wounds and the others. He will frisk through the belts, pouches, satchels of the bullywugs (are they bullywug or frogmen or is that the same creature?).

Collecting any useful equipment, the entangling nets and spears, even stripping armour off them. Could be sold cheap maybe or modified?

The hp reckoning puts us all on borderline health. Any wound is critical. Remembering that we passed a wagon of pilgrims on the Ironguard trail, he asks Dawg Dann regarding any chapels or pilgrimage places nearby. If they are closer than Helix or Ironguard, it might be worth leaning on their mercy to aid us with the wounds.

Rondahl the Grim

Rondahl quickly rough-bandages the wounds from the Bullywugs' weapons, stopping the bleeding. He nods in agreement at Vann's suggestion of getting some aid and healing before going further. "Need any help on the plundering? The stories we heard in the pits always said that was the money part of this job."

Dalin doesn't shy away he joins in the plundering of the defeated enemy. "That was close. That's my luck lately."

April 29th 1066

Barrowmoor, South-East of Helix. Duchy of Aerik.

Midday: Sunshine but cloudy. Light breeze.
Thick mist on moor.

The searchers frisk the bodies, you can collect six primitive spears and three entangling nets, three flint bladed daggers. You doubt their monetary value but your wounds testimony to their effectiveness. Some of the frogs wear patchwork armour from hardened leather or hide. Tipping out pouches and satchels only adds to the lack of worthwhile spoils until you find one has a pouch of uncut raw rosy quartz stones. At least the gemstone appraiser in Helix would recognise his namesake. The dozen stones, once cut and shaped may fetch upwards of 500 gold.

Rondahl can check the nets. With some retarius background he can spot they are large enough to entangle a medium, human sized opponent and could be thrown up to 15'ft.

As far as next steps you are in a 'no man's land', (looking at the hex map you are on the midway point of the line of the hex below the village where it joins the hex with a 7 figure). It should take you about an hour and two miles of trek to arrive at the river.

Dawg Dann responds to your questions. "In Bogtown there are various 'practitioners', outlawed because of their unorthodoxy. But that is miles away. Closest chapel is St Ygg's."

next actions and group discussions. Vann give me definitive direction for Dawg Dann to lead you.

Vann Hector

"The gems are a good reward. Let us split them equally now."

That way if we get seperated, folk still have a share in their pockets.

He dishes three rosy quartz stones to each person.

I will post my current thoughts in the Expedition planning topic

Dalin gladly accepts two of the gemstones, then takes a net. "You know St Ygg's is probably the wiser choice. Though they did see me once already. Not sure if that is a good thing or not. But we may need to round up another or two to come back for a second go at this. These nets could come in handy too."

Rondahl the Grim

Rondahl accept the gems (about 41 gp each, yes?) with a grin. "Now that's what I'm talking about!" He then looks over the nets. "There were a few gladiators I knew in the pits that used nets. I never learned them myself, but it might be worthwhile to learn." He folds one like he has seen before and hangs it on his hip.

"Honestly, I don't know the area well enough to make a call on which healers are most trustworthy. But if you lead, I'll follow."

April 29th 1066

Barrowmoor, South-East of Helix. Duchy of Aerik.

Midday: Sunshine but cloudy. Light breeze.
Thick mist on moor.

A tactical retreat is discussed, back to Helix though you first have to reach the trail.

The dozen stones, once cut and shaped may fetch upwards of 500 gold ... their present value as uncut gemstones is not accurately appraised.


Retracing your steps as best you can in the boggy moor, you break the trail a couple of hours later after reaching the outlying woods between the village, two hours away to your west and citadel, double that in time and distance to your east.

Beginning the journey home, you hear the sounds of horsemen, riding at pace, though still a little ways around the bend.

actions please

Vann Hector

Do we have a reason to fear horsemen in the trail? Bandits or pony express? Are the horsemen go to or coming from Helix?

He will stand to one side behind a trunk.

A stagecoach might be nice to hitch a lift, even if it was going to Ironguard. We could find rest and healing there and carry on the next day.

Rondahl the Grim

Rondahl sheaths his short sword and brings his Trident off his back and into a standby position. "Just in case," he says quietly.

Dalin takes up his crossbow. "One never can be too safe."