[Esias, Leenah, and Aeless] Scouting the valley

[patransom]

This thread is for Esisa, Leenah, and Aeless. The rest of you can feel free to read, but not post ... I'm assuming the scouts will share their findings with you when they return. If they return (joke).

You decend the hill to the valley floor. The terrain is relatively flat, covered with snow. There is little foliage, other than a bush here and there. Leenah keeps her lantern nearly completely hooded, so you can see where you are walking, but little else beyond a few feet from you. You can clearly make out the location of the camp from the lights at its center and also the location of the door from the dim light near it.

Use the grid on the map below to indicate your route through the valley. One square is 25 feet. If all three of you happen to be able to post before Tuesday, I can validate at your posting speed (or at least I should be able to tonight, Sunday, and Monday. I'll be out of town Saturday).

[CGM3]

Esias quietly suggests the three of them swing to the right to avoid the camp, moving quietly and remaining alert for sentries and "strays".

OOC: essentially, from the party location (K27) to T23, thence to T9, and from there to the door (O5).

[Icefire]

Nods agreement to Esias and follows directly behind him. Lantern in one hand and a dagger in the other for now.

[valinor]

A quick nod comes from the half-elf, as he stays alert of the surrounding dangers.

OOC: Hide +7, Move Silently +7, Spot +6, Listen +6, Large Composite Longbow: Rng 110' Dmg 2d6+1, Rapid Shot, Night-Vision

[patransom]

Giving a wide berth to the camp, you make your way to the door at the base of the opposite hill. There you see a single torch, planted on a post perhaps ten feet from the door. Three large men stand between the torch and the door, talking amongst themselves and laughing. They are dressed in hides and each carries a huge axe. In spite of Leenah's faint light, they seem not to have noticed you Nice hide and move silently checks from each of you

One thing you notice: each of the three men, although dressed somewhat differently, has a similar face. They are, perhaps, brothers. Really, really good spot checks from all three of you. I had planned to share that by PM!

[Icefire]

OOC: So where did you have us stop?

[patransom]

Around O6, just outside their torchlight.

[Icefire]

Fully hoods her lantern, carefully setting it down. She glances at the other two, pointing at first her bow then her sword, questioning.

[CGM3]

Nocking an arrow, Esias murmurs quietly, "Aeless, might as be you can make 'em think you're one o' them for a moment or two, long enough t' let us surprise 'em? Or have some trick t' put 'em t' sleep or send 'em elsewhere? From the looks 'o those three bully boys, I doubt we could put 'em down without raisin' a ruckus."

[valinor]

Aeless replies in a whisper, "Maybe I can toss a rock on the other side of their view? Or even a trick spell to lead them away and maybe we can do it in a convenient way they won't recognize. A sound of chains leading away into the great darkness." as he smiles and prepares.

OOC: Aeless is prepping a Ghost Sound spell and lead a few of the three or all of them in a wild goose chase.

[patransom]

Awaiting a clarification from Aeless about his action. In the meantime, since it seems you are intent on fighting these guys, posting the map below for strategic purposes. 1 square = 5 feet. 1, 2, and 3 are the burly fellows. You are your initials...

[CGM3]

Drawing the arrow set in his bow, Esias is waiting for the results of Aeless' stratagem.

If the guards notice the three scouts and combat is joined, his tentative plan will be to move to R14 (40 ft movement) and shoot at #3, who (if he remains where he is) will be within 30 ft. This will give Esias a +7 to hit (including the +1 from Point Blank Shot) and a potential damage of 1d6+4+2d6 (1d6 base, +2 for Mighty (+2), +1 for Point Blank Range, +1 for magic, +2d6 for skirmish damage), as well as an effective AC of 18 (another skirmish effect).

Of course, if another guard moves closer, Esias will move until that one is within 30 ft and make him the target.

If one or more guards are distracted or lured away, Esias will follow the lead of his companions.

[Icefire]

If the guards notice them she will follow Esias lead and move to S16 (30 foot move). Fire at whichever guard will be closest at that point.

Attack: +7
Damage: 1d6+1

Then depending on distances. She may choose to put the bow away and draw her sword to engage in melee combat.

If the guards are distracted or lured away she will wait to see where they go.

[valinor]

Aeless moves to another area (Y-15) signalling both of you to stay, unless their light source moves. He casts his cantrip as quietly as possible and it lands on another area (X-10) making a ghostly sound.

OOC: Doing so he'll silently moves back to their position if possible.

[patransom]

Aeless moves off into the darkness, and moments later you hear the ghostly clanking of chains in the direction he went. The guards immediately turn in that direction, and #2 pulls a torch from his belt, steps forward and lights it off of the torch on the pole.

While the man is lighting his torch, Aeless returns to your position. The torch lit, guards 1 and 2 run in the direction of the ghost sound. Arriving at the spot, the light from the new torch reveals your position and the two guards turn toward you, apparently suprised at your location.

Esias reacts to being spotted immediately, and moves forward, firing his bow. His arrow strikes guard #3 in the shoulder and he yells in pain.

Leenah follows Esias' lead, moves forward, and shoots at the same target. Her arrow also flies true, hitting the guard, but he does not fall.

All three guards scream with anger, you can almost see the blood pumping in their foreheads. Then something odd happens ... the forms of all three twist and change. They sprout hair, canine-like snouts with sharp teeth, claws, and pointy ears. Their screams become howls and their hide clothing shreds and rips apart. They drop their axes as they run toward you and #2 drops his torch in the snow, and it goes out. One of them runs at each of you. Now they stand right next to you, ready to attack with claws and teeth (see new map).

Aeless has an action this round and next, so he can post two actions this time around. Also, big DM hint here: these guys were intended to be a moderate challenge for the WHOLE party, so you three may want to start thinking about a plan B ...

[valinor]

OOC: This is the first action.

As Aeless realizes their predicament he'll move near Leenah (T-17) and fires a flare into the sky signalling the rest of our party.

OOC: Second action.

IC: Move 5 ft step away from Guard 1 at no AOO reach.

"No wonder they were burly, were-beasts." as he states the obvious.

OOC: Rapid Shot at Guard 3, if he falls on first shot change target on Leenah's Guard 2
Normally a single shot +8 {+4 BAB, +1 PB, +1 MW, +2 Dex, -2 for Lrg Weapon, -2 for RS} +4/+4

Dmg 2d6 +2 {+1 Str, +1 PB}

Aeless AC: 16

They get to close he'll change to his large greatsword.
Att +4 (BAB +4, MW +1, Str +1, Monkey Grip -2), Dmg 3d6 +1 (+1 Str)

[Icefire]

5 foot step to T17, fire one shot, Attack +7, damage 1d6+1, then draw her short sword and if possible dagger.

[CGM3]

Esias takes a 5-foot step to Q15 and looses one of his silver arrows at #3 (+7 to hit, damage 1d6(-1)+4 {no skirmish bonus, and remember the -1 applies to the d6 roll, minimum of 1 point, so the range is 5 to 9}). His AC is now 17 (again, no skirmish bonus).

He will also address his companions in a calm, if strained, voice: "I think we should show them our heels."

[patransom]

End of round 1:

As Aeless moves away from his attacker, the creature rakes him with one of its claws [9 hp]. He then begins casting a spell and a brilliant light flies up into the night sky. [since you guys are in a bit of trouble, I’m probably going to rule that someone in the party sees this, since they are in darkness and on a high vantage point, but the people in the camp don’t, since they are in a light area and preoccupied]

Round 2:

Esias steps back from his attacker and looses an arrow, but misses his mark.

Leenah does likewise, but her arrow hits. The creature, however, seems to not even notice. [Moved you to S17, since Aeless is occupying T17]

Each of the angry beastmen moves towards its original target. #1 claws Aeless [9 more hp]. #2 attacks Leenah with both claws and teeth. Only one of the claw attacks hits her [9 hp, my d4 are not kind today]. #3 attacks Esias with claws and teeth, hitting with one claw and a bite [total 11 hp].

Aeless steps away from his attacker and fires two quick shots from his massive bow at the creature attacking Esias. One of his arrows hits, but again the creature seems not to notice.

[patransom]

Please do continue to post your actions in this thread and I will validate as quickly as possible, since even if your companions come to your aid, it's going to take them at least a few rounds to get there.

[valinor]

OOC: Moving to R-19, changes to his Large Greatsword. And OWWW!!

IC: The bloodied half-elf states, "I think this is more than a meal we can handle but we'll savor it till the last bit." and nods at Esias in agreement and goes on guard as if waiting for something.

OOC: Large Greatsword still AC 16

Att +4 (BAB +4, MW +1, Str +1, Monkey Grip -2), Dmg 3d6 +1 (+1 Str), Crits 19-20 x2

[CGM3]

Esias grimaces as he takes a 5-foot step to Q16 and looses another silver arrow at #3 (same attack bonus & damage range as before).

[Icefire]

If she managed to get her sword and dagger out then attack #2, followed by a 5-foot step to R-18. If not then move followed by drawing weapons.

One attack with each weapon
Short Sword: Att: +6, damage 1d6+2
Dagger: Att: +6, damage 1d4

[patransom]

Round 3:

Esias steps back and fires an arrow into #3. The creature howls angrily, but continues to advance.

Leenah attacks #2, hitting it with her short short, but making no contact with her dagger. Curiously, her blade doesn't seem to penetrate the creature's hide and it ignores the blow. Leenah cautiously backs away from the creature.

#1 steps forward and attacks Aeless with fangs and claws, hitting with all three [19 hp total, in addition to that from previous rounds]. Aeless falls to the ground in a pool of his own blood!

#2 lunges forward at Leenah, biting and slashing. It hits with one claw and its bite [13 hp more total].

#3 comes at Esias, hitting with one claw and a bite [10 hp more]

Aeless is unconscious and unable to complete his action, although he did have time to agree with Esias about fleeing before he was struck down.

[CGM3]

Snarling a phrase in a harsh, guttural tongue, Esias steps 5 ft to P17, launching another silver arrow at #3 and urging Leenah: "Fetch the others! Run!"

[Icefire]

Responds to Esias, "All right." She withdraws through R19 then at a diagonal through S20 for 30 feet. On her next action she is going to head towards where she set the lantern, at a run if she can.

[patransom]

Round 4

With a curse, Esias continues backing away and firing his bow. His arrow hits his opponent and the creature howls again.

Leenah, following Esias' advice, moves cautiously away from her attacker, backing into the darkness and arriving (conveniently enough) at the spot where she left her lantern. [since your withdraw action was sufficient to get you to where you set the lantern, that's where I put you]

#1 steps over Aeless' unconscious form and howls has it moves towards Esias. Its claw strikes Esias in the throat [Crit: 15 hp]

#2 chases after Leenah, clawing her visciously when it arrives at her location [5 hp]. Although he can't see her, Esias hears her cry out and then the sound of her body collapsing in the snow.

#3 comes at Esias, hitting with only one claw before Esias falls to the ground [7 hp more]

Although you're not conscious to see this, you are not, suprisingly enough, devoured by the creatures ... that is, you're not dead ... you're out of action for a while

[CGM3]

OOC: Well, that reeks; just two points less damage and Esias could have scampered next turn.

This seems to be my week for being on the receiving end of a crit; took one in my D&D campaign Saturdayin a fight that wound up with three PC deaths (including mine).

But I'm not counting Esias out yet!

[Icefire]

OOC So now we wait for reinforcements....

[valinor]

OOC: We'll see, at least once we wake up. Better check your escape artist skill.