DM Kathy Friday March 4th, 2005 2:21:42 AM
You have fallen into a routine over the past few days, so when you leave the safety of the First Plateau, you fall into a familiar order. Evan and Shadow lead the way, scouting and watching out for trouble. Uriel follows them on his horse; Arm and Mira follow Uriel on foot. Next comes Talereithin driving the pony cart, Connor walking alongside. Kadaz and Wilfire bring up the rear with the other cart.
It is still early on your second day in the Red Hills when the scouts alert the group of danger ahead. What looked at first to be a bit of cloud or possibly smoke can now be seen clearly as a massive swarm of tiny insects. They are too far away for the moment to determine what kind they are, but they are flying directly toward the party. They are about 50 feet away now, and closing.
Uriel Friday March 4th, 2005 4:12:36 PM
Uriel yells out, "Light some wood, preferrably green. We want alot of smoke!!!".
He will grab oil and tender box from his saddle bags.
Kadaz d20+3=12 Friday March 4th, 2005 5:30:23 PM
Kadaz sets the brake on the cart and jumps off. If those really are bugs the ponies pulling the carts are going to be targets. "Set your brake" he yells to Talereithin. He takes off his cloak and puts it over the head of the pony pulling the scholar and starts soothing it, keeping a firm hand on the reins of his cart too. (handle animal 12)
Arm d20+4=9 Friday March 4th, 2005 5:49:35 PM
Arm casts about for some wood to burn, while keeping an eye on the approaching insects (spot=9).
Wilfire Ironhouse Friday March 4th, 2005 5:51:11 PM
"Sumbutty cover da'ol timer" Wilfire yells out as he begins collecting and piling anything he can find that burns (i.e. twigs, leaves, etc). "Lieght'er up" he yells to Uriel.
Shadow d20+2=17 Saturday March 5th, 2005 5:58:36 PM
Shadow will help quickly gather wood, twigs, and anything that will burn to make their fire. (Spot=17)
Conner Sunday March 6th, 2005 8:59:46 AM
The fighter looks up when the others spot the approaching swarm and helps the old hobbit down from the cart, just in case Kadaz looses control of the ponies.
DM Kathy Sunday March 6th, 2005 10:45:16 PM
You pull up to a halt as the insects advance, and Kadaz and Talereithin set the handbrakes on their vehicles. Uriel pulls out his tinderbox, while Shadow, Arm, and Wilfire begin to look around for anything to burn--preferably things that will make a lot of smoke.
There is no green wood readily to hand, but you can find leaves, twigs, and moss, which should smoke well if you can get it to burn.
Conner, meanwhile, helps the old scholar out of the cart, which Talereithin seems inclined to protest. "What should I do with him?" he asks, searching in the cart for blankets or cloths to throw over the halfling.
The swarm continues its advance, and as it gets closer you can see that it is made up of thousands of locusts. It moves toward the nearest (lead) people, surrounding Shadow, Evan, and Uriel.
Mira (AC 13, 22 HP) Sunday March 6th, 2005 11:16:55 PM
Mira raises her hands, thumbs touching as she prepares to cast a spell. Squinting she notices the swarm is made of grass-hopper-like insects, not normally known to be dangerous to people. The sorcerer draws up the hood of her cloak, and draws the ankle length garment close about her body as she waits for the swarm to pass.
DM Sanity Info: Spells: 0 level-(6 per day) Detect Magic, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Ray of Frost 1st level-(5 per day) Magic Missile, Burning Hands, Mage Armour
Uriel Monday March 7th, 2005 1:10:49 AM
Uriel will attempt to make a smokey fire out of the moss, leaves, twigs and oil to dissuade the insects from disrupting the group.
Wilfire Ironhouse Monday March 7th, 2005 4:56:19 AM
Wilfire continues to pile combustable materials, trying his best to generate as much smoke as possible.
Arm Monday March 7th, 2005 5:47:18 AM
Arm yells to Conner, "Get him under one of the carts if you can, then join us!". Drawing his sword, he wonders if that will make an effective weapon or not, considering the nature of the enemy.
Evan Monday March 7th, 2005 5:55:04 AM
Evan falls back towards the group, pulling his cloak off to cover Ariel's head as well. He tries his best to signal to the group to unhitch the horses and ponies as quickly as possible before the cats are dragged off by a crazed animals.
Kadaz Monday March 7th, 2005 8:44:01 AM
Kadaz's experience with insects is limited to cockroaches, flies and ants, the normal city bugs. What will these flying ones do? Do they bite?
Kadaz holds onto the ponies and talks softly to soothe them. He hopes for the best.
Shadow Monday March 7th, 2005 3:25:45 PM
Shadow not sure of what to do to combat against the insects just pulls his cloak's hood over his face, trying to close out his face, head and neck from the insects. He hopes his tight armor will not let them in. (He is totally unsure of how to battle these small insects.
Conner [AC 22; HP 32] Monday March 7th, 2005 9:37:20 PM
Conner strips the bedroll from the bottom of his pack and hands it to Master Stubblefallow. "Get this over ya" he calls to him. With his free hand the fighter grabs his shield from the cart and readies himself for the swarm. "I wonder how many I can take out with this? he muses to himself.
DM Kathy d20+4=19 2d6(5+5)=10 Tuesday March 8th, 2005 1:43:29 AM
Uriel and Wilfire manage to get a small fire going--but is it going to be enough?
Mira and Shadow wrap up and try to weather the onslaught as best they can. Evan and Kadaz try to deal with the animals. Arm draws a weapon, and Connor readies his shield.
Following directions, Talereithin wraps up the scholar and does his best to shield him.
The insects continue to roil about Shadow, Evan, and Uriel--and move to envelop Ariel as well. All four of you take 10 points of damage each as the creatures swarm about you. They seem to get everywhere--under your armor, down your neck, even into your mouth. Each of you make a Forditude save (DC 12) or be nauseated for 1 round.
The locusts do seem to be avoiding the smoke, but at the moment there isn't nearly enough of it to cover all of you.
Evan (ac 16 ff 14 hp 8/18) Tuesday March 8th, 2005 6:31:00 AM
Realizing the smoke is working, Evan lends his efforts to building the fire up quickly.
Mira (AC 13, 22 HP) 3d4(2+4+4)=10 Tuesday March 8th, 2005 7:33:55 AM
Convinced now that the swarm of locusts is harmful, Mira steps to one side to avoid hitting her companions. She presses her thumbs together, spreads her hands apart, and speaks the arcane words. A semi-circular sheet of flame penetrates into the cloud of insects in a ten-foot radius.
[OOC: 10 HP damage to all creatures within the sheet of flame; reflex save vs DC 14 for half]
DM Sanity Info: Spells: 0 level-(6 per day) Detect Magic, Read Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Ray of Frost 1st level-(5 per day) Magic Missile, Burning Hands(#), Mage Armour
Uriel d20+3=6 Tuesday March 8th, 2005 8:47:50 AM
Uriel is doubled over wretching from the swallowing of too many locusts.
Kadaz d20+3=9 Tuesday March 8th, 2005 9:56:38 AM
Kadaz sees Uriel in distress and starts to worry even more. He yells at Birdie "Run" in hopes the dog can run from the insects. But as this isn't something they've worked on Birdie sits still watching Kadaz calm the horses (handle animal 9).
Shadow d20+2=22 Tuesday March 8th, 2005 1:24:30 PM
Shadow sees Evan move towards the fire, and Shadow will join the group trying to get the fire smoking more. (Fortitude Save=22 - natural 20)
Conner d20+6=13 d6+3=5 Tuesday March 8th, 2005 6:13:52 PM
The fighter secures his shield to his forearm and prepares to flail away at the swarm, hoping to bash as many of the locusts as possible with the flat surface of the shield.
[Held action, Hit AC 13 for 5 dmg]
Arm Tuesday March 8th, 2005 7:43:12 PM
Arm advances toward the swarm as well, hoping to at least bring SOME of them down.
Wilfire (AC 19, HP 35) Tuesday March 8th, 2005 7:52:44 PM
Wilfire tries to remember if there are any flammable materials in the wagon as he reaches into his backpack and pulls out a single flask of oil.
If there are flammable items he will run to the wagon, grab them and throw them on the fire next round. Otherwise he will begin feeding the fire (and all the combustables that his companions are laying ion the fire) with oil, in an attempt to increase the size of the fire.
"Blasted grasshoppers!" Wilfire yells.
DM Kathy d20+6=8 d20+4=15 2d6(1+4)=5 Wednesday March 9th, 2005 12:06:12 AM
Shadow moves to to build up the fire, and Wilfire tosses some oil on.
[Evan I still need a saving throw from you.]
Uriel is incapacitated for now, but feels better by the end of the round.
Kadaz is trying to calm the horses, which is not easy. Between the fire and the insects, they are restless and skittish. Birdie whines and presses closer, uncertain what to do.
Conner, Arm, and Mira all get ready to attack the swarm.
The insects, apparantly reacting to the smoke, move away from Evan and Uriel, heading toward Conner, Arm, and Mira.
Mira reacts by setting off a sheet of fire toward the insects. The full force of it hits them, and hundreds of tiny, shriveled bodies rain down on the grass.
Unfortunately, the sheet of flame is the last straw for the horses, who begin to rear and fight to escape. Talereithin's pony is also beginning to look panicky.
Conner swings his shield at the creatures, and can tell immediately that trying to hit something that small with something that big is a wasted effort.
The insects swarm over Mira, Arm, and Conner (provoking AoOs if you have anything you think will hit them). Conner's armor is enough to keep the creatures out--for now--but Mira and Arm each take 5 points of damage. Connor, Mira, and Arm each need to make a Fortitude save (DC 12) or be nauseated for 1 round.
Wilfire Ironhouse Wednesday March 9th, 2005 12:42:16 AM
OOC- Are the horses still tied to the wagon?
Wilfire's first order of business is the old man. If he's still in the wagon Wilfire will do all that he can to get him out. If he's out of the wagon Wilfire will move him closer to the fire.
"Use yer bag'a gol... make'shif sap!" Wilfire yells.
Arm ac 13 : hp 8/13 d20+1=5 Wednesday March 9th, 2005 5:58:48 AM
Feeling the bite of the myriad pests, Arm attempts to withstand their onslaught, but is brought to his knees by their sheer numbers (Fort=5), and fights the urge to vomit while doing so.
Evan (ac 16 ff 14 hp 8/18) d20+4=11 Wednesday March 9th, 2005 6:07:46 AM
(sorry, missed that)(Fortitude save-11)
Evan drops to the ground, retching from the many bites covering his body.
Conner d20+5=15 d20-2=14 Wednesday March 9th, 2005 7:42:29 AM
Frustrated by his inability to crush the swarming locusts, Conner moves over to try and calm the horses, grabbing the bridle of one and speaking to the other in low firm voice. "Easy there...easy." [Handle Animal =14, Fort Save =15]
Shadow [AC 21/18 HP 10/20] Wednesday March 9th, 2005 8:50:06 AM
Shadow knows that they might lose the horses/ponies, but is sure that they will not survive unless they disperse this swarm (or at least make it move on). He will try to build up the fire enough to get the swarm to move on.
IF he gets it going well enough he will see if there is something big enough in it (a big branch - like a torch) and use it to help get the rest of the group back over by the fire for protection.
Kadaz d20+3=21 d20+3=13 Wednesday March 9th, 2005 9:30:41 AM
Kadaz holds onto the ponies and tries to calm them. He actually seems to gain confidence in the face of the oncoming insects. (handle animal 21)
Kaddaz tries again to get Birdie to flee. "Run Biride" whispers Kadaz and the uncertain dog looks more likely to flee the danger. (handle animal 13)
Mira (AC 13, 17/22HP) d20+4=7 Wednesday March 9th, 2005 5:35:40 PM
Mira turns her back to the swarm of insects and retches as the insects surround her. She does her best to pull her cloak over her face and head as she shudders involuntarily. And some people eat these things? she thinks. [Fort save =7; fail]
Uriel {HP:23/33 AC:19} d20+4=18 Wednesday March 9th, 2005 11:13:07 PM
Uriel recovers enough to try to bring his warhorse under control {Handle Animal:18}
DM Kathy Thursday March 10th, 2005 1:33:59 AM
Things look bad there for a minute, as Evan, Arm, and Mira all succumb to the distracting swarming of the insects and the horses look ready to bolt.
But working together, Kadaz, Uriel, and Conner manage to calm the animals. Wilfire checks on the safety of the scholar--who is out of the wagon. Talereithin is shielding him as best he can.
Shadow, meanwhile, concentrates on building up the fire, and by now the smudge of smoke has reached a respectable size. Shadow looks for a burning branch, but the fire is largely made of leaves and twiges.
It doesn't seem to matter though, because the smoke is apparantly doing its work. The cloud of insects begins to dissipate, and within seconds it is gone as suddenly and mysteriously as it appeared.
In the unnatural quiet, a crow caws three times.
Wilfire Ironhouse d20+4=11 Thursday March 10th, 2005 1:54:34 AM
Wilfire scans the area for the crow, knowing that sometimes things are not what they seem (Spot 11).
if he fails to spot the crow he will instead concentrate on helping the others get over their sicknesses.
"Mayhaps some healin'be in ordah?" Wilfire asks the others.
Kadaz d20+1=7 Thursday March 10th, 2005 5:46:02 AM
Kadaz looks around to see where the flying bugs have gone. He then asks "Is that normal?" (spot 7)
Arm (ac 13, hp 8/13) Thursday March 10th, 2005 5:55:52 AM
Recovering himself, Arm replies to Kadaz, "I have been many places and seen many things, but THAT is hardly normal. I have the feeling that someone or someTHING knows of our mission, and is trying to prevent us from completing it.".
Evan (ac 16 ff 14 hp 8/18) d20+3=8 d20+4=16 d20+8=25 Thursday March 10th, 2005 5:57:16 AM
As the nausea passes, and the insects, Evan regains his feet. He heads over to the horses, checking them over to make sure they are alright as he goes through all of the stories he's heard about insects to determine if this is normal.
Shadow [AC21/18 HP10/20] d20+2=16 Thursday March 10th, 2005 10:49:23 AM
Shadow looks around to see if he sees anymore danger at the moment. (Spot=16)
He agrees with the group that this does not seem natural, but he is of the city and is not really prepared for any of these things. He will see if there is anything he can do to help with either the carts, horses or fire.
Mira d20+4=18 Thursday March 10th, 2005 5:42:39 PM
Mira will shake out her cloak to ensure there are no hangers-on. Recovering her composure, she will enquire into the halfling's status.
"Master Stubblefallow, what do you make of this...this...swarming of insects?" the sorcerer will ask, adding, "would it be some sort of a natural cycle, or an artificially constructed phenomenon?" (Gather Info=18)
The sorcerer wonders if she should have checked for magical auras, but the opportunity for doing so has passed.
Conner Thursday March 10th, 2005 10:41:03 PM
Conner cares not why the insects have dispersed, he is content they are gone. He spends a few more moments calming the horses before helping Talereithin and their halfling charge from beneath cart. "Everyone alright then?" he asks.
Arm (ac 13, hp 8/13) Friday March 11th, 2005 5:58:27 AM
Arm looks around at the group and says, "If anyone would be so kind as to tap me with some healing, it would be much appreciated.".
Uriel {AC:19 HP:23/33} Friday March 11th, 2005 8:07:42 AM
Uriel coughs a few times to get out the taste of locust and vomit, finally resorting to a wineskin for a healthy drink.
Uriel walks over to Arm and grips his wrist and heals his 5hp of dmg.
DM Kathy Friday March 11th, 2005 12:49:42 PM
[Apologies for the late post. I was waiting for something specific, which now isn't going to happen. Stay tuned. :)]
You begin picking yourselves up and dealing with the aftermath of the swarm. Shadow puts the fire out, and Evan and Conner are able to calm the horses.
Volgick and Talereithin have not been injured, and the elf carefully helps the halfling scholar back into the cart.
Mira finds no sign of magic, and neither Kadaz nor Shadow spots anything out of the ordinary. Uriel, who looks as if he could use some healing himself, heals Arm's damage.
Evan seems to recall that insects do occasionally swarm. The phenomenon is unusual, but not unheard-of. The scholar concurs. "Never seen it before, myself," he says cheerfully. "I suppose you're never too old to see something new, eh?"
When you have gathered yourselves together, you are able to resume your journey.
Shadow [AC 21/17 HP 10/20] d20+2=8 Friday March 11th, 2005 1:38:39 PM
Shadow will make sure the group is ready to go, and then will drink one of his two cure moderate wounds potion.
"Let's get moving again." Shadow will say and move to the front with Evan once again. (Spot=8)
OOC: Kathy, I am not sure if I am to roll for the potion or if you take care of it. Let me know either way. Thanks
Wilfire Ironhouse d8+3=7 d8+3=6 d8+3=8 Friday March 11th, 2005 6:53:46 PM
Wilfire began healing the wounded....
His hands were placed together and his eyes were closed. A white soothing white light fell over the dwarf, and he extended the palms of his hands to the wounded. Suddenly the white light fell over them too, and when it dissipated their wounds were gone.
OOC- Healing Evan for 7 Shadow for 6 Uriel for 8
Kadaz Saturday March 12th, 2005 6:53:41 AM
The dwarf warily resumes his seat on the cart and takes up the reins again. Birdie sits beside him, munching on something small and crunchy.
Uriel {AC:19 HP:31/33} Saturday March 12th, 2005 8:18:15 AM
Uriel thanks Wilfire and remounts after he extinguishs the fire.
"That was very bizarre - to me anyway. Never seen a swarm of insects. They did some serious damage," he exclaims.
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