Nightfall (DM Cayzle) Thursday November 10th, 2005 10:55:03 AM
The Windhorn Hamleteers head off into the Wilds to search for the Sage who has taken elves captive. The Spirit of the Fae King begged them to save the elves, so a-questing they shall go!
The party continues to walk in the direction indicated by Tratain. But after a day of walking (about eight miles, given the terrain and speed of the slower party members), there is no sign that you are any closer to where you want to be.
Night falls. Watches? Preparations?
[OOC: This is the Wednesday DM Post. Sorry for the delay!]
Feng Thursday November 10th, 2005 6:25:06 PM
"I'll take watch all night. All I need is two hours sleep in the morning thanks to my ring of sustenance. Plus I've had the benefit of riding on horseback during the days trek."
Monthor Thursday November 10th, 2005 8:52:13 PM
" Fine with me princess. See all of you girls in the morning then. "
:: Monthor finds a spot under a nice tree and bunks down. ::
Tratain Thursday November 10th, 2005 10:29:45 PM
Tratain Sleeps Early and then Watches for the rest of the night. In the Morning he Prays for his spells, and casts his usuall spell on himself.
OOC DM Cayzle Friday November 11th, 2005 7:37:10 AM
Only three posts? What's up, friends? I'll post in a couple hours for Thursday.
Still waiting for PC sheets for Renik, Sarigar, and Draax. (But Stan did write to me.)
Renik Friday November 11th, 2005 7:41:16 AM
Thanking his companions Renik takes the opportunity to get a full night's rest. He wakes early, performs his usual meticulous ablutionst, and then readies his gear for the journey ahad. He hums to himself as he does so, clearly in a cheery mood about something.
As they eat their morning meal he asks Tratain if it is worth attempting the Find the Path spell again to ensure they are still on the correct route.
"I'm a little concerned at the distance we are travelling. For all we know the Fae King could be mistaken or misleading us. This sage could be on the far side of the continent for all we know. I wish we had some other ay of establishing his whereabouts."
(OOC: You should have a sheet for Renik Cayzle. Let me know if it needs resending)
Sarigar and Black Paws Friday November 11th, 2005 11:01:17 AM
Sarigar shrugs at Renik's question, "The world's just not right. The mother should be here, now all this King stuff, it's just not right."
As night comes, As is typical for the brothers, they each sleep on and off through the night, mainly out of habit and mutual protection. With no way, other than their noses, ears, eyes and tongues to find the sage, the brothers offer no suggestions for finding him.
ooc: Sorry, kinda been letting my personal RL feelings bleed in to Sarigar. I'll try to curb that. As for my sheet, my motivation level has been in the toilet for the better part of 2 weeks now, but I'll try to stir up enough to get it done before the end of the weekend.
Arien Friday November 11th, 2005 12:24:19 PM
Arien enters trance as normal and after that rests until the rest of the group is up and about. Then he memorizes spells and casts Mage Armor upon himself.
Draax Friday November 11th, 2005 3:03:21 PM
Draax will get some rest and joins Feng for the latter part of the watch. "Wonder if our bug man is living like a bug. He could be underground or in a cave or maybe an illusion. All just guesses, but I am also concerned about how far we have traveled."
Night Attack (DM Cayzle) d4=1 (random DM roll) d20+16=18 (foe's hide check on approach) d20+32=38 (att on Feng) d6+4=7 (sting damage) d8=6 9poss Con damage) 3d6(2+6+6)=14 (bee hurt in losing stinger) d100=63 (roll ofr random chance Sarigar is awake -- nope) Friday November 11th, 2005 3:14:35 PM
While Feng is on watch, he finds himself under attack by an invisible silent flying foe. If he can make a spot check vs DC18, then he is not surprised.
The flying bug, as it turns out to be, hits AC38 with uncanny accuracy. The attack spoils the creature's invisibility, and you see that it is a Large Bee! As big as a horse! Feng also notes that the creature is surrounded by a zone of silence!
The sting hurts (7 hp damage), and the bee's stinger is lodged in Feng. Make a Fort save vs DC18 or take 6 pts Con damage.
The bee's stinger has been ripped out of its body, injuring it (the bee takes 14 damage) and depriving it of an attack. The stinger is still pumping poison into Feng!
The bee, now right next to Feng, still emits silence in a 10-foot radius. it is AC 15.
Feng can act, although he starts the round in silence. Arien, in Trance, can act. Sarigar does not happen to be awake.
Everyone else has no reason to wake, at least not until Arien and Feng act, if then.
[OOC: This is the "Thursday" DM post. There will be a "Friday" post this weekend.]
Monthor Saturday November 12th, 2005 7:07:41 PM
Monthor snores... loudly... and dreams of beer... that's it... beer....
Draax Saturday November 12th, 2005 8:05:31 PM
If alerted of the danger, Draax will jump up and ready his bow as he scans for the source. If not alerted of the danger Draax will continue to rest until time for the last watch.
Tratain d20+11=17 Saturday November 12th, 2005 9:05:38 PM
Tratain Sleeps unless Awoken. If He wakes up he grabs his warhammer and shield and looks for danger. (Spot 17)
Renik Sunday November 13th, 2005 4:21:25 AM
Renik dreams he is in a play, an actor playing the part of famed adventurer Renik Dacour in an epic production of the Hamleteer's adventures. Taking his cue he marches onto the stage and brandishes a pair of balsa wood shortswords.
"Yield, Fae king!" he cries melodramatically, to cheers from the crowd. "Yield or be cut down!"
Hands man the winches, and "Renik" is hoisted gracefully into the air on his harness, to suitably astonished gasps and applause. An excitable young lady on the front row swoons.
Smiling in his sleep, the rogue dreams on.
Arien d20+10=26 d20+10=24 d20+10=12 d20+10=28 Sunday November 13th, 2005 12:56:30 PM
Arien, seeing the large sized bee jumps up with a shout of warning to everyone else. He then casts a Maxamized (through the rod) Scorching Ray at the bee.
(First ray hits touch AC 26 (22 if he is melee), Second Ray hits Touch AC 24 (20 in melee), and Third hits Touch AC 28 (24 in melee)used an action point on the last attack to reroll it. Each ray does 24 fire damage for a total of 72 fire damage if they all hit the bee.)
Fried Bee (DM Cayzle) Sunday November 13th, 2005 3:29:08 PM
Arien's shout rouses the camp. But his spell does the trick, and the bee ends up a charred bit of black.
Feng still has the initial poison coursing through his body (need that fort save vs DC18), and the stinger is still pulsing in his flesh.
[OOC: This is the "Friday" DM Post. I'll post next on Monday night or after everyone else posts, whichever comes first.]
Draax d20+7=24 Sunday November 13th, 2005 11:45:11 PM
Draax jumps up when he hears the shout and readies his bow as he looks for the danger. Noticing the crispy remains of the bug, Draax scans the area for any other creatures (spot check 24).
"If that charred thing is a bug as I suspect it to be, then we are probably on the right track."
Tratain d20+16=22 Sunday November 13th, 2005 11:48:30 PM
Tratain Goes over to Feng and Pulls out the stinger and Treats him so that the poison will not effect him again. If everything settles down again he will go back to sleep untill rested and then watch for the rest of the night.
Heal Check to Treat Poison 22 Vs DC 18
Renik d20+3=16 Monday November 14th, 2005 9:58:04 AM
The rogue checks with Tratain on Feng's state, then concurs with Draax.
"Aye, it would seem our appoach has been observed. It could only have been our quarry, what with the magical protections cast upon the creature. I think it might not hurt to stock up on a few scrolls of False Vision; it seems our magical opponents are regularly all too aware of our actions. And this also highlights the inadequacies of our nightly watches. I think from now on we need to consider warding our camps somehow. Are either of you able to do that?" the rogue asks of the party spellcasters
Having dealt with the defensive Renik now switches to the offensive. "Arien, would a detect magic spell be able to follow the path this invisible, silenced creature took? Might we trace it back to where the spells were cast? And might such a pursuit be done as readily in the morning as now?
Also we should consider this; spells have a limited duration. How long could this creature have been kept invisible or silenced? 15 minutes? Half an hour? Arien, you will know the details better than me, but I believe this attack must mean we are quite close to our quarry. We may even be under observation right now."
Renik atempts to work out how far the creature could have travelled whilst under the effect of the spells (Int 16).
Aware that the spellcasters need time to prepare their spells, Renik is willing to remain at the camp for the night. But he remains on watch for the remainder of the night.
Monthor Monday November 14th, 2005 10:41:41 AM
:: At Arien's warning, Monthor jumps up and, with axe blazing, runs towards Feng. The dwarf gets quite upset once he sees that the fight is already over.
" ME MISSED A FREY! NOOOOOO!!! "
Taking his guardian duties seriously, Monthor stands defensively over Tratain and Feng as the cleric heals the paladin.
" Well girls, guess we now keep two guards up at all times. Could the creature's abilities be innate and not outside spells? This may have nothing to do with Serge at all? Maybe the bee was just attracted to Feng's sweet smell? "
Sarigar and Black Paws d20+21=35 d20+17=25 Monday November 14th, 2005 11:26:10 AM
Shocked to consciousness so quickly, the brothers are momentarily dazed, but as they come to their senses, the take a good sniff of any part of the bee's body that is not burned. Then then begin to immediately sniff around the area to pick up the scent of where it came from (Survival: Tracking 35/25).
Feng (118/ 125 HP AC 23) d20+15=21 Monday November 14th, 2005 5:29:24 PM
"Thanks. Not sure where that bee came from. I hope there aren't any more. A swarm of those things would be quite deadly to deal with. I wonder if our camp intruded on its domain or something."
Magic or Magicked? (DM Cayzle) 2d6(1+6)=7 Monday November 14th, 2005 7:28:25 PM
Feng resists the poison (please make a second save after one minute), and Tratain pulls out the stinger, which causes some damage on the way out (7 hp). The organ, in Tratain's hand or dropped on the ground, continues pulsing poison.
Drax and Sarigar cast around looking for others or a path back or some other clue. There are no other silent invisible bees to be found. Black Paws gets a scent to follow, but a short investigation reveals a random pattern of movement, rather than flight in a straight line.
Renik is worried that a nearby mage magicked up the bee. Monthor, revealing a keener mind than one might have thought considering his usual focus on beer and jokes, thinks that maybe the bee was inherently magic.
Either way, Feng makes the insightful comment that while one of these bees was not much of a challenge, a whole hive of them might pose a problem!
It is early in the evening. Any special preparations for the rest of the night's repose?
Draax Tuesday November 15th, 2005 6:52:07 AM
"I agree if we can ward the camp we should. I suggest those that need rest take it. I will get a few hours sleep when the spellcasters get up."
Draax sticks three arrows head first into the dirt and leans on his bow as he scans the area while keeping watch.
Feng (125/ 125 AC 230 d20+15=21 Tuesday November 15th, 2005 10:04:57 AM
Feng places his hand over the nasty wound and calls upon the divine energy to heal it.
"I shall continue to keep watch as well. The bee was a minor problem as I am now fine."
ooc: second save 21
Monthor Tuesday November 15th, 2005 2:08:15 PM
"Well if everyone's staying up me be going back to sleep. "
And he does.
Monthor goes back to bed at the foot of a tree. His cross bow close at hand and his battle axe craddled up against his chest.
" Me wouldnt' be creeping up on me if me was youz. Keep covered and with an eye to the sky. They may be more coming back. "
Sarigar and Black Paws Tuesday November 15th, 2005 2:12:05 PM
The brothers settle back in, rotating their sleep, one sleeping, one awake through the rest of the night.
Renik d20+14=26 d20+14=34 Tuesday November 15th, 2005 6:01:36 PM
"A swarm of the things? Naturally silent and invisible? Well aren't you boys a golden ray of sunshine? Anyone ever tell you you're the glass half empty type?" grins Renik at Feng and Monthor.
"Still, we'd best be prepared. Can we ward our camp or not? If not (or even if we can) can See Invisible or some sort of Detect Magic be cast on myself and the other lookouts with sufficient duration to last us until morning?"
The rogue keeps his senses keenly alert for the remainder of the night (Listen 26, Spot 34).
Tratain Wednesday November 16th, 2005 9:17:01 AM
Tratain rests for the rest of the Time he needs, then stands watch and prepares for comming battle.
Monthor addition? Wednesday November 16th, 2005 9:34:34 AM
" Oh and let's build up a fire. Smoke keeps bugs away. "
ooc> Unless someone else does Monthor builds up a fair size camp fire before going back to sleep.
A Sunny and Bug-Free Morning (DM Cayzle) Wednesday November 16th, 2005 10:12:30 AM
The rest of the night passes with no interruption.
In the morning it is sunny and beautiful. The sky is crystal blue, and there is a light, refreshing breeze. The wooded hills are fresh and verdant. But the charred corpse of the large bee remain as a reminder of the night's danger. Surely the party must be getting closer to the home of the Sage.
How will you proceed onward today?
Arien (Mage Armor) Wednesday November 16th, 2005 2:24:43 PM
Arien has to rest a bit longer than normal due to the excitment during the night. But after that he memorizes spells and casts Mage Armor upon himself. Arien waits for a marching order to be determined and then sets out.
Sarigar and Black Paws d20+32=50 d20+18=33 d20+27=32 d20+18=21 d20+21=27 d20+17=31 Wednesday November 16th, 2005 3:59:27 PM
Once everyone is awake and ready, the brothers lead out in search of the Sage. With the excitement from the night before, they do take a little precaution and keep to the underbrush (Hide 50/33, Move Silently 32/21, Survival: Tracking 27/31)
Feng Wednesday November 16th, 2005 10:16:14 PM
After clearning the camp Feng calls his trusty warhorse from his planar home. "Let's finish this and head home."
Draax Wednesday November 16th, 2005 11:11:27 PM
Draax catches a couple of hours of sleep during the latter part of the night. In the morning he get ready to move out. "Same marching order as before?" If the group uses the same marching order Draax will resume his position as rearguard.
Renik d20+14=27 d20+14=27 Thursday November 17th, 2005 4:52:26 AM
Renik looks up at the sky and closes his eyes, letting the morning sun warm his face. He enjoys the brief moments of peace before turning his mind once more to the job at hand.
"Aye, same as before" nods Renik to Draax. "Though I'd really like one of us to have some method of detecting invisible creatures as we travel. If there are any more of those things out there we'll have no way of anticipating an attack."
As they move out Renik does his best to keep alert to danger (Spot 27, Listen 27), but is aware that mundane senses will be of little use against magically silenced and invisible foes. He keeps his Blinking ring activated as he walks, hoping it will afford some protection in case of attack.
The Plot (and the Underbrush) Thickens (DM Cayzle) Thursday November 17th, 2005 7:32:45 AM
The group heads onward in a the same general direction as yesterday. As they walk, the trees grow more thickly, and the bramble gets a little more dense. Only Sarigar is not slowed by the underbrush.
You find a game trail, like that made by deer. That's not actually surprising -- in fact, you often come upon trails like that in the woods, and your DM would usually not bother to remark upon it. But this trail does not peter out, and it has splits in it from time to time. If you were to stay on the trail, and others that join it, you would make much better time. Or you might prefer to continue stumbling noisily around in the thickets.
If you make a Know(Nature) or Survival or Int check vs DC20, then Please Highlight to display spoiler: {You realize that there are no signs of deer or other large trail-making animals nearby. No willow shoots or birch-bark that has been nibbled. No scat, no bits of fur on bramble-thorns, no hoof or paw prints.}
Renik d20+3=23 Thursday November 17th, 2005 9:56:48 AM
Renik comes to a halt when they reach the trail. He kneels down and carefully examines the path, quickly reaching the conclusion this was not made by your normal woodland creatures (Int 23). He speaks quietly to his companions.
"Have you noticed? There is no sign of plants being eaten, no fur snagged on branches. Whatever made this path was no deer. Given what we know I think it's safe to assume this path was made by the Sage's giant insects. Which means it should lead us directly to our foe. I say we take it.
It also means we are more likely than ever to encounter opponents, so be on your guard, friends. Sarigar, scout ahead, alert us if you spot anything. Everyone else, stick close together.
If we do get into a fight our priority has to be preventing anything from getting back to the Sage and alerting him of our arrival."
He rises and prepares to move out.
Monthor d20+1=20 Thursday November 17th, 2005 11:12:21 AM
" Why yes, me did notice that Renik (20). There be no signs of deer or other large trail-making animals nearby. No willow shoots or birch-bark that has been nibbled. No scat, no bits of fur on bramble-thorns, no hoof or paw prints. "
ooc> :-)
" Feng's smell has likely alerted everything within the next 5 miles that we're on the way. Me will be staying down wind of our friend paladin."
" Let's stay on the path and face straight on whatever's coming out. Me got a boot load of arse whooping for Serge when we do find him.
Sarigar and Black Paws d20+21=36 d20+17=33 d20+21=35 d20+17=25 d20+32=34 d20+18=38 d20+27=38 d20+18=23 Thursday November 17th, 2005 11:28:39 AM
The lack of signs on the trail stand out to the brothers like a bright light (Survival 36/33). Sarigar is noticably shocked when Renik is the one that notices what they're seeing (or not seeing). The brothers take a few moments to investigae what really made the trails to get a better idea if they're following the right path (Survival: Tracking 35/25).
Sarigar nods to Renik at the suggestion that they scout ahead, and without a word and barely a sound, they duck and weave through the brambles as they go off the trails. They keep the trails in sight so as to catch any potential threats off guard (Hide 34/38, Move Silently 38/23) and scout ahead of the rest of the pack a few hundred feet.
Draax d20+1=18 Thursday November 17th, 2005 2:18:49 PM
Draax kneel down and examines the trail. He nods his head in agreement with the others as if he too noticed what the others are talking about. Draax remains silent; signs of nature has always eluded him and he is not willing to admit that he does not see what the others have noticed (int 18), even the dwarf.
Feng Friday November 18th, 2005 2:15:06 AM
Lacking the wilderness knowledge that the others have, Feng simply rides along quietly behind the others.
Tratain Friday November 18th, 2005 9:54:07 AM
Tratain follows along with the others, trusting the Trackers of the party to find the hideout they are looking for.
The path ahead (DM Cayzle) d2=1 (roll for direction of encounter) Friday November 18th, 2005 10:39:48 AM
Sticking to the trail -- the trail that to Sarigar's trained eye seems pretty clearly created by creatures with six feet -- the party gets a lucky break. A group of large insects is approaching the Hamleteers, and, as luck would have it, from the direction in which the group is travelling, NOT from behind.
The party is on a ten-foot wide trail. There is rough bramble on either side, with trees. Per Renik's Nov. 8 post, the party is arrayed like this:
Sarigar and Blackpaws (200 foot gap) Renik Feng on warhorse directly behind (10 foot gap) Tratain (10 foot gap) Arien (10 foot gap) Monthor and Draax side by side
Sarigar, the ants are moving fast at 50. They are walking, not hustling, though. They are about 100 feet away. They are oblivious to you, although if you make a Knowledge nature (or Int) check vs. DC15. Please Highlight to display spoiler: {You suspect that no amount of hiding will conceal you if you are close enough to those quivering antennae.}
Altogether you have maybe about a half a minute before they sight the main group.
Sarigar and Black Paws d20+16=21 d20+10=16 d20+32=44 d20+18=22 d20+27=32 d20+18=21 Friday November 18th, 2005 12:46:47 PM
Spotting the ants and suspecting that they might sense them (Knowledge: Nature 21/16), the brothers back further away from the path and angle toward the pack, trying to get enough distance that they shouldn't be sensed.
Once they've got solid cover (a tree for instance) from the ants' eyes, they will reveal themselves to Renik and the others to let them know that something's coming. Using fairly crude hand signals, Sarigar tries his best to convey numbers and roughly what they are.
After alearting the others, they conceal themselves once again (Hide 44/22, Move Silently 32/21) and try to shadow the ants from what they feel is a safe distance to prevent being detected. They attempt to maneuver in behind the ants as best as possible without leaving too much distance to the pack to leave them without help.
Arien (Mage Armor) Friday November 18th, 2005 3:21:17 PM
"Renik, shall we fight or do we try to hide from these creatures? If the bee was any indication these creatures will be quite strong but should be fairly easy to kill." Arien waits for Renik's decision before taking any actions.
Renik d20+3=22 d20+21=34 d20+24=44 Friday November 18th, 2005 6:08:27 PM
Renik nods curtly at Sarigar's information and watches him vanish silently into the trees. Coming to a swift decision he answers Arien in a hushed voice, pointing into the undergrowth.
"The Sage may be in some sort of mental contact with them. Let's avoid battle if possible, let them past us. Forty feet into the brush everyone, quick and quiet as you can. If they spot us, attack. Sarigar and I will cut off their retreat." (OOC: Int 22 to be aware of Scent ability. If the wind is blowing across the path he will indicate the party move downwind of the ants.)
Renik slips silently into the shadows of the undergrowth, raising the hood of his cloak and drawing both blades. He seems to melt from sight. (Move Silent 34, Hide 44)
ooc> Well, the move silently role is a 7 and the hide role a 6. Big and clumsy.
:: Monthor follows instructions and heads, axe in hand, 40 feet into the brush. ::
Draax Saturday November 19th, 2005 1:34:14 AM
Draax agrees with Monthor about his assessment on moving silently, but he moves with the others to get out of the path of the ants. When he gets about 45 feet away from the trail, Draax kneels down and readies his bow as he scans the area for any of the ants friends.
Trouble passes by (DM Cayzle) Saturday November 19th, 2005 5:48:52 PM
The party high-tails it into the bramble, hiding as best they can. At 20 feet from the trail, you have concealment, and 40 feet away, you have total concealment.
Anyone who wants to be 45 feet or more off the trail is safe from all view, but similarly can see nothing that is on the trail.
If anyone wants to be closer, then decide how far from the road you want to be. Decide now, before reading further.
If you want to be between 20 and 40 feet off the road, then Highlight to display spoiler: {You need to make a Hide check with a bonus of +5. Also make a Spot check.} -- If your Spot check is 10 or better, then Please Highlight to display spoiler: {You see that a party of Large Giant Ants passes by on the trail.} -- If your Spot check is 15 or better, then Please Highlight to display spoiler: {You see that a party of four Large Giant Ants passes by on the trail.} -- If your Spot check is 20 or better, then Please Highlight to display spoiler: {You see that a party of four Large Giant Ants passes by on the trail. One is being ridden by a humanoid.} -- If your Spot check is 30 or better, then Please Highlight to display spoiler: {You see that a party of four Large Giant Ants passes by on the trail. One is being ridden by an orc. The orc has on a helmet with a weird visor.} -- If your Spot check is 40 or better, then Please Highlight to display spoiler: {You see that a party of four Large Giant Ants passes by on the trail. One is being ridden by an orc. The orc has on a tight-fitting black helmet with a visor that looks like two huge bug eyes. Or is that his head?}
If you want to be within 20 feet of the road, then Highlight to display spoiler: { You see that a party of four Large Giant Ants passes by on the trail. One is being ridden by an orc. The orc has on a helmet with a weird visor. The wants wave their feelers around sense you nearby. They leave the trail to close with you. We are entering combat. What do you do?}
Monthor d20+9=15 d20-1=4 Sunday November 20th, 2005 1:10:45 PM
Monthor starts to get fidgety in the back (40 feet away as previously posted) and whispers to no one in particular...
{ What's going on? Me can't see anything! }
[Hide, 15, spot 4]
Monthor remains blind to the entire situation.
Feng d20+1=3 Monday November 21st, 2005 10:32:19 AM
Feng dismounts and walks his warhorse into the bramble. He goes back as far as he can. Unfortunately his view of the trail was blocked by his massive warhorse.
Sarigar and Black Paws d20+17=35 d20+17=31 d20+32=41 d20+18=25 d20+27=38 d20+18=30 d20+19=38 d20+17=24 d20+3=17 d20+6=22 Monday November 21st, 2005 11:11:38 AM
AS the brothers carefully shadow the ants, they try to get a better look at what they are (Spot 35/31). Seeing the orc, Sarigar "talks" with his brother, Highlight to display spoiler: {"If they attack the pack, we kill the orc. Cut off the head and the body dies."}
The brothers move in to within charging distance (Hide 41/25, Move Silently 38/30), but attempt to stay outside the ants sensory range (approx. 50ft).
Should the ants move to attack, the brothers will immediately charge and attempt to trip or bull rush the orc off his mount (whichever is more appropriate to dismount a rider). (Attack 38/24, Strength for trip or bullrush 17/22).
If neither the ants nor party attack, the brothers will shadow the ants at half speed until they move out of sight (since the brothers would only be moving at 30, where the ants are moving at 50, this wouldn't take long).
Renik d20+24=30 d20+14=19 d20+14=18 d20+21=26 d20+24=37 d20+14=30 d20+14=21 Monday November 21st, 2005 11:54:43 AM
Renik retreats 40 feet into the brush and hides there, waiting for the ants to pass by (Hide 35, Listen 19, Spot 18).
He waits, holding his breath, willing the others to keep quiet and out of sight. Should the ants pass by he will wait a minute or so, then signal the others to remain in place, and then move back to the path to check they have truly moved off (MS 26, Hide 37, Spot 30, Listen 21).
Only once he is happy they are in the clear will he signal his companions.
Draax Monday November 21st, 2005 2:47:09 PM
Draax moves back 45 feet away from the trail. Although he cannot see the trail he still takes cover and keeps his eyes on his teammates to watch their reactions to alert him to any danger.
Tratain Monday November 21st, 2005 4:39:27 PM
Tratain Moves back 45 Feet away from the Trail, knowing that his abilities to hide are poor at best. He trusts the others to keep him informed as to what is happening.
A Bullet Dodged! (DM Cayzle) d20+1=7 d20+1=16 d20+1=6 d20+1=11 d20+1=5 Tuesday November 22nd, 2005 12:14:01 AM
Monthor, Feng, Draax, Tratain, and Arien hide a good 40 feet away, totally out of sight. Renik and Sarigar trust in their stealth skills and dare to spy from spots closer to the trail.
All is still. The creatures approach. Suddenly, like a bee's buzz, Monthor whispers, "What's going on? Me can't see anything!"
Normally, a person whispering is a Listen DC15 check to hear. That DC rises by +1 for each intervening 10 feet. That's DC19. Add in a +1 to the DC to represent the muffling provided by the underbrush. So the four large ants and the orc all have DC20 checks to hear Monthor's voice.
And the rolls ... 7 ... 16 ... 6 ... 11 ... 5
Whew! That was close!
Monthor's murmurs pass unheard. Renik and Sarigar watch the ant party pass by towards the area from which the party came. When the coast is clear, the Hamleteers regroup near the path.
Next?
Feng Tuesday November 22nd, 2005 8:05:25 AM
"I pray that we make it out of this narrow path before we must test our blades once more. It's much to narrow and any foe we meet will have to be faced one on one."
Monthor Tuesday November 22nd, 2005 8:59:22 AM
After what is certain to be one heck of a scolding from the rest of the party, Monthor holds his head in shame at having broken silence.
" Doh..... "
ooc> darn low wisdom scores!!!
Monthor takes position back at the end of party.
" Let's move out girleys "
Sarigar and Black Paws d20+32=38 d20+18=25 d20+27=39 d20+18=23 d20+17=26 d20+17=36 d20+16=26 d20+10=30 Tuesday November 22nd, 2005 11:04:12 AM
Once the ants and the orc are out of their sight, the brothers return to the pack and quietly and quickly take the lead once again. They stalk (Hide 38/25, Move Silently 39/23) ahead (about 150ft) and off the path (about 30ft).
They keep their ears, eyes and noses open for any sign of others in the area (Spot 26/36). They also watch for trail signs that might indicate some kind of pattern to the insect patrols (Knowledge: Nature 26/30 (nat 20 for BP)).
Renik Tuesday November 22nd, 2005 3:29:19 PM
Back on the path the rogue fixes Monthor with a sardonic stare. "Between your "whispering" and Feng's penchant for bursting into song, it's a wonder the whole anthill doesn't know we're here!" he growls, trying to keep a straight face. He gives up and grins.
"Come on, let's get moving. Those elves aren't going to save themselves. Rearguard, keep a good eye out for any unexpected surprises from behind."
He thinks about what he has just said then adds; "Monthor, not a word about Feng or we'll dye your pigtails pink."
He resumes his previous position, moving some way behind Sarigar.
Draax Tuesday November 22nd, 2005 7:36:51 PM
Draax retakes his position in the marching order as he listens to the comments made by the others. "I agree with you about the path Feng. I wonder if the patrols have a schedule or if it is just random. That patrol did let us know that the wizard has more than just inserts at his call."
Arien (Mage Armor) Tuesday November 22nd, 2005 9:13:42 PM
Arien makes sure to study the group as they pass by. Once the group assembles again and it is safe to talk Arien says, "I prepared the Veil spell again, you know the one that I can disguise the party with. I'm thinking it might not be such a bad idea for us to look like a group of bugs? Perhaps a patrol like what just past us. What does everyone think?"
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