Garrett (AC: 19, HP: 23/23) Friday April 21st, 2006 9:39:34 PM
Garrett quickly casts Bears strength(+4 enhancement to str) upon Aiden. "Time to make them hurt wunjo."
"Dregar, if I have time before they get here, you are next. The three of us should wait til he gets here, then free 5 in to swing, preventing him from getting a free shot at us."
"Neco, help Bohdi and Nauth. I don't want that Kjempe teeing off on them or Furu, and whatever this Wishami is, it will likely be after Furu. Can you hit it with some magic missiles while you move. Stay clear yourself if you can. You know the kind of hurting that they can do with a hit."
Garrett then drops his crossbow as a free action and pulls his longsword.
Nauthiz'Ull [ac20 hp28/28:longstrider:message:divine favor] d20+7=21 d20+7=19 d8+2=9 d8+2=3 d8+11=13 Saturday April 22nd, 2006 12:12:09 AM
Ice blue eyes flicker towards the back of his head as the magical energies flow from the image of Friga tattoed along his arm. He feels stronger, sharper and more awake. For some reason it feels as though his furs are too much, they are too hot and he finds himself sweating. The sweat beads, begins to roll, freezes and breaks off his brow as it folds in concentration.
"Play time is over wunjos. The other one who is coming out is covered in burns. He may be weakened but I bet he is the toughest. It gets serious now. Domi for us all, Gargul for us later!"
Arm flows from quiver to bow...pulls...releases. Arm returns to quiver another time, arm blurs more and more. Shafts porpoise in flight yet look peaceful in their deliverance of death. ............................. spot.13
attack gt2 a1.22 (sorry, forgot to add the +1 for divine favor) a2.20 d1.9 d2.3
active effects longstrider message divine favor (+1)
Neco (AC 20, HP 14/14, Mage Armor, Tree) d4+1=4 Saturday April 22nd, 2006 8:54:02 AM
I'm on my way." The young girl answers to the leader's command. As she approaches the second division of the group, she calls out to the gnome, "Hey Bohdi, I'll get this one, you get the one on the far side; your wand seems a little more potent than mine." Taking cover behind a new tree (Q16), she gives another flick, and sends off another magic missile (Gt3 for 4 points of damage).
Bohdi Nackle (AC 26, HP 20/20) and Squork (AC 21, HP 10/10) d4+1=5 d4+1=5 Saturday April 22nd, 2006 10:43:33 PM
Bohdi gripped Furu's hand back over his shoulder. "Nothing to worry about, duckie," he said calmly. "You recall those giants over there?" He pointed in the direction of the two that had ripped loose on the far side of the webbing. "They're too far away to engage us before we kill this one, here." He pointed his wand at the creature that was nearing Nauthiz'Ull and the two of them, and, for emphasis, fired two bolts directly into it. (Giant 2, Damage 5 + 5 = 10 hp.)
And he added to the rest, who could hear him clearly over the Message link, "And we should be sure to concentrate our fire on just one opponent, the nearest one, until we drop it, all right? Neco? Don't waste shots on the creatures that aren't yet a threat."
Bohdi pointed out the second giant, still stuck in the webs (Giant 3). "That one comes next. After the one near us is dead, we kill that one. The other giants won't be able to save it. With all of us together, it doesn't stand a chance."
"And now, Furu," Bohdi continued calmly. "If you'll just step back behind that tree behind you (pointing to S22), I'll keep you covered. And perhaps you'd be so kind as to tell your tree friend to clobber whatever giant is closest to us, eh love?"
Assuming that Furu did as Bohdi requested and stepped backward, Bohdi would do so as well, stepping behind a tree just to Furu's right (U21).
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (cast x2), Detect Magic (x2) Level 1: Mage Armor (cast), Alarm, Silent Image, Color Spray [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Hypnotic Pattern, Web (cast x2) Spell list incorrectly listed Hypnotic Pattern as cast--it has not been
Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 36 of 50 charges remaining.
DM sanity points: -- AC totals above include Mage Armor for Bohdi and Squork (Squork must stay within 5' of Bohdi to retain) and racial dodge bonus: -- Bohdi v. giants, AC 24 including +4 racial dodge bonus, +0 racial attack bonus -- AC above counts +2 cover bonus for tree
Aiden Sunday April 23rd, 2006 9:42:42 AM
"I shall move to them..." as Aiden nodded towards the area where Sne Kjempe that were closing in on Bohdi, Nauth and Furu.
"Watch for the others on the big tree..." Aiden told Garrett.
~moving trees? what a wonder...~ thought Aiden to himself. His thoughts shifted momentarily, ~what would have happened if I had not been captured...what would I have become...?~ as he looked over at the goblin corpses and barbaric giants.
Taking a quick breath in, he quickly began to move towards the others, lining himself nearby the animated tree (Q16).
Dregar: (27 hp, 14 Ac) Sunday April 23rd, 2006 12:17:51 PM
Dregar looks to Garret and nods his head, but before the spell could be cast on him he runs across the snowy ground to the other group to stand in front of them. Seeing the giants heading that way makes more sense to help protect those that need it.
Round 7 d20+5=14 Monday April 24th, 2006 2:06:16 PM Garrett casts Bears strength(+4 enhancement to str) on Aiden and though he hoped to cast another spell upon Dregar the dwarf is off to help Nauthiz'Ull and the others as the giant closes. The cleric tells Neco to head that direction as well. Hopefully between her wand and Bohdi's and then Nauthiz'Ull's arrows the giant will never close. Garret discard his crossbow and draws his sword.
Nauthiz'Ull informs everyone the latest opponent is burned and possibly the leader. As the last whisper of his message floats through the air, the hunter usine the exhaling action to steady his aim and then he fires. The arrow just clears the bow and ina single fluid motion his right hand sna;s back over his shoulder and brings a second arrow to mark and lets it fly as well. Both arrows sail on mark and sink dep into the giants upper right chest.
Neco answers "I'm on my way." And moving up to the tree she discovers she will be unable to find effective cover as it is covered in the web spell. (T ouse a small tree as cover you must be in the same square as it is) Telling Bohdi to take the one that is loose, she is about to fire at the giant just emerged from the low shelter, but there is simply too much of the spell to effectively target the giant. (Giant has 20' web between himself and Neco and therefore has 100% Cover and can not be targeted. Give yourself the charge back to the wand.
Bohdi reassures the frightened child, odd that she is likely several times his age, but his calm voice in the matter seems to do the trick for Furu'Linten. The latest of Bohdi's barrage puts the giant down and it falls with a wood snapping crash to the ground. Wuite satisfied , bohdi points out the next target, the giant Neco attempted to target. Bohdi himself steps back a bit and has Furu do the same. At Bohdi's use of the word love, Furu's eyes get a bit larger and she giggles.
Aiden acknowledges Garret and moves across he ground to the others. His mind can not help but marvel at what a different course his life has been given by Ice Peak and he becoming one of them. How much wonder would he have missed and as Aiden's feet crosse the crumbled form and lifeless eyes of a worg, how much shorter might his life have been.
One of the giants lies dead, the most recent to the field of battle is still trapped within the web spell. The other two are a partial mystery. The pair of web spells makes them all but invisible for a few very long seconds. Than the glimpse of one circling and quickly crossing over the snow mounds and the other is crouching behind the goblin tents. A throwing spear in his hands.
The tree stands still for a few moments as if waiting for something. Furu remains relatively quiet. "Maybe Whishami killed mother." she offers quietly after a moment.
Garrett (AC: 19, HP: 23/23) d20+6=21 d20+5=9 Monday April 24th, 2006 9:12:27 PM
Garrett moves to O19 and casts Magic weapon upon his longsword.
"There's only one on my side now guys. The other is probably coming around. I'll take the left flank and move your way. First of you to go, pick a target, and everyone keep pounding it until it drops. And keep your eyes peeled for this Whishami."
Garrett looks and listens for another threat besides the giants that are known. especially some sort of spellcaster sneaking around.
Garrett (supplemental) Monday April 24th, 2006 9:14:56 PM
Active Spells:
Bulls Strength: +4 enhancement to Strength, 29 rounds remaining. Magic Weapon: +1 enhancement to Weapon, 10 rounds remaining
Bohdi Nackle (AC 26, HP 20/20) and Squork (AC 21, HP 10/10) d4+1=2 d4+1=2 Monday April 24th, 2006 9:52:16 PM
Bohdi nodded grimly and pointed his wand at the giant in the webs. "As I said, lads and lasses--they don't stand a chance. Right. This one in the webs next--he's closest. Everyone remember to move around to this side so you can target the blighter." Not needing to worry about his own ensorcelled aim, however, Bohdi stayed where he was behind the tree near Furu and fired two bolts into the entangled giant's chest (Giant3, 2 + 2 = 4 hp damage).
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (cast x2), Detect Magic (x2) Level 1: Mage Armor (cast), Alarm, Silent Image, Color Spray [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Hypnotic Pattern, Web (cast x2) Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 35 of 50 charges remaining.
DM sanity points: -- AC totals above include Mage Armor for Bohdi and Squork (Squork must stay within 5' of Bohdi to retain) and +4 racial dodge bonus v. giants, +2 cover bonus for tree
Neco (AC 22, HP 14/14, Mage Armor, Shield) Monday April 24th, 2006 10:02:44 PM
"Akhh!" the young rogue exclaims in disgust. "I can't even see him." With the giant out of sight, the girl thinks quickly about her own protection, and casts Shield on herself. "It looks like the giants over here are under control. If another one comes he will get trapped by the web no doubt." To provide assistance to Garrett if needed Neco will move to M16.
DM Edit Shield 10/10
Aiden Tuesday April 25th, 2006 8:05:07 AM
Having momentarily lost sight of the Sne Kjempe, Aiden hesitates. Squinting, he prepared to make his move towards the closest non-bound giant. None seemed to be close enough for him to battle just yet on terrain that he, Aiden, could use to his advantage.
At least just yet....~must be patient...the wolf pack harries and then the throat...~ as he remembered back to his master's teachings.
Using the tree for cover, he patiently waited for the giants to come towards more favorable cover. "Watch out for the spears...
Nauthiz'Ull [ac20 hp28/28:longstrider:message:divine favor] d20+7=9 d20+7=21 d8+2=10 Tuesday April 25th, 2006 10:18:59 AM
Watching the two shafts lodge deeply into the chest of the SneKjempe followed by two magical bolts and the giant experiencing something much like poetic justice; falling like the trees they have been felling. He watches the field, looking like the snow rabbit sensing an ambush. The giant before him, partially caught in the webbing seems the best target and Nauths sidesteps the tree his was edged against in order to get a better shot.
arm...quiver...arrow...bowstring...twang! The sight and sound of the ranger at work is identical each time. Nauth's face is tight with concentration as he attempts, again, to destroy these SneKjempe; to prove himself to his wunjos, to himself. .................................. move.18V [5' step]
target.GT3 a1.9 a2.21 d1.n/a d2.10
active effects longstrider message divine favor (+1)
Round 8 More Blood d20+2=22 d20+2=3 d20=16 d8+5=8 Tuesday April 25th, 2006 2:41:34 PM Garret keeps everyone informed and hopefully in the disciplined group they need to be for this to continue to work. He moves a bit back to the group and through Domi's blessings, his longsword becomes magical.
Bohdi Remaining calm and helping Furu to do the same, the young gnome strikes out against the struggling giant. A pair of bolts sizzle into it.
Neco's sight lines are all blocked and with a bit of griping to that effect she moves to improve them.
Aiden waits, he has waited before, the wolf must have patience and so shall he. He whispers a warning to his wunjos about the giants use of missile fire.
Nauthiz'Ull moves further down the line and sends another pair of shafts flying towards the entangled Giant. The first came porrly out of his hand, but the second strikes true to the giants left shoulder. It is a deep strike and the creature cries out in pain.
Furu remains where she is and under her direcion the tree steps closer. ----------------------------------------------- To the party's left the giant that was crouching near the tents, quickly strides through and lets fly with one of the Javelins towards Neco. The 6' missile comes in with astonishing speed and catches the rogue square in the shoulder almost spinning her completely around. [Hit AC 22 crit 3/No Dmg 8]
The entangled giant ceases his struggles in the web and hurls a similar missile at Nauthiz'Ull, but the webs disrupt his follow through and the throw is wide. [Hit AC 16]
Behind the entangled giant a muffled boom is heard and a small cloud of snow shoots into the air. Whatever has just transpired behind the mound is anyone's guess, but likely it is not a good sign.
Garrett (AC: 19, HP: 23/23) 2d8(6+3)+3=12 Tuesday April 25th, 2006 3:22:15 PM
Garrett moves to L16 and converts a bulls strength spell into healing for Neco. Neco healed for 12 hp.
"We're going to have to go after this one before he gets too many throws with those spears." Garrett says to Neco. "Use cover and work around behind him while Aiden and I go for the front."
Garrett yells over to the others. "Aiden, we are going to drop this one before he gets too many throws with those spears, you are closest, can you give us a hand? As long as everyone else stays over there and continues to focus on that giant, they should be good. Dregar, stay there and make sure, just in case the other giant comes around. I'm moving as soon as I finish up Neco's wound."
Dregar Tuesday April 25th, 2006 4:41:19 PM
Dregar nods at Garret, and to add empahasis stomps his feet into the ground. His face contorts a bit as foam pours from his mouth, but he listens enough to stand his ground and await for any of the giants to come forward.
Bohdi Nackle (AC 26, HP 20/20) and Squork (AC 21, HP 10/10) d4+1=5 d4+1=4 Tuesday April 25th, 2006 10:52:11 PM
"Ah, bugger!" Bohdi growled as he watched the javelin pierce Neco, then Garrett heal the young rogue. "Garrett, Neco, that was a fluke! Neco was unlucky to be out so much in the open. But it's not wise for us to divide our forces. If you want us to switch targets, we should all do so."
Sighing discontentedly, Bohdi fired two more bolts at the webbed giant (Giant 3, 5 + 4 = 9 hp damage). "Nauthiz'Ull, wunjo, I guess it's up to us to hold the line over here while the others are otherwise occupied. Help me to take this one down quickly--I think there's more troubling brewing with that third giant."
"Furu, could you have your tree clobber one of the giants like it did with the goblins? It was very helpful before." Bohdi paused and looked over at the dryad. "You all right, lass? There are answers here--and, maybe, a taste of vengeance. But we'll need your help to get it."
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (cast x2), Detect Magic (x2) Level 1: Mage Armor (cast), Alarm, Silent Image, Color Spray [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Hypnotic Pattern, Web (cast x2) Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 34 of 50 charges remaining.
DM sanity points: -- AC totals above include Mage Armor for Bohdi and Squork (Squork must stay within 5' of Bohdi to retain) and +4 racial dodge bonus v. giants, +2 cover bonus for tree
Aiden Wednesday April 26th, 2006 6:58:23 AM
Several muttered Tuskian curses could be heard through the spell as Aiden began to move. The young tracker turned towards the giant that had stepped up from the tents.
True...Neco was hit by a lucky cast, but the giants had also spread them thin. Perhaps they should have retreated to the woods and slowly pick off the Sne Kjempe. The giants were set up well, and with the spear, forced those from Ice Peaks to make their move, against a defensible position. But now was not the time to contemplate what could or should have happened.
"take out the tents..." Aiden spoke (as he moved towards N14). "He'll lose his cover, and we can use our bows..."
(OOC: if I remember correctly, the giant is popping up from behind the tents and throwing, correct?)
DM: Correct on OOC
DM Note Wednesday April 26th, 2006 2:42:34 PM
Gonna hold a bit longer (couple hours) for Nauth'Ull and Neco
Round 9 Tricksey d20+2=7 Wednesday April 26th, 2006 5:02:46 PM Garrett moves back to a wounded Neco and through Domi's great many gifts, he heals the wound completely. He calls for Aiden to move back towards him as well and assist with the giant
Dregar holds his ground as also instructed by Garret and checks the area for the Sne Kjempe that will likely come at them
Bohdi lets loose another blast from his wand with a sigh and the entangled creature falls. The giants are far too stupid for his liking. Looking over to the forest sprite he begins to ask if anything is troubling her. She shakes her head and then nods to the gnome's suggestion on the tree. Her eyes betray her to Bohdi, something is certainly troubling the girl. Perhaps though it is merely the sight of the carnage for one who has known nothing of it before, The tall pine moves past Dregar taking up a guarding position.
Aiden with several unmentionable thoughts shifts direction yet again and moves back to cover Neco and possibly engage the giant. The enemy, it seems to him is selecting the battlefield and he does not like it.
The giant remains back in the tents and launches another man sized javelin, this time at Garret. The missile is quite off target, and the Kjempe moves even further into the tents. [Hit AC 7]
On the other side, a pair of giants can be just glimpsed through the pine trees circling further out, spears in hand. There is still no sign of this Whashami that has been called for by the giants, though they have stopped now, or mentioned earlier by the goblin. Perhaps it is merely a name given to superstition here in the trees. But if that was true, what killed the powerful Dryad? The carnage spread about the glade suggests she had little to fear from the likes of these giants and goblins.
Dregar Wednesday April 26th, 2006 8:32:38 PM
Dregar sees the two giants heading for them and curses under his breath. He moves up to make a more direct line before Bohdi ( W16) and there he begins to take swings into the air.
" Come on you over sized ork ooze, I'll send you back to your mammies" he screamed, trying to make himself appear more threating and have both giants come to him and leave Bohdi alone.
Nauthiz'Ull [ac20 hp28/28:longstrider:message:divine favor] d20+9=26 d8+3=6 Thursday April 27th, 2006 2:08:50 AM
The ranger looks over the field and begins to question what has happened before they arrived. The giant tree is assumed to be the young woodland sprite's mother but why are worgs there? The mangled, busted, sontroted bodies of fallen evils lay haplessly amongst small trees, limbs and gore.
Two missles flew by his head and dropped the giant in front of him.
"Thanks wunjos! Watch your flank, they are trying to round on us!"
A couple fluid strides brings Nauth up against a tree, shoulder against it with bow drawn and arrow nocked. He lets out a shot that he prays finds a truly week spot of hide. The arrow does not porpoise this time, its path stays true and still, slicing through the biting air.
"Wujos! These two are flanking us but we are trying to drop them now. If they get the ability to hold a perimeter around us when can be in for some serious hurt." ................................ move.X16 (will occupy same square if possible)
target. a.27 (forgot other +1 for p.b.s.) d.6
active effects longstrider message divine favor (+1)
ooc.sorry everyone for missing yesterday's post....last exam and i was only out on campus for a bit before other engagements. No internet after that. I did return home a bit ago and found my internet working again so I am happy with that.
Neco (AC 22, HP 14/14, Mage Armor, Shield) Thursday April 27th, 2006 8:02:04 AM
"Ghuu!" is the sound that escapes the rogues mouth as she is flung to the ground with the power of the impacting spear. Once kneeling she grabs the head of the spear with her good arm and pulls it out. Blood drips form her shoulder as she starts to apply pressure to the wound.
"Thanks Garret, I feel better now, good enough to take off this guy's head," is the girl's response to the leaders healing. Neco dashes off to find her assailant in hopes of getting to the giant around the other side of the tent. (G15)
DM Edit Shield 8/10
Garrett (AC: 19, HP: 23/23) Thursday April 27th, 2006 8:38:25 AM
Bulls Strength: +4 enhancement to Strength, 27 rounds remaining. Magic Weapon: +1 enhancement to Weapon, 8 rounds remaining.
"For Sne Kjemepe, these guys sure seem to have a really good handle on battle tactics." Garrett thinks to himself. That kjempe seems to be pulling us into the tents. They couldn't possibly have a trap set up. Could they?"
Garrett calls out to Neco and Aiden, "I don't like the way this is going Wunjo's. They are moving us as they want, dividing our force, and pulling us into an unseen area. I am sorry. I did not expect such maneuvers from Sne Kjempe. I expected him to charge, not draw us out. I underestimated them."
Neco has already moved, so Garrett will move to F17 to cover her.
"Aiden, perhaps you should rejoin the main group. I'll cover Neco until we can pull back. We can't let this lone Kjempe pull half our force away from the main fight."
Garrett then silently chews himself out for being an idiot, and letting the sne kjempe dictate the battle.
Bohdi Nackle (AC 26, HP 20/20) and Squork (AC 19, HP 10/10) 2d4(4+1)+3=8 Thursday April 27th, 2006 9:25:52 AM
"Everyone stay calm," Bohdi said reassuringly. "The giants haven't posed a serious threat yet, and they won't now."
Slowly and deliberately, Bohdi traced an intricate pattern in the air. "Hypnorum, hypnororum, iridenscis!" the gnome intoned. Instantly, Bohdi's weavings transformed into a shimmering, multi-colored rune that flew out across the battlefield and exploded into a rainbow of colored lights that enveloped the two giants.
(Cast Hypnotic Pattern. Sorry that I can't see the map at this moment--I'll edit this post to give the precise coordinate later--but it should be centered on the square between the two giants by the snow mound. EDIT it's AA8, or to be picky about the rules, the intersection of Z7/AA8. Note also that, according to the map, only Nauthiz'Ull, Dregar, and possibly Bohdi are visible to these giants. With a 10' radius of effect, it should affect both giants. Affects 8 HD of creatures, Will save DC 19 or be fascinated.)
"Now, everyone, stay calm, don't overtly threaten them--no visible spells or threatening acts--and let's see how the spell works. Aiden and everyone else, with all the webs and tents in the way, they shouldn't be able to see you attacking the other giant, so that shouldn't pose a problem. Go get him."
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (cast x2), Detect Magic (x2) Level 1: Mage Armor (cast), Alarm, Silent Image, Color Spray [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Hypnotic Pattern (cast), Web (cast x2) Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 34 of 50 charges remaining.
DM sanity points:-- AC totals above include Mage Armor for Bohdi and Squork (Squork must stay within 5' of Bohdi to retain) and +4 racial dodge bonus v. giants, +2 cover bonus for tree
Aiden Thursday April 27th, 2006 1:27:50 PM
"Enough of this running around..." Aiden huffs angrily through the spell. "I shall move back to Dregar, and then use my bow to strike..."
He moves back (to T19) and puts his axe against the tree as Aiden will ready himself to use his bow (pulling it out for the next round).
Round 10 Oooh! Pretty Colors d20+8=17 d20+1=15 d20+1=5 d20-2=0 d20-2=11 Thursday April 27th, 2006 2:56:22 PM Nauthiz'Ull moves down the tree line and picks a sure target. His father's bow hums again and sends an arrow into the lead giant. Striking hard into its leg.
Neco's wound vanishes as if it never was and the rogue wastes little time. A word of thanks to the Domi cleric and she is off towards the tents.
Garrett moves to provide Neco with support and calls for the others to concentrate on the two closing on Bohdi and Furu's position. The Sne Kjempe have shown cunning and the ability to plan a circling attack. Something the cleric was not prepared for, but not a mistake he will make again.
Dregar with his axe in hand, he moves up the 5 foot embankment near a tree. The Climb slows him down but he is there before the giants.
Bohdi calls for calm and unleashes another spell, one so effectively used weeks before when the group was set upon by 2 Sne Kjempe in the deep night. Hopefully the results will be as equally pleasant this time.
Aiden has crossed a section of 40' of the battlefield more times than he has cared to and decides this time, he will not be crossing back. Keeping the double axe in his right, he pulls his own bow with his left as he moves towards the main part of the group. Garret and Neco will have to handle the lone giant themselves. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Striding back around the tent, the Sne Kjempe moves in on Neco and his club rips through the air from over his head. Luckily for Neco a striding giant is not exactly quiet and she had plenty of time to adjust her footing to spin away from the blow. The Great club thunders into the ground sending a shower of snow and ice flying about the impact. [Hit AC 17]
On the other side, a pair of giants can freeze in their tracks upon the explosion of glittering lights and waving patterns of the rainbow before them. Neither seem to notice the three men with their weapons at the ready just a short distance from them.
A small squeal of delight comes from Furu, "Bohdi that was magnificent so they will stand there for ever then?"
Bohdi Nackle (AC 26, HP 20/20) and Squork (AC 21, HP 10/10) Thursday April 27th, 2006 3:12:17 PM
"They'll stay like that for as long as I concentrate on the spell and no one does anything threatening to them," Bohdi replied. "So Dregar, Aiden, Nauthiz'Ull--you're all free to go help Neco and Garrett. Be sure to be out of sight of these giants before you attack the other one, but go--and hurry. We don't want to see Neco made into paste, now do we?"
Bohdi spared a brief smile at Furu. "You and I can stay here with your tree, I think." He quickly turned his attention back to the mental exercise of maintaining the spell, while addressing the group through their Message link.
"Everyone--once you get rid of that giant by the tents, you can work your way around quietly on the far side of the webs, stay out of sight, and finish off this lot. As long as they're entranced like this, you can probably sneak up and administer a coup de grace."
"Furu," Bohdi addressed the dryad once more. "While they're off about that ... why don't you tell me a little bit more about this ... Whishami? We've heard the name before, but we don't know what it means."
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (cast x2), Detect Magic (x2) Level 1: Mage Armor (cast), Alarm, Silent Image, Color Spray [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Hypnotic Pattern (cast), Web (cast x2) Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 34 of 50 charges remaining.
DM sanity points: AC totals above include Mage Armor for Bohdi and Squork (Squork must stay within 5' of Bohdi to retain) and +4 racial dodge bonus v. giants, +2 cover bonus for tree
Neco (AC 22, HP 14/14, Shield+Mage Armor) d4+1=4 Thursday April 27th, 2006 10:23:13 PM
Stepping back out of the giant's reach, Neco motions Garrett to get onto a melee position with the giant. "If you can take it on for a second, I can get behind to give us an advantage." (Flanking position) Waiting for Garrett to make a decision she fires off another magic missile (Gt 1 for 4 points of damage).
Nauthiz'Ull [ac20 hp28/28:longstrider:message:divine favor] d20+9=28 d8+3=7 Thursday April 27th, 2006 11:29:44 PM
Tha ranger cannot help but smile. Ull'Heimdall's bow lowers somberly as Nauth turns to the little wunjo.
"You are truly gifted wunjo...truly gifted. I will take a position that will allow me to take out whichever one is the most immediate threat."
Avoiding eye contact with the two giants, Nauth turns quickly and backtracks along the ridge, pulling up tight against a tree. His eyes scan down below. Over Neco and Garret he sees the tents and the carnage scattered about; he also spots the lone giant. Looking back to where he just left he confirms a good line of sight against those two as well.
Nauth makes sure to direct his attention back towards the lone giant before drawing an arrow. He pulls with confidence, a faint creaking of his bow tells him that it is time to release. The twang of the string confirms a strong release, his eyes confirm a well placed shot.
"I have the high ground covered wunjos. Let Domi guide our hands and Gargul sort them out." ............................. move.19U
target.gt1 a.28 d.7
active effects longstrider message divine favor (+1)
Dregar Friday April 28th, 2006 7:40:27 AM
Dregar huffs and puffs as he turns and runs full speed towards the giant attacking Neco. Being cvareful not to run right into Bohdi's web, he skirts the edges and heads straight for Neco.
" Im coming girl" he shouts as he pumps across the snow.
Garrett (AC: 19, HP: 23/23) Friday April 28th, 2006 7:57:43 AM
Bulls Strength: +4 enhancement to Strength, 27 rounds remaining. Magic Weapon: +1 enhancement to Weapon, 8 rounds remaining.
"Everyone is coming from your direction Neco. I will circle around behind him now, and save you the move. That way it will also be harder for him to back off into the tents when Dregar and Aiden arrive. He will also have another target to swing at instead of you.
Aiden Friday April 28th, 2006 9:39:51 AM
Aiden rolled his eyes once again, as he began to move BACK towards the giant. (N17)
Hopefully, he will be able to get to fire his arrow the next round.
DM Note: keep in mind currently Aiden has a bow in one hand and his axe in the other. Move action stows a weapon or you can just drop it to the ground as free action, but then it is on the ground.
Round 11 Whheeeeee!! d20+6=8 d20+8=28 d20+8=24 2d8(3+5)+14=22 d20-2=10 d20-2=12 d20-2=3 d20-2=15 Friday April 28th, 2006 2:16:31 PM Bohdi assures all the giants will go noweher as long as he concentrates and no one presents a threat to them. Thus freeing up Aiden, Nauthiz'Ull and Dregar to get the other giant. Manitaining the spell takes effort but not all his effeort and Bohdi asks about the apparent name Whishami.
Neco steps back a nd lets fly with a charge from her missile wand. Does Garret want her to circle? [Note shield 7/10]
Garret is close in the tents already and if he is back there the giant is just as flanked. Telling Neco to hold on, he disappears around the tents.
Nauthiz'Ull moves back down the ridge line and linies up a shot against the far giant on Neco. The string hums and a warmth seems to travel with the vibration, like an approving hand upon his shoulder. The arrow strikes deep into the Kjempe's chest and with the creatures next breath, blood snorts from its nose.
Dregar starts to move back across the field, leaping from the ridge line he finds his feet unable to keep themselves under him and he falls hard and backwards against the ground. [Jump 8 Fail Prone]
Aiden becomes more familiar with the 30 feet of body littered ground he has moved across. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The lone giant is terribly wounded and knows enough to know when wolves cicrle it is best not to be in the middle of them. An anguished roar peels from its throat, partially cut short in a gurgle as more blood leaks into its lung. With a great uppercut the club tears through the air and there is a resounding crash of wood on metal and a sharp human cry of pain cut short.
Neco catches a glimpse of the retreating giant back deeper into the tents, Garret never rounds the corner.
GarretHighlight to display spoiler: { call it a tension adder Hit ac 20 crit 24 Dmg 22}
The activity in the vacinity still does not seem to shake the two giants from their fascination with Bohdi shifting pattern of colors before them.
Furu's face crinkles up in thought and she eventually shakes her head, "I do not know that name, but is rings of the ancient tongue when all the land laid barren and the tribes were nomadic."
Bohdi Nackle (AC 26, HP 20/20) and Squork (AC 15, HP 10/10) Friday April 28th, 2006 3:36:00 PM
"Garrett! Garrett, are you all right?" Bohdi asked through the Message link. Assuming that he received no reply, Bohdi quickly pulled his Potion of Cure Light Wounds from his pouch and pressed it into Squork's claws.
Grimacing through the effort of maintaining his concentration on the Hypnotic Pattern spell, he turned to the bird. "Take this to Neco! Neco, get the potion to Garrett! Go!"
Obediently, the bird did as commanded, gripping the potion while swiftly flying across the battlefield to Neco's side and dropping the potion into her free hand when she was ready to receive it.
Bohdi gritted his teeth as he awaited a response from Neco and Garrett. He looked around for Edgler, realizing for the first time in the heat of battle that the dwarf had disappeared. "Edgler? Where's Edgler? Where's our other bloody cleric?"
"Bloody hell," he muttered.
Actions: Bohdi-- Standard action to maintain concentration, Move equivalent to give potion to Squork
Squork-- Double move to fly (movement rate 40') to H16 Free action to drop potion into Neco's hand
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (cast x2), Detect Magic (x2) Level 1: Mage Armor (cast), Alarm, Silent Image, Color Spray [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Hypnotic Pattern (cast), Web (cast x2) Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 34 of 50 charges remaining.
DM sanity points: AC totals above include Mage Armor for Bohdi and +4 racial dodge bonus v. giants, +2 cover bonus for tree. N.B. If tree bonus is +4, not +2, then Bohdi's AC is 28.
Garrett (AC: 19, HP: 16/23) 2d8(8+4)+3=15 Friday April 28th, 2006 4:20:16 PM
Bulls Strength: +4 enhancement to Strength, 26 rounds remaining. Magic Weapon: +1 enhancement to Weapon, 7 rounds remaining.
The once proud human cleric watches all the pretty lights flash before his eyes. The yellows, the blues, the reds...and reds, and reds. Garrett watches all the colors change to red as his eyes slowly focus upon a tent and the Kjempe camp.
Why is everything red? why is it so quiet? In the back of his mind he hears his father calling. "Garrett, are you all right?" "I'm fine dad, how are you." He responds. His thinking momentarily clears. "Wait a second, that doesn't sound like my dad, that sounds like Bohdi. My things are getting odd.
And then it hits him, much like a very large club, and amost as painful. Garrett realizes he just got pulverized. He momentarily clears his head and looks around. "I'm still standing, so I'm not broke in half. It still hurts like crazy, so I'm not dead. I don't see the Kjemepe anymore, so I'm not waiting to say goodbye. I guess I must be ok....Except for the massive blood loss, and the broken bones protruding from me, and the concussion.
Garrett quickly clears the cobwebs and uses Bohdi's spell to respond to his wunjo's. "I'm alright. Still alive. Worry about the giants, I'm going to heal." Garretts voice sounding weak and shaky.
Garrett converts his last 2nd level spell into healing for himself. As most of his major wounds heal. bones pull back into his body, and flesh knits over it. Much of the blood flow stops, and crushed organs quickly repair themselves. Still in a lot of pain, Garrett is able to add to his previous statement to his friends. "I'm much better now wunjo's. Watch out for the Kjempe, I can't see him anymore. Neco, I'm coming out in your direction.
Dregar Saturday April 29th, 2006 3:47:59 PM
Dregar lands into the snow ridge with a thud, going down a few inches.
" bah" the dwarf snorts. This fight definitly wasn't his. He's fallen and rana round like a fool, and has yet to cut into anything.
Then he hears the whispers of Garret being hurt, and then garret himself healing. He knows he needs to get up and out of the snow ridge, so with little hands he starts to push himself up.
Neco (AC 22, HP 14/14, Shield+Mage Armor) d4+1=5 Sunday April 30th, 2006 11:02:13 PM
"Garrett you idiot! I told you it would be best if I went instead of you. It would have been safer, and faster!" Neco runs forward and calls to Bohdi's bird "Bring the potion right to Garrett." As she goes by the Cleric the rogue give him an "The giant is up ahead, give me backup when you can" kind of sign. If she gets in range of her target (area G10) she will use her wand again (5 points of damage).
Nauthiz'Ull [ac20 hp28/28:longstrider:message:divine favor] Monday May 1st, 2006 2:13:41 AM
Teeth grind and jaw muscles constrict like a boa. Frustration runs rampant within the ranger and his face shows all. Nauth shakes his head violently and an audible grunt is heard.
"Garret, get out of there! Neco hold back and wait for him! Aiden get up there and help take down that Kjempe! I will not leave up here as there are two more to deal with. Dregar you hold tight. I have put the final wound on that beast, all that is left is for those three to finish him off. Save your strength for when we launch on these other two."
The ranger looks back to confirm that the pattern is still weaving its magical perfection.
"Bohdi, hang in there wunjo. Furu, that tree of yours will be needed in a moment if you can hold it."
Ull'Heimdall. Friga. Why are neither of you here? Father, I need your skill with the bow. Friga I need your reassurance and your gifts. This is why you weren't supposed to leave!
The typical ice-blue eyes of the ranger are anything but at the moment. Their normal eagle like movement is replaced by a frantic yet deliberate flurry of movements. Snow crunches under his feet as he shifts his weight off of a tingling leg. His bow is lowered and string is returned to its original tauntness. The arrow, however, stays nocked and ready to deliver a strike of death when needed.
"Edglar!!! Get your ARSE up here!!!!! ............................. move.holds
active effects longstrider message divine favor (+1)
ooc: I edited a few typos on 5.1. Nothing big.
Round 12 Fascinanting d20-2=18 d20-2=7 d20+1=2 Monday May 1st, 2006 1:47:48 PM
Questions fly through the group about Garret's health and Edgler where abouts. Only one of the questions is answered, Garret is still alive and relatively well.
Bohdi sends Squork with a curing potion towards Garret and returns full focus to keeping the rainbow pattern shifting to the giants. Squork is off and rapidly moves towards the wounded Domi Cleric and drops the potion to Neco.
Garret's senses return soon enough and he relays his condition as improving and staggers out from the back side of the tents. A prayer of thanks and of strength to Domi and most of the visible signs of the wound are gone.
Dregar, like Aiden, is finding the pitch and turn of this combat more than a little frustrating and having to pick himself up from the snow does not sunny his disposition. Get up he does, however and then he strikes off towards the tents.
Neco Tells Squork to fly on towards Garret and strikes out after the giant. Teh rogue also gives Garret a minor earfull for circling around the tents and nearly getting himself killed. Coming around the tent she spies the limping creature. It looks back over its shoulder and though blood covers its face it seems as powerful as ever. Neco levels her wand and fires. The bolt smack the Kjempe between the eyes and it topples over.
Nauthiz'Ull remains where he is. The creature is mortally wounded and would perish before he found another shot and then he would simply have to run back here. The ranger calls back through the wood towards Edglers last known position. Silence follows, the dwarved cleric has disappeared.
Aiden knows the giant is on his last legs and pulls up short in his trek across the all too familiar ground
Standing next to Bohdi Furu continues to just observe the spell in affect and the giants beyond. "My tree will move when they do." she quietly says through the spell. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The last two giants continue to stand transfixed by Bohdi's spell. Spot DC 20 Bohdi and Nauthiz'Ull only Highlight to display spoiler: {One of the giants blinks a few times and seems to shake his head, but then goes back to being transfixed on the swirling colors}
Bohdi Nackle (AC 26, HP 20/20) and Squork (AC 17, HP 10/10) d20+2=12 Monday May 1st, 2006 3:47:45 PM
Breathing a sigh of relief at Garrett's condition, Bohdi mentally ordered Squork to return. Once the bird had done so, Bohdi accepted his potion back with a curt nod to the raven and replaced the potion in its pouch. With only the slightest motions of his hands and a mental cue, Bohdi maintained the shimmering ribbons that danced in front of the two giants. (Spot 12) If there were something else amiss, the concentration required to maintain the spell did not permit Bohdi to notice it.
"Now's the time to circle around and finish off these buggers," he suggested to the others through their link. "Go around the far side of the webs, sneak up behind them, and when you're in place, we'll all coordinate efforts and bring them down. Remember, we can't let them see any threatening actions until we're ready to hit them hard."
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (cast x2), Detect Magic (x2) Level 1: Mage Armor (cast), Alarm, Silent Image, Color Spray [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Hypnotic Pattern (cast), Web (cast x2) Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 34 of 50 charges remaining.
DM sanity points: AC totals above include Mage Armor and +4 racial dodge bonus v. giants for Bohdi, +2 cover bonus for tree for Bohdi and Squork. N.B. If tree bonus is +4, not +2, then Bohdi's AC is 28 and Squork's AC is 19.
Aiden Monday May 1st, 2006 7:45:44 PM
Aiden ebbing and flowing some more, moved back to his prior spot (R18), bow in hand.
Dregar Monday May 1st, 2006 8:10:55 PM
Dregar huffs and puffs some more, a steady stream of steam coming from his mouth. He walks slowly starts to walk around the tents, realizing he can kill the giants. With all the running and wasted energy the rage has flown from his body, and his body feels a little weaker but nothing to worry about.
Garrett (AC: 19, HP: 16/23) Monday May 1st, 2006 8:38:25 PM
Bulls Strength: +4 enhancement to Strength, 25 rounds remaining. Magic Weapon: +1 enhancement to Weapon, 6 rounds remaining.
Garrett moves to F10 and sheathes his sword.
"Aye Bohdi. I'll go around behind, and heal myself up on the way. Just keep them standing pretty wunjo. I owe them one."
Neco Monday May 1st, 2006 11:01:39 PM
With a smirk of self satisfaction, Neco goes hunting more giant. "As you wish, Bohdi," she whispers back through the message spell. The slight human skirts around the gnome's Web spells her wand gripped firmly in her hand.
Double move to end up in K3?
Nauthiz'Ull [ac20 hp28/28:longstrider:message:divine favor] d20+11=24 Monday May 1st, 2006 11:23:09 PM
Snow mixes with blood mixes with bone mixes with dirt. The sights would have seemed abnormal, a terror, just a month ago. Today, however, this is what has been the norm lately. Who would have thought that giants would be one of the main enemies of this group? Wolves, ice ants, the cold....these should be the most dangerous threats to these young adults, not an army of giants.
Nauth watches as his wunjos regroup a bit and once again checks on the effectiveness of Bohdi's spell. Something doesn't sit right with what he sees; he double takes the giants.
"WUNJOS! One of the giants just blinked! Bohdi hold that concentration for a few moments more and then you can release it, but they are beginging to fight it!
Panic rises in the mental exclamation from the ranger, but quickly even his words gain composure and rally upon themselves.
"We need to act quick!"
Without raising his bow, Nauth slowly walks towards another tree that offers a bit of protection and a decent line of sight at the giants. His thoughts are forced away from the destruction of the giants and all ill will is supressed as much as possible. ....................... move.16X (or 16Y if I cannot occupy the same square as the small tree) spot:24
active effects longstrider message divine favor (+1)
Round 13 Closing In d20+1=6 d20+1=4 Tuesday May 2nd, 2006 2:07:04 PM Bohdi begins to direct traffic as Squork returns and drops the potion into his hand.
Aiden moves up onto the ridge and takes position at the tree Nauthiz'Ull vacates. {I gave you sort of a bonus move Aiden, understanding the site troubles many had}
Nauthiz'Ull moves purposefully towards the giants and the small motion of the one with the necklace catches his eye. The movment about the woods almost brough the creature out of it. Soon the activity may the group must make haste.
Dregar feeling fatigued begins to move through the tents on his way to circle around. {Note: A fatigued character can neither run nor charge and takes a -2 penalty to Strength and Dexterity}
Garret too is moving around the tents, it will likely take several rounds to make the trip. Hopefully Bohdi's spell will hold up.
NecoGiant slayer. Nice ring. moves around the tents at a much greater speed than the armored fighter and clreic could ever hope to match. Giants weren't really that much of a problem. Shield 5/10
Furu too whispers through the Message, "Careful Bohdi, do not over tax yourself" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The giants remain where they are, though now that Nauthiz'uLL is eyeing them more closey he can see as he moved up they seemed to become dimly aware of him before falling back into their stupor
Trees reminder note: A creature standing in the same square as a tree gains a +2 bonus to Armor Class and a +1 bonus on Reflex saves
Bohdi Nackle (AC 26, HP 20/20) and Squork (AC 17, HP 10/10) Tuesday May 2nd, 2006 3:47:36 PM
"Blinking?" Bohdi repeated, puzzled. "Listen, old boy, that can't be right, you need to get that sorted. They couldn't be blinking unless they were resisting the spell's effects, and they couldn't be doing that unless ...."
The pedantic gnome trailed off in thought. "Wait a moment. They might be reacting to things that they see, if they perceived those things as a threat. And if these creatures were very paranoid by nature, which I suppose they are, then ... Aiden! Nauthiz'Ull! Don't move closer! The giants must be reacting to seeing you moving. Remember, we can't overtly threaten them until we're all ready to strike! So, no spells, no weapons drawn or aimed at them--any hostile steps must be taken out of their sight."
"So, Neco, Garrett, Dregar--as you come around the webs on the far side, remember to keep out of sight. The spell dulls the giant's senses, but doesn't blind them completely. You'll need to make your approach as silent and as hidden as you can. No need to rush--better to do this right than to make hasty mistakes."
"Nauthiz'Ull and Aiden--remember, we're in the giants' direct line of sight. We shouldn't do anything that they perceive as threatening. So long as we don't threaten them, they can't break out of the spell."
His mind racing through the exercises that his mentors had taught him long ago in Zarnan City, Bohdi concentrated on maintaining the hypnotic pattern of lights and kept his position.
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (cast x2), Detect Magic (x2) Level 1: Mage Armor (cast), Alarm, Silent Image, Color Spray [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Hypnotic Pattern (cast), Web (cast x2) Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 34 of 50 charges remaining.
Neco (AC 24, HP 14/14, Shield+Mage Armor+Tree) d20+7=22 d20+7=20 Tuesday May 2nd, 2006 10:51:28 PM
As the rogue approaches her new victims she gives caution to the distance set between her and the giants "Bohdi give me a range estimate. How close can I get to these guys." Neco moves herself to the cover of a tree (W3), and only hides her movments as she draws nearer it.
Hide (22) Move Silently (20)
Shield (4/10) **countdown**
Dregar Wednesday May 3rd, 2006 7:43:47 AM
Dregar stops where he is and bends over a bit. He starts intaking air very heavily trying to refill his body.
Thats enough running he thinks to himself, and with that turns and begins walking back towards Bohdi.
If these giants are alive he'll need to help protect those two over there, plus it would be a short move to attack them as well.
Aiden d20=13 Wednesday May 3rd, 2006 12:57:03 PM
Aiden was amazed by how complicated magick seemed to make battle. It had its moments where it aided in combat, making someone stronger, or protecting them, but the intricacies were numerous. He now needed to remember when Bohdi 'hypnotizes' (whatever that means) the enemy, then they can't see your weapons.
With that thought in mind, he took a step, albeit slowly, back and diagonally (towards Furu), thereby trying to place the tree 'in between' the line of sight of the giant(s) and him.
However, ON BOHDI'S word, if the giants rush (or attack), he would be ready to fire his arrow.
Hide: 13 + 7 =20
DM Note Wednesday May 3rd, 2006 1:27:55 PM
Gonna hold off a bit for Aiden and Nauth. Also Neco if you get this. your MS and Hide are both -5 for moving greater than 2/1 your speed and going over the snow mounds are double mv spaces, so I plan to alter your course to be around them leaving Neco at V/1
Nauthiz'Ull [ac20 hp28/28:longstrider:message:divine favor] d20+10=13 d20+11=25 d20+11=16 Wednesday May 3rd, 2006 2:16:58 PM
The giants slip in an out of awareness and their dulled looks to and fro are enough to panic Nauth. Blood rises to his cheeks; enough blood to not only make then feel like they are on fire but enough to give a visible blushong through the darkly tanned skin.
"Sorry wunjo, I'm holding now. MY bow is lowered and I am pressed against the tree."
Flashbacks to Ull'Heimdall's lessons of melding with your environment barrel through Nauth's head. He presses his back gradualy into the tree, as much as he can at least. His movements are slow, fluid, deliberate. ................... move.hold hide.13 move silent.25 spot.16
active effects longstrider message divine favor (+1)
OOC: DanielK, sorry for the tardiness.
Round 14 d20-2=-1 d20-2=-1 d20-2=11 d20-2=14 Wednesday May 3rd, 2006 5:12:44 PM Garret steps up his pace, unable to take it too slow. Just because the rogue didn't know how dangerous they were did not make the gianst less so.
Neco quickly and relatively quietly moves around the snow mounds towards the lulled giants. Each stands looking all about itself at the swirling patterns of light. Forward and back , left and right, thier heads swivel about.
Bohdi hears Nauthiz'Ull's comments and is about to dismiss the man, what does he know of magic. Then the realization of what the keen eyed ranger just saw sunk in. The giants could react to any percieved threat or hostile creature they see and snap from his spells hold. To the Sne Kjempe almost everything in this wood is a threat and hostile. Even the trees themselves have attacked the giants during thier stay here.
Dregar moves back towards the group. the adrenaline has fled his body and in the place of a battle rage, it has left a weariness.
Aiden slowly slides back and makes himself a bit more scarce to observation. The boughs of the pines providing a good cover.
Nauthiz'Ull feels the anxiousness of battle setting in. Especialy as the giants seem ready to launch from thier dulled condition and pounce on him. Fighting back to control he slides behind the tree.
Furu whispers through the link "How long can you do that? Is it hard to do?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The giants continue to stand in a dulled state of fascination.
Nauthiz'Ull [ac20 hp28/28:longstrider:message:divine favor] Thursday May 4th, 2006 12:34:48 AM Any sign of threat could release these things from Bohdi's trickery. Staying as tight as possbile to the tree, Nauth takes a moment to close his eyes. To take in the smells of his furs, the fires burning, to putrid corpses scattered about and the freshness of the snow. His sesnse swim with the multiplicity of smells and the breeze that carries them about. The back of his throat thickens with the taste of musty giant and the copperish smell of blood.
Ull'Heimdall, it seems as though my wunjos have learned tactics while I was helping the village. I need to catch up. Please lend me your wisdom father.
"Everything okay out there?" His eyes stay closed, images flash on the back of his eyelids. Giants roaming, tree sprites, Friga, a minotaur, Bohdi as a girl and a ghost in a cave.
His ears grow more sensitive with the lack of a visual stimulation. Snow crunches, thraoting breathing, creaking branches from a sentient tree, weary gasps of air and a few fauna in the area. His concentration is keyed into not becoming a threat to the Sne Kjempe. ...................... move.hold
active effects longstrider message divine favor (+1)
Aiden Thursday May 4th, 2006 7:39:36 AM
"Bohdi...you must tell where the others are to go to not break the spell..." Aiden whispered under his breath (and through the message spell).
At his current position he could fire upon one of the giants, though his skill with the bow was more for hunting animals, not slaying. Nauth was a better archer.
"But when you are ready, I will strike..."
Dregar Thursday May 4th, 2006 7:44:22 AM
Dregar tries as much a spossible to stay out of the sight of the giants and heads still towards Bohdi.
" Aye, Im alrigth Nauth" dregar whispers, using the spells power to be heard.
Bohdi Nackle (AC 26, HP 20/20) and Squork (AC 15, HP 10/10) Thursday May 4th, 2006 8:54:49 AM
Bohdi's mouth twisted in consternation. "There's no limit to how close you can get--the only question is whether the giants perceive you as a threat. In theory, then, the first question is whether they perceive you. If they can't see you, then they can't see you as a threat. So that's why I said that you all should approach them from the back, hidden and as silently as possible. Look: once we attack them, the spell will be wiped out. So the idea is to get to a place where we're all in position to do maximum damage--a coup de grace ideally, or, short of that, a coordinated charge--and then, all at once, finish them."
"So Aiden, if you wish to contribute your bow to this cause, then you're probably already in position. Or you and Dregar should be in a place where you can charge and attack them in one instant. Nauthiz'Ull and I will stay at range and deliver our attacks from here. And Garrett and Neco are circling around. Neco, it's your choice as well--if you think you can sneak all the way up to them without them noticing you, then you could probably deliver a coup de grace to one of them right off. Otherwise, you and Garrett should just position yourselves so that you are prepared to do maximum damage. Then, when we're all ready, we strike."
Bohdi continued concentrating on his spell. "No reason to rush. I can keep this going for as long as we need."
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (cast x2), Detect Magic (x2) Level 1: Mage Armor (cast), Alarm, Silent Image, Color Spray [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Hypnotic Pattern (cast), Web (cast x2) Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 34 of 50 charges remaining.
Round 15 Thursday May 4th, 2006 5:05:18 PM
The group continues to close, Garret and Neco from one direction, and the rest prepare from another. The giants continue to stand and follow the pretty lights that dance in swirl all about them.
Neco 2/10
DM Note. The giants are considered to be looking in every direction. They are not standing transfixed upon a single point. A coup de grace is a full round action
Dregar Thursday May 4th, 2006 8:30:00 PM
Dregar moves up alongside Nauth.
" Nauth, I am coming up along your side" he whispers, exhaling between every word. " Don't be alarmed and think its something else."
Neco Thursday May 4th, 2006 10:19:48 PM
While waiting for the rest of the group to get in order, she switches out her wand for her rapier. To be sure that her weapon is sharp the rogue slides the keen blade across the bark of the tree she is using as cover. Neco gives a smile of satisfaction as sap slowly dribbles from the cut and crystallizes due to the frozen air.
OOC(2/10 for this round or last round? 2/10 was last round. coming into round 16 this is the last round of the spell)
Garrett (AC: 19, HP: 21/23) d8+1=5 Friday May 5th, 2006 8:13:14 AM
Bulls Strength: +4 enhancement to Strength, 22 rounds remaining. Magic Weapon: +1 enhancement to Weapon, 3 rounds remaining.
"Well if we have time, than allow me a few seconds to heal myself up a little more in case I am once again the recipient of a Kjempe club. They shouldn't be able to see me, and view my act as threatening with the snow mounds between me and them." Garrett says through Bohdi's spell to the others.
If need be, Garrett will take a 5' move or duck down to be out of their visual, using the snow mounds to stay out of their line of sight.
Garrett pulls out his wand and uses it upon himself, healing himself for 5hp.
"They seem to be looking in all directions Wunjo's. If they perceive everything as a threat, then it's likely that my approach will snap them out of it. I should be able to get over to about where Neco is, using the snow mounds and the trees over there as cover, without alerting them. After that, any movement closer by me will likely bring them out of the trance."
Bohdi Nackle (AC 26, HP 20/20) and Squork (AC 15, HP 10/10) Friday May 5th, 2006 10:14:16 AM
"Bollocks," Bohdi clucked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. He sighed and slumped his shoulders. "All right then, everyone, it appears there will be no sneaking up and finishing the giants in one stroke--I guess they're still too aware while under the effects of the spell. Right! Everyone in position for one coordinated charge attack, then, shall we? On the count of six, then--one, two, three, four ...."
Bohdi kept his concentration on the hypnotic weave while fingering his wand. It was just a matter of time now.
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (cast x2), Detect Magic (x2) Level 1: Mage Armor (cast), Alarm, Silent Image, Color Spray [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Hypnotic Pattern (cast), Web (cast x2) Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 34 of 50 charges remaining.
Nauthiz'Ull [ac20 hp28/28:longstrider:message:divine favor] Friday May 5th, 2006 11:03:30 AM
A silent nod of confirmation acknowledges Dregar's words. His eyes stay closed and a vision or two flash through his head.
The sun beats down, as hot as can be in the Vein, and the children run through Ice Peak Village. A fresh powder covers the worn paths through the village. Childen laugh gayfully and run about in a game of hide-and-seek. Friga is there, about six or so, and her eyes are welling up as she cannot find her brother. The game begun only moments ago, but she is almost at a panic. Nauth can see three kids attempting to hide from his vantage point atop a snow mound. He closes his eyes and tries hard to force his body into the mound itself. A few moments later his already maturing sense of sound picks up a girl crying; its Friga.
"No Friga, its okay, I'm right here....oh, um, sorry wunjos. Blast this spell!"
Quickly he tries to shake the memory from his head and attempts to regain his composure. A deep breath takes in a burning ammount of iced air and it burns still as he slowly exhales through his nostrils. He blinks. One tear drops down his left cheek, yet none can see from where they are at.
"I am still holding wunjos....just tell me when." .......................... active effects longstrider message divine favor (+1)
Round 16 d20-2=14 d20-2=17 d20+1=21 d20+1=18 d20+2=13 Friday May 5th, 2006 2:25:52 PM Garret pulls a wand and heals himself, more of the pain leaves his body from the wound.
Dregar moves up along Nauthiz'Ull.
The rest of the group essentially tries to be as inconspicous as possible.
Furu stays where she is and seems to be playing in the snow. Her attention span to the matter consumed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As Dregar moves up next to Nauthiz'Ull, one of the giants suddenly shakes his head and lets out a low deep and feral sounding growl. With one hand it gives a hard shove to the other giant and then it moves purposefully towards Dregar and Nauthiz'Ull.
Snapping out of the spells effect, the other giant takes several strides and hurls a javelin at the ranger against the tree. The missile goes high and wide. [Hit AC 13]
Bohdi Nackle (AC 26, HP 20/20) and Squork (AC 17, HP 10/10) d4+1=4 d4+1=5 Friday May 5th, 2006 3:52:32 PM
"... um, six?"
Bohdi sighed and his mouth twisted in disappointment. "I guess that spell doesn't work quite as effectively as we had hoped when people are moving about," he observed.
"Right. We'll just have to kill them the old fashioned way. Nauthiz'Ull, Aiden, let's concentrate our missile fire on the one on the left and bring it down, shall we? Dregar, now remember, old boy--let them come to you unless you plan to dodge those clubs of theirs."
Bohdi quickly tapped out two magical bolts and sent them thudding into the left giant's chest (Giant 4, damage 4 + 5 = 9 hp damage).
"Furu, hang tight, love. This will be over in a moment."
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (cast x2), Detect Magic (x2) Level 1: Mage Armor (cast), Alarm, Silent Image, Color Spray [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Hypnotic Pattern (cast), Web (cast x2) Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 33 of 50 charges remaining.
Note: Bohdi is, and has been, taking cover from the tree at U20.
Aiden (AC 19 HP: 27 ) d20=12 d6=5 Friday May 5th, 2006 4:21:00 PM
Aiden nodded at Bohdi's suggestion.
Murmurring under his breath, a wry chuckle, "Do not jump up Dregar...."
Taking a deep breath, he stepped out and shot the arrow. He was supposed to be the one charging into combat, not Nauthiz. If Nauthiz fell because of his (Aiden's) stupidity.....
To Hit (left giant...believe I have a line of sight on him...if I don't I will take a 5' step to get a better view before firing): 12 + 6 = 18
Damage (probably didn't hit, but going to roll anyway): 5
Nauthiz'Ull [ac20 hp28/28:longstrider:message:divine favor] (a1(d20+7=13 (hero point reroll)d20+7=27 (confirm)d20+7=22 (a2)d20+7=16 (d1 roll)d8+1=2 (hero point reroll)d8+1=9 (d2 roll)d8+1=3 (second of 3d8+1)d8+1=5 (third of 3d8+1)d8+1=6 Friday May 5th, 2006 5:26:08 PM "ULFscat!!!
Childhood memories are beaten to a pulp by the reality of two SneKjempe bearing down upon him...upon him!
Reality sets in the moment his fingers find the feathered end of his arrows.
twang....twang...
There is no where to go. Stay here and hold until everyone else arrives. Be brave and do something useful for a change! .......................... attack.G4 (Point Blank Shot and Many Shot used for a +1 and a -2 to both which equals +7/+7) a1.13 (hero point used for reroll) a1 hero.27 (NAT 20!) confirm.22 a2.16 d1.2 (use last hero point for reroll) d1 total.9+5+6=20 d2.3
active effects longstrider message divine favor (+1)
DM Note: when you score a crit you roll multiple dice and and the damage from strength or magic multiple times as well. in this case 3d8+3. So Please put a secondary post for the other 2d8+2. or you can keep your hero point and you only need to roll 1 more d8+1 and your crit damage will look like this: (1d8+1=2)+(1d8+1=9)+(1d8+1=x) for a total of 11+ your last roll
DanielK-I used hero point anyways and rolled a 5 and 6 for the last two d8+1s. 20 points total.
Garrett (AC: 19, HP: 21/23) Saturday May 6th, 2006 8:10:01 AM
Bulls Strength: +4 enhancement to Strength, 21 rounds remaining. Magic Weapon: +1 enhancement to Weapon, 2 rounds remaining.
"Blast it." yells Garrett as the giants recover and attack. Realizing he is way out of position, and quite far from where the battle will take place, Garrett takes a full 80' run toward the combat.(You're call Dan on where I end up. Unsure if my move will be slowed due to snow or terrain. 80' run. If somehow I can get to them, I'll pull up 10'short. Going around the snow mounds and webs.)
Dregar ( Ac:19 ( 14, +2 tree, +4 vs giants, -1 for dex drop) 23 hps Sunday May 7th, 2006 10:17:06 AM
Dregar listens to Bohdi's warning and smiles. In his mind he pictures hiself charging in and going toe to toe with the giant. But alas, he is too tired to run into battle and must wait for the giant to come to him. He grips his axe with both hands until they whiting from the strain, he smiles a smile and awaits for the first giant to get near him and Nauth.
Neco Sunday May 7th, 2006 11:29:34 PM
"Shoot! They're on the move!" Neco follows up on the giants as they make their way towards the rest of the group. Neco gains the cover of the tree (W9), making her completely hidden from the eyes of the giants.
Round 17 d20+5=14 Monday May 8th, 2006 1:52:52 PM Bohdi remains cool and calm and unleashes another barrage from hiw wand. Both missiles thud into the giant's chest.
Aiden remains right where he is and lines up a shot on the same giant that Bohdi just hit. The arrow is just off target, hitting the tree the giant is behind.
Nauthiz'Ull, however, does find a firing corridor and his first arrow streaks down it. The arrow strikes the giant in the eye and the creatures hands shoot upt to the wound as it tumbles backward to the snow. The second arrow is quickly retrained on the other giant, but changing targets throws the marksman off and the arrow strikes the tree.
Garret does his best to close, the battle will likely be over long before he arrives and he knows it. (Run can only be done in a straight line so I Double moved you)
Dregar is still feeling the effects of the rage and with all the missile fire sailing about finds waiting for the giant to be a perfectly presentable solution.
Neco Closes and ducks behind one of the larger trees in the area, taking full cover from any giant javelins that might be unleashed in her direction. (W9 is fully occupied by the larger tree, so I stopped you at W8)
Furu looks up suddenly as shouts and cries of giants and combat directions hurtle through the wood. "Oh!' is all she says and the great tree climbs up the ridge and towards the last giant, placing itself between teh startled Furu and the enemy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wounded, out numbered and from the wild look in it's eye, terrified about the moving tree, the giant turns and flees into the wood. The tree strikes at it, but misses.
Note: Giant is 50' off the map to the right in a straight line.
Garrett Monday May 8th, 2006 2:12:35 PM
Garrett watches the fleeing giant go, realizing there is ne way that he can catch the creature. He takes a move and a move back toward the group. "Take him down from here if you can, but let's not chase after it yet. If you can drop it with missiles, great. Otherwise, we can track him down later. He may even lead us to something else of importance.
Bohdi Nackle (AC 26, HP 20/20) and Squork (AC 17, HP 10/10) d4+1=2 d4+1=5 Monday May 8th, 2006 3:05:54 PM
"Agreed," Bohdi replied to Garrett, and fired two magic missiles into the fleeing giant's back (2 + 5 = 7 hp damage). He smiled over toward his wunjo. "Nauthiz'Ull, son of Ull'Heimdall, let's see another brilliant shot like that last! Aiden, Neco--we can use your help too!"
Then Bohdi turned his attention back to Furu. He moved over to the dryad's side. "You all right, love?"
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (cast x2), Detect Magic (x2) Level 1: Mage Armor (cast), Alarm, Silent Image, Color Spray [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Hypnotic Pattern (cast), Web (cast x2) Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 32 of 50 charges remaining.
Nauthiz'Ull [ac20 hp28/28:longstrider:message:divine favor] a.1=d20+6=7 d20+11=29 d20+10=12 d20+14=30 d20+10=14 d20+11=24 d20+5=17 Monday May 8th, 2006 4:43:08 PM
The ranger nods once, sternly, as he watches the arrow bury itself in the cerebrum of the Kjempe. As blood and gore spurts from the wound the young man's stomach turns a bit.
Ummm, that was interesting. I hope I can do that again.
The Kjempe still standing turns and attempts an escape from what only moments ago may have been a trap that it conceived. Nauth stands, slightly in awe of how things can change, like the immense powers of the falljökull storms.
He draws another arrow The arrow bids the bow goodbye and the bow replies with a twang and a hum.
The fickleness of inexperience. Someday, hopefully soon, Nauth hopes that he can be a bit more consistent.
"Ulfscat! I am going after him. This ends NOW! Do not worry wunjos, I will stay out of his reach. The ulf must kill to protect its cubs."
With that stride after stride take off into the wood all the while looking for fresh tracks, blood etc. heading in the direction of where the Kjempe fled. ......................... a1.7 badly missed
active effects longstrider message divine favor (+1)
Aiden d20=15 d6=6 Monday May 8th, 2006 10:10:23 PM
Aiden's almost unaudible growl was heard through the link. He was NOT happy that the Sne Kjempe was getting away. They had tracked the giants here, and yet, there were still too many questions left (such as Furu's mother's fate, and the 'spirit' that the Sne Kjempe were calling upon...aka who was it).
To Hit: 15 + 6 = 21 Damage (if it hits): 6
Neco (AC 22, HP 14/14, Shield+Mage Armor) d20+2=20 d20+2=22 d20+8=23 d6+4=13 Monday May 8th, 2006 11:03:17 PM
The giant is fleeing. This is her opportunity to end the fight. Neco races from the cover of the tree, and dashes forward towards her quarry. Before the giant gets a chance to swing, the acrobatic young girl dives under its reach and tumbles into a confrontational position (AA12) in front of the monster.
With one mighty upward thrust she cleaves into the giant. "This is for the trees!"
Tumble (23) Attack (20) Crit (22) Damage (13)
(Neco Sorry, the Giant is 50' from his map position as stated. You can adjust to another option if you like)
Dregar Tuesday May 9th, 2006 7:49:50 AM
Dregar watches as Nauth takes off after the giants. It can be seen in his face that he wants to accompany him, but there is no way he can run. He just turns and quietly walks towards Bohdi, figuring if anything is around still he can help protect the mage while he casts.
Give Chase? Round 18 Tuesday May 9th, 2006 2:28:02 PM Garret Calls for those that can at range to take down the giant. Otherwise with a paired of skilled hunters and a dryad, really how hard could the creature be to track? The cleric returns to where Bohdi and Furu stand.
Bohdi agrees and another pair of Magic Missiles streak into the fleeing Kjempe. It staggers but still runs.
Nauthiz'Ull tries another arrow, but in targetting the fleeing creature he clips a tree branch just as he lets loose and the missile strays way off target. The ranger than moves after the Kjempe. No tracking is needed. the creature is blasting through the smaller trees about 50' away from him. Nauthiz'Ull has seen it glance over its shoulder several times, checking on pursuit.
Aiden too tracks and fleeing creature with his bow and lets fly. The arrow snips through some of the pine cover and falls just short. [Shortbow range 60 giant at 110 so -2 range Hit AC 19 Giant AC 20]
Dregar is much too tired for running and moves up next to Bohdi. If it circles around or something else arrives, the spell caster would not find himself without protection.
Neco moves quickly up and on top of the ridge, sword drawn she tumbles into position, but the giant has already fled and is now almost 80' away and still going.
Furu moves towards the tee and it to her. with a gentle touch and a whisper the tree stiffens and the roots it was using to pull itself along with, drive back into the snowy frozen ground. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The giant dips his shoulder at the missiles impact but clearly has plenty of strength left as it hurtles through the trees. Branches snap and snow flies as the giant lumbers away from the group as best as it can.
The giant is about 140' from Neco and 110' From Nauthiz'Ull. All others need Spot Check 15 to see the giant. Otherwise he is considered to have full Cover do to all the trees.
Neco, your shield spell is expired
Nauthiz'Ull [ac20 hp28/28:longstrider:message:divine favor] d20+8=21 d8+3=4(wrong modifier number) d8+2=8 Tuesday May 9th, 2006 5:36:32 PM
A curse can be heard by all due to Bohdi's spell; it is one that is not commonly heard in Ice Peak but moreso of the Tuskers.
The ranger grunts at his poor aim as the balls of his feet dig into the snow even further. Muscle, tendon, blood all burst life into his lithe legs and the pursuit continues.
"I should only need one more shot. If I do not hit this time I will be in full sprint to catch up with this beast."
His feet bring him closer, to a distance that he hopes is close enough and yet another arrow is released.
This one seems true enough but the ranger holds his breath momentarily as he watches the arrowhead find its mark
Ull'Heimdall may your hand guide this shot to the deathspot of the SneKjempe. ................. move.40' (+10 due to longstrider) attack.21 (+7att bonus +1divine favor) damage.3 or 8 (your pick as I messed up the modifier. the d8+3 should have been +2 for a total of 3 damage. Or you can accept the roll of the correct d8+2 for 8 damage ;)
active effects longstrider message divine favor (+1)
Garrett Tuesday May 9th, 2006 8:38:33 PM
"Do not chase after him. Get him if you can from here, but do not go after him. We go through the camp rest for the night, and track him down in the morning. Together."
Garrett moves over by Bohdi and Furu.
Bohdi Nackle (AC 26, HP 20/20) and Squork (AC 17, HP 10/10) d20+2=21 d4+1=2 d4+1=5 Tuesday May 9th, 2006 9:01:06 PM
"Right," Bohdi affirmed. He peered into the woods in the direction of the fleeing giant. (Spot 21) "Ah! There he is!" He tapped out two more eldritch bolts of power, sending them unerringly into the creature's hide (2 + 5 = 7 hp damage).
"Neco, Aiden! With some aim and a little luck, a few more shots would probably drop the bugger."
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (cast x2), Detect Magic (x2) Level 1: Mage Armor (cast), Alarm, Silent Image, Color Spray [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Hypnotic Pattern (cast), Web (cast x2) Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 31 of 50 charges remaining.
Dregar Tuesday May 9th, 2006 9:14:13 PM
Dregar finished the short walk towards Bohdi, ending it near the gnome with a wad of spit landing on a nearby tree.
" Damn good fight we had here, it's just to bad that i couldn't be a part of it since i was running me arse off back and forth. " he said to no one in particular.
Bohdi (illegal second) Tuesday May 9th, 2006 10:20:18 PM
Bohdi arched an eyebrow at the irate dwarf and scowled slightly, but said nothing. He looked at the encampment.
"Garrett's right. We should search this camp. There may yet be more nasties about. I'll get rid of those webs in a moment."
Aiden Wednesday May 10th, 2006 8:55:07 AM
Aiden pulled himself to a stop as the fleeing giant continued to gain distance. "Check the tents and the trees..." he responded through the Message spell that linked them all together.
"Brief encampment and guards" he added gruffly, "in case there are others of his tribe. Furu...what can you tell of the spirit that he called on?"
Bohdi (illegal third) Wednesday May 10th, 2006 9:33:45 AM
The gnome looked around. "And has anyone seen Edgler?" He frowned.
Combat over Wednesday May 10th, 2006 3:41:51 PM Bohdi streaks another pair of missiles into the fleeing giant. Again he staggers at the strikes, but keeps strong and sure on his feet.
Nauthiz'Ull puts another arrow to air and it strikes the giant through the trees. His father's bow has a much greater reach than the one Aiden employs. Still the wounded creature does not slow.
Garret calls off any thought to immediate pursuit. The giant was hurt badly, would likely not return to such a well armed and capable group and they could always go after it as a group later. To keenly does the cleric remember, it only takes one good swing from one of the powerful Kjempe to almost kill any of them.
Aiden, Dregar and Neco move to Bohdi and Furu and soon Garret is there as well. Teh topic quickly becomes move across this area and search the tents and camp in general.
Given all the dead, and massive fire damage, something happened here well before the men and women of Ice Peak arrived. Aiden brings up the name Whishami again to Furu. She shakes her head, "No I do not. I told Bohdi that is sounds like a name of the ancient tongue, but I am sorr. My mother tried, but I did not listen when she taught of such."
Bohdi brings up Edglar, where had the dwarf of Gargul gotten off to? A quick visual back through the woods reveals nothing where he was last seen. Sensing a bit of uneasiness Furu shifts closer to the gnome and takes his hand.
The woods are soon very quiet. The fleeing giants' crashing of small trees replaced by nothingness, the sounds absorbed by the snow and trees. Against the battlefield is viewed.
Several trees are blasted to splinters in a single area almost 60' across. The snow is melteda and 7 Sne Kjempe lie crumpled on the ground with 8 Worgs and over 2 dozen goblins. One particularly large tree has a score of axe marks in it and is also harshly twisted with large peeling bark sections and little in the way of leaves. Five low tents are erected in a group, likely where the goblins slept and a pair of low mounds of snow where the giants emerged. One mound has had the back side destroyed as the giants exited away from the web seplls.
Bohdi Nackle d20+11=29 Wednesday May 10th, 2006 4:44:23 PM
Bohdi squeezed Furu's hand gently in reassurance. With a wave of his free hand and the throw of a mental switch, the webs that had previously congested the center of the battlefield transformed into so many tendrils of wispy smoke before vanishing entirely.
Bohdi called up his familiar magic-detection rune (cast: Detect Magic) and began to canvass the area, paying particular attention to the bodies of the fallen (60' cone, sweeping pass over the battlefield, Spellcraft if applicable, +12 not +11 as rolled = 30!). Once done with his initial pass, he began to head in the direction of the snow mounds. "If there are answers here, I'd wager we'll find them in there," he told the others.
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (cast x2), Detect Magic (x2, cast 1) Level 1: Mage Armor (cast), Alarm, Silent Image, Color Spray [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Hypnotic Pattern (cast), Web (cast x2) Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 31 of 50 charges remaining.
Nauthiz'Ull Thursday May 11th, 2006 12:18:46 AM
The stalking feet of the ranger slow to a few baby-steps. He stops; turns. His shoulders, covered in mottled grey furs, slump and his head is pulled with them by disgraced neck muscles. He starts back at the group, trudging through the snow, and occasionally looks over his sloping shoulders wishing that the Kjempe would show itself.
"I have failed you all. That Kjempe will haunt us now and we shall never know if it could have been the last one in the area. Maybe there was a female waiting for a male to return for mating; now they will have that chance. We must track this one; it was heartier than the rest and is most likely the alpha."
Upon returning to the remainder of the group Nauth will help in searching the premise but only after approaching the large, shredded and hacked tree that does not seem to belong there.
"Furu, dear, do you know this tree? I have great sympathy for you if you do but anything that you could tell us about it would only help to save others in the future."
That empty, abandoned, hopeless look crosses over the rangers brow again, swims through his eyes and wells up in the corners like the water building up behind a frozen damn during thaw. He dismisses the welling with a blink. Silvery streaks burst out and fracture along his cheeks like lightning ripping the skies. Then comes a low rumble from the back of his throat as he attempts to clear it.
"I am sorry...to all of you...for what I have done to you lately and for leaving you all in a time of great need. I thought it best to return to Ice Peak to help them, but I was not needed there as much as out here. You are my family and I abandoned you. What I fear the most of you all doing to me I did to you. I...I am....ashamed."
Gravity wins over his head as it snaps down. A slight crack is heard coming from the base of his neck and then the body follows suit. Knees find the icepack then palms then forehead and he drops, sobbing. Ull'Heimdall's bow crunches into the frosted snow and lays haphazardly next to the ranger's left arm.
Dregar Thursday May 11th, 2006 8:01:58 AM
Dregar huffs when everyone returns. The fight wa sover and he didn't get one chance to swing his axe.
Once everyone is accounted for and the question turns to Edgler, the dwarf looks where he last was. Being a dwarf there was a closeness between the two that was shared because of heritage.
" No one has seen him?" he asked.
Neco d20+5=20 d20+7=23 Thursday May 11th, 2006 8:14:16 AM
With 'the battle lost and won' the little rogue will start that search for treasure. The first item on her list is the amulet that she had spotted on one of the slain giants earlier. Neco will loot the giants first, the tents second and the goblins third.
Search (23) Spot (20)
Garrett Thursday May 11th, 2006 8:47:17 AM
"Garrett will move to Nauthiz'ulls side. "You blame to much upon yourself wunjo. You did what you thought was right, and in the best interests of all at the time. Let it go, we have done well, and so have you. We are all fine, as soon as we find Edgler."
"Aiden, Nauth, and Dregar, why don't you three back track to where we just came from and see if you can find Edgler or his tracks. Don't follow off too far. We will search the camp and take anything of use, and then go after him if he's not back there. In the morning we go after the Sne Kjempe."
Mysteries and Treasures Thursday May 11th, 2006 2:23:13 PM
It is clear to Bohdi that magic was used in the initial battle that took place here. Powerful and fire based. It was not so powerful though, that any emanations still linger to be detected by his spell. Piecing together this field of conflict will be done the old fashioned way. Searching for evidence, recreating a time table of events and arriving at logical conclusion. As his vision sweeps by one of the giants, the presence of magic registers.
Nauthiz'Ull returns to the group, the wounded giant has disappeared and unbidden thoughts of failure assault the young ranger. The pressure of the battle lifted, the self despairagment is too much and he collapses.
Garret is quick to move to his side. There was no abandonment. Their people needed him to stay and rebuild just as the rest of them were needed to finish the task with Ebyron and the Bloodpack. No shame, no regret. The efforts of both parties has provided for the survival of their people. He then calls for Aiden, Dregar and Nauthiz'Ull to backtrack a short ways into the woods to hopefully learn more about Edglers disappearance.
Dregar too, has himself in a little huff. Running this way and that and not once not once did his axe get to bite into an opponent. Maddening really. As Edgler disappearance is retouched on though, such thoughts fly from his mind. What had happened to his cousin, his fellow dwarf?
Neco moves quickly to the fallen giant she had seen with the necklace and locates him on the ridge in the snow. The very same giant upon which Bohdi's enhanced vision paused upon, moments before The necklace is apparently made of polished amber colored quartz and the rocks have actually been fused together to form the necklace. It removes easily enough and perhaps it is a trick of light, but the overall size seems diminished now. Upon the same giant, Neco finds one of the bladder bags as she had before on the others. It's contents no less disappointing. 21 pieces of well worn gold, stamped in Zarnan and a pair of polished agate stones.
The fact finding begins, the trio move back to where Edgler was last seen. No problem and not very far at only 50 through the wood. His footprints are found easily enough as well as is the trail he made to that spot. But for all intents and purposes the Dwarf Edgler, priest of Gargul, god of Life and Death, simply vanished. No other trail leads to or away from his last stationary footprints. Nor is there any sign of struggle, he is simply gone. Search DC 25 Highlight to display spoiler: {A small finger sized sliver of black ice lies in one of Edglers footprints}
Bohdi moves into the charred area and his examination and study of the Arcane craft do grant him some insight. A single very powerful fire spell struck the area and he is quite sure is was not a fireball. Upper branches, far beyond a fireball's size, are scorched on many trees. As if the fire descended from the heavens. While that fits the Flame strike signature, the area of devastation is much more vast than of what Bohdi knows of that spell.
The dark and twisted tree, Furu, names as an Hickorey, "One of Mother's favorites from the far north that she might have brought to do battle. They are far stronger and wiser than the furs of this area." Bohdi notices a set of prints that seem to stride through the 'Hickory'. Ah Teleport via Plant spell, 'Mother' very well may have ridden inside the tree and then emerged to do battle with the creatures destroying her forest. The strangest part of the puzzle that is the tree is that while it is burned and the bark blistered, the young gnome is quite certain the tree moved into the fire scorched area after the spells impact. But what to account for the appearance then.
Mysteries and treasures to be sure.
Feel free to make any rolls you think may reveal clues or lend to information.
Bohdi Nackle d20+12=16 Friday May 12th, 2006 7:33:06 AM
Bohdi relayed to the others what he had surmised about the battlefield, then joined Neco in examining the necklace. "Let's have a look at that, duckie." He peered at the item through his magic-detection spectacles with interest (Spellcraft check--last check was better!--16).
"We'd best be careful here. The giant that was wearing this was burned--it might not be coincidence."
Dregar d20=1 Friday May 12th, 2006 7:52:36 AM
" What in the wold" Dregar shouted as he saw Edgler's footprints just stop. ( Spot Nat1)
" What happened here? EDGLLLLLEEEERRRRRR!!!!!" he shouts, starting to look in all directions but not seeing anything.
Aiden d20=8 d20=12 d20=10 Friday May 12th, 2006 9:54:02 AM
Aiden pulled back to the others to see what he could determine as the cause of Edgler's disappearance. Seeing the obvious omen, he took a step back, ruefully shaking his head. "There is not much I can see here...he has been taken by something other than the giants."
He stands guard, watching for possible doubling back of the giants (or other aggressive creatures) even as the others look at the tree (or booty). Once they are done, he will look at the large tree himself as it obviously was a target of the attack.
(OOC: I'm running in between classes, so I'm not 100% sure on the skill mods. I THINK they are +4 or +5...Sorry)
Nauthiz'Ull d20+10=14(editted due to wrong modifier) d20+11=27 d20+5=15 d20+9=21 Friday May 12th, 2006 12:54:18 PM
It takes a moment to regain his composure. Luckily Garret has some idea of what motivates the ranger and he is quickly assigned a task. The ranger walks as if stalking any other prey and realizes that perhaps this is a bit too serious for the circumstance. He eases up a bit, strolls even, and begins a ocnversation with the others.
"Dregar, it has been a long time since I have seen someone with capabilities such as yours. The frenzy that you work yourself into before a battle can be a truly amazing bonus. It may be, however, better served delivery death blows and not running."
A smirk cannot help but break surface and plaster itself across his deeply tanned face. An audible chuckle is even heard. A sideways glance at Aiden and then back to Dregar produces yet another chuckle and a heavy hand playfully pats the dwarf's shoulder.
The tracks end. They end. One last footprint holds what may be the clue as to Edglar's whereabout but there is not much to go on. Crouching down the ranger pulls loose a sliver of something dark, something cold. It's black ice.
"Look at this; it's black ice. Either of you have any ideas?"
The ranger stands there trying to remember what causes black ice, where it may be more prevalent and if he can recall any stories told around the fires that may involve black ice as an omen. .................................. listen.14 spot.27 know:geography.15 know.nature.21
About the Camp Friday May 12th, 2006 4:03:32 PM Bohdi comes over to Neco and also looks over the necklace she has removed from teh dead giant. The fused stone and the fire damage don't ring the gnomes happy bell and he issues some caution about it. For his part, he turns the disceerning eye of the Magic Detection upon it and over the next dozen seconds learns the power level is Faint, but he is unable to determine the school of magic involved.
Neco quietly observes.
Aiden a bit nervous about something else plunging from the trees to kill them all, keeps his attention focused outwards and thus misses the small sliver of ice that Nauthiz'Ull stoops down to pick up.
Dregar sets about looking for Edgler in standard Dwarven fashion, He yells loudly for the man. He voice dies without echo into the trees.
Nauthiz'Ull stoops and picks up the tiny black ice sliver. It reflects no light and even through his gloves and Garret's spells of protection he can feel the pull of his body heat. A cold numbing touch, a touch he has felt before. The touch of Death, that of the life pulling of a Bevroren Doden.
Garret waits with Neco and Bohdi.
Neco starts to other giants, more bladders and more polished stones and rudementary jewlery. In all she finds on the giants themselves; a Freshwater pearl, a Star Rose Quartz, a dull brown gemstone of unknown origin and a hollowed tusk with ornate screw cap that is filled with a mercury looking substance and 57 sp.
Dregar Sunday May 14th, 2006 4:25:19 PM
Dregar looks sideways at Nauth for a second, a for that entire second it looked like he was going to lose his cool again and fly into the rage. And then it happened. A slight smile. Then it got wider until he started laughing behind it and couldnt contain himself anymore. His belly was shaking as he put his hands to it.
After a few seconds he calmed himself down when he thought about his fellow dwarf.
" We must find Edgler."
Aiden d20=20 d20=13 d20=10 Sunday May 14th, 2006 6:21:30 PM
Aiden finishing his 'rounds' making sure that nothing was hidden about, preparing to attack them, walked over towards the tree that had taken the brunt of the goblin axes.
Something just seemed to bother him a bit more than usual about this tree and the spirit that the Sne Kjempe was calling upon. Slowly he began to walk around the tree, trying to see what made it different (ooc: presuming that the tree is different than Hickory).
It seemed strange for Aiden not to step over towards the others to help solve the mystery of the missing dwarf. ~it is better for me to stay away while Nauthiz searches. Too many stomping around will cause the tracks to be lost...~
Bohdi Nackle d20+4=24 d20+2=7 d20+4=24 Sunday May 14th, 2006 9:28:35 PM
With a thoughtful frown, Bohdi placed the necklace inside his belt pouch. "I'll be able to tell more about this necklace tomorrow," he announced. Still maintaining his magic-detection rune, he made his way toward the closest snow mound to examine its interior.
Search: Nat 20! = 24 Spot: 7 Listen: Nat 20! = 24
Nauthiz'Ull Sunday May 14th, 2006 11:59:47 PM
The sliver of ice sucks at his soul as he fingers it for a moment. It pulls the warmth from as far inside as it can reach, negating Garret's blessings for the moment and causing his fingertips to numb.
"Bevroren Doden! Edglar has had an encounter with the Bevroren Doden!"
Quickly returning to the camp, Nauth throws the sliver of tainted ice-flesh to the exposed ground where the snow was vaporized by some form of fire magic.
"There are many things working against us at the moment. Have we found out anything back here so far?"
Neco d20+3=19 Monday May 15th, 2006 8:14:01 AM
Neco takes the time to examine the treasure from past battles with the giants and tries to find the sum of its worth.
Plus the loot from this battle there is still: 1 piece of jade 8 polished pieces of jet 1 golden pearl 1 golden yellow topaz 1 ivory ring inset with smokey quartz and 1 bracelet of amber and jasper
The young rogue will appraise all of the gems and trinkets in her stash.
Appraise (19)
Garrett d20+5=19 d20+6=19 Monday May 15th, 2006 8:17:25 AM
"Neco and Bohdi are searching the camp, and I'm keeping an eye the area for unwanted guests." replies Garrett to Nauth.
"Whats the story with Edgler?" (Assuming Nauth explains what he found,)"Even the Bevroren Doden leave tracks. Don't they? How could he just disappear? I don't like this. It makes many strange happenings even stranger."
Further Discovery Monday May 15th, 2006 1:34:29 PM Dregar gives Nauthiz'Ull the old dwarven twist your head off look, but can't maintain it for long and is soon holding his sides with laughter. His missing cousin, though snaps him back soon enough.
Aiden returns to the tree. It is indeed the Hickory tree that Furu says was likely employed by her mother. His Search about the twisted tree reveals more slivers of black ice. Some embedded in the branches themselves, as if the tree struck hard at the substance and drove them into the bark from the force. Also about the trunk, Aiden finds a second set of prints that seem to step from the tree. Unlike the first set of extraordinarily light prints where individual toes can be seen. The second set is harsher, with ragged lines, slight claws in the toes line and the hint of black about the outline. As if the very precense of the creature turned the surrounding are to darkness and killed it. Aiden also discovers a humanoid outline in the blackened area of the trunk. Roughly Neco's size and it lines up perfectly with the second set of prints.
Nauthiz'Ull has made a discovery of his own. A Bevroren Doden is at the root of Edgler's disappearance. He quickly moves back with Dregar to the others on the matter. The sliver he throws down blends perfectly with the pieces Aiden has pointed out. There is no mistake to be made. One was here during the greater battle and possibly returned and took Edgler.
Garret has studied on such as the 'Frozen Dead' Corporeal beings of former flesh and blood and they leave tracks. Don't they? Could spirits of from the Realm of Shadow then take on the ice visage of the Ice Vein if they were to wander the wastes for long?
Neco and Bohdi continue to look for information and rewards of a different kind. Someone should, and Bohdi is with her with his Magical detection assisting in the effort. It takes the better part of 3 hours, but the overall result is not too bad.
The whole shooting match: 1 piece of jade 80gp 8 polished pieces of jet 9gp each 1 golden pearl 120gp 1 golden yellow topaz 650gp 1 ivory ring inset with smokey quartz 80 gp 1 bracelet of amber and jasper 100gp 1 Moss agate 12gp 1 Freshwater pearl 14gp 1 Star Rose Quartz 40gp 1 Banded agate 10gp Magic: Necklace Faint (unknown) Potion (Hollowed Tusk) Faint Gem (Deep brown stone) Moderate
The interior of the snow mounds are crude and seem to be more for camoflauge than anything else. There are no personal effects or comforts. There is matted thick fibrous hair, likely shed from the Sne Kjempe and some bones of small animals. The goblin tents reveal a bit more in the lines of things. Cooking utensils, a woodcarving that was just started maybe a day ago, and gear one would expect to find in the posession of creatures not immune to the cold. All of it in deplorable condition and of intolerable odor.
Furu stays near the Hickory tree. For a time she sits and seems to almost cuddle the trunk, as if looking to be consoled, her face buried into the bark. Looking up with clear crystalline streaks on her face she says softly, "This was Mother's tree, I can feel her. I have been growing in awareness of the wood since she left. It is still mostly faint, but I can feel Feathers very well now. Maybe because of knowing him first. Someday I suppose I will be able to feel all of it. I am sorry about your friend." She leans her face back against the tree and falls silent.
Bohdi Nackle d20+12=21 d20+12=30 d20+12=15 d20+7=12 d20=12 Monday May 15th, 2006 7:12:23 PM
Bohdi hunkered over the few trinkets that he identified as possessing magical value, laying them out on the frozen ground in a neat line. He poked at them, turning them over one by one, first studying them one way, then another. He stood after a while, stretched his back, and sighed. (Spellcraft checks for each of the items--21, 30, and 15. Craft Alchemy check on the potion--can't recall if the 3.5 rules allow for this any more--12. Probably doesn't matter.)
He looked over at Furu'Liten. The dryad's forlorn appearance caused him to scowl involuntarily. "More death. More bloodshed. And in the end, bloody few answers--only more questions."
Bohdi pointed at the shards of black ice still embedded in the hickory's shaggy bark. "So there's another power at work here, more potent and more malevolent than the Sne Kjempe. We might have known. Those giants were too bloody thick to have caused any distress to your Mother, Furu. Something else had to be at work here. Not even these trinkets that we found here could have possessed that kind of power."
"So it's the Ice Death, once more. We might have known. And once again it has snatched one of our number from our midst. We must assume that Edgler's fate, may Gargul have mercy upon him, is no better than was Skalti's before him--or Frigg'Isa's. And, indeed, none of us can expect any better, should we equally be caught unaware."
Bohdi looked at Garrett. "It would appear that we will need to prepare to deal with the Frozen Dead once more. Do you have suggestions? You are our last bulwark against the unholy."
To Aiden, Bohdi added, "Should we camp here, or move on? What do you think? If the Bevroren Doden come in the night, we will want to be adequately safeguarded."
Then Bohdi turned to Nauthiz'Ull. Indicating Dregar and Neco, Bohdi said, "Nauthiz'Ull, wunjo, someone needs to prepare our new comrades for what may await us. Can you explain this threat to them?" He gripped the ranger's arm and stared deeply up at his eyes, sending a private message: (Bluff 12) We need your strength, my brother.
Lastly, to Furu, Bohdi asked, "Furu, can you feel the presence in the wood of anything ... not alive, and yet not dead? What may have led the attack on your mother may target us next, unless we are careful."
Nauthiz'Ull d20+7=20 d20+11=20 d20+14=24 d20+9=19 Tuesday May 16th, 2006 2:27:46 AM
The stare of his tiny wunjo helped ooze in a sense of importance. There are some here that know not the dangers of the Bevroren Doden. They know not how its mere touch can suck the warmth from a body...the mere touch.
That is it. They need to know the touch of the Bevroren Doden.
Kneeling down next to the tree a fur clad hand scoops up the same sliver of abyssal darkness and does his best to withstand the numbing cold that accompanies it. He looks towards the winded dwarf and the young girl who has no capacity to understand him. He watches each of them, waiting for eye contact; when that contact is made the ice blue eyes of the ranger tell them to approach as something important needs to be said. He throws a nonchalant head nod to Dregar and Neco to come by him and waits until both are around.
"Do you see this? This is a chunk of former flesh. It is the tainted dermal layer of a former living being and it is one of the horrors of the Vein. Our lands are relentless, Celsiun is relentless and so if the weather. The Doden, it seems, are plagued by the same base discomforts as the living in these lands; they freeze. Most people believe that the Doden walk only to try and stay warm. This is most likely as false as first impressions but there is some semblance of logic imbedded in it. Please, hold this sliver for a moment. Both of you need to know what the Bevroren Doden are made of."
Without warning Nauth tosses the chunk of pure darkness to Neco and watches, waiting for the initial reaction that he too had the first time the Doden touched him. He watches the young girl and then the dwarf familiarize themselves with the steady draw of warmth from them; when they are either done inspecting it or incapable of holding it any longer he takes the piece back and tosses it near the base of the tree.
That is when something strikes him as odd; the clawed footprints that Aiden was inspecting. He shuffled closer to look at them with Aiden and seemed greatly interested in trying to figure out where those prints came from.
"Have you looked to see where they came from? Where they lead? Clawed toes huh, I wonder what sort of creature would leave prints like this..."
A quick mental inventory of Ull'Heimdall's teachings was explored as Nauth tried to recall the general shape, size, separation of padding and whether the track depicts an animal which walks plantigrade or if their walk is not a flat-footed one.
"These tracks should tell us quite a bit about what happened here. Wunjos, do you think that these are the tracks of Wishami?" :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: search.20 spot.20 survival(tracks).24 know:nature(tracks).19
Aiden d20=2 d20=13 d20=4 d20=6 Tuesday May 16th, 2006 8:03:44 AM
Aiden continued to look and feel around the edges of the tree, and the outline. (ooc: was it a slim outline like a female (aka Neco) or just small like Neco?) DM Note Slim outline like a female
Partially listening to the words of the others, Aiden did respond, "I don't care for sleeping in a former camp of invaders...they may know secret areas and return to slit our throats..."
Continuing to look at the tracks, he tried to see if they were following the female tracks (aka clawed feet overlayed Furu's mother's). Struggling to understand the mysterious ways of Furu (and her mother), Aiden asked, "would your mother's tree die if her body was killed?" Afterall, he was trying to grasp whether the tree, though scarred and beaten yet alive, could tell if Furu's mother still lived, or if its own lifeforce was independent of the mother.
(OOC: did Bohdi say out loud about the plant door earlier on? ) DM Note Yes fine assumption
Garrett Tuesday May 16th, 2006 8:58:04 AM
"Blast it. I'm getting tired of this. Always more questions instead of answers. Always more death. Another companion taken by this land and the horrors that walk it."
Garrett stops and drops to a knee, struggling with the loss of Edgler, and prays to Domi for strength and guidance. After several minutes, he recovers somewhat and stands, looking about and trying to decide what should be done.
"We have cleaned out the camp, and there is nothing more for us here. There is nothing we can do for edgler, or For Furu'litens mother. The one who may have the answers we need has fled, and it is this Sne Kjempe we must go after. We must find him, and get these answers from him. The appearance of the Bevroren Doden makes things even more crucial. One that can leave no tracks and take Edgler with no trace, as well as help or lead these Sne Kjempe in doing what they have done is a great threat. To us, to Furu, and to our village. We must get these answers. Take a few more moments to learn all that you can of what has transpired here, and then let's be off after the Kjempe."
"There is little we can do to prepare more for the Bevroren Doden Wunjo" Garrett responds to Bohdi. "I will see what I can come up with by the time I next pray for spells. My Domi granted ability to turn them may help, but the one that did this is very powerful."
Questions, Questions, Mysteries and an Answer or Two Tuesday May 16th, 2006 3:29:22 PM Bohdi examines the articles. The silvery liquid he can not identify without a spell. The dull deep brown gem radiates with Conjuration magic and the necklace defies his attempts to classify. Bohdi inquires to the others and ellicits thier opinions on teh Frozen Dead, where they should camp and then to Furu, if her growing ability to 'feel' the woods abouth them might offer any insight to one of the Frozen horrors being near by. One thing seems quite certain, it was this Undying Horror of the frozen wastes which attacked Furu's Mother.
Aiden continues to examine the tree. The female outline in the bark he noticed earlier gives up still more secrets when linked with the tracks on the ground. Especially those Furu has so recently made. Barely a dent in the snow does the forest child make as she steps a few paces from the tree. The same type of prints as the first set discoverd by the now Ice Peak Ranger, just slightly larger as one would expect of Furu's Mother. The second set, with the slight claws, also seem to step straight from the tree and they align perfectly with the blackened female outline in the bark.
As Aiden goes through the summation aloud Garret begins nodding. He has heard of the undead who can in one moment be of the Shadow Wold and the next very much a physical being in the Living Wold. Perhaps as Shadow it passed through the tree and struck in coward fashion from behind.
Aiden follows the prints only a short way, a dozen paces or so, before they simply stop. The Ranger turns to Furu, Could her Mother yet live as the tree did, wounded as it was, but alive. The Forest Child shakes her head, "No she is not. Strong and growing is my connection to the wood and its creatures, but 1000 times over that could I feel my Mother until just a few days ago. She is gone, I am alone and I must grow up now and take care of what is now mine." After a moment, as if she is considering it in her mind Furu continues, "My Mother and I are linked to the life of the tree, but the tree is not to us. If the tree dies we die. If we die the tree will still live. This is not my tree, my tree is safe within the wood still."
Nauthiz'Ull steps to Neco and Dregar. They must know what they may be called upon to face in the near future and the more first hand knowledge they have, the better they may survive. Each in turn takes the Black Ice shard into their hands. A cold touches them, an odd dark cold. For unlike the elements the cold does not seem to be on the outside working its way in, but starts in the chest and leeches outward. The lesson is quick but direct, the restless horrors of the waste are out there and now Edgler may be counted among them as Skalti is. Eternally cursed walk the white blinding tundra of Ice Vien, a fate which awaits the illprepared and the unwary.
Nauthiz'Ull too, looks at the foot prints. Furu's mother stepped from the tree and was directly followed by the Shadow. There is no sign of a fallen body, the clawed prints though, become deeper in the snow after intersecting with those of Furu's Mother.
But time is slowly moving and with each passing hour the fleeing Kjempe puts greater distance. Should the group move to a safer haven and strike out in the morning? Is the current location well enough?
Furu agian speaks up, "While my senses are growing it will be some time before I can 'feel' the woods to such detail as you ask Bohdi."
Aiden suggests to push to a different locale for the night. It is still many hours from darkness, but it will likely take such to find a suitable place and to erect the necessary shelters. The giant now has over a 3 hour lead and is far faster then the group. It will certainly take some time to catch him if at all possible.
Garrett Tuesday May 16th, 2006 5:21:36 PM
"I agree, let's move out until we need to camp for the night. Let's start following the Sne Kjemep tracks now, and camp when it is time. Hopefully we can find a good spot once it is getting close. Furu, are you coming with us?"
Neco d20+6=25 Tuesday May 16th, 2006 10:18:41 PM
Neco stashes her prizes into her bag as she finishes her appraisal. "What are you blathering on about now nature boy?" The young girl says as Nauthiz'Ull babbles on about some undead 'Bevroren Doden' thing. "Undead shmundead, I've heard and seen worse. So, if you're trying to scare me you have a long way to go." The rogue expertly catches the ice shard between her two fingers. Immediate chills run up her spine, but she thinks nothing of it. "Its just the weather." she thinks.
Reflex save (25)
Bohdi Nackle d20+2=3 d20+4=16 Wednesday May 17th, 2006 9:55:27 AM
Bohdi watched the interplay between Neco and Nauthiz'Ull with a knowing sniff and hoisted his pack into position on his back. He placed the magical items into his pouch--"Time enough to study those again later," he muttered half to himself--and with Squork riding on his shoulder, Bohdi took his place in the march order to trudge off after the fled giant.
Spot: nat 1! = 3 Listen: 16
Nauthiz'Ull Wednesday May 17th, 2006 11:16:48 AM
A quick, startled look catches the deeply tanned face of the young man square between the eyes as Neco's words whip about. His head cocks sideways as he tries to understand her words.
"Nature boy? Hmmm. I never thought of myself as such; I just live off of the lessons that my father, Ull'Heimdall taught me in order to stay alive. If you had any sense at all, you would listen to what Aiden and myself tell you about this environment. As a matter-of-fact you should listen to all of us about the Vein, outlander."
There is too much activity starting up in the camp for more information to be gleaned from the tracks, plus, the Kjempe is distancing the group.
"We really should be going. It will be hard enough to find a suitable spot for camp for a while."
Trailers Wednesday May 17th, 2006 4:06:43 PM Garret calls for the group to start moving. Furu shakes her head, "No but I will see you again before you leave my wood. Travel well and true." With the last she moves quickly on light feet to a fir tree and disappears into it.
Neco is unimpressed and actually a bit insulted by Nauthiz'Ull's attempt to 'scare' her. The gemstones and coin gets secured. She had seen death in the city before and had seen the shadows that moved in the graveyard on more than one occassion. Tribal superstitions was all this was.
Nauthiz'Ull stands confused a moment, obviously she simply doesn't get it and some anger slips as the young Ice Peak ranger tries to explain it to the austlander.
Bohdi secures the three magical treasures, there was time later for them. Hopefully that later would be soon.
The group moves off to pick up the trail of the fleeing giant. 800 pounds and more, standing over 9 feet tall, makes for an easy trail when they run. The gait, both rangers note seems almost impossibly long, almost as if the Kjempe leaps from leg to leg more than strides. The impact is impressive at almost 20" deep with each foot. The group moves fairly swiftly as virtually no one can not follow the trail for the first 2 hours. The strides begin to slow then and the path they make becomes harder to discern. Survival 15 Track feat Highlight to display spoiler: {The Kjempe is no up on his toes and picking his way through the wood. He will be moving slower, but the tracks will be more difficult to follow}
Evening is approaching, the gray sky is darkening as the veiled sun moves further west. As agreed upon, a site is settled on before the deep black and small shelters of tents are ercted with a pair of warming fires started just in time as the deep night settles upon the land. The fur trees all about you keep the darkness close and prevent the feeble light from the pair of warming fires to scatter too far into the recesses of the nght. The muffled chatter of nocternal animals can be heard in nearby trees and an occassional scurry across the ground just beyond site as well go well into the night.
Watch order 2 shelters exist who is where
Dregar Wednesday May 17th, 2006 11:46:52 PM
Dregar walks behind the gorup as they look for the giants. The coldness from the shard fo the gem is still in his mind. He almost fealt death once before, and this had a similar feeling to him.
Finally, when the camp is located, Dregar awaits to see when he is given a spot to stay on watch. The entire time it is being decided, he sits back thinking about the shard, as well as his cousin Dwarf Edgler.
Bohdi Nackle d20+2=16 d20+4=9 Wednesday May 17th, 2006 11:57:29 PM
The tables had turned on the gnome--and not to his liking. "Bloody squawkers," Bohdi muttered plaintively to Squork as they marched, nodding in Nauthiz'Ull and Neco's direction. "Can't they bloody well keep it to themselves?"
The bird rolled his eyes, but said nothing.
Settling into camp, Bohdi offered to take the first watch and suggested that Neco join him, as usual. He set his two Alarm spells wherever Aiden suggested that they might be placed for best effect. As the evening gloom settled, Bohdi poked at the warming fire but said little, hoping for the others to find drowsiness first. Then, when the sounds of breathing had seemed to deepen from the tents, Bohdi eyed the young rogue appraisingly.
"Neco love, what is it between you and Nauthiz'Ull, eh?" he asked quietly. "Why can't you two turtle doves get along? You know, he had a sister that he lost out here in the ice. You remind me of her a little, sometimes. She was strong-willed and headstrong, like you. Sure of herself, undaunted by the ice and snow ... but unlike you, she was of this place. Her Woldsblood magick drew its strength from the wild. Not like you. Neco, dear, strong as you are ... you're still not of the Vein. Nor am I, of course. But I've the sense to know what I don't bloody well know. Do you?"
Bohdi smiled sadly, and shook his head before turning his attention back to the fire. "They're strange buggers, these ice villagers. Brutish and crude, to look at them. But they've wisdom, duckie, in the ways of this place. The kind of wisdom that stands between life and becoming another one of them bleedin' walking popsicles. If you bit back that bile, just a bit, and thought those words at them, instead of speaking them, well ... do you think you could? Could you be sneaky and clever like that? Or does your pride prevent you from being as crafty in word as in deed?" Bohdi smiled and shrugged again. "Just a thought. But I've heard it said that more secrets were gained, and more treasure found, from being smooth than being rough."
Bohdi listened quietly and attentively to what the woman might say in response. His attention was never very well put to the actual watch, (Spot 16, Listen 9) particularly not catching any sounds that might be present in the dark. But, assuming that his watch otherwise passed without incident, Bohdi would pick whichever tent Garrett occupied for his rest.
Aiden d20=17 d20=20 d20=6 d20=10 Thursday May 18th, 2006 3:43:08 AM
Aiden quietly promised himself that the cowardly creature who struck down the fey spirit would be facing its own justice, even as they followed the tracks of the last giant.
~wily..~ he thinks to himself as he notices the change in the Sne Kjempe's running tactics. The group is far behind the giant, and so, would need to be wary of it using different tactics.
Aiden quietly finds a secure spot for the group, and points out to the others. "We'll need Bohdi and Garrett for the darkness" and then thought for a moment, "unless you need time for magick?"
After pausing a few moments for the response, he nodded towards Dregar and Neco, "we'll take another..." A thin line resembling a smile began to appear on his face, turning towards Furu, "forest child...as your awareness grows, can you speak to the trees or the other creatures to help keep watch, or tell us where the Sne Kjempe is?"
Neco Thursday May 18th, 2006 8:15:47 AM
On first watch Neco talks with the unimpressed gnome. "It's not that easy the settle this altercation. He treats me as if I am his junior, and although he is a native of this land I am plenty capable." As a side note the young girl continues, "If you look at things, in the last encounter, I slew 3 maybe 4 goblins and a giant. What did he fight? One giant with who couldn't even move let alone defend itself."
Garrett Thursday May 18th, 2006 8:18:24 AM
Watch 1: Bohdi and Neco Watch 2: Dregar and Aiden Watch 3: Garrett and Nauth
Garrett pulls out his everburning torch to be used by the watches for light when needed.
Looks like tents are Aiden/Dregar/Neco, and Nauth,Garrett,Bohdi
Bohdi (illegal second) Thursday May 18th, 2006 10:09:12 AM
Bohdi nodded at Neco's words. "There's no doubt, love, you've proven your mettle with that blade of yours. And you've proven your courage, too."
"But now, consider--" Bohdi pointed for emphasis with the stick he had been using to stir the fire's coals. The end glowed dully red. With a twitch of his free index finger, the glow became steady and hung in the air (cast: Prestidigitation). The gnome began tracing a diagram of the morning's battlefied in midair between Neco and himself.
"Nauthiz'Ull didn't engage the goblins because he hung back, over here, to protect Furu and me. That was part of our battle strategy. Aiden and Dregar were doing the same. But you, Neco--you launched off on your own, over here." A small rune to indicate Neco's position, apart from the others, glowed red in the air, and Bohdi circled it with his pointer. A moment later, a purple sliver detached from large green rune further up in the diagram and flew across to strike the red rune. Bohdi looked at Neco through the glowing diagram.
"You were out of position, love. And that recklessness nearly cost you your life. If Garrett hadn't diverted from our attack to save you, you could be still lying out there. As it was, that rescue effort cost time and energy--yours, and Garrett's--that could have been used to bring the giants down more swiftly and safely for all of us. So, yes, it's possible that you notched more 'kills' in that battle than Nauthiz'Ull. But, Neco, love--Nauthiz'Ull fought according to the plan. You did not."
Bohdi pursed his lips and studied the young rogue to see if his words were having any impact. With a wave, he dismissed the diagram and peered across the dim light of the warming fire at the woman. "See here, dear," he began again. "Life in the Vein, well--it's like ... it's like braiding a rope." He fished the rope from his pack and showed it to the young woman. "A single strand is strong. It may be the strongest strand of the bunch. But alone, by itself, it's just a strand--easily frayed, easily broken."
"But when you combine the strands--" the gnome tugged on the rope to demonstrate. "Each of the strands lends its own strength to the braid. Together, the strands are stronger than any one of them could be alone. The braid diminishes their weaknesses, and multiplies their strengths."
Bohdi paused, studied Neco's face, and sighed. He put the rope aside. "I'm not saying that Nauthiz'Ull is perfect. Domi knows I've had my conflicts with him, too. But we have to find a way to work together, love. Otherwise, we're no better than ... than frayed strands. Do you see what I mean?"
nauthiz'ull d20+14=27 d20+14=27 d20+5=11 d20+10=17 d20+11=28 Thursday May 18th, 2006 12:27:39 PM
The young man can not help but chuckle at the first distance of tracks. Gigantic craters smashed deeply through the hoarfrost would allow for a blind man to track this creature. Nauth begins to dismiss whatever credit he allowed the SneKjempe when Aiden and he caught something peculiar with the Kjempe's tracks.
Tiptoed?
"Well wunjos, it appears that this Kjempe is pulling some tricks out of the proverbial book; albeit the oldest trick from the oldest book, but hey, give the thing some credit."
As Aiden decides on a camp Nauth will take to the surrounding areas to scout for dangers of flora and fauna as well as to try and take down some fresh dinner for the group. He will take back anything that he finds, already dressed, to the camp to be cooked; if he could not take anything down then the rest will be no more aware of his efforts. Upon returning to the camp a strong arm and dedicated hands help erect the furred tents that he was continuously doing back at the village. The tents that usually prove a headache, especially when tired, are almost second nature him.
"Things got pretty hairy there for a moment wunjos. Everyone did quite well" his eyes fall directly on the young girl, "but if we decide on an approach to a fight then we need to stick to it. Edglar is gone because he did not stick to the plan. Garret, wunjo, you were almost gone as well. I am not sure what happened on that end of camp, but I sure am glad that you were able to get out of there. I apologize for my inconsistent bow today as well. I did little in the ways of shooting while back at the village, save the occasional hunt to replenish the reserves. This tattoo" he slides up the furred sleeve of his aright art to exposed the darkly-inked portrait of Friga, "did help quite a bit though. I had one true shot out there, that was it, but I felt Friga surge through my arm, down my fingers and into that shaft as it let loose. You all did quite well."
As the rest of daylight dwindled Nauth stayed deep within his thoughts and mostly to himself. When he rose to find a tree or to walk off the stiffness of the cold and exertion he casually would pass Dregar and pat the dwarf heavy-handedly on the back.
As his and Garret's turn for watch came, Nauth emerged from his sleeping furs and stretched quietly in the silent darkness. This is the part of nature that is most misunderstood; night. The trees lay in rest, awaiting new light to reach towards. Most animals are lying, hidden and protected from the predators of the night; only the Mother of Nature knows if they will see the next light. At this moment it seems as though the group is of the same fate; there are just some things out here that the group could not handle.
As the pulsing embers of the fire burn on, Nauth looks to his wunjo whose face is cast with the sanguine hue of the only source of heat out in the Vein.
"What do you think we are after wunjo? I know that there is a quite powerful Bevroren Doden on the loose; It seems to have snatched Edglar and could possibly have destroyed Furu's mother. How, though, does this play into the larger picture? I cannot grasp the grand scheme that Gargul and Domi have in store for us. Then there is Celsiun. I have no idea where he comes into all of this and what reach he had in ripping Friga away from me..."
A heavy head slowly drops, aiming the ranger's eagle-like eyes towards the muddled mixture of ice, powder, dirt and stick. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: survival.27 [to discover the change in the Kjempe tracks] survival.27 [to look for any dangerous flora/fauna and hazards in the vicinity] profession:hunter.11 [trying to take down food for the group]
on watch listen.17 spot.28
The Deep of Night Thursday May 18th, 2006 3:39:52 PM
The group begins to set camp, Bohdi with the perimeter alarms, Nauthiz'Ull thinks of a quick hunt but the aere will be in utter blackness in short order. If Edgler taught them anything then being alone in these woods is very dangerous would have to be one of the lessons. Nauthiz'Ull thinks better and stays with the others. Garret sets the watches and plants an everburning torch next to the fire.
Aiden is about to ask Furu a question when he remembers that she said her goodbyes just before the group left the scene of the last battle.
Bohdi and Neco talk during the night, the gnome hoping to convey a need of group to the young woman. She however, does not seem to be on the same page. To her it seems a competition and she is very competative. The fire burns and the darkness deepens.
Aiden and Dregar to the watch, the dwarven eyes pierce the veil easily about them. He spies the occassional small animal, nothing more. The wind is quiet and so too are the trees.
Garret and Nauthiz'Ull are awoken to the final few hours before dawn to watch. the ranger takes the time to bring to light some serious questions or the grander schemes of gods and Powers and Destiny. Who knows? Perhaps it is best to move day to day, as most do in the Vein. But if you do not look forward, how will you know if you have truly gone anywhere?
Light finally breaks through the trees and Garret is soon kneeling and giving thanks to Domi. The rest break the camp, eat and prepare to pick up the giants trail. Both Aiden and Nauthiz'Ull locate it from the previous night and soon the party is off again. Hours move by and as far as the rangers can tell, the Kjempe is holding a relatively straight course. Then a pile of fresh snow covers the trail completely and it is gone. The surrounding terrain has not changed greatly. The nearby three fur trees stand tall with but a faint trace of snow on thier branches.
Garrett d20+5=14 d20+6=14 Thursday May 18th, 2006 4:31:46 PM
Talking to Nauth the night prior. "I am not quite sure what we are after Wunjo. Too many things here are not as they seem. The Bevroren Doden that can just appear and kill Furu's mom, or make Edgler just vanish. That is a creature of nightmares, perhaps one made by celsiun himself. I do not know. The only one that knows much of anything at this point is the Kjempe we hunt."
"All I do know at the moment is to trust in Domi, and to do what is right. To do our best in the interests of the village and our friends, and each other.
Garrett is obviously struggling with what comes next, and he finds he has a hard time saying what he wants. "Wunjo...try and make peace with Neco, could you? I think you hurt her feelings quite badly when we first met, and she will not forget. It burns her inside. It seems like she now feels the need to put herself in grave danger to prove that she belongs among us and is tough enough for the ice vein. We need her to be acting as one of us, and not trying to prove that she is. She is quite capable. Anyways, perhaps at some point you could speak to her."
The following day when the tracks disappear.
"Watch the snow and the trees wunjos. It could not have gone too far. It was hurt and likely tired since the Kjempe sleep during the day. Garrett scans the trees and the area around us for signs of it." Garrett steps forward and plunges his sword into the pile of snow where the tracks disappear to make sure the Kjempe had not dug himself in nicely.
"Let's check out the fur trees and make sure the area is safe, after that, Nauth and Aiden can check the rest of the area to try and find his trail before the rest of us walk over it."
Garrett waits for Nauth and head to head for the fur trees, checking for signs of the giant as they go, unless someone sees or finds something first.
Listen: 14 Spot: 14
Neco Thursday May 18th, 2006 10:11:13 PM
Bohdi's words start to sink in. Neco hangs her head in shame and her long bangs hide her eyes. "I guess you are right. I guess I was a little out of line," the rogue says in a sorry tone of voice. The young human girl pouts her lower lip. "I will try to be more conscientious of the group's actions in the future. I will listen to what you tell me, and I will listen to what Garrett tells me, but if that ranger tries to tell me what to do I'll..." Neco's temper spikes momentarily, but then falls. She remains silent for the rest of the night.
When the party resumes their trek, Neco follows behind Bohdi.
Dregar Friday May 19th, 2006 7:47:37 AM
Dregar spends his shift staring into the blackness looking for things. At the same time his mind races to think about Edgler. Where he was? Was he alright? Feeling the black shard, the answers could be the ones he didn't want to hear.
When the trek resumed, Dregar made his way to his spot and plodded on through the snow. Trying to step in someones footprints in front of him to help ease the trek.
nauthiz'ull d20+9=24 d20+14=27 Friday May 19th, 2006 10:34:05 AM during watch Garret please Highlight to display spoiler: { As Garret gingery approaches what is steadily becoming a taboo subject the ranger begins to suck his teeth. He nods energeticaly as he waits for Garret to finish as he does not want to interupt him, nor does he wants his words mumbled up with his wunjo's. The throbbing reflection of campfire light acroos nauth's face add an almost enraged state to his already empassioned eyes.
"Wunjo, you need to hear me on this. That girl has misunderstood me from the first moment I spoke to her. I did not call her dead weight. What I said was that she had better be able to pull her weight because we do not need any dead weight in the group. Do you see? I would have thought that you and Bohdi would understand the difference."
He stands, turns, and walks over to his pack and begins fishing for some jerky. Riping a piece off he begins gnawing on it; almost ferociously, as if trying to tear his way through this problem.
"She decided that I was attacking her and has not listened to reason since. This is not my fault here; it is the fault of an overzealous child who seems to think herself invisible and above the rest of us savages. I do not hold a grudge nor am I angered with her; however, I do choose not to correct her on her own mistake. I am not a village milk mother so I will not coddle her."
Several emotions surface and there is no way to distinguish between him blushing, being flustered or the caste of the fire. With furred hands he gently scoops snow off of the frozen layer of ice and begins packing it gently in his hands.}
On the trail The snow just washes over the trail? Why is there little in the way of snow on the trees then?
Kneeling down, crunching through the first layer of frosted snow, the ranger begins looking from where the path suddenly vanishes towards the fir tress and back again.
"Something is wrong here wunjos. There was no snow last night. The tracks just vanish due to what appears a fresh snow over the tracks, yet there is hardly but airsnow dusting the firs there."
The furred hand of the ranger points from the ground to the trees and then back again. He looks towards Aiden and then to Bohdi.
"Brother of the Trail, can you think of anything that would cause this? Did you encounter snow last night while I was sleeping? To me, this seems as though the Kjempe vanished as well; maybe I am just being paranoid."
His eyes shift quickly to the sharp, angular features of his wunjo, Bohdi and a wry smile eeks its way through the ranger's lips.
"There may be more at work here than I can handle wunjo. Maybe this sort of work is more up your path? Can you call forth those glases of yours to take a look? or is that a waste of time and magicks?"
Bohdi Nackle d20+7=20 d20+2=9 d20+4=13 d20+12=18 d20=7 Friday May 19th, 2006 11:04:01 AM
As their evening watch concluded, Bohdi gave Neco's arm a gentle squeeze. "Not to worry, love. We are all together on this."
In the morning, Bohdi studied his spellbook as usual (ooc: and I'm trying to do this without the foreknowledge of later events!). "If there's Bevroren Doden lurking," Bohdi warned the others. "My usual illusion spells won't be much bloody good. So I'm planning to mix things up a bit from my usual preparations--and Garrett, you ought to be ready with any powers that Domi might grant you for those blighters." And, with a wistful twist of his mouth, he added, "And I won't be able to fully study those items we got off the giants today, either."
Bohdi trudged dutifully along with the others as they followed the giant's path. At the point where the tracks disappeared, Bohdi's eyebrows raised, but he said nothing. "Squork," he whispered. "Go up and have a look around, will you?" The bird did so, using its treetop vantage to try to identify any place where the tracks might resume, or any sign of the 800-pound giant in the woods (Spot Squork, 20).
Bohdi stood well back of the snow pile and kept his crossbow loaded and at the ready--more of an expression of something to do than of real utility. He pursed his lips at Nauthiz'Ull's question and shook his head. "I could have a look with the spectacles, but it's not likely to show anything," he replied. "This creature hasn't shown any propensity for arcane magic up to now. I doubt that's what's going on here." Bohdi lent his unaided vision and hearing to examining the woods around them (Spot 9, Listen 13, Spellcraft, if applicable, 18). Wordlessly, he pointed at the pile and nodded his agreement to the others' assessment (Bluff to send secret message, untrained, 7): It might be in there.
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (x2), Detect Magic, Resistance Level 1: Mage Armor, Alarm, Magic Missile, Silent Image [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Scorching Ray, Web, Invisibility Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 31 of 50 charges remaining.
Garrett Friday May 19th, 2006 11:10:53 AM
In response to Nauth.
"I understand the difference wunjo. But does she? Hard feelings amongst us are not good for any. Perhaps she has come to realize that she overreacted. Perhaps if you tell her what you just told me, that would suffice. Either way, you are my wunjo, and that will always be. But peace between you two would only help us all. What you do now is your decision, I have said all I have to say, and the matter in my mind is at rest unless it comes to endanger the group. Let us dispose of this Kjempe, find our answers and go home. I am ready to go home."
You Lost a Giant? Friday May 19th, 2006 3:46:09 PM
Several deep discussions occur on the various shifts through the long night. The central theme of family, teamwork and general harmony are prelevant through both of them. The young are notoriously stubborn and prone to emotion. The following day is ready as is the Ice Peak villagers and the trail is picked up. The march is silent until the giant tracks disappear.
Garret calls for warning to all. The Kjempe had shown him only yesterday they are more than big brutes, they can be clever and they can plan. The clerics eys move about, something is not right, but what? Sometimes what is right before you is the hardest thing to see.
Dregar finds the day and trail hard to focus on. What had actually happened to Edgler or rather not knowing what had happened was weighing heavily on the dwarf. He moves silently in the footfalls of those in front of him.
Neco Also spends the following day in silence. As the group moves to scan the area, she remains quiet, still and alert.
nauthiz'Ull takes a knee at teh edge of the vanished trail. It disappeared under a thin layer of snow. Hundreds of small clumps scattered over perhaps a figure eight pattern about 40' wide. The path lead right between two fir trees and vanished under the snowy debris. Squork flies into the near snowless branches above his head, his eyes follow the bird momentarily before looking back.
Aiden knows there was no snow last night and states so as he too looks about. Fresh snow laying just here and perhaps just past theses two trees by one other about 20 further along what might have been the giants trail, had it kept going.
Bohdi sends Squork up and answers Nauthiz'Ull about the possibility of magic. Very dohbtful that. The gnome eyes the quiet forest all about them.
Squork alights on a near snowless branch near the top of the tree. An odd sight the overlook provides. All about is white save the treee he is in, the tree immediately to the left and a third just ahead and on the right. The sky is grey a light wind blows and it is quickly getting cold. The last thing of note? Squork can see the edge of the wood and the vast open tundra beyond. It lies several miles away perhaps.
DM Note: the snow 'piles' was poorly worded. it is more like a scattering of extra snow 2-5" in depth about the area
Bohdi Nackle Friday May 19th, 2006 4:56:46 PM
Bohdi shivered involuntarily and relayed Squork's report. "These three trees are the only ones with dislodged snow," he indicated. "And the forest gives out after a few more hours' travel from here."
"Can this be all there is?" he asked, quizzically. He looked to Aiden and Nauthiz'Ull. "Is there nothing you can do to locate the trail? I don't know--I'm no bloody tracker, but I thought, tracking an 800-pound gorilla through fresh snow ...." Bohdi shrugged euphemistically.
Bohdi turned to Garrett, then Neco and Dregar. "What do you think? Should we continue on, out onto the open tundra, or turn for home? I'm not thrilled at the prospect of spending a night out there with a mad snow giant and Bevroren Doden on the loose."
Bohdi fingered his necklace and his ring. Sparing a glance up into the treetops, he muttered, "I wonder what Furtif Aeanora is doing right now. Something a good deal warmer than chasing bleedin' snow giants, I'd wager ...."
Spell list: Gnome abilities: Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Speak with Burrowing Mammals Level 0: Message (x2), Detect Magic, Resistance Level 1: Mage Armor, Alarm, Magic Missile, Silent Image [note: Pearl of Power, one prepared L1 spell/day may be cast twice] Level 2: Scorching Ray, Web, Invisibility Wand of Magic Missiles 3d, 31 of 50 charges remaining.
Garrett Saturday May 20th, 2006 7:50:23 AM
"Let's follow him if we can reacquire his tracks. Aiden Nauth, can you check the area to see where they can be picked up again. He likely just concealed them here, Perhaps even used the trees to jump or move quite aways off. Let's check a good radius around this area and try to reacquire the tracks. Once we are sure he is not hiding in the trees waiting to ambush."
Aiden d20=17 d20=20 d20=14 d20=10 Sunday May 21st, 2006 10:26:54 AM
Aiden nodded towards Garrett. "Perhaps not jump from tree...but maybe shake them..." He looked towards the trees to see if any had significantly less snow upon them than the others.
The thought came to him as he reminisced back to his childhood in Twin Tusks. Specifically, how several children would set up unsuspecting rivals under a snow filled tree. Then he (or they) throw a rock or something heavy at the tree to cause all the snow to fall onto the unsuspecting victim.
LOG ON