PrP: Betelgeuse Betelgeuse Be...
PrP: Betelgeuse Betelgeuse Be... Ga'Elian (running), Myaris (Sor3), Lenore (Swb5), Aya (Mnk5), Virton (Art5)
H02: The Felwood "A farmer has been losing livestock to what he believes are giant beetles."
It's Kesenday, Hattanani 13 12:15:00 1018. The full moon is up. The tide is low and ebbing. The sky is cloudy grey, and nothing casts a shadow. The southwest wind is mild.
SET: It is approximately mid-day, and the Adventurers Guild has sent you a small farming village, where some of the farmland borders the edge of the Felwood. The farmers understand the risks, but the soil is perfect for their crops. The mission briefing indicated finding some of their fields torn up on several mornings recently in the hours before sunrise, and one farmer believed he saw some man-sized beetles attacking his pigs by the scant light of a crescent moon. With the havoc they wreaked in his fields, it won't exactly require a ranger to follow their tracks. You have all arrived at the village's pub, and the farmers are there with you.
Yawning wide is Lenore, looking like she'd just crawled out of bed, her usually wild locks some haphazard example of their former glory, skewed this way and that. There's a bleariness to her usually clear, keen gaze and her weapon is already drawn as they approach the farm, the back of her free hand rubbing against one of her eyes as she tries to stifle a second yawn as they reach the doors to the pub. She shoves the door open, holding it open for any who wish to go before her, but is curiously silent.
With his smoking pipe already screwed into his face, Virton puffs out a harsh trais of black smoke as he walks, spurs giving an audible *tink* *tink* *tink* noise with each step from his armoured frame. His poor, poor poncho still remains upon his form, tattered, torn, stained and abused, yet still showing small patches of bright colouration over it, giving the Golem at least some hint of colour. His head bobs at Lenore as she holds the door open, giving a blurt of static noise that might sound like an appreciative grunt - if you understand Virton's noises, anyway. "Iffin' you are tired, partner, I brought along some of the coffee stuff that ya seemd ta like." He buzzes, as he paces on the inside.
Myaris is here and she has her hood up, always best to keep from upsetting the common people that way. She just is along for the listening at the moment, not always best in dealing with people. She does move to follow after and smiles as the door is opened.
"Like... is a relatively strong word, Clive. Much like your 'coffee'." Lenore murmurs to the golem, staring at him through her one open eye, heaving a sigh. "But, thank you kindly... partner." She manages one of those half-cocked grins of hers, despite her desperate state of exhaustion. Once everyone has passed into the pub, she'll follow along with her telltale swager, her head tilting back just so, her smirk turning to masking smile as she looks over the farmers. "Alright... we're here to help. Happy to do it."
"Well it sure perked ya up last time." Virton/Clive buzzes in response, apparently still mostly unable to comprehend the fact that his coffee could be substituded for an exceptionally strong rust and paint stripping cleanser. He comes to a stop as the other two come in, obviously preferring to let those with, y'know, flesh and blood do the majority of the talking to people. It can be a bit difficlut to be seen as a friendly adventurer when your eyes glow orange, you talk a bit wierd, and black smoke slowly purs from a tube connected in your mouth.
The farmers smile with relieved looks at Lenore's last statement. One say, "If'n your're ready, then, I'll point you towards the field we think they were at this morning. You should be able to find their trail there, easily enough."
Myaris nods her head a little, "And it is beetles you say?" she asks, her voice coming from within the hood that keeps her features hidden.
Virton nods his head, and this time chooses to turn around and open the door for the others, holding it open with his heel so that the others can easily get on past and the farmer can begin leading the way for the small party.
"Just point me in the right direction, and I'll see to it you never have a problem again." Lenore winks, "The San Antigua guarantee." She glances toward the Sorcerer, still smiling broadly as she meanders toward the exit, "Beetles, undead, hell moths, animated dreams... whatever it is, it'll be mulch soon enough, and plenty of it. Your corps will be fantastic come harvest. And when they are, don't forget yoru good friend Lenore."
More farmers. Someone must grow the food, obviously, and they are prone to encountering problems they are not equipped to handle, but... well, it is steady employment for the Guild, at least. Aya was in no great hurry, but did arrive to listen to the agricultural plight. Bugs. How wonderful.
The farmer sitting next to the one who just spoke says, "Yeah, I'm pretty sure they're beetles. It was kinda hard to tell fer sure in the moonlight, but that's my best guess."
"Well. Let's be goin'," buzzes Virton at the door. He idly pats the Thunderbelcher strapped to his torso plate in a fond manner, before gesturing with his free hand out the door he is currently holding open. "While there's still light out, I recon."
Lenore doesn't need to be told twice. She's right out that door like she's gunna save the world and feed the hungry. With her typical swagger and strange rapier, winning grin and all the confidence in the world, she's off. "Don't you worry about a thing! I've, er... we've, -WE'VE- got this handled!"
Myaris nods her head, "The darkness isn't so bad." she says but she does nod her hooded head and moves to go with the others.
The foremost farmer says, "Right this way, then" and leads the way out, pointing at the farmhouse overlooking the indicated field. Even at this distance (about 400 meters), the damage to the crops is self-evident.
With a *tink* moise announcing his walking behind the group, Virton's head idly pans in a robotic manner, taking in the view around him. "I ain't no farmin' type," He begins, "But when did all this start? This only been a recent matter?" He queries, apparnetly trying to make some manner of conversation until they make it there.
The mild breeze is warm this afternoon, but the sky is cloudy. There are very few sounds about, and the looming trees of the Felwood beyond the farm's perimeter fence are abruptly thick. The farmer says, "It's been going on for the last 4 days now. Every time the same, trample crops, frightened livestock. This morning, it got one of my hogs, though."
Lenore is off in the front, ready and rarin' to go, ahead of the others, so far that she might not hear the conversation. "Bugs! Face me!" She cries.
GAME: Myaris casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15
Myaris nods her head as she listens, "We will take care of it." she says as she moves with the others and tries to keep up with Lenore. She does call on her inner magic and speaks the words that bring forth a blackish green aura around her for a moment before it vanishes.
Aya steps off afterh the farmer's directions, yet ahead of those clanking, spewing smoke, or otherwise appearing loud or consipcuous. The damage to the crops doesn't appear difficult to notice, but that doesn't mean that all of those moving to investigate need to be just as obvious.
The farmer says, "Well, if you don't mind, I'll leave you to your business then. Best of luck in there." He stops and watches as the rest of you continue onward.
"Sure thing, fella. You stay safe, now." Virton buzzes as the group walks on forwards. He then takes the opportunity to jog up a little bit, clanking as he does so until he reaches up to Lenore. "When the fightin' starts, I'll give you a jab from the ol' needle." He states to her.
Lenore is not one for stealth, but is clearly prepared for action. She nods to Virton, "Sure thing, mighty nice of you."
Myaris does push back her hood once they are away from the villagers, and keeps her eyes open for anything around them.
Upon reaching the trees, the tracks are still there, but the canopy is so thick that there isn't really much underbrush for the beasts to have trampled.
GAME: Lenore rolls survival: (4)+1: 5 GAME: Aya rolls survival: (6)+4: 10 GAME: Virton rolls survival: (19)+0: 19
Myaris just follows along, she knows better than to even try to look for tracks.
While following the tracks does prove a bit more challenging in the woods, the group does succeed, and penetrates far enough to no longer se the farms.
GAME: Virton rolls perception: (1)+7: 8 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Lenore rolls perception: (13)+9: 22
Aya can't exactly argue that calm and quiet aid her in locating traces of passage, but it does certainly make the travel more comfortable. She enters the treeline and continues forward, following what path she seems to have located.
GAME: Aya rolls perception: (11)+12: 23 GAME: Myaris rolls perception: (15)+9: 24
After following tracks for about 20 minutes, the ladies in the group notice noises off to the left approximately 150 meters away. They sound like scuffling and munching, and even a high-pitched cackle.
Myaris cocks her head to the side and makes a small wave and points off to the left. She is a bit wary now that she heard it, means they are getting closer.
Lenore creeps onward, almost half-assedly making an attempt at not being a complete spaz.
Scuffling and munching? Aya could assume that those are some mangy, unintelligent woodland creature. Possibly even giant bugs that the farmer reported. A cackle implies something else, entirely, though. She gestures back to the others to attempt to slow and quiet them before she turns to investigate the sounds, attempting to remain quiet.
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 1d20+7: (16)+7: 23
Virton comes to a stop, kind of like a train - it's not the fastest thing in the world, and his boots idly thud a few times before he comes to a stop, smoke idly pouring out of teh tube sticking out of the corner of his mouth.
GAME: Virton casts Cat's Grace. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16
Ga'Elian has dropped a TIMESTOP!
GAME: Lenore rolls initiative: 6 + 4 = 10
Since people seem to be preparing to move up without him, Virton idly cocks his head as he looks down at his right arm. There's a soft 'ssst' of air pressure as his right forearm slides open, and a small hypodermic needle appears. He promptly aims his arm down to Lenore's thigh, and the needle jets out the shourt handswidth distance, injecting the woman with some cat's grace.
GAME: Myaris rolls initiative: 19 + 4 = 23 GAME: Virton rolls initiative: 2 +4 = 6 GAME: Aya rolls stealth: (4)+11: 15 GAME: Aya rolls initative: 3 + 3 = 6 GAME: Lenore's initative total changed to 14
GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initative order. Round One - Init 23 It is now Myaris' turn! RingoBeetle is next! GAME: Note Flat-footed on Myaris is ended.
GAME: Myaris casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15 GAME: Myaris rolls 2d4+2: (5()+2: 7
Myaris mvoes forward a bit as she sees the beetles. She holds up her hands and calls on her inner energy, gesturing and speaks the words that call forth blackish green orbs. The balls of force fly at the closest beetle and strike it.
RingoBeetle moves toward the source of the missile, closing two-thirds of the distance.
GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 17. It is now Quasit's turn! Lenore is next!
GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initaitive order. Round One - Init 14. It is now Lenore's turn! GeorgeBeetle is next! GAME: Note Flat-footed on Lenore is ended.
GAME: Lenore rolls 1d20+16: (8)+16: 24 GAME: Lenore rolls 1d6+21: (6)+21: 27
GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initaitive order. Round One - Init 10. It is now GeorgeBeetle's turn! PaulBeetle is next!
Seeing the beetle scuttling toward the sorcerer, Lenore turns on her heel to change her path of attack. "Ho! Here comes the sun!" Praise the sun. Her booted footfalls have her charging though the area between herself and the creature, her blade twisting and swishing through the air before it's flicked forward to pierce through the chitinous shell with great effect, apparently hitting just the right spot to drive it into the ground, pinning it there for a few moments. She yanks her blade free, turns toward Myaris, offers a quick wink, salute, and she's back to the mayhem.
GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initaitive order. Round One - Init 7. It is now PaulBeetle's turn! Aya is next!
GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initaitive order. Round One - Init 6. It is now Aya's turn! Virton is next!
GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initaitive order. Round One - Init 6. It is now Virton's turn! JohnBeetle is next! GAME: Note Flat-footed on Virton ended.
GAME: Virton spends ONE use of DEATH RAY. GAME: Virton activates his Titan Armor, gaining: +4 Dex GAME: Virton rolls 1d20+9-6: (13)+9-6: 16 GAME: Virton rolls 3d6+4: (8)+4: 12
Stomping forwards, Virton moves up until he comes to a complete stop. His feet spread apart, heels digging into the ground as his death-ray cannon slides up from its holster on his back and settles itself on his shoulder. With a soft 'ooum' of powering activation, the Artificer brings both hands up to grasp the weapon and hold it. aiming it towards the beetle. With an audible discharge of electrical energy, a red beam scores through the air and strikes the beetle in the side.
JohnBeetle advances, closing 60 ft. of the gap toward the war golem.
GAME: NEW ROUND! Ga'Elian advances the iniative order. Round Two - Init 23. It is now Myaris' turn! Quasit is next.
GAME: Myaris casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 3 DC 15 GAME: Myaris rolls 2d4+2: (5)+2: 7
Myaris sees the one beetle move closer to go after Virton and her hands start to gesture again as she reaches inside her magic and speaks the words summoning two blackish green bolts of force to fly and strike the beetle, dropping it. so it isn't moving anymore.
GAME: RingoBeetle removed from initiative list. GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initative order. Round Two - Init 17. It is now Quasit's turn! Lenore is next!
GAME: Myaris rolls will: (17)+4: 21 GAME: Lenore rolls will: (4)+2: 6 GAME: Virton rolls will+4: (12)+1+4: 17
GAME: JohnBeetle removed from initative list.
GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 14. It is now Lenore's turn! GeorgeBeetle is next!
"HOGAHDWHATISIT?!" Lenore turns abruptly and begins fleeing from nothing and everything.
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 1d4: (3) GAME: Aya rolls will+4: (10)+4+4: 18
GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 10. It is now GeorgeBeetle's turn! PaulBeetle is next!
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 1d20+2: (9)+2: 11
GeorgeBeetle attempts to bite Virton, but it can't seem to penetrate his body.
GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initative order. Round Two - Init 7. It is now PaulBeetle's turn! Aya is next!
GAME: Ga'Elian rolls 1d20+2: (3)+2: 5
PaulBeetle's attempt to approach and bit Aya fails almost humorously.
GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initative order. Round Two - Init 6. It is now Aya's turn! Virton is next!
GAME: Aya refreshes her special ability pools. GAME: Aya spends ONE point of KI POOL. GAME: Aya rolls melee-2: (18)+8+-2: 24 GAME: Aya rolls melee-2: (11)+8+-2: 17 GAME: Aya rolls melee-2: (19)+8+-2: 25
GAME: Aya rolls melee-2-5: (6)+8+-2+-5: 7 GAME: Aya rolls 1d8+3: (7)+3: 10 GAME: Aya rolls 1d8+3: (6)+3: 9 GAME: Aya rolls 1d8+3: (7)+3: 10
GAME: PaulBeetle removed from initiative list
GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 6. It is now Virton's turn! Myaris is next!
GAME: Virton rolls 1d20+9-2: (12)+9+-2: 19 GAME: Virton spends ONE use of DEATH RAY. GAME: Virton rolls 3d6+4: (7)+4: 11
Aya's eyes widen at the sudden unspecified and sourceless uneasiness. The bug in front of her may not be the source, but it did try to bite her. She responds by attempting to squash it. Repeatedly. A kick cracks chitin, followed by knife-hand to shatter it and concluded with a fist that penetrates the exoskeleton and is then retrieved, pulling a handful of organs with it. Vital organs, it seems, as the thing stops moving after.
With joints idly quivering for a reason unbeknownst to the Golem, Virton swiftly backs up as the beetle lunges at him, missing. The Golem comes to a stop once more as he puts a little distance vetween himself and the beetle -- whereupon a red laser beam strikes the beetle in return from the Golem's shoulder cannon.
GAME: NEW ROUND! Ga'Elian advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 23. It is now Myaris' turn! Quasit is next!
GAME: Myaris casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15 GAME: Myaris rolls 2d4+2: (6)+2: 8
Myaris is shaking a bit, it has her worked up some, but she pulls herself together and calls on her inner energy and gestures as she speaks the words to focus and hurls two blackish green bolts of force at the remaining beetle and drops it. Her eyes look around.
GAME: GeorgeBeetle removed from initiative list. GAME: Ga'Elian advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 17. It is now Quasit's turn! Lenore is next!
On a branch above where the beetles had been gathered, a bat suddenly appears, launching itself into the canopy of the trees, flying as fast as its wings can take it away from the adventurers.
GAME: Virton deactivates his Titan Armor. GAME: Ga'Elian removes the timestop. Timestop by Ga'Elian has left.
Infestation eradicated. The quasit flew away, but the farmers will be okay now.