The Shattered Soul

[Sherwood]

A series of curse words flow through Aysik's head, but all that manages to emerge is a wordless growl as he shifts his stance to face towards the source of the bolt. Moving quickly, he charges forward, jinking erratically as he goes to make himself a harder target to track on as he looks for the shooter.

 

[Silanon]

As you all react to the danger in one way or another, some things stay the same. Those humanoid shapes on the river's other side? They trudge on, unmoved by Rodrik's shout or your reactions. The river itself does not change its flow, the forest in front of and around you remains silent. But your senses are sharp, and thus you pick up on the small details that give the situation's dangers away.

First of all, there's Thomas' look backwards. Where his experience expects an attack from the rear, his senses do not pick up anything of the sort. And yet, about fifty steps behind the group, he sees another fight unfold - a diving falcon, and a black, flying shade that tries to avoid the bird's talons by escaping into the forest. It's just a short glimpse; but the dark shade reminds the priest not of a bird - but of a bat.

As Rodrik takes cover, he also glimpses some sort of movement up in the treetops; something small moves quickly, flying from one branch to another - barely in sight, and then already gone.

Fijit and those shielding her - you see the same. And Dreamy - blessed with her deity's gifts - senses the presence of evil nearby, though her eyes reveal no threat on the ground.

Amber - focused to be silent, the first thing the rogue picks up is the fact that the forest ground is uncooperative with her ideas of stealth. Several times, a twig breaks underneath her feet, revealing her position to whomever might watch. And something is watching her, she can feel it. There's a movement above her. The sound of wings. But whatever lurks up there does not strike just yet.

That leaves Aysik. Storming forward, the noble can't help but spot a moving shade ahead. You see a hunched figure in tatters, about the size of a human; where the clothes do not cover it, its skin is unnaturally pale. As Aysik spots it, he can't make out any sign of haste; instead, the creature seems to take a good amount of time to reload and ready a crossbow in its hands, looking in his direction with hollow eyes. Something's off with those hands, too... there's still about forty feet between the fighter and the shooter, and the forest terrain in between does not allow for a charge.

Everyone, what's your next course of action?

 

[Sherwood]

Seeing that he cannot close the distance between himself and the shooter with a full-out charge, Aysik continues to advance, keeping his greatsword up and ready to help defend himself from further attacks until he can get close enough to engage the crossbowman with his blade.

As he advances, Aysik continues to keep his eyes open for other threats, eyes darting from right to left, as he moves through the trees.

Spoiler

Using my Feat of Shield of Swings to increase my AC to 19 until I act again next round.
14 for my Perception roll

Level: 1
Class: Fighter
Hit Points: 14

Fort Save: +5
Reflex Save: +0
Will Save: -1

Armor Class: 15 - 19 with Shield of Swings
Touch AC: 10
Flat-Footed AC: 15
CM Bonus: +4
CM Defense: +15

Base Attack: +1
Initiative: +0

Weapons
Greatsword - +5 to hit, 2d6+6 Damage (+4/2d6+9 w Power Attack), Crit 19-20/x2
Dagger - +5 to hit, 1d4+4 Damage (+4/1d4+6 w Power Attack), Crit 19-20/x2
Old Raulyn's throwing axe - (1d6 dmg; Critical x2; Range 10 ft.; Type S)

Shortbow - +1 to hit, 1d6 Damage, Crit x3, Range 60ft
--20 Arrows

Armor
Scale Mail +5 AC, Armor Check -4

Feats
Cleave - Strike at Multiple Opponents, -2 to AC
Power Attack -1 to Hit/+2 Damage (+3 with Two-Handed Weapons)
Shield of Swings - +4 to AC when Active, reduce melee damage done by half

 

[Captain Hesperus]

Relieved that Fijit is well-protected by the Paladin Dreamy, Thomas cast an eye about to see where his comrades were. Rodrik was hunkering down, tending to his crossbow. He didn't appear harmed, but he was certainly making himself small to protect himself, Amber moving through the leafy underbrush with all speed and Aysik surging forward with a vengeance. Thomas knew where he needed to be.
"Dear Aerdreamifafalierie, I leave Fijit's protection to you.", he said, before rushing after Aysik, shield raised before him and his right hand unhitching the spear from over his shoulder, "Desist in the name of Pharasma!"

 

[Psychie]

Amber can almost physically feel the eyes on her as she tries to hide. That, along with irritation for her clumsiness in this terrain, gives her a bit of anxiety. You have got to do better, girl, or whatever it is out there will get the jump on you and your friends! Now focus! She tries to duck behind another bush, kneeling down in an attempt to achieve a bit of surprise on their foes.

Spoiler

Attempting another Stealth roll at a +8. Total of 25.

Hit Points: 10

Fort Save: +1
Reflex Save: +7
Will Save: -1

Armor Class: 18
Touch AC: 15
Flat Footed AC: 13
CM Bonus: 0
CM Defense: 15

Base Attack: 0
Initiative: +5

Weapons
Dagger x4 +5 to hit, 1d4 damage, Crit 19-20/x2 - (+3 to hit with TWF), range 10
Rapier +5 to hit, 1d6 damage, Crit 18-20/x2 - (+3 to hit with TWF)
Shortbow +5 to hit, 1d6 damage, Crit x3, range 60
--20 Arrows
Sneak Attack Damage: +1d6

Armor
Studded Leather +3 AC, Max Dex +5, Armor Check -1

Feats
Two-Weapon Fighting - Reduces penalties for using two weapons at once
Weapon Finesse - Use Dex to determine to-hit instead of Strength

 

[Kaerri]

Movement above her catches Fijit's attention. She stares up into the trees, eyes narrowed, searching for whatever it was and trying to make some sort of identification.

Spoiler: Perception check

She adds a total of +6 to her roll (1 rank +0 Wis +3 class +2 gnome)

I vaguely remember you offering to roll for us rather than use the dice roller? If not, I'll roll here.

 

[Purr]

"Dear Aerdreamifafalierie, I leave Fijit's protection to you.", he said, before rushing after Aysik, shield raised before him and his right hand unhitching the spear from over his shoulder, "Desist in the name of Pharasma!"

"Uh, okay!" Dreamy takes one look at Thomas running off and then another look at Fijit on horseback and one more to whomever or whatever is trying to kill Aysik. What was a Champion of Desna to do? Oh! Maybe this?

Her blue eyes flashing with fire, Dreamy calls to her gnomish buddy. "Hey Fijit! Stick with me and we'll give whatever's trying to hurt Aysik a taste of Paladin Power and Alchemist Awesomeness... or something like that." Dreamy remounts and takes off directly after whatever is taking on Aysik.

Silanon Kaerri

Spoiler: Shop Talk

Dreamy is taking her 5-foot step to remount her horse and then using a Double Move to try to find and reach Aysik's opponent. That should take her 100 feet in one Round.

Since Fijit never dismounted and is also riding a horse (as opposed to a pony), she should be able to follow suit on her next turn?

 

[jaydude]

As Rodrik takes cover, he also glimpses some sort of movement up in the treetops; something small moves quickly, flying from one branch to another - barely in sight, and then already gone.

Rodrik spared whatever was up in the treetops a quick look; that was all he could manage before he lost track of it.

Seeing that he cannot close the distance between himself and the shooter with a full-out charge, Aysik continues to advance, keeping his greatsword up and ready to help defend himself from further attacks until he can get close enough to engage the crossbowman with his blade.

As he advances, Aysik continues to keep his eyes open for other threats, eyes darting from right to left, as he moves through the trees.

As Aysik started moving ahead, Rodrik carefully leaned out from behind his cover, keeping the nobleman in sight. Every now and again though, his gaze went up into the branches, wondering just what it was that he'd seen there earlier.

 

[Silanon]

Aysik does not perceive any additional threats within his sight - though arguably, the one foe he spotted might be plenty enough for the moment. As the noble closes the distance, the creature shows no sign of worry. Instead, it shows unnatural patience as it waits for just the right moment to pull back the trigger of its crossbow once more. Aysik hears the sound right in a moment where neither tree nor bushes offer cover; but as it turns out, his armor is plenty enough of protection. He feels the impact as a bolt is deflected by trusty steel once more - and also notes the relatively clear path towards the foe.

So does the creature, though. As soon as it has fired, it turns to retreat deeper into the forest, though its sluggish movements do not allow it to escape all that fast. Indeed, it mostly turns and hobbles a few steps away from you, still in charge distance for Aysik. Behind him, Thomas arrives as well - his steps let him close in most of the distance towards the fighter, though a charge against the foe is still not possible yet.

Amber, trying to vanish from sight, soon feels how the attention of whatever is out there shifts away from her - indeed, she even spots her adversary turn away. An oversized undead bat like the one you found flies off from one of the trees and glides through the air on torn wings, clearly moving in on those closer to the river. There's a short time frame where the quick rogue could possibly act against it.

Rodrik's and Fijit's attempts to spot the foe in the treetops are successful as well; mostly because they act as soon as Dreamy directs her horse into the forest. Two bats dive down from the shadows above, with two clear targets in mind - the two horses with riders. At a glance, they very much remind you of the undead bat you found; and the horse's reactions is similar. Dreamy, as she directs her horse forward, feels Purpose underneath make a sudden leap forward and rush through the bushes as if death itself were on its trail. Still, turning its fear into speed is not the worst; it allows Dreamy to close the distance towards Thomas and Aysik, and the horse stays calm enough for her to cling on and not be in danger of falling.

Fijit, on the other hand... Graham claimed that Shade is a calm one, but that does not seem to hold in the presence of the undead. With the other animals blocking the path ahead, its rises to its hindlegs, hooves kicking thin air as if to hit the bat closing in; thanks to her attentiveness, Fijit gets the choice to cling on or jump off before fate can make that choice for her.

The other horses... are indecisive. With the road blocked Amber's Rust turns its eyes towards the forest - and incidentally rushes towards its rider. The other three attempt to turn, rushing towards where you came from just moments ago.

There's a crossbowman in charge distance of Aysik, an undead bat near Amber on its way towards the horses and two already there - one near Fijit's horse, the other left where Purpose escaped its first dive successfully. What would you all like to do?

Everyone closing in on the shooter - read the following spoiler.

Spoiler: Closing in on the creature? If yes, then read!

Consider two numbers:
10+BAB+Wisdom
10+ Sense motives

I believe that no one has either one at 17 or higher, but let me know if I'm incorrect. Of course, those numbers have absolutely nothing to do with what happens.

Captain Hesperus Purr Kaerri Psychie jaydude Sherwood

 

[Kaerri]

Fijit narrows her eyes at the probably-undead bat, which has apparently likewise spotted her as well as it is now heading straight for her! She's about to do... something... about it, when her horse sees the thing too and does its own something, rearing up like it wants to attack. Good for it! Unfortunately that changes Fijit's sitting platform from horizontal to approaching vertical, which is not good for balance. The little alchemist clings desperately to the saddle, hoping it won't come off and dump her under the hooves of her fearsome Shade. "Go get 'em!" she encourages the horse, trying to wedge her feet somewhere for extra cling.

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus jaydude Kaerri Psychie Sherwood Silanon (in case alerts bork). =)

Rodrik's and Fijit's attempts to spot the foe in the treetops are successful as well; mostly because they act as soon as Dreamy directs her horse into the forest. Two bats dive down from the shadows above, with two clear targets in mind - the two horses with riders. At a glance, they very much remind you of the undead bat you found; and the horse's reactions is similar. Dreamy, as she directs her horse forward, feels Purpose underneath make a sudden leap forward and rush through the bushes as if death itself were on its trail. Still, turning its fear into speed is not the worst; it allows Dreamy to close the distance towards Thomas and Aysik, and the horse stays calm enough for her to cling on and not be in danger of falling.

Fijit, on the other hand... Graham claimed that Shade is a calm one, but that does not seem to hold in the presence of the undead. With the other animals blocking the path ahead, its rises to its hindlegs, hooves kicking thin air as if to hit the bat closing in; thanks to her attentiveness, Fijit gets the choice to cling on or jump off before fate can make that choice for her.

Seeing Fijit in trouble changes Dreamy's course of action... and perhaps has something to do with a change of mindset for Desna's Champion. The Sea-elf-blooded Paladin and would-be Cleric notes the collection of individuals all acting according to their gifts... but as much as Dreamy loves liberation, she feels teamwork is often the difference between success and defeat on the battlefield.

Not knowing exactly where everyone is or what they are planning on, Dreamy attempts to offer direction, and with it, party cohesion. She shouts out, "Rodrik! Let's team up against Fijit's threat! Everybody with a melee weapon? Take down that ground foe before it calls in more bats!" And if no one did as she asked, well hey! At least she tried! But if they did come together as a team, that spoke much of their character. Schools of sea creatures and packs of sea cats roamed the oceans in numbers for good reasons. Dreamy felt if these new friends were open to battlefield direction here (from Dreamy or any other party member really), then it spoke well of their future odds of survival together. And if everyone instead did as they darned well pleased? That would help Dreamy know what to expect when things really got serious comes future battles.

Right now, she felt the horses were becoming liabilities. It was not the horses' call to transport the party but to do as commanded. Well, that went out of the window the moment the undead arrived. Since these were not trained war-horses, what could they do but respond as their emotions told them? Including ride off the battlefield with their riders? Better to not fight the horses at all but hope they could be collected up after the battle.

Dreamy tries to dismount Purpose and change weapons to aid Fijit as best she can. "Hang on, Fijit! Desna as my witness, that foe of yours is going down!"

Spoiler: Silanon

Shop Talk. If you'll allow it, I would like Dreamy to take a 5-foot step to dismount Purpose. I would like to then use two Move-equivalent Actions:

1. Sheathe her Elven Wave Slicer.
2. Draw her sling and stone (to fire on Fijit's adversary when she is able).

Doing this puts her in control of her own movement, lets Purpose do whatever Purpose is going to do, while allowing Dreamy the freedom she needs to defend Fijit by destroying the threats.

 

[Purr]

Captain Hesperus Kaerri jaydude Psychie Sherwood Silanon

Spoiler: OOC for all

Heya friends! The following is just my way of staying in Dreamy's head. There are no new in-game declarations here, just a little look into Dreamy's past. The more I play a character, the better I hang onto them (and learn what each has to teach me too). =)

* * *​

(Echoes from the Past, Part 1 of 2.)

Down deep in the sea, unreachable by most who sailed the high seas above, there was a peaceful realm of scholars and artists dubbed The Twilight Reaches. To call it a city was to be too simple, for what city had no walls? No gates? Seemingly no barriers or defenses from outside forces? No roads going in and out and no politics to be played by ruling people?

To refer to the Twilight Reaches as a town was putting too mildly, for there were too many denizens both born here and from afar and many services and traditions, wonders and culture, foods and music, and all things that made a place worth living in to just call it a mere town. What town had magical monuments that shrouded the whole place in secrecy, hiding it and all its denizens both from many magical and mundane means? What town had no laws but customs? No prisons but guidelines that followed absolute freedoms? No policing but also few crimes?

The Twilight Reaches was thus referred to as a "realm." That was the word most of its denizens had agreed upon and should that title change, well, it could not be helped - so said those who called this midnight haven of the Undersea home.

Not far from the central core of the realm lived Dreamy's family - a crazy, energetic gathering of free-willed relatives that argued as often as it prospered, but it was a family at its very heart filled with love, with understanding, with huge curiosities, and even greater desires to find answers to soothe their ever-active minds. Mix in a colossal heritage of music-lovers, scholars, magic-makers, and adventurers and what else could you have but bards?

Dreamy was meant to be such a creature. She looked the part, acted the part, had a delightful ear for language and music and sang like the born singer that she was. And yet, tonight, under her parent's walls, in their very dining room which was large and echoing as if ready for music at any moment, the half-elf born of bards both Sea Elven and human, was intent on leaving it all behind. All for a dream.

Dreamy sat daydreaming at the great golden table that from above was shaped like a lute. All about her was rich finery, terrific paintings, musical instruments perched on tables ready for the plucking, beating, or playing. The smells of fine food drifted up towards her pretty nose but her active brain did not seem to register these. Her ears from which gold and sea-stones swayed did not hear the conversations from her parents or the band all around her. Her starry eyes did not see the glass of vintage wine recovered from the surface world on yet another one of her parents' grand and daring adventures.

Inside Dreamy's mind drifted the concert that they had played just this late afternoon in the Twilight Reaches largest seashell, the Concertatorium! Thousands of people of differing species, origins, backgrounds, and ages had come once again to hear the band play. Because, by Desna, could they play! She could still hear the announcer, a celebrity himself and the best in his field, proudly declaring the beginning of yet another night filled with ear-blessing and heart-stealing music as he shouted, his magical voice amplified magically:

"Here they are, folks! You know them! You love them! They are... Chaotic Good!"

Cheers from thousands erupted like an underwater volcano - huge and unstoppable - and quieted like a vanishing wave of ocean blue as her father's fingers plucked his guitar to the beginning notes of a melody known by more people in the Undersea than Dreamy had ever seen. Eager to listen, faces craned forward until the notes faded and the whole band launched into musical action.

Spoiler: Roundabout by Yes

"Roundabout (2003 Remaster)"

Dreamy saw all of this from the side-stage. She never tired of the view, the sounds, the energy, and the experience. Song after song, Chaotic Good performed their acoustic soul-filling alchemy. They dispelled fears, created hopes, made the ordinary appreciable, and brought their unusual perspectives born of dozens of great adventures to all who listened. While the Undersea had its share of minstrels and groups, bards and bands, there was no one like Chaotic Good and everyone - including the band - knew it. Also known to all, these were the band's dying days. Time had finally come a'calling. They were simply getting old. Dreamy's mother and bassist was well into her 90th year - long even for human years - and yet she performed like someone two-thirds her age. Dreamy knew this was one of the last times her mother would perform on-stage before an audience. Practiced for months, the entire show had been three whole hours (including intermission) of fantastic music, sensational entertainment, and a memorable experience for all who attended. Dreamy knew she would never touch their legacy, nor would she try. Instead, she felt she must make her own.

To be fair, Dreamy had small parts to play. Possessing a womanly voice trained in opera, Dreamy's voice was one of those that was nigh-unmistakable no matter what she sang. In her heart, it was a tremendous honor just to be near the stage her parents and band played from much less on it and performing alongside them as a back-up vocalist.

Back at the dinner table, Dreamy fingered a long lock of her hair and continued to daydream.

(Part 2 is in the next post.)

 

[Purr]

(Echoes from the Past, Part 2 of 2.)

"Copper for your thoughts, my child?" Dreamy heard her silver-haired and very human mother say. Even in her 90s, Dreamy thought her mother was so tremendously beautiful in both form, thought, and deed. She was more than worth ceasing the daydream for. "I can see you're elsewhere again, but you don't come back soon, your dinner is going to lose its warmth."

Dreamy took a deep breath and tried to still her ever-active mind. "Thanks, Mom," she smiled fondly. "You're always taking care of me. I'm going to miss you."

Her mother nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly. "It's our fault, you know. Filling your head with the tales of our past. I guess I should feel lucky that you're the only one amongst your brothers and sisters who wants to go up there."

Dreamy knew that her mother was referring to the surface world where her mother was born and raised. "I can't help it. Mountains and valleys? Clouds and lakes? What are these things? Words and paintings aren't enough; I want to see them!"

Her mother took a drink of her wine and continued listening.

"In addition... I can't get these dreams Desna gives me out of my head."

"Nor should you try, sweetling," her mother tapped her finger at Dreamy intently. "Remember that while you can't choose the parents who bore you, you sure as heck can choose your patron deity. Any deity you choose to follow is much like having a parent of your choosing," she winked. "And you should follow them for as long as they're worth following."

"And if somehow Desna and I differ enough to part?"

"Then choose another darned deity or go without one, I say! Otherwise, you'll just follow along like a golem, an automaton, answering to the beat of a drummer you no longer can learn from. Talk about useless!"

"Did I hear my name just now?" Along came Dreamy's father, cane in hand with his dashing smile and inquisitive charm. He propped his feet upon the table like he owned the place. Because, like his wife, he did.

Dreamy blew a kiss at him for she adored the man even when he was driving her crazy. If Dreamy got her practical thinking and wisdom from her mother, then she blamed her father for any charm and mischievousness she possessed. "Oh, you wish you were useless! Then you'd have something real to complain about!"

"Honey!" he mock-quaked. Hand on his chest, he looked to his beloved wife. "She's implying I'm a complainer! What should I do?!"

"Shut up and take it for once?" she chuckled.

"That's not happening," giggled Dreamy.

And it was true. Knowing Dreamy detested this treatment, he eyed her and wagged his finger straight at his most beauteous and faithful of children. "Do not dish out if you cannot take, little girl! I am wholeheartedly certain you can concoct your share of complaints too."

"Oh, right now, I can think of only one!" Dreamy shot back and pointed at him. But then she calmed again, seriousness taking her. "It's just... you two are... so good at what you do! You've surpassed being bards, you never were just plain minstrels... you're... legends! Look at all those people who came from all over just to see you tonight and the magic they came away with!"

"Us," her mother corrected. "You performed with us too, sweetling."

"Yeah... but they didn't come because my name was blaring on banners everywhere and all over the entire Concertatorium." Dreamy sighed. "I want to live my own adventures and make my own tales to tell, but... I want to be great at something too! I mean... look at Dad!" Her mother raised an eyebrow at her dearest and chuckled as to no one's surprise, the Sea Elf of many centuries flexed his handsome chest and looked about, eagerly ready to be admired from any angle. From anyone. Anywhere.

Dreamy yearned on. "I love how you play, Dad! I mean, you can make any piece of wood with strings sing or wail or shout or... cry out loud like a living thing!" For one long moment, Dreamy looked as if she were drifting towards despondency, her fine locks drooping over her lovely dress. "Sure, I can sing. But I'll never reach your level of... greatness!"

"Did someone call my name?" uttered the drummer of Chaotic Good, Augothos Thunderfoot of Desna, Barbarian and Druid both. When Dreamy and her parents just blankly stared at him, the beardless fellow quipped, "Just kidding. Unlike your father, I have my feet grounded in reality. What is on your mind?"

Dreamy nodded, pleased with the courageous dwarf she considered family. "Aw, uncle Auggie, I just... don't think I'll ever be good at anything but singing. And daydreaming. And... that's not enough!"

"Dreamy," Augothos could not help but interject, "I too am in the process of leaving here. I have lived here a long time. It is a hard choice, but... take it from me - you fill every possible requirement of being a Champion of Desna down pat! You would make a wonderful paladin! Or cleric or... both!"

"Yeah, but it bothers me that doing so will take me from here and all of you. But I can't find what I need here - I've got to see what the rest of the realms, heck, maybe even the rest of the worlds have to share with me! Singing alone won't get me what I long for. And as much as I practice, I'm only so good at lutes and fiddles, violins and guitars."

Her masterful father chose that moment to smile and raise a finger. "But Dreamy-dear! You could do it!"

Praise towards other living creatures besides himself was something Dreamy did not hear her father utter often. It was as rare as black pearls. This got her attention and kept it like a spell. Exchanging silent looks, the bards at the table quickly began to realize what her father was doing even if the would-be paladin hadn't yet caught on. "Of course!" he cheered. "You are my daughter! So proud am I of you that I must confess..." He knew he had to finish before his wife and Augothos face-palmed. "...you might follow along in my 400 years of constant musical practice!"

"I could?" Dreamy took the bait.

"Aye indeed!" He took on a mischievous pose now. "If you practiced twice as long, you might become half as good!"

Dreamy's jaw dropped she finally realized his goal - to get under her skin yet again! 800 years?! Half as good?! She almost stood up right there but a warning glance from her mother to behave stayed her. "Dad! I don't have 800 years and you know it!"

Her father sighed in mock disappointment so thick one could feel it from across the room. "Ah, more is the pity. Perhaps instead you could do a better job at fitting into dresses?" This caused Dreamy to stare down at her own fine figure while both her mother and her uncle silently face-palmed.

"What?! What's wrong with my figure?"

"Aye!" her father turned to his wife. "Honey? Since when did we invite manatees to dinner?"

"Manatees?"

"Aye! You know!" he pointed at Dreamy. "'Sea cows?'"

"Ohhhh!" Dreamy screamed in that full-voiced, high-pitched womanly scream that seemingly only she possessed. "Now you've had it, Daddy!" Threatening to rise, she grabbed both arms of her heavy chair, and glared promisingly at her father.

But her mother ordered. "Dreamy, that butt of yours had better remain attached to that seat cushion." Dreamy nodded but did not take her eyes from him.

Her father sat there unimpressed with Dreamy. With a dismissing wave of his hand and a feigned yawn, he sipped his wife's wine. "Aye, of course. Waif that you are, you lack the limb-strength to move such great furniture. Such idle threats do not this bard impress."

"You forget, dear Daddy," Dreamy growled between clenched teeth as the fires in her eyes flared to life. "I am not one of your fully Elven-blooded children!" To prove it, Dreamy half-stood up and the heavy chair left the floor under her feet. Uncle Augothos clapped his hand over his mouth lest he laugh out loud.

Her father almost collapsed, his feet coming off of his table. "Alystraea!" he called her lovingly by her middle name. "Er, you have... you have become stronger!"

"Indeed I have, Daddy! You'll find out out just how strong when get my hands on you!" She did not take her eyes off of her father as she moved around the table, slowly stalking him step by step. Her father relaxed a bit. She was moving at a sea-turtle's pace. He had all the time in the world to think of something... or so he imagined. Everyone in the room realized that Dreamy, thus weighed down, would take quite some time to move both herself and her large chair.

Until...

"Heyyy!" Dreamy looked to her mother. "You said 'seat cushion!' You didn't say anything about the whole darned chair!" Hearing this, her mother simply smiled at her daughter. But Dreamy's father wasn't smiling. He was suddenly reaching for his cane.

The sound of Dreamy's chair striking the stone floor made such a thunderous boom that it echoed from every corner of their large and extravagant home. Servants and guests in other rooms paused in concern to look in the direction, some of them realizing it was coming from a certain family and shaking their heads in dismay once it dawned on them who it was in the dining room.

Now Dreamy was scurrying around the dining table at a much faster pace with both hands holding her seat cushion against her backside. Her father stumbled, cursed, fell, cursed again, got up, stumbled again, cursed a third time, and trotted around the other direction of the table in a mad attempt to flee to safety. But it was clear that Dreamy, unhindered by time, injury, or a cane, was going to catch him and soon.

"That decides it," Augothos relaxed in his chair. "I have decided. I am remaining here after all." Dreamy's mother looked surprised at this sudden change of heart, but she softened when he added and pointed, "Where else am I going to get a show like this and not be the target of it?"

"AAAGH!" Dreamy's father cried out.

The pillow-pouncing had begun. Dreamy decided he was going to hear about it too. "Call me a sea-cow, will you?! Why you blubbery backside of a blue whale!" One-handed, she whomped him unmercifully with a pillow from a free seat while holding onto her own.

From the floor, her father could not help but smile. He had graduated in his daughter's eyes to new depths. He laughed and she beat him harder for it. Later, he would teach her how such taunts could work against her in her adventuring life and she would, as always, listen to his wisdom. But as for now, he had quite a different need. "Druid!" he cried while Dreamy repeatedly bashed him.

But Augothos the Dwarf took that moment to play his own hand. In feigned worry, he twiddled his thumbs. "Oh, I would love to provide the many benefits of Desna's unmatchable healing magic your way, but you see, Desna has not been very pleased with me recently. See, something about my not providing her following with adequate funding and falling behind on monetary donations. But, oh dear, if there were some way to help me in that regard, perhaps I could--"

"I'll pay! I'll pay!" Dreamy's father laughed.

"You'll pay all right!" Dreamy went to using both hands and two cushions. "Sorry, Mom! I broke your rule!"

But Mom just shook her head. "Oh, I'll let it slide this time, sweetling."

"Honey!" And this time Dreamy's father's cry held no sign of mocking or jesting. Only true heartfelt surprise.

The End. =)

 

[Silanon]

Since it's been a while, let me recap real quick: After undead sightings were reported during last night, the group - exhausted from dreams of the unusual variety - are following Lord Jordenin's request to travel towards the northern bridge to reinforce the guards of the local lord there. After finding an undead bat along their path, the group has followed a trail by the river, only to find it blocked by fallen trees; to their left, on the river's other side, they have spotted movements, but of much more immediate concern is a crossbowman hiding in the woods to their right, who took two shots at Aysik while undead bats come from the shadows, scattering horses and causing confusion.

At this point, both Aysik and Thomas have done their best to catch up with the shooter; and as the creature limps away slowly, the former is in position to charge in if he so chooses. In the meantime, Amber - sneaking through the forest to outflank the potential threats - sees another bat fly towards the river, and is faced with the decision to try to stop it now, or hurry to someone else's aid directly.

Rodrik is in cover, crossbow in hand, with Dreamy nearby - now on foot, and with her sling at the ready, while her horse follows its previous directory away from flying undeath after letting her jump out of the saddle. The paladin of Desna has offered her thoughts on a possible approach, but of course it's on you to decide your next course of action.

She shouts out, "Rodrik! Let's team up against Fijit's threat! Everybody with a melee weapon? Take down that ground foe before it calls in more bats!"

Speaking of horses - Fijit finds herself struggling to hold her grip and not fall off her own ride, Shade - its hooves, despite her cheering, do not connect with the agile udead bat swirling around it, but make just staying in place on horseback a true adventure. A second bat is between Dreamy and Fijit, after a fruitless attack attempt on the paladin.

For now, that leaves jaydude , Sherwood , Captain Hesperus and Psychie with possible actions to declare, as both Dann and Kaerri have done so already. If you have lost track of the overall situation, just throw questions at me in the ooc - it's been a bit, unfortunately.

 

[Sherwood]

Silanon

Since Aysik doesn't quite like the idea of being a pincushion for this guy, he will go ahead and push forward with his attack against the shooter, assuming that he can get close enough to use his greatsword.

Do you wish me to make a to-hit roll, or hold on that for a moment?

 

[Silanon]

Catching up is not a problem - his long steps let Aysik close the distance, Soon, he is close enough to notice a whiff of decay. His eyes pick up on the pale skin, torn in places to reveal rotten flesh and bleak bones. Soon, the fighter prepares for his strike, to end whatever-this is - that's when its behavior suddenly shifts. Where it has tried to escape with sluggish, slow steps thus far, it suddenly burst into a flurry of unexpected movements. It turns on the spot, shifts away from the noble's line of attack; and releases a sound that is somewhere between a howl and laughter as its open mouth reveals sharp teeth, covered in the bloody remains of a recent meal. Dark eyes meet the fighter's gaze, filled with an unnatural madness like he has never faced before. And most importantly, the creature's right arm reaches out, and overlong fingers stretch to let sharp claw-like fingernails slash towards Aysik's throat.

Instincts kick in. Without time to avoid the blow entirely, his shoulder moves to intercept. A nasty sound is heard when claws hit steel - but the armor holds. With his own strike failing to connect as well, his momentum at least carries Aysik forward and thus momentarily out of reach of the creature's teeth.

A frustrated howl follows, and Thomas, being nearby, might recall a certain moment within a dream not so long ago:

As his vision fades away, the priest first drops to his knees, then to the floor. But before he blacks out completely, he hears inhuman howls to his right. The howl of lifeless abominations.

The sound's just the same, only that it's just one voice, not many.

Sherwood Captain Hesperus

 

[Captain Hesperus]

The sound that escaped the undead abomination's ruin mouth sent a spark of memory through Thomas' mind.
"Beward, Lord Aysik, this creature, or at least the noise it uttered was in my dream. I cannot say what it portends.", he called ahead of him to the warrior who was fending off the fiend's attacks. For himself, he pushed himself harder to try and outflank the beast and catch it off-guard.

 

[Silanon]

In two different places, shots are fired. The first one - Amber's - comes without much of a sound, an arrow fired from well-chosen cover. It follows the bat's path of flight, and hits it mid-air, unaware of the danger. The human rogue sees the animal tumble towards the ground as the iron tip pierces its undead flesh near the left wing... but before it hits the ground, it steadies itself once more, spreading its torn wings to barely avoid the crash. Yet, it seems like the hit has torn right through the creature's will to fight - it turns sideways, northwards, trying to escape the battle. Trees offer cover along its new path, but it still has not realized the human's position - it should be possible to line up another shot if you so wish.

The other shot... does not leave room for escape. The heavy crossbow's sound is more distinct, but Rodrik's aim is just as good as Amber's. A bolt shoots off, hits the creature - and the force of impact nails it against the tree behind it. For a second or two, it still seems to struggle - then the unholy magic leaves its body, and its movements find an abrupt end.

The third bat, busy avoiding Fijit's horse's hooves, seems to pick up on its companions' shape - at least, it seems to disengage, turning northwards to follw the river. Still, there's a moment where those prepared for it might still stop its escape. Including Fijit, as Shade's hooves hit the ground once more, seemingly uncertain in which direction to carry its rider.

That leaves one more foe, right in Thomas' sight. As he hurries forward, he can notice the wrongness of this creature's existence. And yet, with Aysik having a lead to begin with, the cleric's legs cannot carry him next to the abomination just yet. Next round, however, there is no doubt that he will be able to flank the foe.

A foe that hesitates for just a second, looking over as the cleric speaks. "Noise... Dreeeeams..." The same kind of laughter as before follows. "Foooools..." Then it turns back towards the major problem of a greatsword-wielding human right in front of it - and retreat does not seem to be on the creature's mind. Instead, it turns against the noble with ferocity, clawing and biting away - but nothing is hit other than armor and thin air.

With that, it is once more your turn to act. The other riverside remains unchanged. Two bats are trying to escape, one wounded one within Amber's reach, one within reach of Rodrik, Fijit, and Dreamy. Lastly, there's the undead foe, once a shooter and now clawing away. Aysik is right next to the foe, Thomas can get there with ease (consider him flanked if you both decide to go into melee), and both Rodrik and Dreamy could turn their attention there as well.

Captain Hesperus Kaerri jaydude Psychie Sherwood Purr

 

[jaydude]

Giving a grunt of approval as he saw his bolt hit its mark, Rodrik moved back behind the tree and busied himself with reloading his crossbow.

[What it says on the tin. I believe that with my Rapid Reload feat, I can reload as a move action.]

 

[Kaerri]

"Just stay here," Fijit told her horse, patting it on whatever place was nearest and not covered by saddle (the neck, probably). "You did good. Now just stay put." She fumbled for her blowgun and a dart, wishing they'd had just a little more time to prepare. Maybe extant poisons weren't optimal for her needs, but they were better than nothing, which was what she had available right now. An unadorned dart would have to do. Fitting it carefully into the blowgun's tube (just because it wasn't poisoned now was no reason to get into bad habits), she took aim at the bat that had been coming after her, and was now trying to get away. Oh no you don't, she thought at it, and fired.

 

[Psychie]

Seeing that the bat that she had hit earlier was trying to get away, Amber knocks another arrow and lets fly with a (hopefully) killing shot to take it down.

15 to hit, doing another 5 hit points of damage if successful.

Spoiler

Level: 1
Class: Rogue
Hit Points: 10

Fort Save: +1
Reflex Save: +7
Will Save: -1

Armor Class: 18
Touch AC: 15
Flat Footed AC: 13
CM Bonus: 0
CM Defense: 15
Base Attack: 0
Initiative: +5

Weapons
Dagger x4 +5 to hit, 1d4 damage, Crit 19-20/x2 - (+3 to hit with TWF), range 10
Rapier +5 to hit, 1d6 damage, Crit 18-20/x2 - (+3 to hit with TWF)
Shortbow +5 to hit, 1d6 damage, Crit x3, range 60
--18 Arrows

Sneak Attack Damage: +1d6

Armor
Studded Leather +3 AC, Max Dex +5, Armor Check -1

Feats
Two-Weapon Fighting - Reduces penalties for using two weapons at once
Weapon Finesse - Use Dex to determine to-hit instead of Strength

 

[Sherwood]

Seeing that the undead thing is still trying to claw its way through his armor, Aysik decides to put some muscle behind his next attack and really lay into the zombie with his greatsword.

Performing a Power Attack. Lets see if it hits. With a 6, probably not.

Spoiler

Level: 1
Class: Fighter
Hit Points: 14

Fort Save: +5
Reflex Save: +0
Will Save: -1

Armor Class: 15 - 19 with Shield of Swings
Touch AC: 10
Flat-Footed AC: 15
CM Bonus: +4
CM Defense: +15

Base Attack: +1
Initiative: +0

Weapons
Greatsword - +5 to hit, 2d6+6 Damage (+4/2d6+9 w Power Attack), Crit 19-20/x2
Dagger - +5 to hit, 1d4+4 Damage (+4/1d4+6 w Power Attack), Crit 19-20/x2
Old Raulyn's throwing axe - (1d6 dmg; Critical x2; Range 10 ft.; Type S)

Shortbow - +1 to hit, 1d6 Damage, Crit x3, Range 60ft
--20 Arrows

Armor
Scale Mail +5 AC, Armor Check -4

Feats
Cleave - Strike at Multiple Opponents, -2 to AC
Power Attack -1 to Hit/+2 Damage (+3 with Two-Handed Weapons)
Shield of Swings - +4 to AC when Active, reduce melee damage done by half

 

[Silanon]

Within the forest, three shots are fired almost simultaneously; and while the weapons might differ, the shooters' aim does not, for now. Dart, bolt and arrow all three hit their mark, with the impact alone enough to send them off-course. There is, however, a major difference: The one trying to escape from Fijit's and Rodrik's fire - the one that pestered Fijit's horse just moments ago - shows its undead resilience, as neither the dwarf nor the gnome can blow it out of the sky. Instead, it rapidly beats its wings, catching itself before it can plummet into the water below.

The other one, targeted by Amber... is not so lucky, it seems. The rogue sees the creature drop out of mid-air, straight into one of thorny bushes that can be seen here and there. Neither can Amber spot any signs of unlife, nor do the branches give away any movement. For all she can see, Amber has every right to believe that it's down for good.

That leaves Aysik's attack, for now. A mighty attack, showing incredible force - but the sword only slices through thin air as his opponent once more shows unexpected agility. Still, the fighter is quick to regain his balance, prepared to withstand another wild assault.

That leaves Purr and Captain Hesperus with possible actions.

 

[Purr]

Spoiler: Chaotic Good

"Cinema" by Yes

With the music of her parents ringing in her mind, Dreamy looks up at the injured foe-bat and just for a moment she wishes she held the heavy crossbow that the taloned menace tried to end Aysik with. Her sling will have to do. Still, the passionate paladin cannot help but clench her teeth and glare at the unholy thing.

Her glare comes with a snarl. "Why you... flappity-flap... lousy... louse! Think you can take a swipe at our Fijit while scaring our horses and get away with it? May Desna end you!" With that shouted oath, she sends her sling bullet sailing at the bat.

Spoiler: OOC

Acolyte Dreamy is +2 "to hit" dealing 1d4+1 damage (sling plus Strength score) if she connects.

 

[Silanon]

A forth kind of projectile swirls through the air - and once more, the aim leaves nothing to be desired. The bullet, perhaps guided by Desna, perhaps not, finds the bat mid-air as she tries to recover from the two previous hits; and hits it near its hairy neck. Even from the distance, you can see how the body twists upon the sudden impact... and how it then suddenly drops from the air, its wings without signs of motion to stop its fall. Indeed, there is no motion other than the splash as it crashes into the flat water near your side of the river, surrounded by rough stones that will not allow the current to carry away your target anytime soon.

That leaves Captain Hesperus 's Thomas to act, and only the foe fighting Aysik as an opponent.

Spoiler: Dice

12 +2 was enough to hit; full damage then got the job done.