[Game Thread] The 4th of Neth

[Foxtrot]

Idiot! Lucien mentally chided himself. Power was nothing without precision. To get caught up in the excitement like he did was exactly what he should have tried to avoid. That was as rookie of a mistake as he could have made swinging so recklessly. How could I have been so foolish? It was then that he heard one of the females shout out that the orcs were only illusions. Well, maybe not quite as eloquently, but the point was made nonetheless. Once more Lucien swore at himself silently for missing such an obvious ruse. The priority would be to find the one responsible for the illusions and stop him or her. Still, Lucien had his doubts and wanted to see for himself. Besides, it seemed the animal was now on the hunt for whoever might be behind this attack. The rest of them could do what was necessary to prevent anyone from getting injured during it.

The attack itself brought up a number of questions Lucien tried to keep at bay. Who was behind this? Was it some kind of ploy conceived by the villagers to mess with them much like some of the other events of the morning or was it something more sinister? If it was the villagers, this seemed to be a long ways away from the village to create such a trap. If it wasn't the villagers, then what was the motivation for whoever was behind this? Perhaps there was even another option. It was something he would need to think about after the current crisis was ended, that was for sure.

Taking up a defensive stance with the orc he had attacked the Inquisitor

Dice Will Save:

1d20+6

(20)+6

Total = 26

Not sure if this roll is right or not, but figured I would try it anyway. If it is wrong please just use the Perception roll from later in the paragraphlooked closely for any signs of illusion coming from the approaching orc. His eyes shifted for a brief second

Dice Perception:

1d20+7

(16)+7

Total = 23

to see if he could spot the magician behind the attack before he turned his attention back toward the attacking orc. Even so, he wasn't about to take any unnecessary chances.

Dice Attack Roll:

1d20+3

(12)+3

Total = 15

Striking once more with his blade at the orc near him, the Inquisitor looked to perhaps

Dice Damage:

2d6+4

(4, 4)+4

Total = 12

dispel the deception, if that was even possible.

Quick Stats Lucien, Level 1 Human Inquisitor (Sheet) HP: 10/10, Init: +2, Speed: 30/20 Senses: Spirit Sense AC: 16, Touch: 12, Flat: 14, Fort: +3, Refl: +2, Will: +5 (+6 against illusion (phantasm) spells) Stats: Str 16, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8 Skills: Perception +7 (+9 to avoid Surprise), Sense Motive +8 (+9 when face to face with speaker), Stealth +3, Intimidate +4, Heal +7, Knowledge (Arcana) +4, Knowledge (Religion) +4 Condition: Normal Wielding: Greatsword Spell: 0 level (DC 13): Create Water, Detect Magic, Guidance, Light - 1st Level (DC 14): Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat

[kenardX]

Annea Annea let out a hiss as her second blade obviously struck true, but didn't produce the result she expected. Instead of a long, bloody gash across its thigh the orc just "felt" less solid. She had felt the resistance of her weapon as it passed through the creature, but it wasn't the resistance of muscle and tendons but something wierd. As she heard Renna's scream, Annea roared again in a way you would rather expect from a wild animal than a small girl and in a quick upward motion this time, Dice hit1: d20+2 (3)+2 Total = 5 Dice dmg1: d6 2 Dice hit2: d20+2 (19)+2 Total = 21 Dice dmg2: d6 3 confirm crit Dice crit: d20+2 (2)+2 Total = 4 sliced across the orc's body again.

Stats   Level 1 Human Rogue HP: 10/10, Init: +6, Speed: 30ft AC: 16, Touch: 14, Flat: 12, Fort: +1, Refl: +6, Will: +3 Stats: Str 11, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 15, Wis 15, Cha 7 Skills Pas: Knowledge: Local & Dungeoneering (+6), Perception(+6), Sense Motive(+6) Skills Act: Stealth (+8), Sleight of Hand (+8), Escape Artist (+8), Acrobatics (+8) Condition: Normal Attacks: +4(+2) Short Sword, +2 Offhand Short Sword, +4 Crossbow Left Hand: Short Sword, Right Hand: Short Sword,

[RainbowMagicPen]

With the orc focused on Rayne it's no surprise at all that Jasper's dagger

Dice Roll:

1d20+0

(8)+0

Total = 8

strikes home in the orc's flesh, though his followup is a little less successful, glancing off of the creatures armor unsuccessfully.

Over the tree-trunk the southernmost orc roars at his fallen and wounded comrades, hefting his great battleaxe to

Dice Attack:

1d20+5

(17)+5

Total = 22

Dice Damage:

1d12+4

(5)+4

Total = 9

swing at Lucien with all the anger and might that he can muster. The strike lands true, and though the pain is clear and distinct, at the same time it seems unusually fleeting.

Lucien's returned assault strikes exactly as intended this time, with the added bonus of sending the orcs head dropping the ground, followed a moment later by it's body.

In her hunting Emma catches a blink of what might have been a robe disappearing through the trees, and though Gohei hops through the bushes he finds nothing there, though there is plenty of evidence that something had been there moments before that has now vanished, including a thickly pungent smoke that strikes Rayne as being familiar, even though she can't quite seem to place where it's from, it does strike her as being generally harmless in nature.

Though Annea's movement and the Orc's jerking motions from the wound that Jasper inflicted, her second dagger lands true, and with a roar of confusion and pain the orc drops dead with just the lightest trickle of blood. Not that there's much time to examine the corpse, because as soon as it hits the ground, all three of the bodies vanish in a faint puff of smoke.

It is not, however, just the orcs that disappear, it is also the wounds that they had inflicted. The whole thing was little more than an illusion that could do no real harm to the Lamp-bearers in the end.

Enemy	Initiative	Lowest AC Hit	Touch	Damage Taken	Visible Weapons	Conditions	Known Buffs
Orc South	5	15	??	12	1d20+5 1d12+4/x3dmgGreataxe	Dead	None
Orc East	1	23	??	14	1d20+5 1d12+4/x3dmgGreataxe	Dead	None
Orc West	12	18	??	18	1d20+5 1d12+4/x3dmgGreataxe	Dead	None

Map
Combat Ended

[aerondor]

Jasper Vargidan

Jasper sheaths his daggers and picks up the lamp.

"I wonder what the point of that was? "

He looks around the group. "Someone from town, making us work together?"

One by one he eyes up his companions. "I only know of two people able to do magic in town... Holgast and my grandfather. Anyone remember seeing either of them this morning?"

He then moves over to the base of the tree, looking to see if it was cut recently, or is a natural deadfall.

A thought strikes him. "Rayne, did you learn from Holgast? Was he teaching anyone else?"

 

Jasper Vargidan Jasper Vargidan, Level 1 Human Rogue(Sheet) HP: 10/10, Init: +4, Speed: 30' Senses: (Lowlight vision) AC: 16, Touch: 14, Flat: 13, Fort: +1, Refl: +5, Will: +0 Stats: Str 12, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 15 Skills: Perception +4, Sense Motive +0, Stealth +6, Bluff +6 Condition: Normal Wielding: Pair of knives +1/+1 d4+2/d4+1

[kenardX]

Annea When the last orc fell and they puffed up in smoke, Annea turned to Jasper who was standing closest to her. For a moment it looked as though she would strike again, but then the rage faded from her eyes and she let both arms sink to her sides, slumping slightly. "What..?" She said weakly while letting her gaze wander from one companion to another. Only taking in that they all looked ready to fight, weapons blazing and alert, she grabbed her swords more vigorously again and took a step back from Jasper. Dice Perception: d20+6 (13)+6 Total = 19 to try and see if anything else is weird, besides everybody looking fight ready Checking out her surroundings she asks:"What's going on here?"

[Foxtrot]

"It would seem someone is toying with us," Lucien responded to the young girl as he returned his large blade to its resting place on his back, "What the purpose behind it is remains to be seen. Although Jasper's questions seem to have some credence and may be the right line to pursue." The Inquisitor tried to remember if he had noticed either of the magic users at the ceremony, but in all of the chaos of that event couldn't quite remember if they were there or not. It was a lesson to pay closer attention in the future he supposed. His gloved hand reached to his breast where the illusionary wound had struck him hard. The thought that if that had been a real attack he might not have made it lingered in his mind even as the tingling had stopped.

The lamp appeared to be safe in the hands of Jasper. That was a relief. If they had been deceived and lost the lamp, it would have meant failure before they had really even begun. Lucien turned and looked over toward Emma calling out to her, "Did you find anything?"

Quick Stats Lucien, Level 1 Human Inquisitor (Sheet) HP: 10/10, Init: +2, Speed: 30/20 Senses: Spirit Sense AC: 16, Touch: 12, Flat: 14, Fort: +3, Refl: +2, Will: +5 (+6 against illusion (phantasm) spells) Stats: Str 16, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8 Skills: Perception +7 (+9 to avoid Surprise), Sense Motive +8 (+9 when face to face with speaker), Stealth +3, Intimidate +4, Heal +7, Knowledge (Arcana) +4, Knowledge (Religion) +4 Condition: Normal Wielding: Greatsword Spell: 0 level (DC 13): Create Water, Detect Magic, Guidance, Light - 1st Level (DC 14): Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat

[okashii]

"Considering how long I've had to bug him just to teach me, I really doubt it Jasper. Holgast is too much of a recluse I guess." -replied Rayne, then looked at the confused Gohei.
"Whoever is responsible, I don't think there is much sense in rushing blindly into the woods with no tracks or scent left to follow, we should just count our blessings that the orcs were mere illusions and continue with our task."

[aerondor]

Jasper Vargidan

Jasper nods at Ryane. "Agreed. While we are here though, it would be a kindly thought to remove this fallen tree from the path.."

He approaches the fallen tree and puts a hand on it, trying to determine if the tree also is an illusion, or if that part of the 'ambush' had been real.

 

Jasper Vargidan Jasper Vargidan, Level 1 Human Rogue(Sheet) HP: 10/10, Init: +4, Speed: 30' Senses: (Lowlight vision) AC: 16, Touch: 14, Flat: 13, Fort: +1, Refl: +5, Will: +0 Stats: Str 12, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 15 Skills: Perception +4, Sense Motive +0, Stealth +6, Bluff +6 Condition: Normal Wielding: Pair of knives +1/+1 d4+2/d4+1

[Hound]

The Farmer's Daughter Emma says nothing, too embarrassed by all her own shouting, however she quick leaps to aid Jasper. With her tremendous farmer strength, she should be able to push the log off the road with out much trouble.

Emma Renard   Emma Renard, Lev 1 Human Druid (Sheet) HP: 12/12, Init: 4, Speed: 20 Senses: Spirit Sense AC: 19, Touch: 12, Flat: 16, Fort: 3, Refl: 2, Will: 4 Stats: Str 18, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 08 Skills: Perception (+6), Nature (+6), Survival (+8) Condition: Normal Wielding: Scimitar and Heavy Shield Spell: Light, Create Water, Detect Magic, Cure Light Wounds, Magic Fang

Gohei the Red Fox   Gohei, Red Fox HP: 21/21, Init: 2, Speed: 40 Senses: Low-light Vision, Scent AC:15, Touch: 13, Flat: 13 Fort: 4, Refl: 5, Will: 1 Stats: Str 15, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 03, Wis 12, Cha 06 Skills: Perception (+5), Stealth (+10) Condition: Normal Wielding: Full round Attack(Bite: +4 1d4+2, Claws x2: -1 1d3+2)

[Foxtrot]

And I thought I was quiet, Lucien thought to himself as Emma moved toward the others near the tree. He was still a little disturbed by the fact that someone was toying with them. Lucien didn't like being the plaything of others. He didn't like a lot of things, but that one in particular was one that was fairly high on his list. The group itself had fared well. Better than he expected at first and better than he did in general. It was a bit alarming in that regard. Here he thought that they were the ones that needed him, when in fact had they not warned him of the illusion, he might never had figured it out. It was a blow to his pride for certain. A frustrating one at that. Regardless, the danger had seemed to pass and it sounded like everyone was more than willing to continue on their way towards the ultimate goal of obtaining the Everflame. That was fine by him. Lucien had little desire to hunt down someone who would most likely come at them again if he were a true enemy. The search for truth could be put on hold for the time being. Better to focus on the mission at hand for now.

The Inquisitor stood stoically in the path letting his

Dice Perception:

1d20+7

(4)+7

Total = 11

eyes wander about to watch for danger while the others were distracted by the fallen tree. It would have been simple enough to just go over it, but if they wanted to move it for now, who was he to argue. The break would give him more time to rest and reflect on the day's events to get a sense of what might be going on behind the curtains.

Quick Stats Lucien, Level 1 Human Inquisitor (Sheet) HP: 10/10, Init: +2, Speed: 30/20 Senses: Spirit Sense AC: 16, Touch: 12, Flat: 14, Fort: +3, Refl: +2, Will: +5 (+6 against illusion (phantasm) spells) Stats: Str 16, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8 Skills: Perception +7 (+9 to avoid Surprise), Sense Motive +8 (+9 when face to face with speaker), Stealth +3, Intimidate +4, Heal +7, Knowledge (Arcana) +4, Knowledge (Religion) +4 Condition: Normal Wielding: Greatsword Spell: 0 level (DC 13): Create Water, Detect Magic, Guidance, Light - 1st Level (DC 14): Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat

[RainbowMagicPen]

Clear the Road The fallen log is most definitely real, and it's origin is perfectly natural as the broken stump off to the side seems to indicate. Though some of the wood is rotted from rainfall and pests and breaks away on the initial push, once a still-firm bit of wood can be found it rolls off to the side easily enough, leaving behind bugs and bark and a smattering of moss on the path, but nothing that would pose a serious hazard. It would seem no one had noticed the fallen log, since it's not usually until after harvest season that trade picks up this doesn't come as a surprise. The danger most definitely seems to have passed, it an illusion could truly be called a danger, and there is little else to be seen in the narrow path at the moment. With the pipe smoke rapidly fading there is nothing left to track their mysterious attacker by, and nothing but elongating shadows and the cries of birds to keep the group company on the road.

500xp gained

[aerondor]

Jasper Vargidan

The road restored, Jasper once again 'mounts up'. It is not without a wince that he does so. For all his posturing, it appears that Jasper is perhaps not a hardened rider.

Ouch. Need a padded saddle. Why has nobody invented one yet?

He sniffs the air. Pipe smoke... interesting.

Then, with a last check of the lantern, starts off down the forest road once more.

"Well, at least we know none of us will run away if we run into real orcs!"

 

Jasper Vargidan Jasper Vargidan, Level 1 Human Rogue(Sheet) HP: 10/10, Init: +4, Speed: 30' Senses: (Lowlight vision) AC: 16, Touch: 14, Flat: 13, Fort: +1, Refl: +5, Will: +0 Stats: Str 12, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 15 Skills: Perception +4, Sense Motive +0, Stealth +6, Bluff +6 Condition: Normal Wielding: Pair of knives +1/+1 d4+2/d4+1

[kenardX]

Annea Lost in thought, Annea silently watches the others move away the tree trunk. Putting back together the last few minutes, adding pieces of the puzzle she had before and that were now revealed to her. Absentmindedly she put her swords back in her scabbards, no need to wipe them down for blood, for the illusions left none and ignoring the general bustling of remounting and "preparing to go on" around her. "Must've been Holgast or Vagidan. Weren't in the crowd when we settled out..." she murmurs to herself.

[Hound]

The Farmer's Daughter Emma whispers, barely loud enough for the group to hear, "Isn't this kind of a bad idea? I mean... if we think all the dangers are just staged events by our own villagers, what would happen if a real emergency happened? This seems... really stupid and dangerous..."

Emma Renard   Emma Renard, Lev 1 Human Druid (Sheet) HP: 12/12, Init: 4, Speed: 20 Senses: Spirit Sense AC: 19, Touch: 12, Flat: 16, Fort: 3, Refl: 2, Will: 4 Stats: Str 18, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 08 Skills: Perception (+6), Nature (+6), Survival (+8) Condition: Normal Wielding: Scimitar and Heavy Shield Spell: Light, Create Water, Detect Magic, Cure Light Wounds, Magic Fang

Gohei the Red Fox   Gohei, Red Fox HP: 21/21, Init: 2, Speed: 40 Senses: Low-light Vision, Scent AC:15, Touch: 13, Flat: 13 Fort: 4, Refl: 5, Will: 1 Stats: Str 15, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 03, Wis 12, Cha 06 Skills: Perception (+5), Stealth (+10) Condition: Normal Wielding: Full round Attack(Bite: +4 1d4+2, Claws x2: -1 1d3+2)

[Foxtrot]

Lucien stood quietly and listened as the others spoke about the encounter. They seemed so sure it was someone from the village that staged the event. It made sense, but was it wise to dismiss other possibilities so quickly? He wasn't sure. For now the danger seemed to have passed and it looked like everyone short of Emma were ready to move on. The Inquisitor certainly was. This charade had nothing but slow them down and fill him with doubts better left behind. What was done was done and they needed to keep moving forward even if everything they came across was staged by the villagers. Just the thought of being toyed with like that made him cringe.

He looked to Emma and nodded, "I agree. It is stupid. We can't move forward thinking that everything is some kind of sideshow attraction staged by the villagers. We need to take things seriously. We can deal with the villagers in our own way at a later time if they continue to plague us like this." Having said his piece, he waited for the others to get moving and followed behind. Mostly because he didn't like not being able to see everyone and everything, but partially because it gave him more time to try to figure out the puzzles of just who these people were and why they were chosen.

Quick Stats Lucien, Level 1 Human Inquisitor (Sheet) HP: 10/10, Init: +2, Speed: 30/20 Senses: Spirit Sense AC: 16, Touch: 12, Flat: 14, Fort: +3, Refl: +2, Will: +5 (+6 against illusion (phantasm) spells) Stats: Str 16, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8 Skills: Perception +7 (+9 to avoid Surprise), Sense Motive +8 (+9 when face to face with speaker), Stealth +3, Intimidate +4, Heal +7, Knowledge (Arcana) +4, Knowledge (Religion) +4 Condition: Normal Wielding: Greatsword Spell: 0 level (DC 13): Create Water, Detect Magic, Guidance, Light - 1st Level (DC 14): Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat