[Game Thread] II. Adventures "Up the River"

[Krimchee]

damage Damage Dice Roll: 1d6= 4

[mountainbound]

Silas looks down at his hand and sees the tips of his index and middle finger red with blood -- frostbite was setting in, and the digits were alternately numb and on fire. Still, his arrow flew true, and plunked into the shoulder of the hideous crawler-headed man.

"Holy sh!t! Holy sh!t!" was about all Dan could come up with at the moment. But as Silas fished for another arrow, the young wizard had sense enough to try and bring the boat closer to shore. The current was taking them further away, and the motion made it doubly hard to hit a target from the water. So rather than conjuring something, Dan begins paddling furiously for the ice-rimed rocks of the bank.

With the stone bridge looming behind it, and snow sweeping in great gusts all about, the creature leaves its bag, coming sidelong toward where Geoff's canoe was being guided. From afar it gives an insect-like twitter and launches its head forward. Between its mandibles shoots forth a jet of steaming green ooze. The liquid streams farther than could be imagined and, as Silas is trying to steady his seat for a shot, the long jet splatters across his chest. In an instant, the acid eats down into his skin, filling the ranger's cold-benumbed body with sudden agony.

DM's Note The canoe is now near enough the shore that Silas can jump out if he pleases. The creature is about 30' away, and loping toward you, Silas' arrow still poking from its chest. Player Status Silas: 4hp damage Enemy Status Creature: Wounded for 4hp; AC 12

[Krimchee]

Pain lanced through Silas as the stuff landed on his chest. But the pain had to fight the sudden revulsion that welled up inside him for his attention. Revulsion won out and Silas let out a squeal very much like the girls in the village would make if they'd found a spider down one of thier blouses. Stumbling out of the boat with a clumsy series of splashes that soaked him to the hips, Silas steadied himself in the current of the river, hastily knocking another arrow. He drew his bowstring back to his cheek, fingers be damned, and let fly. Some part of him knew it was probably the last shot he'd get before the thing closed on him, but his revulsion prevented him from even holding his breath to aim properly. He was not looking forward to having only his gods cursed pigsticker of a sword between himself and whatever it was. "If you spit on me again I swear to the gods I'll.....

Attack and Damage Ranged attack Dice Roll: 1d20+4 (10)+4 Total = 14 Damage Dice Roll: 1d6 5

[mountainbound]

Silas's second arrow plunks into the creature's shoulder, making it stumble back several feet. "Keep it up!" Dan cheers. Suddenly he wasn't cold anymore. In another moment, the wizard is able to steady the boat as his friend stumbles out of it and into the icy Yakawanna. Dan calls out an unpronounceable syllable, and suddenly the snow strobes around the boat. A flash races from the wizard's outstretched finger and blasts into the creature, causing it the shriek in pain.

The worm-headed thing spews another line of spittle at Silas, but now on the shore, the ranger is better able to duck out of the way. The abomination keeps its distance now, its stunted arms pulling at one of the arrows lodged in its breast.

DM's Note The creature is about 20' away. It has stopped coming any nearer. Player Status No one takes damage this turn. Enemy Status Creature: Wounded for 12hp (from two arrows and a magic missile); AC 12

[Krimchee]

Silas knocked another arrow with fingertips sticky with blood. This time when he pulled back on the string, he had to grit his teeth against the pain. The pain was such that he only got the arrow half-way to his cheek before he had to let off the tension, an indrawn breath hissing through his teeth. He took a deep breath and held it against the pain and drew with steelly determination. The string left his fingertips with an explosion of pain so sudden that he almost dropped the bow. The arrow streaked towards it's target.

Attack Ranged attack Dice Roll: 1d20+4 (5)+4 Total = 9 DamageDice Roll: 1d6 3

[mountainbound]

Wiping spittle from its mandibles with a stunted arm, the thing ducks out of the way of Silas's arrow, and the whistling shaft disappears into the snow. The storm was intensifying, the large flakes accumulating fast upon the frigid rocks lining the Yakawanna river. Snow and frozen reeds crunched below Silas's feet as he stumbles from the water, fumbling with fingers bloody and numb from several hours of exposure.

Dan splashes into the cold water behind his friend with a bitter curse, gritting his teeth against the shock. He shouts a few words pointing his finger at the monster. But nothing happens. He whaps himself on the head, "...er... Sh!t... wait, I mean... ah Sh!t!" He was a novice, after all, with none of the training that true ships' wizardesses received back on OR. The cold had rattled his resolve, not to mention the hideous visage of the creature standing just twenty feet away, shuddering unnaturally in the shadow of the stone bridge. A change comes over it at that moment and, instead of attacking, it suddenly pitches backward, convulsing, shrieking in agony.

But in another moment, it is no longer a terrifying half-crawler, but a humble looking man in his fifties. He has a sparse gray beard and kindly eyes. His bloody leather tunic has a silver badge pinned upon it, as well as two arrows sticking out of blood-soaked wounds. His wide-brimmed hat falls from his head as he clutches his chest. He looks quickly at the boys and says, "You two, you two boys... now stay where you are. Put that bow down I say, put it down! I'm Constable Aldus of Archeebald, and I can have your hides if you do so much as take another step toward me! Now just put your weapons down and let's be civil!"

DM's Note The man is still 20' away. Player Status No one takes damage this turn. Enemy Status Creature: Wounded for 12hp (from two arrows and a magic missile); AC 12

[Krimchee]

Silas was stunned to see the thing revert back to man status. But he still couldn't shake the revulsion he felt. Was it some kind of werebeast? He knocked another arrow. "Stay right where you are, whatever you are. You better start talkin real fast before I put another arrow in you. Silas's fingers itched to let fly again. His memory of whatever it was screamed for him to shoot. The body can go in the river, even in that form, and so much the better, he thought.

Spit it out! I ain't go long. Soon as the words were out of his mouth, Silas winced. He remembered the last time this thing spit on him. Bloody well hope he doesn't spit. Silas watched, his senses straining to focus through the pain and the cold, hoping for an excuse to satisfy his urge to shoot this thing.

Perception check Perception Dice Roll: 1d20+6 (2)+6 Total = 8

[mountainbound]

The kind-faced man takes several cautious steps closer, one of his hands clutching at Silas's arrow. "That's it," he tells Silas, "you just lower that bow, boy. I'm lawman in these parts, and I'a hung boys for doing a lot less than you jus done. You stumbled in on a misunderstanding that you got no business in, an it's time for you to go."

At this point, Dan comes to stand next to Silas. He wrinkles his nose at the nasty-smelling smoke still whisking from the ranger's shoulder, where the acid continues to eat into the leather armor. "And you," Constable Aldus says to Dan, "I seen you playing at the Mysteries. Folk don't hold with that type of nonsense in these parts."

At that point, the snow whips violently, a blast howling from the direction of the stone bridge. To Silas's ears, there might have been a voice -- a woman's voice -- crying out above the moan of the storm, but it was impossible to tell. The memory of the strange white bag flashes through Silas's mind, however. The ranger's thoughts race wildly, with images of werebeasts and half-remembered fireside tales of creatures that could take the form of men. In half a second a few of Isaiah's words drift back to him as well. Of all the stories Silas has ever heard, none were ever spoken with the sure certainty that Isaiah gave them, and they were of no comfort at this particular moment.

Breaking Silas's train of thought, the constable continues hastily on, speaking loud above the blowing snow. "So I recommend that whatever you two are doing out on the water in the middle of winter, you just keep paddling. You ain't wanted in Archeebald, and if you try to enter my town, I'll see to it that you leave with your heads beneath your arms. Got it? Now get!"

DM's Note Constable Aldus is 10' away. Player Status No one takes damage this turn. What Silas perceives from the Perception check is above in the post. Enemy Status Aldus: Wounded for 12hp (from two arrows and a magic missile); AC 12

[Krimchee]

Silas grunted and he grit his teeth against the pain and drew his bow. He had all the reason he needed now, and he most definitely did not like this thing's tone. With grim determination he sighted and released in one fluid motion.

attack bow attack=23. Damage =4

[mountainbound]

As Constable Aldus steps nearer, Dan shouts, “Wait a minute! You… We just saw you spit a wad of—“ but at that point Silas draws, aims and releases in the blink of an eye, before Dan can even finish his thought. At point blank range, the shaft quivers directly into the kind-faced man’s solar plexus almost as soon… well, instantly. The arrow buries itself deep. It was a shot to kill a man. But this was no man that Silas was trying to kill.

The Aldus-thing stumbles back a step, shrieking in pain. And when it faces the boys again, the kindly face is gone. The creature is back, mandibles snapping in the whipping snow. It rears and spits, sending a steaming spray of green at the boys. Both raise their hands instinctively to cover their faces, and each quickly feels an excruciating pain in their shielding arms. Dan in particular – who wasn’t wearing a hunter’s armor – cries out in agony as the acid eats into his skin, his bones.

The wizard's arm is shaking uncontrollably, yet his staff was in his other, and, driven by anger and fear, the young wizard runs forward with a shout, leveling his weapon at the creature. The half-man is able to partially deflect the staff with a stunted arm, but slips back a few more steps on the icy riverbank, now on the defensive with four arrows sticking out of its oozing chest. Its bulbous orange eyes stare balefully at you, its inhuman mouth gibbering in an high whining voice. Despite its wounds, it was ready to kill, and lunges wildly at Dan.

DM's Note Player Status Dan: 4hp damage Silas: 4hp damage Enemy Status Aldus: Severely Wounded for 18hp (from two arrows and a magic missile); AC 12

[Krimchee]

Seeing the arrow thud directly into its intended target gave Silas a momentary sense of satisfaction, the gentle glow of a job well done. It was almost, but not quite enough for him to ignore the intense throbbing pain emanating from his fingertips. But then, before he could even really think about it, that thing spewed green on him. Reflexivly he threw up his arm to protect his face. It spewed on me! Again! Silas sputtered in a combination of revulsion and fury, "You son of a....I told you if you ever...

His fingers reached to grab another arrow when the thing lurched at Dan. No shot, he thought. From his mouth came the obligatory muttered curse. Thowing down his bow with a clatter as it bounced on the frozen earth, Silas drew his rapier and leapt into the fray.

Attack Attack w/Rapier Dice Roll: 1d20+3 (4)+3 Total = 7 Damage Dice Roll: 1d6= 4

[mountainbound]

Silas discards his bow, taking his stolen rapier in numb hands and charging several icy feet toward the creature. The half-man's leather jerkin resists the blade however, and it continues its attack on Dan. The wizard tries to use his quarterstaff to keep the fiend at bay, but the thing's neck seems to be growing before your eyes, out to over a foot now. It catches Dan's staff in its mandibles and, as the two are locked together for a moment, squirts a jet of acid onto Dan's neck.

The wizard shouts a curse and let's go of his staff, trying to put some distance between himself and the hideous creature. He scrapes furiously at his chest, trying to get his jerkin off before the acid eats away any more of his skin. With Dan occupied, the Aldus-thing then turns to face Silas, its mouth dripping with the foul liquid.

DM's Note Player Status Dan: 2hp damage Please list your AC and current/max HPs in the mechanics section of your post. I think Silas is down 8 so far. Dan 7/13hp; AC 14 Enemy Status Both characters missed this round. Aldus: Severely Wounded for 18hp (from four arrows and a magic missile); AC 12

[Krimchee]

Silas grunted as his sword connected but did not bite. It was unexpected and the impact jarred his wrist. Or maybe it was just oversensitive in the cold. Gods knew he might turn into an ice-pop any second, if this ruddy thing would only give him some flaming peace and quiet.

Silas sidestepped, looking for a cleaner angle to approach. When the thing's neck extended, Silas gaped. "Gods' fury..." he gasped. He wished he had an axe. But before the daydream could go any farther, the nasty bugger turned to face Silas, blasting all coherent thoughts out of his head. His eyes focused on the green, foul liquid dripping from its maw. Instinct took over and Silas lunged, thrusting forward with the razor sharp point of the blade.

Attack Attack w/ Rapier Dice Roll: 1d20+3 (16)+3 Total = 19 Damage Dice Roll: 1d6= 6 Silas HP 8/12 AC: 15

[mountainbound]

Purple ooze drips from the arrows stuck in the creature's chest. As it whips its long neck to and fro, the fingers of its stunted arms meld together into long hooks. It hisses and thrashes in the storm, lunging now at Dan, and now at Silas, but both boys seem to have finally recovered their senses and are fighting for their lives. A small dagger appears in Dan's hand, and he waves it threateningly to keep the creature at bay. At that moment, Silas sees his opportunity and dances in once again with his rapier. This time the ranger's stroke is sure, and in one smooth cut, he makes short work of the creature's long, bony neck. As its head falls to the ground, a jet of acid sprays high into the air, disappearing in the blowing snow.

The thing that claimed to have been "Constable Aldus" falls onto the icy rocks several feet from the bank of the Yakawanna, finally reverting to its true form. It was covered in shiny black scales, like snakeskin, and was about five feet long from its barbed, two-toed feet, to its lopped-off neck. Dan kicks vengefully at severed head, and the thing's mandibles give a reflexive click. "That's for spitting on me, effing thing!" Indeed, somehow, in the midst of battle, the wizard had managed to get out of his acid-splattered leather jerkin, and was now standing in the blizzard with only a light cotton shirt.

"What the hell you think it was? A crawler? I never heard of a crawler that could look like a man!" Peering down at the steaming creature, it was tough to classify. Head and hooks like a crawler, but it walked on two legs, and had arms like a man. "It's effed up, whatever it is." He pokes at the eerie orange eyes on the head, his teeth beginning to chatter from the cold. "You think there's more around?"

As the boys are getting over the shock of the encounter, the wind cries low and long in their ears. Or maybe it wasn't the wind...

DM's Note Enemy Status Aldus: Dead at 24hp

[Krimchee]

Silas looked down at the carnage of the thing before him, feeling his gorge rise a little as he thought about how this thing was able to pose as a man. "It's definitely effed up," he said, poking at the corpse with the toe of his boot. Silas briefly wondered what that shiny snake-like skin would go for at market, but he was just too cold to really worry about it now. There just wasn't time.

"Come on Dan, help me roll this thing into the river. I think it's best we don't leave it here like this." Silas was hesitant to even touch the thing, but he made himself do it. It had to be done. "Come on Dan, quickly. We both need to get to town quickly before we flaming freeze to death." As Silas steeled himself to lay hands on tthe whatever it was, Silas remembered the bag. He was sure he didn't really want to know what this ugly mofo had in there, but he knew he was going to look all the same. One quick glance and then we race to Archeebald.