Prologue: The Mad Scientist

[MundayKnight]

"What can we offer them in terms of peace agreements? I would much rather speak with them than try and fight them, especially if they are going to be as dangerous as you say. If we could make an agreement with them then we could have them aid us in our greater war."

[Adamah]

"The only language that Orcs seem to speak is brute strength. They're not much for talking, and will not honor agreements made unless a threat of superior force hangs over them. Either that or the promise of a better fight and loot by following it."

"They seem to attack Trunau every year almost for the sheer sport of it. From what I understand, many outcast Orcs try to atone for whatever caused them to be dishonored in the first place by attacking the town. Most years they surround Trunau, assault it a few times over the course of a month or two, then move on."

He paused and thought.

"I'm just not sure about what we can do to make them stop short of retaking and holding a significant portion of southern Belkzan, and nobody thinks that it's worth the cost in blood."

[jalroy]

It was understandable from the Orc's perspective why they attacked Trunau, battle gave them purpose. They may have wanted the town's food, supplies and even perhaps some of the women for breeding, but it was the bloodshed and violence the Orc's craved, to fight and prove their strength against what they saw as a weaker foe. Battle and proving one self as strong was a key component to Orc mentality.

"Once we defeat them, in this raid, they may seek a different, weaker foe to terrorize. But if there is no other source of battle to be found, they may strike again next year." Gnar was quiet for a second as he gazed into the fire. Then his head turned and his voice came out in an alien manner, Dracknor's booming voice.

"We Should Kill them All, break their bones and behead them all to decorate the walls of Trunau! That would stop them from Attacking!"

[Adamah]

Mackenzie jerked his thumb toward the half orc. "Gnar gets it, I hope the rest of you do too. Now to bed my little cadets, tomorrow comes early and I know that you'll want a chance to check out the town before the ship sails."

The cadets had been surprised to learn earlier in the day that they would not be pulling any watches that night. Normally a group of soldiers who traveled in such numbers would only have to pull watch once a week or so. However, the cadets had drawn them nearly every night during their journey. So the rest was a welcome break, and they all fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Suddenly they were awoken by a thump and a breathless groan. As one, they sat up to see a dark figure stood over Sgt. MacKenzie, and withdrew a blade from him. His eyes closed in pain, the Sergeant has his hands over the wound, blood pouring from around the edges. "Guard! Cleric!" he said desperately, unable to shout.

 

Dice Shadowy Figure Initiative:

1d20+8

(10)+8

Total = 18

Everyone roll initiative, if you beat the enemies, you can take an action as well (ties go to the person with the higher initiative bonus). MacKenzie is incapacitated and bleeding out (-8HP), but not dead yet. A DC15 heal check or healing that brings him back to zero or positive hp will save him. He bleeds out 1 HP per round until he exceeds his Con score of 14, then he dies.

[jalroy]

With a growl Gnar awoke to see the horrible sight not far from him. He rose and

Dice Roll:

1d20+1

(13)+1

Total = 14

went to pick up his nearby sword and shield, to face the dark killer in their camp. He thought the other men were watching over the camp, if only he'd known there was a danger here he might have been more diligent. He knew he had to get close to the Sergeant to heal him with magic as soon as he was able.

Still waking, adrenaline pumping his blood awake, he was still too slow to act before this foe.

[MundayKnight]

Hurin takes a minute to erase the sleep from his mind before

Dice initiative:

1d20+6

(1)+6

Total = 7

finally getting his bearings and as he does he pulls his bow before yelling for his companion."Mane strike him down!"

[Xbow]

Akoragh comes to and sees what happened.

Dice Roll:

1d20+3

(17)+3

Total = 20

Responding by grabbing his gun and letting lose a

Dice Roll:

1d20+4

(14)+4

Total = 18

shot.

[Adamah]

The oversized longarm

Dice Musket Damage:

1d12

3

barked a shot, which struck the shadowy figure and caused it to turn in place. The attacker used the momentum to their advantage, and grabbed a small bag on the ground next to MacKenzie before it sprinted into the nearby trees and disappeared from view.

 

Action is back to you guys, XBow I went ahead and rolled damage for you for time's sake, if you want you can always do rolls in a spoiler button for possible damage and whatnot, you will know if the damage is possibly critical when you roll your attack. Always put tags on a dice roll, so their is no confusion. You can use the Dice+ button to do this an input for dice tag will come up allowing this. So for a given attack roll let's say my first roll is a nat 20, when I go back to edit my actions in I would add these rolls in too (let's also pretend I'm attacking with a flaming weapon)

Dice Critical Confirmation:

1d20

18

Dice Damage:

1d6+1

(2)+1

Total = 3

Dice Fire Damage:

1d6

3

Dice Critical Damage:

1d6+1

(3)+1

Total = 4

I hope this makes sense, if not feel free to send me more questions either in the OOC forum or by PM.

[Xbow]

Akoragh noticed that the commander was bleeding and faintly hear what he had said. In a roar he yelled for guard, cleric then immediately took off. While he was pursuing the target he was preping his weapon for the next shot, knowing that this figure could easily bring him down. Being able to see at night did have its perks after all.

[Adamah]

The Drow entered the small copse of trees and

Dice Perception:

1d20+2

(7)+2

Total = 9

peered around. Despite his dark adapted eyes, the dark figure had somehow vanished. Behind him, Sgt. MacKenzie continued to groan in pain as blood pooled from between his fingers.

[Xbow]

Akoragh takes a guess as to where he would run if he were the shadowy figure, going deeper into the forest. After about 60 feet he stops to

Dice perception:

1d20+5

(17)+5

Total = 22

look around.

 

sorry I had not check perception for the char -.-

[jalroy]

Gnar, seeing the dark assailant flee, his concern was for Sgt. MacKenzie. Gnar rushed to his side to administer

Dice Roll:

1d8+1

(6)+1

Total = 7

the spell of healing.. He stayed by his side to speak his words and watched as his companions chased after the attacker, waiting to know MacKenzie is safe before joining them in the chase. Dracknor let out a growl of anger, wishing to see the thief brought to death quickly.

 

OOC: Gnar will wait the full casting round and administer a second spell to bring up into the positive if necessary.

[MundayKnight]

Hurin sends Firemane into the jungle, the smarter than average horse being given direct instruction to track down the figure that harmed the Sargent then sets himself upon the highest ground he can easily find,

Dice * perception:

1d20+1

(9)+1

Total = 10

scanning the surroundings with his bow drawn, his human eyes having difficulty with the darkness.

 

tried to post two twice too quickly so it made me go to the other page thing and says I altered things, pretty sure I didn't but if you want feel free to count it as a roll of 1.

[Adamah]

Firemane and Akoragh scoured the nearby copse of trees, while Hurin kept a keen eye open, all looking for the figure that had done such harm to MacKenzie. Yet, vengence was not to be theirs that night, for they could find no trace of the assailant in the surrounding area. They returned to the camp at the same time as a large number of soldiers, who had been drawn by the commotion and shouts. It took a significant amount of Gnar's power, but he was able to stabilize the Sergeant. Though he would be left with a nasty scar to add to his collection. Exausted from his ordeal, MacKenzie was able to whisper one sentence to the three before passing out.

"The bastard took my orders, now someone will know our whole plan."

 

It takes two healing spells, but MacKenzie is saved. Good Job! Go ahead and post any after battle discussion you may have before retiring again for the night. I'll pick back up with the narration the following morning (I'll probably post again later today even if all of you haven't posted yet). Also for your prior roleplaying, driving off the assailant, and saving MacKenzie everybody gets:

1000 XP!

[Xbow]

Akoragh turns to the other men and says, ill keep watch for the rest of the night for us, rest well. Akoragh roams randomly throughout the night to not be predictable.