It wasn't the first time, nor would it be the last in all likelihood that Tann found himself on the road, evading pursuers. What was different this time though was it was orcs on his trail and the weather was unusually cold.
In eighty years the Charwood had never received so much as a single flake of snow, but now everything was frosted with a coating of white. Yesterday had been bad enough with the sleet and drizzle, but today, the freezing mud and snow was both catching at Tann's boots and leaving a clear trail behind.
The events of the past few weeks were a little murky mainly due to lack of sleep, but of Tann's original group of ten, only he remained. Some had been killed in clashes with humanoid patrols, another was taken from their rearguard position by something unknown which had left no trail. Muklec, the priest of Muamman Duathal, was the last to go, exposure and frostbite claiming his life just the day before.
Tann's only hope now seemed to be in outpacing his hunters somehow and making for the safety of Durrowden, north of the Charwood.

Tann looked up from his bundle of furs. It was time to get moving again, he had already wasted too much time.

Tann hunched forwards and looked around to view his surroundings to see what would be the best course of action.

The landscape lightly dusted in snow and freezing mud sucking at every footstep, Tann moved on northwards.
After about an hour he came across what looked like an ancient roadway. Although overgrown, it's paved surface was at least free for the most part of mud and did seem to run in the needed direction.
Before a decision to carry on along it, or avoid it could be mad, Tann's acute senses pick up the muffled sounds of hooves coming from the south....

Tann will immediately leap of the path and attempt to hide in the nearest cover to get a good view of whomever may be approaching.

From his hurriedly assumed hiding spot, Tann observed a man in plate mail riding northward along the trail. His powerful horse was laden with equipment and both it and the man were festooned with weapons of various types.
The man is alert and aware of his suroundings, but does not appear to be looking for anything specific. The horse however seems somewhat skittish.

Tann stands up out of his hiding spot "Hail rider!"

The rider pulled back on the reins, the horse shying away in apparent shock and fear at Tanns sudden and completely unexpected appearance in the bushes.
His sword, wrenched from it's scabbard, thrust threateningly at Tann, flames bursting to life along it's blade.
"Who are you to so surprise a traveller!?" he demanded, expertly bringing the animal back under his control with just his knees.

"M'name's Tann," the stour sirly dwarf replies. "And it'll be etched on me headstone if we don't get outta here soon!"

"Then I suggest you talk quickly and tell me why I shouldn't run you through myself?"
Nikodemos looked around nervously into the surrounding forest, the horse starting slightly at an unexpected hoot somewhere off in the distance behind them.

NPC'd
"No time fer that. I got something on me tail. Been huntin' me fer days. Orcs, ogres and worse me think."

"If its that bad, get on, we can out-ride them quite easily."
Nikodemos sheaths his flaming sword and reaches out to help Tann up, his bronze necklace dangling.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:00, Wed 18 Apr 2012.

Reaching up high, the four foot tall and muck coated dwarf accepted Nikodemos' hand and swung up behind him.
"We need to move as far and as fast as your horse can manage. I don't know how much of a start I have on them."

Let us make haste
Nikodemos spurs his horse into action, and rides along the path to safety, wary of the imminent danger
This message was last edited by the player at 10:15, Wed 18 Apr 2012.

"So, what's yer name traveller?"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:20, Wed 18 Apr 2012.

"Have you any idea why you are being hunted good sir?"
Nikodemos asks as he spurs the horse onwards
This message was last edited by the player at 10:20, Wed 18 Apr 2012.

"My name is Nikodemos, but please call me Nik"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:22, Wed 18 Apr 2012.

"I'm not sure why, but i'm headed fur Durrowden, that'n yur direction?"

The weather turns even uglier as the afternoon progresses. By dusk both men are soaked to the bone as the snow melts with their body heat. Finally, about an hour before dark, the horse stumbles, clearly tired and needing a rest. To push on risks it becoming lame.

"I'm not really headed anywhere but I can accompany you there if needed. Anyway, we should set up camp here for the night and take watch duty as well" Nikodemos busies himself setting up camp "I don't think we should risk a fire tonight"

"Sounds good ter me" Tann gets off the horse - with some difficulty due to his height - "It's cold out, i think we'll need a fire"

Nikodemos sits down a convinient fallen log and pulls out a pipe, stuffs it with tobacco and lights it up. "Ah nothing like a good smoke after a long journey

"If you can find some dry wood, sure, we don't want to alert attention though"

"Ere! Toke on this!" Tann pulls out a small sack full of pipeweed and gestures it towards Nik

Tann goes out - not far from camp - to find some firewood.

A suitable camp site is found in the ruins of an ancient farmhouse. Although the roof collapsed long ago taking the front wall with it, the other three stone walls are still relatively solid and will at least block the wind.

Nikodemos has a small fire lit fairly soon despite the sodden nature of the fuel which demonstrates his skill. Tann meanwhile sets a few snares around the area, both with the possibility of catching breakfast in mind, and to provide some small measure of security during the night.

Who's on first watch, and for how long?

Don't mind if I do, thank you kindly. would you mind telling me why you are heading to Dundowren?" Nikodemos accepts the pipeweed and knocks the tobacco out of his pipe replacing it with the pipeweed, he hands the pouch back to Tann
This message was last edited by the player at 10:44, Wed 18 Apr 2012.

"I'll take first watch if yer want"

"we should take watch, switching every three hours"

"no, you look dead on your feet, I'll take first watch and wake you in three hours

I was in an expedition group of ten'r'so, tryin' to find the source of all these humanoid patrols. Some of us'r taken out by humanoids, one was taken off by a monster, and yesterday - Muklec - a good priest... Died of exposure 'n frostbite. Leavin' me.

"By the gods, that's terrible, what did you find out on the patrols?"

In reply to Nikodemos (msg #29):

"righty then, sounds good ter me" Tann sits down and relaxes his sore feet.

"Nuffin! They found us before we found them!"

"damn,oh well, I will take the first watch now, you rest friend."
Nikodemos sets up with his shield of +1 and long sword drawn at the ready

The first shift is uneventful...

"Thankyer!"

Tann lays down and rests.

as the first shift passes, Nikodemos wakes Tann to change the shift "Hey Tann, your shift"

"DON'T POKE ME WITH Y- Oh, it's you Nik... Guess it's my turn now then"

Tann sets up to watch with his +1 shortsword.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:08, Wed 18 Apr 2012.

Nikodemos lays down to rest with his long sword next to his head on top of his shield, just to be ready

Note: Magic weapons shed light. Infravision doesn't work with light.
The flame tongue though only sheds light when lit.

In reply to Legbreaker (msg #40):

thanks, can you specifically say that you want it to be lit or unlit?

The flame, yes.

Tann keeps his longsword in it's sheath, but has his hand ready to pull it out if needed. So no light is shed from it.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:16, Wed 18 Apr 2012.

Tann unsheathes his blade to admire it.

"Ooh, thas'a pretty light ain't it"

An hour or so before dawn, Tann hears a snuffling off in the darkness. Out of range of his infravision, and the dim light of the fire, it's impossible to know what is causing it without approaching....

Do I wake up from this rustling?

Tann whispers to himself "Wha's that?" and approaches the noise until it is within range of his infravision.

Beforehand, as silently as possible shaking Nik awake.

"Oi, there's somefin' over there.."

waking up Nik grabs his weapons and prepares to check the bush, Nodding at Tann
This message was last edited by the player at 11:50, Wed 18 Apr 2012.

In reply to Nikodemos (msg #46):

No.

"AAGH, Nik! Wake up yer damn elf!"

Nikodemos inches forward with an unlit long sword drawn and shield ready into the bushes to investigate

"I don't know what yer are, but yer gonna pay for that!"

Tann charges at the figure in the bushes, with his +1 Longsword!
(Rolled a 15)

Nikodemos charges as well

(rolled a 13 +1 for strength)

Rolling for initiative

 Rolled a 5 plus speed factor of 4 makes 9

"Take THAT!"
Tann swings his longsword at the shadowy figure and hits it!

Nik wakes to Tanns call for help and quickly arms himself with sword and shield.
Meanwhile, Tann rushes forward to strike the creature with his glowing sword. As he nears he sees exactly what it is in the glow shed by his weapon - a gigantic porcupine!
Tann is slightly quicker than the spiky animal, hitting it and drawing a respectable about of blood. The porcupine retaliates by shaking it's body violently, sending a number of loose quills at Tann!

New round, roll initiative, attacks and damage (if you think you hit).
Nik is still by the camp fire, approximately 40 metres from the action.

"OUCH! Why'r elves so bloody slow!? Get over here!"

(next attack 11 int. 4 to hit. I'd say a miss)

Rolled a 13 initiative and a 4 to hit

The porcupine acts before both Tann and Nik. Four quills shoot out impacting in Niks exposed flesh.
Both Nik and Tann fail to hit this round.

New round...
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:49, Wed 18 Apr 2012.

7 int. 4 to hit.

"Stupid lump'r spikes!"

9 int. 7 to hit

"where the blazes did that thing come from?!"

Before Nik can speak, he's hit by 3 out of 4 quills fired at him.

Nikodemos steps back and prepares to cast magic missile

int. 1. 10 damage
This message was last edited by the player at 10:02, Thu 19 Apr 2012.

Tann swing his blade at the spiky beast!
(8 int. 15 to hit. 4 damage)

Nik takes a step back, pokes his sword into the ground before him and speaks a short phrase of power. Fingers extended towards the Porcupine, he sends three bolts of magical energy into the animal.
Tann then takes his turn, swinging his short blade at the quill covered body, successfully scoring a hit.
Then it is it's turn. Where before it was obviously angry, now it's positively furious. Snapping at Tann with it's jaws, it also rams it's spine covered body against the dwarf, impaling him on several quills. Although he pulls free easily, he's left with some very nasty wounds.
New round.

Nik casts sleep at the creature and draws his long bow. Int. 4
This message was last edited by the player at 14:01, Thu 19 Apr 2012.

"DIE ALREADY BEAST!"

Tann swing his longsword again at the Porcupine!

(5 Int. 19 to hit. 8 damage)

Nik gets his spell off just around the same time as Tann strikes with a massive blow. The beast falls to the ground (not exactly a long way since it only has short legs), but Tann isn't let off without penalty.
His short weapon caused him to lean heavily into the quills to inflict his wound, and in return he suffers terribly as four of the long spikes push through his leather armour and into his flesh.
The battle is over although both of you appear to be trying to impersonate pin cushions and neither of you is anywhere near full health.

Nik will cast cure light wounds on both tann and himself healing 6 to tann and 2 to himself

Afterwards, Nik searches the body for loot

"Well, that was a close one, thought I wassa goner"

"T'was a close one friend, how low on health are you, I have some potions of extra healing if you need?"
Nik offers one to Tann, and uncorks one for himself. (side note, what do I roll to heal with a potion of extra healing?)

"Thank'yer Nik, you don't seem to bad... For an Elf, anyway"

Nothing of worth is found with the giant porcupine. It appears it was simply foraging for food and Tann moved too close to it and it felt threatened. If he'd kept his distance, the fight and it's consequences may have been avoided....

Extra-Healing: This potion restores 6-27 (3d8 + 3) hit points of damage when wholly consumed, or 1-8 hit points of damage for each one-third potion.

Nik hands Tann the potion and begins to break camp , covering their trail. Finally, he starts to collect some porcupine quills and meat to hopefully sell in the next town

"your not too bad either, for a dwarf" Nik laughs heartily as he saddles the, now well-rested, horse

In reply to Nikodemos (msg #78):

Errr, you do realise it's still about an hour before dawn...?

Ah, right, well lets not pack up then, Nik will finish sleeping and rememorize his spells.

"I guess I'll stay awake and keep watch 'till dawn"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:25, Sun 22 Apr 2012.

Tann drinks his Potion of Extra Healing. (18 hitpoints)

"Unfortunately, I must sleep for four hours to regain my spells, my apologies friend."

"Okay then, I'll just keep watch!"

"Many thanks, friend" Nik returns to his bedroll and falls asleep with his weapons nearby

Tann sits down, looks at the ground, and plays around with some dirt, whilst singing quietly (or what he thinks is quietly) to himself: "I am a dwarf, and I'm digging a hoole! Diggy Diggy Hole! I'm digging a hoole!"

With the dawn comes sleet which hangs around for most of the day. The only time the sleet ceases is when the temperature creeps above freezing for about an hour (and the sleet becomes freezing rain).
All in all an absolutely MISERABLE day for men and beast.

Soon enough you judge it time to seek shelter for the night and what you think is a suitable site is found. As you prepare the frame to lay foliage over to improve your natural shelter, you're forced to reassess your choice of location - the sound of wolves howling is heard nearby...

"Hate wolves, nasty litt'l buggers! Where should we find shelter then?"

"I could speak with them if you want, see if they are aggressive. Or we could just kill them now, but we could also venture further to see if there are any more suitable places to sleep the night."

"They're probably lookin' for food, I'd rather not tangle with a pack'a hungry wolves tonight! Let's hide our shelter as best as possible. No campfire, I'll take first watch."

"Okay, I'll keep my mind sharp and my steel by my side" Nik lays down on his bedroll with his long sword out and unlit, along with his shield

Without a fire the night promises to be very, very cold and uncomfortable. Even during the day the temperature was barely above freezing and the limited amount of clothing Tann wore, even supplemented by the minimal amount Nik salvaged from Ailani's belongings had scarcely been enough to keep the shivering to a minimum.
Smoke, Ailani's and now Nik's horse may not even survive the night, still wounded as it is after the encounter with the death watch beetle which killed the elf woman and Niks original horse...

The unlikely pair of travellers is left with two bad choices. Risk freezing or risk the wolves.

This message was deleted by the player at 06:33, Wed 09 May 2012.

The "cave" was little more than a low cliff with a slight overhang of just a couple of feet - enough to force assailants to approach only from the front, but not enough to keep the sleet off if there was even a slight breeze.

Leaving the somewhat defensible camp site, Nik moved cautiously, albeit noisily in his heavy armour, into the darkness. The horse, wide eyed in fear, tugged at it's lead, trying half-heartedly (at least for the moment) to free itself and run at each baying of the wolves. Although his eyes are yet to see anything, his ears pick up the steady approach of the wolves as their howls grow ever closer...

Nik stands in the cave mouth with his sword unlit, so as to allow his infravision to work, prepared for an attack, he motions to tann to do the same

Tann and Nik waited in the freezing darkness, the horse at their backs between them and the cliff - if it were to be killed...

Suddenly, large shapes appear at the limit of your vision, bounding forward as fast as a horse could gallop. They'll be upon you in less than twenty seconds!

Initiative and intended actions please.

Nik casts web on the overhang and the ground to trap the wolves. int. 13
This message was last edited by the player at 09:59, Mon 14 May 2012.

Tann draws his shortsword and waits for the wolves to come closer.

"Here wolfie wolfiieees!"

Initiative 6
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:32, Tue 22 May 2012.

Three worg riding goblins spring from the darkness, spears lowered as lances, two aiming at Nik, and one for the smaller Tann. All three fail to impale their targets.
Tann, sword at the ready then swipes but is unable to connect.
The three worgs then attempt to bite. Tann successfully avoids being bitten, but Nik, just pulling a scroll from his pack, is unable to avoid the teeth of one of his attackers.

New round

Nik uses the scroll to cover the three worgs with the web.

Int. 4

Tenn swings at the one of the worgs!

"TAKE THAT!"

Int. 6
to hit. 10

Tann swings wildly, attempting, yet failing to inflict a wound on one of the worgs.
A moment later Nik completes his reading of the scroll. White filaments spring forth forming an almost impenetrable barrier of sticky webs amongst the trees and trapping most of the worgs in it.
Although Nik's placement was good, it wasn't perfect. One of the worgs and it's rider avoid being caught and continue their assault (misses this round). Meanwhile, tugs at the web indicate not all of the rest are fully held and may yet break through...

OOC: One worg and goblin rider still free, the two other worgs and riders are caught in the web and may be attacked with melee weapons (although to do so may allow them to fight back) or with missiles. All others appear to be caught and not an immediate threat (until the web spell expires).
New round.....
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:50, Thu 05 July 2012.

Tann swinging at the same worg rider again!


4 to hit. (pretty sure it's a miss:P )

Have at ye beast! nik fires two magic missiles at the non-trapped worg

Tann and Nikodemos act simultaneously, Tann missing widely and Nik sending three magic missiles into the targeted worg.

The worg and rider take little notice, pressing the attack against the half elf, the worg's jaws inflicting a grievous wound

New round, situation basically the same as before.

Have another on the house! nik fires magic missiles at the rider

Tann (NPC'd) thrusts his blade again, once again missing. Perhaps this front line stuff isn't his true strength?

Nik spits out the words of power, sending missiles to their target just a foot or so from his face. Wisely he splits the three bolts up, one killing the goblin rider and the other two joining the earlier three, seriously wounding (but not disabling) the worg.

New round.

Nik uses his ring of plant control to entwine the free but injured worg
This message was last edited by the player at 09:03, Tue 18 Sept 2012.

Tann takes a step back, and draws his bow

The worg acts quickly, lashing out and scoring a nasty wound on Nik.
Soon after, Tann disengages and switches to his bow, while Nik activates his ring. Plant life animates and entwines around everything within 20 feet - including Nik and Tann!!!

Saving throws vs magic please.

rolled a four

Rolled a twelve

Tann Fires on the worg closest to Nik.

To hit: a 20 then a 15

Damage: 6 on the nat. 20 and a 4 for the 15

Total of 10 points

Nik struggles to free himself

Curse these branches

Tann fired an arrow at the worg snapping ineffectually at Nik's face, then another, bringing death to the evil animal.

All is not well however as four human sized (and shaped) forms appear from the darkness, rushing forth with weapons drawn!

"Oh that's just typical. You lot run a whole mile and for what, to rescue a dwarf and a half caste from worgs and goblins, only to stop cold at the last moment!?"
Clearly the voice had little respect for it's intended listeners, and even less for dwarves and half elves.

Who are you? Make yourselves known

Ay, show yourselves, slowly mind, I'm a crack shot with this bow

"I am Bregor the druid and who might be you little man and his dwarf friend?"

I am the half-elf Nikodemos, a Jack of all trades. Are you friend or foe?

*Harumph* Tann shows his paranoid distrust for this strange man but eases back on his bow string a little.
This message was last updated by the GM at 06:20, Wed 28 Nov 2012.