This will be the thread used then moving outside of "Major" Areas.

You are in the far North of the Sverdkyst region. The Keep is on a lone butte a few days from a minor mountain range. The Savana you traveled through to get here slowly melts away into the gently increasing forested hills at the base of the mountains. A river, small by standards of the southern lands, runs away from the mountains snaking its way through valleys and forests. The screeching of monkeys and apes, calls of birds, and the occasional cry of a predator feel the morning air. The sky is blue and clear, the air a crisp early fall, dew wets the vegetation the cascading sound of the river running alongside you hides the sound of your footfalls.

OOC: I will need to know how you all are traveling, the order, single file or walking abreast. 

Lago will fall in line 5 feet behind Chelonia.  Her short swords crossed on her back with hilts down next to her hips, ready to be drawn at a moments notice. She was glad to be away from the keep and in contact with the ground once more.  She kept ever vigilant watch over Chelonia.

Gryphon would either take lead or a flanker position

Anders woke up just after sunrise most mornings. Unlike most wizards, he didn't pull out a hefty tome and pore over pages of carefully-inked magical formulas. Instead, he sat cross-legged on his bedroll with his strange-looking staff across his lap for about an hour. He unrolled straps of leather fixed to the staff and examined them closely, and not always the same straps each day. Occasionally, he would murmur under his breath as well, never loud enough to hear what he was muttering however.

After that was completed and his gear was readied, right before the group was to set off for the day, he would then usually cast a spell, gesturing around himself and uttering an arcane-phrase, "Praesidium!" A swirl of white energy would surround him and then slowly fade away.

He was curious about their surroundings just as much as he was interested in his traveling companions, not peppering them with questions but asking occasional ones. He also this last day remarked, "Despite the potential danger, I have found this to be one of the most beautiful vistas and scenery to travel along."

The days were calm, pristine even, nearly tranquil. Each of you realizes the forest and lands you walk through have never seen civilization, you are the first outsiders to walk this trail. With each step, the forest gets thicker the leaves and branches slowly darkening the forest floor the weight encroaching on you. The green has begun a slow transformation to varies yellow, reds and purples some faster than others. Looking through the foliage is like looking through a kaleidoscope.

The Third Night as a small creek feeds down a canyon into the river you all have been following, the darkness of the night is heavier than usual. The air carries an iron metallic taste. The fire low, even when fuel is added to it the fire hides from the darkness around. Unlike during the day and the other nights, no noise other than the river to settle your nerves.

OOC: I will need a watch order, see my OOC thread post, and a perception checks from the watch that is at midnight.

Gryphon is on watch at the midnight hour.

23:44, Today: Gryphon rolled 14 using 1d20+5.  perception.

As they ended their trek for the day Chelonia provided instructions as to the making of the camp as well as the watch roster for the evening.  With that taken care of, she set to preparing a meal for the party.

Marching Order:


                        Gryphon (point)


   Berdari           Chelonia      Anders           Cril
(left Flanker)              (center)            (right flanker)

                            Lago
                       (rear guard)


Watch Roster (each watch = 2 hours):

1st watch (Anders)
2nd watch (Berdari/Cril)
3rd watch (Gryphon/Lago)
4th watch (Chelonia)

This message was last edited by the player at 14:54, Thu 12 Mar 2020.

]


OOC: Public text needed

OOC: 01:17, Today: Lago rolled 8 using 1d20+5 ((3)).

01:49, Today: Chelonia rolled 14 using 1d20+4.  Perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:50, Sat 14 Mar 2020.

"We have movement, something quick and light and and more than  one.. Keep sharp and start to alert the others in case it is needed."

Gryphon starts to wake  those close by him as quietly as he can.

Cril sits up as if he had been awake. He rubs his eyes and grabs his sword. He Then helps to wake those that are still at rest.

Lago hadn't heard or seen anything but she trusted that Gryphon had.

She moved her focus back and forth fluidly from her senses of sight and hearing to her innate connection to the earth.  She did not always trust her eyes and ears but her connection to the earth allowed her to see much of what the other two could not.

With swords in hand she made a circutous route around the camp rousing any of her companions that lay nearby.  She was at the ready.  With a short prayer to Mahalaka, Om Mahakala hum phet svaha she continued circling the camp, searching for intruders.

AC: 18
HP: 10
Darkvision 60'
tremorscense 30'
2 short swords drawn and ready
This message was last edited by the player at 19:44, Sat 14 Mar 2020.

As each of you wake up from the warnings given by Gryphon and Lago the noises in the brush are all around you, small foot steps from many different creatures. You all hear chattering like birds, but somehow growling and hissing like reptilians.

As you each gather your your weapons and equipment the chatter grows louder and more intense, still however they have not shown themselves, the foot pattering grows more frequent, their numbers are increasing.

Then from just beyond the firelight and the vision of the group six small Creatures the size of a turkey, feathers over much of their body, those areas not covered in feathers you see lizard like leather scales. Their sickle-shaped claws sharpened like scimitars and small razor like teeth chomping at the air. Still in the darkness around the camp you hear many more circling chattering and crawling.

Roll initiative.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:11, Sat 14 Mar 2020.

on phone 12 initiative,  will edit this post later as my action post.

15:43, Today: Lago rolled 10 using 1d20+5.  Initiative.

Out with Fam bowling... post later

16:00, Today: Chelonia rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.

note: Chelonia has an unlimited range of darkvision...if she has additional information due to this, please private message or private line me the information.

Will post later today.

Anders had been sleeping a bit fitfully. He had been tossing and turning, and not-quite-muttering under his breath. It hadn't been a nightmare, per se. More like he was hearing things he didn't want to hear being whispered in his ear. He shook his head in a negative fashion and then sat bolt upright, breathing slightly heavy.

"No!" Then quickly, "What?" He blinked and stood up, leaning on his staff a bit. He frowned as enemies began to approach, drawing in to his own spell reserve. Then he gestured around himself and uttered the arcane-infused word, "Praesidium!"

The sickly, too-thin and odd-looking owl that had been sitting near his head made a sound and flew up out of reach and began weaving around.

OOC: Standing and Casting Mage Armor.
16:03, Today: Anders Greyven rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

Cril bangs his sword on his shield in a rhythmic fashion as he starts to sing. "Darkness deep the Knight has called. Arise foul minions to chaos' call. March to your death against the sharpened blade. Darkness deep the Knight has called...." The song is a very old one and Cril seems to know the words to it well.


OOC:
20:26, Today: Cril Atwal rolled 3 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
20:27, Today: Cril Atwal rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  Performance.
20:27, Today: Cril Atwal rolled 21 using 1d20+6.  Intimidation. (if they can be intimidated)

Well I may not be fast to act but I can sing and I'm scary lol

With her superior darkvision, granted her by the divine connection she had to her deity, Chelonia was able to observe about about thirty 'turkey-sized' creatures pacing in and amongst the thick foliage that surrounds the perimeter of the encampment.  She couldn't help notice that there didn't seem to be an leader, an alpha, of the group.  Regardless, it was clear that they were trapped and that fighting there way out was the only option.  She scanned the depths of her recollection in hopes of remembering some details as to what they were.

It was then that she remembered reading about an archaeological dig that had taken place up north earlier that year.  In those documents she'd read reports of the common threat of a 'turkey-shaped' species of dinosaurs called 'Velociraptors'.

She then speaks out to her comrades: "Stay close to one another friends.  These creatures are a type of dinosaur known as Velociraptors.  There are at least thirty of them...we are greatly outnumbered.  Our only chance of survival is to make a quick assault and take out as many as possible.  A show of force on our part should drive them off as they are a creature that does not like it when their food fights back.

She said this while preparing her shield and warhammer for battle.

Leaping from the trees and spreading their arms wide you see wing-like arms open helping the creature's soar through the air with some precision. From the trees above four leap down upon you, from the ground six more leaps at each of you slashing with heir talons. luckily, all of you are able to react before they creatures, landing the first blows.


OOC: Initiative Order

Anders
Gryphon
Lago
Berdari
Cril
Chelonia
Velociraptor

Feel free to make your attack out of initiative order, there are plenty of Velociraptors to hit and kill.

I will be using one of my favorite features from fourth edition the minion rules. The Raptors will be 100% the monster stat block, except their HP will be 1 hit dead.

Velociraptor
HP:1 hit
AC: 15
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:39, Sun 15 Mar 2020.

Demonstrating just how important she felt her advice to the others was to their survival in this battle, Chelonia strode forth and swung her warhammer at the nearest of the Velociraptors.  She was confident that, at the very least, Lago would be right on her heels.

She swung her warhammer at the Velociraptor but it dodged her strike rather easily.

---

19:13, Today: Chelonia rolled 11 using 1d20+6.  Warhammer vs AC 15.

Chelonia
AC 19 (17 + 2 from her shield)
HP 10

Anders attempted to move to get at least a few of his better-armored and haler-looking companions between him and the incoming creatures. As he did so, he made a gesture as he held his staff and pointed at one of the creatures, intoning "Fulmine ignis!"

A bolt of fire flew from his finger towards the creature. However, he was still waking up and his aim was a bit off.

17:05, Today: Anders Greyven rolled 9,3 using d20+6,d10.  Fire Bolt.

Gryphon moves closer into the group, firing a hand crossbow twice. One of the bolts strikes true.

on phone will update later, but one hits with a 21 and does 7 damage.

Lago had never seen such creatures before and had never tried to strike something that moved like these creatures moved.  Both her attacks missed their Mark's.

Cril rushed forward and slashed at one of the strange creatures. He was too eager though and his swing missed the mark. Taking a deep breath Cril resets his stance and in preparation of taking another swing.


OOC: 20:34, Today: Cril Atwal rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  attack.

As one of the Raptors comes to close Berdari He gives a circling kick connecting the Raptor with his foot sending it sprawling. Using the momentum he comes down with a down handed overhead smack cracking another raptor laying it flat in the dirt.


07:21, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Berdari, rolled 15,8 using 1d20+5,1d6+3 with rolls of 10,5.  Attack Kick.
07:25, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Berdari, rolled 21,7 using 1d20+5,1d6+3 with rolls of 16,4.  Attack with Javelin as Quarter Staff.

Three of the Raptors get knocked out of the Fray, the other three that leaped toward you press the attack. One slash at Chelonia with its talons, she is able to easily sidestep the attack. Another bite at the shine of Berdari, he pivots on his toes and moves his leg away from the razor teeth and falling from the treetops another slash with its talons at Cril, with his sword he easily blocks the attack and pushes the creature away from him.

Chelonia - Dungeon Master rolled 4,2 using 1d20+3,1d4+1 with rolls of 1,1.  Talon.
Berdari -  Dungeon Master rolled 7,3 using 1d20+3,1d4+1 with rolls of 4,2. Bite.
Cril - Dungeon Master rolled 16,5 using 1d20+3,1d4+1 with rolls of 13,4. Talon.

Three more Raptors replace those that you were able to kill, all six ready to plunge their talons into your flesh, all the others continue to circle chirping and growling.

Start Round 2, players turns.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:00, Tue 17 Mar 2020.

Gryphon once again fires his hand crossbow twice this time with better success hitting both times.

11:16, Today: Gryphon rolled 22 using 1d20+6.  ba attack.

11:16, Today: Gryphon rolled 16 using 1d20+6.  attack.

Cril swings at the one that tried to clawed at him. Apparently he had shoved it too hard and put it out of his swords reach.



12:57, Today: Cril Atwal rolled 6 using 1d20+5.  sword attack.

Anders crowded back almost right up against the tortle's shell as more raptors arrived and began trying to kill his allies. He loosed another bolt of fire, "Fulmine ignis!" and this one was much better aimed than the previous, zapping right in to the face of one of the creatures.

10:57, Today: Anders Greyven rolled 21,5 using d20+6,d10.  Fire Bolt.

Lago's first two strikes, although they failed, stood to teach Lago a bit about the movements of these creatures.  She struck out again, timing her strikes with the creatures unusual movement patterns and was able to make both strikes count.  She took one through the throat with a straight thrust of her leading blade then as she withdrew the sword she saw movement to the left and brought her other blade low and then up into the oncoming creatures chest.  It was a deap and deadly uppercut into its guts.  It's own weight as it fell to the earth pulled it free from her blade.  She looked for her next target.


AC: 18
HP: 10
Darkvision 60'
tremorscense 30'

Attack #1 = 26
   Damage =  6 min
Attack #2 = 16
   Damage =  1 min

NOTE: if the first attack does not drop its target then second attack to same target.  If first target is dropped then second attack to closest threat.


14:49, Today: Lago rolled 16 using 1d20+7.  2nd attack with short sword vs. AC 15.
14:48, Today: Lago rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  1st attack with Short sword vs. AC 15.

This message was last edited by the player at 00:10, Tue 17 Mar 2020.

Chelonia was surprised by the speed of the little dinosaurs and was upset with herself for missing an opportunity to hasten their being scared off, but it seemed only Gryphon had succeeded in slaying a couple of them.  And then Lago and Anders had considerable success as well.  Emboldened by their efforts she stepped forward and let the head of her warhammer fly toward one of them that stepped to close to her.  The hammer made contact with the side of its face.  The impact was solid enough to tear the entire side of its head off as the body fell limp on the ground.

---

AC: 19
HP: 10
Darkvision: unlimited distance

Attack hits AC 23 for a minimum of 5 point of damage; taking only 1 pt to kill them.

19:48, Today: Chelonia rolled 23 using 1d20+6.  Warhammer vs AC 15.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:59, Mon 16 Mar 2020.

With a roundhouse kick to a Raptor jumping from the trees, he does a barrel roll in the air and on his way down with the heel of his foot drives another raptor into the dirt, smothering the life of two more.

16:24, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Berdari, rolled 17,4 using 1d20+5,1d6+3 with rolls of 12,1.
16:24, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Berdari, rolled 25,5 using 1d20+5,1d6+3 with rolls of 20,2.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:27, Mon 16 Mar 2020.

Enraged by the death of eight more of the raptors the rest charge you biting and slashing wildly.

Three plunges into Chelonia, talons, and bites furiously, however, she is able to block one attack and using her hardened shell lets the other attacks glance off her.

Two more charge Cril, the halfling is able to dock under one of the leaping attacks, and with his shield block the other.

Anders after frying one raptor is able to dodge another attack, however he rotates backward into a leaping raptor! Its teeth dig in deep taring and ripping the cloths and flesh from his hamstring.

16:31, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master rolled 21,4 using 1d20+3,1d4+1 BITE

Spinning and shooting Gryphon is a nightmare with his crossbow, a Raptor jumps from the branches above he easily sidesteps it, a feint maneuvers his attention distracted, a talon digs into his calf from a raptor from behind him.

16:31, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master rolled 17,3 using 1d20+3,1d4+1

Acrobatically Lago is able to strike and kill two raptors, expertly she drops to her knees sliding under a leaping raptor, however, so many of them are attacking she doesn't see one running by its Talon makes a cut from mid-forearm to the upper deltoid, a thin line of red begin to ooze from the wound.

16:31, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master rolled 20,4 using 1d20+3,1d4+1

Berdari is a twisting blur of movement kicking, punching, and attacking with his javelin, however, like many others in the group he is charged by too many assailants to keep track of. He is able to dip under one leap, to get slashed by a talon by another, then is able to pivot around another bite, to find a leaping raptor at his face its razor teeth latching on his face. The weight of the creature and the severity of his wounds he drops to the dirt floor unconscious with a raptor still attached to his face.

16:31, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master rolled 20,5 using 1d20+3,1d4+1
16:31, Today: Secret Roll: Dungeon Master rolled 21,4 using 1d20+3,1d4+1

Start Round 3 Players turns
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:01, Tue 17 Mar 2020.

Lago tried to ignored the deep cut in her upper arm but the pain did not allow her full range of motion causing her next attack to come short and miss its mark.  Her good arm stayed true, however, and she gashed one of the creatures a deep gouge across its temple and down passed its jugular, blood sprayed in a wide arc, coating her face and chest.  It only served to make her fight harder, wearing the blood of ones enemy was a badge of honor to her people.

1st attack misses
2nd attack hits

AC: 18
HP: 6/10
Darkvision 60'
tremorscense 30'
This message was last edited by the player at 00:31, Tue 17 Mar 2020.

Cril frustrated at the lack of hits he was making growled at the two who attacked him. Finally he takes a heavy swing and lops off the head of one of the ones on him.




20:29, Today: Cril Atwal rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  sword attack.
20:31, Today: Cril Atwal rolled 7 using 1d8+3.  sword damage.

Gryphon continues to fire his crossbow with deadly precision dropping two more.

21:56, Today: Gryphon rolled 20 using 1d20+6.

21:56, Today: Gryphon rolled 21 using 1d20+6.

Chelonia watches as her comrades beat back the horde of dinosaurs.  As her allies yet again succeed to finish off several more she can feel a change in the energy in the air.  She can see the fear in their tiny little eyes.

The tortle cleric grabs her warhammer tightly and then digs deep within herself to find that ancestral link to her own dinosaur heritage and from those depths emerges a gutteral scream that ignites the fear that had begun to form in them.  She charges at them, swinging her warhammer wildly at the air, still screaming her ungodly battle cry.

Their fear, at first a spark, quickly becomes a raging flame and those that remain turn and scurry away as fast as their legs will carry them.

Stepping over to the fallen Berdari, Chelonia kneels down.  Placing a hand upon her chest she allows the energy from her heart chakra to coalesce and then she places her other hand upon Berdari's chest and a green energy crackles its way from her own heart, through to her shoulder and down her extended arm.  The energy continues along her arm all the way to her finger tips and then melds into Berdari's body, healing him back to consciousness.

---

Berdari heals 5 hit points.

23:15, Today: Chelonia rolled 5 using 1d8+4.  cure wounds on Berdari.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:06, Tue 17 Mar 2020.

The growling and chirping of the raptors slowly disappear, and the night again becomes silent. A gentle breeze creeps through the forest the branches and leaves crack and sway. As the green energy courses through Berdari, he gasps for breath coughing. His eyes are wide, and face white shocked by the near-death experience.

Laying around in the camp are 15 dead Velociraptors. The once screaming ravenous creatures now lay motionless on the dirt ground. Looking around, you see your companions, having traveled with them for just under a Ten-day and experienced your first combat together. Overall you did well, considering the circumstances, things could have been much worse. Quietly, you all gather the bodies and move them away from the camp, and with your boots and tools cover up or remove the blood. With bandages, you wrap your wounds some of you channeling power to heal, others using natural remedies to do the same (Mechanically using Hit Dice if you wish or just fun flavor for the story). After the business is complete, a watch is continued, and those who need it lay down and try to gain more sleep.

Your minds are racing, some of you are able to close your eyes and drift off, others lay motionless your minds filled with the scenes of what just happened. From the time you arrived at the Keep your dreams and sleep has been restless, and difficult. The night combat seems to make have made it worse.

OOC: Two things, one good, one bad.

The Good - You all level up! Earning 310xp

The Bad - all of you please give me a Wisdom save, and yes this is magical and a mind-affecting ability if that matters for your characters, though your character does not know this, they just feel the nightmares and twisted dreams.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:42, Tue 17 Mar 2020.

She was glad to see that all, aside from Berdari, were none the worse for wear.  Chelonia helped to clear away the dead Velociraptor bodies and to clean away the blood that had been spilled within the encampment.  She then bandages those allies in need, knowing that a good nights sleep will be the best thing for them.

Once all are taken care of, she returns to her spot and returns to sleep.

---

11:34, Today: Chelonia rolled 23 using 1d20+6.  Wisdom save.

Gryphon also recovers what bolts he can from the dead, Before continuing with the nights activities. Wanting to also take some time to study these new creatures to better understand them.

12:06, Today: Gryphon rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  Wisdom save.

Cril settles back for the what’s rest of the night. He helps those who he can with bandages and such.



12:21, Today: Cril Atwal rolled 21 using 1d20+2.  Wisdom Save

Lago tends to her wound then sharpens her blades for a half hour before trying to fall back to sleep.

Wisdom Save: 7

14:09, Today: Lago rolled 7 using 1d20+3 ((4)).

Anders flinched when Chelonia screamed and moved away from him, but it seemed to do the trick. He straightened himself up, brushing himself off a bit as well. He then looked at the Tortle and gave a nod and a smile. "Thank you. That seemed to do the trick nicely."

It took him very little time to settle back down in to his bedroll for sleep once more.

11:49, Today: Anders Greyven rolled 20 using 1d20+2.  Wisdom Save.

Restlessly Berdari falls asleep on his bedroll.

15:40, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Berdari, rolled 8 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 4.  Wisdom Save.

The next morning is slow, the group gathers their things and eats a meal. Taking their time, a night awoke by raptors requires a few more minutes to get completely ready for the day.

Chelonia, Cril, and Anders your dreams were fitful, like the night at the Keep. Dreams of endless passageways and getting lost in a never-ending series of tunnels.

Gryphon, Lago, and Berdari your dreams turned to nightmares waking multiple times unable to get comfortable a rock or dirt lump always seemed to find an uncomfortable place on your body. The dreams are different for each of you, the themes are all slightly the same you are running, a creature following you is laughing its teeth and claws always right at your neck when you are startled awake, and once sleep takes you again the same creature haunts your dreams. (Mechanically once you are able to get a full night's sleep you have half the hit dice available to you.)

The forest you have been passing through has been getting more dense, tangled, and gloomier than before. The thick, twisted tree trunks, unnaturally misshapen limbs, writhing roots, clutching and grasping thorns and briars all seem to warn and ward you off, but you have forced and hacked your way through regardless. Now the strange growth has suddenly ended - you have stepped out of the thicket into a ravine-like area. The walls rise rather steeply to either side to a height of about 100’ or so - dark, streaked rock mingled with earth. Clumps of trees grow here and there, both on the floor of the ravine and up the sloping walls of the canyon. The opening you stand in is about 200’ wide. The ravine runs at least 400’ west (actually 440’) to where the western end rises in a steep slope. Here and there, at varying heights on all sides of the ravine, you can see the black mouths of cave-like openings in the rock walls. The sunlight is dim, the air dank, there is an oppressive feeling here - as if something evil is watching and waiting to pounce upon you. There are bare, dead trees here and there, and upon one, a vulture perches and gazes hungrily at you. A flock of ravens rises croaking from the ground, the beat of their wings and their cries magnified by the terrain to sound loud and horrible. Amongst the litter of rubble, boulders, and dead wood scattered about on the ravine floor, you can see bits of gleaming ivory and white -closer inspection reveals that these are bones and skulls of men, animals, and other things,. . . You know that you have certainly discovered the Caves Of Chaos.