Round 3 - Monsters

Unconcerned about their fellows running away from Chiress' divine influence, the rest of the walking bones forge onward towards their targets. Keeping up their speed, the bones cover the distance, their hard flesh-less feet crunching over the broken terrain making practically no noise other than the 'click clack' of their shapes.

The closest ones approach swiftly and attack with the weapons in their hands. Their fury is aimed at the front line of defenders trying to stem the tide of the assault. The ones further behind approach at a run, joining with their brethren and ready to strike in a moment.

Petar finds himself accosted by two smaller goblin skeletons, knives and swords in hand. Their attacks naturally aim low, since their height limit their reach, so the fight is a bit unbalanced for him, finding that he needs to cover his knees and shins predominantly. The blades coming at him lack strength and follow-through. They are easily cast aside with his shield and fail to find any openings in his plate mail.

18:56, Today: Game Master rolled 12,2,6,3 using 1d20,1d4,1d20,1d4 ((12,2,6,3)).


Oswyn, axe at the ready, stands at attention and prepared to face the one enemy before him. The small bones strike greedily at the dwarf, almost as if its safety meant nothing to it. The aggressive lunge, while impressive, does not make it past his defenses, but it came close. The blade draws a few sparks off the metal and is deflected away.

18:59, Today: Game Master rolled 17,3 using 1d20,1d4 ((17,3)). Missed by one.


Aila, still trying to keep Bessy safe, stands her ground against a single set of goblin bones. A pair of knives greet her in the dim light of the campfire, carving the air before her. Unable to completely leave her position, lest the skeletons come too close to the mule, Aila refuses to give ground but this leaves her vulnerable. The small knife threatens to carve a large bloody swath on her lower midsection, but, bending like a reed in the wind, she is able to avoid the greater heft of the attack. A small cut to her waist is all that is left of what could have been a grievous wound.

19:07, Today: Game Master rolled 18,1 using 1d20,1d4. Attack on Aila.


The larger skeletons now join the fray, coming into the fight with Aila, Sowen and Petar.

[ Forest Encounter - Round 3 - Monsters ]


OOC: That's it for the monsters in Round 3. Your turn for this round.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:21, Sat 23 Jan 2021.

Oswyn winces as the goblin skeleton almost gets its blade into a chink in his armor. He uses the haft of his axe to blast the skeleton's blade out of the way, then quickly but powerfully raises and lowers his axe, as if chopping wood. "Bah, goblins are pests alive, and pests dead as well! But you'll not slay me this day!"

16:09, Today: Oswyn rolled 14,9 using 1d20+2,1d8+2.  attack/damage on skelly 5.
(I'm guessing that's a hit but not sure, so I'll leave the result out for now.)

Angus rises and levels and swings his staff!

08:24, Today: Black Angus rolled 7 using 1d20.  to hit. Misses!

The next instant, a glowing bolt of arcane energy slams into the back of the bones, shattering them to pieces and scattering them amid sparks of moxous flame. A few bits of the moxous embers touch the back of his hand, singing his skin ever so lightly.

"Well done!" he calls back to the warcaster.  Petar knows such spells are powerful and draining and wonders how many more Brulna will be able to muster before risking permanent damage to her health.

As some undead are Turned, some are destroyed, and even more join the battle the elf wonders for a moment what mastermind was behind this.  Petar's worries scatter as he hears the sounds of the red orcs coming to help.

Facing a bigger monster now, he forgets about slicing and instead tries a hewing swing, his goal to separate the lower from the upper right at the spine.  Maybe that did something but Petar isn't sure about how well a blade was working against these walking bones.


Actions
Not moving, attack Orc skeleton 3.  Adding STR bonuses, that's 16 to hit for 3 damage

08:04, Today: Petar the Elf rolled 14,1 using d20,d8.  R3 Petar with sword vs Orc Skeleton 3.

Aila hissed with the pain, but this was not something that she could let distract her now.  She tried, and failed, to clear her mind for her own attack.

---

15:08, Today: Aila rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  attack round 3.

Can't hit the broadside of the barn, but it feels awfully consistent.  Clearly Aila slacked on her combat training in the monastery.

Yes, it is kind of funny, but Aila does roll fours quite often. =)

Brulna will take a few steps closer to the flame. She looked on apprehensively before once again calling upon her magic missile. Probably for the last time.

OOC: 01:00, Today: Brulna rolled 2 using 1d6 ((2)).

OOC: Brulna, as a 1st level wizard, you only get to cast one spell, which you just did with that Magic Missile. At this point, you'll either have to abstain from battle, or use other weapons to contribute.

OOC: Angus, where are you moving? That way I can put you on the map in the right place and understand who you are targetting.

Round 3 - PCs

The orcs, having regained their collective composure, now rush the skeletons in your midst with deliberate fury. Their spears strike at the bones with wild abandon, propelled by something you don't quite understand. There is a feral quality in the way these orcs fight, not like human training, which demands guard and defense so you can preserve your own life and avoid injury.

They give themselves fully to the encounter in a dance of slashes and parries that resembles a swirl of turns and swings, a veritable symphony of spins and strikes, ripostes, retreats, and counter-attacks. At first glance it appears undisciplined or unsophisticated, specially since their attention wavers from their enemies for almost half the time, but as you watch the battle unfold, you understand there is a method to the style. The constant movement makes them hard to pin down and target, and their constant turns keep changing the distance to their target, forcing them to stay off balance trying to chase them to find an opening or having to stay in the same spot but leaving themselves ranged by the spears they bear.

You've never seen anyone fight like this before. They are fierce warriors.

Two orc warriors join the fray against a single skeleton brethren, striking with finesse despite wielding spears. One swing misses, but another manages to strike and almost unbalance the walking bones. The blow does only moderate damage. [Miss, Hit! 2 Damage]

Down the line, the other two orcs don't fare any better. One strike fails to hit, and other, despite being a decent hit, merely glances off the stout nature of the bony hardness that makes up these skeletons. [Miss, Miss]

Oswyn's trusty axe is certainly earning its keep today, with another swing and a resounding crash of bones scattered in all directions. [Hit! 9 Damage]
[Yes, it's a hit. These are unsophisticated bones with poor armor.]

Petar finds that he is warming up nicely, and swings and strikes another skeleton. The blow crushes part of the ribcage and knocks an arm down from the frame. Teetering and off-balance, a blow like that would dropped any living creature, but this thing... well... it's not alive. It continues to advance despite the grievous damage. [Hit! 3 Damage]

Continuing to protect the mule, which is struggling anxiously to break free from the stake tying here down to her spot, Aila swings and misses one more time. Even if she can't hit them, she's keeping them at bay and holding the line. [Miss]

Brulna approaches the flame while she considers her course of action.

Sowen, shield and sword in hand, wastes no time. He takes a defensive stance and strikes out with a series of short cutting swings. He doesn't have much space to swing in, but he coordinates his attacks with his brother's spear and orcs around him. The strikes, however, fail to meet their mark, but give the warrior a better idea on how to face his opponent. [Miss]

Olagh, spear in hand, wields the haft with careful attention. He strikes with a massive lunge, hoping to hit something solid. However, his inexperience with skeletons shows this evening, as the spear simply passes through the ribs without any effect whatsoever. [Miss]

Mysh approaches the line, weapons in hand, but can't find an opening into which to fit. He waits for the battle to shift and keeps his attention on possible attacks.

Lland, seeing the battle line filling up, runs around the back of the orcs and finds a position on their flank. There he prepares to join the fight in earnest by raising his shield and weapon into an aggressive stance.

Camille, seeing how effective the blessings of Chiress were, calls on the divine voice of her Godess again.

"In the name of Chiress, BEGONE!"

And once again, the divine presence of Chiress fills the space, lifting the spirits of everyone one in range and blazing light into the darkness. The remaining skeletons are caught in the light, their frames charring and smoking. They turn mindlessly and try to push past the melee and away from you.

[ Forest Encounter - Round 3 - PCs ]

---

OOC: Again, the skeleton's turned are designed with an additional "T" in their numbering. Camille managed to turn 5 more, routing all remaining skeletons. As before, you get an attack while they turn and run.

At first glance it appears undisciplined or unsophisticated, specially since their attention wavers from their enemies for almost half the time, but as you watch the battle unfold, you understand there is a method to the style.

Glad these red orcs were on their side, Petar hopes they will remain that way as he watches them battle!

And once again, the divine presence of Chiress fills the space, lifting the spirits of everyone one in range and blazing light into the darkness. The remaining skeletons are caught in the light, their frames charring and smoking. They turn mindlessly and try to push past the melee and away from you.

There was no need to stay their attacks, these were horrid things that needed to be destroyed.  Petar slices at the same one, trying to drop it down for good.  As his blade catches on the edge of a femur and slides harmless down the elf curses and fights a strong urge to charge after.

7 to hit, plus 2 for STR plus 2 for withdrawal = 11?  miss most likely

21:39, Today: Petar the Elf rolled 7,1 using d20,d8.  withdrawal attack on Orc Skelly 3.

The elders of Oswyn's adoptive clan were usually of the opinion that when enemies wanted to disengage, you let them go. But they did make exceptions in the case of goblins. And while these skeletons were not technically goblins any more, Oswyn took full advantage of the one in front of him turning to flee due to Camille's holy command.

His axe swung wide this time, in a horizontal arc, and connected solidly with goblin bones.

15:08, Today: Oswyn rolled 20,6 using 1d20+2,1d8+2.  parting shot attack/damage on skelly 2.

Perhaps it was the blessing of Chiress changing the scene, but Aila gathered herself for one more swing at a retreating skeleton to make sure it stayed gone.  "Uukhai!" she cried out, as this time the staff met the bones with bone-shattering effect.

---

05:37, Today: Aila rolled 16 using 1d20+1.  to hit
05:37, Today: Aila rolled 6 using 1d6.

#4 skeleton
This message was last edited by the player at 13:42, Tue 26 Jan 2021.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 196):

the closest open enemy, sorry I didn't see the post sooner.

Brulna walked around the fire and looked on at the onslaught. As the skeletons withdrew from the power of the priests magic. The muscular mage made her way to the back of the others.

As the bones followed the divine compulsion and fled, the front line took advantage of the chaos and struck at their backs.

Petar's attention was caught momentarily observing the battle style of their new 'allies', and his sword missed by a small fraction. [Miss]

Oswyn, focused on the skeleton's and his ancestral grudge against them, struck another one as it turned to run. While it not was fully out of the fight, it would have a hard time doing anything with a shattered hip. [Hit. 2 Damage]

Aila's determination never wavered, even as her swing frequently missed. In this last strike, she hit the turning skeleton straight in the spine, effectively cutting it in half by breaking its core. Her battle cry echoed and mingled with the orc calls. [Hit. 6 Damage]

---

OOC: Assuming no one is chasing after the remaining ones, this fight is over.

I have to admit I completely underestimated the ability of a cleric in this game to turn skeletons. I would have brought more. =)

"!" Petar calls in orcish, his exhortations made plain by pointing his sword in the direction of the fleeing monsters and egging the red orcs on to hopefully end the menace.

He himself does not pay the Turned undead any more attention, instead swinging around and noting if any of his friends had taken a wound.  Was that Aila nursing a cut?  It was hard to tell, the capable woman showed no pain or similar.

Then there was the blue glow, perhaps that was the necromancer that created these things?!

The elf moves off in that direction, cautiously, only a few dozen yards all told, but scanning for the glow.

"There was something here, I saw it before the attack .. blue light.  Oswyn, did you as well??"

Moving maybe 35-40 feet south .. for ease of reference, you can put my character in the same square the Orc Leader was in on the last battle map :)

I have to admit I completely underestimated the ability of a cleric in this game to turn skeletons. I would have brought more. =)

Queue the D&D arms race!  "Ooops, I guess 12 wights was 12 too many .. but hey, those skeletons sure were wimps!"  :P
This message was last edited by the player at 02:28, Mon 01 Feb 2021.

As the turned undead left to return to whatever foulness had given rise to such abominations, the pain from her injury demanded attention as the immediacy of the threat faded.  There was a dampness, the dark stain of blood, marring the lower portion of her tunic.  Knowing how much worse it could have been, she moved to her pack to get the bottle of blessed water and take a good, solid drink.

Oswyn watches the skeletons flee. Then, hearing Petar, he realizes he had warned everyone about the light at the start of the fight, but the danger and excitement had made it slip from his mind.

He turns to the south-west, hoping to spot it again. "I did see the light, Petar, and I have no idea what it might be."

The orcs cheer loudly, lifting their spears above their heads in celebration amind raucus battlecries. Sowen and Olagh join them with wild laughter.

"Next time where won't be anything left of you!"

Petar's exhortations are heard by the leader, who calls two of his veterans to him. After a few curt orders, the two orcs gather their equipment, armor and weapons, and depart in the direction the skeleton's fled. The rest of the orcs regroup at their camp fire, but that is short lived as soon as they notice the blue light south of your position.

Aila, drinking of the bottle of blessed water, finds that her body and mind are quickly invigorated, and the cut on her side knits itself closed, leaving barely a mark where the flesh had been split before. Her robes, though, would need conventional mending.

Camille had started to check on everyone's health, but stopped as she heard the two lookouts exchanging observations about something to the south.

Mysh, weapons in hand, scowls. "Great! Another one? Let's kill it quickly and get back to sleeping."

Petar's and Oswyn's attentions, following the suspicion of perhaps another intruder, are quickly rewarded: the source of the light is a small blue orb, indistinct and translucent, floating about five to six feet off the ground. It emerges from among the trees and approaches gently, as if meeting you.

The orcs stand and approach, weapons at the ready, but have yet to take any action. They are watching Oswyn and Petar approach the light with caution attention.

The night appears to cool swiftly as the light comes closer. There is an unsettling feeling coming about you, as if though all the silent voices around you have now come to be entirely quiet. A light breeze bends the grasses around you.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:07, Mon 01 Feb 2021.

Brulna looked on with apprehension at the sight of the blue orb. The young mage knows she doesn't have many more spells left to her for the day.

Wonder if the elf can ask these orcs if they know of any evil wizards? Or priests.... someone had to raise the dead from there eternal slumber.

Brulna made ready to grasp her weapon if need be.

Petar's and Oswyn's attentions, following the suspicion of perhaps another intruder, are quickly rewarded: the source of the light is a small blue orb, indistinct and translucent, floating about five to six feet off the ground. It emerges from among the trees and approaches gently, as if meeting you.

Because talking to a floating ball of light might be construed as odd, Petar instead uses a minor trick to probe the thing.  ~ I mean you no harm ~, he thinks in the direction of the phenomenon .. just in case it was telepathic or empathic.

"Be ready for anything," he says to the others.  Petar also repeats it in orcish, hoping the red orcs would not do anything, well, orcish ... at least not right away.

A small stone lifts off the ground, and gently guided by Petar's magic, floats towards the orb ....

Actions

Cast Wizard Hand and use it to pick up a small stone and then move the stone towards the orb and finally, into the orb.  Not an attack, just a poke.

First charm used today, 8 left

The World of Karanos, post#9:

Wizard's Hand

Level: 0
Range: 40'
Duration: 1 turn/level
Effect: Object no more than 5 lbs. in weight

This effect gives the caster the ability to move small objects with the power of his will. Nothing heavier than five pounds can be moved, nor anything larger than 2'x2'x2'.
The wizard can keep INT total number of objects under his command, but can only keep [INT bonus + 1] objects in motion as long as he's paying attention to them. If the wizard ceases to pay attention to an object in motion, it remains where it is left until the wizard resumes paying attention to it. If the duration expires any objects held in midair are released and will fall.
This spell was created to help a wizard handle dangerous research with volatile reagents at a safe distance in their laboratory. But it has found many other clever uses by enterprising wizards with larcenous intent.

This message was last edited by the player at 23:50, Mon 01 Feb 2021.

Petar's magic lifts the small stone before the blue light, trying to elicit a reaction from it. The stone flies into the light, straight past it, and lands without any further fanfare on the ground beyond.

A casual chuckle echoes through the area, but not in the physical space. It is a voice in everyone's mind. It seems ... familiar.

The blue light wavers and then changes shape. Before you now stands the ghostly shape of an elder orc, dressed in heavy regalia, strong and certain, approaching you on foot with a casual martial economy of movement.

For those who were present in the barrow grave, you recognize the figure of Gharakuh The Unyielding, a knowing smirk on his lips.

"Ha ha ha ha... We meet again."

The orcs visibly tense, murmurs shift through their ranks. The chief calls out,

[Language unknown: "Rat no iv stiet hasla? Toss whder Alltheenc, hat tric niof inain atarou?"]

The blue light wavers and then changes shape.

Face to face with the spook, Petar feels slightly less awed than before in the cold, claustrophobic barrow.

Slightly.

He lets the spirit address the orcs; but will entertain introductions, as necessary.  Bards did that sort of thing.  The elf also explains to the others who were not with them the other day, Petar talking to Lland, Mysh and Oswyn and Brulna:

"May I introduce Gharakuh the Unyielding, one who lived and ruled here years ago."

Petar recalls what they had learned of the ancestral orc general-king:



Of course, Petar can't explain all this to the newcomers just this moment.  Instead, he asks the spirit:

"Gharakuh, we just battled undead minions .. do you know their source?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:04, Thu 04 Feb 2021.

Brulna looked at the undead creature wondered if it was a lich? "Me haps Angus would like to ask of spells. I meant rather to say that I and Anug wondered if the unyielding one had any knowledge of cache of spellbooks?"