PrP: Trouble Brewing

Disclaimer: This log features adults, who may at times be using adult language. You have been warned.

Second disclaimer: Most everything has been kept in the log, including some extraneous OOC banter. Some poses may have been moved to help reading flow/not getting lost (Such as relevant pose for an action being placed right after the action's resolution.) At the time of the second encounter, the plot had been going for over 7 continous hours - we were all tired and some poses are missing. :(

Event summary at posting

Level Range: 2-5

An alchemist from the Heartlands has called upon the Guild of Explorers for a retrieval mission. No further detail has been provided, save an impression of urgency.

Summary

A group of adventurers embark into the edge of the Eldwynn in search of Trebor the Wizard's lost cows, and must clean up the fallout of a failed alchemical experiment.

Encounters

Party APL: ~2.5-3

First: Mad Cow, a.k.a. Aurochs (CR 2) x 3 = CR 5

Second: Griffon (CR 4) x 2 = CR 6*

(*One griffon began combat at 75% of full HP. Neither griffon could fly.)

Starring

Oates (Level 5 Rogue)

Rotgut (Level 3 Cleric)

Arafel (Level 2 Druid)

Guest appearances: Tavissha, Brolin - unfortunately, both were stolen by RL before combat encounters. :(

Huge props from me to everyone for signing up and being there - and especially to Oates, Rotgut and Arafel for sticking through with it for an incredible 8.5 hours of running time!

Plot log

<OOC> Sharna says, "Okay! Standard plot running disclaimer as I rev us up to get going: If you've any rules questions relevant to the plot, don't hesitate to ask - I'll happily answer or delegate to someone to answer. Similarly, if you think I've messed up on a rule, always feel free to page me to correct me - but try find the reference to support the claim and make sure it's correct."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Sure thing"

<OOC> Oates says, "Will do."

<OOC> Arafel salutes, "Yes, ma'am... sir... Ye Sir böse Frau Dame ..." :P

Arafel:P

<OOC> Sharna says, "Another thing I'd like to have you do (and myself experiment with) is, I'd like you to roll 2 passive Perceptions and Sense Motives each right now. This is because I can't make secret rolls for you, and it's handy to have these things if they crop up. They may! They may not. You never know."

GAME: Rotgut rolls Perception: (8)+4: 12

GAME: Rotgut rolls Perception: (6)+4: 10

GAME: Rotgut rolls Sense Motive: (3)+8: 11

GAME: Rotgut rolls Sense Motive: (8)+8: 16

GAME: Arafel rolls perception: (12)+9: 21

GAME: Arafel rolls perception: (12)+9: 21

GAME: Arafel rolls sense/motive: (12)+sense/motive: 12

GAME: Arafel rolls sense/motive: (3)+sense/motive: 3

<OOC> Sharna says, "With a space between the words, rather than a /. :) In the meantime, I'll get your opening emit brewin'!"

GAME: Tavissha rolls perception: (15)+5: 20

GAME: Tavissha rolls perception: (5)+5: 10

GAME: Tavissha rolls sense motive: (13)+1: 14

GAME: Tavissha rolls sense motive: (16)+1: 17

GAME: Arafel rolls sense motive: (4)+3: 7

GAME: Arafel rolls sense motive: (7)+3: 10

<OOC> Arafel says, "well at least I'm good with perception. Should be playing black jack with rolls like that."

GAME: Oates rolls Perception: (11)+11: 22

GAME: Oates rolls Perception: (1)+11: 12

GAME: Oates rolls Sense Motive: (9)+7: 16

GAME: Oates rolls Sense Motive: (19)+7: 26

<OOC> Oates says, "incidentally, if the Perception checks involve traps, add 2 to my results."

<OOC> Arafel says, "if you want my AC sheet let me know Sharna, but its accessible by +view Arafel/AC at any time."

The wagon you are on clatters along the country road, reinforced wheels crunching the packed snow beneath. The land here is flat, allowing you a great view (if not a very exciting one), and the surrounds are quiet - the blanket of winter snows has put pause to the work on the farms that litter the eastern Heartlands, leaving the fields you are passing asleep under the frost as they wait for spring to come. Off in the distance, the snow-topped trees of the Eldwynn seem almost reminiscent of giant, white mushroom caps through the light fog and gloomy ghostlight of the early morning. The breeze blows seldom, but when it does, it is biting.

The muscular draft horse plods along ponderously, urged on by a gruff, grouchy Guild wagon driver. Ned has introduced himself in his scratchy voice (suggesting he may or may not have at some point in his life competed in the noble sport of gargling gravel... warning: this is not an actual sport), but offered little more by way of chat - he's there to get you to your destination and nothing more, and eminently unhappy about being on the road at this hour and in this weather. Scratching at his unshaven chin, he mutters about the morning chill into his woolen scarf, then irritably tugs the rough hat on his head down to protect his reddening ears from cold.

The destination in question is somewhere in the long-tamed farmlands, though far closer to the forest than most of the other properties are. The man you've been sent to meet is somewhat of a loner - but you'd expect no less of a wizard, especially one who engages in alchemy. His face is not entirely unfamiliar in Alexandria - on occasion, he comes to trade - and as such, his request for urgent aid has been answered by the Guild of Explorers with only a little bit of wariness. You were told he needs something retrieved with haste, and the payment offered is nothing to scoff at.

For your part, you've been given rough blankets to wind about yourselves and left otherwise exposed to the chill air, save whatever protection you yourselves may have brought along. You've likely had to distribute your weight on the crude benchlike sides of the wagon carefully to prevent the thing from flipping over to the side from the height and bulk of some of your companions - and occasionally, the vehicle still groans ominously as if about to tip, making any attempt at dozing full of rude, jarring awakenings. At the very least, the trip has been uneventful, providing you ample time to chat or tinker.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Free posing and all that jazz. :D"

<OOC> Sharna thumbs up to Arafel, also.

For her part, Tavissha has curled up in the corner under a heap of blankets, the tall white sith'makar blinking wide blue eyes at the rest of her companions. Every jostle and thud makes her squeak and pull the blankets closer, whimperng just a little. "I hope this goes by quickly..." she whimpers.

<OOC> Rotgut laughs. "Too bad that's not a sport. Rotgut would insist on competing."

Oates leans as appropriate whenever the wagon groans, doing his part to help keep the weight adjusted. "While I'm okay with this weather, I must admit that I'm still looking forward to spring," he admits.

Seems the Egalrin is used to such conditions, worse really, the feathers and armor enough to keep his race more then warm enough for the most part. Arafel looks to them all, "Ad this plus hurricane winds and freezing rain... This feels like spring already." He laughs softly and his animal companion runs along side the cart, the easy slow gate of it allowing the Digger to keep up with the group easy enough. With some more work and a little aging he is hoping that soon enough he can find riding armor for it and then rickety carts would be a thing of the past as the worst for him is his ass hurt with the jostling cart.

Rotgut has managed to claim one side of the wagon mostly for himself, perched beside the lithe Eaglefolk, and still sometimes the cart seem to tilt towards his side at turns. "It will go by too fast, for sure," he says, grinning broadly while pulling that blanket tightly around his body, "When we get to the ADVENTURE, we will wish we had more time!" He ends up bellowing that one word, before looking around for validation.

Whilst ADVENTURE fails to leap out of the snow and at Rotgut's awaiting face, as if the gods themselves were answering Tavissha's plea, within minutes your driver makes a sharp turn and takes you from the well-traveled main road and onto one of the winding side roads. The ride becomes more unpleasant, uneven, as this road is all but snowed in, only furrows left from passage of other wagons - one or two at the most - revealing there even is a road beneath the cover. You'd certainly have trouble finding it. The resolute gray draft horse now tugs you towards the Eldwynn under Ned's guidance.

The forest is vast - that much can be told even from a distance. The treeline stretches across the horizon, a jagged line far as your eye can see. The trees are irregular, set apart - the forest is light here, at its edge, though no doubt deepens into overgrowth and gloom much deeper within. It takes some time for the wagon to crest a small hill and put your destination in sight - a house rests near the forest's edge.

As you come closer, details begin to emerge. The dwelling itself is of sturdy construction - brick and mortar, thatch of the slanted roof peeking out from under icicles and clinging snow. A rough path, cleared of snow, leads to the entrance. Smoke puffs merrily from the twin chimneys above. Truly, it looks much like any of the other farmhouses you've seen. It's difficult to tell this is the home of a possibly eccentric wizard. At least, until you get close enough to notice the smoke's got a hint of purple. With wisps of orange. When light catches it, it flickers green. To the side of the house is a vast, fenced-in area - a garden at a guess. The snow makes it difficult to tell. You identify what must be a toolshed near the garden, and further off, an outhouse. Behind the main dwelling, you can glimpse the hint of another, larger construction, but at the angle of your approach, it is difficult to tell its nature and purpose.

Still a goodly distance from the place, Ned pulls harshly on the reins and brings the horse to a stop. The animal obliges without protest, huffing a cloud of steam from its nostrills. Its head bends, and it noses curiously at the snow on the roadside, seeking hints of budding plants underneath.

"This is yer stop." Ned says, snorting loudly in an attempt to crudely clear his clogged nose. He wipes at it with the back of his hand.

"When yer done, yer gonna have to walk to the little inn just a bit to the east of the crossroads we passed. Guild's arranged for someone to meetcha in a day an' fetcha back. If yer late, well, yer on yer own." he informs, looking over a shoulder as he waits for you to disembark.

Oates nods as he disembarks. "Barring any spectacular mishaps, we should be there in time," the farmboy acknowledges.

<OOC> Sharna says, "You all remember the crossroads in question and will probably manage not to get lost in the relatively flat region. Mostly. Hopefully. >.>"

<OOC> Arafel says, "Could roll a knowledge geography and I have a compass! :P"

<OOC> Oates says, "Survival can also help as well."

<OOC> Arafel says, "have that too."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Okay, what's the opposite of North again?"

Arafel gets out and runs a hand down Lodestones back, patting the Digger' side, "Shouldn't be too much trouble to find..."

<OOC> Arafel says, "That other pole."

With a creek, the nearly seven-foot sith unfolds and crawls off the wagon with a self-conscious thud. The poor lizard is faring not so well with all this snow, but still Tavissha slinks closer to Oates and sighs. "This is very...cold," she murmurs, chattering a little.

<OOC> Rotgut says, "There are poles?? Man, I am so lost."

<OOC> Tavissha hands Rotgut a magnet helpfully. :D

<OOC> Sharna says, "One day, someone will explain to Rotgut how the world is round and there's poles. And he'll imagine sticks run through the middle of the planet and sticking out on the ends."

<OOC> Rotgut holds head and groans. "Next you'll tell me Angoron doesn't actually carry it on his back."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Then the person that's explaining it will go 'No no, the poles are invisible'. And later, Rotgut will recount his lecture about invisible sticks in the ends of the planet and how they must've been put there by Angoron to act as handles."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Well, obviously. That just makes the most sense."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Ahem. It's your pose. XD"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Yes, working on it XD"

"Walking is good for the feet!" Rotgut offers, helpfully, still pulling the blanket around his shoulders as he hops off the cart, making it wobble from the sudden shift in weight. "Man, that's some pretty smoke," he says, looking and peering up at the chimney, "He is probably cooking lots of things. Think he'll let us warm up and try some?"

With the group having placed their feet on solid ground and off his wagon, Ned clicks at the horse and tugs the reins, uncaring of missing blankets. The animal circles about widely, and the reins snap, once.

"Hyah, Prancer!" goes the wagon driver... and old, mild-mannered Prancer fails to give much credence to his name, simply resuming his slow and steady plod - only in the opposite direction.

It's not long before the creak of wagonwheels is a distant squeak, and you are all left standing alone, within walking distance of the house. The windows of the house are frosted on the outside, the ice having painted intricate patterns upon the glass. The inside is obscured with a foggy film - cold meeting hot, or at least warm. It makes them quite difficult to peek through.

Not much for peeking, the Egalrin is walking over to the house and with a couple wraps of Arafel's knuckles on the door he has let whoever is inside know they have arrived.

Rotgut leans over Arafel's shoulder and yells, helpfully, "HELLO WIZARD! ADVENTURERS HERE TO SEE YOU!"

Oates simply chuckles. Yep, simple, straightforward introduction.

Tavissha just facepalms.

"Ooh, ooh! Coming!"

The voice is a little shrill, and soon hasted footsteps can be heard moving closer. The muted clicks of latches removed greet your collective ears, and the door opens.

Standing before you is a middle-aged human. His dress is the plain fare of an Alexandrian farmer, and he's chewing on a dry straw at the corner of his mouth. His brown eyes are sunken, bloodshot and the skin beneath dark and baggy, as if sleeping has never been at the forefront of his mind, and especially has not been the last several days. Beneath an elongated, slightly hooked nose, is a beard - or, at least, an attempt at one. It's likely he's tried to grow a majestic beard to match legends of wizards everywhere, but the pattern of growth and whispiness of the hair leaves it looking more than a little awkward. He's tall and lanky - truly, he reminds you most of a scarecrow given life, and he moves much the same - as if each bit of him had a mind of its own and a different idea of where and how it should be going. Like he's made of nothing but elbows.

He's, also, holding a very large cleaver in one hand.

The door's opening releases a gust of the air from inside. It smells... unusual, let us put it that way, and is hot. The wizard doesn't seem to notice or care - more than likely, he's used to the unique aroma his abode sports.

"Welcome, welcome. Come in." he invites you, stepping out of your way and allowing you into the house.

The main room of the house seems to have been split in two. On one side is what one might describe as a plain farmer's house - a seating area with a roughly carved table and chairs, some shelves, a rocking chair, a fireplace with a merry flame crackling within and casting a warm glow... The other half, however, is a thing of dreams, or maybe nightmares. Workdesks full of vials and beakers seem to consume the space. Tubing stretches from one end to the other, liquids in all colors of the rainbow bubbling, sizzling, hissing as they traverse in seemingly endless cycles, dripping, mixing, pooling, oozing by wonders of alchemy and perhaps just a smidgeon of magic. The fumes from them lend a haze to the entire top half of the house.

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Magically Hasted footsteps?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "No, stylistic wording hasted!"

Brolin pages: Sorry i forgotted. D:

You paged Brolin with 'O hai. I might be able to slot you in even this late. Let me ask the others.'

<OOC> Tavissha says, "Oh man guys. I'm really sorry but I have a headache and my brain is failing hardcore today. I think I need to back out of this lest I just sit here and drool for the whole scene. :C"

<OOC> Tavissha hugs Sharna, and totters off to faceplant. Good luck!!

<OOC> Sharna says, "Awwwwwww. :( On a happier note, Brolin just arrived. He's quite a bit late, obviously, but since we haven't actually gotten to anything amazing, I'm willing to let him join. What's your vote?"

Arafelis blessing himself that he was never given a good sense of smell, the sight was enough to warn him. He whistles softly, the sound to let Lodestone know he is to remain outside and guard, warn if something approaches. He then moves on into the house as he is right in front of it.

<OOC> Tavissha votes for yes, herself.

<OOC> Arafel says, "I'm good with it."

<OOC> Tavissha poof <3

Tavissha has disconnected.

Oates nods to the wizard. "So, you mentioned that you need Guild help with something?" he asks as he enters the house.

<OOC> Oates says, "Works for me."

Rotgut ooooos when the wizard opens the door, eyes widening. "That's a good beard. Almost as good as my brudda's. ... also, that's a good cleaver." Rotgut sniffs the air as they step inside, and his eyes widen once more as he spies the vials. "Ohhhh, you have the best wet bar I've ever seen!"

Brolin pages: kk.

You paged Brolin with 'Three outta four so far say it's a'right with them, so if you'd like to come, please waddle over. :D'

Brolin has arrived.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Can someone catch him up, pretty please? :)"

"Please don't touch any of that." the wizard says, glancing at Rotgut a little nervously, as if afraid his life's work might be getting sloshed down like cheap booze. There's a pause, and he clears his throat. "I'd just dragged one of the carrots from storage for the stew. Just need to finish choppin'. Y'all look like y'could use some warmin' up. Won't be a moment." says the wizard welcomingly, lifting the cleaver as if to explain that is why he holds it.

Save, that's an awful big cleaver. It would be a clumsy instrument to use to chop vegetables.

As relative silence falls, the faint noises from beneath the rocking chair come to the forefront over the buzz of the alchemical equipment. There is something there.

At first glance, the creature looks most like someone dropped a plate of oddly-colored jello on the floor. A moment's observation reveals the mound is, in fact, an animal, largely because there's four tiny feet sticking out from beneath its bulk where it lies. It is, in fact, a particularly rotund spotted pig - and the noises come from its munching of something round and orange, with a shock of leaves sticking out one end. Closer inspection reveals it to be the top of a carrot. Save... it is the size of a man's head.

Of course, you might not care much. Upon entering, the scent of the place assaults your nostrils. It's so potent that poor Tavissha passes out on the spot and collapses in a scaly heap.

<OOC> Sharna totally solves Tavissha not being there. >.>

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Nice. XD"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Everyone else, please roll a Fortitude save!"

GAME: Oates rolls Fort: (4)+4: 8

GAME: Rotgut rolls fortitude: (8)+5: 13

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates fails, Rotgut succeeds."

GAME: Arafel rolls fortitude: (6)+5: 11

GAME: Brolin rolls Fortitude: (1)+7: 8

<OOC> Brolin says, "DOH!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Arafel succeeds, and Brolin fails. XD"

You paged (Oates, Brolin) with 'You each take a big lungful of the mixed chemicals floating in the air. Wait, do you smell something... burning? ... Oh. That's your nosehair.'

<OOC> Sharna says, "You'll be happy to learn that the only effect is a -2 to perception checks as you pretty much lose most of your sense of smell right off."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut and Arafel are unaffected, though it's still kind of unpleasant."

"Awwww," Rotgut's spirits fall dejectedly, when it turns out these aren't new, fancy wizard cocktails that might let you sprout wings or something. He pauses, sniffing deeply... and makes a face. "Bleh, probably not good to drink anyways. Oh hey, a piggie!" Rotgut drops to a crouch, grinning at the pig thing and holding out a hand towards it. "Youse a big piggie. With a big carrot, wow. Eating lots of good food?"

Arafel would wrinkle his nose if he could, but the smell is almost overpowering and he moves over to a corner to lean back into it, getting as far away as he can for the moment.

Oates sneezes. "Ow - that certainly cleared up the sinuses... a bit too well, actually," he winces.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Brolin - you coulda come on the wagon with them, or jogged after, or whatever other crazy thing you come up with to join them once you're filled in."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Skiing behind the wagon!"

"TAARA'S TWAT, IT SMELLS LIKE A SACK OF ROTTEN CUNTS IN HERE!" Brolin exclaims as he claps a hand to his mouth and nose, tears streaming down his face. "What the shit is that!?" He stabs a finger on his free hand at the piggish creature. "I go out to use the shitter for ten minutes and it smells better out there than it does in here!"

GAME: Brolin rolls Tact: (1)+Tact: 1

<OOC> Brolin says, "Looks about right."

"What? I don't smell anything." goes the wizard, sniffing the air experimentally in confusion. Still, he shakes himself out of it and instructs you to make sure she is well and move the unconscious Tavissha to the armchair for comfort, where she will safely remain.

The pig looks at the oruch's rough hand for a moment, fixating it, as if pondering if it, too, is edible.

"Be nice to our guests, Archimedes." the wizard chides the pig, and it begrudgingly (you can tell) bops its somewhat went, pink triangle of a nose against Rotgut's extended hand before returning to the carrot leftover. It's a greeting. It must be.

It's within moments that the seemingly uncoordinated man brings out a stewpot full of stew - including pieces of what must have once been an incredibly, unnaturally large carrot - and crude clay bowls for each of you, balanced on top of each other like it's a circus act. He still doesn't drop any, and a nod indicates you should avail yourselves of the food and be seated about the table at your leisure.

"Name's Trebor." the wizard introduces himself, smiling in a brief, discomforted flash. "With a bee, not a vee." he clarifies nasally, making it not at all better.

It takes him a good, long moment to find his voice, and then he begins explaining your purpose here:

"Fer years, I've been trying to use my skills to cure hunger. Giant vegetables! Unfortunately, th' cost of th' brew to do it could cover the same quantity in normal-sized vegetables, so... that ain't going so well. So I figured, what about animals?"

Trebor's bony hands wring nervously.

"Other day I hit a breakthrough. I had a few cows - Big Bill, and Bessy, and Bella, and Byanca - and I put it in their water trough." Hands wring again, more forcefully. "When I woke up, they'd broken the barn doors down and ran off into the forest."

The wizard looks up at you all, imploringly. "I -need- them back. Or at least to know what happened to 'em."

<OOC> Sharna says, "*its somewhat wet"

The stew, it bears noting, is of normal coloration, and to those who have kept their sense of smell, of a normal aroma as well.

Arafel nods a bit and declines the vegetable stew, it wasn't something he could really digest, "So... we are looking for four cows... " He doesn't speak about the fact about what might have become of the cows, before they broke loose or after even.

Brolin slowly takes his hand away from his mouth to wipe the tears away and take a few slow, deep breaths from his mouth (lol mouthbreather) to let his body get adjusted to the bad wrong...badongness of the air. But he's never one to turn away a free meal. The pig is eyeballed for a moment, but the giantborn stoops to walk further inside and scoop up the bowl. The mention of giant vegetables sends his booze-soaked mind ablaze with visions of giant turnip moonshine..."Think you can spare some of those crops? I am a fine purveyor of sacramental brews and spirits! After we find your freakish beeves, of course." He punctuates his question with a slurp from the bowl, not bothering with such niceties as spoons.

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Odd, that pig doesn't look like an owl."

Rotgut gives off a deep belly-laugh when the pig nudges against his hand. "He likes me! Awwww, but he likes food better. That's okay, means he's a smart pig." Rotgut takes Tavissha over to the chair, meaning he's just done tucking a blanket around her when Trebor comes out with the food, and the oruch's eyes go wide. "Ohhhh, vittles! Oh, nice to meet you Trebor Withabenoddavee. I am Rotgut, warrior of Angoron and bringer of Light and punches to bad things faces."

As Trebor wows them with information, Rotgut goes to serving himself up with food, apparently not minding the smell or the oversized carrot. He even takes the portions of anyone who's not eager to eat their own before taking a seat on a stool nearby and digging in noisily. Rotgut mmfs, peering at Trebor. "They're big cows now? How big? An' did they grow teeth and claws? That usually happens when animals get big."

"My stores are a bit low with the winter, but we'll see what we can do." Trebor promises to Brolin with a genial smile. Gathering the bowl meant for himself, he ladles a modest portion of the stew and sloshes it down in a few quick gulps - whether because it's proper to eat alongside one's guests or because he can't remember when he last ate and is unsure when he'll remember to again.

"The barn's out back, iffen y'all wanna look at it." the wizard identifies the structure you saw behind the house in your approach. "I fixed the door so th' chickens don't freeze to death and drained the trough and cleaned it out so they don't get at it, but I've not touched anything else." Rotgut's questions, have the man chewing on his thin lips. "Maybe... twice as big as they were? I think. I've... not actually seen'em. Gave them the brew, went to bed - next morning, they're gone. It shouldn't have taken effect that fast. They might just got agitated from it and y'all will have them back right as rain."

The last is added with no small amount of hope.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates, you still with us?"

<OOC> Brolin says, "Gah, RL is 'sploding. I gotta go. Hopefully back in a bit, maybe not. :/"

<OOC> Arafel says, "So lets see, any kind of investigative rolls we can make? Like Perception and such?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "If you go outside to inspect the barn, absolutely!"

Not having taken any of the giant carrot stew himself, he heads out to do just that, inspect the barn. A whistle given to Lodestone to follow him. Arafel was going to go over everything, the barn, footsteps and see what size they are if any are made from the cattle running off into the woods, even if there was something else there that might have helped the cattle run off.

<OOC> Oates says, "Still here, but drawing blanks in the RP department."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Let's go investigate the barn!"

"Sure! I've never seen giant cow footprints before! You think they're the same shape as normal ones?" Rotgut asks of his party, grinning. Finishing off his bowl, he wanders out with the rest to poke about a bit and see what they can find.

<OOC> Sharna says, "You certainly may investigate the barn! Choose either Perception or Survival (one or the other) each, and roll your prefered skill."

GAME: Arafel rolls Survival: (15)+10: 25

Oates heads over to investigate the barn with the others.

GAME: Oates rolls Perception-2: (3)+11+-2: 12

The wooden barn is about as tall as the house, large enough to provide shelter to the handful of animals Trebor keeps at night and during winter. As explained, the now-empty trough is outside, half-frozen in the chill air. The cluck of chickens can be heard inside, and their beady eyes regard you as you open the haphazardly mended door to poke about.

And it is VERY haphazardly mended - the wizard's no carpenter, and the askew planks and bent nails attest to his utter lack of aptitude. Still, it does just enough to keep the heat in and the chickens, if not truly happy, at least content to winter there. There had been cows, too, that much is certain from their old, dried droppings - but now, the area lies empty. The hay that is their winter feed remains half-eaten in wake of their sudden disappearance.

GAME: Rotgut rolls survival: (18)+6: 24

You paged Rotgut with '(Survival, 24) Despite the fact it's been snowing on-and-off, you know how to look and find evidence of hoofprints hidden beneath. The tracks lead from the barn, off into the treeline and the forest beyond - you'd have little trouble following. No other tracks are to be found, save the imprints of a single set of humanoid boots moving back and forth - probably Trebor's.'

Rotgut pages: Rotgut is about as surprised as everyone else that he manages this pretty well.

You paged Arafel with '(Survival, 25) Despite the fact it's been snowing on-and-off, you know how to look and find evidence of hoofprints hidden beneath. The tracks lead from the barn, off into the treeline and the forest beyond - you'd have little trouble following. The distance between them attests the cows departed in a frenzied hurry, and have not come back. You find no evidence anything chased them off - no other tracks are to be found, save the imprints of a single set of humanoid boots moving back and forth. Those are probably Trebor's.'

You paged Oates with 'Your inspection finds marks on the inside of the mended barn door. There's indents and scratches, the passing of something sharp. Horns, maybe?'

<OOC> Rotgut waits to pose til everyone else is able to get their rolls in.

<OOC> Arafel says, "I think all those that are here have rolled now."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Indeed. Brolin's AFK, so that's what you got for now."

The Egalrin looks around and kneeling down he softly moves away the snow that ahd fallen over some hoof prints of the cattle. It is easily follow able it seems leading off into the forest. "What the wizard has said is true... should be easy enough to follow these. Especially in the forest with less snow reaching the ground." He notes other things, "Doesn't seem to be any real reason for them running off though... other then they did."

<OOC> Arafel tacks his name in there also.

After a little trudging about the barn, poking at the snow with the rest of the group, Rotgut stops in a spot a little ways away from the front door. He frowns, poking and brushing the snow away. "HEY GUYS!" he bellows, moving a bit farther away and brushing more snow away... "I FOUND SOMETHING!" Sure enough, there are some LARGE hoofprints in the ground underneath the snow. And as Rotgut uncovers more, they seem to be heading off towards the forest. The oruch grins. "Man, I did GOOD!" he says, surprised.

Oates takes a look at the hoofprints Rotgut found after looking at some scratches on the door. "Hmm, looks to be about the right size for the horn-inflicted scratches I saw," he notes.

The chickens - of normal size and normal temperament, as much fun as it may be to play with the word 'fowl' - eye you as you snoop about, uncovering this and that confirmation of the incident. The sun is rising, but the cloud cover has the light of the day muted as morning comes slowly into full swing around you. You cannot see very far into the forest from where you stand.

<OOC> Sharna says, "GENTLEMEN. What would you like to do? :D"

<OOC> Arafel says, "Not going to find nothing unless we follow the tracks... might as well do that."

<OOC> Oates says, "Yeah."

<OOC> Sharna fastforwards you a little, then, with your permission?

<OOC> Oates says, "Works for me."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Yes please!"

Between Arafel and Rotgut, you have little trouble following the tracks through the forest - especially as, just as Arafel predicted, the snow thins where the trees begin. You trudge into the forest and move for some time, following shallow prints in hard ground.

Those are not the only signs of the bovines' passing, however. Soon, you begin to notice damage. Trampled bushes, saplings broken in twine, the bark of trees bearing long cuts. It only becomes greater with time. After a while, it becomes easy even for an untrained tracker to follow the blatant signs.

You paged (Arafel, Oates) with '(Secret Perception roll experiment, 21 and 22!) It suddenly strikes you that there is something amiss. A forest in the morning is filled with sounds - birds, small animals awaken and sing to the world, even in winter. You can't hear it here, though. None of it. As if every single small denizen has, for some reason or other, decided not to be here.'

Arafel raises an eyebrow at it all as this really doesn't feel right, or he is thinking he hates being right really, "Things seem to be getting stranger... Can you hear that? No, because there is nothing here..." He looks to the others, "Nature has abandoned this place and what went through here."

Oates nods. "Or at the very least, something spooked the denizens recently and they haven't decided that it's safe yet to return," he agrees, making sure his weapons are ready to be drawn.

"Wow," Rotgut remarks, blinking as they head along, frowning at the tracks. "Am I getting better at tracking, or are the tracks just getting a lot more obvious?" The oruch frowns worriedly, unholstering his warhammer and peering off to the sides. "This is weeeeird..." he says, quietly.

GAME: Rotgut has prepared Detect Magic in a reserved spell slot.

Just as the two sharp-eared members of the party voice their concerns, a clarion call resounds, a single sound cutting the deathly silence like a knife.

"MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO."

Each of you has likely heard the call of cows before. Each may have had different opinions of it. But never, ever have you heard one like this. Besides being loud, there is a wrongness to it, a... a brokenness. The noise resounds in your bones, right into the marrow and out again, rattling your being with its alien nature, all the more disturbing for being so supposedly familiar. It's coming from dead ahead, and you might wish it weren't so close.

<OOC> Sharna says, "And this is a beautiful time for us to roll that wondrous initiative die."

Rotgut freezes midstep, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck stand-up, and he shivers at that sound. "The hunted... has become the hunter..." he whispers, ominously.

GAME: Rotgut rolls initiative: Roll: 6 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 8

GAME: Oates rolls initiative: Roll: 20 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 22

GAME: You roll initiative for MAD_COWS: Roll: 20 + Bonus: 0 = Total: 20

===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------                  
 22                  Oates
----------------------------------------  
 20                  MAD_COWS
----------------------------------------            
 8                   Rotgut
----------------------------------------                  
========================================

Arafel nods and is quick, even in the undergrowth he heads for the thicker foliage, "Scatter... don't run... Find a place to ambush if you can..." he whistles sending the Digger to borrow under the ground and guard him.

<OOC> Sharna waits for a +init from Arafel, then will move into Inits. "Unfortunately for me, you are totally not blindsided by a bunch of cows. Unfortunately for you, you've no time to stage an ambush of your own, either, which means Lodestone will not be able to burrow before the combat suddenly begins."

Brolin has disconnected.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Arafel, pretty please +init. :)"

The ground seems to shudder and shake beneath your feet. The cows have your scent. They come.

As the first cow thunders into view, you instantly see there is something dreadfully, dreadfully wrong with the animal. It has grown, certainly... but it has also been twisted. The white and black hide has been pierced by wild bone growths from within, creating unnatural spikes on one of its flanks where there were none. Horns, bigger and sharper than they have any right to be, have become double on this one, another pair having joined the first. It froths at the mouth madly, and its eyes roll and turn crazily in their sockets.

Another two aren't far behind. Much like the first, they too have changed. One sports a row of sharp spines on its back, and the last's legs are covered in spikes, covered in dry blood from accidental self-injuries. Suffice to say, it is unlikely they'll return with you to the barn peacefully.

<OOC> Sharna gives you a description of what you see, in the meantime. >:)

<OOC> Rotgut shudders

<OOC> Sharna says, "While we wait for Arafel, you may roll Knowledge/Nature, Knowledge/Arcana or another skill you think may apply in this case."

<OOC> Sharna says, "(I happen to know we have a farmer character in the group, and because it amuses me, I'll allow Profession/Farmer or whatever it is, should he have it, to count as a knowledge roll.)"

GAME: Oates rolls Knowledge/Nature: (14)+5: 19

GAME: Oates rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (8)+7: 15

GAME: Oates rolls Profession/Farmer: (12)+5: 17

GAME: Arafel rolls knowledge/nature: (11)+9: 20

GAME: Arafel rolls spellcraft: (1)+7: 8

GAME: Rotgut rolls profession/brewer: (2)+10: 12

GAME: Rotgut rolls heal: (1)+8: 9

<OOC> Rotgut throws out random rolls

<OOC> Arafel says, "thinking handle animal won't work in this situation..... LOL It's the Cow Level!"

You paged (Oates, Arafel) with '(Knowledge/Nature, Profession/Farmer) Holy One's blessed breath. You are unsure these animals could be cows at all, anymore, they've changed so much. It seems their herd mentality has changed little, however, from how tightly they are packed. A cow's weapons are its horns - it'll gore its foes, and something this size could gore powerfully. You surmise a panicked - or maddened - bovine this size may also use its bulk to its advantage and run its foes over. Needless to say, that might hurt. A lot.'

You paged Oates with '(Knowledge/Arcana) Whatever magical process changed these cows went terribly, terribly wrong. You have no idea how it happened, or why, but looking at them, you're fairly certain it isn't reversible.'

You paged Rotgut with '(Profession/Brewer, Heal) COWS! Holy crap, those are some seriously messed up cows.'

You paged Rotgut with '(I figured I'd give you some 'feedback' on your rolls. They warrant this. :( )'

Rotgut pages: Hahah! XD Thank you

<OOC> Arafel says, "Well a Entangle spell with whatever you want to add to it would be useful here."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Still need your init, Arafel. ;)"

<OOC> Sharna says, "In the meantime, let's begin with Oates."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates. There are cows. Horrible, horrible cows. They are presently about 60 feet away and closing fast. They're heading straight for the lot of you."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Three cows, to be precise."

GAME: Arafel rolls initiative: Roll: 10 + Bonus: 7 = Total: 17

<OOC> Oates says, "Any trees with decent branches nearby?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "It's a forest, so there's plenty of trees. They're weighted down with a LOT of snow, though, and dry. Not the safest to climb, but if that's your line of thought, you certainly may try!"

<OOC> Oates says, "I think I'll move 30' forward so the cows are within SA range and shoot one with my shortbow."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Roll it!"

GAME: Oates rolls ShortbowAtk: aliased to 6: (7)+6: 13

<OOC> Sharna says, "That is a hit."

GAME: Oates rolls ShortbowDmg+SA: aliased to 1d6+3+3d6: (1)+3+(16): 20

<OOC> Sharna says, "You put an arrow through the cow's neck to terrible effect. You find yourself surprised that it keeps going at all, arrow in neck and all, bleeding horribly all over and frothing even more."

Oates finds himself with just enough warning of the cows to do something about it. He strides forward, nocking an arrow and letting it fly. The arrow itself doesn't hurt the cow much, but the pierced vein is certainly taking its toll on the brute. The farmboy is ready to dive out of the way of the likely inevitable stampede...

<OOC> Sharna says, "And then it is the cows' turn, and unsurprisingly, Oates gets trampled. :( The other two cows go for other two 'big' targets, which in this case is Rotgut and Lodestone. One has a clear Charge path, the one on..."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d2: (1): 1

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "The other trots with a fury over to Lodestone, horns at the ready, but with no time to actually put them in Lodestone."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Let's resolve the Trample first."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates, a big ol' cow is running you over. You have 2 options to react with."

<OOC> Oates says, "I Reflex."

<OOC> Sharna says, "You may-- Oh hey you know how it works. Roll the Reflex for half damage, which for you is no damage due to Evasion. :)"

GAME: Oates rolls Reflex: (13)+7: 20

<OOC> Arafel says, "no AoO on the cow from Lodestone?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Lodestone does not possess Reach yet, does he?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates, you roll out of the way of a crazy arrowed cow!"

<OOC> Arafel says, "Hmmm... okay I was going to add if close enough."

<OOC> Arafel says, "that answered it. :P"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut, yoooooooou..."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+9: (14)+9: 23

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Oof :-("

<OOC> Rotgut says, "That hits"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Get gored. :("

<OOC> Rotgut wince

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d8+9: (8)+9: 17

<OOC> Rotgut says, "All in a days work in the service of Angoron"

<OOC> Sharna cringe!

GAME: Sharna damaged Rotgut for 17 points. 8 remaining.

<OOC> Sharna says, "You get gored BAD. You take a horn right in the stomach. :("

<OOC> Arafel says, "MAke it one more round going to try for crowd control, then I'll catch you with a heal Rotgut."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Owwww"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Is that cow still right next to me?"

The cows are deceptively fast, descending on the group like a force of nature... twisted and mutated as they may be.

The wounded cow, arrow wildly swinging in its throat, charges Oates, seeking to trample him with its hooves - which the man nimbly evades in entirety, leaving the cow confused as it runs past with no bones crunching underneath.

The other two break off, seeking bigger targets. Pawing at the ground, one charges madly at Rotgut, impaling him on its oversized horns and leaving a gaping hole in his side. That... that had to hurt.

The last's insane eyes are on the Digger, but trees are in its way. It trots around them, fuming and bellowing, and stops right beside the creature, horns at the ready.

<OOC> Sharna says, "The cow is right there. It has bits of you on its horns."

<OOC> Sharna says, "It has charged you, and it is in your face, bein' all cowlike and mean."

<OOC> Rotgut says, ""Deceptively", that's an odd adjective. Does that mean they're not as fast as they seem to be? Or that they're faster than they seem to be?"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Man, cows suck. :-("

<OOC> Arafel looks out for the Cow King.

<OOC> Sharna says, "I rolled a 20 on their init. YOU NEVER SAW THAT COMING. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "(Neither did I. Those are some stupid-fast cows.)"

<OOC> Sharna says, "'Hey look how big those things are, I bet they're really sl-- HO CRAP.' :("

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Srsly"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Arafel, it is your turn!"

<OOC> Arafel nods.

<OOC> Arafel says, "if I cast entangle I'm getting everyone now aren't I?"

<OOC> Arafel says, "The cows are all mixed up within the group?"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "If you do it right, you can probably miss Oates or me. Dunno where Lodestone is."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Ayup. You'd be Entangling yourself, Rotgut and Lodestone, at the very least."

<OOC> Arafel says, "K, keeping myself between trees and cows, cast CLW on Rotgut then. Lodestone attacking the cow near him."

<OOC> Sharna says, "You can, however, fire it off at just one of the cows - the one on Lodestone or the one on Rotgut - and catch it at the effect edge without catching anyone else."

<OOC> Arafel says, "might as well use flare at that point."

<OOC> Arafel says, "healing will do better this round."

GAME: Arafel casts Cure Light Wounds.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Roll the heal!"

GAME: Arafel rolls CLW: aliased to 1d8+druid: (6)+2: 8

GAME: Sharna damaged Rotgut for -8 points. 16 remaining.

<OOC> Arafel says, "I don't have any movement impairments in undergrowth also, noting that for movement reasons if need be."

GAME: Arafel rolls LS: aliased to 4: (17)+4: 21

<OOC> Sharna says, "Unfortunately, because Cure spells are touch, you'll need to be moving to Rotgut. Lodestone hits."

<OOC> Arafel says, "that is Lodestone attacking."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Phew!"

<OOC> Arafel says, "that is fine as long as I can get to him."

<OOC> Sharna says, "You can do so without incurring any AoOs, yes, as you are not presently threatened."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Roll damage for Lodestone."

GAME: Arafel rolls LSD: aliased to 1d8+3: (7)+3: 10

<OOC> Sharna says, "The cow is nommed on. It tastes like beef. Horrible, mutant beef. It's still going."

Noting the serious damage the cow did to Rotgut, Arafel makes his way over to the man, "Dana... may your blessing heal all wounds." His hand running over the gored side and it helps some of course. Lodestone is confronted by the one cow and leaps in to take a hunk out of the cows side.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut. You feel better! There is a cow in your face. It is mean and it gored you."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Another two cows are some distance away, though you could interestingly sidestep-5' to the one that tried to trample Oates."

<OOC> Sharna says, "The last is well out of reach."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Gonna step back from the cow and cast Bless on the party, while holding up my hammer menacingly at it. Don't want the cow to try and eat the po' widdle birdie."

<OOC> Sharna says, "The cows do not posses reach and you Bless the party with... blessings! Everyone's blessed."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Be blessed with... blesserness!"

Rotgut is too busy staring at the charging cows, jaw open, to think about getting out of the way. He just watches the heifer run in...and he yells out in pain when that horn buries itself in his side. He grabs it by the base, taking a quick step back and tugging the weapon out of his side. The oruch blinks as he feels healing magic flow throw him, and he grins back at Arafel. "Tanks, brudda. Now..." The Oruch raises his earthbreaker up high, whirling it about his head. "ALL WARRIORS, BE BLESSED WITH THE STRENGTH OF ANGORON!" The hammer comes down, pointing menacingly at the one that just gored him. "TURN DEM INTA BURGERS!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates. You are blessed and untrampled. There is a cow behind you. What do you do?"

<OOC> Oates says, "Same one I shot last round?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "The very same. It ran past after its attempted tramplings."

<OOC> Oates says, "Draw rapier and skewer."

GAME: Rotgut casts Bless.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Do it!"

GAME: Oates rolls RapierAtk+1: aliased to 7+1: (16)+7+1: 24

<OOC> Sharna says, "The cow is skewered but good. You have no SA, but you may damage for justice."

GAME: Oates rolls RapierDmg: aliased to 1d6+4: (6)+4: 10

<OOC> Sharna says, "The first cow falls."

With the cow that he shot having run past him in an attempt to flatten him, Oates draws his rapier and drives it into the thick of the beef. The accursed kine collapses as it bleeds out onto the snow.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Cows go. They mindlessly attempt to gore their chosen targets."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut first, then Lodestone."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (3)+7: 10

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (15)+7: 22

<OOC> Sharna says, "Lodestone is gorededed."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut is fine, but now both him and Arafel are threatened."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d8+9: (6)+9: 15

Arafel has disconnected.

Arafel has connected.

<OOC> Arafel says, "client fail..."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Lodestone takes 15 points of damage - welcome back, Arafel."

The first of the cows falls, and the other two pay little to no heed. The mutated, crazy bovines press their attack on their chosen victims. A wild swing of horns swings harmlessly through the air near Rotgut. Across the way, the other cow rams Lodestone with considerable force, cracking some of his chitinous armor and drawing ample blood as it twists its horns within the digger's flesh.

<OOC> Sharna says, "It is your and Lodey's turn."

<OOC> Arafel says, "ouch.... that isn't good."

<OOC> Arafel says, "Lodestone attacks and I'm shooting at the one on him, since that hit brings him down to 3 HP now for Lodestone."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Do it!"

GAME: Arafel rolls LS + 1: aliased to 4 + 1: (3)+4+1: 8

<OOC> Arafel says, "lodestone's attack."

<OOC> Arafel says, "that a miss?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "That is a miss. :("

GAME: Arafel rolls Crossbow+1: aliased to weapon4+1: (12)+5+1: 18

<OOC> Sharna says, "That, however, is a hit."

GAME: Arafel rolls CBD + 1: aliased to 1d10 + 1: (7)+1: 8

<OOC> Sharna says, "You stick a bolt in the cow. It bleeds, from both wounds, but still lives."

The painful shriek from Lodestone has Arafel glancing his way and brining up his crossbow, the failed leap at the Cow is soon followed by the bolt finding its front quarters and twanging as it sticks into solid muscle.

<OOC> Sharna says, "As Arafel poses, Rotgut!"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Time ta show that cow how hitting is supposed to work! Hammer right in its stupid cud."

GAME: Rotgut rolls weapon2+1-1: (9)+6+1+-1: 15

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Hit?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You have tenderized the beef. Roll me some damage."

GAME: Rotgut rolls 2d6+4+2: (9)+4+2: 15

<OOC> Sharna says, "That is going to be delicious when it's cooked. Er, I mean, you do considerable damage, but the thing keeps on truckin'."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Woof, tough piece of meet. We should slow cook it"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Round and round, Oates!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You have been relieved of your cow. There are two more, one on Lodestone and one on Rotgut."

<OOC> Oates says, "I go for the one that's the most injured and make me a kebab."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "He can probably SA the one on me?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "The most injured is the one on Lodestone, but you cannot reach a flanking position on that one."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Well, you can't reach it in one turn."

<OOC> Sharna says, "You may certainly double-move (moove) to it."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Your other option is the less damaged, but flankable one on Rotgut."

<OOC> Arafel says, "take out this one... better one dead then worry about Lodestone, I've got Mending ready."

<OOC> Oates says, "Okay, guess I'll make flank steak of Rotgut's cow."

<OOC> Sharna says, "By the way, it's just occured to me Arafel would need to roll Handle Animal every time he wishes Lodestone to attack... but since I'd allow him 2-3 rolls a turn due to it being a free action and it's only DC 12, I -think- it's safely skippable? I assume you've some HA ranks, Arafel?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Absolutely, Oates. Roll me some kebab-ing."

GAME: Oates rolls RapierAtk+2+1: aliased to 7+2+1: (4)+7+2+1: 14

<OOC> Sharna says, "You will be happy to know these things do not have great AC. Hit!"

GAME: Oates rolls RapierDmg+SA: aliased to 1d6+4+3d6: (3)+4+(12): 19

<OOC> Sharna says, "You are now covered in bits of cow."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Horrible, mutant cow strips. It is out for the count."

With one side of beef down, Oates strides forward to make a meal of the cow perstering Rotgut. A modestly-place blade does enough damage to finish the beast.

<OOC> Sharna says, "The final cow tries to crack Lodestone's skull."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (3)+7: 10

<OOC> Arafel says, "woot."

The final, lone cow headbutts the digger wildly, its uncontrolled blow glancing off its hard headplate with no damage to the animal whatsoever. "MOO!" goes the unsuccessful assailaint, and once again the hair (or feathers) on the back of everyone's neck raises with the disturbing resonance in the call.

<OOC> Sharna says, "And fails miserably. Arafel."

<OOC> Arafel says, "the other cows are well out of the way still?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "They are on the ground, bleeding to death."

<OOC> Arafel says, "only one left?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "That's correct."

<OOC> Arafel says, "bow and bite."

GAME: Arafel rolls LS: aliased to 4: (6)+4: 10

<OOC> Arafel says, "or bite and then bow."

<OOC> Arafel says, "Lodestone hit? Man I need to get him armor."

<OOC> Sharna says, "That is a miss. :("

GAME: Arafel rolls Crossbow + 1: aliased to weapon4 + 1: (9)+5+1: 15

<OOC> Sharna says, "That, however, is a hit."

<OOC> Arafel says, "forgot the one does a 11 hit?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "11 is still a miss."

GAME: Arafel rolls CBD + 1: aliased to 1d10 + 1: (8)+1: 9

<OOC> Sharna says, "You drop the final cow."

GAME: You clear initiatives.

GAME: Sharna has cleared initiatives.

Worried about his friend Lodestone, the bleeding cow and the bleeding digger face off with little going on. The sharp twang of the wing limbs of the crossbow can be heard as the cow in front of Rotgut is splattered mostly. The sight doesn't distract and the bolt flying towards the last cow strikes it right in the eye burying it down into the little brain it still has, the thing drops to its knees, bleats a eerie sound of rage and then rolls to its side. Arafel is already running over to Lodestone, his healing kit being pulled free.

<OOC> Sharna says, "It is free posing following, and I've a question for you fine gentlemen. That question is, would you like the second encounter? This is a time and motivation question - I'd planned from the get-go to have one, MAYBE a second if there's time - but I recognize it has been almost 5 hours of play, and for most folks, that is plenty for a session. :)"

<OOC> Oates says, "I can keep going."

<OOC> Arafel says, "Same I'm good to continue."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut? :)"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "SOrry about that, bathroom emergency"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "I am more than happy for a second encounter. :-)"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Then you may pose on freely."

<OOC> Arafel says, "If we do. AM I able to get some regular healing skill roles in?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "What exactly are you attempting to do with your Heal skill?"

<OOC> Arafel says, "patch up Lodestone."

Rotgut wipes his hands slowly across his eyes, brushing away the gore that's splattered on his face, and lets out a loud laugh. "HOO HAH! ANGORON BLESSES US WITH A GLORIOUS VICTORY ONCE MORE!" He touches his lips to his fist, and bumps it towards the sky. "Okay, who needs to be healed?"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Huh, just me."

GAME: Rotgut rolls 2d6: (7): 7

<OOC> Sharna says, "To do any proper healing with the Heal skill, one must use the Treat Deadly Wounds option, which takes an hour of ingame time."

<OOC> Sharna says, "My friendly DMly suggestion is to inquire with Rotgut for any patching-up Lodestone requires. ;)"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "And a heal kit."

<OOC> Rotgut thumbs up.

<OOC> Arafel says, "ahh okay. Well I got mending as backup if he goes below... so probably won't die. LOL and I have a heal kit."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Does Channel Energy work on him?"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Cause unless he's mechanical, I don't think Mending usually helps living creatures."

<OOC> Sharna says, "I don't see why it would not. He's a mini-bulette. And... I must ask you a question."

<OOC> Arafel says, "its the spell that stops blood loss is all."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Stabilize?"

<OOC> Rotgut thumbs up at Sharna

<OOC> Sharna says, "That question is, are you SURE you want to immediatelly Channel Energy?"

<OOC> Arafel says, "yeah that one."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Or you'd maybe like to do something else before you dispense untargettable AoE healing? *cough*"

<OOC> Arafel says, "which means I also cued up the wrong spell LOL its cool... need to change that though... so NVM."

Oates walks around, making sure that the mutated cows are fully dead. Just a trio of slit throats, and they're off to the big pasture in the sky.

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Good point. Are the cows dead?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Thank you, Oates. ;)"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Are any of the three of them dead, I should ask."

<OOC> Sharna says, "None were dead. XD"

<OOC> Sharna says, "They were all dying."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Alright, before healing..."

<OOC> Sharna says, "They're hardy fucking things. XD"

<OOC> Arafel nods, "Yeah they are."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Kneel down and see if there's maybe some way to reverse these processes. Are all these cows pretty much irretrivable?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "I should have given them Diehard instead of Toughness and watched you squirm. :("

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Haha"

Three twitching bodies of the twisted cows lay on the forest floor, breathing their rattling last. The hardy things have been beaten, and the eerie silence fills your ears again. These unnatural things have been avoided by the denizens of the woods entirely, left to their own destructive corruption.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Do you have Knowledge/Arcana, by any chance, Rotgut?"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Just Heal."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Roll it for me."

GAME: Rotgut rolls Heal: (17)+8: 25

<OOC> Arafel says, "would spellcraft be a good skill?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Not in this instance."

<OOC> Arafel nods.

<OOC> Arafel says, "Could roll heal as well or add to his."

<OOC> Arafel says, "Assist."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Sure, want to Aid Another?"

You paged Rotgut with '(Heal, 25) You kneel down to inspect a dying bovine. It's... it's one UGLY cow. Whatever happened to it, it twisted it badly. It's bodily changed. The spikes and spines upon it have grown from its own wildly expanding bones. You have no idea how to fix it even in a controlled environs, let alone in the middle of a forest.'

Rotgut pages: Does it look like something that has caused damage to it beyond the "expected" change? I'm wondering if keeping these alive will be worthwhile, as the wizard might be able to fix them.

You paged Rotgut with 'You don't really know what the 'expected' change is. They have grown larger, but they've gone far beyond that. Plainly put, you're not sure. You do not possess the correct education to assess the possibility of reversal. You, as a surgeon and healer, wouldn't be able to fix it.'

You paged Rotgut with 'In fact, looking at the way things have been going for them, you're fairly sure they would have been dead given time, as their own bodies spiral out of control. One of the cows has already been injuring itself with an unbeneficial mutation - the spikes on its legs.' You paged Rotgut with 'What you're sure of is that it all must have hurt a lot.'

<OOC> Arafel nods.

GAME: Arafel rolls Heal: (8)+8: 16

<OOC> Arafel says, "However its decided on to use it."

Rotgut pauses, kneeling beside the cow, murmuring quietly to Arafel for a moment, pointing to parts of the nearest creature with a sympathetic wince. "These are... disturbingly twisted creatures," Rotgut says, voice low and much more serious than before, "I would not be able to heal them. The wizard might be able to undo what is done... but they may not survive changing back."

He grunts in discomfort. "So we decide now... we put them out of their mercy here, or let the wizard do it himself."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates, I'll let you decide if you slit their throats anyway or allow Rotgut to do his thang and then consider it. :)"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Walking around, you'll have been the first to find they're definitely not dead and are still breathing in tortured fashion." The three cows are all female. One need not be an expert to tell - their udders, or what's left of them, attest to that. They are unconscious, silently awaiting their fate as their lifeblood slowly seeps away.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Arafel, your AA would not have changed the already-paged results of Rotgut's roll."

"If that is there fate... then mercy to come sooner than later is my vote." Not too mention the fact Arafel had a word or two to say to the wizard about such experiments on nature, no matter the roll of the animal or the vegetation.

<OOC> Arafel nods.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Keep posing freely, folks. :)"

"Bit of a pity that we're not in a better position to harvest the meat, but such is... wait." Oates pauses, going over an earlier conversation in his head. "Weren't there supposed to be three cows and a bull?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "I was wondering when someone was going to notice that. 0:)"

Rotgut blinks as Oates says that, and the cleric rises quickly to his feet, looking around worriedly. "You're right. If those were only the cows..." Holding his hammer to his chest, the oruch mutters quickly and urgently.

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Starting up an Enlarge Person spell. Any sign of the bull?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Everyone, roll me some Perception."

GAME: Rotgut rolls Perception: (3)+4: 7

GAME: Oates rolls Perception-2: (18)+11+-2: 27

<OOC> Rotgut says, "DURR TREES"

Arafel nods and already has his crossbow swinging up and looking around as that fact comes to light once more. Edging to a more crowded section of forest with trees and underbush, Lodestone moving with him.

GAME: Arafel rolls perception: (15)+9: 24

<OOC> Arafel says, "Do we still have Blessing going?"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "It lasts 3 minutes, so you should."

You paged Rotgut with '(Perception, 7) There is no sign of the bull.'

You paged (Arafel, Oates) with '(Perception, 24, 27) There is, in fact, no sign of the bull. As you think back, there never was. You've heard no bellowing of any sort. Roll me Knowledge/Nature / Profession/Farmer.'

GAME: Arafel rolls knowledge/nature + 1: (14)+9+1: 24

GAME: Oates rolls Knowledge/Nature: (4)+5: 9

GAME: Oates rolls Profession/Farmer: (1)+5: 6

You paged Oates with '(Poor rolls :( ) You have no further insight or explanation for this. You are fairly sure, however, that the bull is not about to leap out of a tree or bush at you.'

Oates pages: What can I say, my family was primarily grain farmers. ;D

You paged Arafel with '(Knowledge/Nature, 24) You'd think the bull would have charged you right alongside the cows were it there. Even a normal bull, only male in the herd, would have stepped forth to challenge you and defend the females - and these things seemed pretty keen on killing you from the get-go. It's definitely strange that this didn't happen.'

"Even fouled by magic and corrupted... It doesn't feel right the Bull wasn't here to. Well... do a Bull thing and be the first to challenge us instead of the females like this." Arafel says to them both as he leans against a tree, it seems they aren't in immediate danger as it is... "We need to find out where the last one is and what happened to it. We can't let it roam these forests unfound."

Oates looks around. "Either the local critters are still too spooked to return just yet, or that bull is closer than we think," he points out. "I don't /think/ it's about ready to jump out at us, but this place is still a bit too quite for my peace of mind."

Rotgut pages: If I stop in the middle of casting Enlarge Person voluntarily, do I lose the spell?

You paged Rotgut with 'Hmmm. I'll rule you don't.'

You paged Rotgut with 'For I am a kind and benevolent DM (or I just feel the other ruling would be really kind of mean).'

From afar, Rotgut XD

Rotgut snorts, relaxing and stopping his incantation. He sniffs at the air and grimaces. "We should do something with these cows first. Then we can find this bull." He looks down to the cows at his feet. "... which one is the least spiney?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You could till the field with each of them. You'd just need to turn them differently. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "(That is to say, they're all pretty damn spiny, just not in uniform fashion. One has spiny sides, another a spiny back, another a spiny neck and legs.)"

<OOC> Sharna says, "By the way, did you decide whether to kill them or not? I ask because if not, I'll need to estimate if any of them has bled out."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Otherwise I just go 'THEY MUTANTBURGERZ NAU'."

<OOC> Arafel says, "I voted for slitting their throats here."

<OOC> Arafel says, "Rotgut pretty much said here or let the wizard do it."

<OOC> Oates says, "Heck, I had already posed it."

<OOC> Arafel says, "works for me Oates did it."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "I was thinking of doing a Heal check to stabilize them, and dragging at least one back to the Wizard."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Okay, Oates killed them while we were talking. XD THat works!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "The cows are DED. D-E-D, DED."

<OOC> Arafel says, "Find the Bull and drag it back."

The three cows have move on to the Great Pasture in the Sky, their torment ended by quick, merciful jabs of Oates' trusty rapier. There is no sign of the bull - but you know the direction the cows came from. It is, perhaps, a start.

<OOC> Arafel says, "No baby mutant cows will come from this day..."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Gonna see if I can find any bull-like tracks."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Where you fought the cows?"

<OOC> Arafel says, "Same as Rotgut and where they came into where we are."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Yeah, any in the area?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Roll me your choice between Perception and Survival and I may just tell you!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "(Everyone may do so.)"

GAME: Rotgut rolls Survival: (9)+6: 15

GAME: Oates rolls Perception-2: (1)+11+-2: 10

<OOC> Sharna says, "Poor Oates. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "His Perception die is almost as vindictive as mine."

GAME: Arafel rolls survival: (2)+10: 12

GAME: Arafel rolls perception: (4)+9: 13

<OOC> Arafel says, "I can't win."

<OOC> Arafel says, "wanted to see if I chose the other."

You paged Rotgut with '(Survival, 15) A hoof is a hoof is a hoof. There's lots of hoof tracks leading onwards from where the cows doubled back to greet you, distinctly older to your eye than the ones piled up in the fight. You haven't the damndest if they belong to a bull, but you don't see any breaking off.'

You paged (Arafel, Oates) with 'The whole place is a mess of tracks thanks to the fight. Worse, there's blood and dead cows now. You can't make much sense of it.'

Rotgut grunts quietly and shoulders his hammer, sweeping one last, disappointed look over the cows. He blesses himself with a gesture, and takes off with long strides off where the cows came from. "C'mon, we should make this quick. Angoron's blessing only lasts so long."

<OOC> Sharna says, "By the way, Rotty, did you/will you do any healing?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "That is, the previous Channel roll of 7 - should I apply it to you and Lodestone?"

Arafel nods and whistles to Lodestone, but tells him to keep back a little, "You did a good job... and you are still needed. Dana will bless us with a good hunt..."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Yes, I'll take that 7 now that everything's dead. :-)"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Thanks!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Righto."

GAME: Sharna damaged Rotgut for -7 points. 23 remaining.

<OOC> Arafel says, "okay so LS is at 10 then."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Lodestone is likewise healed for 7 points, putting him at 10 HP."

<OOC> Sharna says, "(out of a maximum of 18)"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Another set of Survival/Perception, if you please."

GAME: Oates rolls Perception-2: (5)+11+-2: 14

GAME: Oates rolls Survival: (15)+6: 21

GAME: Arafel rolls perception: (16)+9: 25

GAME: Arafel rolls survival: (1)+10: 11

GAME: Rotgut rolls survival: (9)+6: 15

<OOC> Sharna says, "Gimme a Perception, too, Rotty. :)"

GAME: Rotgut rolls perception: (20)+4: 24

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Holy crap"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Fitting in another Channel Energy before those checks, if I can manage it."

You trudge along, following the path the cows took. Several times you lose the trail and regain it in the undergrowth. Eventually, you come to a severely damaged area of the forest, where all the tracks become chaotic, as if the bulk of the cows stopped and milled here. Furrows in the earth and snow mark where agitated hooves dug and scraped - but with no bull in sight. You sweep the area. Between the three of you, you find a lone set of prints, insignificantly larger than the others, leading off.

Following the hoofprints of the bull, you move onwards some distance before breaching into a clearing - and there, you find the bull. Or what's left of it.

Mutated like the others, the animal is bigger, more muscular. Its mutation has given it no less than six sharp, curving horns. Its motionless tail is twinned. Its spine has become razor-sharp, protruding from the black hide like the edge of a saw. Were it alive, it would be fearsome, but even the untrained amongst you can easily tell that even a twisted monster cannot live with most of its side and innards missing. Blood is splattered all around it, but the missing bits are nowhere in sight.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Sure."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Gimme some Arcana and Heal checks."

GAME: Oates rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (10)+7: 17

GAME: Oates rolls Heal: (8)+2: 10

GAME: Rotgut rolls heal: (19)+8: 27

GAME: Rotgut rolls 2d6: (7): 7

Rotgut winces visibly when they come across the bull, growling something deep and vicious in orcish. He stops, putting the head of his hammer over his heart. "This was dangerous magic the wizard is playing with," he says, expression falling into sadness

You paged Rotgut with '(Heal, 27) Once you approach the dead animal, your suspicions that something killed and fed on it become a guarantee. You find clear, large claw patterns in the flesh. No teethmarks, though - but bits have clearly been sheared and torn off, and you must assume eaten, since they're not here.'

You paged Oates with '(Kn/Arcana, 17) The idea that something may have eaten the tainted flesh fills you with unease. You may not be exactly sure how this stuff works, but you dread that it might have worrysome consequences for the predator... and things it comes into contact with.'

Arafel growls, if anything that can be a growl form a bird could be that, and yet not, but the sound is distasteful to look upon the corpse of the bull, "So the question... Was it inside. Or are thee external wounds?" he does wander closer to get a good look.

"And what's worse, I'm not sure the stuff was fully digested by the cattle," adds Oates, a worried look on his face. "So whatever was able to bring down the bull... might now even be bigger and nastier."

GAME: Sharna damaged Rotgut for -7 points. 25 remaining.

<OOC> Arafel says, "shoot, give me a sec Phone call I have to take, I'll be Dced I'm tethered."

<OOC> Sharna says, "And Lodestone is at 17/18."

<OOC> Arafel says, "hopefully only a few moments here."

You paged Rotgut with 'Your heal check is high enough to answer Arafel's question. They're definitely external. There were no chestbursters in the bull. XD'

You paged Rotgut with 'Even if it would have been awesomely freaky. XD'

Rotgut pages: Hahah XD

Rotgut edges slowly closer to the Bull, hammer brought to bear again, peering at the wounds. He stops partway there, tensing up... and his eyes flick all about the ground. "Something ate off it..." he says, voice dropped to a whisper.

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Okay!"

<OOC> Arafel nods.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Righto."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Checking for any sign of what it was that ate it, and whether or not it's still around."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Which skill would you like to use to do so?"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Survival"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Have at it."

GAME: Rotgut rolls survival: (17)+6: 23

You paged Rotgut with '(Survival, 23) You are extremely talented at this sort of thing! Or Angoron blesses you with fortune. You find the furrows and scrapes of the other creature's passage. Or, perhaps, more than one. For some reason, in places they're sporadic, difficult to follow, as if whatever it is were leaping about great distances - but you think you can stick to it and follow where it - or they - might have went.'

Rotgut pages: ALL ANGORON! ALL THANKS TO ANGORON! :D

Rotgut pages: Do I have a hint of how old the tracks are?

You paged Rotgut with 'They seem relatively fresh. Hours, maybe.'

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Unless y'all have any objections, I'm going to push on, since it's getting a little late."

<OOC> Sharna waves hand. "You got the critical roll high enough. I can FF at your command."

<OOC> Sharna says, "I just figured you might want to pose or such!"

<OOC> Oates says, "I'm ready to FF."

"Here!" The oruch points at the ground again with the head of his hammer, pointing out some erratic prints. "Tracks of... leaping things? I don't know what they are, but they were here a few hours ago." He shoulders his hammer again, stroking his chin. "I don't know how I feel about disturbing the natural order. There are things that have done our duty for us... But we should at least make sure they are not corrupted by their eating."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Ready"

You hurriedly follow the tracks out of the clearing and back into the woods. The trees thin around you - still thick enough together to impede passage at least somewhat.

The sun dips on the horizon as you follow the predator that has feasted on the bull...

...and find it.

Amongst the sparse trees, a great beast has collapsed upon the ground, wracked with convulsions of agony as its very bones warp and change within it. Half lion and half eagle, the twisting has begun at an accelerated rate within the quadrupedal predator, and you can see one of its feathered wings has been ruined by the wingbone piercing through it and turning into a rigid, painful spike. Its panicked mate stands watch over it, nudging it with a great golden beak, willing it to get up and unsure what is happening or how to help as the other claws at the ground uncontrollably in pain.

And then, then there's you.

The two leonine-avian creatures turn their heads. Feathered ears pull back, flat, and the one still standing issues a shrill, screeching challenge.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Hey guess what?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "It's that time again!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "The time of the initiative!"

GAME: Oates rolls initiative: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 17

GAME: You roll initiative for Mutant: Roll: 18 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 20

GAME: You roll initiative for Healthy: Roll: 14 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 16

Arafel has disconnected.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Arcana me while we wait, Oates."

GAME: Oates rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (18)+7: 25

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Huzzah!"

GAME: Rotgut rolls initiative: Roll: 9 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 11

You paged Oates with '(Kn/Arcana, 25) You know a griffon when you see one. These noble beasts are intelligent, and make wondrous aerial steed when tamed. When not tamed, like this pair, they make fearsome predators instead, preying often on livestock and especially horses. Their lairs are not often made in forests - instead, they tend to lair in flatlands. These clearly could not make it back from their hunt due to their mishap. They are, also, extremely territorial - and if they consider this their hunting ground, your encroachment will not be taken lightly.' You paged Oates with 'Well, that's misleading. Not plains, but open hill-marked areas where they can more easily hunt on the wing.'

===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------                    
 20                  Mutant
----------------------------------------   
 17                  Oates
---------------------------------------- 
 16                  Healthy
----------------------------------------     
 11                  Rotgut
----------------------------------------                     
======================================== 

<OOC> Sharna says, "As it's getting a little late, do you have objections to me starting us off? Arafel's been gone for 25 minutes now. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "Unfortunately, his absence makes this a lot harder for you. *tinker tinker*"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Hopefully, he'll return and save the day!"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Go for it"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "If you can give me a round or two to prepare, this will be a LOT easier for us"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You're APL 3 even without him, though a weaker APL 3 than you would be with him. I've made a modification that should ease it up. You should be fine."

<OOC> Rotgut nods

<OOC> Sharna says, "The mutant... what's with the freaky speedmutants god?! Plays first."

<OOC> Sharna says, "As you might expect of a half-crazed griffon, it charges straight at your faces, all pointy ends forward."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Being actually semi-intelligent despite being wracked with pain, it goes for the less defended one, not more. That is Oates."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+8: (5)+8: 13

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (15)+7: 22

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (1)+7: 8

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (19)+7: 26

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (13)+7: 20

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Nnngh"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates is a Rogue and of suffient level to not be flatfooted. He is still hit 3 times."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+3: (4)+3: 7

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d4+3: (4)+3: 7

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d4+3: (4)+3: 7

GAME: Sharna damaged Oates for 24 points. 10 remaining.

<OOC> Sharna says, "While I pose the griffon maniacally leaping into your face, Oates, what would you like to do?"

The pained griffon stirs. In a flash, it is on its unsteady feet, and like the great cat it resembles, it leaps at Oates with a terrible screech. Its beak snaps above Oates' head, but he's not so lucky evading talons and claws of its leonine back legs. Deep, bleeding gashes are left on the man's body in the aftermath of the assault.

Fortune in this misfortune is that the creature's bulk is blocking its mate from doing the same thing.

<OOC> Oates says, "Stab it in its face with my rapier."

<OOC> Sharna says, "You'll be unable to flank at present, simply because Rotgut doesn't threaten due to not having acted yet."

<OOC> Sharna says, "You may certainly enstabbinate, however."

GAME: Oates rolls RapierAtk: aliased to 7: (14)+7: 21

<OOC> Sharna says, "Hit!"

GAME: Oates rolls RapierDmg: aliased to 1d6+4: (2)+4: 6

Ow, face full of griffon. Sometimes the most straightforward approach is to give a foe a taste of its own medicine. Oates jabs back at the griffon, giving about as good as he gets... although the griffon landed three hits and the farmboy only landed one.

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Is the mate looking to attack as well?"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Yup, looks like it is. :-("

<OOC> Sharna says, "The healthy griffon has to double-move to engage because its partner is currently a tactical dumbass. It stalks forward, intent on going around you to flank with it. The sparse forest is too dense for them to fly, and it has to walk."

<OOC> Sharna says, "(They can't spread their wings out, and it's questionable if the mutating one's mangled wing would allow it to fly anyway.)"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut, it is your turn. You are being stalked, and Oates is being mangled."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Can you two roll me Perception checks, also?"

GAME: Oates rolls Perception-2: (5)+11+-2: 14

<OOC> Sharna says, "I swear this game has something against Rogues and Perception. :("

<OOC> Sharna waits on Rotgut a moment!

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Hmmm"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Gimme a Perception before you do anything."

GAME: Rotgut rolls perception: (19)+4: 23

You paged Rotgut with '(Perception, 23) The coppery scent of blood and stench of festing wounds is familiar to you. Oates' rapier aside, and the painful mutations too, the battle with the bull took its toll on the griffon attacking Oates. It's already wounded, and not insignificantly.'

<OOC> Sharna says, "Now. What would you like to do?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You can flank with Oates, but it will expose your back to the seemingly healthy griffon."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Gonna keep an eye on the mate, and circle around behind mutant griffon, keeping an eye on the healthy one... and when I can get flanking, spin around and strike the mutant one HARD."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "I'd rather put myself in danger than the rogue."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Especially since he's already hurt"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Done and done. You are now flanking with Oates. Roll it."

GAME: Rotgut rolls weapon2+2: (17)+6+2: 25

<OOC> Sharna says, "Hit!"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Ach, meant to Power Attack"

<OOC> Rotgut y/n?

<OOC> Sharna says, "I could be cruel and say 'YOU DIDN'T ANNOUNCE ZOMG'."

<OOC> Rotgut sob!

Arafel has connected.

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Heyyyy our druid!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "But because I know no Str-based melee in this game would consciously crap out on that, I'm gonna say - sure, you can PA."

<OOC> Arafel says, "Sorry that was a big ticket job."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Yayyyy, thank you!"

GAME: Rotgut rolls 2d6+4+2: (9)+4+2: 15

<OOC> Sharna says, "You crack it GOOD. You don't down it, though. But it's sure hurtin' bad."

<OOC> Arafel says, "They were supposed to call tomorrow morning not tonight."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Can you roll me Init, Arafel? I'll let Oates and Rotgut fill you in."

<OOC> Sharna says, "(that is, +init)"

<OOC> Sharna says, "I decided to inflict the second encounter on them, poor bastards."

<OOC> Sharna says, "I think they'd be grateful for your and Lodestone's assistance. ;)"

GAME: Arafel rolls initiative: Roll: 14 + Bonus: 7 = Total: 21

<OOC> Oates says, "We found the bull, which turns out to have been eaten by a griffon. The magical enlargement gunk still in the bull resulted in the griffon who ate the bull going mutant, and its mate is here and angry as well."

<OOC> Arafel nods, "Sounds like fun, lets have at it."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Excellent. I'll say you legitimately lagged behind them a bit and will come up on the init... right now, as we open Round 2."

<OOC> Sharna says, "There are two angry-looking griffons. One - the mutating one - has decided that Oates' guts would look nice on the forest floor, and is in his face. Rotgut has moved to flank it with Oates, but the other, healthy griffon is stalking towards his back."

<OOC> Arafel says, "Crossbow and send Lodestone into bite the one sneaking up behind Oates, get its attention."

<OOC> Arafel says, "Blessing still active also?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Would you like to have Lodestone just sort of waddle over, or interpose itself between griffon and Rotgut?"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Nah, that's run out."

<OOC> Sharna says, "The Bless has expired, yes."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Between me and the griffon would be nice."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Avoid letting them flank"

<OOC> Arafel says, "Lodestone will interpose himself."

GAME: Arafel rolls LS: aliased to 4: (14)+4: 18

<OOC> Sharna says, "Lodestone hits!"

GAME: Arafel rolls LSD: aliased to 1d8+3: (2)+3: 5

GAME: Arafel rolls Crossbow: aliased to weapon4: (16)+5: 21

<OOC> Sharna says, "And gets a mouthful of feathers."

GAME: Arafel rolls CBD: aliased to 1d10: (6): 6

<OOC> Sharna says, "What's that on?"

<OOC> Arafel says, "same one lodestone went after."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Alright."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Hey Oates, you wanna offer a prayer? The half-crazed mutant thinks you're a cheeseburger and full-attacks you."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+8: (16)+8: 24

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (5)+7: 12

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (20)+7: 27

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oh dear."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (19)+7: 26

<OOC> Sharna says, "Well. I believe Oates may be out for the count. :("

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Eep"

GAME: Sharna rolls 3d6+9: (12)+9: 21

GAME: Sharna damaged Oates for 21 points. -11 remaining.

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Gah"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates, presumably, has a Con higher than 11 and is 'dying'."

<OOC> Oates says, "The claws upgraded to d6s?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "But not 'dead'. (this is a PrP and he cannot die)"

<OOC> Sharna says, "The things that hit you were Rakes, not claws."

<OOC> Sharna says, "NOW you got hit by a Bite and a Claw."

<OOC> Oates says, "Ah."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Last time, it was a Pounce."

<OOC> Sharna says, "This time it bit you, then claw-crit you. :("

The mutating griffon cries out shrilly, rattling your eardrums. Beak and claws lash at Oates in singleminded rage. The beak snaps painfully on an arm, and a claw hooks wickedly into something sensitive. The pain is blinding and Oates falls, folding upon the ground in a puddle of blood.

===== Current Initiative Order =========
----------------------------------------                   
 21                  Arafel
---------------------------------------- 
 20                  Mutant
----------------------------------------   
 17                  Oates
---------------------------------------- 
 16                  Healthy
----------------------------------------     
 11                  Rotgut
----------------------------------------                     
========================================

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates, roll a Con check to see if you lose a further HP point to bleeding."

<OOC> Arafel says, "lagging a little also."

GAME: Oates rolls Constitution-11: (15)+2+-11: 6

GAME: Sharna damaged Oates for 1 points. -12 remaining.

<OOC> Sharna says, "When do you 'die'? -14? -15?"

<OOC> Oates says, "-15"

<OOC> Sharna says, "(At that point, I will count you as unrecoverable, the only reason it's important.)"

<OOC> Sharna says, "The healthy griffon is affronted by the digger in its face and attacks it."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+8: (20)+8: 28

<OOC> Sharna says, "For the love of everything, dice."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+8: (7)+8: 15

<OOC> Sharna says, "No crit."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (16)+7: 23

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (19)+7: 26

<OOC> Sharna squints at dice roller.

GAME: Sharna rolls 3d6+9: (15)+9: 24

<OOC> Sharna says, "Lodestone goes down like a rock."

<OOC> Sharna says, "And is now at -6."

<OOC> Arafel says, "well...."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut!"

<OOC> Rotgut D:

<OOC> Sharna says, "There is a severely wounded griffon in front of you, that will likely turn on you now that Oates can't stab it no more. Luckily, there is NOT one at your back."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Well, not right now."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Also, two of your teammates have been engriffonated."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Badly."

<OOC> Sharna says, "What would you like to do?"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "A warrior of Angoron helps those who are helpless first..."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Channel Energy! Selectively ignoring the two girffons"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Have at it."

GAME: Rotgut rolls 2d6: (12): 12

<OOC> Sharna clap!

<OOC> Rotgut PHEW!

<OOC> Sharna says, "Lodestone is conscious and prone at 6/18."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates is conscious, prone and staggered at 0!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "What a lovely place to be."

GAME: Sharna damaged Oates for -12 points. 0 remaining.

"Damn! Angoron!" Rotgut chokes up on his hammer, rising it up above his head. "Bring these warriors back to continue fighting the good fight!" Warm light washes out from his upheld weapon, bathing all but the griffons in a powerful surge of healing.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Arafel. Your and Lodestone's turn. Stuff is gettin' serious."

<OOC> Arafel says, "What do I need to do to get Lodestone up and if he can attack also?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "If he stands, he will incur an AoO. He can attack from prone at a -4 penalty."

<OOC> Arafel says, "Yeah attack from prone."

GAME: Arafel rolls LS-4: aliased to 4-4: (1)+4+-4: 1

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Hold on"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Holding on."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Attacking from prone also means the griffon has a +4 to hit him. I THINK you can get up from prone using Acrobatics without provoking?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You cannot."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Ah well, worth a shot."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Please continue"

<OOC> Sharna says, "In fact, there is no way in the game to stand from prone without an AoO. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "(Being prone SUCKS.)"

<OOC> Arafel says, "Going for the mutant one, try to take it out, crossbow."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Lodestone's attack obviously misses. And roll it!"

GAME: Arafel rolls crossbow: aliased to weapon4: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Sharna says, "You miss. :("

<OOC> Arafel says, "oh for pete sake."

Lodestone goes down, but the healing spell from Rotgut perks him up a little to nip at the Gryphon in front of him, to little avail as it dance away from it. The fact that Arafel's friend goes down, Oates is in more trouble and he lets a bolt fly at the mutant, missing by quite a bit in his haste to switch targets.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Whether it's unfortunate or fortunate that Rotgut's healing grabs the attention of the mutant is up to you to decide. Either way, it turns on Rotgut."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+8: (9)+8: 17

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (5)+7: 12

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (9)+7: 16

<OOC> Sharna says, "And flails like a spaz to no effect."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Phew!"

<OOC> Arafel says, "It's Game over man, GAMEOVER!"

<OOC> Arafel says, "had to one of my favorite quotes."

Horrible screeching of the mutant makes your ears ring, and worse yet is the nails-on-chalkboard sound of its beak and claws clanging and scraping against the stylized breastplate. That will need mending. Fortunately, Rotgut's flesh will not.

<OOC> Sharna says, "PS: Missing some poses from people!"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Right sorry. >_>"

<OOC> Sharna says, "From before this action. Fill 'em in, if you could, while Oates, who is conscious and prone and staggered at his majestic 0 HP, tells me what he wants to do."

<OOC> Oates says, "Delay my action until after I get more healing."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates is delaying. Healthy (well, that's not appropriate now it's been wounded, is it?) griffon's turn."

<OOC> Sharna says, "It goes a bite on Lodestone, attempting to put him down again."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+8: (6)+8: 14

<OOC> Sharna says, "And fails, and has to expand to a full attack."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Actually, hold on. Prone. 17 AC normally, yes?"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Prone? Me?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Lodestone."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Ah"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Healthy is going after the newly-awake Lodestone because someone magic'd it back awake and it's all snappy bitey at it again."

<OOC> Sharna says, "This one, unlike the mutant, has self-preservation instinct."

<OOC> Arafel says, "He has 17 AC."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Then the bite unfortunately hits. Let's see."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+3: (6)+3: 9

<OOC> Sharna says, "And Lodestone is downed, as the second griffon menaces towards Rotgut."

<OOC> Sharna says, "But you know what? At least you shut down its pounce!"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Whew!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "So that was Bite + Move."

The healthier, saner griffon snaps its beak, burying it in the digger's neck and returning it to unconsciousness. It hops over the prone body, slinking towards Rotgut's back, pinning him between the two beasts and providing itself and its crazed mate a tactical advantage.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut. You are now flanked. D:"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Unfortunate. :-("

<OOC> Sharna says, "And both of them are looking at you. D: D:"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "But if I stay where I am, I provide flanking with Oates, yes?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You do."

<OOC> Sharna says, "And he provides you it on the mutant."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Staying in place, and channeling again"

GAME: Rotgut rolls 2d6: (8): 8

GAME: Sharna damaged Oates for -8 points. 8 remaining.

<OOC> Sharna says, "And like a see-saw, Lodestone is up again at 5 HP."

<OOC> Sharna says, "(but prone)"

"AHHH! ... Ah HAH HAH HAH!" Rotgut grins broadly as the wounded griffon turns on him, only to dig furrows in his nipple-plate. "Angoron smiles on...GAH!" The cleric staggers as he's hit from behind, only to laugh again. "On ME! Wow! HAH!" He turns sideways towards both griffons, setting his jaw fiercely and tapping the head of his hammer against his palm, sending for another burst of light. "This fight isn't over yet, beasts. You'll rest soon..."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates, it is the end of the round. Do you wish to end delay?"

<OOC> Oates says, "Now that I've been healed, I end the delay, as per my specifications when I delayed."

<OOC> Arafel says, "My poor Digger...."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Your delay is ended. What would you like to do?"

<OOC> Oates says, "Which means now I stab the griffon... from prone."

<OOC> Arafel says, "Would that mean at this point Lodestone has the healthy one flanked with Rotgut now?"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "I believe so"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "We're a nice little congo line of combat advantage"

<OOC> Sharna says, "THE CONGA LINE OF DEATH APPEARS."

<OOC> Sharna says, "And Oates, let the stabbination commence. You're at -4 for prone, +2 for flank."

GAME: Oates rolls RapierAtk+2-4: aliased to 7+2-4: (1)+7+2+-4: 6

<OOC> Rotgut says, "... dammit"

<OOC> Sharna :/

<OOC> Sharna says, "You nearly give yourself a haircut. :("

GAME: Oates's inititave total changed to '10'.

Now that Oates is in better health, he tries to stab the griffon to help take it down. Of course, the stabbing would go better if the rapier hadn't gone point-first into the ground when he fell...

<OOC> Sharna says, "Top of the round, Arafel and Pronestone!"

GAME: Arafel rolls LS+2-4: aliased to 4+2-4: (16)+4+2+-4: 18

<OOC> Arafel says, "is damage effected?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Nope."

GAME: Arafel rolls LSD: aliased to 1d8+3: (6)+3: 9

<OOC> Sharna says, "And that's funny. Lodestone sort of rotates on the ground and bites the back leg of the griffon."

<OOC> Sharna says, "'I AM NOT FINISHED WITH YOU'. XD"

<OOC> Sharna says, "He bites it GOOD."

<OOC> Arafel says, "and I'll be firing at the mutant again..."

<OOC> Sharna says, "What would you like to do yourself, Arafel?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Righto. Roll it!"

GAME: Arafel rolls crossbow: aliased to weapon4: (3)+5: 8

<OOC> Arafel says, "nope"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Your dice. They make me sad. :("

<OOC> Rotgut kicks the RNG

<OOC> Arafel says, "they make me sad too."

Worry still etched on Arafel's face as Lodestone moves around to nip at the heal of the healthy Gryphon taking out a chunk from it, but his own shot goes wide once again.

<OOC> Sharna says, "That mutant is clinging to life. CLINGING. And you guys can't land a hit. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "And he attacks poor Rotgut."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Drumrolls and prayers, for he is flanked."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+8: (1)+8: 9

<OOC> Rotgut crosses himself

<OOC> Sharna says, "Er, 10, but hahahahaha he bites his own leg."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Hahaha"

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+9: (5)+9: 14

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Critical fumble! Does that mean he loses the rest of his attacks?"

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+9: (19)+9: 28

<OOC> Sharna says, "One hit."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+3: (4)+3: 7

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Ouch, apparently not"

GAME: Sharna damaged Rotgut for 7 points. 18 remaining.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut is enclawinated."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "ow ow"

<OOC> Sharna says, "The 'healthy' griffon doesn't like being flanked and splits its attacks in hope of downing the resilient Pronestone AND hurting Rotgut."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Starting with Lodestone."

<OOC> Oates says, "There are no critical fumbles in vanilla PF. Good thing, too - I'd hate to be bleeding out on my own crit fumble."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+8: (19)+8: 27

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+3: (5)+3: 8

<OOC> Sharna says, "Aaand Lodestone loses consciousness yet again."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+9: (1)+9: 10

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+9: (15)+9: 24

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut is enclawinated again."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Just once more."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+3: (3)+3: 6

GAME: Sharna damaged Rotgut for 6 points. 12 remaining.

The maddened griffon lashes out at Rotgut. Its own mangled wing snaps forward, and its clamps its beak on it, shrieking in pain. With a vengeance, claws lash out, one finding purchase and rending flesh.

Its mate gives a surprised cry as it finds itself bitten again by the resilient miniature bulette. It snaps its beak at it angrily, and poor Lodestone rolls to his side again, bloodied and without consciousness. Claws then rend at Rotgut, and one gets him across the back. It stings.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut. Claws. Face. Ow. What would you like to do?"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Time to just try and take out that hurt griffon. HAMMER TO THE FACE!"

GAME: Rotgut rolls weapon2+2-1: (16)+6+2+-1: 23

GAME: Rotgut rolls 2d6+4+2: (8)+4+2: 14

<OOC> Sharna says, "You hammer that griffon into the ground."

<OOC> Sharna says, "WHAM."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "WOO!"

<OOC> Arafel says, "Thank you... finally."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "5 foot step to the side, giving the healthy griffon a good look at a nice, juicy, prone target just past me."

Rotgut waits with an anticipatory grin for the final blow on the struggling griffon from the prone rogue. "Any moment now..." he says between clenched teeth. The griffon raises readies its attacks, and Rotgut's eyes widen. "Any moment now, rogue! Any moment..." He winces when the griffon lunges... and starts laughing when it turns out it bit its own wing. "Hahah, stupid bird thing! Hahah, OWOWOWOWOW!" And then he's on the hurting end of several claws from both sides.

"Dammit, ENOUGH!" he roars, cocking his earthbreaker back to swing it back around with shattering force against the mutant griffon's jaw. He turns towards the healthy griffon, stepping to the side and holding a hand over the worst of his injuries across his stomach. "Please, majestic creature. Still yourself... the taint is gone," he says, though not very hopefully.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates. You are no longer threatened, you are prone, and it is your turn."

<OOC> Oates says, "I stand up and... can I take a 5' step in the same round I use a move action for not covering actual distance?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Some DMs may not be in agreement, but I say 'movement' is defined as 'moving from one square to another'. So, my ruling is yes."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Bear in mind it is by no means an official ruling on Tenebrae. It's just how I've personally always seen it, and there's no formal writeup anywhere."

<OOC> Sharna says, "So for the purposes of this scene, you may both stand and take a 5' step."

<OOC> Oates thinks of the distances. "Actually, the other griffon is far enough away... after standing up, I'll quaff a CLW potion."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Drink it and roll it. :)"

GAME: Oates used a Potion of Cure Light Wounds.

GAME: Oates rolls 1d8+1: (7)+1: 8

GAME: Sharna damaged Oates for -8 points. 16 remaining.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Top of the round. Arafel!"

<OOC> Arafel says, "Crossbow to the only one left."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Do it."

GAME: Arafel rolls Crossbow: aliased to weapon4: (3)+5: 8

<OOC> Sharna says, "Maybe the damp damaged the string. :("

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Sheesh, you need a new crossbow"

<OOC> Arafel says, "lagging...."

<OOC> Arafel nods.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Roll me a Constitution check for Lodestone. So just 1d20+his Con mod, which is 2."

<OOC> Arafel says, "Working on it, working on it..."

GAME: Arafel rolls 1d20+2: (16)+2: 18

<OOC> Sharna says, "Lodestone stabilizes and dreams of biting griffons."

<OOC> Arafel says, "I hate lag."

<OOC> Sharna says, "(This means he is not bleeding to death.)"

<OOC> Sharna says, "(But he's still out.)"

For a third time in a row Arafel's shot goes wide., missing a Gryphon, who can say now, grief, wet bow string, maybe the sights are off...

<OOC> Sharna says, "And that makes it the healthy griffon's turn. Hm."

<OOC> Sharna rolls some Int and Wis checks for it.

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20-2: (5)+-2: 3

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+1: (6)+1: 7

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut, you are full-attacked. :("

<OOC> Sharna says, "Lodestone's gnawing has clearly rendered this thing DUMB."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+8: (10)+8: 18

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (16)+7: 23

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+7: (12)+7: 19

<OOC> Sharna says, "Owwie."

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+3: (4)+3: 7

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d6+3: (6)+3: 9

<OOC> Sharna says, "You are downed on the second attack and the third does not happen."

GAME: Sharna damaged Rotgut for 16 points. -4 remaining.

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Ow ow ow ow"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Thank god for Orcish ferocity"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Ah, you choose to remain standing?"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Can I fake collapsing?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You can drop prone and roll me a bluff like OH ME SPLEEN. XD"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "ARGH I AM SLAIN"

GAME: Rotgut rolls bluff: (4)+2: 6

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Hmmm"

GAME: Sharna rolls 1d20+1: (3)+1: 4

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Phew!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "YOU ARE SLAIN far as it's concerned."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "XD yesssss"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Your eyes are crossed and everything."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Tongue out, hammer clutched to chest"

It's clear the griffon understands the words, the way its head cocks at Rotgut as he speaks them. It's no use, however - the feathered ears draw back and its body tenses again. 'You -killed- my -mate-', that look says. Pure hate is in those eyes, and some lack of reasoning comes with the shock of a loss. The griffon -rips- into Rotgut, precise - if bestial - strikes of a hunter sending the oruch crashing in a heap. It gives a shrill cry of victory and vengeance, believing him slain.

All this with his tongue sticking out the corner of his mouth, like in a kid's sketchbook.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Rotgut. It is your turn. You are ferocious."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Also on the floor pretending you're DED."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Whatcha wanna do?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "(I'll be honest, I didn't penalize your Bluff only cause I thought this ruse is hilarious and it's even more hilarious I rolled worse than you did. XD )"

<OOC> Rotgut XD

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Well, the griffon is completely ignoring me now?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "It's crowing its victory. If you pull an AoO, it'll nip ya."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Gotcha"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Can you 5-foot step while prone?"

<OOC> Sharna says, "But you succeeded in stopping it from mangling you utterly."

<OOC> Sharna says, "You cannot unless you are a Rogue with the Rogue Crawl talent."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Gotcha"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "I'll stay prone and use my last Channel Energy"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You channel."

GAME: Rotgut rolls 2d6: (9): 9

<OOC> Sharna says, "You channel well."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Phew!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "You awaken Lodestone, heal Oates and heal yourself."

GAME: Sharna damaged Rotgut for -9 points. 5 remaining.

GAME: Sharna damaged Oates for -9 points. 25 remaining.

Rotgut yells out when the griffon attacks him again, wincing from the creatures attack. He pauses, blinks, looks down at where it hit him... "ARGH I AM SLAIN!" he yells out, and collapses dramatically to the ground. Eyes crossed, tongue out, the whole lot. Apparently, this is how the griffon thinks humans die, because it buys it.

Through sheer willpower, Rotgut manages to stay awake, long enough to clutch his hammer to his chest, and send out one last, desperate surge of healing to the party.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oates!"

<OOC> Oates says, "Move to flank and skewer the griffon."

<OOC> Sharna says, "CBA to check distance, it's late. Do it."

GAME: Oates rolls RapierAtk+2: aliased to 7+2: (1)+7+2: 10

<OOC> Sharna says, "I think it's time for a new d20."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Top of the round. Arafel and Pronestone. XD"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Oh Pronestone. You poor beastie."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Gatdang"

<OOC> Arafel says, "Lodestone bite and crossbow again."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Do it."

<OOC> Sharna says, "*oruch die"

GAME: Arafel rolls LS+2-4: aliased to 4+2-4: (17)+4+2+-4: 19

<OOC> Sharna says, "DED ORC IZ DED."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Lodestone hits from prone!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "(Lodestone may have nightmares about this.)"

GAME: Arafel rolls LSD: aliased to 1d8+3: (3)+3: 6

<OOC> Sharna says, "It was black. Then it was white. Then it was black again. Then it was white, and I bit a thing. Then black. ... :("

<OOC> Arafel says, "I know I'd have nightmares..."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Lodestone takes another chunk out of it."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Roll the crossbow."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Oh yes, oruch. XD"

GAME: Arafel rolls crossbow: aliased to weapon4: (4)+5: 9

<OOC> Rotgut says, "s/humans/humanoids/"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Your crossbow slays a tree trunk."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Valiantly."

Lodestone shakes himself from the depths of unconsciousness once more and nips the Gryphon biting it. Seeing Lodestone awake once more, it distracts Arafel with joy to see that lodestone is still moving. Concentrate man, concentrate.... shoot the damn thing.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Healthy acts!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "Except, it's not so healthy. It's hurting."

<OOC> Sharna says, "And mate or no mate, it doesn't want to die."

<OOC> Sharna says, "It performs a Withdraw from all y'all."

<OOC> Arafel shoots himself in the foot instead and goes home with a purple heart.

The remaining griffon, grievously wounded, quickly comes to realize that further battle is suicide. As the adventurers regain strength and it is yet again bitten by the horrible burrowing creature, it gives a last, hateful hiss and leaps from between you, clearly intending to flee as it builds distance.

<OOC> Sharna says, "Will anyone pursue?"

<OOC> Oates says, "We've chased it off; I'd say we leave well enough alone."

<OOC> Arafel says, "Yeah like I can shoot today."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Definitely not."

<OOC> Arafel says, "let it wing away a healthy Gryphon... with Dana's blessing. :P"

With no pursuit, the griffon vanishes in the distance at a run. Soon, you can see a faint shape in the distance, rising above the trees as it takes flight and retreats, leaving you with the still-breathing, but dying griffon unlucky enough to have been corrupted by its chance meal.

GAME: You clear initiatives.

GAME: Sharna has cleared initiatives.

<OOC> Sharna says, "YOU ARE VICTORIOUS. You may dance in victory. You may also either a) pose freely; b) gimme an OOC hammering-out of what you do to wrap things up."

<OOC> Arafel says, "Remind me that Gryphons suck...."

<OOC> Sharna says, "Either way, following this, I will give you a wrap pose and the PrP will end at long long last."

Rotgut groans and collapses back against the forest floor completely, panting. "... fly free, majestic beast!" he calls after it, raising a fist to the sky, "You fought well! Be safe, and find happiness!"

<OOC> Sharna says, "(Glad you guys went for 2nds, even if it made it run hella late. Thanks. :D )"

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Healing myself up, mercy-killing the mutant griffon, and proooobably working with Lodestone to bury all the mutated dead bodies."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Hell yeah. :D Thanks, it was fun!"

With the simple fact he cannot shoot a single thing today, Arafel moves over to try and help everyone hurt get patched up, Oates and Rotgut first, but then moving on to Lodestone also, his resilient friend. he pulls one of the flawed emeralds he keeps around and feeds the Digger as he pets it calmly.

<OOC> Oates says, "I vote for next returning to Trebor and reporting on what happened to his cattle and the griffon that ate the bull - basically, inform him of the side effects of his experiment."

<OOC> Arafel says, "it was a blast, even if it was up and down shaky there at the end."

<OOC> Arafel says, "And yes, the wizard gets a helping of Dana's disciple giving his two cents about it all."

<OOC> Rotgut says, "Burying first, then reporting? We don't want anything else trying to eat these bodies."

<OOC> Rotgut will spend spells to heal people to full

GAME: Rotgut casts Magic Weapon.

GAME: Rotgut rolls 1d8+3: (2)+3: 5

GAME: Rotgut casts Hold Person.

GAME: Rotgut rolls 2d8+3: (11)+3: 14

<OOC> Oates says, "Sounds good."

<OOC> Sharna says, "So, to recap: You'll gather the corpses, bury them, then return to Trebor and collectively give him a hell of a lecture?" <OOC> Arafel nods and is with Rotgut.

<OOC> Sharna typetypetypes your wrap while you confirm (or deny) that's the plan.

<OOC> Oates confirms.

<OOC> Arafel says, "Confirm it."

<OOC> Rotgut nodnod

Weary, but victorious, you end the life and suffering of the mutating griffon. The mangled body is loaded onto Lodestone's wide back. You haul the heavy corpses, gathering them in one spot and, with the digger's help, burying them as deep as they'll go under the hard, half-frozen earth in the forest. The work is hard, and takes time.

You return to the farmhouse at the edge of the Eldwynn as the sun begins to dip below the horizon, bathing your surroundings in oranges, crimsons, and then purples. A very nervous Trebor welcomes you back with a mix of trepidation and joy. He'd thought you were lost. His expression quickly turns from joy at seeing you to sadness as you recount the tale of your travel and the fates of Big Bill, Bessy, Bella and Byanca, as well as the unfortunate griffon. By the end, he's crying earnest tears, and swears off his project, thanking you for cleaning up the mess he's unwittingly created.

He informs you that while you were gone, he has cleaned the barn and made its loft adequate for you to spend the night in, if you so wish. There, he says, you'll find Tavissha, who's feeling much better but resting just in case, and Brolin, who you left behind (for better or worse) to watch over her while she was out and hopefully not booze himself half to death.

Whether you choose to spend the night or leave immediatelly for the inn past the crossroads, you find the establishment with no trouble. Come morn, a wagon with a more cheerful driver awaits you outside the inn, as promised, and you return to Alexandria without any more trouble coming your way.

Some days later, on one of your regular Guild of Explorers visits, you collectively receive a parcel. It contains a massive wheel of aged cow milk cheese - obviously from before the fateful potion, thankfully - cut into generous, equal portions for each of you, and a note from Trebor thanking you for your help once again.

Bessy, Bella and Byanca would have wanted it that way, he writes.

<OOC> Sharna crits you all with text!

<OOC> Sharna says, "That's a wrap, folks. Much thanks for attending and for sticking with it. I hope you enjoyed playing at least as much as I enjoyed running for you. :)"