Re: Chapter One

[Custer Thickett]

Custer lumbers into camp area, his eyes barely open.  He stumbles to the pack where Kellar dropped it and nods to show appreciation.  He unstraps his bedroll and slaps it to the ground.  He digs in his pack, dropping some items next to it as he fishes out a blanket and throws it on top of the pack.  Custer then sits and leans on the pack.  He grimaces as he leans to one side and removes a lockpick from under his left butt-cheek, then sighs as he leans back and begins pulling off his boots.  An acrid smell emanates from his furry feet as they come free of the wet leather, and Custer cries out some when each foot is bared to the cold air.  Custer rubs his toes as he says, "I'll tah-ah" as he is interrupted by a yawn.  He doesn't immediately bother trying to finish the sentence.  Custer smooths out his bedroll and lays on it, then pulls his blanket and throws it over his painful moist feet, and then mumbles, "lass waa."  
-------
[roll 1 is for dm required roll]  +1
17
[roll 2 is for perception while on watch] +1
9

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 16

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

#2 'D20' : 8

[Osvald Hale]

Rolling first, will edit post after. WIS bonus.

15+2=17


=====


Osvald leans back on his gear slung out by the fire. He stares quietly at the peaks of the Small Teeth in the distance, takes a few sips from his tarnished silver flask, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. Thoughts deep in the past.

As the others makes ready to rest and Kellar takes his post at first watch, Osvald eats his nights meal.

"I'll be happy when we finish this thing and aren't so pressed for time. Plenty of small game and wild edibles in these woods. Always better to have a fresh meal and save your rations for the desperate days."

Groaning, he stretches and pull a grimy rough-spun blanket over himself.

"Kellar, I'll take next watch. Ask your little dragon about the tomb and tell me in the morning, I might know a faster path."


=====

Osvald will sleep and take second watch, then wake Kilik for his. Rolling perception for the watch in next post. Rations -1

Perception: 3 + 4 = 7

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Osvald Hale' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 15

[Osvald Hale]

Perception roll!

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Osvald Hale' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 3

[Ao]

The small fire crackles nicely as the fellowship settles in amidst the dark bog, the persistent thrumming of insects and the stench of sulphur in the air.

Shorjahl runs his arcane powers over the axe, but cannot pick up a reading. Then he recalls, that the focus for this spell requires a pearl worth 100 gold and an owl feather...

---------[shorjahl investigate results]: Shorjahl paces around their rocky campsite, looking out into the treeline and stepping over the muddied puddles that surround it. A small, lazy river swirls along the southern part of the rocky outcropping, winding away into the dark toward the small teeth. Shorjahl can tell that this spot is not wonderfully defensible, and Kilik could have chosen better. But it was all the dry land they could find in this swamp. Hopefully no orcs stumbled across their ill-hidden position this night...

[...]

Kellar can hear the faint snoring of his fellows, as he leans against his lance and stares off into the dark.

-------[Kellar, perception check:] Kellar's eyes droop frequently, and he fights to stay awake after the utter exhaustion of today. After several moments, even Orbaugh falls asleep in his shoulder, the pseudodragon snoring quietly.

Kellars eyes close, and he startles himself awake. Suddenly, before him, is a group of dark figures.

The dragoon's eyes snap open reflexively, and ten figures stare at him from thr cold darkness.

They are snarling orcs, clad in ornamental armoring painted red and black. All of them wear long, braided hair. And their eyes... they are piercing and white.

Slowly, the orcs raise their arms before them. They are long, muscular arms...terminating in bloodied stumps. All of their hands have been hacked off.

Before Kellar can even gasp, these...apparitions disappear from his sight.

The sound of crickets is masked nearly completely by the blood pounding in your ears.

===================

The rest of the night passes without incident (luckily! Your perception rolls stunk :p). Kellar feels unusually cold well after the sun has risen through the hazy peat bog.

In the morning, orbaugh offers you the directions to his lair...south west, toward rhe small teeth.

I trust that most of you leveled up. If not, do so now (youve all had a long rest

Id like a post on how you plan on following orbaugh, if thats indeed what you plan on doing. Id like marching order as well, and any other relevant skill checks. Id also like a general idea of what youre looking for, and how youre carryijg yourself in the bog so far

Cheers
Ao
Exp:+20 to all

[Custer Thickett]

Kesian threw the vial, and Custer knew he had to roll away and make for the door.  In a flash he rolled on the table and sprinted.  He could feel his heart pumping as his wet boots squelched with each powerful push towards the door.  The human was too close, too fast, and too far away.  Cuss couldn't make it.  He skidded and skipped to a stop as the door slammed shut.  

He heard her, 'You are faster than that!'  The door creaked back open, and Agata stepped into the hall.  Cuss dropped to his knees in awe of her beauty.  Long red curls framing a delicate face sprinkled with spice and set with crystal blue eyes.  He wished only to see her smiling, but tonight, her look was stern.  

She leaped onto the table, and drew a rapier.  He had never seen her hold a weapon before.  'My lov...' he started, but she was already charging him, trusting for his heart.  He was frozen, and her blade pierced him.  The pain was sudden and sharp.  He looked down at his chest, and saw the wound gushing.  Cuss's eyes followed the blade back up to see not Agata, but Rosalyn, his little sister.  This was not the Rosalyn he saw a moon ago, but an older, and much more devious image of her.  She smiled at him, and then twisted her wrist.

"Aaaahhhhh!"  Custer awoke in a panic, throwing his blanket, and grabbing at his chest as he fell back into his pack.  He patted his armor fiercely, but stiffened when he found no wound there.  Using his pack for support, Custer rose and looked about the still dark camp to see the party somehow still sleeping, all except the dwarf Kilik, who Cuss spotted starring back at him from across the fire...

....

After relieving Kilik of his watch, Custer set about quietly stoking the fire with a stick from the brush.  The coals were still hot, and one fresh log was flaming, but Custer wanted to make sure it kept lit when he would soon have his back turned.

Custer fetched his fishing tackle from his pack straps, and tied a velvet lure to his pole's silk line.  Aye, that should do for this light.  Just as dawn cracked, Custer started casting his floating lure into the current, trying to dead float it just right to get a bite on his steel hook.

[roll 1 is survival for fishing.  I am going to go ahead and take the liberty of determining if I catch a fish or not, for time's sake (that cool AO?)  15 or better, and everybody gets fish on a stick when they wake up.  10 or better, and we have to split two fish.  9 and under, no fish.] +1

Fish!
20

[roll 2 is for stealth on the journey.] +7
22

[roll 3 is for perception on the journey.] +1
6

[action: Cuss is going to attempt preparing some breakfast for the group.  When traveling, he will join the scouting party, preferably behind whoever is with him.]

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 19

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

#2 'D20' : 15

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

#3 'D20' : 5

[Ao]

[haha nice cuss. Yes, the fish call is acceptable. Free rations for breakfast!]

[Kellar]

Kellar awakens and shivers, while Orbaugh grumpily shuffles around on his shoulder and settles again.

Strange dream. I could have sworn there were orcs in our camp. But they had no hands, no eyes. They faded away, it couldn't have been real... could it?

Kellar stands up and stretches while balancing Orbaugh on his shoulder, he feels his muscles tighten and throb at the sudden movement. He lets out a low yawn.

Lord Hale, Orbaugh suggested we travel southwest toward the small teeth. He did relay that he knows where we need to go to complete our task, said Kellar.

Kellar sees that Cus had been busy fishing and asks, mind if I snag a fish for Orbaugh and I here? Thanks. He receives two fish from Cus and both he and Orbaugh devour the fish. I guess we were both hungry, huh Orbaugh?

Actions:
*Kellar will offer to lead the group with Osvald in the march and follow Orbaugh to his homestead.
*Stealth Roll= 5+2= 7 ; Athletics Roll=19+4= 23

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 5

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

#2 'D20' : 19

[Forgeless Kilik]

Kilik had walked some empty roads before, but rarely one as bleak and barren as the bog that stretched before them.

The pseudodragon seemed well enough; Kilik silenty thanked Marthammor Duin for his blessing in healing the little beast. It seemed as if Orbaugh's help might allow them to complete their task after all, despite last night's unwelcome detour. He finished balancing the weight of his pack, cinching the straps and taking a light breakfast from his trail rations. Time to be away.

We should be off as soon as we may. We still got us a fair stretch of road ahead, and my legs don't move as fast as the little dragon's wings.

---------------------------------------------
Actions:

Kilik is not quiet by any stretch, but prefers to be near the front of the group - both to aid in navigation and in case anything should catch them unawares. Assuming Osvald is taking point in following Orbaugh, Kilik would take the second position in the marching order.

Perception looking for threats: 9

Survival for signs of creatures who might inhabit this lonely place: 6

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Forgeless Kilik' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 4

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

#2 'D20' : 1

[Shorjahl]

Shorjahl wakes late, having stayed up to investigate the surrounding camp territory. The smell of freshly cleaned fish brings him to full cognizance, and he thanks Cuss as he takes a filet from his line. Shorjahl uses a small amount of arcane energy to cook the fish evenly, and adding a healthy dose of spice and salt flavoring. He eats quickly, his blue eyes rimmed red with exhaustion, sullenly looking out across the bog. He consistently settles on the Small Teeth, the lack of time they have for their quest dropping by the moment.

He spends a couple of minutes attempting to clear their track as best as he can, flattening it with prestidigitation and voiding as much of their distinct, non-orc odor. As they move out, Shorjahl repacks his things, cleans off his footwraps and boots, and tightens his things for traveling along the wet trail in the bog. He'll follow along the group, near to the rear, flattening their trail to prevent orc trackers.

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

Cast a few cantrips, follow along either in last or near last, using Mage Hand to flatten the trail as previously. I'll also roll Perception and Stealth.

Perception: 9 = 8 + 1
Stealth: 11 = 9 + 2

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Shorjahl' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 8

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#2 'D20' : 9

[AnnaMaul]

Anna wakes up after getting a night full of rest. She had put her new friends in danger and almost cost them their lives. Even worse was the prospect of maybe having cost them their chance at finding the unicorn horn. Hopefully the little dragon would be helpful. Kell seemed convinced it was in any case.

She graciously eats her portion of the fish that was caught, thanking Custer for catching it in the first place. After packing up her stuff she reaches down and picks up her father's axe. She takes a few swings with it, remembering how much larger it seemed when she was younger. She swipes at the air and nothing in particular, noting that something seemed... Off in the way she was swinging. Her motions felt sluggish for some reason, and she couldn't quite put her finger on why.

She decides to use it on one of the nearby trees. Perhaps the lack of being able to hit anything solid with it is what is causing her trouble. She digs into the tree a couple times, still not satisfied with the technique. She takes a breather, thinking back on her lessons when it hits her. When her father taught her to use an axe, he had trained her while she was wearing regular clothing. The armor she was wearing was causing her muscle memory to feel off, as well as slow her down. She removes the armor, dressing down to a tattered shirt and something in between a pair of pants and shorts. She smiles, feeling comfortable again in her natural state as she begins practicing the axe once again.

Her body moves something less than gracefully, but more fluid than it had just minutes prior. A good ten minutes later she sits down on the ground, breathing hard but happy with her condition. This would definitely be the weapon that kills Grol.

-----

Removing her armor and actually gaining AC thanks to Unarmored Defense. Otherwise is ready to go when everyone else is.

[Ao]

[Note: There’s been a bit of confusion about how group stealth works. So, I’ll elaborate later. For now, let’s assume it wasn’t necessary due to Shorjahl's creative trail-disguising.]
==============

The day is overcast and dreary, and intermittently an uncomfortable drizzle rains down from the sky drumming lazily upon the thick, gnarled forestation growing out of the bog.

The fellowship, newly replenished with an evening of rest and a belly full of fish, pursues the direction of Orbaugh. The pseudodragon sits upon Kellar’s shoulder as they trudge through the thick mud, across increasingly craggy terrain.

Within an hour, you have made it into the foothills of the small teeth.

The mountain range rises up before you, blocking out the morning sunlight and bathing you in shadow. An earthy smell fills your nose as the reeds and mud turn into rocky, mossy crags.

The path into the mountain leads downward into her feet. It is as if the sharp rock formations surrounding the range were once smashed by a great hammer. The angles are unnatural, and at times it almost seems like you are descending into a series of tunnels. Large natural archways stretch over head, driving you further downward.

[…]

Cold air blows from within the deep mountain passes, and your feet struggle to maintain a foothold on the loose stone. Lichen and forest moss grow in abundance on the rocks, making it slippery and treacherous.

————[Group, perception checks]: The fellowship moves cautiously, peering about. But the shadows play tricks on your eyes, and the lack of sunlight makes it difficult to discern jagged rock formations from strangers in the dark...

[…]

Orbaugh chitters silently to Kellar.

((We are almost there, human! Up ahead, see!))

Ahead of the fellowship, a small grove of dead trees juts out of a flattened, mossy meadow amidst the towering rock of this passage. Huge formations extend hundreds of feet overhead, creating a canyon of sorts. Long strands of decaying vegetation hang from its walls like fishing net, and various birds and insects flit between the network of cobweb-like vines.

Orbaugh flaps his wings excitedly, pointing beyond the dead tree grove towards a large pool of water fed from a bellowing spring in the canyon wall.

((There! There!)) shouts Orbaugh into Kellar’s head.

The pool is perhaps forty feet in diameter, fed by a small circular crag-hole no bigger than a dinner plate, in the wall of the canyon. Thick vines choke the pool, spreading out onto the shore and blending with the moss.

The sound of the trickle is peaceful and serene, and almost eerie.

As you draw closer you can see that the circular crag is set into what appears to be a man-sized boulder jammed into the rock face a foot above the pool. It is hard to tell apart from the canyon wall, with years of moss and lichen framing its outline.

The boulder looks unnatural on closer inspection, like it was placed there. The water spring is fed from a source behind the boulder.

((Orbaugh was swimming in the pond, and heard echo coming from behind boulder. Swam into the hole, and oh! Orbaugh found enormous chamber, with big river from inside the mountain. And big island inside, with rock dome upon it. Orbaugh went to the dome, but stone door too heavy for Orbaugh. But, orc symbols carved into the rock. Must be tomb!))

Orbaugh chitters gleefully, looking to Kellar for… a ration, it seems.

Just now, however, Anna hears a sound that chills her blood.

**RAOOOOOOOOGHHHHHH!**

The sound echoes from off in the distance, throughout the canyon. It is the sound of a warg; Anna knows it well. As does Osvald, with his intimate knowledge of orc culture.

**RAOOOOOOOOGHHHHHH!** **RAOOOOOOOOGHHHHHH!**

The cry intensifies, and more join in one after the other. The cacophony is perhaps a quarter mile away, to the northwest.

Anna knows that the wargs could not possibly have picked up on their scent, likely thanks to Shorjahl’s handiwork. Wargs only howl to scare away predators; a hunting warg is silent as a shadow.

Unfortunately, the sound appears to be drawing nearer.

**RAOOOOOOOOGHHHHHH!**

===============================|

Ok guys, there appears to be a warg party approaching from the north-west. You cannot see them, they are somewhere within the winding passageways of this place.

Thanks to shor’s liberal use of prestidigitation/mage hand, they seem to have not noticed your trail yet.

About twenty feet from you is the aforementioned 40ft-diameter pool, which is situated alongside the canyon wall, just beyond the grove of dead trees you stand in. The pool is perhaps waist-deep, and choked with weeds and vines.

If you’re looking to try and move the boulder from whence the spring bubbles, someone will need to make a strength check from just beneath it, in the pool. Or multiple people. I’ll permit a +2 bonus to the greatest STR check for every other party member that exceeds a ’12’ on their STR check. I will, however, apply a -2 penalty for any assisting party members that roll an 8 or less on their STR check, as they are getting in the way with the limited space.

You’ve no idea how many rounds until the warg party happens upon you, if they are indeed coming your way. If you had a guess, you would say 5-10 minutes tops.

It is approximately noon.

EXP: +20 to Shor, Kilik, Custer, Kellar and Anna

[Shorjahl]

[Ao, if you could respond to me before the full rotation, that will save me a lot of time with what we do.]

Shorjahl sees the horrified look on Anna and Osvald's face, and despite not knowing what manner of creature makes such a detestable sound, decides he does not want to meet it. He remembers his thoughts upon being a warrior last night, and inwardly smiles - perhaps he'll be a warrior later. He sees that their best chance of evading this creature is to go into this hidden sanctuary and pool, too shallow for them to hide in easily, and the stone too large to move by hand expeditiously.

He looks around for something to create leverage against the stone - a sturdy stick and large counter weight. He analyzes the various materials here, considers their strength, contemplates using his rope, thinks of a pulley... "Does anyone have a pulley?" His brows pull over his blue eyes deep in thought as his gaze flits from one place in the grove to another.

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

Intelligence Roll: 22 = 19 + 3 (without Proficiency) | 24 = 19 + 5 (with Proficiency)

Rolling Intelligence Check to sort of figure out some engineering equation to make this way easier. Using rocks, sticks, our weapons, rope, whatever else we can to assemble a system to yank this rock out of the way as quickly and efficiently as possible. I'm not sure how just straight checks work, so I'll give you the numbers with just my Mod as well as my Mod + Proficiency (I'm proficient in Intelligence saves and Investigation, an Int skill. I dunno.)

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Shorjahl' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 19

[Forgeless Kilik]

The baying call of distant wargs spurred Kilik into action.

Quickly, lads - if they come upon us we'll fare better in the confines of a tunnel than surrounded on the open road. We can get this pebble loose if yer put yer backs into it!

He splashed loudly through the pool to test the rock, the thick sinews in his arms bulging as he strained against it, trying to find a position of leverage.

-----------------------------------
Actions:
STR check: 11

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Forgeless Kilik' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 8

[Custer Thickett]

Hearing the roar, Custer thinks, Well, that is a bit vexxing.  

Custer sees the dwarf struggling against the mass of the stone, and quickly darts his eyes around their position.  "Kilik's got it right, that's our best only hope.

Custer drops his pack and dives into it to pull our his hammer, two pitons, and his coil of rope.  He holds them above his head as he approaches the other side of the stone opposite of Kilik.  Give me two second to hammer this piton in so we can pull from the other side with you, dwarf!

[Rolling tools proficiency to hammer piton into stone.  He plans to loop rope through piton to form pull and push parties.  The stone looks much bigger to Custer.] +2
6

As the piton slides on the slime of moss and Custer nearly flattens his fingers with his hammer, he yells, "Nine Bloody Hells!  It's too slick!"

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 4

[Kellar]

Kellar hears the sound of the beast far off. He does not know what kind it is, but he's aware that haste is a priority.
Orbaugh, thank you for leading us here. Have this, Kellar removes and part of a ration and gives to Orbaugh. Now I need you to wait here while I help Master Kilik and the little one, as he grabs Orbaugh and sets him on the edge of the pond.

Kellar turns from Orbaugh and rushes through the waist deep water toward the boulder.

Master dwarf, let's move this "pebble," he chuckles softly as he moves into position.

Kellar drops into a low crouch position as he had earlier while lunging toward Keisan. Raaargh!! was all Kellar could growl as his legs began to shake violently while moving the boulder! Athletics roll=17+4= 21!

Actions:
*Kellar assists Kilik and Cus to move the boulder free from it's resting spot.
*If successful, he will move the boulder to the side of the opening to create a choke point to help defend the group.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 17

[AnnaMaul]

Anna recalls with not-so-fond memories of what Wargs are capable of, especially when they are hungry.  Not wanting to be a part of that just yet, she sets herself against the boulder along with Kilik, Cus(bless his heart)and Kellar and tries to move it as far out the way as she can.

-----

Str Check - 19 + 2 = 21

[DiceMaster]

The member 'AnnaMaul' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 19

[Ao]

The worgs in the distance bray again, their cries echoing out thorough the winding mountain pass in a wailing cacophony.

As Kilik, Custer, Kellar and Anna trudge towards the pool, Shorjahl goes quickly in search of something to aid their situation.

——————[Shorjahl, Intelligence roll *without proficiency*]: As his companions head out toward the boulder, the arcanist studies the boulder. It is jammed within the cliff face, covered in moss and reeds. The crevice that the water flows from is approximately a foot and a half in diameter…
A creek or underground river flows on the other side of that boulder. And if that hole was plugged up, there would certainly be some added pressure to help loosen it…

Shorjahl heads over to the thicket of dead trees, finding ample dead wood and stones that could potentially fill the purpose.

Anna, Kellar, and Kilik feel cold water chill their legs as they wade over to the stone, stepping through the thick entanglement of vegetation in the pool. Custer can barely keep his head above water, and as he attempts to hammer pitons into the rock they slip and slide through his hands.

[..]

Far off, the wargs bray once more. But it is different this time. No longer a warnings sign. Perhaps…calling to other members of their pack?

[..]

After two minutes of pulling and pushing, sediment and lichen begins to rain down from the boulder. The three companions continue to flex their muscle, Kilik having only the slightest bit of difficulty from a height perspective.

———————[Anna, Kilik, Kellar, Combined STR impact to boulder]: 53/60

The boulder is beginning to shift, just a few more pushes away…

Suddenly, the pool of water erupts in a churning mass of water and vegetation. Vines whip up from beneath the surface, snapping back and forth, lashing against the fellows.

Kilik, Anna, Kellar and Custer feel the tangling mass grab fast around their limbs, threatening to drag them under the water….

======================

OK guys, the boulder has almost moved! Bad news is, the vines in the pool have animated and are grabbing at you madly, wrapping around your arms and legs.

Everyone in the pool needs to succeed at a DC12 Strength check or be dragged under the water. Obviously, you cannot make a STR check to move the boulder unless you pass the vines STR check, and even then you are exposing yourself to another vine grapple if you turn your attention to the boulder. If you wish to attack the vines, check out their stats in The Lair!

The wargs seem to be approaching ever more quickly…

Will our heroes be dragged to a watery death? Or fall by fur and fang?

Tune in next time!

EXP: +20 shor, cuss, kell, anna and kilik

[Custer Thickett]

[Rolling Str -1]
6

Custer yells out as he is entangled by the vine, but his shout is cut short as he disappears underwater.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 7

[Osvald Hale]

'Getting too damn close...' Osvald curses under his breath at the second braying of the Worgs from his lookout position, concealed up in the dead tree grove.

He strides outward onto a creaking limb, and focuses for a moment on the Worgs, trying to discern the meaning of their changing call from experience. (Knowledge: Nature, adv. Pref enemy: Orcs)

"No time." He snatches up his bow, throws it over his back, dropping almost gracefully from the tree and sliding down the valley wall with a tumble of moss covered stones. A few quick strides bring him back to the group; "Shorjahl, if you've got any more fancy tricks up those sleeves now's the time!"

Seeing the others attempting to wrench the stone from from its rest, Osvald hurries to assist, a few steps short of the boulder he catches the vines begin to writhe unnaturally beneath the surface of the pool. He doesn't manage to get out a warning shout before Cuss is dragged into the writhing mass below the surface.

Without slowing, Osvald turns and dives in after the Halfling, Grasping for precious moments too long in the murk, the woodsman finally gets a hold of the vines around Cuss, wrenching at the ones knotted around him.


=====
OOC: Whoops! I misinterpreted how the scene was arranged and had to do a major edit to my post. Sorry for the confusion!

Osvald will listen to the approaching Worgs, then seeing the commotion, dive in after Cuss.

Worgs: 19 + 2 = 21

Cuss Vines: 4 + 2 = 6

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Osvald Hale' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 19, 18

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#2 'D20' : 4

[Shorjahl]

Shorjahl's mind races to decide upon his priorities - if he assists with the boulder, the others can be free to assist with Cuss - but if it takes too long then they'll all get pulled under and possibly drown - especially Cuss. He has to do something. He sprints toward the logs and stones to help with the flow - as he's running he starts snapping off intense blasts of condensed arcane energy. Each bolt rips through the air, splashes and plunks into the water, snapping off the tentacular vines pulling his friends under the water, his bracer chiming out with a bright hum with each shot.

He attempts to place as many of the stones and branches into the water flow as quickly and efficiently as possible, placing them where it counts the most. He shouts to Osvald as he's fighting off the vines, throwing his shoulder against the boulder - "How far are those creatures?!"

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

Intelligence Check to place sticks and stones to break the flow's bones: 20 = 17 + 3
Magic Missile Damage (one cast, focusing on the area attacking Cuss): 13 dmg

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Shorjahl' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 17

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

#2 'D4' : 3

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#3 'D4' : 4

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#4 'D4' : 3

[Osvald Hale]

[OOC: Shorjahl, Ao filled me in that I couldn't quite reach the boulder the way I thought, and doing so would bring it down on everyone trapped in the vines. So, Osvald dove into the pool after Cuss. You don't have to edit your post at all, everything works now, just keep in mind Osvald won't answer because he's now underwater. Sorry man!]

[Kellar]

Cus! Kellar yelled as he saw the little being pulled under the water.

Master Dwarf, keep at this pebble, I'll try to free Cus, said Kellar as he felt the vines wrap around his legs! Strength Roll=18+4= 22!

Damn vines, Kellar yelled as he swung his Axe into the water to attempt to cut at the vines. Attack Roll=8+4= 12! Damage=5+2= 7!

Kellar's Axe hacks at the vines near where Cus was pulled under!

We don't have much time, he'll drown, shouted Kellar as Shorjahl blasted at the vines under the surface of the water.

Orbaugh, climb the tree and tell me how far out the Worgs are! Make haste!

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 18

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#2 'D20' : 8

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#3 'D6' : 5

[AnnaMaul]

Gonna roll, then react.

First d20 is to get free of the vines, second is against the boulder if I pass the first.

Roll 1: 12+2=14

Roll 2: 17+2=19


-----

Anna wrenches free of the vines. More worries about what the Wargs will do than the vines, she continues pressing against the boulder, moving it as far as she can.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'AnnaMaul' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 12

[AnnaMaul]

Sorry for double post, it missed my second d20?

[DiceMaster]

The member 'AnnaMaul' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 17

[Forgeless Kilik]

Kilik felt the vines wrap around his legs and braced himself against their pull. But the footing in the pool was uneven, stones slick, and he found himself swept off of his feet with a gurgling cry as he went under.

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

Actions:

STR check to resist vines: 6 failure

STR check to move boulder: doesn't happen (http://www.sadtrombone.com/)

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Forgeless Kilik' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 3

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#2 'D20' : 20

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#3 'D4' : 2

[Ao]

---------[Osvald, nature results] The huntsman strains to hear the wargs as he charges towards the pool. Between the braying of multiple wargs, and the echoing of the canyon, it is difficult to make sense out of the sound. But Osvald can tell they are excited about something, and are rapidly approaching their location. It will be minutes before the wargs are upon them...

[...]

Shorjahl reaches pool just as Osvald dives past him in to the churning pond. The wizard is seconds away from damming the boulder when Anna leaps up from the water, vines thrashing about her.

With a heady grunt, the half-orc grabs tightly beneath the massive boulder and wrenches it from its spot. With a satisfying crack, the stone showers moss and mud upon the fellowship as it tumbles precariously into the pool! The river behind it erupts into the roar of a small waterfall, overflowing on to shore as the fellowship tumbles amidst the renegade vegetation.

[Anna, STR check added to 70/60]

As the massive rock splashes into the water, vines whip around mercilessly. Kilik can feel them crushing his chest, buckling his armor beneath their grasp.

Custer feels Osvald's hand clasp around his, but the woodsmans strength is insufficient to pull the tiny halfling above water.

---------[vine blight vs osvald, vine whip misses:]
Three vines whip out toward Osvald, narrowly missing his limbs as they smack harmlessly off the cliff wall.

As Kellar fights through the flailing tendrils of the vine blight, Orbaugh's voice echoes in his head. The tiny pseudodragon has crawLed up a dead tree to report.

((The wargsss! They are coming human! orbaugh counts eight! Not far away, just be rounding the top of the valley hill. They be here in a minute...no more! Quiet! Quiet!))

==============

Ok guys, you have nearly no time before the wargs arrive down into your canyon. The boulder has been pushed aside, revealing an overflowing river that starts to pour into the pool beneath it.

As an aside, because anna moved that rock by herself and while you were beneath it in the pool, i need dex checks to avoid being crushed by it.

Anyone who is not grappled after trying to escape the vines this turn must succeed at a DC 10 dex check or take 6 crushing damage from a glancing blow.

Anyone who is grappled, needs a DC 15 dex check to avoid being hit and taking 6 crushing damage.

Exp: +20 al

[Custer Thickett]

Custer was just considering panic when the hand grasped him underwater.  Encouraged, he used it to orient himself so that his legs were under him and he could get his head back above water.  He broke the surface and found himself barely winded, which was lucky, because a huge boulder was crashing down on him.  He leaned back and used the hammer still in his hand to push against the falling boulder so that he could get his feet out of the way.  

Free of vines, Custer checked to make sure his charms were still around his neck, then looked to nod at who helped him.  Spotting the vines slashing about, Custer dove away from them and made for his pack on the ground near the shore.  He found it getting wet from an overflow of the pool, and quickly slung it over his shoulder as he turned back for the entrance.

Custer cursed at himself quietly, then counted his companions as he exchanged his hammer for his rapier.  three, four, is there one more?

[Rolling Str to escape vines -1]
18

[Rolling Dex to escape falling boulder +3]
10

[action: Custer uses cunning action to move quickly back to his pack.]

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 19

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#2 'D20' : 7

[Kellar]

Kellar sees the boulder falling into the pool. Kellar feels the vines attempt to hold him in place. He easily tears away from them as he evades the boulder rolling in his direction! STR Roll=20+4= 24!; DEX Roll=16+3= 19!

Kellar adjusts his positioning closer to Anna and says, that's what we needed, now hurry inside! The beasts are close!

Orbaugh to me, quickly! We're headed for the opening!

Kellar moved to swing at the vines that retreated after they hit the rock near Osvald. Attack Roll=3+4= 7, miss!

Damn vines! We don't have time for this! Kellar said to himself.

Actions:
* Kellar passed his STR & DEX rolls and attempted to attack after his movement. He's closer to Anna near the entrance to the tunnel/opening.
*Kellar will usher people in while waiting for Orbaugh. He'll cover the group's entrance into the tunnel.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 20

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#2 'D20' : 16

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#3 'D20' : 3

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#4 'D8' : 4

[Forgeless Kilik]

Spluttering furiously, Kilik heaved himself up from the depths of the pool, ripping the grasping vines out of his red beard with a painful wince. He twisted aside almost instinctively as the boulder crashed past him, his eyes scanning the perimeter before settling on the newly opened hole.

He glowered blackly at the others What? I slipped.

Eyeing the dark opening critically, he said We should get what cover we can 'afore we have some furry company. and he moved to climb into the cave mouth.

-----------------------------------------
Actions:

STR to escape vines: 14

DEX to avoid boulder: 16

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