Shadow in the night

[namklim]

Rolan will purchase an extra blanket to use as a rain cover before leaving town (5 sp).
When setting up camp, he'll use it and some rope to set up some sort of cover (may not be great, but it should help along with the tree Vadania found).

"So, who wants first watch?"

[Rojito]

Salyyn shrugs and says "Kenny will watch us all night, he has no need for sleep. Right Kenny? Now remember to wake us should anything out of the ordinary happen." Thinking of the storm I say, "And I mean anything.

[at]

The group settle down to catch what sleep they can in the storm, though the strong winds have fortunately settled down somewhat.

It seems that you have barely closed your eyes when yelps from Vadania's wolf Ylva awaken you, but the low burning fire indicates that some hours have past.

For a moment the cause of the animal's distress is not clear but then you see wings flickering in the fire light, countless tiny biting insects emerging from the trees.


Roll for init
Vadania is not wearing her armour to avoid fatigue but can pull it on hastily in 5 rounds
Everyone (save for Kenny) must pass a DC10 will save or be dazed for a round as they shake themselves awake

[harknail]

Init: [dice=20]+4
Will: [dice=20]+4

Should have stayed with leather armor, soft enough to sleep in...[rand=775417206808924798640589462593232745978422462949626182538922876]

[at]

As the swarm descends on the camp only Vadania response, the others still clearing heads not immediately aware of the sheer number of insects closing in.
The grey elf's hooded friend, Kenny, pokes at his companion seemingly indifferent to the unexpected threat, while Ylva runs in circles biting ineffectually at the air.

(your action harknail - i'm treating the others as having failed their save vs stunning in the first round unless they turn up before I get around to posting the swarm's turn. Don't want another game to grind to a halt before it gets anywhere)

[Rojito]

Init:+3
[dice=20]


Will: +2
[dice=20][rand=98736036876893781055704898408267381820503489309049171681962730406]

[namklim]

ooc: Sorry, been a bit busy, but I'm in contact with Harknail, so I'll get around to the game, even if I take a little while.

Initiative
[dice=20]+3 = 9

Will
[dice=20]+1 = 14[rand=26202479230218567955288162029275137706770953199443582391760608763]

[harknail]

Vadania will grab her shield and try sweeping them out of the air.

Vadania may know how to deal with an insect swarm, but I'm at a complete loss.

[at]

Vadania sweeps her shield in wide arcs, throwing a few of the insects around but there were so many ... thousands upon thousands emerging from the trees and coating every surface, biting and scratching.

The elf knew no ordinary weapon would stop them, fire perhaps but the swarm seemed endless.


Order of actions is Salyyn(23), Vadania(20), Kenny(15), Swarm(14), Rolan(9), Ylva(??)

Aug 4, 2011 1:38:33 GMT -5 harknail said:

Vadania may know how to deal with an insect swarm, but I'm at a complete loss.

Fire (burning torches, smashed lanters, greek fire, etc) and area effect attacks can harm swarms, but regular attacks cannot.
I'm treating Vadania's actions as defensive, but the party will need to either improvise or run like hell)

[namklim]

Not my turn yet, but wondering if the campfire is still going and how strong it is.

[at]

Aug 7, 2011 15:42:57 GMT -5 namklim said:

Not my turn yet, but wondering if the campfire is still going and how strong it is.

(it's still going, not blazing but not smouldering either)

[harknail]

Not my turn either, but here is an action for Vadania (unless Salyyn does something where this doesn't make sense). Let me know what rolls are needed.

Vadania will snap off a dry tree bough from their shelter, one that still has needles, and toss that on the fire. Fresh wood and needles will smoke, she hoped that the smoke would drive away the bugs.

[Rojito]

Salyyn directs Kenny, 'grab a large piece of firewood and scatter the insects!'

[at]

Aug 8, 2011 23:16:21 GMT -5 Rojito said:

Salyyn directs Kenny, 'grab a large piece of firewood and scatter the insects!'

Salyyn backs away from the insects and joins the others as they attempt to put the fire between themselves and the unexpected threat, but what little fire and smoke Vadania is able to create does little to dissuade the ever increasing swarm.

Seemingly unconcerned about their situation Salyyn's friend reaches into the smoke and pulls a burning branch from the fire, swinging it into the swarm without apparent concern for their own safety. A dozen small insects drop from the sky with each swing but they continue forwards to envolope the clearing.

Already surrounded Ylva yelps as the small creatures bite her, and she bolts past Kenny to Vadania's side.

(combat)

SPOILER: Click to show

(Kenny)
[dice=20]+5 init
[dice=20]+1 to hit
[dice=3]damage
(AoO as swarm fills area)
[dice=20]+1 to hit - miss

(Ylva)
[dice=6]+[dice=6]biting damage from the swarm

(Rolan up next, the swarm has circled the fire and will be on you in it's next action)[rand=4971417571638745464089602295627922098352961035008249788937107876046]

[namklim]

Rolan will grab his other blanket and try to use it as a cover against the swarm.

"Your friend's effort is valiant, but seems to not be doing much to halt their advance. Running might be the better option."

Rolan will watch for what the others think. If they wish to stay and fight, he will not abandon them and will grab something to fight off the swarm with, otherwise he'll grab his pack and run.

[harknail]

Just to confirm: The swarm is coming at us through the pouring rain? I would have though the rain was heavy enough to discourage flying insects.

[at]

Aug 9, 2011 23:20:48 GMT -5 harknail said:

Just to confirm: The swarm is coming at us through the pouring rain? I would have though the rain was heavy enough to discourage flying insects.

The fire should have also been enough, to say nothing of the insects' suicidal aggression. Vadania recognises this as unnatural.

[harknail]

"This swarm isn't natural," exclaimed Vadania. "Bugs just don't act like this on their own."

[namklim]

Upon hearing the druid's information, Rolan immediately states, "I thoroughly suggest a full retreat then."

Despite his advice, Rolan still has not moved to retreat, watching to see what the group wants to do.

[Rojito]

Salyyn nods, "Looks like this will be more than a lost trail to find this caravan, we need to be better equiped to deal with these things, and whatever may have sicked them on us. Kenny, come we are leaving." Salyyn picks everything up as he says this and starts moving.

Kenny will continue to brandish the torch/log as everyone retreats.