Kiirnodel
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Post by Kiirnodel on Jan 19, 2010 0:15:49 GMT -5
After walking a bit, Deian calms down, his gate loses its calm and carefree nature, and the arrow twirling stops. Slowly, he follows in grim silence, his eyes always wary of what is around him. When he sees the blood, he pulls out his bow. When Barth shouts out, he cringes. "Yes, and lets warn everyone of our approach," he speaks in low tones as he knocks an arrow.
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lonewolf2017
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The Truth lies not in the Light, nor the Dark; But within the Shadows.
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Post by lonewolf2017 on Jan 19, 2010 2:36:08 GMT -5
Dom slips out an arrow and eyes Deian cautiously. Hanging back a bit he glances around at the trees calculating. Watching for an ambush or for a decent perch to take to the trees in the event of contact. In his bow hand he also holds an arrow with a large clay tip [pepper arrow, I have a normal arrow knocked but the pepper arrow running along the bow for easy access.]
Spot 16+3=19
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The Lord of Blades
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Ero Sennin
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Jan 19, 2010 10:22:12 GMT -5
As the group approaches the gully, they can't see a body or remains with all the underbrush and plant life in the way though it is clear it went this way from the blood. Fortunately, there are easy enough access points to the gully that even a small person could easily make their way into it. Upon entering the gully, you can see that the blood trails off to the South for a bit. Following it for around 20 feet leads you to see the torn and shredded remains of a wolf... or at least... something like a wolf, it is badly damaged and still around 15 feet away, preventing a good inspection. The stench of its death hangs heavily in the air. As you approach, there is a flash of metal in the sunlight from the underbrush as two dog-like creatures made of iron with serrated steel jaws catch sight of you. They bristle and seem ready to fight, but a whistle noise causes their heads to jerk and they dash away at a high speed (100 ft. per round), easily leaping out of the gully away from you and heading to the North-East (away from town).
It is disheartening to say the least: those with Knowledge (Arcana) easily identify those beasts as Iron defenders (Eberron Campaign Setting pg287) and know for a fact that these creatures are seldom without masters; everyone is able to quickly piece together that, regardless of what those things were, they clearly were called away by something else for unknown reasons before they could engage you, which they seemed all too keen on doing.
-Anyone with a ranged weapon is free to take an attack as they run away. -Anyone who makes a Spot check DC of 20 notices an unusual, black, stylized, hawk-like emblem painted onto the right shoulder of each of the Iron defenders. -Dominic, you no longer hear the noise mentioned earlier.
OPTIONS (and remember!! these are just suggestions if you truly can't think of anything to pursue on your own, so please don't feel like I'm forcing you in a direction)
1 - Pursue the metallic beasts. While they move quickly, it is unlikely whatever called them away can match their pace. It is also likely that whatever called them away is at least reasonably nearby and will wait for their return before, itself, moving away. There is some chance you could catch up to whatever it is, though not without risk.
2 - Continue investigating the woods or investigate another area. Those creatures killed a wolf and a deer; whether a wizard is passing through the woods with construct servants or not, a dead wolf and a dead deer are hardly a grave threat and though this could only be part of a larger string of such incidents, it is also possible this is unrelated to what you're looking for.
3 - Return to report what you've seen. Those creatures were clearly dangerous and you should tell Captain Finster about their existence.
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Kiirnodel
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Post by Kiirnodel on Jan 19, 2010 10:40:04 GMT -5
Deian fires his arrow quickly, trying to wound one of the beasts, but his aim is off from the suddenness of it all.
Atk: 7 + 6 = 13, Dmg: 8 + 2 = 10
Already moving forward towards the creatures, Deian seems like he will give pursuit.
Spot: 15 + 6 = 21
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Jan 19, 2010 13:12:37 GMT -5
"Barth, Check the body quickly for any thing of use. I want to know why an Iron Defender would drag around a dead wolf. Dom, give him some cover and holler if anything attacks you guys. Follow as quickly as you can after that." Moving off in the direction that the creatures went, at 80 feet a round(40 feet a move action, 2 move actions a round), he looks at Deian. "We're gonna catch these things and see what their master knows."
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lonewolf2017
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The Truth lies not in the Light, nor the Dark; But within the Shadows.
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Post by lonewolf2017 on Jan 19, 2010 13:52:05 GMT -5
"Ugh!' Groans Dom but moves forward to provide cover. 'Why did it have to be damn creatures of iron. Flesh is so much easier to pump full of arrows." Louder to the others leaving "Careful you don't know how many are out there. Might be more then just a wondering wizard."
Spot 18+3=21 (yay I see the birdy but also looking around to see if we are being observer or where the whistle came from. In order to call off the dogs someone had to be observing.)
Normal Arrow Knocked and Half drawn.
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The Lord of Blades
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Ero Sennin
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Jan 19, 2010 15:14:23 GMT -5
-I will point out, it was a typo, they move 50 ft. in a move action. My bad.
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Kiirnodel
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Post by Kiirnodel on Jan 19, 2010 17:53:08 GMT -5
Deian won't be able to keep up with the creatures (can only go 60 feet a round), but will do his best to keep them in sight and will fire off arrows if he can. Mostly, he tries to keep them in sight and follow them at the distance he is forced to keep.
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Post by joelocaust on Jan 19, 2010 22:05:36 GMT -5
Barth throws a knife at one of the IDs (11+3=14, 3 dmg on a hit), and then begins searching the dead wolf (19+7=26). After that (and whatever the search entails), Barth begins chasing the IDs as well, at 80'/rd. "Hey! Charging wildly is the number one cause of ambushes!" Barth gets his dagger back too.
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lonewolf2017
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The Truth lies not in the Light, nor the Dark; But within the Shadows.
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Post by lonewolf2017 on Jan 20, 2010 1:51:57 GMT -5
Dom shakes his head at the departing party. He gives chase after Barth but slower then the rest (a jog so like 40' just enough to keep them in sight while still checking the area) His glance sweeps the sides looking for where ever the controller could have been hidden, or where a potential ambush could come from.
Spot 9+3=12 (ouch but goes with running I guess)
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The Lord of Blades
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Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Jan 20, 2010 10:48:54 GMT -5
The ranged attacks clatter against branches and trees, unable to reach their targets but undamaged for their efforts. The iron defenders have been running at a high rate, preventing Deian from being able to both keep up and fire arrows. They outpace the group, fading out of sight eventually, but it is near the North-Eastern edge of the woods when you lose sight of them. If you continue to the edge and out of the woods, give me listen and spot checks.
Meanwhile, Barth's investigating is taking a fair deal of time, the group moves on ahead, some quickly, some not so quickly, but his investigating is important... he has discovered something disturbing about the wolf. It bears numerous signs of having been 'painted' or marked at times. You recognize these marks, they are consistent with an enclave of druids that you've only ever seen during harvest festivals visitting and checking that the land is well tended. The marks are supposed to symbolize that an animal like this is forbidden to slay as the animal companion of a druid. This must mean that a druid came to the aid of the deer that was slain... but the druid's body is not present... until you examine to the North, following a much smaller and harder to notice blood trail. The blood didn't match the wolf's blood at all. As you get to the northern end of the gully, there is a large tree with blood on the leaves. You clear some of the dense foliage in the upper branches... and can see the body of a man who can only be the druid companion of that wolf... crucified to the tree with two short swords through his hands and a third impaled in his chest. The group has already moved on far ahead and you'll need to race to catch up to them or at least yell to flag down Dom.
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Jan 20, 2010 11:00:37 GMT -5
Continuing to move to the edge of the forest, he will look out over the area bordering the forest, hoping to spot these creatures, but staying inside the woods, as he has realized that he has outdistanced the party and does not want to get ambushed alone, nor does he hold any illusions as to his ability to take on 2 of those creatures, and their master, alone.
Spot from earlier (As i forgot to roll to see if i noticed the Emblem): 15+4+1=20
Spot:17+4+1=22 Listen:2+4+1=7
[ooc] also, as a note, Dom should have been sticking with him to provide cover for him, so he shouldn't have far to go to have Dom hear him. Its me and Deian that will be hard to get ahold of.[/ooc]
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lonewolf2017
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The Truth lies not in the Light, nor the Dark; But within the Shadows.
Posts: 263
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Post by lonewolf2017 on Jan 20, 2010 13:31:19 GMT -5
[OOC] Yea I was taking up the rear position that includes Barth.[OOC]
Dom's face becomes a cold mask as he examines the crucified druid. Climbing up to get a better look Dom studies the face of the man to learn if he died quickly (mask of shock) or over time. Finally he examines the swords for markings of similarity or makers marks. Realizing that he is not the expert on such things he grits his teeth and slowly rips out the swords starting with the middle one letting the body drop to the ground. Tucking the swords into one of his back pouches (being careful not to break any equipment) he jumps down and rearranges the body to a more respectful manner. Placing two coppers over the druids eyes Dom whispers a prayer and a minor oath to avenge the druid. Then Turns to Barth with a grim expression. "Lets get to the others." Dom whistles as loud as he can three times to signal to the others, then begins moving in the direction they headed eyes open waiting for trouble.
Climb 16+8=24 Search 18+3=21 Jump 14+8=22 Spot 11+3=14
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The Lord of Blades
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Ero Sennin
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Jan 20, 2010 13:55:52 GMT -5
-His face does not seem to be one of shock. -The swords all bear the symbol on their pommels that was on the right shoulder of the iron defenders. -The others WILL hear the whistling and can respond. -A more detailed post will come when others have had a chance to post.
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Kiirnodel
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Post by Kiirnodel on Jan 20, 2010 14:40:38 GMT -5
Deian continues in the direction he has been following the metal beasts, attempting to catch a glimpse of them should an opening appear.
Spot: 19 + 6 = 25 Listen: 7 + 6 = 13
In response to the others, he will try to whistle like a bird, trying not to alert his foes while informing the others of their direction so that they may follow.
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