[Asydia] Humble Beginnings — Legacy Forums

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#241

"Well now, we can't Tar-Sul have his share either, can we now? Hey, come back!"

This would be awkward.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#242

Tar-Sul, who by this time had left the cave mouth and had begun to wander off into the swamps, turned around with a questioning look on his face. It was at this point that, in a sudden flurry of motion, that someone dropped from a tree and landed with a splatter of mud and water directly behind Tar-Sul. He shouted in surprise and shock, and spun around to see who the mystery guest was.

"Why in the name of Moa-Moa did you release those panthers?" Shouted Tamyra. "They scared half to death!"

Her fury subsiding, she sheathed the two daggers she had been clutching and swiped some of the mud off herself.

"I see you found Tar-Sul," she continue, her fury subsiding. "Did you find his chest?"

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#243

"I'd say 'an answer for an answer' would be a rather fair trade here, wouldn't it?" Sigurd approached Tamyra, playing up the air of brashness that Sen-Rabbim came to expect of his people.

"First of all, you suddenly speak of a chest - which was not mentioned before. Are you perchance more deeply involved, more than a well-meaning ranger and protector of her people should be?"
His gaze locked with Tamyra, he came closer.
"It is true that Tar-Sul bragged about treasure, but you seem to know more of it than even he did. The orc also had a few choice things to say..."
She didn't have to know these things were mostly pompous posturing and a blood-choked gurgling.

"So, where is the truth? Only that will coax the truth about the chest's fate from our lips. As you see, we do not have it with us."
The contents are a different matter, but the box was left back in Korky's lair.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#244

"And how, perchance, do you know about the panthers?"

If she reaches for her now sheathed daggers, she will earn a crossbow bolt for her efforts - our weapons are ready - we were expecting an ambush.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#245

"I know about the panthers because of logic. You do know what logic is, right?" said Tamyra to Nim. "You four went in, and four panthers came out. Korkarr had some panther pets, therefore I assumed you four- well, five, now, you five killed Korkarr and then developed a compassionate side concerning the panthers. Does that satisfy you?" She ended sarcastically.

"And as for you, Sir Knight, perhaps it would be best for Demy-Sefrab to explain, though yes, I am more 'deeply involved' than the typical Werstonian. He is back at Werstone, so unless you all have more questions, we need to leave. We have a lot of ground to cover, especially through swamp land, and I would prefer to be back by noon when the mosquitoes truly start to come out."

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#246

"Of course, lead on Tamyra." Zelas grinned and bowed, but secretly wished he had prepared charm person. He didn't know how long she would stay an ally and it troubled him, the possibillity of seeing her die, though she wasn't the most friendly of women. Oh well, it wouldn't come to that if he had anything to do with it.

He dropped back and walked next to Nim. He bent his head and spoke quietly to her.

"I trust you'll have the sleep spell ready when trouble no doubt arises."

He gave her a nod, and focused on the path ahead. Lousy swamp-lands, he thought as he trodded on.

My standing order is still in effect, once I see a bunch of armed people I cast mage armor.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#247

The motley group of seven set off through the morning swamps. Tamyra led them, her head swiveling constantly to lead them true and not to guide them into a pit trap. The five party members who had done the fighting and the heroism within the caves came next, with Sigurd, as team leader, in the lead, as was the duty of any valiant captain. And Tar-Sul lagged behind, always a few feet back. He may have grown in Werstone, but he had never been one to make his home among the woods as Tamyra had.

The ground squelched and spat back mud at the group, and soon they were covered in the wet. But then, mud was not the sole danger the swamp offered. Sometimes, the Muck provided a threat much larger than mere mud.

*****

Water on scales. Beating of tail. Forward. Sniff. Sniff. Prey. Attack Prey, me? Yes, myself. Attack. Stealth. Creep. Look. Seven Preys, me. Which Prey to kill? Separate Prey, myself. Weak Prey, myself. That prey.

Wait. Wait in water. Wait for Prey. Soon no Hunger. Soon no Prey, too.

Water on scales. Wait to kill. Wait to attack.

*****

Nim was the first to see the monster, but she still saw it far to late to do something. One moment there was naught but a still pool of water that they were passing; the next, a monstrous roar and an eruption of water as something green charged out of the pond. Tar-Sul screamed in fright.

A two-headed crocodile had just charged from the water directly at Tar-Sul. It lunged, and with each head bit into one of Tar-Sul's arms, and then it ripped as Tar-Sul screamed again.

His arms left the shoulders as easily as taking a stick from a pool of water. A spurt of blood, and then the beast fell back to the ground. Tar-Sul looked down at the beast, and then at each of his arms- or as the case now was, his stubs, and then ran, simply turned and ran as fast as he could go into the swamps, water splashing and mud flying as he half sprinted, half staggered off into the Muck. To die either of blood loss or by predator.

The monstrosity turned towards the rest of the group, made six from seven, and almost smiled as it began its attack.

OOC: In other words, roll initiative! Croc gets an 8, Tamyra a 12. And I rolled perceptions for each of you, and you all failed (croc gets +13 to stealth in water). Nim, though, was 1 off, which was why she got a special mention.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#248

Initiative 12. I guess I go before the crocodile.
"Ever thought of draining this swamp? Or, all swamps? Seems like a worthy endeavour, ever more so every minute!"

Sigurd stepped in front of the crocodile, and prodded the amulet with a thought.
"Hey, scale-butt. Bad idea, killing that peasant. Prepare to die!"

Rolled 18, 22 to hit, 11 damage, eat sword. Taunting the critter for all it's worth.

The blood-stained blade trailing through the air, he elucidated further: "Peasants are vital to any feudal economy, fool!"
He wondered how his pondering on economy, led in crocodile, would sound to the others - or whether the reptile saw the error of its ways once he struck it, or after he explained?

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#249

Nim immediately put a tree between herself and the _thing_, and fired her crossbow at the thing....

Minion: valadaar rolls 1d20 and gets 17. - good init roll!
Now, for xbow..
(09:36:41) Minion: valadaar rolls 1d20 and gets 14 (+3 for dex), so hit AC 17.
Hmm, maybe a hit.
(09:39:27) Minion: valadaar rolls 1d8 and gets 4.
So 4 points if AC of 17 or less

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#250

Initiative 13 +2

"I really, really hate this swamp!" Zelas yelled as he like Nim made a beeline for a closeby tree. He peeked out and started casting.

Acid dart, 14 +5 (ranged touch) damage, 3+1. Ignores spell resistance.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#251

The crocodile roared with pain as sword and quarrel and spell bit into its flesh. Tamyra cursed vibrantly and brought out her two daggers again, deciding to leave the bow on her back where it was. She charged the beast, and tried to plant both of her daggers into it, but it evaded her at the crucial moment.

The beast turned to Tamyra, ignoring the fool human who chose to taunt it momentarily, and launched an attack of its own. It, with both heads, charged her and bite her, holding her within its mouth. Tamyra gritted her teeth as its jaw tightened and her blood started dripping past her light armor.

Then, with almost a haughty flick of its tail, it tried to trip Sigurd. With a flash of green, its tail, though Sigurd tried in vain to jump out of the way in time, connected with the Knight's feet. He fell into the pond with a mighty spray of water.

Edited from original. I mistook the trip rules. I deeply apologize.

Sigurd is now prone. -4 penalty to melee attacks, standing provokes Attack of Opportunity from Croc.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#252

Duxo finally snapped out of his state of bewilderment thrust upon him by seeing a two-headed crocodile. Drawing his knives he made his way to the opposite side of the beast as the babbling knight and proceeded to attempt to carve out it's liver, assuming it had one.

Right hand, left hand, repeat.
09:59:07) Minion: Pariah rolls 1d20 and gets 18.
(09:59:12) Minion: Pariah rolls 1d20 and gets 6.
(09:59:40) Minion: Pariah rolls 1d4 and gets 1.
(09:59:44) Minion: Pariah rolls 1d4 and gets 2.
(09:59:59) Minion: Pariah rolls 1d6 and gets 5.
(10:00:06) Minion: Pariah rolls 1d6 and gets 5.
Right:
To hit: 18+3 (str)-2(twf)+2(flank)=21. (Unless this thing is made of rock I'm assuming it hits)
Dmg: 1+3+5=9
Left:6+3=9 (Probably not, but I can dream, right?)
Dmg: 2+1+5=8

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#253

From behind the relative safety of the tree, Nim drew upon her elemental powers and sent a beam of heat towards to the croc-thing:

(10:43:22) Minion: valadaar rolls 1d20 and gets 20.
(10:43:31) Minion: valadaar rolls 1d20 and gets 8. (Touch AC for croc is 10, and Nims Dex bonus means crit is good.
(10:51:42) Minion: valadaar rolls 1d6 and gets 2.
Sigh, 4 points.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#254

Duxo slahed wildly at the croc, unfurtunately his knives bounced harmlessly off of the monstrous animal's hide.

13:14:43) Minion: Pariah rolls 1d20 and gets 6. (9 to hit)
(13:14:47) Minion: Pariah rolls 1d20 and gets 3. (6 to hit)

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#255

Auxzali screamed at the top of his lungs as he wildly charged the two-headed Crocodile beast. He stabbed at the monstrosity with his Ouzala, the razorsharp weapon whipping out of the swamp and towards the swamp fiend.

(22:00:07) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d20 and gets 8.
(22:00:11) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d10 and gets 10.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#256

From behind his hiding Place, Zelas looked on in surprise as Auxzali ran up to the beast, causing no small shame in the glass man hiding, he cast his acid spell again to cover his friend's charge.

Acid dart again, ranged touch 19+5 to hit, 1+1 damage....crap.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#257

Briefly vanishing below the surface of the brackish water, Sigurd popped up, sputtering, his tabard a pretty solid brown now.
"If you thought to make me like your swamp by giving me a taste, you were mistaken!" he added, not bothering to translate into crocodile. Not that talking to the beasts of this swamp had any effect! Swords were far superior of a communication channel.

He used his shield as support to lurch forth from the muck, and continued to use his sword to communicate with the two-headed beast. Perhaps it would listen then!
17 to hit, 4 damage if I hit. Enjoy!
If the blighter wants to be a biter, he can do some biting now, attack of opportunity because Sigurd stood up.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#258

Nim's spell bit deep into the monstrosity, leaving its mark in the head of the beast. Then came Duxo and Auxzali, and though brave, proved to be less of a shot than Nim, as both missed as the croc shifted its weight in just the wrong moment.

As Sigurd rose from the water, the crocodile tried, with its non-Tamyra filled mouth, to take a bite out of the knight, though wounds and scorch marks covered its body. Its mouth closed around Sigurd, and bite past his formidable armor.

five damage from AOO

Then came the knight's sword crashing down upon the beast. Its scales proved to be easily split, and the weapon bite deep. The crocodile roared in pain, but the sounds soon died off, with blood replacing noise, and then it was still.

It seemed almost peaceful, in death. That is, until Tamyra, with a brutal push, ripped the crocodile's mouth open, and rolled out of it. She swiped blood and bodily fluids off of her after standing, and looking at the group, said: "You saved my life. I am in your debt."

She sighed, and looked out over the swamps in the direction that Tar-Sul had fled, and sighed. "He will be missed. Tar-Sul was, though a bit of a nobody, a part of Werstone."

If you guys want to heal up or search the corpse or something, be my guest. Tamyra will resume guiding all of you as soon as one of you heads off.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#259

"Glad to be of service, Tamyra. It's in my culture - we can't resist saving a damsel, no matter how sassy. Some would say 'the sassier the better', actually."
Then, he sat down on the nearest dry piece of ground, the pain from the bite setting in.
"I would not mind if someone took a look at this, though. These days, everything wants a piece of me - rats, cats, crocodiles."

While he removed the clothes to look at the wound, he pointed with his sword towards the blood-stained corpse.

"Zelas, you denied me the fur of the panthers, so I ask - can anyone skin this critter? My knightly brothers will surely mock me if I return without something once-formidable draped across my shoulders!"

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#260

Zelas stepped out and scratched his neck, feeling somewhat embarrased. He joined up with the others and held out his foot at the croc (but well away from his mouth). Comparing his sandals with the hide of the beast. He looked up as Sigurd addressed him and grinned.

"Surely there was more sport in laying low this two-headed beast than to stab at helpless kittens, ser knight."

He scratched his chin in thought.

"I lay no claims at expertise in skinning, but I could try my luck if we have noone better."

Only +2 in Survival, and I rolled an 11(feel free to stay my hand if someone has better survival skills).

At that, he stabbed the beast in both necks one time each with his ouzala.

"Hrmm, I am not touching the thing unless I know it to be dead for sure." He explained and then bent down to work.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#261

Auxzali kept to the back, a bit shameful of his poor fighting skills. Saying nothing he listened in on the dialogue.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#262

Sorry I took so long. Assuming nothing more: let's get to the good stuff! :twisted:

Zelas' skills at skinning were not the best, nor was an ouzala the best tool for the job. He made some errors, but in the end managed to gain some salvageable skins. With his close contact with the croc, he noticed a tag attached to both right ears of the croc, the most complete of which read "Subject 27- if found, return to..." The rest of which was either faded or ripped off both.

you get two croc skins for your trouble, worth 30 gp each.

Tamyra waited for them to finish administering and resting from the combat, and then waved them on, the weight of debt burdening her as she trudged on. The swamp proved to be difficult on their musceles, though they could tell that the place where they fought the croc was more than halfway.

Though they kept their eyes out for other such beasts, no new threats emerged. Except for that one time where Nim startled a bird with an errant footstep, but it flew off, with an almost accusatory glare at the sorceress, the swamp was silent.

***

They did indeed arrive at Werstone around noon. The sun glared down at them oppresively as the tracked mud and swamp-plants down the city streets. Still suspicious of Tamyra and the Werstonians, they kept their eyes out for ambush, but all was silent. Indeed, almost too silent- they saw not a soul as they trudged down the streets, except for the odd glance of a child's face pressed against a window.

They quickly came upon the town square and Demy-Sefrab, who stood alone and was pacing in impatience. When he saw them, he paused, and took an almost half-step towards them, before stopping and waiting for them to approach.

When they stood before him, in easy talking range, he blurted out "did you get it? Did you get the chest?" And then, almost as an afterthought, he added "and where is Tar-Sul?"

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#263

Nim sighed again, taking a deep breath. "I believe you asked us to find Tar-Sul? Apparently that was not as important as it seemed."

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#264

Demy-Sefrab sighed deeply, and rolled his eyes. "Look," he said, exasperated. "I would really like some answers right about now. Tami, do you have any such answers, as they seem less than helpful in that regard?"

"Tar-Sul is dead," Tamyra responded. "A two-headed crocodile took a bite out of him as we returned, and he fled in terror. The swamp has him now. As for the chest, they refused to tell me as well, saying that they wanted answers of their own before they responded to our questions. I figured it'd be best if you told them what had occurred. Now, if you will excuse me, I shall go scout, to see if they're here yet, to see how much time we have."

Tamyra disappeared into the town, heading down South Street, lightly jogging, as Demy-Sefrab turned to the rest of them.

"You want to know what happened, then? Aye, I have answers for you. I hope you'll tell me your side of the story after I tell you mine," Demy-Sefrab began. "I sent you to get Tar-Sul to get the chest, which I hope to Ilaxas you found. But that is the middle of this sorry affair, and I should start at the beginning. Abdul-il-Weli came to town about a week ago. Nice chap, for a tax collector. It is that time of the year again, and it is time for our tribute for the Khira to be taken to Gamma-Sol. So, as usual, I presented Abdul with the list of all the taxes the citizens owed the Khira, and he went and got them all. With the help of his guards, of course.

A curious thumping noise, a regular One-Two, One-Two beat to it, started to be heard by the group. It was faint, however, and issued from the north, if the street signs were accurate in their names.

"Abdul was taking the tribute in the chest that I hope you found when he got ambushed by the bandits you went to kill. I know not the particulars, I just know that Tamyra found the bloody scene, and could not find the tribute-chest. I thought all was lost, that we as a town would be enslaved by the Khira for missing a payment when I heard that Tar-Sul had found the chest in the bar. I sent Tamyra to go get the chest from Tar-Sul, which was when I found he had been kidnapped."

The thumping sound grew louder and louder, interrupted by a momentary scream and the banging of a violently closed door.

"If you found the chest, please hand it over. I have the 500 gold I promised you in my home- I may have cheated on Werstone's taxes so that it could prosper as it deserved. All I care about is the good of this town, and it sounds like the R-"

And they were there. A platoon of the Royal Guards, resplendent in their gator-hide armor, stood at the opposite end of North Road. A look of fear, absolute fear, took over Demy-Sefrab's face for a moment, before he whispered under his breath to the party, "I am so sorry about it this."

And backing away from the five, he pointed and shouted at them, "It is they! They ambushed the tax-collector! They stole Werstone's tribute! They robbed the Khira! It is them!"

At the head of the Royal Guard, the Lieutenant removed a bugle, and raising it to his lips, sounded the call to charge.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#265

"The good thing is, I guess we can keep the money" Sigurd noted bluntly.
"These men are not ones to talk nor listen to reason" he whispered to his compatriots. "Nim, make me big again, please. And when I run, run." Nim Enlarge me please, more fun that way!

He stepped, out in the middle of the street, and bellowed: "Treacherous Sen-Rabbim scum, your lives are forfeit! Send my regards to your bitch-king!" while loosening the straps on his tower shield, and hurling it like the mountain giant he resembled against the front rank of the advancing guardsmen.
The massive plank of armored wood caught the sun's rays, and the gazes of henchmen - before descending upon them like an avalanche of well-deserved judgment!

Bluff 28!!! to catch them off-guard, to topple them with the hurled shield, have a few of the others stumble over them, to delay them and facilitate our escape. If you want, I can spend my daily use of Smite to add to the oomph!

"Discretion is the better part of valor!" Sigurd added nonchalantly as he sped off back into the Muck, northward. Sooner or later, it would be too cold for the villains to follow.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#266

Nim did not hesitate with either the spell, or the running.

There would be an accounting for this, she promised herself.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#267

Duxo, not even waiting for the knight to finish throwing his shield, took off running from the guards. "DEMY-SEFRAB YOU WILL DIE BY MY HAND!"

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#268

Zelas held no illusions about winning against an army, and it would certainly seem like the time for talking was past. Once again the sen-rabbi proved to be a treacherous lot. He swung around, his clothes billowing and ran while yelling at the others. "I'll find you later!"

He darted away from the town proper, towards the muck that held Rowa-Hyn's shack. Once there, he did not slow and barged in without knocking, yelling. "Where is the child?! Give her to me, quick!" His panicked eyes darted all over, searching.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#269

While Nim cast his spell on Sigurd, Auxzali started chanting, calling upon the powers of the divine. The Barekan nervously eyed the storming guards. Suddenly a deep mist rolled from the ground and as Sigurd's shield slammed into the charging guardsmen the enemies quickly disappeared in the divine fog.

Then Auxzali took Sigurd by the sleeve and shouted "follow me!".

The Barekan charged after the others, hoping the mist would obscure them.

OOC: Obscuring Mist

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#270

The lieutenant of the Guard managed to dodge the massive shield of Sigurd, but his men were not so lucky; the first three ranks toppled like dominoes. Efforts to move the shield were sadly not implemented; the guard, due to their callous lieutenant's repeated bugle call to charge, simple sprinted over the massive shield, using its slightly convex nature as a bridge to get over their comrades.

Of course, the five companions were all ready running, with a mist covering their heels. The mist, sadly, proved less of a deterrent than one could hope- the Guard could still hear, and Sigurd's massive feet similarly provided massive thumps as they connected with the ground. Still, they did charge less quickly, and more hesitantly, and the party gained ground.

The town, with its lack of citizens blocking the way, was easy to navigate, and they followed Zelas to Rowa-Hyn's dwelling, Sigurd reaching his normal size before doing so. Fear clouding her eyes, she quickly handed the baby over to Zelas, and retreated into a corner as they left through the backdoor.

And then they reached a road, feet pounding the dirt, with the Guard solidly behind them. The road continued until they reached a stream, and they could see three ways of crossing it: a bridge a little downstream, where the stream was narrower: a path allowed easy access to the bridge and back to the road. Or they could swim across, or jump across.

Guard started 30 feet behind them, and now are 60 feet behind you, due to the shield and mist. As for the current challenge, going to the bridge will allow the guard to get closer, but much less so than it would if you failed your swim check or acrobatics check to swim or jump across the stream. Swim check if swimming, acrobatics check if jumping.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#271

With the baby all bundled up on his back again, Zelas made for the bridge. It probably wasn't the best time to have retrieved her, but he doubted a better time would have presented itself, and after all he had witnessed from the sen-rabbi, he'd be d**ned if he was gonna let them raise the girl. A ouzquin she had been born, and an ouzquin she would stay.

Zelas stopped at the far side of the bridge and turned around, waiting for everyone to cross he started chanting.

Readying a spell, as soon as everyone else crosses, I'm casting Burning Hands on the bridge, I shouldn't even need a roll for that, no?

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#272

Auxzali spotted Zelas in front of him and followed his old friend across the bridge.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#273

There was no sense in hurrying ahead and leaving the sandmen with the child behind.
Instead, as they were crossing the bridge, Sigurd snapped the chest that had held the platinum from the baggage, and hurled it into the river, so rich in mud, bacteria and crocodiles.

"Your money is stupid anyways, Sen-Rabbim!" he yelled as the box glistened briefly in the sun before vanishing below the water.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#274

Nim and Duxo as well hurried across the wood bridge, and Zelas with a few words of incantation set the thing ablaze, and then the group hurried off, back to the main road. The royal guard reached the stream just in time to see the ashes get swept past them, but the wasted no time in jumping over the stream. Though a couple ended up further downstream, the majority forded it with ease, and the chase was back on.

The party once again came to another obstruction in the road: a hill. The group could see the road turned left here, to find a more gentle slope, but those who quickly glanced behind them considered the closeness of the Royal Guard thought about the risks of taking even more time out of the mere moments they had left. They also noticed the archers of the Royal Guard drawing their bows in preparation for when they got close enough.

Assuming Nim and Duxo go across the bridge as well.
Anyway, Royal Guard is now 50 feet behind them. I won't tell you what distance they'll begin firing at you at, but you're getting close! Anyway, next obstacle: either roll a climb check, or go around the long way and lose more distance, but less if you fail the climb check. As always, your choice!

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#275

"Holiness, we are followed by nimble bowmonkeys that notch their arrows and gain ground even as I run at full speed!"

The Barekan ran as fast as he could. He quickly decided against climbing up the hill. He had never been any good at climbing, and would surely be arrow-fodder if he attempted doing so.

But suddenly he noticed an old, rotten rope hanging down the hillside. Quickly changing course, Auxzali started ascending the hill, using the rope.

Base Climb: +3, unknown adjustment for the rope.
(19:13:42) Minion: Ancient_Gamer triller 1d20 og får 14.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#276

Despite the condition of the rope, it presented as good a chance as Zelas could hope for. But doubts or no doubts, he even surprised himself as he scaled the rope with ease, despite the baby on his back.

Rolled a 20, real waste of a crit...

At the top he handed the baby to Auxzali and bent down to help anyone else coming after.

14 for Aid Another, that's a +2 for anyone climbing.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#277

"Verily, bowmonkeys with hornets up their behinds! But at this speed, they'll wear out soon!"
Sigurd did notice the rope, he also noticed that it was worn, two had already climbed it leaving it far more frayed than previously, and most importantly, he wasn't the smallest boy around.

So, he took the hill.
+3 to climb due to STR, +2 from Zelas, 11 total.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#278

Nim took Zelas's hand and climbed up the rope. She had thoughts on what to do next.

19 on dice, looks good. Dex is +3, so 22.

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#279

Duxo as well climbed the hill, shirking the fraying strands of the rope. All of them proved successful in their climb, and soon were off again. It seemed, for those who glanced behind them for a moment, that it was good that Duxo took the hill and shirked the rope, for when a Royal Guardsmen got halfway up it, the rope snapped, and his flailing arms failed to grab at the hill to stop his descent. Alas, the tumbling soldier failed to disrupt most of the other climbers, and the chase was once again on.

The hill itself was a short one, with a very short crest. The running group came to a bridge, walled and made of stone, connecting the tops of two hills. A quick glance beneath it revealed a dense swampland and mudpit: no doubt why the builder chose to build here.

Halfway across the bridge, they could see something that was very... Misfortunate. A traveler, on top of a cart pulled by a donkey, was blocking the road, leaving small spaces on either side for others to use, impractical for those at full speed.

Upon seeing the five runners, and especially the Royal Guard, the traveler looked in terror and cracked his whip, anxious to get the donkey moving faster. The donkey, however, was in no rush, and kept plodding along at the same speed no matter how much the whip cracked.

Seeing no response, Duxo climbs the hill.
As you all took the faster route, RG is still 50 feet behind you. As for the current obstacle, get past it as you please! I can see a variety of ways to get part it: let us see if you pick a good one!

Re: [Asydia] Humble Beginnings

#280

"You got to be kidding me!", Auxzali moaned as he saw the bridge and the slow moving mule. He then raced after the cart, climbed aboard it, and tried to run across it, landing beside the mule and continuing forwards.
OOC: Skill check. If it is about rolling below dex, I actually managed it.
(07:28:04) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d20 and gets 8.