[Game] 1.01 - Shockrise Fens

[dither]

GM
You find yourselves in a marsh called the Shockrise Fens. This region is known primarily for families of Shocker Lizards, and Will O' Wisps that lead unwary travelers to their deaths.

The sun is high overhead and a thick steam is rising off the marsh, reducing visibility to a few hundred feet. Thick patches of reeds impede your passage, and where ground gives way to mud and water -- a single misstep threatens to swallow you whole.

Nearby you can hear the sound of running water, likely a river cutting through the marsh. In the distance you can see the outline of a ruined tower.

What will you do?

<campaign progress>

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PCs
Bridgar
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GM
(No Listen check needed.)
As if in response, you hear rustling in the reeds coming from the direction of the water.

Half-orc mercs reporting a couple lizardfolk (estimate 3) coming through the reeds.

Looks to be an armed patrol but they're making a lot of noise so they aren't trying to be stealthy.
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PCs
MyPoyo
bridgar
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GM
As predicted, three lizardfolk come tramping out of the reeds.

The half-orcs draw weapons (battleaxes greatclubs) and position themselves between the lizardfolk and the rest of the party.

Each of the lizardfolk is carrying a heavy shield and a spear, and is notable for a knot of blue, rope-like tendrils protruding from just under their chins.

(Neckbeard clan?)

The lizardfolk stop at the edge of the reed line, and rattle their weapons and shields.

They call out to you in draconian (language check, lol):

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Draconian: "Who are you and what do you want?"

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PCs
Rikimaru
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GM
((Since no one called out to the lizardfolk or attacked them... and either readied actions or ordered 'to attack if hostile,' I'm going to interpret that as waiting and watching, which the lizardfolk are now responding to.))

...

The blue neckbeard lizardfolk shake their weapons and shields at you. The one in the middle calls out again in draconian.

(language check)

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Draconian: "Stay away from our village or we'll kill you."

After shouting at you, two of them retreat back into the reeds while the third stares at you. The following round, the third lizardfolk follows them into the reeds.

[samnemath]

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Can we rewind to before they threatened us, as I didn't have a chance to act before you posted?

Seeing that nobody moves forward to answer the lizardfolk, Azureus decides to intervene, and addresses them in Dragonic.

"Greetings honored friends! We are simple, wearied, travelers. We had lost our way in these mists, when we noticed the tower. We were heading there, in hopes of finding help, when you approached us. Can you advise us on were we can seek assistance?"

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Rolled 1d20+3 : 20 + 3, total 23

[dither]

((Sure we can rewind a bit -- I reserve the right to deny requests, but this will make things more interesting. We're going to call this a "rushed" Diplomacy but I'll give you a circumstance bonus for addressing them in Draconic, which they were certainly not expecting. They were initially "unfriendly" but are now "indifferent" toward you.

If you can keep them talking, entertain them, or offer them a gift, I'll let you make further Diplomacy checks to improve their attitude.))

---

The third lizardfolk pauses, turns back to look at you with what passes for surprise on its reptilian face, and hisses something (nonverbal) to his companions, who reemerge from the reeds.

The lizardfolk replies in Draconian:

(language check)

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Draconian: "There is no help for lost travelers in the Shockrise. No help at the tower."

The creatures seem anxious, but they aren't shaking their weapons at you anymore.

[samnemath]

Azureus whispers to his companions: "Do any of you have something these will appreciate?"

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"That is unfortunate. I would like to ask you what awaits us in the tower, or how we can reach human lands, but first please accept this gift as token of our appreciation"

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"That is unfortunate. Can I ask you what awaits us in the tower, or how we can reach human lands?

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Rolled 1d20+3 : 3 + 3, total 6

[/quote]

[bridgar]

"Uhhhhhh. I wish I had something to offer but I've got nothing," Grim responds. "What's going on, anyway? They're armed and hissing- never a good sign"

[McPoyo]

"do we need to take their threat before it actually becomes one?"

[dither]

((A gift wouldn't necessarily alter this answer -- but would make them more open to attitude/disposition manipulation. If anyone thinks of anything, they're welcome to contribute it -- I'll just fill in whatever details may be lost after the fact.))

---

The lizardfolk replies in Draconian:

(language check)

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Draconian: "Nothing living goes near the tower. Nothing living comes out of the tower."

The lizardfolk makes a sweeping gesture at you and your group, tosses its head back, and points in the direction of the tower.

It continues in Draconian:

(language check)

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Draconian: "You must truly be lost. Human lands lie beyond the tower. But you should take a long path around."

The creature in the center makes dramatic motions with its arms. One of the others ("twitchy?") flicks its tail back and tugs at its neck tendrils anxiously.

[samnemath]

In Draconic:

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"Thank you dear friends for your advice and assistance. One last thing, would we be welcome in your village for rest and trading? If not, could you at least point your villages direction, so we can avoid it?"

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Rolled 1d20+3 : 6 + 3, total 9

[/quote]

[bridgar]

"Hello? We're your fellow non-lizard-shits... Fill us in, please."

[samnemath]

Azureus rolls his eyes, at the, distastefully base, comment of his teammate, and whispers.

"I have averted a possible conflict and now try to extract information from them. I will, recount everything once they leave Grim."

[bridgar]

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Spot check for any purses, pouches, or bags on the lizardfolk:

Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19

If you think that a search check is more warranted, add 1 but I don't really think it's a search.

"Look, there's many more of us than them," Grim whispers back. "Just kill them before more come."

If the spot check turns up anything

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"Look, they're carrying their belongings, don't you want to see if they have anything of value? The whole reason I'm out here is to get some money for my family and I'd like not to trek too far into this dump."

[dither]

((Going to call this here so the non-draconian speakers can do stuff. Attack, or don't. Follow, or don't. Track, or don't. Make knowledge checks, or whatever it is your characters are good at.))

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Grim's spot check (DC 10):

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Apart from the tribal weapon/heavy "reed" shields the lizardfolk are carrying, they appear to be running light which suggests that their village is very close by. One of their spears looks to be of exceptional (masterwork) quality, another is carrying some sturdy-looking rope, and the third has a pouch (possibly as talisman) hanging around its neck.

Additionally, you recall a bounty for Shocker Lizard tails that may or may not extend to lizardfolk.

The creature clicks its tongue and gestures to the others to leave.

In Draconian:

(language check)

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Draconian: "You can only reach our village by water, and you have no boat. I do not think you will have a hard time avoiding it. I think you travelers should leave the marsh quickly to avoid incident."

The three lizardfolk turn to melt back into the reeds.

[Rikimaru]

Whispers: I agree with grim on this fact. We do have the upper hand at this point.

[McPoyo]

"Charles" makes a subtle motion to his mercenaries when the lizardfolk turn to leave, slipping his spear free from his back to attack.

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surprise round: mercs attack, I draw my weapon.
If it's a full round, then I Entangling Ectoplasm one.

I should have my character posted in the morning. Phone is dying and work was too crazy today to get anything posted.

[samnemath]

"I am allied with savages...shortsighted savages" Azureus mumbles.

Resigned to the inevitability of battle, Azureus prepares himself as he speaks "Guys, we have no visibility, so we don't know if there are others around. Even if there are no others, these will be missed, and in an already dangerous area we will have added lizardmen on the list. All for the purpose of getting a fancy spear. Let's be reasonable here."

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Rolled 1d20+6 : 20 + 6, total 26

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Before battle starts, he makes sure he is about 30ft from the lizardmen

[McPoyo]

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Initiative: 1d20+2=11.
Entangling Ectoplasm: 1d20=3. Well, that's a great start to my combat round.

"Less the spear, more our presence."

[samnemath]

Azureus thrusts the scroll he is holding towards the Lizardman with the fancy spear.

As it unfolds, the words written on it start to glow brighter and brighter until they erupt from the scroll. Each word a miniature missile, converging to the lizardman like a swarm of angry hornets.

[dither]

Initiative order (m indicates monster initiative)

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26 - scholar


19 - trip fighter

19m - Talky McSpear


12m - Talismander

11a - Ninja

11b - Wilder
"Battleax" Merc A
"Overbite" Merc B


4m - Twitchy the Rope

((This is a draft of the first round, while we give the other players some time to add their initiative to the mix and declare some actions. I'll start resolving actions in order, trying to "interpret" as little as possible. In the event of a significant divergence from your intentions, I will pull from your dice rolls and reference your character sheets to try and come up with the "next best action." I'm not dumb and I won't treat your PCs as dumb either -- but I might not pick what you would have picked.))

((While you can't change the consequences of a particular action, you can change whatever alternate action I've assigned to you right up until I post the next round's worth of action resolutions. Time is of the essence here... please refrain from asking me for too many do-overs on these. I'm doing my best to kill you, not screw you.))

Round 1 (Draft)

When Diplomacy fails...

Azureus the scholar (26) unleashes his attack (standard) on Talky McFancyspear, striking the lizardfolk dead on the spot. ((Deader than dead at -10 hp.))
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Grim the trip-fighter (19) attempts to advance within striking distance (move) but fails to notice a hidden snare and becomes entangled. Unable to break free immediately (requires full-round action), he readies an attack against the first lizardfolk to approach. ((I used your first attack roll for the Spot check.))
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The Talismander (12m) starts at the sight of his ally falling to an overwhelming display of magical power and immediately seeks cover from the reeds (move).

Listen check (DC 15)

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Listen: To hear the splash of the lizardfolk submerging after disappearing into the reeds.

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The Ninja (11a) advances past the half-orcs and ensnared Grim, carefully avoiding a second snare (move) -- which he points out to the mercs -- retrieves a shuriken, and throws it (standard) at the remaining lizardfolk, Twitchy (hit; 9 damage). ((I used your first attack for the Spot check.))

Twitchy cries out in surprise.
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Charles the wilder (11b) signals to his mercenaries to close in and finish the lizardfolk (free), and hurls a glob of extoplasm (standard) at Twitchy. The goo fails to bond the lizardfolk.

Battleaxe and Overbite approach to flank the wounded lizardfolk (move). While Battleaxe distracts the creature with a blow (standard) reflected off its shield, Overbite lands a crushing blow (standard) on the creature's head (11 damage), rendering Twitchy unconscious ((-9 hp)).

Battleaxe lets out a whoop.

[McPoyo]

Seeing that no one appears to see where the third lizardfolk went, Charles  pulls a two inch amber crystal from around his neck and tosses it into the reeds where the lizardfolk disappeared. A momentary flash of light shines in his eyes, reflected in the crystal as it disappears into the reeds, and everyone watching would swear it turned into a spider as it splashed into the water.

[dither]

...everyone watching would swear it turned into a spider as it splashed into the water.

What The Psicrystal Saw...

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Charles's "nimble" psicrytal easily picks its way through the reeds and locates the place where the Talismander disappeared.

Being the physically unimposing, fist-sized walking personality disorder that it is... it's quickly overpowered by a swift current and pulled 20 feet away from its owner, toward the river (and will continue to move 20 feet per round).

In that short time, it becomes telepathically aware of a panoply of marsh life -- fish, amphibians, invertebrates, vermin eggs, and animate plants -- most of which are diminutive or tiny, and largely uninterested in its presence.

Though it cannot immediately detect the presence of the lizardfolk, the current is one way and it's likely the creature used its Swim speed to travel on ahead.

((Potential problem ahead!))