Terrible Lizard

NAME: Terrible Lizard TYPE: Challenge, Kingdom PREREQUISITE: None MISSION LEVEL: 4 SLOTS: 6 DESCRIPTION: After a party identified a terrible lizard in this section of the world, they gave valuable information to the town. Agela posted a reward for its death but issued a caution. This creature killed two of our own! Only the most prepared should attempt this mission. Avenge their deaths and bring back the skull of this huge and terrible beast!

SETUP:   The party formed quickly .. knowing the danger.  Fighting an Allosaur was not going to be easy and if it didn't take out that anklyosaur they would take care of that too.  They were eager to avenge the death of their companions.  They gather in the evening around a table at the Silver Harp to plan their success, knowing this will be a significant challenge, and possibly the last thing they do.  The candle on the table burns lower as the evening wears on. Their glasses full of ale become emptied.  The ideas flow.

Kellen leans forward in his chair, holding tight to his cup of tea. He was nervous, but if issachar's plan worked out, they would destroy a menace to the town, and avenge their fallen friends.

I feel really confident about this plan.   Issachar bangs his 4th flagon of ale on the table!   We will get that dino or die trying!!

"preferably the first one. i still havent been able to convince the laborers i hired to come out and help dig..."  Kellen looks exhausted.

Eilife returns to the table from the bar with a mug. "Perhaps that's because they are sane."

"Are you saying were not? I happen to be quite sane, thank you very much."  He looks over his list of things-to-get again

"I'm not so sure we are. Your confidence is inspiring, however." Eilife lets a wry smirk creep about her lips before she takes a swig from her mug.

" i wouldn't call it....confidence, but this is the first time we've actually gone anywhere with a plan in mind. I just hope we can pull it off."  Kellen folds up his papers neatly. "if we can get some alchemist fires from agela that should help us bring down the beast, and we might just fill the pit with lamp oil while were at it."

You  lookin' to build a pit for that Dino?  A voice came from the bar.  A rugged lumberjack turned and looked at the party.  He spoke with a draw but despite his clothing looked like one of the most fair and beautiful creatures put on this planet.  His filthy clothes and lumberjack gear stood in stark contrast to his perfect smile and glowing skin.  I gots a team that'll do it fer you, no doubt bout it .. if you got the funds and goods to back em.  Mind if take a chair and we can discuss the details.  Name's Thebez .. but my friends call me LB.  

Pull up a chair LB!   Issachar raises two fingers to the barmaid to indicate two more ales.   I'll wet your whistle while you tell us what you've got to offer.

LB quickly takes a seat and grabs a tall glass of mead that was just put down for someone else.  Ok .. now .. you gotta understand some things about digging a pit .. for a creature that size .. thats gotta be at least 20 feet wide and 30 feet deep I would say .. thats 4 times the normal size of a pit.  You don't want the creature to see it .. at least not too much so you will need to camouflage it as well.  If you were going to pay gold for such a task it would cost you hiring a team to do this about 10 gp per square foot by 5 feet deep and you are looking at 80 square by 30 ft deep or  .. or roughly 480gp.  LB pauses to take a long drink .. Plus this is dangerous .. and dangerous work is double .. so .. to dig a pit in Dino territory, especially one as nasty as that - would cost ya .. roughly 1000 gp worth of trade.  I know that's a lot.   LB thinks for a moment as if doing math in his head .. So we'd be willing to do it for half hazard pay as long as you offer to guarantee our protection.  LB looks deeply into their eyes .. Have you considered where to put this pit?  Even with my experienced crew .. It'd take a couple days at least .. and that depends on the rock me might hit.  You ever dug a pit mister? // OOC .. he will do the work for 720 gp or you can spend 24 labor and 240 gp for the hazard pay.  (Players can chip in to accomplish this or purchase labor (20 gp each)

Kellen looks at the others. " i can handle my portion, i dont know how long it would take us to do it alone..."

"A lot longer, I imagine. And we can't dig and remain vigilant at the same time."  Eilife looks up, slightly, toward the ceiling and is mouthing some words. She must be calculating what gold she has saved versus this endeavor. "I can spare my portion of the cost. Are we confident this plan will work?"

I feel certain the plan will work.  The terrain isn't too bad, rolling plains mainly.   Issachar looks intently at the lumberjack.  If you and your team dig the hole, we'll pay for the work, and we'll protect you. The first thing I want done is some 1 man bolt holes, big enough to climb in quickly, but small enough a dino can't get his head in.  If the dino comes early, you get in those.  We'll take the risk, because this creature is dangerous to our whole expedition.

Alright .. I'll get a crew together and meet you at first light .. You can lead the way to the spot you want.  We'll be haulin' a wagon of tools so we will probably be slow moving - but we'll get em done for ya.  LB takes a last draw of the mead . Half payment tomorrow then half again when we finish . .. then grabs the ale that the waitress brought and took that with him on the way out of the silver harp.  The bartender begins to stop him but waves the thought away knowing he will most likely see LB again in the morning, besides, it was LB who filled up their cask with pure alcohol last week by using his finger and the blessing of his deity.  

// I'm setting aside 240 for this since we haven't heard from Lyon. Hopefully he can also chip in so it costs us each closer to 180.

OK .. so these guys are going to work for you .. i need to know the exact details of what you want built and how and where (edge of territory, center of territory) (in the open plains, rocky outcropping, cluster of trees) .. How are you going to set up around the workers?  Etc.  then Kirby (since he seems to be the ring leader) should make me 3 percentile rolls

//OOC We want a hole, 20 ft diameter, 30 ft deep, just as LB suggested.  We will then put sharpened stakes inside, cover it with brush and limbs, and lay a fresh deer carcass on top.  We want several one man bolt holes about 10' outside the hole, just big enough for a person to get into quickly, but not big enough for a dino to get a head in. Those come first.  Kellen, Eliife, and Kizzak and I will stand watch on cardinal points (close to bolt holes) while the workers dig.  I will be weaving the covering at the same time, ready to drag it across quickly to cover them in the hole.   We want the hole in the best dirt close to the area the dino's were spotted. Percentile: 21 11 56

// I also wanted to ask how viable setting an alchemsist fire to go off when the trap fell

Tracking your way back to the location where Harold and Viggo met a tragic end, the party found a spot that seemed geographically suitable to dig the hole .. During the first day, the workers worked to measure out a 5 ft hole perimeter and set to moving dirt a few hundred feet away in a pile.  This pile would double as a watchtower of sorts.  The crew worked through the night and the hole was about 15 feet deep by morning.  They used sunrods to see and continue the work.  They worked in shifts, one crew always working while the other slept, guarded.   Shortly before the sun came up the second day .. something was wrong .. the natural sounds of wildlife were too quiet ..  Perception [16] sees the beast approaching and initiatives to take your first turn as the alarm is raised. Ok .. let me set this up and you can place your tokens around the pit where you would like to be and roll initiative.

Issachar, stationed on top of the huge mound of dirt, notices the sudden hush.  He immediately begins scanning the area, looking for danger.   By Apsu! That thing is HUGE!   Spotting the dino (Perception 24) crashing through the underbrush, he immediately starts yelling.   TO THE BOLT HOLES!  THE DINO IS COMING FROM THE NORTHWEST.   Issachar immediately drinks his potion of Shield of Faith and yells, I'M GOING TO TRY AND DRAW HIM OFF.  TAKE COVER! // ooc Initiative 6.04

Hearing the commotion (Perception 19), Kizzak casts Obscuring Mists, covering the hole.  Harsk (Perception 17) runs to his master's side, prepared to defend (Prepared Action Bite 17-Miss). //ooc Kizzak Initiative 18.01, Harsk Initiative 22.02)

Kellen rushes to one of the bolt holes and shouts "just remember! its an animal, its only goal is an easy meal!" ((stealth 31 + distance penalties))

Ellie runs and slides into the closest empty bolt-hole before pressing herself to the bottom of it in fear.

Slot 3 The allosaur comes lumbering into the area .. lifting his head, sniffing around .. he lets out a terrible roar and shakes the ground as he approaches. Next Slot 1 

Slot 3: Issachar, waiting for the beast to appear, fires two thistle arrows at him rapid fire (Comp Longbow attack 8 (miss), 22 (hit) Damage 10 + Bleed for 3 rds).  As soon as the second arrow hits he begins yelling and making as much noise as possible to attract the lizard.   HEY YOU BIG, DUMB LIZARD!  OVER HERE, YA MORON!  FOLLOW ME!   Issachar prepares to run...

Slot 3: Kellen fires an arrow from his hidey hole, aiming for the eyes and hoping to scare it away. (Kellen fires his shortbow from stealth, and then moves out of LOS into the mist stealthing again (32 stealth). hit an AC of 19 with the shortbow for 8 whole damage. lets hope it cant ignore the difficult terrain of the dirt mound.)

Slot 3: Ellie prepares herself to cast Burning Disarm on the arrow lodged in the Allosaur's side as soon as it gets close enough to her bolt-hole. Her eyes flicker, though she never blinks, as she prepares her spell. // Held action for if the Allosaur comes within 30 feet of Eilife. Rolled 2d4 for total of 4 damage. (Triggered, 4 dmg by KV)

Slot 3: Kizzak, seeing the Dino had already closed too much distance for Issachar to get away, Casts Entangle (DC 14) centered on a spot out in front of the creature.   I'll slow ol' Rumblebelly down fer ya, Iss!  Lessee him run through my jungle... //OOC Allosaurus Reflex - 25

Slot 1:  Issachar, seeing the plants rise up to slow the creature down, decides to take his chances with another volley (Attack 12 (miss), 9 (miss).  Cursing under his breath after missing, he steps down off the mound onto the plain (5' step).

Slot 1:  Kizzak moves up to the edge of the mist, casting Shillelagh on his club as he prepares to engage the lizard.  Harsk is, as always, at his master's side.

Slot 1: Kellen  moves around in the mists, narrowly avoiding falling in the pit. He waits in stealth to fire an arrow at the allosaurus. ((Kellen is stealthing. a whopping 34 + distance modifiers and concealment, and holding to shoot the allosaurus when it gets to the edge of his threat range (but after spending most of its moviment). he hits a 26 AC, for 4 damage, or 13 if it gets within 30 of me))(Triggered the stealth attack, 13 dmg by KV)

Slot 1 Although the great strength of the dinosaur allows it to easily break free of the entangling vines, it moves steadily through them but it slows it down .. unable to charge at its targets.  It makes a roar at the edge of the vines, looking around for an easy target to pick off. //OOC: Reflex 19 to avoid becoming Entangled Next Slot 2 (9-5am) EST

Slot 2: Issachar sees the creature is not free of the writhing plantlife.  He runs to the top of the pile of dirt and fires an arrow (Attack 22) causing the brute to roar in pain (Dmg 5).

Slot 2: Kellen fires one more arrow, and hurries off into the mist, hoping not to draw too much attention. ((OOC hit an AC of 26, 7 damage, moved out of LOS))

Kizzak like fire.  Lizard not like fire.  Kizzak throw fire!!   (Tar Bomb Ranged Touch 10, Damage 6, 3 squares on fire).  Kizzak and Harsk retreat behind the pit.

Slot 2: Ellie prepares herself to cast Burning Disarm on the arrow lodged in the Allosaur's side as soon as it gets close enough to her bolt-hole. Her eyes flicker, though she never blinks, as she prepares her spell. // Held action for if the Allosaur comes within 30 feet of Eilife. Rolled 2d4 for total of 4 damage. // Rolled the same, so I just copy pasted the last post. :p

Slot 2 The Allosaur looks for something to bite .. it moves across the ground . When Ellie pops up her head to cast burning disarm the allosaur has an opportunity to grab her before she returns into the ground like a mole .. He scoops her up crushing her body into a lifeless doll in its mouth and holding her there ready to swallow her.  (AC lowered to 14) Next Slot 3

Slot 3: Issachar fires two shots at the Dino, hoping it will drop Eliife.  The first misses wide, the 2nd hits (Attack 8, 15) sinking deep into the creatures side, smoldering as it burns him. (Damage 4+4 Stealth+1Fire)

Slot 3:  Kizzak drops his spell in order to know what is happening.  Seeing the witch in the beast's mouth, he sends Harsk to attack (Charge 13, Miss).

Kellen looks conflicted for a moment, seeing the monsterous creature with his new friend hanging from its mouth. Mustering his courage he dashes behind the creature while it is distracted by the wolf. slashing into its belly, he dodges a spray of the creatures blood, and begins praying as he sees it is not felled. ((OOC Kellen hit the Dino with a 15, dealing 24 damage (so close). The dino is at 1 with one point of bleed left )

The allosaurus tossed Ellife's lifeless body down to the ground after taking a massive wound from Kellen it turned its attention towards her.  It reached out to bite her with its dying breath as the bleed damage took it to the ground.  Staggering its massive body collapsed, barely missing Ellifie in the process.  Kellen's wound was deep, and thank goodness the creature died in the attempt. //  We now go back to non-combat .. you keep your wounds until you treat them and heal with downtime so figure out what you want to do about them.

Eliife!   I'm not going to let someone else die.  She has to live...   Issachar jumps down from the mound of earth and rushes to Eliife's side  He immediately begins binding her terrible wounds, stabilizing her (Heal 29) and uses his knowledge of woodland lore to begin the healing process (Heal Deadly Wounds for 7).   

Kellen look over at Issachar "I got it, i think.... oh and, ill be all right, whooo. dont worry about me...ill just sit right here"  Kellen sits down in front of the dino, staring at its corpse. " you almost got us, didnt you big guy. oh the storys well tell of this one." (we recuperate wounds through normal rest right?)

Setting up camp, Issachar and Kizzak bring the sorely wounded Eliife and Kellen into the tent.   See that LB and his men are ok, then set them to finish that hole.  If I'm paying for it, I want it done.  We'll make some use out of it later, Kizz.   Turning to his patients, Issachar begins rummaging through his pack.  Digging out some bandages and potent smelling ointments, he sets to work.  First on Kellen (Heal 12 - fail), and then on Ellife (Heal 24, will heal 6 hp's over the next 24 hrs or rest).  Seeing that his work had not helped Kellen enough, Issachar uses on of the Mild Poultices Kizzak had brought on him Heal 20 grants Fast Healing for 4 rds), hoping to speed up the healing process.

Kizzak set himself up on top of the huge pile of dirt, trying to watch every which way.  He had sent Harsk out scouting, circling the camp almost constantly to make sure nothing else caught them by surprise.  The diggers had been difficult to goad into finishing the work, but Harsk's growls had put them to the shovel.   I'm prob'ly not the guy to handle delicate negotiations, am I Iss?   He snickered quietly to himself and went back to his vigil.

Issachar worked tirelessly that day.  Butchering the dino and loading it on the wagon.  Ghosting through the tall grass, ranging farther and farther afield, looking compulsively for anything else that might attack his friends.  Finally collapsing, exhausted, into his bedroll for a few hours, leaving Kizzak and Harsk to keep the final watch.  After 24 hours, Kellen and Eliife were ready to travel, and the ragged band began their trek back to the outpost.

"that was some fight huhn iss? not how i thought itd happend, but we got it. if nothing else, that thing wont be hurting anyone else." Kellen sits int the wagon, not daring to try and work any metal with his relatively fresh wounds. he planned to give it a night in a good bed before he was ready to work on ANYTHING

It was terrible, and I should have never have led such inexperienced adventurers on such a quest.  You aquitted yourself well, but you and Eliife almost died.  Issachar very somberly returns to his compulsive scouting, intent on keeping his charges safe.

"Pfft... I'll be fine. The scars will just add to my mystique." Ellie ashenly joked as she tried not to jostle too much as the wagon made its way back to the outpost. "And be honest; you couldn't have done it without us."