Wandered Roads 28

Wandered Roads of Varisia
Session 28
November 23, 2013

Campaign Timeline

In The Crow's Nest

Moonday, 24th of Lamashan

The party quickly resumes their exploration of the Crow, taking only minimal time to check the their fallen opponents. There will be time for that later. The hallways and corridors were all similar: ancient and falling apart, or more to the point, being taken apart. It was clear that someone, possibly the Tower Girls had made quick work of removing and defacing murals, carvings and other bits of artwork adorning the structure.

Pushing on into the Tower Girls lair, evidence was found of hastily set up living quarters and other signs of life but it was clear that the gang had recently picked up their base and moved it further in. Eventually the group came to a ledge overlooking the large shaft they had encountered when they first arrived. Down below, they could see the water from the bay and the 2 rafts they had arrived on. The 3 rowboats they had encountered were missing, obviously Fenster the Blight had made his way back to Magnimar with them.

Ten feet above their heads, at the top of the shaft hung a wooden platform hanging close to the ceiling with complex system of ropes and straps. There were several hanging ropes, one even long enough to reach the 200 feet below to the base of the shaft. Unwilling to swing and climb across without knowing what was there first, Daellin used his magic to levitate Samad up to the platform. Once on the platform, Samad could see that it led to a trapdoor in the ceiling that led up to another passageway in the tower.

Using a length of the looted Tower Girls silken rope, the group took turns tying each other off, swinging across to another ledge, climbing up onto the platform and then going up through the trapdoor. There were a few close calls, but safety ropes and a good bit of luck saved the day. Daellin followed the last of his companions by flying up under magical power.

Now in the upper most level of the tower, the band of heroes traversed down a long hallway that was once some sort of burial chamber, its niche-tombs having already been destroyed and looted. Upon entering a chamber at the far end of the hallway, Ehlyna, out in front, stopped suddenly, looked down and muttered “oops” as the sound of a bell could be heard nearby. She had walked into a tripwire.

Not waiting for the others, she charged off down the passage, axes waving and Dwarven curses pouring from her mouth. The rest of the group arrived right behind her in what appeared to be guard camp. Two bedrolls and some food lay on the floor. One dead Tower Girl was bleeding at Ehlyna’s feet, only halfway out of her bedroll. The owner of the other bedroll could not be seen.

A quick search of the area and a side passage revealed a latrine and some stored treasure: a crate bearing a bronze Thassalonian statue and an urn containing about 100 ancient Thassalonian coins. Pressing on, the heroes found a stairway winding back down into the tower.

An ambush by the Tower Girls!

At the bottom of the stairs, the Tower Girls lay in ambush. Two jumped out and attacked Ehlyna,

Kallin waits for an opening.

but her armor was enough to stop the blows. Several more Tower Girls revealed themselves and fired their crossbows. Quickly the party spread out and engaged their opponents. Before long, the battle was joined by another Wererat and more donkey rats. Calina shot the Wererat from across the room in low light and managed a hit, but the arrow merely bounced off the lycanthropes skin. The Wererat threw her head back and laughed as she continued to charge!

Vexeron prepares a Glue spell!

Vexeron waited for a clearing in the battle then cast a Glue spell, trapping two nearby Tower Girls. Samad quickly dispatched one of the with his superior reach. Behind him, Kallin and Leela slowly moved up, watching for the right time to enter the fray. Daellin and Ehlyna meanwhile charged across the room at the crossbow firing Girls. As the Wererat charged, Calina quickly readied one of her new silver arrows and let it fly, striking the Wererat square in the face, instantly dropping it to the ground, dead. In no time, all but two Tower Girls were dispatched. The remaining Girls were given the opportunity to surrender and they did so immediately. They easily revealed that there were no Tower Girls left except their leader, Alaya and they explained exactly how to get to her chamber. They also explained that most of their loot had been sold already and that Alaya had the money.

Hoping to catch the leader off guard before she realized her hideout had been infiltrated, the party continued on, heading down further, now on the 2nd level. They entered a large, arrow head shaped chamber with several doors and a few columns. The most striking feature of this room was the massive pair of silvery metal doors at the western end of the room. The doors, each 5 feet wide and nearly 10 feet tall, had no visible handle, knob or hinges, but were decorated with many sets of burning eyes all facing in toward a set of runes on the face of each portal. They were Thassilonian runes that were present in many other ancient ruins they had explored recently, though nothing could be made of them.

Curiosity getting the best of him, Daellin went over and pushed on the doors, trying to open them. The metal doors did not budge, though he was met with a fiery blast that burnt the fingers of his hand. His surprised yelp summoned Alaya to the chamber from the doors at the far end of the room. She opened her door, looked out at the assembled adventurers and quickly retreated back, closing the door behind her. Muffled sounds of locking doors and moving furniture could be heard as Ehlyna attempted to bash through the door. It took a few hits, but finally the surly Dwarf knocked the door off its hinges and crashed through, lodging herself inside the wardrobe that had been shoved in front of the door. A strange cross shaped room was discovered, recently decorated with all the modern luxuries the leader of the Tower Girls ws afforded, but Alaya was no where to be seen. An open window near her bed indicated she may have climbed out of the window into the familiar shaft near the Crow’s front entrance. A quick search could not find her. Vexeron stepped up and used his magic to See Secrets and noticed a chest hidden under the bed and a secret door in the side of the fireplace.

Expecting to find Alaya hiding behind the secret panel, Ehlyna readied her axes as the door was opened. She swung her axes ito the space behind the doors but did not find Alaya. Instead her blades impacted the skeletal remains of a long dead body, quickly turned to dust and bone shards. The body was wearing a curious yellow bird pendant that radiated magic and was equipped like an adventurer with chain mail, a rapier, some rope and a sack of gold!

Another quick search was made for Alaya, but she could not be found. Looking out the window again revealed that one of the two rafts Fenster had left was now missing, presumably taken by Alaya! With her out of the picture, the group was drawn back to the metal doors. Daellin again touched the doors, attempting to move the runes like they had on the paradox box back in the Pathfinder Lodge. The runes did in fact behave the same way, by glowing and switching places, but he was again burned by magical flame!

Curious as to what was behind the door, Vexeron used his magic (Glasswall) to see through it, revealing a dusty and cobweb covered hallway with brightly colored and fully intact frescoes, murals and reliefs. This hallway had apparently been untouched for many years! Eager to get past this barrier and delve further into the Crow to find their intended prize, another Shard of Thassalion, Vexeron and Daellin devised a plan. Vexeron cast Glasswall on Daellin so he too could see past the doors, then Daellin tried his newly learned Teleportation spell and magically placed himself on the other side of the door.

While Daellin explored behind the door, Calina, Leela, Ehlyan and Kallin went back through the Tower Girls hideout, dispatching a few remaining donkey rats and gathering up any valuable loot.

Batting the many cobwebs out of the way, Daellin made his way down the hallway to a set of stairs leading down. He followed them down and finally came to some sort of ancient bath area, which still held a small amount of fetid and scum covered water. He descended from a 20 foot balcony down to the pool and noted several side passages leading out as well as a large crack in the wall with numerous guano markings nearby, obviously bats laired somewhere further in, also indicating that there was another way out, possibly one of the illusion covered windows that had been discovered in the upper floors.

As Daellin approached the pool, the green slime covered surface exploded toward him in a chaotic green splash. Not interested in being covered in slime again, Daellin Blinked away and saw that there were two amorphous globs of scum lurching toward him slowly. He quickly sunk an arrow into one of them and began retreating. The blobs followed him up the stairs and he loosed a few more arrows in their general direction, all hitting, though there was no indication as to whether it was doing any good or not. Decicing that it would be best to face these abominations with the group, he retraced his steps back upstairs and Teleported himself back past the door, somehow making a miscalculation in his spell and injuring himself in the process, but fortunately not whisking himself away to some unknown locale!

He filled his companions in and it was then decided to head back to the mainland and they started the process of hauling their loot and the remaining two Tower Girls back down to the hidden boat dock at the base of the piling.

Continuing Story Doc

Continuing Story Summary

This is an ongoing story and will be updated when it is complete.

Session Notes

Another good session of exploration and combat. The characters have just entered into what could be described as a mega-dungeon. I'm excited about this next bit of campaign. We have done our fair share of dungeon exploring so far, but each of them have been small and contained, this one is a bit bigger and spread out over multiple, separated levels. I just had to jump on the mega-dungeon band wagon!

Ehlyna's favorite dream

Characters Present:

Kallin Hawkril, Half-Orc shaman and budding Priest of Pharasma - played by +Daniel Ernst
Calina - Varisian Human archer and scout - played by +Carol Coburn
Leela Cardnool, Gnome scout, cartographer and Illusionist - played by +Lisa Smith
Daellin Silvanthalas, Elven Farstrider Ranger - played by +Ben Lipe
Vexeron, Human wizard - played by +Greg Grady
Ehlyna Fuzziface - Dwarven Warrior - played by +Jodi H
Samad Aldhul, Human ex-mercenary - played by +JeCorey Holder
Ellie - Halfling Finder of Things - played by +Megan McCarron

and +Jason Woollard as the DM

Dark Paths 38.2

Dark Paths of Riddleport
Session 38.2

Aragon Preps the Sniper's Nest

Session Summary

Aragon is roused early by the Elves Sairalindë and Findecáno. Both are equipped for battle. “We want to get Fin into position in some ruins on top of a hill just across from the entrance to the Library so he can provide cover fire, but we need one more Elf to join us. Are you in?” Sairalindë says quietly to the Bladedancer, who is already getting up and prepping his gear.

Findecáno continues, “The battle should start shortly, but I want to be ready before you all move out. If you can accompany us there, then you and Saire can get back to the main force just in time. It’s still dark out, so we will have to be careful. Once I get into position, I should be able to conceal myself until needed.”

Aragon quickly and silently strapped on his armor and swords.  The tension in the darkness before a battle was palpable.  These two Elves were finally getting to take the battle to the enemy, one they had been fighting for years.  Of course he was in!

He was ready.  With a quick nod, they moved to the edge of camp.  Fin led them past the perimeter, and soon they were on the road to Celwynvian.

Aragon could see that the rest of the camp was stirring and preparing for the main battle shortly. He noted several smaller bands heading out on preliminary missions and other tasks. He even saw Bodi heading off into the forest with Eärwen and a few other hunters. Aragon smiled, thinking about Bodi’s wager with the dour Kaerishiel.

As they traveled, Sairalindë handed out cakes of Elven waybread as they traveled. Aragon ate his without a word. Findecáno talks as they move through the darkened forest. “We will skirt around the entrance to the city and move in from the north. We will cross through the some ruined buildings and set up in a bit of ruins on a hill just across the main avenue from the Library. I will be able to cover your approach, and if needed, retreat from the Library. It will also put me in a good position to support the main troop when it moves up to your position.” I have only seen this location from a distance and have not actually been on the ground there, so we will need to be careful. Saire will monitor our approach for magical traps and obstacles.

Aragon nods.  “How much cover will we have from the forest for our approach?  I can be sneaky if I have to be, but my friends will verify that it is not my usual style.  However, I am guessing we want to get you in place as quietly as we can.”

Aragon ate as he walked.  Fin led, then Sairalindë, and he followed.  While he did not doubt his ability to move quietly when needed, he was impressed with the pace the other Elves set.  Clearly they were in their element.  

After a short time, the three Elves reached their destination. Sairalindë leads the way into the ruins of a small structure. She motions out through the wide open doorway and up a rocky slope ahead, “That’s it. Just past that rise is the library. From there Fin can cover the entire building. I’ll bet there are some Drow up there, it’s a common sentry point for them. It overlooks the main avenue leading into Celwynvian.” She peers at the slope ahead of her. Several spots of crumbled ruins dot the hill. The remains of some type of structure can be seen at the top of the hill. Aragon can make out the upper reaches of the library past the hill. “Yes, there, I can see something moving up on top of the hill, there can you see it?”

Approaching the sniper's nest

Findecáno draws his bow and sights down the arrow at the hill ahead. Though it is still dark, there is enough light for the Elves to see clearly. “Yes, I can see at least 2 people moving around up there. Wonder if there are any more in the area?” he muses. He turns and looks at Sairalindë and Aragon, “What do you think? Should I start shooting, or do we want to get closer first? Neither of you have a bow.”

Taking cover in a ruined building

Sairalindë stares out onto the slope for a moment then turns back, “I detect a magical effect stretching between those two ruined towers and out to about 15 feet to either side. We can maneuver around it or get close to it, use those ruins for cover and I can dispel the ward in the middle somewhere.” Both Elves turn to look at Aragon.

“I would prefer to avoid the magic if we can.  Let us try and sneak around it.  I think we can get around to the left, there.  That overgrown wall could keep them from flanking us, too.”  Fin nodded, and they moved silently through the grass.

After making it safely to cover, they started moving slowly toward a semi-ruined building past the magical field.  Just as he drew close, a Drow assassin popped out and took a quick shot with his hand crossbow.  Startled, Aragon responded with Cat Plays with Leaf, but was not fast enough to knock the bolt out of the air.  It pierced the armor on his leg and promptly exploded in flames!

Aragon swore and started to press on through the pain, but the foul underdweller hid in a quickly-summoned magical darkness.  Aragon moved instead to his right, away from the assassin, and soon found daylight.  Where he spotted another Drow, this one a warrior!  Now this was more like it!  The warrior shot at Aragon, of course, but Aragon floated out of the way with Leaf on the Wind.

Then the warrior hid himself and Aragon in darkness as well.

Aragon stopped.  This was getting frustrating.  Then he remembered some of the training from the Temple of Air and Steel, and LISTENED.  It was more than just using his ears, it was taking in everything he could sense and letting it paint a picture in his mind, a picture of his swords, his foe, and the terrain between.

Then he charged, and as he did he heard the slightest intake of a surprised breath from the Drow.  He shifted his weight slightly, flowed into a perfect Lightning Crashes Down, and felt both blades strike home!  The fiend had obviously underestimated a Bladedancer’s ability, and was woefully unprepared for the attack!  Zenith sliced deeply, driven through his plate armor, and Aragon soon heard the rattle of the Drow’s last breath leaving his body.  (crit attack, then 3 on crit table, works out to 51pts of damage.  Boo-yah!)

Then the darkness lifted (due to Sairalinde’s magic).  Aragon started to search his fallen foe, when more crossbow bolts flew from the top of the hill!

He charged, trying to minimize the time they had to reload, but they were too fast!

As he hit the top, the darkness dropped again.  He turned back, thinking to learn if the darkness lasted very long on its own, but then Sairalinde dispelled it, so that was moot.

He charged again, but that had given the fiends time to reload.  When he came around the corner, another bolt, acid this time, punched through his left leg.  He tried valiantly to cling to consciousness, but before he could open a can of Elven whoopass, he passed out.

Aragon opens his eyes to see Sairalindë leaning over him. She has just finished pouring another Healing Potion down his throat. “Come on, you should be able to walk now. Fin is in position, we have just enough time to get back to the camp, get us both patched up and be ready for the battle.

Pausing for a moment, seeing the confused look on Aragon’s face, she continues. “You took some more bolts, looks like from one of the Drow’s acid bolts. Tore your armor up a bit. I think maybe we should have planned a bit better. The Drow are good shots with those crossbows.After you went down, Fin and I finished the remaining scouts off. I took a flame bolt, but nothing a little magic can’t fix. We stashed the bodies as best we could, though we didn’t spend any time looting them. In my experience, most of the enchanted gear they use is only usable by Drow. Some sort of limiting enchantment, though I did gather up several healing potions,” she nods toward the vial she has just given Aragon. “Come on, let’s go.”

Looking over toward the ruined pavilion where Findecáno was going to set up, Aragon sees a seemingly disembodied arm stick up from a patch of shadows and wave at him before disappearing again into the shadows. Sairalindë winks at Aragon, “Shadow Cloak. It comes in handy in his line of work!”

Notes

This "session" was a short side trek designed to give some extra playing time to those who wanted it during a bit of a slow spot in the campaign (due to my hectic party schedule in October and November). It was played out as a combination of play by post continuing story like we often do and a one-on-one live session in Roll20. This was my first real test run of using Roll20 as a GM and I liked it. Our group is making the switch over to Roll20 from MapTool due to some Java issues one of the players is having. We have played using MapTool for about 5 years now, and it's sad to see it go, but I think it's time to move on. I have been playing in a great Roll20 GURPS campaign run by +Christian Blouin revolving around a group of Dwarves from Erebor on a mission to retake the Mines of Moria in the 4th Age of Middle Earth. It has worked well and I felt comfortable making the leap.

As usual for a continuing story, my text is BOLD and Arne's text is normal font.

Cast of Characters: 

Aragon Whisperwind - Elven Bladedancer played by +Arne Jamtgaard 
and +Jason Woollard as the DM

Dark Paths 38.1

Dark Paths of Riddleport
Session 38.1

Bodi Takes a Morning Stroll

Session Summary

Bodi awoke early from a tender dream to see the face of Eärwen above him. He assumed it was just the continuation of the previous dream, but it was in fact real. Eärwen was smiling though she was fully armed and armored and prepared for war. “Care to join me for a stroll through the forest this morning? There were some reports of activity in the woods around the city. Thought we could take out some of the opposition before the real fun starts. And if we don’t find any Drow, well, it’ll be a nice early morning stroll.” She winks at him.

Bodi blinked  himself awake.   Wow.  He was pleasantly surprised.   Not completely surprised, but definitely a bit.   He knew he had a way with women, but usually after a few weeks he got bored and moved on.  But this was an elven woman, and one of quality.  He liked this.    A chance to continue to prove himself, and not to mention it would get him a chance to study the elves techniques and tactics.    Bodi also relished any opportunity to get in better with Eärwen.

Bodi smiled at Eärwen and pulled himself up.  “That sounds like a wonderful plan to me…..but I sure as hell didn’t get near enough sleep sugar.   I may have incredible ‘stamina’, but I can’t pull the short stint that you elven kind can.”

Bodi slowly pulled himself out of his blanket.   He stretched out his arms and started to dress himself.   As he started to get  his leather armor together he looked at Eärwen.  “So doll, maybe you can teach me some of these stealthy ways of your people.    Any advantage we can gain on the Drow will be useful, and I have a score to settle with your grumpy Captain.”

Bodi then strapped on his rapier, main-gauche, throwing knives and cloak.   He made sure he would travel light.  a waterskin, his elven rope, maybe 1 days worth of meals.   He would ask to secure the rest of his belongings here in camp as he made his way out with Eärwen.

“Okay gorgeous…...let’s grab a quick meal and I will be ready to hunt some drow with you…”

Eärwen giggles and hands him a small parcel. “Eat this, it will sustain you,” she whispers in the darkness before dawn. Bodi looks down and sees a wide leaf wrapped around something that feels a bit like a piece of bread. He unwrapps it and sees a small cake of bread with lumps that must be nuts or dried fruits. “Waybread. It’s not too bad, and it will sustain you for the day.” Bodi looks at the small loaf in his hands and wonders how this small thing will fill his growling belly.

He quickly scarfs the thing down and marvels at its complex textures and tastes. He feels a warm, full sensation coming from his insides and washes it down with a swig from a waterskin and follows Eärwen out into the chilly predawn air. “There are several groups out and about this morning setting up various positions. The main attack, which you and your band will lead, is set to start when the sun’s first rays strike the highest point of Celwynvian. Our job is to make sure there are no obstacles or foes in between the main battle group and the city. I have some intelligence that points to something or someone in the forest near the entrance to the city. There were some lights and strange sounds observed and I was asked to go check it out. I have a unit of hunters to accompany us, though they will spread out through the forest nearby.”

Noticing Bodi squinting in the darkness as they make their way through the camp, Eärwen stops, “Here, come close, I can help you with that,” she mutters something quietly and passes her hand in front of Bodi’s face. Immediately he can see as if it were midday under a bright sun. “You will be able to see as long as there is at least some light, even the light of a candle or the stars is enough. In complete darkness though, you will not be able to see.”

The two leave the camp, Bodi notes that Eärwen nods to several nearby Elven hunters that immediately grab their gear and head into the forest. Bodi watches Eärwen move through the forest with ease despite the fact that she is wearing heavy armor and carrying a good sized shield. She does not make a sound. Try as he might, Bodi just cannot keep his footfalls as quiet.

Bodi does his best to keep up with Eärwen.   He is pleasantly surprised that many of the elves here and under her watch are at least cooperative and one or two were even nearly friendly with him.   “Maybe they’re not all as bad as I first suspected.”   Bodi thought to himself as they made their way through the forest.

Try as he may, Bodi just couldn’t match the light footwork of the elven hunters.   He did his best to mimic their movements, and he thought that while he may not be close to their skill, he was improving at least by his own standards.     He worried a little that perhaps he may be a detriment to the hunting party, but quickly dismissed that thought.    If that were the case, Eärwen would not have invited him to help.

Bodi made sure that he was travelling light, blades sheathed but also ready.   he decided that while they walked it would be good for him to at least have a throwing knife at hand in case he had to throw one.     

The scene

Occasionally as they would move through the forest, Eärwen would look back at him to make sure that he was keeping up.    With the gift of night-vision she had granted him, he was able to make out her smile whenever she looked at him, as well as the warmth in her cheeks as she blushed when she did such.     Yes, he thought to himself….he could win the fight or die in battle, but he definitely had a great night and was ready to meet what fate would throw at him.

The sound of rushing water and early morning insects nearly drown out Eärwen’s whisper to stop. “Look, up ahead. There. Do you see that light?” She crouched and pointed ahead. Bodi peered through the forest and could barely see the faint glimmer of what might be a fire. Spotting fires in the dark was easier when it was actually dark, he thought. He quickly surveyed the area. Between them and the fire was a small stream rushing through a gully. The path they were following led to a short swinging bridge about 30 feet away. Off to their left, some dark gray stone rose up out of the ground. The sounds of a waterfall could be heard from that direction as the stream pours over the top edge of this escarpment and into the gully. The trees are thicker over near where the fire could be seen and just past the stream sits the ruins of some type of small structure.  “Let’g go check it out!” the female Elf warrior whispers as she moves forward along the path.

Bodi and Eärwen approach the bridge

Bodi picks up his pace a tad.  Excitement builds inside of him as he anticipates not only action, adventure and danger, but also a chance to further prove himself to Eärwen and the other elven warriors.   His group was to lead the main charge.  He fully expected that they were being used more as arrow fodder, but they had survived other ambushes before and this time he expected they were being set up.    Besides, another chance to impress Eärwen possibly meant another night of heavenly bliss with a beautiful Elven female.

Bodi followed Eärwen along the trail doing his best to step in her tracks and minimize any sounds he would create while he moved.    “I’m right with ya doll, let’s go.”

The lithe Elf maiden moves up the path quickly yet silently. Bodi follows her to some rocks on this side of the stream. Bodi can see the hanging wooden bridge just ahead on his right. To his left, the stream falls down in a small waterfall. Just past the bridge he can see the outline of some circular stone structure, only a few feet high at its tallest point, maybe 10 feet across. Possibly the base of a ruined tower or something, he was not sure. Further on, the path twisted through some trees before reaching the spot where the fire could be seen.

Bodi makes his way up towards the hanging bridge with Eärwen. Bodi whispers to Eärwen, “I would think that any sentries would be able to spot or hear us crossing the bridge, but I wonder if they would be watching that path off towards our right? I am assuming that if there are drow out there, they would be able to see as well as we can now. Either that or we try to cross the bridge unseen or underneath it and get to that section of the ruins. What do you think?”

As Bodi waits for her answer he adds, “Oh and by the way, can you tell me how to say ‘What the hell is that?’ in elvish or drow?” As she goes to respond to him, Bodi can not help but notice the slightly confused look upon her face. He smiles a wry grin at her and says, “Trust me….”

With that, Bodi and Eärwen make their way around the trail to where there is a small ford across the stream. As they make their way to the stream, trying to be stealthy, Eärwen slipped coming down the bank and knocked a large stone loose that made a splash into the water.  

Bodi froze. He waited a few seconds, and then could hear some odd chanting coming from the woods in the direction of the fire light he could make out. As he waited, they heard the sound of something starting to crash through the trees. Bodi then figured he best get out and draw its attention and see if he could allow Eärwen a chance to outflank it. As Bodi climbed out of the stream he saw a putrid shambling mass coming towards him. It was one of the “disgusting” demonic creatures the drow had summoned before. He assumed a summoner may be near, but for now there was a threat coming towards him.    

Bodi ran to his left, towards the east, trying to gain some purchase or angle around the foundation of a ruined tower. As he reached the ruined tower, Bodi readied a large throwing knife. He didn’t expect it to hurt the creature, but he figured it was worth a shot anyway. The creature charged in and paused for a moment, as it gurgled and hurled forth a blast of noxious vapors from a rancid spittle. As the spit hit the ground, it created a rather large cloud of sickening vapors. The fumes from the noxious cloud made Bodi ill in the stomach, and he had to fight back waves of nausea that hampered his combat abilities. The creature continued to close distance and Bodi hurled his knife at the creature.  Though his aim was true, the knife bounced harmlessly off the thick hide of the fiend.

Bodi then backed up and drew out his enchanted rapier and swung at the beast. His first slash was deflected by the creature’s powerful limbs. It lashed out at him with deadly claws, but Bodi managed to parry blows away with his blade as well as dodging others strikes against him.

The creature continued to press the attack. As Bodi tried to maneuver around the creature, Eärwen started to make her way up the bank and around to flank the beast. Bodi then tried a different tactic and slashed at the creatures legs. Bodi was too fast and the creature took a bad wound on its side and it fell over. Eärwen was going to finish the beast but failed to do such.  Bodi moved to attempt to intercept a second such demonic beast that was closing in as he and Eärwen fought the first demon.  As the second creature neared the fight, it also spewed forth a noxious cloud of vapors, overlapping the previous cloud from the first demon.   The creature moved in and Bodi quickly reversed his flow of movement.   

Doubling back through the vaporous clouds, Bodi brought his rapier into a slicing charge.  As a second such strike from Bodi put the initial demonic beast down for good. The creature “popped” and flashed and was no longer to be seen.

The next creature moved in to strike at Eärwen and had her on the defensive.   Bodi moved back to engage the creature, hoping that they could flank this beast as well.   The creature struck out with its claws, Eärwen’s armor protecting her from most of the damage.    Bodi again went for the creature’s legs and cut it down in a heroic charge taking him around to its flank.    The beast yelled out in pain, and while it was busy trying to fend off Eärwen, Bodi again struck a ‘killing’ blow, forcing this creature to also be banished back from whence it came.

As Bodi and Eärwen fought the “disgusting” demons, a third such beast came charging out from the woodline.   This one was much larger, muscular and stocky in build, brandishing a pole arm and a goat-shaped head with horns.   

The charging goat-like demon slammed into Eärwen who was again protected by her armor from most of the pain.   Bodi stepped up to engage the creature in close combat.    Pole-arm vs. rapier, strength vs. style.   Bodi was in a tough fight.    The goat-demon slammed into him with its pole-arm and Bodi managed to parry the blow, but nearly lost his grip on his weapon as it strained under the force of the impact.

Having to readjust his grip on his blade, Bodi moved around the creature tactically, trying to gain position on it and prepared to strike again.   As Bodi continued to try to strike at the beast with his blade.    As Bodi engaged the creature, Eärwen was going for a killing shot, attempting to take the beast out with a strike to the neck.   

As the beast defended itself, a drow summoner started to make his presence known.    Bodi had taken a shot or 2 now from the beast, who was much more skilled and stronger than the previous 2 assailants.   Bodi did his best to defend himself, but took a few hits along the way.    

Bodi tried to press the attack.  As the summoner appeared, Bodi contemplated rushing over towards him to engage him and shut him down, but it didn’t matter by that time.   The other elves that were travelling with Bodi and Eärwen had arrived, and no sooner had the summoner appeared, the elven warriors fired off a volley of arrows, and many struck him true.  As the elven archers fired upon the drown summoner, Eärwen scored a killing blow upon the goad-headed demon. The drow summoner was impaled by multiple arrow hits, thus neutralizing any further threats.     Bodi took a moment to evaluate the situation and let it all sink in to him.  After a moment, Bodi thought to head over to make sure that the drow summoner was dead and also to see if he may have possessed anything of value.    Bodi also wanted to view the camp to see if there was anything else there of any use to him or his friends.

As Bodi and Eärwen cautiously made their way toward the fallen drow summoner the other elven archers moved into covering positions.   Bodi cleaned off his blade from the ichor from the two demonic fiends he cut down.    He spoke softly to Eärwen, “Well that was a bit of surprise for a sentry, but we now secured this position.   At least with you as a witness, you can confirm with Kaerishiel that I am up on him by 2 kills. That should get him nice and fired up for the upcoming fight.”   Bodi just chuckled to himself as he examined the downed drow sorcerer.

After the everything was said and done and the area secured, Eärwen smiles at Bodi then approaches him, “Yes, 2 kills for you, that is confirmed.” She then pulls him close and kisses him hard on the lips. “Now lets finish scouting this area and get back to camp and get this battle going on!”

“Right you are!” Bodi exclaimed and as he moved to recover his throwing knives, they regrouped with the rest of the elven scout team.     They made their way back to the camp to rejoin the others.     Elven healers tended to Bodi’s wounds.  Bodi and Eärwen shared one more last kiss before splitting up again to get ready for the battle to come.

Notes

This "session" was a short side trek designed to give some extra playing time to those who wanted it during a bit of a slow spot in the campaign (due to my hectic party schedule in October and November). It was played out as a combination of play by post continuing story like we often do and a one-on-one live session in Roll20. This was my first real test run of using Roll20 as a GM and I liked it. Our group is making the switch over to Roll20 from MapTool due to some Java issues one of the players is having. We have played using MapTool for about 5 years now, and it's sad to see it go, but I think it's time to move on. I have been playing in a great Roll20 GURPS campaign run by +Christian Blouin revolving around a group of Dwarves from Erebor on a mission to retake the Mines of Moria in the 4th Age of Middle Earth. It has worked well and I felt comfortable making the leap.

As usual for a continuing story, my text is BOLD and Mike's text is normal font.

Cast of Characters: 

Bodil "Bodi" Jantzen - suave and smooth swordsman played by +Mike Biancone 
and +Jason Woollard as the DM