As Lorett stands with his back against the cabin wall, readying himself for the imminent confrontation with the creatures and their dogs-things, a vivid memory from his long-forgotten past suddenly washes over him. He's transported back to a time when he was just 13 years old, in a place he can no longer recall. The details are hazy, and his father's face eludes him, but the memory is crystal clear.
In the memory, he was on a task assigned by his father, running through winding alleys in a desperate bid to escape. Two dogs and an angry shopkeeper chased him relentlessly. Lorett's heart pounded in his chest as he navigated the labyrinthine streets. He suddenly turned, then froze, pressed against a corner, breathless and hidden in the shadows.
The dogs and their pursuer rushed past him, completely unaware of his presence. It was a fleeting moment of escape, and it saved him from capture.
But the present moment pulls Lorett back from the past, snapping him to attention. The memory serves as a reminder of his ability to navigate danger and evade capture, and he draws his bow with a renewed determination, ready to face the monsters that now threaten him and his friends.
Lorett issues a firm command to his companions. "Be prepared."
[Seraphina casts "Armor of Agathys"]Taking immediate action, Seraphina rushes next to Lorett and invokes her magic. She utters an incantation, drawing moisture from the surrounding air and condensing it into a frigid, protective armor of ice that envelops her. The glistening icy armor shimmers with an otherworldly chill.
Watching Seraphina's transformation, Lorett nods approvingly and offers her a reassuring smile, acknowledging her readiness for the impending battle.
Meanwhile, Nida readies herself for the confrontation. She grasps a javelin tightly in her hand, her muscles tensed and poised for action as she positions herself near the corner, ready to spring into action and hurl her weapon at whatever threat is about to emerge. The party stands resolute and prepared, their collective resolve unwavering as they face the imminent danger head-on.
[Initiative rolls: Nida 11+2, Lorett 19+3, Seraphina 3+0, Carvus 15+1, Carators 3+1]
[Order: Lorett, Carvus, Nida, Carators, Seraphina]The party finds themselves near the small hut, which measures 15 feet by 10 feet, with a roof that stands 10 feet high. Windows adorn the structure's west and east sides, and the door is open on the north side. In the distance, the humanoid creature stands roughly 100 feet to the north-north-east, while the two dog-like creatures are rapidly closing in on the cabin, currently positioned about 80 feet away.
The two approaching dog-like creatures, known as Carators, bear a menacing appearance. Their black, matted fur covers their stocky bodies, and they display long, vicious fangs protruding from their lower jaws. Sinister yellow eyes with black slits gleam with an unsettling intent as they move closer to the cabin, their predatory instincts on full display.
The humanoid creature, resembling a hybrid of gnoll, boar, and dwarf, bears a grotesque and fearsome visage. Its black, matted fur is marred by sickly yellow patches, giving it an eerie and unsettling appearance. The creature boasts a large mouth equipped with formidable fangs that jut out prominently from its lower jaw. With its long arms and stocky legs, the creature moves with a menacing gait, earning its name as a Carvus in the eyes of the party.
Turn 1
Lorett
[Nature DC15: Lorett 8+0: Fail]Lorett cautiously peeks around the corner, attempting to discern the nature of the approaching creatures, but their grotesque appearance eludes his recognition. Fueled by urgency, he quickly draws his longbow and takes aim at the nearest Carator.
[To hit (ranged): Longbow 8+5 vs. Carator AC 11: Hit]
[Damage: 1d8+3 Piercing: 2+3]His arrow finds its mark, hitting the creature squarely and causing it to stumble momentarily. However, despite the injury, the resilient beast continues its relentless charge. Lorett promptly retreats behind the cover of the cabin.
Carvus
The Carvus swiftly moves to the mound on its right. With a ducking posture and its longbow at the ready, it aims at the cabin, prepared to unleash a volley of arrows at any target that might emerge from within.
Nida
[Nida goes into Rage.]
[To hit DIS (ranged, long range): Javelin 17/20+3 vs Carator A AC 11: Hit]
[Damage: 1d6+3 Piercing: 3+3]Nida's battle fury ignites as she enters a raging state. Without hesitation, she leaps around the corner, hurling her javelin with all her might at one of the Carators. The projectile finds its mark, striking the beast in the flank with deadly accuracy, causing it to collapse lifelessly on the ground.
Carvus (reaction)
[To hit (ranged): Longbow 9+5 vs. Nida AC 14: Hit]
[Damage: 1d6+2 Piercing: 3+2 (Halved due to Rage)]As Nida boldly leaps from her cover, determined to confront the remaining Carator, the vigilant Carvus quickly reacts. It draws its bow and releases an arrow aimed at Nida. The projectile strikes its target, but the resilient barbarian absorbs the blow with her formidable durability, receiving only a minor scratch in return for her fearless charge.
Carator B
[To hit: Bite 3+2 vs Nida AC 14: Miss]The Carator, fueled by a surge of aggression, charges fiercely at Nida, snapping its jaws in a vicious attempt to bite into her thighs. However, Nida's agility and quick reflexes allow her to evade the creature's ferocious assault deftly. Frustrated and angered by its missed attack, the Carator lets out an enraged growl.
Seraphina
[Seraphina casts Eldritch Blast at Carvus.]
[To hit (ranged): Eldritch Blast 17+5 vs. Carvus AC 14 (no shield): Hit]
[Damage: 1d10 Force: 5]While maintaining her position behind the corner, Seraphina taps into her innate powers and summons radiant white and purple energies to channel the destructive force of Eldritch Blast. She directs the magical attack toward the crouching Carvus in the distance with precision and focus. The blast strikes the creature squarely in the chest, causing it to recoil from the impact. Seizing the opportunity, Seraphina promptly retreats to the safety of cover.
Turn 2
Lorett
[To hit (ranged): Longbow 3+5 vs Carator A AC 11: Miss]Lorett swiftly draws his bow, aiming with determination at the remaining Carator. However, his shot goes wide, missing the mark as the creature advances aggressively. Lorett maneuvers behind the building once more.
Carvus
The Carvus abandons its bow, opting for a more direct approach. With a spear and shield in hand, it goes into a full sprint, charging headlong into combat with Nida, closing the distance rapidly as it prepares to confront the formidable barbarian in a brutal melee confrontation.
Nida
[To hit: Pike 5+5 vs. Carator B AC 11: Miss]Wielding her pike with determination, Nida attempts a powerful strike at the remaining Carator. However, her focus is momentarily disrupted by the charging Carvus, causing her attack to go awry as it misses its intended target.
Carator B
[To hit: Bite 15+2 vs Nida AC 14: Hit]
[Damage: 1d6+2 Piercing: 2 (Halved due to Rage)]The Carator seizes the opportunity amidst the chaos of battle, sinking its sharp teeth into Nida's knee with a vicious bite.
Seraphina
[Seraphina casts Sacred Flame at Carator B.]
[Dexterity saving throw DC13: Carator B 19+1: Success]Seraphina enters the open, invoking sacred flame to cast a radiant spell against the Carator. However, the nimble creature manages to evade the searing magic, dodging the attack adeptly. Seraphina maintains her position in the corner, keeping a vigilant eye on Nida.
Turn 3
Lorett
[To hit (ranged): Longbow 9+5 vs. AC 11. Hit]
[Damage: 1d8+3 piercing: 2+3]Lorett, showing exceptional marksmanship, sets loose another arrow that finds its mark, swiftly slaying the remaining Carator. With the immediate threat neutralized, he ventures out into the open to gain a clearer view of their surroundings, diligently scanning for any signs of additional adversaries or potential threats.
[Oracle "Do other creatures come?": 8 Maybe]
[Oracle "Are they about to come?" Not likely -2: 12 Maybe]
[Oracle "Does the Carvus need to call for help for them to come?" Most likely +4: 14]Carvus
[To hit: Spear 18+4 vs. Nida AC 14: Hit]
[Damage: 1d8+2 Piercing: 2+2 (Halved due to Rage)]The Carvus delivers a swift and calculated strike with its spear, managing to pierce Nida's defenses and draw blood. Undaunted by the wound, Nida defiantly brushes off the injury and unleashes a fierce scream in her adversary's face. Taken aback by Nida's unyielding spirit and now faced with the prospect of being alone in the battle, the Carvus hesitates, its confidence waning as it reassesses its options in the face of this determined opposition.
Nida
[To hit: Pike 8+5 vs. Carvus AC 15: Miss]Undeterred by the Carvus's hesitation, Nida makes a powerful thrust with her pike. However, the crafty creature raises its shield in time, effectively blocking her attack and preventing her from landing a decisive blow. The battle between these formidable foes continues, with neither side willing to yield.
Seraphina
[Seraphina casts Eldritch Blast at Carvus.]
[To hit (ranged): Eldritch Blast 5+5 vs. Carvus AC 15: Miss]Seraphina once more taps into her eldritch powers, channeling a crackling surge of energy into another Eldritch Blast aimed at the Carvus. The destructive force narrowly misses its mark, coming within an inch of striking the creature.
Turn 4
Lorett
[To hit (ranged): Longbow 15+5 vs. Carvus AC 15: Hit]
[Damage: 1d8+3 Piercing: 2+3]Lorett takes precise aim and releases an arrow, which finds its mark as it strikes the Carvus in the flank. The creature grunts in pain as the projectile pierces its side, causing it to wince and stagger slightly from the impact.
Carvus
[To hit: Spear 18+4 vs. Nida AC 14: Hit]
[Damage: 1d8+2 Piercing: 2+2 (Halved due to Rage)]Enraged by the persistent attacks of the party, the Carvus retaliates with a furious strike, managing to wound Nida's arm as it delivers a punishing blow.
Nida
[To hit: Pike 14+5 vs. Carvus AC 15: Hit]
[Damage: 1d8+2 Piercing (+2 from Rage): 8+3+2]Nida, undeterred by her wounds and fueled by determination, spins with ferocious intent and thrusts her pike with precision, landing a devastating blow squarely in the Carvus's abdomen. The creature howls in agony as the attack inflicts a severe wound, causing it to stagger and weaken significantly.
The tide of battle appears to be turning in favor of the party as the Carvus's formidable defenses are finally breached by Nida's powerful strike.
Seraphina
[Seraphina casts Eldritch Blast at Carvus.]
[To hit (ranged): Eldritch Blast 12+5 vs. Carvus AC 15: Hit]
[Damage: 1d10 Force: 6]Seraphina channels her eldritch powers once more, casting a spell that envelops the Carvus in swirling purple energy. As the life-draining magic takes hold, the once formidable creature withers and weakens, ultimately succumbing to the relentless assault of arcane forces. The Carvus falls lifeless to the ground.
Encounter ends.
[Experience gained 40xp per character]As Nida's battle-induced rage begins to subside, she takes a moment to investigate the lifeless body of the defeated Carvus. Among the creature's meager possessions, she discovers a seemingly insignificant trinket—a scrap of cloth bearing the faded remnants of an old banner. Nida also uncovers a modest stash of nine silver pieces alongside this curious find.
[Nida adds a trinket (A scrap of cloth from an old banner) and 9 SP to her inventory.]
[Nature DC15: Nida 12+1 Fail
[Nature DC15: Seraphina 4-1 Fail]Gathering the lifeless bodies of these unfamiliar creatures, the party drags them closer to the stone mounds, placing them out of sight as they prepare to investigate further. With the immediate threat eliminated, they make their way toward the foreman's cabin, hoping to find clues about what has transpired at Ironridge Quarry and seeking a moment of respite after the intense battle.
Inside the cabin, they'll have the opportunity to rest and regroup while exploring the foreman's quarters for any hints or information that might shed light on the mysterious events unfolding in this desolate location.
Seraphina takes care of the donkeys and the cart, positioning them safely near the cabin while tying the animals to a tree in a grassy area nearby.
Inside the foreman's cabin, Lorett and Nida are met with a scene of disarray. The room appears to have been the site of a violent struggle. The table is overturned, chairs are strewn about, and the floor is littered with blood-stained papers. Books and ledgers have fallen from their shelves.
[Investigation DC15 ADV (Nida assists): Lorett 11+0, Fail]As the party searches through the disheveled cabin, they find little value or use. The ledgers and documents offer no discernible information, and some papers are so heavily stained with blood that any potential content remains hidden and unrecoverable.
After the search, they clean a bit and sit on the floor. Lorett exhales in relief, his shoulders relaxing as the tension ebbs away. "Thank the gods there weren't any more of those creatures," he says, his voice a mixture of gratitude and concern. He turns to Nida, his brow furrowing with worry. "Nida, are you alright? You took some hits back there."
Nida offers a reassuring smile, though it's clear she's feeling the weight of her injuries. "I'll be fine, Lorett," she replies, her voice steady but strained. "Just need a bit of rest and maybe a sip of water. It's nothing I can't handle."
Seraphina, ever the healer, chimes in, "Let's make sure you're properly tended to, Nida. We don't want those wounds to worsen. We'll have a short rest here and then decide our next steps."
With their canteens and rations, the party settles into the foreman's cabin for a brief respite. Seraphina wraps Nida's wounds carefully, her skilled hands working deftly to ensure they are properly tended to. The makeshift bandages provide some comfort and relief to Nida's injuries.
[Short rest.]
[Nida heals 1 Hit dice (4 HP).]As they share a moment of rest and sustenance, the tension from their recent encounter begins to wane, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and determination. Their challenges on their journey remain uncertain, but their bond and resilience remain unwavering.
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