Episode 8: Not a Drop to Drink

[EvilGenius]

And, just to clarify, we are taking the path to the pedestal, which rises above the trees, so we then have to scale that to get to the chest, if we make it there without encountering the locals, correct?

That is what it looked like, yes.


So the three of you start out cautiously on the small path leading toward the center of the cavern. The forest around you is dense, the path winds around trees and patches of overgrown bushes. Jareth and Bannock, you see that it would be incredibly easy to scavenge for food here. Edible plants and berries are abundant. But you also see unmistakable signs of animal life all around you. Insects, small game, birds, signs of their presence abound. There is also evidence of larger game, animals who wouldn't normally share the same hunting grounds or even climate.

It's only been a few minutes into your trek when you hear the howls of a wolf pack again, from several points ahead. It seems they are moving in coordination ....

[Jonkga]

We continue to move forward down the path to the pedestal without stopping unless we are beset before we arrive.

[EvilGenius]

We continue to move forward down the path to the pedestal without stopping unless we are beset before we arrive.

You are moving along the path cautiously, but as quickly as you can manage. The howls of the wolfpack are getting closer but seem perhaps to be keeping their distance from you. Ahead of you, though, you hear some loud crashing. Something large appears to be moving about. With only a nod to each other, you continue on, but then you also hear a similar loud crashing off to your left. You have but a moment to prepare before the forms of two enormous bears come charging toward you, roaring in fury!!

[erilar]

(Man, I need to scan my character sheet...)

Jareth's initiative: 9 (natural 8, +1 estimated bonus)

On his action, Jareth intends to hold aloft the Fey Lantern, allowing the Faerie Fire to trigger, and then casts Speak with Animals. "Proud creatures - we are not a threat. We will leave your hunting ground in peace."

If the bears attack before he has a chance to act, Jareth will instead cast Dominate Beast on the biggest bear (cast as 4th level spell, Wisdom of 18).

[Jonkga]

Bannock will ready his Ring of Animal Influence, and use it to cast Fear (DC 13) on the bears if Jareth's parley doesn't succeed.

[Fen's Ego]

(Initiative - 12)

Onarra will watch Jareth and Bannock's backs while they are casting, searching for additional threats.

Should Jareth's attempt at parley be received with hostility or indifference:
If either bear is coming right at her, she will prepare to dodge.
If either bear is gunning for someone before casting goes off, she will attempt to lure it toward herself.

[EvilGenius]

Sorry, work's been crazy this week. I'll post more this weekend.

[EvilGenius]

(Man, I need to scan my character sheet...)

Jareth's initiative: 9 (natural 8, +1 estimated bonus)

On his action, Jareth intends to hold aloft the Fey Lantern, allowing the Faerie Fire to trigger, and then casts Speak with Animals. "Proud creatures - we are not a threat. We will leave your hunting ground in peace."

If the bears attack before he has a chance to act, Jareth will instead cast Dominate Beast on the biggest bear (cast as 4th level spell, Wisdom of 18).

Two huge bears charge toward your small group through the trees and underbrush. Jareth grabs the Fey Lantern and holds it aloft. Immediately, a silvery light bursts forth, causing the two bears to take on a silvery sparkley sheen. A scant moment later, small purple motes of light zip out of the lantern; one perches on Jareth's forehead, and the other two zip out to perch on the heads of the incoming bears, who both pause their charge for a moment to shake their heads.

[Jonkga]

Bannock will await Jareth's reaction, and hope that the pause means the bears will now not attack us. He will not engage or attack the bears if not provoked. If Jareth is able to mollify the bears, Bannock will encourage the party to slowly resume progress towards the pedestal.

[EvilGenius]

Jareth takes advantage of the bears' momentary pause.

"Proud creatures - we are not a threat. We will leave your hunting ground in peace."

The bear who was approaching from the front, in the direction of the Pedestal, growls out a response as he tries to bat away the mote of purple light affixed to his forehead. "You are either Hunter or Prey. There is nothing else in these lands..."

Both of the bears start to cautiously move toward the party again. The bear on your left starts to circle around further to the left, to be opposite the bear in front of you.

[EvilGenius]

Bannock will ready his Ring of Animal Influence, and use it to cast Fear (DC 13) on the bears if Jareth's parley doesn't succeed.

Bannock, the bears are still clearly hostile, but they are not both within a 30' cone. Which bear do you want to target? The one in front of you is between you and the Pedestal. The other bear is on your left, circling to your rear.

[Jonkga]

Bannock will target the bear in front of the party, currently between us and the pedestal.

[EvilGenius]

Bannock will target the bear in front of the party, currently between us and the pedestal.

Bannock holds up his hand in a stop motion toward the bear in front of the party and an almost-imperceptible wave of magical force bursts forth. The bear rears back on his hind legs, swatting at the air with his massive paws, then turns around a crashes away from you, howling as he goes!

The way before you is clear, for now, so you all hurry along toward the pedestal, with one more cautious bear trailing you at the space of about 50 yards, growling all the while.

Bannock, you get a mental flash of a new danger approaching! You barely have time to call out a warning to your companions when several grey shapes burst from the undergrowth, hurtling toward your group with teeth bared!

Everyone should roll initiative.



(You can use roll20 for that)

[erilar]

Bob, the bear I currently transform into is Polar Bear sized (the largest one I have stats for). How does my bear-form size compare to the one tailing us? (Wondering if I may appear dominant to that bear.)

My init roll: 11+1=12

Jareth again holds aloft the Fey Lantern to activate faerie fire, and then plants it in the ground, hung from his staff.

He then casts Dominate Beast (4th lvl, Wis 18, Wis save to negate), targeting the alpha wolf (closing within 30' if necessary). If the spell is successful, he gives the alpha a telepathic command to instruct his pack to ignore the lowly humans and instead chase the nearby lone bear out of their hunting territory.

[Fen's Ego]

Onarra's initiative is 8.