Almaric’s Tale - Once more unto the beach…
Leaving the ruins, Almaric heads back up to the crossroads and then west to the final crossway where he continues on west and south down to the abandoned canoe by the lake.
This time, making sure his pack is well fastened, he wades into the water and dives down just before getting to the fog wall.
Upon surfacing, he takes a look around to see if there are any signs of the Wizard or his hirelings before wading ashore. Seeing none, he emerges from the lake and begins tipping the water out of his belongings on the shoreline. Once done, he heads off south to the burned-out tower near the cobbled path and platform. All of the bodies, kobold and human, are absent. There is no sign of any graves but there is evidence that the tower has been re-ransacked. Not wishing to waste any more time on the ruins, Almaric steps on to the road and strikes out east.
The road rises and falls with the topography and twists and turns just enough that Almaric can never see more than a hundred yards to his front. Massive trees, gnarled by hundreds of years of growth flank the road and restrict his vision. The forest seems more ancient here and something dark and sinister claws at his mind. He feels as though he does not belong here, but his curiosity is winning the battle over fear. Coming around a particularly sharp turn, Almaric sees six men in what appears to be a heated argument. The men notice his approach and weapons are drawn in a flash. Five of the men carry swords and armour. The sixth man, clearly from the east, wears colourful red and purple robes. The largest of the bandits slashes at the wizard, but his strike only cuts the wizard’s robes. The wizard runs eastward, while the brigands turn their attention to Almaric. They charge.
[/OOC No surprise as both sides saw each other at roughly the same time. Initiatives for Round 1: Almaric (17+1)=18, Bandit #1 (8), Bandit #2 (16), Bandit #3 (7), Bandit #4 (13) and Bandit #5 (6)]
Almaric thinks about shooting at the fleeing Wizard but that would leave him without his shield and amongst five thugs. Instead he opts to move up and engage the bandits using his sword and shield.
[/OOC Almaric attempts to hit Bandit #2 (the closest). He needs a 6+ and rolls, (16)-**(Bandit AC)=HIT
Damage from longsword, (4)+STR mod.(2)+Fighter mod.(1)+Sword mod.(1)=8 HP. KILLSHOT]
Moving quickly up to the lead villain, Almaric’s head to hip slash leaves the man sprawling on the road as he deftly spins around and into the man behind…
[/OOC Almaric attempts a CLEAVE attack on the next bandit (#4). Again, he needs a 6+ and rolls, (17)-**(Bandit AC)=HIT
Damage from longsword, (4)+STR mod.(2)+Fighter mod.(1)+Sword mod.(1)=8 HP. DOUBLE-KILLSHOT!!]
…who falls under a ferocious follow-through blow. Almaric takes one final step forward and lunges at a chain-clad bandit…
[/OOC Since Almaric has gained a level, he can make up to two CLEAVE attack attempts each round. This one is directed at Bandit #1. Yet again, he needs a 6+ and rolls, (12)-**(Bandit AC)=HIT
Damage from longsword, (1)+STR mod.(2)+Fighter mod.(1)+Sword mod.(1)+MIGHT bonus card(1)=6 HP. TRIPLE-KILLSHOT!!!]
…who runs himself fully on to the extended blade, eyes wide with shock. The dead bandit slips to the ground just as the remnants of his crew gather their wits.
[/OOC Having seen over half of their number die in a single round, the bandits must make a morale check at -2. They roll (8)-2=6… Fight on!]
The leather armoured Bandit stabs at Almaric with his shortsword…
[/OOC Bandit #3 attacks Almaric. He rolls, (19)-Almaric’s AC(7)=12. HIT
Damage from short sword, (4+1)=5 HP]
Caught momentarily off-guard, Almaric takes a deep cut to his right shoulder. The mailed Bandit sees this as a possible chance to rid themselves of this dangerous foe and slashes his longsword at Almaric…
[/OOC Bandit #5 attacks Almaric. He rolls, (13)-Almaric’s AC(7)=6. MISS]
…but this time the young warrior is ready and easily blocks the blow.
Almaric and the two remaining bandits square off against each other. The Wizard vanishes over a rise along the road.
[/OOC: Almaric is injured, he has lost 5 of his 11 HP. Almaric has used his MIGHT bonus, but still has LUCK, FINESSE and AUTOMATIC SUCCESS bonuses available for use at any time.]