In Search of the Mad Hermit

[Dom]

"I don't know if I'm a "powerful druid" but I consider myself a priest of nature and the situation you are describing to me troubles me greatly. My abode is but half an hour away from here. Would you follow me there so you can explain the situation in more details around a bowl of hot bark tea?"

[Lexx]

Varick

Thank you, yes, we can follow you. I'll explain in more details as we walk.

(( I explain about the fountain and what it said to us. I also explain that the priest at the keep said that a druid would be required. ))

[Dom]

As you explain the situation, the old man leads you through the woods with a certitude that only a man who lived in these parts for long would have. After around half an hour of trekking you come upon a massive, ancient decrepit oak. The tree bears no leaves and looks dead and rotten. The old man motions you to come inside; pushing through bushes that hide the entrance to an hollow chamber inside the dark tree.

As you come near the bushes a flash of fur, fangs and claws jumps at Arom from its position hidden in the oak's twisted branches. Surprised, the cleric is still quick enough to raise his magic shield and deflect the pouncing beast's attack.

As you get ready to face this new threat you realize that the old man's expression has changed to one of furor. He runs at you with a berserk war cry and his wolf leaps toward you.

Please state your action for the first round of combat.

Mechanics:
Giant Lynx surprises party (automatic)
Giant Lynx attacks Arom 11 (Miss)

[serdalkien]

Coylian

I draw my sword and grabbing it with two hands over my head I scream in rage at the old man. Old man are only good for one thing...To DIE. and I swing at him.

[georges]

Arom

HOLY SHIT!!!

I decide to take a defensive stance instead of attacking, hoping for them to attack me and let my companions hit them back.

And I shout: WHY!!!

[Dom]

((I'll give Arom a bonus of 1 to his AC since he's fighting defensively.))

[Pat]

Lombdas

I draw may sword and attack the nearest foe.

How have we fell for that!

[Lexx]

Varick

Varick draws his daggers and tries to go for the backstab while Lombdas has him distracted.

What in the Mother's name is he doing!

(( the two daggers are for drama, just count it as single weapon attack ))

[Dom]

The adventurers are not only surprised by the hermits sudden attack, they are also enraged by it. Arom, unhooks the black mace from his belt and make a mighty upward swing; connecting with the giant lynx's jaw and snapping its neck due to the sheer force of the blow.

Wergrim attempts to stab the wolf with his spear but misses. The northern warrior lets out a growl of anger at his missed strike. Coylian takes his new bastard sword firmly in his two hands and swings wildly at the old hermit. His blade goes through the hermit's tunic and cuts deeply in his right side; breaking some ribs in the process. The mad hermit falls immediately down, dead.

Lombdas the elf, unsheathes his long sword and quickly stabs the wolf near its left shoulder. This distracts the beast just long enough for Varick to discretely come up behind it and plunge his daggers in the creature's spine.

The scene suddenly becomes quiet once more. Only the sound of the great oak's branch cracking due to the wind can be heard. Wergrim approaches the body of the hermit to search him. As he looks around the old man's neck, he suddenly seems surprised by something. You look and see a mark burnt on the hermit's flesh. It looks like one of the runes the northern men use. "This man was not who he pretended to be. See this mark? It means that he was an outcast of the people of the north. He committed a great crime against his clan and they exiled him. He must have lived here since then; inside this oak." Wergrim stands up and look at the tree with apprehension.

Mechanics:
Initiative: Party 6 Hermit & Pets 3

Arom attacks giant lynx 20 (Critical!), (5 + 1) x 2 = 12 damage, Giant Lynx dies
Wergrim attacks wolf 5 (Miss)
Coylian attacks Hermit 12 + 1 = 13 (Hit), 6 + 1 = 7 damage, Hermit dies
Lombdas attacks wolf 16 (Hit), 2 damage
Varick backstabs wolf 15 + 4 - 2 = 17 (Hit), (4 - 2) * 2 = 4 damage, Wolf dies

[Pat]

Lombdas

Feeling a mixture of relief that nobody from his party got hurt and anger for having falling in this trap, Lombdas cleans his sword and listens carefully around to check if nothing or no one else is watching them.

We must be more careful or the people will be singing songs about how bad we were as adventurers.

Wergrim, what is wrong? You look nervous. We should look at what's inside that tree. Do you feel any kind of danger?