It's the middle of summer and the Sun shines bright in the sky. Beneath you, you can see fields of grain, small vegetable gardens and the occasional farmstead.
These are the vast fields of the Unicorn Range. You're nearly home. You're flying on Indy. He's not as big anymore as he used to be, but still big enough to carry you and Iris behind you. "I'm so excited to meet your family Soil." says Iris.
>>605432 Call up Indy's attention with a few pats behind the ear. "Settle down over there!" Point somewhere nearby the house, but not covered by farmland.
>>605433 Indy swoops down to a nearby field. The farm looks better than you remembered. The old hole in the barn wall that used to be covered up by planks is repaired and there's a few earth ponies you never saw before working in the fields. Iris drops off as well. On the porch you see an old stallion with white hairs waving at you.
>>605440 It is your Pa definitely. His hair is whiter than you remember and he seems a bit more frail but his eyes are bright as ever. He has a smile on his lips as you run over with Iris in tow. "Welcome home, son."
>>605444 Let go of Iris' hoof and drop my gear onto the ground, reaching forward with as much excitement and glee as before, moving into a strong hug with him. "Ahah! It's been too long! Too damn long!"
>>605450 Iris puts on her best smile. "Hello, pleasure to meet you, mister Soil." "Call me Brick. Welcome to our humble farm, Iris." He looks to Indy. "And you must be Indy. You're a bit smaller than I expected." Indy looks down. "You too, I thought you'd be even bigger than Pa, since you're the Pa of Pa., Grandpa." Pa laughs.
>>605453 "He started shrinking after the whole exploding thing. Oh I gotta tell you and Ma' all ab-" Gasp and turn my attention to the inside of the farm. "I gotta go tell Ma I'm back!" Rush in!
>>605480 (Let's leave that question for just a second?) Ma walks to Iris. "Oh goodness aren't you lovely. I'm so happy to finally meet you." Iris gives her a hug. "It's great to be here!" responds Iris. Ma looks out to Indy. "Oh dear…I'll need to make more stew…"
>>605487 Iris jumps up. "I'll help you!" "Thanks, dear, let's go to the kitchen." And there go Ma and Iris, chatting. Pa grins. "I think they'll get along well. Good job, son."
>>605496 You notice it's a new chair, dad sits on his old chair, but even that has been repaired. "I believe that." he chuckles again. "She seems like a nice mare. Hold on to that one, son. Nice mares are far and few between these days."
>>605501 "But I've met lots of nice mares! Amber, and Mabel… Well, maybe not Vilina, but she became nice! Oh, and Celestia and Luna and Cadence were nice too!"
>>605511 "Hmmm? Oh, well that's princessfolk for you. Probably too busy with parties. Luckily we have you. Thank you, son, the money you sent has been a great help for us. We can manage from now on."
>>605518 He nods. "And last years harvest. I have enough money now to hire some ponies to help me out with the harvest, and this years looking even better than last years."
>>605594 Pa puts a hoof on your shoulder. "Yes…I uh hired him to watch over the fields. He learned his lesson Soil. Everypony deserves a new chance" Pa has long since given up to explain the concept of a scarecrow
>>605604 "You saw the hole in the barn got fixed? And we have few new fields of corn over there." He points them out. Those new fields are where the Flower farm used to be.
>>605610 "Ah…" Pa frowns. "About six months ago Grim, you remember the dad of Field, died. Sad story, he was out in the field when a timbrewolf attacked him. We managed to chase the wolf off but by then it was too late. Field and her mother sold the farm and went away…"
>>605644 >>605645 Trot over to the tombstone, slowly, sadly. This time I really can do nothing to undo this. "I ain't even got anything to pay respect with…"
>>605654 "He lived the best life there is. Working hard and seeing it come to life." Look down and sit by the grave, thinking about him, about the times he got me out of troubles, of the times he scolded me, of the day I said him goodbye when I left this place.
"But it's okay, the other side is not so bad. And Grogar's a smart guy."
>>605687 The rest is all pretty standard stuff. Maybe I will clue Iris in on what happened to my friend's father come night. And show her my room. But no lewd!
>>605694 Town is a large word, the unicorn range is a collection of farms. The closest to town is a small settlement nearby where traders gather and the local guard lives.
>>605695 Then no need to do that. In the morning, begin gathering my things as I speak to my parents. "What will you two do now? Keep on tending the farm?"
>>605697 "What else would we do, we're too old to go anywhere else. If I can die here, I'll be happy." says Pa. He looks over both of you. "You shouldn't worry about us anymore. We'll do fine, both of you have a future together, that's what you should think about right now."
>>605733 Smile and roll over the soft grass we are laying on, moving closer to her. "That's a good reason to go. And maybe, since we are there, we might drop in on your father…"
>>606243 No bonus But you do see a small forest nearby. You land there with Indy. Should be around 10 minutes to walk to Dim. Indy could stay here if you don't want to upset the locals.
>>606246 As you approach most ponies hurry back to their homes and wait behind locked doors. While not outright hostile, you spot some ponies looking cautiously out their windows.
>>606262 "I won't hurt you ponies at all, unless you're meanies." The pony seems to weigh your words. "Good, I'll come over." She closes the window and comes down. "Let me show you the way."
>>606264 Seeing how the mare doesn't get immediately swallowed, the other ponies leave their houses as well. Talking about the big dragon in their midst. "Red lives at the edge of town. She's new here…but Field left a few months ago…"
>>606270 You go to the a small house to the edge of town. An old mare is sitting on a chair near the door. She looks strangely as she sees all of you coming.
>>606337 "It's good to see you again. I'm sorry Field isn't here. She'd be happy too." Iris bumps in. "Field?" she looks at you "That friend from your farm?"
>>606366 And then I will actually just mingle and entertain her with some of my exploits because I'm not good with grief. By the end of the day, go back to the topic of Field. "Why did she leave again?"
>>606378 "We don't have a lot of money. She left to go adventuring and send money to help me out. She always wanted to be an adventurer, but she stayed because of her father. Now when we got here and we needed money I couldn't stop her. I believe she's in the Griffon Kingdom now. I have a letter from her…"
>>606383 You're so alike! "Of course dear." she rummages through the cupboard and gives you a letter. "Hey Mom! I've just arrived at Neverspring. It's all the way to the North of Hyperborea. It's soooo cold here, and it's summer. The Griffons tell me that in the winter the sea around Neverspring freezes shut, isn't that amazing? They also tell me that to the north of here, there's an island full of ponies and their island is littered with crystal statues. I never heard of that, but I'm afraid I can't visit it now. I've found something. I'm sorry I can't tell you about it in the letter, but I promise, the next time I write you I'll send you a fortune!!!!! Love, Field xoxo
>>606392 They're also inside. At least Iris is. "I got this just a few days ago." says Red. "To Hyperborea?" says Iris. "We should write to Pico, maybe he can show us the way." Indy frowns "But what about the Dragons, Pa?"
>>606410 "Yes, it's down there." She points to a small house at the edge of town. "But we should land in the town square. I doubt ponies will be too freaked out!"
>>606417 Maybe you both can work out a super sekkrit sign language for bros only. Indy lands in town square. Some ponies back away but once they see there are others on there, walk over curiously. "Hello" says Iris, waving.
>>606454 Iris lives in a small house near the edge of town. She knocks on the door and when her dad, an older pony with a grey short beard opens, embraces him. "Daddy!"
>>606483 His house is quite different from yours. Smaller and filled with fishing equipment. "I'll make some coffee, dad!" Iris winks at you and leaves you with Dad. Dad takes a good look at you and sits down on his chair. "You a fisher, boy?"
>>606565 "Hunt, mostly. Or we go after baddies." Start counting on one hoof, counting it every time I make a different name. "Ponies who steal souls, dogs who sell slaves, statues which come to life, undead dragons with big squishy pony armies, stupid doll-stealing dracucumbers…" Glare off to the side as I mention Anarchy! "I'm gonna get that guy!"
>>606580 Sensing the tense situation, Iris puts down he coffee and starts talking about her adventures to dad, ranging from Tall Tale to Canterlot. Dad seems to relax a little. "So you fought a dragon?" he asks you.
>>606582 "That was the second one actually. " Lean forward on the table, smiling a bit. "First one was in the underground of this one ring of slavers just out in Tall Tale, but that was nothing compared to the big smelly himsef, Nar'Ghul! We had some help from the elements on that one!"
>>606623 You notice only the front is made of wood, the rest is papier-mache. Dad chuckles. "I'm just kidding. This is part of a float I'm making for the parade in a few weeks. I still need to paint it. What do you think?"
>>606625 Explore it! Check it in and out, knocking on the wood and running a hoof along the paper. Then chuckle. "Bet it'd give a scare off every pony if used in a battle."
Right let's get to the meat of the story. You fly to the Snowspires mountains. It is said that here are a number of dragons lurking in the mountains. As you approach from the air, you see a light flash down near the flank of the mountain and a pony waving towards you.
>>606981 You fly down to see an avalanche took place here. The whole place is quite unstable. You see a pony with part of her body stuck inbetween the rocks. She's neighponese with black mane and a off-white coat.
>>606983 "Hello there, stranger! Little bit of a situation here that I could use some help with."
>>606986 "Not much space to move around in the first place, really. It's good that you came along, I was already starting to worry about having to cut my leg off out of desperation after days of being stuck here. It's not even wounded or anything, I just can't get it out, so you can see what a waste it would be to remove a perfectly healthy, if currently useless, leg. Nice dragon by the way, I was looking for one of those."
>>606990 >>606988 Indy grabs the biggest rock and with great effort lifts it enough to have soothing slip out before letting it fall again. BAM. Soothing is free, and except for some minor scratches still intact. She's a unicorn.
>>606998 "The eyes are a giveaway, aren't they? My name is Soothing Mist."
>>606997 "I came out here looking for dragons. Maybe even fight one to test out some spells. They're supposedly not the biggest fans of cryomancy, so I wanted to put that to the test."
>>607008 >>607009 "See? They don't like it very much. Don't worry though, I'm not going to go buckwild and start icing you with my frost spells. You seem like a nice dragon."
>>607012 "First group? I've met other strangers before. You're hardly the first, though I guess you're the first in this particular area. I just felt I needed to elaborate on my earlier statement about trying out frost spells on dragons, that I didn't intend on using them on… Indy here."
>>607017 >>607018 "You're monster hunters. Oh I see. But today is your day off and you decided to spend it talking to dragons? I can get behind that. And if they turn out to be hostile, I can get behind that even more. Would you mind if I came along to witness this dragon whispering? I won't be a bother, and if things go south I can help you fight them off."
Sometimes several characters perform a single task together and individual success is irrelevant — when Bluffing, for example, even one failure can expose everyone involved. Other times several characters making the same check, or even a cooperative check, unfairly tips the odds in the characters’ favor (even a few characters can practically ensure success with Notice or Search, for instance). In either of these cases the group should make a “team check.” This works like a standard skill check, except that only one character makes the check for the entire team. • If every member of the team must succeed to reap the benefit (e.g. the Bluff), the character with the lowest skill bonus makes the check. • If only one character must succeed for the entire team to reap the benefit (e.g. the patrol), the character with the highest skill bonus makes the check. When two or more characters qualify, the team chooses which makes the check.
>>607033 You may use that roll as a cooperative roll if you both want to.
OOPERATIVE CHECKS When multiple characters work together to perform a task, they make a “cooperative check.” One character becomes the leader and all others become helpers. A maximum of 5 helpers may assist each skill check. The leader makes a standard skill check against the full DC and then each helper makes the same check against a DC of 15. For each helper who succeeds, the leader’s result increases by 1, and for each helper who scores a critical success the leader’s result increases by 2. If any of the helpers suffers a critical failure, however, the entire task is ruined and must be started again. The leader’s total result — after all helper bonuses are applied — determines the cooperative check’s outcome.
>>607036 >>607033 you fly for '1d3' hour(s) until you see a small dragon flying around one of the peaks. You spot a larger dragon on the mountainside keeping watch over the smaller one.
>>607047 >>607045 As you approach the small dragon flies down to the big one and huddles under its wings. Indy lands and the big dragon, about three times as big as Indy is getting upright and looking at you intimidatingly.
>>607051 >>607057 Indy follows your lead and waves as well. "Hello!" The big dragon gives you all a good look. She growls. "Stay right there. What is your purpose here?"
>>607066 He waits until all of you are off his back and then slowly glides to the dragon. After some talk in hushed voices he comes back. "She wants to listen to my story, but she says I can't come as a…pet of ponies. I have to leave my bags here."
>>607071 "I use magic for a wide variety of purposes, so yes. You can call me a wizard as well though, if you think that sounds better. Or sorceress? Sorceress sounds a little negative though doesn't it?"
>>607080 >>607078 "That leaves warlock and witch I guess. Neither of which I want to call myself because the inquisition would be all over me if I did."
>>607367 "Hey! Stop that you green ponlet!" Bull rush it as far as I can, against the wall! '1d20+15' And after the surprise round, initiative. '1d20+8'
I'll give you this link, you can use it to move your token around and such, once you've moved, press "end this turn." It will give you a link. Post this link in the post with your attack and so we can see how you moved and act appropriately.
The goblin quickly unsheates a knife and runs towards you.
>>607442 You freeze his head to an icicle. He drops to the floor, dead.
Normally you'd get XP, loot, yadda yadda. Not right now, sorry, they only had shit. Iris looks at them. "Bleh, they look so ugly, look at those…what are they called? Claws?"
>>611405 He walks over. "Dad, she took me to the other dragons nearby…but they say they cannot teach me about the dragon ways unless someone initiates me. Normally my Pa should do that, but they say you can't because you're not a dragon."
>>611409 Turn to the other dragon! "Hey! What's this story all about? Why can't a pony initiate my boy? He's ten time more dragon than most dragons I've met!"
>>611410 She turns her giant head to you and lowers her head till eye level, blowing some fumes in your face. "You're not a dragon. How could you initiate anyone to the mystical secrets of dragons?"
>>611412 Close my eyes and let the smoke clear before pointing with a hoof at the dragoness. "Then why can't you initiate him? What, there have never been orphan dragons before?"
>>611413 "I offered, but the one who initiates has to stay with the initiate until he knows the rules of dragon society and our ancient magic. And he said he doesn't want to stay with me until that time. He wants to travel with you"
>>611428 >>611427 She shakes her head. "Very well. If he can survive being tossed into a lake of lava and fly back out again, he may act as Indy's initiator." She spreads her wings. "We'll fly to the meeting."
>>611434 >>611435 You both fly on Indy in the air. A little further, hidden by grey clouds, you find a huge dragon meeting ground. There are at least 20 dragons here you can count. Most fully mature with some smaller dragons nearby. When Indy lands, some dragons scoff. "Why are you back with the Kravo, Xarana? We have already established he has no initiator." "I have found one. An honorary dragon." she nods to Soil.
>>611437 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA. The dragons start laughing. "Surely this is a jest!" Iris steps off Indy. "That's right! He'll show you all, he can do anything a dragon can, and better!!!!"
>>611435 Iris whispers to Soothing. "Your spells better work!"
>>611434 Pat him on the back. "You'll do find down there, I'm sure of it. Just trust me." Cast Resist Energy Fire on him. Boost the roll with an action dice if I have one. '1d4'
>>611441 "Ha, this is gonna be funny." He points to a pool of lava in the middle. "A real dragon would feel just as much at home in a pool of lava as in the air. Go ahead, do a few laps."
>>611443 "What, no dropping me from the top of the mountain now?" Smirk at them and… Do I believe in magic? I guess I do. Swim, motherfucker. In the lava. '1d20+11'
>>611444 Everyone, even the dragons gasp as you jump in. It is kinda hot, but remarkably tolerable and you feel no pain nor see any wounds whatsoever, you quickly do a few laps.
>>611449 "I could create a fire, but I think the dragons would like to see you fly first." Point a hoof at the sky. "Maybe fly up and touch that cloud over there?" Cast Levitate on Soil. Use an action die to boost the roll again '1d4'
>>611452 You fly right up into the air until you're on a cloud. It's quite windy here. Indy points "Look, my Pa is flying! He's a dragon." The dragons talk amongst each other. Eventually, they agree "He must be an honorary dragon."
>>611458 "Then Poor Soil, do you swear you will watch over Indy until he can properly apply the traditions and secrets of the dragon magic and blood we'll teach him here today?"
>>611454 "Nice magic" whispers the large dragoness that brought you here
>>611460 "Good then. Indy. Step forward." Indy steps forward. "Present your right claw." Indy makes a cut in his right claw and shows it. The older dragon does so as well and gives him a hand. Indy seems to nearly faint but gets himself upright again.
>>611461 You see some blood dripping on the ground from the strange ritual. If you can quickly get it…dragonblood is worth a fortune, especially of ancient dragons
>>611463 You're not the only one. Iris grasps your hoof and looks very worried. She doesn't even relax when the clawshake ends and the wound closes again. "Dragon magic is all in the blood, Indy. Our wisdom and knowledge, all is in our blood. You are a bronze dragon and as such, the physical power of bronze dragons is without equal. Let that blood guide you."
>>611465 Roll Prestidigation if you want to do it sneakily.
>>611466 "But how will I know what to do?" "Follow the magic of your blood, it will guide you. Just like it guides all of dragonkind. Now arise, Indy! You are a dragon!" Indy spreads his wings proudly
>>611477 He looks to you. "He's been given ancient dragon blood. That will guide him towards becoming a better dragon. How, I do not know, but you have to make sure whatever happens, he gets there."
>>611485 "You are the foreigners here. Before the great pony invasion, we dragons called this continent Vrodrul. But I was born on this continent. Not too far from what ponies call the Crystal Mountains. I don't know if that's inside your Equestria."
>>611490 "Racism is prejudice and discrimination based on biological differences. It's regarded as bad by many because they generally believe an individual shouldn't be judged by his or her race. It comes in many forms and degrees, so elaborating any further would be very lengthy and boring."
>>611492 "No, what you actually 'shouldn't' do is to judge someone by their race. As an extreme example, a non-dragon attacking you or your kin because they perceive dragons as dangerous, beastly, inferior beings."
>>611849 "Not noodles specifically. That might not be a bad future project though, I'm sure there's spells that let you conjure entire meals out of thin air."
>>611854 "We live a solitary life. Some of us in caves, others in lakes or even hidden beneath cities. Some of us just fly from place to place."
>>611853 "Hunting and gathering is a worthy daily struggle that keeps the senses and respect for the wilds strong. Once you have mastered the arcane, you become lazy, out of touch with the other creatures of the world."
>>611856 "I never go to cities myself, too noisy. But I know of one dragon who made his lair in a cave system underneath a port city. Through the underground streams and lakes she moves in or out."
>>611891 >>611892 Soil hides behind his Big Shield while Soothing manages to quickly freeze the lava flying towards her. "Oh…sorry." say Indy "I wasn't thinking."
>>611893 Put the shield away, shaking the lava off it before it cools down, looking at Indy with a frown. "You are not a tiny dragon anymore, be more careful! Iris might have been hurt!"
>>612966 Indy doesn't need more encouragement and flies there as fast as he can! When he lands near the home, he's exhausted. Funnily enough, ponies are still hanging decorations up. Surely the festival is close but it can't be today? Or even in a few days. Iris sighs "oh good, we're barely on time."
>>612969 "Barely on time? Ponies here do things at the last minute!" Dismount and detach everything off Indy's back, he needs the rest! Pet his head. "I'm gonna get you some water."
>>612978 "Of course!" Iris runs up. "Thank goodness we're on time." "..on time? On time for what, sweetie? The parade is in 4 days.." "Exactly! That's barely enough time to learn what dance passes we should do, or think about the music, or what extra decorations we should put on the float…"
>>612981 Give Iris a look of slight disbelief, and then meet eyes with Indy, only to look back at Iris, with the expression of a horse who doesn't understand what he's being told.
>>613017 He brings you to the barn after Indy got a tub of water to drink. You gaze upon a half finished papier-mache of a warrior wielding a giant shield. "I'm glad you're around. Maybe we'll get to finish the dragon in the background as well!"
>>613026 It's not you! He's too small compared to the shield! Dad grins. "I thought I'd make a float about all the heroic tales floating around lately!"
>>613061 You go mad with power! Nah, you do a good job finishing the dragon papier mache well in time. But you think it needs something. Of course, edible gold dust!
>>613120 "Woooow, oh my Celestia! You're so awesome! Can I have your hoofprint?!?" She quickly gets you some stamp ink, but no paper for a hoofprint signing…
>>613243 You spend some good times around here. Working on the float by day, drinking and talking at night. No lewd though. At least not in the house. Just imagine if the bed broke here.
On the day of the parade, the whole town is decorated with Equestrian flags. This parade is to celebrate the day now more than 1000 years ago, when Dawnwood was liberated from the grasp of Discord by the Princesses during the Grand Crusade.
Your float is ready, depicting a large warrior with shield and dragon. It might be a bit pompeous to sit on the float yourself, but hey, why not? Iris will join you on the float. But Indy is much too big to sit on it.
>>613264 Go over there by her side, hoof against her back. With a grave look on my face, near my lips to her ear for one, fatal whisper… "That I love it~"
>>613288 I'm a very happy stallion right now. Hope we have time for cuddles, but I will still have to pay her back for this sooner rather than later! Now, off to the show!
>>613294 You manage to gently work your way forward, until you reach a spot in the front. Confetti floats down and you see the orchestra coming, playing the Equestrian National Anthem.
>>613309 you grab her very close. No more prodding for her! The first two floats are coming. The first shows a big Luna and Celestia facing a monstrous Discord. The traditional opener. The rest are themed by the year. The second shows a bunch of zombies being defeated by a batpony paladin and a jenny
>>615254 "Then everyone should have a different tube, one for me and one for you. A you-tube." And after this sickening streak of silly, let's enjoy the floaters.
>>615259 As the next float flies by, the crowd cheers loadly, but your sharp pony ears perk as you can swear you discern somepony scream further ahead, and not out of joy.
>>615262 It's from behind you to your left, in the distance. You notice some ponies have begun turning around a few hundred meters away. Most of the crowd is still too busy looking at the floats.
>>615267 Then the one shout that sends the crowd into a stampede. "Harpies!" The crowd panics and runs in all directions. Roll Str to bulldozer your way through
>>615274 >>615273 Hmmm, resolve is more about mental Resolve. This seems more a matter of strength and athletics. Anyway, RNG seems to favor you in both cases.
You plant your hooves and shield firmly in the ground and wait for the stampede to pass, when you look up you see two harpies, large rams with wings, surrounding a defenseless mare!
Roll initiative for both you and Indy
'2d20'
I think it's getting a bit late to start combat now, I'll pause and we start combat first thing next time. Sorry for starting so late.
>>615672 http://pyromancers.com/media/view/main.swf?round_id=109547 7 squares of movement for both me and Indy towards the harpies! Shove trick against the harpy I'm facing as I slam her across the face! '1d20+9' If successful, close the distance. Also, damage roll. '1d12+3' Indy uses his bite! '1d20+6' to hit, '1d12+2' damage.
Roll #1 20 + 9 = 29 / Roll #2 11 + 3 = 14 / Roll #3 16 + 6 = 22 / Roll #4 10 + 2 = 12
>>616955 You storm forward shield first, before the harpies know you're there, your shield slams right into him, shoving him back and on the ground, you take your shield and slam it repeatedly in his face until his eyes turn to X's and stars fly around his face. He is helpless!
Indy launches forward grabbing the other harpy with his teeth and with a swing slamming him against the wall.
The mare takes her chance to escape. In MH2, I'd give some extra CP for that, but alas this is chrones!
>>616960 I'm so sorry mister Harpy! "Shoul'da ran when you had the chance!" Get into flanking position and SLAM the harpy from behind, tossing him between me and Indy!
Indy, the proud dragon he is, uses Flurry this time, because we got a full turn! Attack once with every Natural Attack he has. '1d20+8' '1d12+2' '1d10+2'
Roll #1 14 + 11 = 25 / Roll #2 3 + 3 = 6 / Roll #3 7 + 11 = 18 / Roll #4 4 + 3 = 7 / Roll #5 11 + 8 = 19 / Roll #6 12 + 2 = 14 /
You've disabled the two harpies. And the fleeing ponies slowly come back, when they see the defeated harpies, they cheer. The hero that defeated the dragon has saved us once again! But amongst the crowd a distressed looking mare strumbles to get through to you. She clamps your hoof in tears. "My son! They took my son!" You look up to the west to see tiny specks disappearing fast into the horizon. There were more harpies… Time to be the hero?
>>616970 !! "I'm on it! Indy! Let's race down those harpies!" And without another word jump atop him, exchanging a glance and a smirk with Iris in the crowd as we lift off.
>>616973 You jump on Indy and give flight. The harpies are fast but Indy manages to keep up, slowly gaining on them… until they descend into the dense forest. You look down but don't see them…
>>616979 You step down from Indy and search the ground until, concealed by bushes, you find a hidden tunnel leading underground. You find a harpy feather indicating they at least passed here. Harpies don't like being underground, so maybe they're leading you into a trap…
>>616981 Surprisingly, it is large enough for Indy. Though that does raise concerns about how large this nest must be if it needs these kinds of exits.
>>616983 Around here yes. But harpies do prefer the air, it's probable that this tunnel leads to a more open nest somewhere. You could roll your knowledge to take an educated guess where this tunnel might lead.
>>616985 You remember you saw a ravine in the distance while in the air. The cliff sides there would make an excellent hideout for a harpy nest. And this would be an escape tunnel. That does leave the problem…what if you attack the ravine and they decide to run through here?
>>616993 It's right here. You could just jump down and land in the middle of them. The risk of broken limbs is not neglectable though… Getting tired, I'll stop here.
>>617547 There's at least 7 Harpies you can see. A big task without Indy. And surely there must be some broodmother nearby. Their nests are made of wood, the whole cliffside is covered in old dry twigs.
>>617561 Of the battlefield! I can't decide what to do when I am outnumbered 7 to 1 and have no idea where the enemies are and what the cliffside looks like!
Here you go, the gray stuff close to you is a cave inside the cliff, you can't see what's in there! You'd climb down right into some of the brown stuff. Which is wood.
>>617569 None of this seems very defendable. I might be a dumb-o, but this doesn't mean I'm such an idiot to think 7-to-1 are decent odds. Tell you what, can I take a Survival check to know how to navigate the surrounding area well enough to lose pursuers?
>>617581 you find a safe path down that could put you within range of the harpies. Clearly these harpies never had to deal with invaders in their own nests. You also guess the cave must among other things lead back to Indy. As you climb down, you notice something else, the nests themselves are built on a ledge, you could climb underneath it if you want.
>>617583 I actually want to do something else… Pick up a rock and throw it at the nearest Harpy. '1d20+6' "HEY! YOU FEATHERBAGS! COME AND GET ME!" And then it's time to bolt it through the woods!
>>617586 You throw it at one, right on the head! They screech and start chasing you! Roll to hide, stealth. It's an easy roll though, you're way faster than them. Or you can roll Athletics if you're luring them somewhere. Or something else?
>>617590 My main goal is to separate them through my knowledge of the woods, and then pick them off one by one. So yes, I will be rolling Stealth. '1d20+1'
>>617713 You enter the cave and hide behind some rocks, you see two more harpies and the brood mother near a fire. They're boiling a kettle of water, which one of the harpies stirs. You see the colt nearby bound. Their intentions are obvious.
>>617782 FORTITUDEEEEEE '1d20+8' Also, since now it's my turn, and since I have improved stability… SHOVE THE BROODMOTHER TO THE SIDE, INTO THE FIRE! '1d20+9' '1d12+3' And if that's successful, next attack is to Shield Slam her. If it isn't, just shove again. '1d20+9' '1d12+3'
Roll #1 11 + 8 = 19 / Roll #2 17 + 9 = 26 / Roll #3 6 + 3 = 9 / Roll #4 12 + 9 = 21 / Roll #5 1 + 3 = 4
>>617816 >>617821 Hit the Harpy to the top left and do the same trick! '1d20+9' '1d12+3' to SHOVE it away! And then '1d20+9' and '1d12+3' to SHIELD SLAM and hopefully stun the other!
Roll #1 1 + 9 = 10 / Roll #2 9 + 3 = 12 / Roll #3 18 + 9 = 27 / Roll #4 12 + 3 = 15
>>618352 Indy nimbly avoid the claw strikes backing away. As he bumps into the cave wall the cave shakes and a boulder drops on the broodmothers head, doing '1d6+1' Wound damage.
>>618353 Let's keep going like I have so far. Shove one of the harpies into the fire '1d20+9' and damage '1d12+3', and Shield Slam the other! '1d20+9' and '1d12+3'
Roll #1 5 + 9 = 14 / Roll #2 10 + 3 = 13 / Roll #3 11 + 9 = 20 / Roll #4 4 + 3 = 7
>>618356 But misses. You on the other hand, pummel im right into the fire with your shield before slamming the other into the ground. He looks close to defeat
The Brood mother screeches loudly. Indy must beat a DC20 Will save or become deafened in addition to suffering Sonic Dmg
>>618381 "They are. But we not done yet. Wanna go on an adventure, kid?" And without another word, throw him on the dragon, jumping up as well! "Hold on tight!" Give chase!
>>618397 You hold the kid tight as Indy dives down into a nosedive towards the ground, quickly gaining on the harpies. This is a perfect chance for Indy to do a natural attack against one of them. The broodmother has a higher defense.
>>618417 The smaller harpy manages to evade by an inch but the broodmother, already badly mangled, bears the full brunt of the fire. She now tumbles down the earth helplessly.
>>618420 Indy swipes and grabs the last harpy with his teeth. The wings crack before Indy lets him plummet to the earth as well. The harpy is clearly dead.
>>618428 Indy opens her mouth… CRACK… It is done.. The last remains of the harpy tumbles down to the forest to be eaten by timberwolves and Indy's belly brushes against the trees as you pull up. For the first time the kid says someting, "wow." breathlessly.
>>618434 "Yeah, we are going back to town right now kiddo. What's your name?" Tap Indy on the back of the head. "Great job there pal. Let's go back now."
>>618466 ZOOOOOM You land back in the town and the colt jumps off and runs to his momma, who hugs him quickly. "MOMMA! I want a big dragon brother too!"
>>618467 Jump off Indy as well, he's been working himself to death today. Pat him on the side of the head. "That was a real good job you did back there."
>>618476 Okay time to smile for the camera and back towards Indy! "Now don't you worry, for it is just the way us Monster Hunters do things! And be sure those harpies won't give this town no problems ever again, right Indy?"
>>618487 And so Soil became, once again, the hero of the day. And the party continued as it had before! Ponies covered Indy in flowers and you had free refills of all the cider you can drink!