Disclaimer: I do not own any of the races, classes, lore, spells, or mechanics of Dungeons and Dragons from Wizards of the Coast. This is a fanfiction story based in a personal world with original characters. No money is being made from this work. This is for pure amusement due to my fascination with D&D mechanics
Missteps: A D&D Adventure
Part Two - Day One
The next morning, everyone gathered as dawn broke. Iados was bright and cheerful, though he was pulling a sleepy-eyed Lia behind him, her hair still messed from her slumber. He guided her to the table where they all sat together for breakfast and slowly she woke up as the smell of meat and biscuits hit her nostrils.
"How did everyone sleep?" Carric asked as he dug in. Everyone mumbled responses as they ate quickly, all eager to get on the road. "Good, once the snoring from the room next to me died down I was able to get some good sleep."
"I apologize for Jun." Ander said. He was sitting on his pack at the table so that he could actually see his food. "I keep telling him to let me do a silence spell on him, but he says no."
"It wasn't me," Jun said, his bowl of oatmeal already half empty. "You kept mumbling in your sleep, and I was so afraid you were casting spells in your sleep that I came down here and slept on a table." Jun explained. "I went back in the room to wake you up."
"Then who was the snorer?" Kerri asked. "We need to find out now, so that I know who to sleep the furthest from." The bard smiled in amusement.
"I'm not so sure you heard snores, Kerri." Jun said, a grin spreading over his face. "When I left the room last night, I could hear two distinct voices making some ruckus." Jun looked over at Lia and Iados, who weren't making eye contact with anyone else. Lia's face was beginning to turn red.
"You heard us?" Iados finally asked as he looked up. "I told Lia she should keep it down, but obviously she didn't listen." Iados explained as he scooped up the last spoonful in his bowl.
"I did try to keep it down," Lia hissed at Iados. She'd gathered her hair and was currently using it to hide behind. "You're the one who pinned me against the wall."
"I was afraid we'd break the bed." Iados said. "You have to admit, the frame on the bed did not look sturdy. Besides, I didn't hear any complaints at the time. The exact opposite actually."
Lia brushed her hair back and was about to say something when Carric very loudly cleared his throat. Kerri, who had been watching the scene unfold with glee visibly deflated as Lia backed down. "As much fun as this is to watch, we need to get going. So, everyone finish up and meet me outside in ten."
Everyone finished their food and one by one assembled outside. Lia was the last one outside, she hadn't realized Iados had taken hers and his bags when he'd left the table. Five scrambled minutes later she'd arrived outside and they started their trek.
Carric obviously took the lead, with Kerri by his side. They chatted quietly and every once in a while Carric would point out a flower or a bird to her. Ander shuffled along behind them, his nose stuck in a book as he softly muttered the words to himself. Behind him walked Iados and Lia, her quarterstaff being used as walking stick. They too were chatting, mostly about whatever random object Iados happened to find in his pockets. Everything from a small map of the area, to a seashell he'd picked up on a beach half a world away. When they noticed it, they would reach out and lightly push Ander left or right as to avoid any major obstacles. Bringing up the rear of the party was Jun, his eyes scanning their surroundings, his warhammer within easy distance of his hand.
The party didn't run into trouble until a few hours into their trek. They just crested over a small hill, when Iados suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"Hold up!" Iados called out to Carric, as he looked over off the trail.
"What do you see?" Lia asked, straining to see what he saw.
"There's a wagon over there," Iados said. "Looks like it's overturned."
"Do you see anyone in it?" Carric asked, as he came to stand next to Iados. He too saw the wagon, upside-down with one of its wheels still turning.
"No, but we should go check it out."
The whole party left the trail and approached the wagon about a 100 ft away. As they got closer, they could see the wagon was half-buried in the dirt. Carric began checking the ground for tracks, while Jun, Kerri, and Lia all step closer to the wagon. Iados and Ander hung back, looking around the area a bit.
Jun had just rounded the far corner of the wagon, when something caught his eye and he stepped back, immediately pulling his warhammer.
"Woah!" Kerri jumped back. She'd been following the Barbarian. "What's going on?" She asked, but Jun's attention wasn't on her or their party. His eyes were focused on the tree surrounding them.
Suddenly an arrow came from behind Iados and came close to skewering his skull. Instead it buried itself deep in the wagon with a loud thud. On cue, two bandits dropped from a nearby tree. They were dressed in ragged pants with basic leather armor that was worn and thin in numerous places. In their hands were scimitars, the blades sharp and gleaming. The sharp edges seemed to be the only part they cared about as blood flecked the rest of the dark metal.
"Why don't we try talking first?" Kerri asked as she took a step back, pulling out her rapier. As if in answer, another arrow came whizzing out of the trees. Thankfully the shot was wide and didn't hit anyone as it sailed into the grass behind her and Jun.
"I don't think words are going to work." Jun answered as he focused on the bandits. Kerri didn't press the issue any further. Instead she ducked down behind the wagon, singing some Bardic Inspiration for the Barbarian.
"These bandits are low,
This bandit's a hoe.
Scream like a lion,
And they'll be cryin'!"
Jun grinned as the Inspiration washed over him.
Iados, reeling from the adrenaline of almost being shot, pulled his shortsword and rushed forward at the closest bandit. This bandit had a hooked nose with a scar across it. Iados swung the sword up and got a glancing blow off the bandit's arm. As the bandit pulled his arm back, grimacing in pain, Iados sent a powerful front kick into his midsection. In response, the bandit swung out with his scimitar, catching Iados's side. The blade sliced into the flesh with a sickening squelch as it dug deep. Nothing could stop Iados from howling in pain as the bandit pulled it out with a rough tug.
Attempting to cover that side, Iados swung out with his shortsword, but the bandit was ready and easily dodged it. However, the bandit nearly fell as he stepped in a gopher hole and stumbled.
Kerri stuck her head back over the wagon and saw Iados's predicament. Standing straight up, she started screaming at the bandit in Elvish, words that even the pretty language couldn't disguise as nice. The bandit's face screwed up in pain as the Vicious Mockery spell cut him. Switching back to Common after she finished the tirade of insults, Kerri turned her attention to the injured Tiefling.
"What are you doing?
Why aren't you fighting?
Get up already
And make him deady!" Kerri sang, her voice going up several octaves to inspire Iados. Lia, upon hearing the word 'deady' sent a confused sideways glance towards the Half - Elf.
"Let's see you come up with a better rhyme right now." Kerri snapped as she crouched back down behind the wagon, rapier still in hand. Lia gave a small laugh.
With the inspiration still ringing in his ears, Iados faced the bandit, ready to end this. He attacked the hooked nose bandit one final time. The blade went right through the armor, skewering his midsection. Iados brought up his leg and used a mighty kick to free his sword. The bandit cried out in pain before falling back, lifeless, to the ground as the blood seeped from the wound.
Carric, meanwhile, had pulled out his longbow and taken aim at the bandit who was quickly advancing on Jun. This bandit had wide-set eyes and an unkempt unibrow. The arrow uselessly glanced off the bandit's armor.
Ignoring Carric's assault, the unibrowed bandit gave a loud yell and rushed Jun. As the bandit's scimitar swung past him, Jun's face broke out into one of pure glee. With a guttural growl, the barbarian Rage overtook him. The growl turned into a full-fledged roar as Jun brought his warhammer down on the bandit's shoulder. The shoulder visibly collapsed and the bandit was forced to his knees with a pain-filled grunt. His eyes cold and thirsty for blood, the bandit stood up and switched his scimitar to his other hand.
"You'll pay for that." The bandit said in between labored gasps.
"Not from you." Jun answered as he pulled back and swung his Warhammer once more, this time aiming for the bandit's chest. The bandit barely had time to get out a squeak before his chest collapsed from the force. He was dead before he hit the group with a hard thump.
Carric, seeing Jun dispatch Unibrow, turned to help Iados instead. As he repositioned to get a better view with his bow, his foot sank deep into a hidden hole. The arrow sailed harmlessly over the bandit's head as Carric fell. Thankfully the foot wasn't injured, only his pride.
Lucky for the party, Lia had been staring in the right direction when the arrow was shot out at Kerri and Jun. She saw a bandit peek out from the trees close to where the other had dropped down from. With a grin, she reached into her belt pouch and pulled out a thorn-lined rose stem. She whispered a small word and the stem lengthened into a whip. Focusing on the spot where she'd seen the bandit, she lashed out with her Thorn Whip. The vine wrapped around the bandit's neck. Lia tugged hard, and with a cry the bandit came falling out of the tree.
The bandit pulled the whip off his neck angrily. His neck was pockmarked with small punctures and cuts from the whip. It almost looked like he was a wearing a bloody necklace. Pissed, the bandit pulled out his scimitar and rushed Lia. It was easy enough for the Elf to sidestep the attack.
Lia, her quarterstaff clenched in her hands, swung with her strength and hit the bandit square in the nose with a crunch. He just crumpled to the ground.
Ander meanwhile, noticing the first arrow had come from behind him, turned and found a very large tree. There weren't any other trees or hills around it within range, so Ander guessed that the shooter must be in it. Facing the tree, he formed a ball of orange fire in his hand and hurled a Fire Bolt at the canopy. The tree was immediately engulfed in flames as the leaves caught quickly. The final bandit dropped out, landing on his feet as he furiously patted himself down. His clothing was singed, and as still burning leaves started to rain down on him, he danced away from the tree.
Needless to say, the bandit wasn't happy. His drew his scimitar, his longbow nowhere in sight, and rushed the Halfling. Ander wasn't quick enough, and the blade traced a line of red across his chest as his robes were cut.
Ander gave a small wince of pain before it was replaced by a wicked smile. Backing up half a step, he brought his hands out in front of him, with his thumbs touching. Burning Hands shot out in a cone of fire from his small hands, hurtling straight towards the bandit.
Luckily for the bandit, he was already alert to any pyrotechnics from the small wizard. He was already jumping straight up as Ander brought his hands together. Given the height difference, he figured getting higher than the Halfling was a smart move. He still took some damage, but at most his legs were singed a bit more as the bottom half of his pants legs just crumpled into ash.
Now thoroughly pissed off, the bandit lunged down at the wizard with his blade. However, between the rage in his eyes, the smoke coming off the tree, and Ander just being so short, the blade swung harmlessly over Ander's head.
Ander pulled a dagger out of his belt and attempted to disembowel the bandit rather than waste anymore spells. Seeing as he wasn't used to such melee fighting though, the dagger did nothing as the bandit's armor did its job.
Carric, back on his feet from the hole, attempted to fire two arrows at the singed bandit, who was the only remaining bandit at that point, but unfortunately both shots missed.
Kerri, seeing there was only one opponent left and he was already looking rough, popped up from behind the wagon and rushed over towards him. Gathering all her strength, she plunged her rapier into his chest. Not only did she manage to hit him, but the rapier buried itself in his chest a few inches. With a low grunt, the bandit collapsed on the ground, the rapier still in his chest. Kerri was so stunned with herself, she just let the rapier go.
After putting his bow away, Carric walked over and attempted to pull the rapier out, to no avail. Seeing Carric struggle to pull the sword out, Jun walked over. He gently pushed Carric aside, and in one motion, reached down and pulled the sword out like it was nothing. He wiped the blade on his pants before returning it to Kerri.
Iados in the meantime, once he saw his opponent wasn't about to stand back up and that the fighting was done, sat down heavily. Blood flowed steadily out of the wound on his side. Lia rushed over to him. Kneeling next to him, she muttered softly in his ear, and he felt a warmth rush over him as his injury healed and himself grow stronger.
"Thanks," Iados said as Lia helped him stand up.
"You're welcome," Lia said.
Ander meanwhile, once his opponent had gone down for the count immediately began going through the man's pockets and was systematically doing the same on all four bandit bodies. All in all he managed to scavenge five gold pieces from all of them.
"You planning on sharing?" Jun asked as he watched Ander count his loot. In response, Ander tossed the Barbarian a single gold coin.
"That's all that was on yours." Ander explained as he put the coins in his purse.
"What about this bastard?" Iados asked as he kicked the foot of the one he'd been fighting. Without missing a beat, Ander shook his head.
"His pockets were empty," Ander lied. He'd just pulled two gold of that body, Iados didn't challenge him though.
While the boys talked money, Lia had turned her attention to the burning tree. With a large sigh, she walked closer to the tree. Dipping her finger in her waterskin, she used a droplet of water to make a small raincloud appear in the sky, and with a verbal command used the rain to extinguish the flames. The sound of hissing filled the air as the water hit the burning leaves.
Kerri walked over to Ander and sat down on the ground next to him as he watched the tree get rained on.
"Why'd you torch the tree?" Kerri asked.
Ander shrugged. "Seemed like the easiest way to get the guy out."
"You could have used 'Thorn Whip' like Lia did." Kerri argued, but Ander shook his head.
"'Thorn Whip' isn't in my spellbook, besides, that's a Druid spell. I'm a wizard." He explained bringing out a small leather bound book. Various bits of paper seemed to be protruding from all angles, even curiously enough the spine.
"And I'm a bard," Kerri said. "To me, magic is magic."
"It appears you have a lot to learn then." Ander said as he stowed his book away. He suddenly wondered how old this girl was. He'd never been very good at guessing ages, and human ages seemed so weird to him. "Not all magic is the same." Ander stretched his arms up and suddenly winced. He'd forgotten about the injury he'd received across his chest.
Kerri reached over and inspected the wound. "That looks like it hurts." She said softly. As she spoke, Ander felt that same warmth Iados felt wash over him, and his wound closed.
"Thank you," Ander said, and Kerri smiled.
Jun was sitting by the wagon, using it to support his back, as he went through some deep breathing exercises. His fists were clenched as he worked to come down off his Rage.
Carric was scuttling around nearby, collecting his arrows.
"You might want to try to keep that Rage up." Carric said as he picked up his last arrow.
"It doesn't work like that." Jun said, his eyes closed. "I have to be in active combat. Something about life or death situations."
"That might happen sooner than you think." Carric answered as he came to lean on the wagon next to Jun. "There's all sorts of creatures in these woods. Why do you think it's taken so long for people to find this old Dwarven settlement in the first place?"
"It wasn't creatures who attacked us." Jun replied, opening his eyes and unclenching his fists.
"True, lately there have been treasure hunters and scavengers around."
"It was a good idea making this journey with a large party." Jun said as he stood up and observed the other party members.
Carric gave a small chuckle. "Yeah, that and insisting on half upfront."
Jun gave a small laugh at that statement as well. With that the two men gathered their other members and got ready to head out again. Carric reminded all of them that they still had a long way to go.
A/N: Thank you so much for the support! I hope you enjoyed this installment as well. As always, be sure to check out my profile for information about this project. Questions can be PMed or emailed directly to me. Email address is on my profile. Reviews as always are appreciated.