More Planning
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Hunting the Witch 2
(OOC: I dunno, Ty, did Rennik see any such positions? Or Melani for that matter? She seemed to have a far better hiding place than he did.)
From: Ty
Subject: checking in
I am waiting on a plan and a "we do this" from the war group.
I am not sure what we are waiting on from the CSI: Overlook gang. Do you two need something from me?
From: Scott
Subject: Re: checking in
I think Rennick is waiting on a 'Did I see any good spots from which to launch a suicidal assault' answer from you, Ty.
As for Pensive-- at the moment, he will follow Garyth's orders.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: checking in
OOC: I also thought we were waiting to see if the halflings had seen any places where we could shoot arrows from. Melani inparticular would like to find a place with in 30 feet so she can use a surprise attack, but will not risk being seen too much if there is not one that is obvious.
Mark
From: Karl
Subject: Re: checking in
I apologize for the delay. I've been insanely busy this week and probably will be until Tuesday. (My mom is coming for a visit that will probably determine whether she moves next door to me or not.)
Farron will follow Sa'id's lead in the investigation. When there isn't something actually to be investigated, Farron will be in the library researching new spells and anything else that might be helpful.
From: Mark
Subject: Sneaking up
Melani talks to Garyth.
I feel confident that I can get many of us to with in 100 feet of the bowl. I can even get the quietest of us to with in 50 feet. Who among your men can move the quietest? The large human in the metal can should stay to the back for now. I see no way of getting him anywhere near the bowl with out his making a racket. Or we could use him as a diversion.
I would say that Rennik and I and any of your group that can be quite and have a bow should come with me to get to with in 50 feet. When we attack, if they come after us, we retreat towards the others and they can surprise those chasing us.
Mark
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
If Garyth decides to go with this plan, when they attack, Pensive will try to pick out the alchemist and strike him before skewering anyone else.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: checking in
Nope, no need for anything. I just thought I would wait for a lull in the battling because of the awkwardness of two simultaneous storylines.
Also, even after a significant amount of thought I'm not quite sure what I want Sa'id to do next. However, I'll send out a turn later today. :)
Raja
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
And Osred will attempt to cast Hold Person on The Brute. Melani's plan sounds good to Osred, as long as he can get within 160 feet of the enemies (necessary for spell casting purposes).
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
OOC: Let's hope that that is a will save. Barbarians are not known for their will saves.
Or is this a save against your DC?
This new save thing has me confused.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Will save.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
"I am confident I can get a small group to a decent firing position above the bowl in the mountain. It would not be point blank, but it would be like, how do you humans say it? Shooting fish in a bucket?"
"They are not expecting an attack from above. If the Reth'tenn can lead a small group to a position at the opening of their camp, and I can bring a small group above them, they will have nowhere to run, and nothing to take cover behind."
From: Raja
Subject: The Plan
Okay. First I guess we need to go see Master Tommin and talk to him about the halflings and our discovery and whatnot. After that I want to go to Cadfael's destination and find out a bit more about him. I'm not going to tell the clergy at the temple any semblance of the whole story, though. I'd like to inquire about next-of-kin, family, what-have-you, and also (as obliquely as possible) about the ring and where he might have come by it.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
OOC: Ty or Matt, how far above the bowl would the group be? How long would it take them to get into the bowl? I am worried that the group in front, lead by Melani, would have to take on the Half orc. Melani does not like the idea of hand to hand, especially if the other guy knows she is there.
Could the goup above jump down/climb down fairly fast?
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
If the group above moved right to east edge of the top of the hill, they would be 50 or so feet from the top lip of the bowl, and another 30 or so feet from those inside it.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Ok I am not visualizing this very well. When they are 50 feet from the top of the bowl, can they see into the bowl? Are they above, height wise, those in the bowl? Would they have to slide down a hill or something to get into the bowl.
I guess if Melani has seen this and agrees with Rennik as to the positioning of the troops that is fine, but I thought we were going to be on either side of the entrance to the bowl.
Mark
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
OOC: Also don't forget that we don't want to attack until the witch leaves. So if we are in position before she leaves, we need to be sure that she doesn't see us on her way out.
More Discussion, Battle For Hill 19: Surprise Round, Master Tormin
Subject: Re: The Plan
Farron will assist Sa'id in this in every way possible.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Yes, to all those questions.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Garyth confers with Rennik and Melani for a moment, trying to get a feel for the land. Finally, he turns back to the group and begins sketching out a battle plan in the dirt.
He draws a large circle, then a smaller circle inside it and to the side. "Here's the hill, and here's the bowl within it. The alchemist's wagon is here." He draws a small rectangle on the north side of the bowl. "Rennik says there is cover up here and here." He draws some bushes on the hill above the bowl and also just outside the mouth of the bowl, to the east of the hill. "When the diversion starts, the witch will leave." He draws an arrow out of the bowl to the southwest. "We need to make sure we're out of her line of sight. We'll come in against the north side of the hill, then Rennik, Pensive, and Robert will take positions above the bowl, and the rest of us will take cover in the eastern bushes." He sketches in some more arrows indicating the party's movement. "Again, we *must* keep hidden until the witch is gone. Once she's out of sight, the upper team will start shooting into the bowl. Primary targets should be the brute or the alchemist. They'll have to come out and around in order to get up the hill; the sides of the bowl are too steep to climb quickly. When they start coming out, the rest of us will attack, at least one volley of arrows first, a second if there's time, then it'll be hand-to-hand." He looks up. "Any questions?"
OOC: I attached a sketch. It should be pretty well explained by the above.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Pensive nods.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Melani nods. This human is not to bad.
OOC: Ready to go.
Mark
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Osred nods. "As soon as the brute has cleared anything that would shield him from our archers, I will appeal to Hironeous to freeze him in his tracks."
OOC: There are some other spells that Osred will want to brief Mike on before the combat begins, but unfortunately I can't access the open source rules from work, and don't have my player handbook on me, and so can't look up the particulars of the spells in question until I get home tonight. If you're anxions to get out a turn, Ty, I could retro-RP it tonight, or we could just skip it.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
OOC: He already knows all about healing spells. :) That should be all we need. ;)
Mark
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
OOC: I don't know how kosher this is, but since I have the Open Source on my computer (and have, in fact, looked up all of the spells currently listed on Osred's sheet), we could just say that Osred told Garyth about his spells off camera and assume that Garyth has some idea of what Osred can do.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Ok. Should I write this up? :)
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
OOC: I say yes, but I am just a halfling.
Mark
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
OOC: I think we've heard from everyone but Matt. And if we go ahead now, he'll at least be able to say that it wasn't his fault that we all died horribly, at great length and in terrible pain. So I say let's do it.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Works for me. Unless Ty objects, let's do that.
One of his shield spells can be cast on people other than himself, if I remember correctly, but I can't remember whether it protects from ranged weapons only, or from both ranged and melee weapons. I also can't remember what it's duration is. Probably be a good idea to cast that on somebody before the fighting begins.
Also, am I correct in thinking that Osred can choose what to summon when he casts Monster Summoning III, as long as it comes from the list?
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
OOC:If it is Shield Other you needed to have a couple of rings made and given to the person you wanted to shield. Derek has used this spell on Slash in Tom's game. You have to stay with in 50 feet or so of the person you are shielding as well. It lasts for 1 hour/level or 6 hours.
Mark
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Entropic Shield works only on the caster and makes all incoming ranged attacks have a 20% miss chance. Shield of Faith can be cast on anyone that can be touched and gives a +3 AC bonus (+2 normally and +1 per six levels) for 1 minute per level = 6 minutes = 60 rounds.
Actually, it looks like most of Osred's spells are buffs of some sort. Tough call.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
He's right though, that hold person is the way to go. Most half orc barbarian's have shitty will saves.
Though, if he enrages prior to the casting, he gets that handy +2 bonus.
Rage, is there anything it can't do?
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Mark was pointing that out too. Here's hoping this guy doesn't doesn't fly into a rage before Osred even sees him.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Well as close as we are we could let you cast your spell right as we release our arrows.
We should have surprise on our side so he would not be able to go into a rage. Now if the spell fails, then all bets are off.
You might want to consider that Shield of faith on Osred before he runs into battle. Or Garyth.
You know Garyth really should be healed up to full hit points before this starts.
Mark
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Garyth isn't at full HP? Holy crap, I had no idea! Yeah, healing him should be first priority. I'll go check his sheet and see what level of spell I'll need to sacrifice in order to get him up to where he needs to be.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Everyone is at full health.
You will not be able to get Osred very close to the camp with any chance of success. He is very noisy. Osred will have to stay back further than everyone else, and run up after the shooting starts.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Okay, good. That had been my impression. How far back is "further back"?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Well, Melani can roll a move silent roll to determine what she thinks is a safe distance. I mean, really, she would be guessing based on her skill at stealth.
Basically, what will happen is, as you move toward the camp, eventually Melani will tell you to stop and wait. I will make a roll to see if she tells you this soon enough.
Then I will tell you how far out you are.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
Sounds good. Are you going to need anything else from me before you write up the turn?
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Sneaking up
OOC:
Rennik's good to go.
I must also point out, though, that if the barbarian rages, he's going to be even easier pickings for archers at a distance. That whole drop in AC thing is a bitch. Oh, and if someone's held, we get nifty bonuses to thwack him. He essentially gets a Dex of 0, which is a -5 penalty. Then, if you attack with a melee weapon, you get a +4. It'd be like chopping down a tree. Or shooting at one.
Either would give Rennik a warm fuzzy feeling.
:)
From: Ty
Subject: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round
[Initiative bowman1, bowman3, Pensive, Tichenor, Pikeman2, Pikeman1, Garyth, swordsman3, Brute, Vinchy, swordsman1, swordsman2, bowman3, Osred, alchemist, Rennik, bowman4, Robert, Munch, swordsman4, Pickle]
OOC: Initiative order is after the surprise round, of course. And you can't take a full attack action in a surprise round, so no multiple attacks this round.
Garyth lays out his plan, and it is quickly agreed to. Osred finds himself relieved to see that the young captain has a decent head on his shoulders, and isn't looking to rush his men into a glorious death. He listened to his soldiers, too. Maybe not a bad young officer at all.
The group is able to move fairly quickly to the hill, knowing now that their opponents hide in the bowl on the east side. Stealth is not required on the half mile approach. Once they are all at the northern face, Rennik calls a stop. "We should wait in the bushes here for the witch to leave. We risk her spotting us if we've moved into position before then. She has to fly several miles to the army, so we should have plenty of time to move into position after she goes." Garyth agrees, and the party settles in a copse of thick bushes to wait for noon, and the attack.
It is getting close, when Osred says to no one in particular, "I wonder how she knows when she's needed?" Sadly, Sa'id and Farron are not on hand to speculate about the possible magics that might be used.
Just a few moments later, the witch rises up above the hill, clutching something glittering like glass in her left hand. Around her waist is a leather pouch, probably full of the potions the alchemist is brewing. She yells something down at her men, but her back is to the group, and they can't hear what she says. She then turns and flies off a great speed into the south west.
Rennik, Pensive, and Robert begin the climb up the north face of the hill. Melani takes the rest of the group around to the eastern side, but stops Osred about half way and says, "You make too much noise. Wait here." He is not happy about being left so far behind, but is in no position to argue [Osred is about 100 feet from a point where he could look into the bowl. This puts him just about 2 rounds out, after the surprise round. And he will be looking into the bowl from the northern lip. He isn't any further out that anyone else, really, but hidden around the hill rather than with a view into it.].
The rest of Melani's group moves into the brush looking into the bowl from the east side. They don't move as quietly as she would like, and she is forced to keep them about a hundred feet from the bowl to avoid drawing attention. It will make the initial shots a bit longer range [crossbows and shortbows -2, longbows no penalty] than she would like, but it's better than starting to fight early.
Up on top of the hill, Rennik, Pensive and Robert spread out. Robert has already loaded his crossbow, but Pensive and Rennik take several arrows out and lay them on the ground nearby. They remain on their bellies, waiting for a sign from those below that they are in position.
Below, Garyth and Melani take out arrows, and Munch, Pickle and Vinchy load their crossbows. All take out their melee weapons and lay them on the ground nearby. Once that first barrage of arrows goes out, the witch's men will close with them fast. Melani picks out a group of bushes twenty or so feet behind their current position. She plans to fall back after the first barrage, and try to hide there. Then she can help the up front fighters with flanking bow shots, and keep herself out of the melee.
Once everyone below has set up, Melani turns her arrowhead into the sun, to flash it at the group on the top of the hill. Rennik whispers to Pensive and Robert, "Here we go?"
Surprise round:
Pensive rises smoothly to his feet, and pulls his arrow taut in his fine elven longbow. Pensive had wanted to shoot the alchemist, but he was protected by the wagon right now. What had Rennik said? Take out the brute. He shifts his aim to the half orc, leaning indolently against one side of the alchemists wagon. The thrum of his bowstring signals the beginning of the fight [Attack 11 vs AC19; miss]. The half orc should have been totally surprised, but somehow he reacts to the arrow almost instantaneously [Improved Uncanny Dodge]. He twists his body to one side, and the arrow slams into the wagon behind him. The camp seems to pause for a split second, then erupts into chaos.
Garyth fires his bow just a split second behind Pensive. He too aims at the half orc, though it is a relatively long shot for him with this new and unfamiliar weapon. He wishes he still had the fine shortbow he loaned Rennik [Attack 20 vs AC19, hit; Damage 5(-1) = 4], but his aim is still good, and the arrow he looses strikes the big half orc in his side. Unfortunately, it appears to just bounce off the brutes chain armor, and falls to the ground. Garyth hopes he at least gave the big fellow a bruise.
Nearby, Vinchy fires his crossbow [Attack 8 vs AC19; miss], but his shot goes well wide of his target.
Osred begins running for the entrance to the bowl almost as soon as he hears the first bowshot.
Above, Rennik fires two arrows at the half orc, the second leaving his bow almost before the first hits [Rapid shot used, Attacks 27, natural 1, hit, miss; Damage 6(-1) = 5]. His first arrow cuts a shallow crease across the half orc's upper arm, but the second doesn't come within five feet of him. To his right, Robert is firing his crossbow [Attack 11 vs AC19, miss] but the shot is wide right.
Munch takes his shot [Attack 16 vs AC19, miss], but has trouble with the range, and his shot falls short.
Pickle takes the last shot [Attack 17 vs AC19, miss]. His shot too is dodged by the rapidly moving half orc.
In the bowl, the Witch's men are scrambling for their weapons, and preparing to fight back.
[Next round we start the real initiative order. Full attacks are possible. Even running full speed no one should be able to reach the lower group, with the possible exception of the half orc barbarian, who will have greater than normal running speed. It would take several rounds for anyone to climb the bowl and attack the group on top of the hill. Please check in with first round actions.]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Plan
Unlike Master Thaddeus, you find that Master Tormin is unavailable, but should be available tomorrow. His assistant offers to take a message for him.
The temple of Pelor in Nesalin is a large and imposing structure, the largest church in temple row. Its large golden dome is visible from half the city, and more than one thief has thought about climbing the white stone walls and seeing if a bit of that gold would scrape off on his dagger. But most are afraid of angering the sun god, and for good reasons. Spiritually, because Pelor is widely agreed to be quite active in world affairs, and possibly given to smiting those who do not have the proper respect. And temporally, because his priests are vigilant, and many, and would not hesitate to give a good smiting in the name of their god.
Sa'id and Farron arrive at the temple shortly before noon, after having spent a bit more time with Master Thaddeus, and a couple hours in the college library. At first the acolytes seem hesitant to take the two wizards to Sunmaster Fellus, but once they find out that it is concerning the murder of Cadfael, all resistance ends. Sa'id and Farron find themselves in the private study of the Sunmaster moments later.
Fellus is an old and not very imposing man. Cadfael had been so big and vital, that it is hard to think of this small and wizened old man as his superior within the order. But when he speaks, all thoughts of frailty are wiped away. His voice is deep, and mellow, and immediately gives a sense of protection and comfort. It is easy to see how this man could draw many to his cause.
After greeting the two wizards, and making them sit and have a glass of wine with him, the Sunmaster says, "The acolyte said you had come to discuss the murder of Cadfael. Are you investigating on behalf of the magistrate? I do hope his killer is found quickly and brought to justice. Pelor is a merciful god, but such acts of wanton viciousness warrant punishment in both this life and the next. How can I help you? You have but to name it, and it is done."
Surprise Round Reactions, Round 1
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round
OOC: Dodge point on whoever attacks me first-- if I need to specify, how about bowman #4?
They should be concentrating on the wagon, not on the half-orc. What the young captain failed to understand, Pensive knows intuitively-- the witch matters not in the least. She was not the threat-- the alchemist and his potions were. Without them, she would have no weapons at all.
Was Garyth so bound to obedience to his superiors that he could not see that?
And yet, how was he any different? Heeling to Garyth's commands, as if he were one of his soldiers. Pensive's throat tightens as he sees the halfling woman's signal. Obedience. He rises, draws back the bowstring already nocked, and lets loose the arrow that will seal the battle.
He does not even raise an eyebrow as he misses. He expected it almost-- the shaft was released with only half his heart. Still, it was uncanny how quickly the half-orc had moved away; it would be difficult to flank this creature.
Committed now, come sand or shadow. He doesn't see the alchemist yet, so he draws at the half-orc again.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round
Osred continues running toward the action.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round
OOC: Where was Melani? Didn't she take a shot? She is not on the initiave list either.
Mark
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round
Slash overlooked her.
;-)
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round
IC: Melani see's the guardsman shoot at the brute and thinks to herself, why is he doing that?
She takes aim at one of the bowmen and releases her arrow.
OOC: Melani is going to try and thin down the ranks of the guards.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round
Oops! Retcon...
[Initiative bowman1, bowman3, Pensive, Melani, Tichenor, Pikeman2, Pikeman1, Garyth, swordsman3, Brute, Vinchy, swordsman1, swordsman2, bowman3, Osred, alchemist, Rennik, bowman4, Robert, Munch, swordsman4, Pickle]
Melani also takes a long shot at the fast moving brute [Attack 20 vs AC19, hit; Damage 1(-1) = 1] but she is at a long range for her small weapon, and though her aim is true, the lighter halfling arrow just bounces off the half orc's thick chainmail.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round
Melani watches her arrow bounce off the armor of the brute and curses to herself.
She looks at one of the bowmen and decides that he is a better target. She says a quick prayer to the spirit of her brother's bow and let fly at one of the bowmen(bowman #1)
OOC: Ty, does the fact that her bow is +1 mean that her arrows do 1D4+1 damage?
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round
I don't believe so.
I think +1 bows are to hit only. I think you need plussed ammunition to do extra damage.
However, in an odd quirk of the rules, it wouldn't matter on that shot. The half orc has damage reduction -/1, which means that he takes 1 point less damage from any hit, with the minimum damage being zero. Melani rolled a 1. So, if it was 1, she does 1 point of damage. If it was 2, she still does one point of damage. :)
But I'll double check the bow thing for your next shot.
From: Tom
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round A magic bow lends both to-hit and damage bonuses to its ammo. However, enhancement (i.e. purely numerical) bonuses on both ammo and bow do not stack.
In other words, a normal arrow fired from a +1 bow is +1 to hit and +1 to damage. A +1 arrow fired from a +1 bow is +1 to hit and damage (which is a change in 3.5; in 3E, it would have been +2 to both.) A +2 arrow fired from a +1 bow is +2 to hit and damage. A +1 flaming arrow fired from a +3 bow is +3 to hit and damage, and has the flaming property.
Tom
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round
Well, there you go, Mark.
It's +1 to hit and damage, though, as I said earlier, it doesn't matter on that last shot.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round
Not a problem. But it would be possible for her, with out the +1 of the bow, to do 0 damage? She would not know that of course, but she still thinks that the big guy is more for the humans than her.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round
She actually can't do zero damage.
That was a typo on my part. If she does one point, then his damage reduction still leaves it at one. So, for her, she does 1 at 1, 1 at 2, 2 at 3, and so on. She would max out at 4 damage on the brute. Especially since she is incapable of flanking him [improved uncanny dodge]. If she can flank someone, of course, her damage goes up dramatically.
So, yeah, I agree. The brute is probably out of her class.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round
Garyth can't help but be impressed at how fast the half-orc moved. Even surrounded and caught completely by surprise, he was still able to avoid being wounded. Of course, Garyth's respect for such an astonishing warrior doesn't change the fact that the brute is charging straight toward him.
Out of the corner of his eye, Garyth sees Melani shift targets. It's a good idea. If they can pick off a few of the lesser enemies before they close to hand-to-hand range, it might even things up a bit. I just hope Osred gets here with his magic before the brute does, he thinks to himself as he draws back his bowstring, aiming for one of the bowmen.
OOC: Full attack, first arrow to the closest bowman (I think that'd be bowman #1). If he's still alive after the first shot, the second will stay on that target, otherwise Garyth will switch and shoot at bowman #2. Dodge point on the half-orc.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 surprise round
OOC: I just can't help thinking that if everyone had aimed at the guardsmen, there might be one or two less than we have now. Oh well, who wants to live forever. :)
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 1
[Initiative bowman1, bowman3, Pensive, Melani, Tichenor, Pikeman2, Pikeman1, Garyth, swordsman3, Brute, Vincy, swordsman1, swordsman2, bowman2, Osred, alchemist, Rennik, bowman4, Robert, Munch, swordsman4, Pickle]
OODM: I have Rennik's action, so I am going to write up round one before the weekend.
IDM:
The first bowman, seeing five opponents suddenly pop out of the bushes no more than thirty yards away, takes it surprisingly well. He calmly and quickly snatches his bow up from the ground beside him, and even manages to draw and fire at the first target he sees, the halfling Melani. [Attack 20 vs AC 20, hit; Damage 2]. The arrow passes through the little scouts light armor, but barely grazes her side.
At the back of the bowl, the third bowman is looking up at the three archers on the ridge above him. He has to dig around a bit more to find his bow, and is only able to pick it up and draw an arrow, but is unable to find a good target in time to shoot.
Pensive, seeing the brute still up after the barrage fired at him, and unable to see the alchemist in his wagon, fires a second time at the half orc's back. [Attack 24 vs DC 19, hit; Damage 3(-1) = 2] This time his arrow hits, but it is hard to see if it did any real damage or not.
Melani, having been struck by an arrow, grits her teeth and shifts her aim to the archer that hit her. [Attack 14 vs AC17, miss] Her shot, possibly thrown off by her wound, goes wide left and bounces into the camp behind her target.
Tichenor grows and moves like he wants to run down into the camp and start biting people, but a quick word from Rennik holds him back.
The two pikemen grab up their weapons and begin moving toward the lower party.
Garyth takes a deep breath, then looses two arrows at the first bowman [Attacks 15, 13, miss, miss]. The range is a bit long for him, and now the pikemen are a moving distraction. Both his arrows miss.
One of the swordsmen grabs up his weapon and charges off after the pikemen.
The half orc snatches his huge weapon off the side of the wagon and lumbers into a run of surprising swiftness, quickly passing the swordsman and both pikemen. He will be able to charge into the ranks of the lower group next round.
Corporal Vincy, seeing the massive brute racing towards him, fires off his crossbow in a panic [Attack 21 vs AC19, hit; Damage 5 (-1) =4]. His shot is dead on, and the bolt slams into the running orc's side. He doesn't even pause, and the bolt falls to the ground. The armor must have kept it from penetrating deeply.
The two swordsmen by the wagon begin running up the northern edge of the bowl, trying to get to the top to stop the three archers there. However, their progress is slowed by the steep slope, and they don't get far.
The second bowman is also able to get off a shot, this time at Munch. [Attack 24 vs AC19, hit; Damage 1] The shot doesn't even seem to hit the guardsman, though Garyth hears him yelp, so it must have grazed him.
Osred continues running as fast as he can, and though he does not get far enough to see into the bowl itself, he does see the back of the half orc as the barbarian rushes out into the flat to engage Garyth's group. Osred thinks he may be in range to use his hold prayer.
Looking down at the struggling swordsmen, Rennik sees the alchemist pop his head out of the wagon and toss something small and shiny to the remaining swordsman. He thinks he hears the man say, "Here, take this!" Pensive is right, someone is going to have to take that alchemist out, if he is handing out party favors to the rest of the crew. But seeing the massive half orc charging at his friends reminds him of the more immediate threat. If that beast can get his double axe into melee range, he can turn the tide of this fight very fast. Rennik lines him up in his borrowed bow, and fires off three shots as fast as he can [Full attack, rapid shot feat used; Attacks 19, 11, 20, hit, miss, hit; Damage 5 (-1), 6 (-1) = 9]. Two hit the half orc's broad back, and seem to inflict some damage, though it is difficult to tell how much at this distance. But as fast as he is moving, he will be an even harder shot next time, as the range is quickly growing.
The last bowman is quicker than his partner, and is able to line up and fire a shot up the slope at his closest target, Robert. [Attack natural 1, miss] In his haste to shoot, however, he slips and fires his arrow into the side of the hill, several feet below Robert's position.
Robert decides that he doesn't like being someone's target, and returns fire at the bowman below him. [Attack 22 vs AC17, hit; Damage 8] His bolt hits the bowman high on one shoulder, and almost makes him drop his weapon.
Munch, seeing that not everyone is firing at the brute now, decides to take a shot at the bowman who fired at him. [Attack 24 vs AC17, hit; Damage 4] The bolt strikes his opponent in the lower thigh, and the bowman drops to one knee for a second with the impact.
The last swordsman decides to join the brute in attacking the lower group, and charges off after him waving his sword.
Pickle, having seen his friend Munch get shot by one of the bowman, decides to shoot that bowman as well. [Attack 16 vs AC 17, miss] His bolt hits the ground near the bowman's foot.
[Map with new positions sent.]
Rennik Wades In, Garyth Prepares for the Hurt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 1
Rennik sets up on the hilltop with the arrows of his kinsman arrayed before him. He watches as Pensive stands, and stands alongside him with bow drawn. His own arrows are in the air even before the elf's shot misses its target, and he has reached for his third arrow just as the Brute turned to run.
The reach-draw-aim-release action so ingrained in his head, Rennik absorbs the action of the battle below.
The ambush was pathetic. He could not believe how poor the archers and crossbowmen in Garyth's company were that so many could blow a single, nonrushed shot. They had had all the time in the world to set and prepare, and only two shots found their target. His own, and he believed it was Garyth's. At this rate, the Brute would be down among the first group within moments, and the only ones left would be Rennik, Pensive and Robert.
Rennik's next three arrows are off in a blur of motion, two of them finding their target - but the ambush has turned to chaos. Had this soldiers no discipline? What fool general trained them in the art of battle? The Brute was the target, the *only* target. The humans were firing at random archers, doing small damage over a large number of enemies. They needed to focus their firepower on the Brute, or all would be lost.
Fools, fools, fools! The half-orc was quickly outdistancing himself from Rennik's range, and he cursed under his breath. If that double-axe reached the others, he would be witness to a rout of such violence he could hardly stand to imagine it. The only hope was that the priest could call on his god for assistance - but even that seemed a long way off.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees the alchemist hand a soldier a potion, but disregards him. The alchemist is not a target - there is nothing he can do now that has not already been done. Either the soldiers will take the potions from the cart and use them, or they will not. There is no time to brew any new ones, which makes the alchemist's skill virtually useless.
But... if Rennik could get down to the wagon, he might be able to turn some of the alchemist's firepower against his own men.
Drawing and shooting for one last time, Rennik fires three arrows at the retreating Brute before he enters melee combat. Afterwards, he motion for Tichenor to follow as me moves to slide down the slope to the wagon.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 1
Garyth watches his arrows fly wide of the mark and curses silently. The brute is almost on top of them now, and there is nothing standing between him and Melani. The bow drops from his hands, but before it has even had time to hit the ground Garyth has his weapons in hand [Quick Draw] and is running past Melani to intercept the brute. This is *really* going to hurt.
OOC: Garyth will move to intercept the half-orc and attack. Dodge point still on the half-orc.
The Sunmaster's Tale, Round 2
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 1
OOC: Ty, how long does Pensive estimate it will take the two swordsmen to reach his position on the hill?
IC:
The tatoo on the back of Pensive's neck burns with a warmth that eases down his shoulders and biceps all the way to his forearms. He can feel the satin cords loosely wrapped there, shifting against his skin and the loose folds of his sleeve. Not yet, he wants to whisper to them. The time is not right.
The half-orc shrugged off his last arrow-- by the time Pensive could fire again, it would make no difference. But the guardsman, Robert, had struck one of the archers below-- Pensive changes his target to that man.
From: Mark
Subject: Up close and personal
Melani winces as the arrow creases her side, and that throws off her aim. Her arrrow goes just a little wide. She sees the big brute rushing towards her and hears the guardsman next to her draw his weapons and move to intercept. Knowing that she would stand little chance against the brute, she quickly drops her brothers bow next to the tree, praying that it will be safe here and that she will remember to retrive it if she lives. She darts behind the tree she was next to and tries to use what brush there is to hide. The other humans will have to be taken care of and she thinks she can move towards them in the brush, and be able to suprise them. She draws her visible dagger(Quick draw).
OOC:She is going to try and hide behind the tree to her right and move towards swordsman 3 and pikeman 1.
Mark
From: Jake
Subject: Re: Up close and personal
Her visible dagger? Does she have an invisible one, or does she just have one concealed somewhere on her person?
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Up close and personal
She actually has 4 daggers hidden around her body, as well as the obvious one at her side.
Mark
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 1
Osred pounds across the ground toward the brute, barely able to hear the sounds of battle over the jouncing clatter of his armor. His entire focus lies on the hulking barbarian bearing down on the young captain. Gods the man is huge! Even at this distance, his broad back looms like a wall even from this distance. It seems ridiculous to think that they could hope to stand against such a beast. A grim, tooth clenched smile splits Osred's face. It would be ridiculous, if they stood against him alone, but they do not. His god stands with them, and beside Hironeous this brute is a less than nothing, a maggot to be crushed underfoot.
At last, the brute is close enough for Osred to channel Hironeous's power. Not breaking his pace (OOC: unless you have to stand still to cast something like this), Osred raises his arms and appeals to Hironeous to lock the beast's limbs, to root him to the spot. [Osred casts Hold Person on the brute].
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 1
Man, I should really proof read before I send out a turn. Sorry about that folks.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 1
The swordsman are really struggling.
At least one or two more rounds, is Pensive's guess. [it will depend on some balance and climb rolls for the swordsmen, so there is an element of randomness to it]
From: Ty
Subject: The Sunmaster's tale
Sunmaster Fellus listens quietly to Sa'id's story. A smile breaks across his face when the wizard mentions Cadfael and Pelor saving him from death. But his smile quickly vanishes when the black dagger that steals souls is spoken of.
"Yes, we were told Cadfael was killed on his way here. The magistrate's men have already been here. No one entered the temple last night, and Cadfael's cell had not been slept in.
"I do not believe that brother Cadfael had any family in this city. Nor did I know him to have many friends, even inside the order. Certainly he rarely left the temple grounds. I fear that this is not going to help you, but I must admit something. Cadfael was something of a mystery even to us. He came here from our sister temple in Kardan, on the mainland, about a year ago. He brought with him an excellent letter of recommendation. The brothers in Kardan were sorry to see him leave so soon. It seems he had been with them less than two years.
"Now, it is unusual for a priest of Pelor to move about so much, but it is not forbidden. A brother must follow the path that the Sunlord illuminates."
Fellus sits back in his chair, almost seeming to slump. His face once again shows its great age, and he seems very frail until he speaks again.
"I quickly grew to love Cadfael. His fervor for our God was unmatched. His desire to help others was boundless. He was the very best that a man of God might be. In fact, he would often make me feel inadequate, not intentionally, but just because he burned so brightly and yet acted so humbly. I had thought..." here the Sunmaster trails off for a moment, and Sa'id is surprised to see that the man is crying. "I had thought perhaps he might take my place, when the Sunlord calls me to the Bright Halls."
"But he was in pain, always in pain. We could see it. Those of us who loved him could sense the great anguish in him. Something tore at his soul, always adding bitterness to any good. We tried to understand, but he was distant. He would not speak of it.
"Just before he left, he confessed to me that his dreams had been dark. Something was calling to him, and he felt it was the Sunlord's will that he answer. I meant to ask more, to draw him out, but soon after he told me this he was gone, not leaving any word on where he would go. I suspect he arrived in your town shortly after."
The Sunmaster wipes his eyes on his sleeve, and takes a long swallow of his wine. "Please, you must tell me more. What was it that hurt him so? Why did he leave?"
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
Farron looks to Sa'id. Should they tell him the rest? His immediate impulse is to tell Fellus what he knows, but Sa'id has shown more than once that he is the better man when it comes to knowing what to disclose, when to disclose it, and to whom. He waits for Sa'id's lead.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 2
[Initiative bowman1, bowman3, Pensive, Melani, Tichenor, Pikeman2, Pikeman1, Garyth, swordsman3, Brute, Vincy, swordsman1, swordsman2, bowman2, Osred, alchemist, Rennik, bowman4, Robert, Munch, swordsman4, Pickle]
The first bowman aims carefully through the mass of men in front of him to shoot at Melani again [Precise shot feat used, attack 10, miss]. His shot makes it through his running allies, but Melani is already moving to hide in the bushes, and dodges the arrow.
The third bowman, finally getting his bow lined up for a shot, fires at Pensive on the ridge above [attack 24 vs AC19, hit; Damage 6]. Pensive is able to mostly sidestep the arrow, but it clips the underside of his arm, cutting a nasty crease near his elbow.
Ignoring the pain, Pensive fires again at his previous target [attack 25 vs AC17, hit; Damage 7]. The bowman staggers from the hit, and looks to be bleeding severely from his two wounds.
Melani, hearing the whistle of the arrow passing by her, and seeing the mass of enemies charging her position, decides that the time has come to get out of sight. Using Garyth's movement toward the Brute as cover, she dives into a nearby bush, and crawls on her belly through the grass to a new position several yards away [Hide natural 20, total 37 vs DC25, hidden]. To those nearby, she seems to vanish as if she had taken an invisibility potion.
Tichenor waits for his master to act.
The second pikeman lumbers into range with Munch, and jabs his polearm at him [Attack 21 vs AC19, hit; Damage 4]. The guardsman twists his body to the side, just barely avoiding being impaled, though the tip of the weapon does score his ribs.
The pikeman's partner stabs at Garyth [attack 22 vs AC 17, hit; damage 11] and hits him with a vicious thrust into his right hip.
Garyth is staggered by the blow, but does not pause. He quickly snatches up with weapons [quickdraw feat used] and charges the approaching half orc. Not knowing that Melani has vanished behind him, he throws himself recklessly at the brute to protect her [Attack 19 vs AC19, hit; Damage 10]. The half orc barely has time to turn toward him before Garyth has struck a ringing blow off the side of the brute's metal cap. Garyth now appears to have the orc's attention.
The third swordsman peels off to attack Vincy, who is firing his crossbow from the flank. He charges at the guardsman [Attack 17 vs AC 18, miss], but Vincy throws his crossbow at the man and deflects his swing.
The half orc turns to face Garyth with a bass growl that seems to almost shake the ground. He lets out a ferocious yell, and seems to almost swell in size [Enraged]. He grips his orcish war axe in two hands, and swings one end in a vicious overhand chop that appears designed to turn Garyth into two much thinner guardsmen. [Attack 20 vs AC 19, hit; Damage 13] Garyth crosses his longsword and mace, trying to block the blow, but the half orc is too strong. The head of his axe crashes though Garyth's weapons, and lands a crushing blow on his shoulder. Garyth is quite surprised to see that he still has a left arm. In fact, his armor seems to have stopped the blow from cutting him because his block has slowed it down enough, but when he moves his arm, he can feel something grating in the joint. He tries not to think about that as he puts his guard back up.
Corporal Vincy snatches his weapon up from the ground, and counter attacks the swordsman who engaged him [attack 14 vs AC18, miss], but is unable to get past the man's guard.
The first swordsman continues lumbering up the steep slope toward Pensive, but half way up, loses his footing [balance roll failed], and tumbles back down the hill finally coming to rest against one of the wagon's wheels.
His companion has better luck [Climb roll succeeded], and manages to get up the hill and into melee range with Pensive.
The second bowman takes another shot at Munch [Attack 21 vs AC19, hit; Damage 8]. His arrow hits the guardsman in the chest, sticking into his armor, but not knocking him down.
Osred finally rumbles to a stop, hoping he is close enough to the now battling brute for his prayer to be effective. "Hieronious, let your strong arm for battle be shown, let your might be displayed, let the victory of your servants be assured. Strike the enemy of your people with the weight of your will, let movement be taken from him, so that his evil is contained. As you will, Lord of Battles, let it be done." Once again, Osred feels the power of his god flow through him, and as always, he is surprised and overwhelmed that so powerful a being would pay attention to the petitions of such a man. Again he must fight down the tears of joy that this feeling brings. Across the field from him, the Half orc seems to stiffen and slow [Will save 19 vs DC17, saved], but then howls in anger and shakes the spell from him. It appears the brute's gods favor him, as well.
Rennik, cursing to see the brute still moving after Osred's spell, fires two more arrows [Rapid shot feat used, attacks 19, 11, hit, miss; Damage 4 (-1) = 3]. One of them hits, even at this longer range, but it does not do any great damage. And Rennik knows the half orc is in his battle rage now. He will be all that much harder to bring down while the blood rage hides the pain of his wounds from him. Once the second arrow is away, he drops his bow and leaps down the slope, sliding with one hand behind him to steady him [Balance roll successful]. A second later he is at the bottom, Tichenor by his side. The wolf had a much easier time of the slope with four legs instead of two.
The last bowman, seeing the halfling suddenly down at the bottom of the slope with him, turns his shot away from Robert, and shoots at Rennik point blank. [attack 9, miss] Clearly, he is accustomed to firing at taller targets, because his arrow passes three inches above the halfling's head.
Robert fires at that bowman, just after his shot at Rennik [Attack 22 vs AC18, hit; Damage 7]. The arrow strikes the archer in the side, and slams him to the ground, clearly out of the fight. From above, Rennik hears a shout of, "We have your back, halfling!"
Munch is engaged by the pikeman, but when he sees the half orc hard pressing his captain, he shouts, "To the captain, Falcons! To the captain!" He then dodges a few steps away from the pikeman to attack the brute's flank. [attack 11, miss] His sword bounces harmlessly off the half orc's armored side.
The last swordsman runs at Pickle, slashing with his sword. [Attack 16 vs AC18, miss] Pickle is too quick for him, and dodges under the swing, then comes up stabbing with his own weapon [Attack natural 20, crit threat roll 19, critical hit; damage 18]. The charging swordsman impales himself on pickle's weapon, the blade coming a full foot out his back. He spits blood onto the guardsman chest, then collapses.
[new map attached]
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 2
Melani ducks down behind the brush and starts to move behind the brute. She sees an open spot in his armor and decides to stick her dagger in it. She hears the brute howling in rage at the pin pricks the arrows have been making, but she hopes that her dagger can do a little damage to this beast. Maybe it would overlook her in its rage.
OOC: Melani is going to try and make a sneek attack on the 1/2 orc. I know she will not be able to, but she does not. On the map this means moving to her left, I think, around the tree and end up between Munch and the brute, and attack the brute from behind.
Mark
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 2
That damned +2 for rage.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 2
Actually, in this case, the 16 he rolled +1 for his 12 wisdom would have been enough anyway.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 2
I know. Sucks that he had a better initiative roll than I did.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 2
Ah well then, what can you do? I'll have to consult my player's handbook before I'll decide what Osred does from here.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 2
The half-orc's blow leaves Garyth reeling. He's outmatched, he knows it. But even as the fear begins to seep into his heart, he hears Munch's cry: To the captain! He has to hold on.
Garyth shifts back into a guard stance, looking for an opening in the huge orc's defenses.
OOC: Full attack, fighting defensively (+4 AC including Two-Weapon Defense). All attacks to the half-orc. Dodge point still on the half-orc.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
Sa'id glances at Farron, sees his look, and shrugs. If the Sunmaster at Pelor's temple was a conspirator, there was no hope for their lives anyway.
"Sunmaster, Brother Cadfael wore a ring. We are not certain of how exactly this worked, but it seemed as though it gave a dark being access to his mind. Through his own strength and Pelor's grace he was able to resist this being and we were able to deal a blow to it and its followers, but he paid a high emotional price, and now, the ultimate price for his great deeds. We believe the followers of this being are responsible for his death; we have seen them use such black daggers before. Furthermore, it is this group whose army now marches on Overlook."
"I came here hoping, in part, that you knew more of him and that you could give me some clue as to where and how he came by this ring. But as things are, I have another question for you. What do you know of the recent murder of one of the White Hart? These two deaths may well be related."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
The Sunmaster pauses to let the weight of Sa'id's words sink in. "We never knew. He must have hidden it from us. What a terrible burden to carry alone. We would have helped him, if he'd let us. My heart now bears two hurts for Cadfael."
Sa'id waits patiently. Clearly this news has deeply affected the elderly priest.
"He was redeemed, in the end, Sunmaster. We all felt the touch of his god upon him. I myself... I too, was redeemed by him, in my own way. He was a great man."
The priest nods and smiles. "Thank you, young man. Now, to the other. We were all quite shocked by the murder in the White Hart order. I know, I know. No one has been able to prove it was murder. But Paladins do NOT commit suicide. Not a noble knight like Sir Basil."
The Sunmaster notices the blank look on Sa'id and Farron's faces. "I'm sorry. Details. Let's see. Several weeks ago, Sir Basil was found in his chambers, with a dagger in his heart. His own right hand gripped it, but it is obvious that someone could have done that after he was dead. No one could find any reason why the knight would kill himself, so rumors of foul play circulated. One of his fellow knights, a noble woman named Elise, was suspected. She had quarreled with Basil quite openly for some time. Apparently, he claimed he had evidence of some crime, and was trying to get the head of the order to charge her. It is my understanding that Sir Danbury was hesitant to charge her publicly. Claims the evidence was not conclusive.
"Of course, eyes would turn to Dame Elise, given the obvious suspicious nature of the timing. But she vanished one night without a trace, and no evidence against her was ever found. Sir Danbury has refused to pursue the matter further. He was quite fond of the young lady, I believe. Who could blame him? I've met her several times, and she was utterly charming in every case. It is hard to picture her as cold blooded assassin.
"But, the knife used was Sir Basil's own. Not a black dagger. Why do you think they are related?"
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
"We met Elise," Sa'id says quietly. "Even if once she was a warrior with honor and virtue, those are the antithesis of what she is now. She fights for the drinker of souls, a part of the same group that marches on Overlook and is, I believe, responsible for Cadfael's murder. We have seen her holding one of these black daggers before a sacrificial altar. In fact, Cadfael rescued the newborn who was to be sacrificed."
He pauses. "Of course, this in no way establishes her guilt in the murder of Sir Basil; the case against Elise appears to be purely circumstantial. But the point is moot, as she is on the other side in the impending war... if she is brought to justice it will most likely be on the battlefield. I am just trying to learn as much as I can about anything that might be relevant."
"I would appreciate it deeply, Sunmaster, if you would refrain from telling anyone the details of our discussion today. After rescuing the baby, we had thought we would be safe in Nesalin. Clearly this is not the case, and our lives are at risk as much as the lives of our companions who departed with Nesalin's army to the defence of Overlook. My colleague Farron and I must be very careful in this city if we are to determine who killed our friend."
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 2
Osred curses under his breath, his face gone white with rage. How dare this bastard's god think to shield him from Hironeous's will. Almost without thought, he mutters "shield him from this, then, demon, if you can," and extends his open palm toward the brute's back [cast Searing Light]. Only after the spell has been cast does his mind process the image of Garyth strugging under the brute's blows. There is nothing he could do, he thinks; unless the brute was brought down, and quickly, the young captain would be beyond his help by the time he had crossed the ground that separated them.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 2
At the bottom of the slide, Rennik drops his bow and pulls the shortened halberd from his waraxe's back sheath. Looking towards the alchemist's wagon, he feels an arrow whiz over his head and sees a bowman fall immediately in front of him, cut down by an arrow from above.
Another archer stands within feet of him, and Rennik turns the blade head into this one's chest. He shouts back toward Pensive and Robert, "This one's mine! Take out the far two!"
As he swings, he positions himself to move toward the alchemist's wagon. It would provide him cover from the other archers in the bowl, and it would give him access to the alchemical potions within. He was pretty confident he remembered what the alchemist gave the soldier, and he had just a touch of curiosity about what it might do to the Brute if he could get closer.
[OOC: If the guy tries to fire the bow, Rennik gets an AoO, no? Then he would get his regular attack?]
Round 3, Cadfael's Cell
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 2
"Mind the halfling, guardsman!" Pensive calls to Robert. His voice sounds young, strained, in the dusty air.
A quick flick of a glance down at the wagon-- no alchemist as yet. The swordsman that had toppled below was struggling to get to his feet; Pensive wonders if he will move to engage Rennick, or if he would chase his way back up the slope again.
The other swordsman is approaching him warily, weapon drawn, eyes gleaming.
OOC:
If he can do it all in one round, Pensive will drop the bow, draw the stonesash tucked up his sleeves, and spring attack the swordsman approaching him. If he can't, he'll spring attack the swordsman without the stonesash. Either way, he'll be using flurry of blows for the attack.
Dodge point on the swordsman.
Ty, if it's permitted for me to say where my spring attack ends, I want to end it ten feet out from the swordsman, with him between Pensive and the bowl.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 2
["If the guy tries to fire the bow, Rennik gets an AoO, no? Then he would get his regular attack?"]
Yes.
From: Ty
Subject: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 3
[Initiative bowman1, bowman3, Pensive, Melani, Tichenor, Pikeman2, Pikeman1, Garyth, swordsman3, Brute, Vincy, swordsman1, swordsman2, bowman2, Osred, alchemist, Rennik, Robert, Munch, Pickle]
The first bowman watches his companion impaled on Pickle's sword, and with a yell of, "You bastard!" fires another arrow at him. [Attack 18 vs AC18, hit; Damage 2] This time his arrow hits, though it does little more than bounce off the guardsman's boiled leather armor.
The third bowman has larger problems. A furious looking halfling has just dropped into the bowl next to him, and is in the process of drawing a nasty looking axe. The bowman immediately drops his weapon and draws a shortsword [drop bow free action, draw sword movement action]. He then takes a hasty backhand slice at Rennik's face [Attack 6, miss], but the halfling dodges it almost contemptuously.
On the ridge above, Pensive pauses for a split second as the swordsman approaches, and then seems to make a decision. He drops his bow and then leaps at his opponent. [Spring attack, Flurry of Blows; Attacks 14, 10, miss, miss] While in the air, he kicks out with both feet against the swordsman's chest, and then pushes off, hitting the ground and rolling, and coming to his feet ten feet away. Unfortunately, while the swordsman is staggered by the blow, he does not appear hurt.
Melani scoots as silently as possible around the bush. Though, with the half orc yelling, and the banging of weapons, Osred could probably have snuck up on the fight even wearing his metal suit. She peeks out of her hiding spot, and sees the brute's flank exposed to her as he struggles with Garyth. He is less than ten feet away, so she flips her knife over in her hand, and hurls it at him with all her strength. [Attack 20 vs AC17, hit; Damage 1] Her aim is good, as always, but even with her hardest throw the knife barely pricks the brute's armor. But the big creature's head swivels quickly in her direction. He knows she's there now.
Tichenor, almost bouncing with eagerness to get into the fight, sees the bowman swing a sword at his companion. That's enough of that. The big wolf does not wait for Rennik's command; he just launches himself at the bowman's throat. [Attack 20 vs AC17, hit; Damage 6] The man is able to keep Tichenor away from his throat, but the wolf latches its jaws onto his shoulder, just above the collar bone, and pulls the man down and wrenches him from side to side. Rennik almost winces at the crunching sounds coming from the bowman's shoulder. However, the man begins trying to stab Tichenor with his shortsword, so clearly he is not totally out of the fight.
The second pikeman thrusts his weapon at Munch again, as the guardsman tries to engage the brute. [Attack 7 vs AC 19, miss] But Munch is not totally ignoring his other opponent, and is able to turn the polearm aside with a quick block from his sword.
The first pikeman is still trying to thrust past the half orc at Garyth. [Attack 15 vs AC 17, miss] Garyth is fighting much more carefully now, though, and sees the pike coming at him. He easily sidesteps it, while never taking his eyes off the brute in front of him.
After dodging the pike, Garyth thinks he sees an opening in the enraged barbarian's guard. The half orc does not seem to be trying to protect himself at all. Garyth lunges in quickly to take advantage, but does not use the full force of his swings, trying to keep his feet under him for quick defense. [fighting defensively; Attacks -4; Attacks 18, 10, natural 20, critical threat 9, not critical; hit, miss, hit; Damage 8 (-10) and 10 (-1) = 16] Even without using his usual ferocity, Garyth's fine swordsmanship is displayed. He lands a quick blow from his longsword on the half orc's forearm, opening a nasty wound. He then tries to rap the orc's knuckles on the haft of the double axe with his mace, but the brute rapidly shifts his grip. This gives Garyth a larger opening, and he thrusts quickly past the brute's guard and sinks the point of his longsword several inches into the half orc's chest. The brute is now streaming with blood, but still shows no signs of slowing down.
The third swordsman continues to attack corporal Vincy on the flank. [Attack 11 vs AC18, miss] Vincy easily parries the man's attacks.
The Brute, seemingly even further enraged by the three new wounds he carries, takes a large whirling swing at Garyth's head [Attack 19, miss], but Garyth is able to duck under it and knock it away with his longsword. For a second, Garyth can't figure out why the brute is using such a large and flamboyant move to attack him, when he realizes that the spin takes the brute five feet to his right. Garyth does not even have time to yell, before the half orc spins sideways and brings his weapon down in a massive overhand chop at Melani [Attack 28, hit; Damage 11]. It all happens so fast, the little scout barely has time to react, and she is battered to the ground with a nasty wound on her shoulder. She looks up at the half orc towering above her, and sees no pity in its red eyes. It slams its weapon down on her again [Attack 22 vs AC20, hit; Damage 14] and while she is able to roll to the side and keep from being cut in two, the side of the weapon crashes into her hip, almost crushing her. The brute, confident that the enemy at his back has been taught a lesson, spins to face Garyth again, spittle dripping down his nasty tusks. "Is that the best you have, Kuth tak?" Garyth does not speak orcish, but assumes kuth tak is not flattering.
Vincy, off on the flank, ripostes after parrying one of his opponents attacks. [Attack 22 vs AC18, hit; Damage 7] He smacks the swordsman on the thigh, but the man's armor turns most of the blow. Vincy wants to make his way over to his captain, but does not want to leave his opponent at his back. He stays to finish the man off.
The first swordsman picks himself up after his tumble down the slope. He looks at something glittery in his left hand, and lets out an audible sigh of relief. Seeing his ally hard pressed by Rennik and the wolf, he quickly switches hands, moving his sword to his left, and the glittering thing to his right. He then says, "Catch this, half-man," and tosses the bottle at Rennik. [Attack 17 vs AC15, hit; Damage 11; also hits Tichenor Damage 7; also hits bowman damage 11] The bottle bursts at Rennik's feet and throws a sticky fluid that immediately ignites on contact with air. Rennik is splashed across one side, and his left leg and arm are scorched and blistered. Tichenor gets splashed across his back, burning away the fur above his spine and blistering the skin underneath. He releases the bowman and runs away yelping. The unfortunate bowman has the flaming fluid all over his legs, and gives out a couple of horrifying screams before expiring. The swordsman who threw the bottle stares in amazement at how much damage he did, though he does not seem overly saddened by the passing of his ally.
The second swordsman attacks Pensive [Five foot step; Attack 17 vs AC 19, miss], but the monk is able to easily evade the man's clumsy swings.
The second bowman fires as Munch [Attack 25 vs AC19, hit; damage 7] and buries an arrow in his side. The guardsman is starting to look quite weakened from his wounds.
Osred moves as far as he can toward the fight, then stops and prays for Hieronious' holy light to smite the half orc. From his outstretched palm comes a beam of brilliant light, almost blinding even in the noon day glare. [Ranged touch attack 19 vs AC12, hit; Damage 13] The beam strikes the half orc in the chest, and Garyth can hear the brute's skin sizzling. The half orc screams in pain, and yells to his men, "Someone kill that one!"
The alchemist peeks his head out of the wagon, and yells to the swordsman nearby, "Here is another!" He tosses the swordsman another potion.
Rennik, his clothes still flaming in places, screams his rage at the swordsman who burned him and Tichenor, and charges at the man with his halberd. [Attack 19 vs AC18, hit; Damage 10; saving throw 7 vs DC15, -1 Con] He thrusts the wicked looking spike at the top of the halberd into the swordsman's side, driving him backward. The swordsman's face goes white, and the wound in his side seems to fountain blood, but he remains unsteadily on his feet.
Robert, hearing Rennik's yell to kill the other bowman, takes a shot at the second bowman. [attack 21 vs AC17, hit; Damage 6] His arrow strikes the bowman in the back, and drives him to his knees. The man then slowly falls on his face, unconscious. From behind, Rennik hears Robert yell, "Who's next!"
Munch, seriously hurt by the arrow fire he is receiving, nevertheless continues to try and help Garyth tame the brute. He steps in for another flank attack [Attack 9 vs AC17], but again his sword is turned by the half orc's armor.
By his side, Pickle also attacks the half orc [Attack natural 20, critical threat 16, not critical; Damage 9 (-1) = 8], but his blow has better success, and another bleeding wound is opened on the back of the brute's thigh.
[New map attached. What's up with Pickle' He's sort of a bad ass.]
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 3
OOC: Ouch, damn that hurt. Ok she is at 9 HP and is about to get the hell out of there.
Melani sees her dagger hit but almost bounce off of the brute. Damn she was sure she would have been able to throw that dagger into someplace that would really hurt the creature. She sees him notice her but does not realize what he is doing until almost the last moment. She tries to roll out of the way but the massive axe still crushes her shoulder. Trying to scamper away, the next blow hurts even more. She back peddles, trying to get clear of the brute. She draws one of the daggers hidden in her boot and backs away, trying desperatly to keep from getting killed.
OOC: quick draw the dagger and fight total defense.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 3
OODM:
Ok. Melani can do all of that. But it is a funny mental picture. Her dagger is all off a couple inches long, and weighs less than a pound. And she is going to use it to deflect blows from an orcish waraxe that weighs 30 or more pounds, and is wielded by a man who currently has 26 strength.
The rules allow it, but it is kind of funny. :)
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 3
OOC: I view it as more of her using her amazing dexterity to keep from getting hit. That with the tumble skill. It is more evading since it is a dodge bonus. The dagger is just because she always wants something to attack with and I would think that her background might have some religous thing about dying with a weapon in your hand.
Mark
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 3
Good thing he did not get a critical on her. He would have chopped her in half.
Those axes get X3 crit damage, as I recall.
mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 3
Yes. A critical from that axe would have broken Melani down into her constituent subatomic particles. She would be a rapidly expanding cloud of quarks right now.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 3
Damn, this improved initiative feat isn't quite what it's cracked up to be, is it?
So am I right in thinking that we've done a total of 62 points of damage to The Brute?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 3
Yes, you have.
You guys hammered him last round.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 3
Yeah but his rage added 14-18 HP's to his total and he can keep raged for 7-9 rounds and it is only round three. Hopefully he is in his extra HP and next round we can finish him off. I would love to see Pickle take him out. Garyth needs a critical hit.
Mark
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 3
If Pensive can draw out the stonesash and attack he will do that (flurry of blows); if not, he will try to disarm the swordsman (Improved Disarm).
Dodge point on the swordsman he's attacking.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
"I have no reason to doubt your word, but it is shocking to think of a White Hart Paladin fallen so low. If they can fall under an evil spell, then no one is safe from such corruption. We will all have to be extra diligent." Fellus pauses for a moment in thought. "Of course, I will tell no one of your visit or its purpose. And I believe you can trust my acolytes to be discreet as well, though I will command them not to speak of it to reinforce their discretion."
"I am sorry I could not help more. But, my offer still stands. The full resources of the temple of Pelor are at your disposal, should the need arise. We will do anything to help bring the murderer of Cadfael to justice. And the Sunlord is not without power to affect our world. Make no mistake. I have to think that this terrible crime against Cadfael is temporary, while the Sunlord's will is worked out. I must believe that our brother will one day find himself in the Bright Halls, and in Pelor's warm embrace. I could not stand it otherwise."
The Sunmaster stands slowly, "Creaky bones, I'm afraid. Where will you go now? Is there anything else I can do?"
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
"Sunmaster, if you did doubt my word, I would willingly submit to a spell of truthsaying and repeat everything I have spoken. It disturbs me, as well -- especially because it means, as you say, that anyone could be consorting with this dark power. We have to be very careful of who we trust. Thank you for your discretion,
my colleague Farron and I both deeply appreciate it."
"The manner of Cadfael's death is also quite disturbing, in that he had not told anyone of his plans to sleep at the temple. How anyone could have known with certainty he would leave the castle and head for the castle... well, it is possible our entire group was being watched, and they simply dispatched someone to follow him when he left the castle."
"As to where we will go now, I'm not certain. We have visted the site where the body was found, as I said, but there was no evidence of any kind there. In the interests of being thorough, could we look at his cell?"
OOC:
I just realized that I forgot to have Sa'id formally introduce himself. Can we pretend that he did so at the beginning of the conversation? In this situation it is definitely something he would do.
Also, Ty, what about the rest of Cadfael's possessions? Was he carrying them to the temple with him, or did he leave them at the castle?
If the Sunmaster will take us to Cadfael's cell, I want to cast Detect Magic in there. I would also, later on, like to examine Cadfael's possessions, and that dagger, while under the effects of Detect Magic.
Are we allowed to snoop around the castle? Because I want to find out if anyone saw Cadfael leaving.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 3
Out of the corner of his eye he sees Melani dart in behind the brute. What is she doing? he thinks to himself, but then sees the dagger in her hands. He tries to say something, to warn her off, but it's too late. Almost before he knows what has happened, the brute has struck her down.
"No!" he cries. The brute merely smiles, the expression twisting his already evil features. And there's nothing he can do; between the pikeman and the brute, it's all Garyth can do to save his own skin.
OOC: Same as last turn, full attack on the half-orc, fighting defensively. Dodge point on the half-orc.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
OODM:
I just realized that I forgot to have Sa'id formally introduce himself. Can we pretend that he did so at the beginning of the conversation? In this situation it is definitely something he would do.
Yes. :)
Also, Ty, what about the rest of Cadfael's possessions? Was he carrying them to the temple with him, or did he leave them at the castle?
He left his shield with Garyth. Everything else he had, he took with him. It isn't much. His worn heavy mace, the broken ring he kept in his pocket. A few small coins.
IDM:
Fellus says, "Yes, yes, of course. I will have an acolyte take you there directly. Please let me know of there is anything else. My door is always open to you."
The Sunmaster shakes Sa'id and Farron's hands warmly. He looks very sad, but even in his bent and withered frame, there is a glimmer of hidden strength. This was a powerful man in his prime, both physically and spiritually, and not all his strength is gone. "When we find the murderer, our god's judgment will be heavy." Farron suppresses a shiver. He would not want to be the killer when this man condemns him.
Soon, a young acolyte appears to take them to Cadfael's cell. It is a small, stone chamber, with one window to let in light from outside. In one corner is a comfortable looking cot, and in the other is a chair and small reading table. A shelf on one wall has several books, including a large tome of the Scripture of Pelor. A small chest sits at the foot of the bed, and inside Sa'id finds only clothing and grooming implements. It is the room of a simple priest.
However, he casts his detect magic cantrip anyway, and searches the room. The book of scripture glows with a faint light in his augmented eyes, but it is not unusual for a book of prayers to have some faint aura of magic. There is power in the prayers of true priests. Nothing else in the room shows any signs of magic.
[Do you want to go back to the keep now? Or back to the magistrates offices to look at Cadfael's belongings?]
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
Sa'id and Farron may also remember that Elise and Anileth both were able to teleport. Sa'id witnessed Anileth do it, and he may have been able to glean as much from Rennick's tale of his encounter with Leggy Dame.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
> Do you want to go back to the keep now? Or back to the magistrates offices to look at Cadfael's
> belongings?
First to the offices. If I can, I'd like to take the broken ring. Maybe the fine folks at the wizards' school can tell us something about, though now that it's broken that's not so likely.
If there's time left in the day, we'll head to the keep. Otherwise, to Farron's place to crash, I suppose.
As to Elise and Anileth teleporting, IIRC they only teleported AWAY from us, right? Unless Kor Garesh had a clearer sense of Cadfael's whereabouts after the ring was destroyed... but that's a question we may never know the answer to, unless the wizards can tell us stuff about the ring.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
Elise teleported in to attack Rennick, I think.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
Ugh. That is NOT good news.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 3
Osred closes his eyes for a moment, savoring the almost orgasmic bliss of the divine energy being channeled through him. His serene half smile broadens to a wide grin as he hears the brute's screams, and he opens his eyes. A quick glance around him failing to reveal anyone who will be immediately able to move on the half orc's orders, he returns his attention to the brute. He wishes he could sheath his blade in the beast's flesh, but unfortunately the time spent crossing the distance between them is time in which his own men might fall. He raises his hand again, and lets another bolt of divine energy fly [Searing light, again cast at the barbarian].
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 3
(OOC: By my count, there should only be one bowman left in the bowl, one swordsman, and the alchemist. Last round there were three archers, the swordsman and the alchemist. Robert dropped one, the fire blast killed another. One left, neh?
Last thing, too. Since he's close distance with this swordsman, any potion splash damage to himself would also damage the swordsman and the alchemist's wagon, right? At least according to the map. There's no reflex save for those things?)
Howling in pain and anger, Rennik performs a full attack with the halberd on the swordsman, pushing him backwards toward the alchemist's wagon. The alchemist would not die quickly, if Rennik could help it. And the product of his vile art would help the others fighting the Brute.
As he howls, he again calls up to Robert. "Drop that last archer and then get down here!"
Round 4, A New Revelation
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
"We appreciate your time. We will do our best to fight this evil that has taken our friend." Farron says to the Sunmaster. "I am not a follower of Pelor, though I am learning to respect his power. Is there any aid or blessing that you can give us that might serve to help us in our fight against the dark power? Any warding that might help protect us against his assasins?"
(OOC - Farron would ask this before leaving the Sunmaster, of course)
From: Ty
Subject: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 4
[Initiative bowman1, Pensive, Melani, Tichenor, Pikeman2, Pikeman1, Garyth, swordsman3, Brute, Vincy, swordsman2, Osred, alchemist, Rennik, Robert, Pickle]
The initial ambush had not been particularly successful, but Garyth's squad had acquitted themselves better in the follow up, and now less than half a minute into the fight, Rennik and Robert control the camp. It is less clear who's winning in the confusing melee around the half orc.
Hearing the cry of his leader to "kill that one," the remaining bowman turns and shoots at Osred. [Attack 20 vs AC19, hit; Damage 6] His shot bounces off the big clerics breastplate, but nicks his forearm as it goes by in a painful cut.
Above on the ridge, Pensive dodges the wild swings of his sword wielding opponent, and then in one smooth motion steps inside the arc of one swing, and grabs the swordsman's arm. [Disarm attempt; improved disarm used; Attack 13 vs Opposing roll 12; Disarm succeeds] Pensive twists the man's arm, then snatches the sword out of it and dances away. It happens almost too fast to see, but when he is done, pensive stands in front of the swordsman, with the man's weapon in his hand.
Melani, battered and bloody from the brute's counter attack, scrambles backward as fast as her damaged hip will let her. Apparently, the half orc is not worried about her getting away, because he ignores her and stays focused on Garyth. Melani is, in a strange way, angry that the orc is not paying more attention to her. It's insulting to be so easily overlooked by an opponent. But her anger does not override her good sense, and she moves as far away as she can. [Withdrawal move]
Rennik is just getting ready to hack the wounded swordsman in front of him, when a gray blur streaks past and slams into the man's chest. [Attack 22 vs AC18, hit; Damage 3] The swordsman goes down under a fury of snapping teeth. Tichenor begins trying to tear the man's throat out, so Rennik knows he isn't coming back into this fight.
The second pikeman attacks the heavily wounded Munch again, [Attack 17 vs AC19, miss] but again Munch is able to evade his thrust while still keeping his attention on the half orc.
The first pikeman continues thrusting at Garyth, hoping to distract him enough that the half orc can get through his guard. [Attack 12 vs AC22, miss]
Garyth keeps his guard up, knowing that the next blow the half orc lands on him could be his last. [Fight defensively -4; full attack; Attacks 19, 19, 17, hit, hit, hit; Damage 9(-1) = 8, 9(-1) = 8, 7(-1) = 6 total 22] Garyth displays his rapidly improving swordsmanship on the brute. He quickly slashes a cut across the brute's upper arm, then twists to avoid the counterattack while smacking the brute on the wrist with his mace, then follows it up with a nasty cut to the side of the neck. All while keeping himself as protected as possible. The half orc screams in rage at the quick flurry of wounds, and bleeds all over everyone.
The third swordsman continues to press Vincy on the right flank. [attack 20 vs AC18, hit; damage 7] He finally finds an opening in the guardsman's defense, and cuts a quick crease down his side.
The half orc, still howling in rage at his wounds, swings a lethal blow at Garyth's head [Attack 26 vs AC23, hit; Damage 16]. Garyth is able to get his guard up, and keep from being decapitated, but the force of the blow slams into his already hurt shoulder with a very disconcerting crunching sound. Almost without pausing, the half orc lunges backwards, slamming the other head of his axe into Pickle's chest [Attack 23 vs AC18, hit; Damage 16]. The guardsman is hurled backwards, coughing blood. Astonishingly, the man keeps his feet, though he looks gravely wounded. The half orc uses the power of his backwards thrust to spin to one side and sweep his axe across Munch's legs [Attack 19 vs AC 19, hit; Damage 15]. The axe nearly cuts Munch's left leg off, and the guardsman drops like a felled ox, blood gushing from his almost severed limb. Pressed from all sides, heavily wounded, probably facing his own death, the half orc has become a whirling bladed demon. It would be awe inspiring, if it weren't so painful.
Vincy counterattacks his opponent [Attack 21 vs AC18, hit; Damage 5], and lands a solid blow on the man's shoulder.
The first swordsman gurgles a bit as Tichenor continues to tear at his throat.
The second swordsman, finding himself suddenly without a weapon, chooses the better part of valor, and runs away. Pensive would normally let the man go, but knows that if he does, the man might be able to warn the witch. [AOO; Grapple attempt 19 vs AC 11, hit; Grapple roll 13 vs opposing roll 8; grappled; Damage 7] Pensive leaps at the man as he runs by, and quickly throws an arm lock about his throat.
Osred, trying to ignore the painful wound on his arm, prays again to Hieronious. [Concentration check 20 vs DC16, success] The warm glow of Hieronius still fills the cleric, and he is able to ignore the pain of his wound as he communes with his god. [Searing light cast; Ranged touch attack 20 vs AC13, hit; Damage 17] Once again, a blinding lance of light streaks from his hand to strike the half orc in the chest. Garyth hears the sizzling of the orc's skin under its bright glare.
After the light fades, the brute grunts once, then with an almost confused look on its face, sinks to it's knees.
From inside the wagon, a glittering glass vial is hurled out at the ground near Tichenor and the dying swordsman. [Ranged touch attack 10, miss] Rennik dodges to one side, and Tichenor seems to leap almost ten feet up the hill in one bound when the glass breaks nearby. The alchemist succeeds only in immolating his fallen comrade, and, if possible, further enraging Rennik.
Once the vial has burst, Rennik charges up the small wooden steps into the back of the wagon. The alchemist is just getting ready to pick another glass vial out of a box on a workbench when Rennik thrusts the spike of his halberd into the man's side [Attack natural 1, miss]. Or, rather, tries to thrust the halberd into his side. The inside of the wagon is a disaster of tools and garbage, and the halfling, in his haste to get to the alchemist, steps on a slick spot on the floor and loses his balance for a second. The alchemist is able to dodge aside and avoid the attack.
Robert fires an arrow at the lone remaining archer in the camp [Attack 21 vs AC18, hit; Damage 1]. The arrow skips off the side of the man's armor, appearing to do little damage.
Pickle, coughing up blood from the vicious wound the half orc gave him, steps forward and growls out, "Die, you ugly bastard." He then runs his sword into the back of the kneeling and dazed brute [Attack 23, hit; Damage 11; death]. His swordpoint appears out the half orc's chest, and the big man falls over without a sound.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
"If only we knew what form such an attack might take. I do wonder if a Death Ward might be able to defeat the soul draining properties of these obsidian daggers, but sadly such a mighty prayer has a short duration. It would last only moments. But I will give you this: Return to this temple at need, and if we have a blessing or curing that will aid you, you will receive it."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Sunmaster's tale
"Well, we thank you for your hospitality and kindness."
Farron heads out with Sa'id.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 4
OOC: Dame Pickle did take him out. :) With a little help from Garyth. Garyth has become quite the fighter hasn't he.
That searing light spell is one the Derek is going to have to learn. No save spells are great.
IC: Melani looks in revulsion at the carnage around her. The brute is finally dead, killed by one of the Blood Falcons. It took three of them to dispatch the creature, and it looked as if the brute had almost killed all three of them as well as her. The human in the metal suite had seemed to call upon the spirits he worshiped and that seemed to turn the tide.
There were still others to deal with. She sees that one of the guardsmen is being attacked by a swordsman and decides to try and go help the man.
OOC: Melani will try to hide and then move over to surprise swordsman 3.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Ongoing investigations
After taking their leave of the Sunmaster, and thanking him for his generous help, the two wizards head back out into the city. It is now an hour or two after noon, and the city bustles with life. Of to the west, Farron hears the bells ringing at the dock, as a ship calls its sailors back. The smell of salt water is strong and invigorating. Here, so close to his home and the things he knows well, it would be easy to drop guard. Farron resolves not to let that happen.
He and Sa'id stop at a street vendor not far from temple row, and eat a quick lunch of meat and vegetables stuffed inside baked pastries. Even that simple luxury, eating a warm and tasty meal while sitting in the sun, seems intoxicating. There is a dark undercurrent though, as each time a suspicious looking person walks by, both the wizards tense up and watch till he leaves. At one point Sa'id even remarks, "I do not remember there being so many people of ill aspect wandering about the city." Farron just laughs, "I don't remember us hunting down a soul stealing killer before, either. But surely that has nothing to do with it."
After lunch, Sa'id says that they should go back to the magistrates offices, and see if he will release Cadfael's belongings to them. Especially the ring. Perhaps the wizard's college may be able to learn something from it. Farron shrugs. It seems as good a place as any to go next. It's frustrating to have so few answers, though of course he knows that they have only been looking for one morning.
The magistrate has no argument with turning the broken ring over to the two wizards. It just seems like a cold metal band now. There is no hint of magic or taint to it. But perhaps the college will find something. Sa'id tosses it in his pocket and the wizards head off to the keep.
The man who stood watch at the front door remembers Cadfael leaving, but did not see anyone following him. He says that the cleric was whistling a jaunty tune, and seemed quite happy as he left. He doesn't really have anything else to report.
[you guys can do any RP you want, or ask additional questions. I assume back to the college after that?]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations (question for Mike)
BTW, Mike, we never really said, but what would Garyth have done with Cadfael's shield?
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations
OOC:
Of course, the doorman could easily be a conspirator, and we have no way of determining if he's telling the truth.
I'd like to use another Detect Magic glamour at the murder site. I imagine any auras have long dissipated, but it can't hurt to check. Then to the wizards' school to see if they can tell us anything about the ring. We should maybe be asking them about the dagger, too, but one thing at a time. I don't particularly want to be carrying that thing around.
I don't have anything else to ask the doorman aside from the time of Cadfael's departure. Also, I don't suppose there's any accurate way to determine time of death, is there? It would be nice to know, roughly, how long passed between when Cadfael left the castle and when he died. That would give us a clearer idea of whether he was killed en route or killed later; it's possible the temple was not actually his destination.
Man. So many unknowns.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations (question for Mike)
Not having a place of his own in Nesalin, Garyth would have left Cadfael's shield and mace with the Guard's quartermaster's office for safekeeping until his return.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 4
Garyth lets out a shout of satisfaction as he feels his weapons connect with the half-orc's hide. But his cry turns to one of dismay when he sees Munch go down. "Osred!" he yells. "Man down!"
Munch's only hope is for Osred to reach him before it's too late. And the only way that can happen is for Garyth to make sure the pikemen are occupied. "Come on, you bastards!" he roars at the two pikemen as he advances.
OOC: Full Attack, fighting defensively against Pikeman 2. Dodge point on Pikeman 2. If Pikeman 2 dies, any remaining attacks will be against Pikeman 1.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 4
Hearing Garyth's call, Osred is on the move, pounding his way across the battle field before the afterimage from Hironeous's divine light has faded from his eyes. He moves with all speed, heedless of attacks that might be leveled at him.
From: Ty
Subject: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Sa'id casts another detect magic at the street on which the murder occurred. Of course, it is quite different in broad daylight with the street full of people. Several people pass by that display some small glimmer of magic. Most probably minor protection or warding charms. This area of town is frequented by the wealthy, and they have the means to purchase such things. But the street itself offers no clues. If magic was used here, its traces have long since vanished.
The wizards then head back to the college. They are surprised when the doorman tells them that Thaddeus has requested they be brought to him immediately if they return. The are quickly ushered back to his office, and he greets them with a strange expression. Sa'id says, "We have brought this-" But Master Thaddeus interrupts him impatiently.
"I have something important to tell you! Curse me for an old fool, but I missed something of importance when we last spoke. You mentioned this Kor Garesh, and I told you I had never heard of it. Well, that was both true and not true. The term Kor Garesh is an ancient halfling mish mash. Of course I've never heard it used that way. But then I started to think about the meaning. 'Soul Drinker'. And it hit me. Melancthnagesh. The Devourer. The general of Mon Kada's legions in the blood wars. It is not in a book you boys would have read, since we keep it in the private library for Masters only. But there is an account there, written, oh, perhaps a thousand years or more ago, by a magician of vast powers who fought for a time in the blood wars. He describes this creature, this Devourer. An abomination of incredible might, who led the legions of Mon Kada in the endless wars in pandemonium. I have read no other works that describe this creature. Which, of course, would make a great deal of sense, if he vanished from his own realm a thousand years ago.
"If this Kor Garesh of the halflings, is indeed Melancthnagesh the Devourer, then this is a problem beyond my ability to see a solution for. This is an outsider of vast power; nearly a minor god in its own right. It would have taken the strength of a being like Pelor to contain it at all."
He stops speaking, a combination of horror and awe on his face.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 4
Frustrated at his ineptness, Rennik forces his breathing to slow somewhat, though it still is forced in and out of his nostrils like a cornered H'ruggda. With a low growl in his throat, he performs a full attack on the alchemist in the confined lab.
Round 5, The War Journal of Banarad Vash
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 4
The swordsman is taller than Pensive, so the elf has to jump to get a good grip on his throat. Pensive wraps an arm around the man's throat and uses the momentum from his jump to swing over the man's left shoulder. By the time his feet hit the ground again, Pensive is ready.
He aims two sharp blows at the man's head.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Sa'id takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "And its bonds must be weakening, since it has drawn much evil to it to create this army. It has influence in the outside world again, and is obviously working to free itself."
"But like you I see no solution. Even if Nesalin's army is victorious, Melancthnagesh will still be able to draw the weak of heart to it and create a new army. Some way to mend its prison must be found. A part of the obsidian monolith that holds the Devourer has been broken off; it is this that his followers use as his sacrificial altar. But I just can't see a way..."
"Getting there once was difficult enough. To return? Without the protection of Pelor? Impossible..." For a moment, Sa'id feels nothing but the blackest despair. The Devourer could not be defeated. They might as well simply loose the beast on the world.
"Still. Could we read this account?"
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Farron looks a Thaddeus and is somewhat more ill-at-ease seeing the expression of horror on his face. But on the other hand, what has he told them that they didn't already know? They were facing a great evil being that it took a god's power to contain long ago which is working to re-enter the world and is calling all evil to him to achieve this goal. "Kor Garesh" or "Melancthnagesh the Devourer", so what? Now they knew another name for him. A rose is a rose is a rose . . .
"Forgive me, Master Thaddeus," Farron begins, "But how does this information change our situation? Is there something about Melanga-- Methangle-- er, this 'Devourer' that might be of practical use to us? or is this just further confirmation that we're fighting a Great Evil? Forgive my obtuseness, but this seems to be important information to you, but I can't see how it changes anything for us."
He looks at Master Thaddeus hopefully.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 4
OOC: I assume that Osred won't be able to reach Munch and have time to cast a healing spell on him in the next turn, right Ty?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Master Thaddeus looks at Farron with an open mouth for a moment. "Changes anything? It should change everything! When you came here, you spoke of a nameless evil in a pillar of black glass. You knew nothing of its powers or abilities. In fact, many of the powers it has displayed are easily reproduced by relatively minor variations of the undead. I can show you undead creatures that can seemingly 'steal' the souls of their victims. A vampire might draw evil creatures to its service. A lich can create skeletons.
"Is this a vampire or a wraith or a lich? No. This is an infernal abomination of incredible power. This is a creature that could move across the isle of Huss in a day and leave not a living soul in his wake. This is a creature that can, if unleashed, summon forth a full legion of lesser beings from his home plane of Pandemonium. This is a creature whose foremost patron is Mon Kada, the evil god of vengeance and a major deity. I think those are important things to know.
"Is that not enough? Then let's become more subtle. Now that we know the creature's origin, I can tell you this. Those contracts through which it binds its followers are meaningless. This is a being of pure chaos and pure evil. It will not let itself be bound by any rule or agreement, save by greater power than itself. It uses these agreements to enslave those who are foolish enough to believe its promises. But it will always betray those who trust it."
Farron begins to squirm. This is exactly the Master Thaddeus he remembers when some student asked a foolish question in class.
"Is that not enough? Then let's talk of our art. Creatures such as this are beings inherently magical in nature. They do not cast spells, they wield energies as naturally as you or I breathe. And they are nearly impossible to harm with magic in return. Only the most potent magicians can hope to penetrate their defenses. And, if you do once penetrate them, then whatever spell harmed the demon can never be used on it again. The creature develops an immunity to magic, like we develop immunities to the pox, once we've had it.
"Also, knowing its past and its allegiances, we can discern much of who our potential allies and enemies are in this struggle. Farron, when did you become so myopic? There is much here beyond what you see. The thing trapped in the pillar on this tiny island is not even the tip of this iceberg. It is a distant glimmer of light off the tip of the iceberg. It is valuable to know what might lie hidden beneath the waves. Farron, you were a student of Divination! One of my best! When did you become so callous to the gathering of information? Did I teach nothing? Information is everything! The true name of our enemy is of inestimable value!"
He sits down heavily. "I found this information both telling and troubling. If it means nothing to you, then I do not know what to say."
He accepts the ring from Sa'id. "I will have someone look at this for you." The old master seems to slump. The speech he gave Farron seems to have sucked a great deal out of him.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
After a moment's silence, Thaddeus hands a large tome to Sa'id. "You can read of the creature and its background in this. I have marked the pages. Sadly, there is not a great deal of information, but it may be of use."
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
OOC: I hope it is in a language they can read. Opps, thats right, they are MU, they can just cast the Comp. Languages.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
[Initiative bowman1, Pensive, Melani, Tichenor, Pikeman2, Pikeman1, Garyth, swordsman3, Vincy, swordsman2, Osred, alchemist, Rennik, Robert, Pickle]
The first bowman, seeing Osred now running towards the melee, fires another arrow at his flank [Attack 25 vs AC19, hit; Damage 4]. The arrow hits him in his broad back, and sticks in his armor. He can feel the point cutting him as he runs, and a trickle of blood runs down his back. He growls at the irritation, but continues running toward the dying Munch.
Pensive, having stopped the fleeing swordsman with a choke hold, releases the man and strikes twice at his head, hoping to incapacitate him. [Attack 10, 15, miss, miss] The swordsman seems surprised to suddenly be able to breathe again, but his reflexes are quick, and he staggers back away from the monk's flurry of punches.
Melani beings moving around a large bush, hoping to get the swordsman in range for a flank attack, but also trying to remain hidden [Hide roll 20 vs spot roll 10, success].
Tichenor jumps back down off the slope, and runs at the one remaining enemy he can see; the bowman. [Attack 12 vs AC18, miss] The bowman sees him coming out of the corner of his eye, and smacks the big wolf on the snout with his longbow. Tichenor backs away and circles, growling deep in his chest.
The second pikeman turns to face Pickle, and thrusts at the guardsman's chest with his polearm [Attack 17 vs AC18, miss]. Pickle is just barely able to turn the weapon, and good thing too. He looks pale, and blood runs down his chin from his coughing. The half orc wounded him badly before it died.
The first pikeman concentrates on Garyth, searching for a gap in his defenses with quick faints and thrusts. [Attack 21 vs AC23, miss] But Garyth is fighting carefully, and when his guard is up, he is very difficult to hit.
Garyth parries and ripostes, hoping to get a lucky hit on the attacking pikeman, without opening his own guard up to counterattack. [Fight defensively -4; full attack; Attack 19, critical threat 7, not critical, attack 7, attack 19, critical threat 11, not critical; hit, miss, hit; Damage 11, 10] Without the half orc to distract his opponent the pikeman finds himself suddenly outmatched, and two quick sword thrusts later, is down and bleeding at Garyth's feet.
The third swordsman, not seeing the decimated state of his allies, continues to press Vincy. [Attack 20 vs AC19, hit; Damage 7] He lands a wicked blow on the guardsman's hip, staggering Vincy back.
Up on the ridge, the second swordsman is struggling with Pensive. Pensive releases him and tries to hit him, but he manages to back away from the monk. As he moves, he draws his shortsword, and then suddenly lunges at the monk's chest. [Attack 14 vs AC20, miss] Pensive easily dodges the blow.
Osred runs full speed at the melee to save Munch. As he approaches the fallen guardsman, the second pikeman spins sideways and swings his polearm at the cleric. [Moving through threatened square, AOO; Attack 12 vs AC19, miss] Osred blocks the weapon with his shield, but can't get past the pikeman to get to Munch's side.
Inside the wagon, the alchemist reaches into his robes to grab a weapon, and Rennik lunges at him. [AOO; Attack 18, hit; Damage 16; Save 17 vs DC15, saved] Rennik smacks the alchemist across the head with the halberd, and he falls instantly to the floor.
Seeing that the alchemist will not be getting up any time soon, Rennik moves back out the door. Off to his left he can see the bowman fighting with Tichenor. Out in the field, he can see the melee winding down, as very few of the witch's men are still standing.
Robert fires his crossbow at the last bowman, hoping to use the distraction of Tichenor to get a better shot. [Attack in melee -4; Attack 21, hit; Damage 6] His bolt slams into the bowman's right arm, spinning him to one side.
Pickle, badly wounded and just wanting this fight to be over with, lunges at his one remaining opponent with abandon [Power attack 2; Attack 20 vs AC20, hit; Damage 11]. He smashes his sword overhand into the pikeman's shoulder, almost driving him to one knee.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
OOC: Melani does this if she is with in 10' of swordsman 3, if not she moves as much as she can at what speed she is allowed while hidden and then does this.
IC: Melani scoots around the tree, looking for another opponent. She sees a swordsman strike one of the Blood Falcons, she thinks it was the one called Vincy. The Falcon staggers back. Melani pulls one of her throwing daggers from her other boot and throws it at the swordsman, aiming for the throat.
Mark
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
(OOC - well, we DID get a lot of cool additional information)
Farron, looking crestfallen at first and increasingly ashen as the true horror of what they are facing finally sinks in, stares at Master Thaddeus as he finishes his diatribe and slumps into his chair. When Master Thaddeus hands the book to Sa'id rather than to himself, he sees a rebuke in it and feels even worse. After a moment, he moves to stand directly before his old master, sinks to one knee and bows his head, "Forgive my foolishness, Master. It has been a long two weeks."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
Pensive's attacks touch only air-- but with his hands free, he stretches into his sleeves and unravels the cord from around his forearms. The scarlet cord shivers in the dusty air, somehow as fluid as blood and as solid as stone.
Pensive whips the cord in half with a single motion, and attacks the swordsman.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Thaddeus looks crestfallen at Farron's apology. "No, no, my friend. I apologize. My outburst was uncalled for. I find myself in a position I have not been in in a long time. I am truly, deeply, afraid."
He grips Farron's hand warmly. "But I am glad of one thing. I am glad my favorite student is on the right side in this fight. So many of us become intoxicated by the power of magic, and wind up serving only their own desire for more. You make me proud, young man. I am sorry I got so worked up."
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
Is the pikeman that pickle brought to his knees the same one that was in Osred's way?
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
"Thank you, sir," Sa'id says quietly. "Because the Devourer is known, and has a place in history, I am hoping that I may be able to find more information about it at the Temple of Pelor, as well. If they can help us devise a way to repair the prison, Brother Cadfael's death might not have been in vain."
Sa'id sighs. "The problem is that we know so little about the ancient halflings," he says. "If we knew why the Devourer manifested here we might be able to determine how it was imprisoned, but..." a hint of bitterness creeps into his tone, "we can't simply ask Pelor what He did to create the prison, and how it might be repaired."
"There is also the question of how Cadfael was killed, which is troubling because it speaks to the Devourer's influence even here, relatively far from its prison."
Sa'id will sit and read the marked pages.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
"So many of us become intoxicated by the power of magic, and wind up serving only their own desire for more."
Sa'id looks away as Thaddeus speaks these words, then focuses intently on the tome.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
The mix of emotions Farron feels threatens to overwhelm him. He is pleased to his soul that he has not lost Master Thaddeus's esteem, yet like never before he is afraid of what lies ahead. There is a difference between fearing for one's life and fearing for all that one knows and loves. And when Thaddeus mentions the intoxication of power and desire for more Farron remembers all to vividly his weakness in the tower and near surrender to Kor Garesh during the retreat from the mountain. He feels his face getting hot and says quickly to his Master before turning to leave, "We will keep you posted on our progress if we can, especially if we find something new or useful. Thank you again."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Sa'id and Farron read the War Journal of Banarad Vash:
We move now deeper into Pandemonium than at any point in my hundred year service as Vassal in the armies of Bhaal. The fighting here is ceaseless and of an intensity that would shatter the psyche of most men. I entered into this willingly, but my reasons seem distant to me now. Did I believe I would gain in power? If so, then I have been successful. The constant battles have grown my skills beyond even my wildest aspirations. Did I hope to gain knowledge? In that too, I have succeeded. I have seen things beyond the comprehension of most mortal men. I have watched the limitless legions of evil clash in battles that stretched across the very planes themselves. I have met creatures of power so vast it is only matched by their malevolence. But is this power and knowledge of any use, once my time here is done?
I wonder.
I also begin to wonder if I am a fool to believe I will ever leave this place, and these battles. How does one measure time here? It seems that my century of service nears an end, but what timepiece keeps accurate measure in the bowls of chaos?
We fight now against the most powerful beings the Lord of this domain has at his disposal. The closer we come to Mon Kada's seat of power, the greater the opponents we face.
Today, his general took the field.
I had thought myself incapable of fear, after nearly a century of constant war. I was wrong. I have looked into the face of Melancthnagesh, and felt fear again.
My legion had taken up position on the right flank of our enemy's main body of troops. We were to draw them to face us, while our main force smashed them once their lines had turned. But when our assault began, Melancthnagesh appeared on the field to lead his troops against us.
It was a slaughter.
Let me describe the creature, before memory erases his visage to protect me from madness. He stood great than three times the height of a man, though he did have in general a man's shape. His hands are enormous, and end in long claws of incredible sharpness. I saw powerful creatures sliced into pieces by the most casual swipe from those claws. On his back, where most of his type have large wings, he has instead to masses of black tentacles that flail constantly about. Any caught by them are rent and shattered.
And his face. Can I describe such a face and keep my sanity? I do not believe I can. But I do remember the eyes. Deep pools of red. Seemingly portals into a vast fiery place. And I have seen the fuel that burns there. For each time the Devourer snatched up an enemy, he bit it with his huge jaws, and the almost insect-like mandibles that brace them. Any creature bitten so was destroyed in an instant, and its life force would seem to make the flames behind Melancthnagesh's eyes burn brighter still.
I hurled my most potent magics at it, but it laughed off my powers and showed them paltry indeed when it used its own vast magics to devastate my command. When we finally fell back, less than one in ten of my legion still lived.
We will not be able to take palace of Mon Kada. No matter how many of our legions we hurl at it, how can we defeat such raw power? These wars have been going on since the beginning of time. This must be the endless way of it. Advance, and fall back. Thousands lost each moment, but the reserves are endless, and the malevolent madness that drives the powers here never allows for negotiation or respite.
I must leave. I must get away. I can not stay in this place any longer.
***Sa'id pages ahead to the next marked section***
We hurl ourselves on the rock of Melancthnagesh and are broken.
Our masters do not allow us to retreat, and we are crushed and rent and destroyed for nothing.
But we have been given new orders. Our masters say that the great strength of the Devourer is also its great weakness. We are ordered to force the creature to expend its energies, while not giving it lives to devour and replenish. How we are to do this, I do not know.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
OOC: I think you forgot to give Vincy a turn.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5 addendum
Mike pointed out I forgot Vincy. Oops. Vincy attacked and missed his opponent. Attack of 10. Just forgot to note it in the turn.
Sorry. :)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
Garyth whirls on the remaining pikeman as his comrade falls. Just in time, too; Pickle is fading fast. "Pickle!" he shouts as he advances on the pikeman. "Fall back!"
OOC: Full attack on the pikeman, fighting defensively. If the pikeman is dead after the first attack, Garyth will move down to assist Vincy.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
(OOC- contrary to my last email, I'm assuming we're still in the chambers of Master Thaddeus as we're reading this. Correct me if I'm wrong).
"'force the creature to expend its energies, while not giving it lives to devour and replenish' ?" Farron reads aloud. "How would one do that?" He asks the question with a rhetorical tone, a little afraid of revealing further stupidity but still opening the issue for discussion.
"Is there any record of what became of Banarad Vash? I don't imagine he's left a 'How I did it' entry, has he?"
He thinks a moment. "Well, he is making a move now, with his armies closing on Overlook. He must be expending a bit of energy on that alone. But how is it he devours lives? Are they his in defeat alone? When they give him their allegiance? Or is he fed when his minions are killed? Or is he only fed when the kill is made with a weapon like that which killed Cad--" He stifles a gasp as he realizes what exactly may have befallen their former companion. He looks in horror at Sa'id and Master Thaddeus grasping for some word of hope.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
OOC: Melani is going to save his life. She has to KILL something in this battle. :)
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
Master Thaddeus replies, "Why, yes! Banarad did return from the Blood Wars. His journal was quite popular in certain circles for centuries after he returned. It is one of the better works we have describing the internal mechanics of that longest and most horrific conflicts.
"I believe he settled in Karad for a time, eventually becoming Earl of some minor province or something. He died nearly 700 years ago, but it was still over 200 years after his return. Apparently, he came back from the wars quite... potent.
"I do not believe that he ever actually did defeat this creature Melancthnagesh, but I found the passage interesting. At least in theory. If the creature is in fact powered by those he devours, which seems likely, then keeping him from a steady supply of souls to take does seem a useful way to contain him.
"Unfortunately, it also tells us more of what his army's purpose is. He may be attacking the town of Overlook in an attempt to recapture the Monk's boy. But a large town's worth of souls to eat is certainly a nice bonus. And there are many, small defenseless towns on this isle. Think. If he could take Overlook, one thousand new zombies for his army, or more. And one thousand human lives to drink down and replenish his power."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
The alchemist fell like a sack of sweetroots, leaving Rennik unsatisfied. The pain of the burns and the frustration at not being able to vent his rage roil inside him as he bursts out through the wagon's door.
The fight in the field seems quiet, and the hulking mass of the Brute is nowhere to be seen. A good sign, to be sure. Rennik absently wondered just how badly damaged the rest of the Blood Falcons were... and grew suddenly concerned about whether Garyth and Melani had survived the battle. He hoped he'd sent enough arrows into the half-orc to have made a difference, but there was no time to think about that.
Tichenor growled at the bowman, his teeth bared and burned back exposed. Moving quickly, Rennik covers the distance between him and the human, and swings his axe to finish the man off.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 5
If Osred can sidestep the pikeman:
Osred moves past the pikeman and kneels at Munch's side. "Still with me boy?" he asks, checking the fallen guardsman for signs of life. The copper tang of blood fills the battle cleric's nose, along with the stench of the shit Munch's bowels had released when the brute's blade bit through his leg.
[OOC: Possibility One:]
Munch's skin is a startling white where it isn't smeared with blood or filth, and a startling quantity of blood is pooled around him from his myriad wounds. By all rights he should have been killed by a blow like the one dealt him by the brute, but somehow, even through his shock, he has clung to life. His grip grows feebler by the moment as the last of his lifeblood oozes from his wounds, but has not yet released. With a brief prayer of thanks to the battle god, Osred sacrifices one of the spells he had prayed for this morning, and feels the warmth grow in his hands as the god accepts it, giving him the power to heal in return. [Sacrifice Bull's Strength (2nd level) for Cure Moderate Wounds (2nd level), which he then casts on Munch. "You'll be fine, boy, he says and then stands, taking in the final moments of the battle (OOC--unless it's over, in which case he'll hurry over to Pickle)
[OOC: Possibility Two:]
Osred curses softly as he kneels in the mud at Munch's side. Perhaps if the damned pikeman hadn't slowed him down, he might have reached the guardsman in time. The man's flesh, where it isn't smeared with blood and filth, has taken on a waxy pallor, drained of almost all of its blood, and his eyes stare sightlessly toward the sky. Gently, Osred closes the soldier's eyes and mutters a brief prayer to Hironeous, asking him to let Munch fight along side the battle god in the afterlife. He stands, his knees smeared with mud and his palms with the fallen man's blood, and turns toward the battle's final moments (OOC-again, unless it's over, in which case he'll hurry over to Pickle).
If Osred can't sidestep the pikeman, and Garyth doesn't kill him before Osred has had a chance to act, he'll draw his longsword (I assume he couldn't have been running over that kind of distance with a longsword in hand, could he?) and attempt to run the pikeman through.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Ongoing investigations; a new revelation
"So we need to stop it from consuming sufficient souls to break free of its prison. No wonder he hungered for Promise's soul -- that child already holds more power than..." he trails off. "There must be a way to repair the prison walls. But it was so difficult even getting to the mountain to rescue promise, going back with enough force to restore the prison, even if we knew how... all the while watching your back in case someone fell under Melancthnagesh's influence... the challenge seems insurmountable without support beyond what we are able to muster."
"If Nesalin carries the day at Overlook, that will buy us some time. But we must discover how to restore the prison. My knowledge of imprisoning evil beings does not extend beyond the simplest magic circle spells, however..."
Sa'id shakes his head. "My guess is that this prison will turn out to be of a singular nature, but it hurt cannot to study other examples in the library, and also perhaps to talk to the Sunmaster about such prisons."
Rounds 6 and 7, Sling Discussion
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook;-- Pensive's Addendum
After attacking, if allowed, Pensive will tumble back fifteen feet and extend the stonesash to its full length.
If it's not allowed, he'll stay where he is.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook;-- Pensive's Addendum
Oh, yeah-- dodge point on the swordsman Pensive is attacking.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 6
[Initiative bowman1, Pensive, Melani, Tichenor, Pikeman2, Garyth, swordsman3, Vincy, Osred, Rennik, Robert]
The last remaining bowman keeps his longbow between him and Tichenor as much as possible, trying to keep the wolves teeth away from his throat. But when Rennik comes charging out of the wagon with a growl not too unlike the wolves, the bowman drops his weapon and throws his hands in the air. "I give up! Please don't kill me!"
Pensive drops a long scarlet cord out of his sleeve, and begins to twirl it. The swordsman he is facing can't help but give a surprised laugh at the thin and fragile seeming strand. [attack 25, hit; damage 9] He does not laugh long. The cord whips out in a lightning fast strike, and hits the man's temple like a sledgehammer. The swordsman flies several feet sideways before dropping and lying still. If anyone had been watching, they would have seen the tattoos that peek from Pensive's shirt flash with power when the cord struck.
Melani continues to move around the tree to get in position [Hide roll 21 vs spot 22, failed]. The swordsman sees her, and shifts his position to keep her in front of him. She shrugs and hurls her dagger at his throat anyway [attack 21 vs AC19, hit; damage 2]. The knife cuts a long welt across the man's cheek, and his eyes blaze in anger at the painful wound.
Tichenor, seeing the bowman lose his stick, does not hesitate to leap. [Attack 21 vs AC18, hit; damage 6] The bowman has only time to call out, "Please, stop him-" then goes down under Tichenor's powerful jaws. The big wolf clamps his teeth on the man's face, and begins to shake him from side to side.
The lone remaining pikeman is surrounded, and after watching Pickle stab his stunned half orc companion in the back, feels there is little chance of a surrender being accepted. He lunges quickly at Pickle [Attack 20 vs AC18, hit; Damage 10] and slashes the head of his pike through the already wounded guardsman's throat, dropping him instantly. The pikeman follows through with the power of his swing, and slams the pike into Garyth [Cleave attack 17 vs AC23, miss]. Garyth is able to get his sword up in time to stop the blow.
The sight of Pickle going down while spraying blood from his neck enrages Garyth. He yells at the pikeman and launches a flurry of attacks [Fighting Defensively -4; full attack; Attacks 7, 5, 9, all miss]. Unfortunately, his rage, wounds, and desire to keep his guard up, all conspire to rob him of his skill. The pikeman easily deflects all the attacks.
The third swordsman, angry about the sudden appearance of the knife throwing halfling, launches into Vincy with fury. [attack natural 19, critical threat 8, not critical; damage 8] He slams his sword into Vincy's head, and hurls the guardsman to the ground, spouting blood. He then advances on the halfling.
While Garyth distracts the remaining pikeman, Osred ducks and dodges behind the man to get to Munch. He's not doing well. His pulse flutters in his neck, as the last of his lifeblood leaks out the horrid gash on his thigh. Osred quickly grabs the leg, and while trying to hold it together, begins praying to Hieronious for aid. The pikeman, hearing Osred behind him, spins and stabs at the crouching priest [AOO for spellcasting in threatened area; Attack 13 vs AC19, miss]. Osred, never once breaking concentration, blocks the blow with his shield. With a brief prayer of thanks to the battle god, Osred sacrifices one of the spells he had prayed for this morning, and feels the warmth grow in his hands as the god accepts it, giving him the power to heal in return. [Sacrifice Bull's Strength (2nd level) for Cure Moderate Wounds (2nd level), which he then casts on Munch. "You'll be fine, boy", he says and then stands, taking in the final moments of the battle. [Heals 12]
Rennik runs over to the fallen bowman, and sees that if he wished to, he could pull Tichenor off and save the man's life.
Robert yells from the ridge above. "Rennik, only two left! Then using hand signals points out the locations of the two remaining opponents.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 6
Melani curses at herself for being sloppy, although she knows it is her wounds that make her clumsy. She sees the guardsman move at the last second and what should have been a dagger to the throat instead just cuts the mans cheek. The man seems to become angry about this and takes it out on Vincy. She curses again when she sees the Falcon drop. She draws the dagger up her left sleeve(quick draw) and advances to engage the swordsman. As she moves, she winces in pain at the damage she has already taken and remembers to be careful.
OOC: She will fight defensively, using her dagger. I think this gives her an AC of 23 but -4 to hit.
Mark
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 6
It has been a long time since he has killed another being.
Pensive watches the stonesash flick out, watches it connect with the swordman's temple, sees the bones of the other man's skull crack and shift under the blow. Not passionless-- he sucks in a shuddering breath, and realizes he is sucking in the air that his attacker just expelled from his lungs. The final pulse of his life, lingering in Pensive's mouth.
It tastes like iron and sweat, and hot tears roll down Pensive's cheeks.
The path was not straight, nor was it soft.
Weeping Thistle, the low elves would have murmured, to see him now. And somehow, that is more his name than the name he chose for himself on the Mossground. Weeping Thistle, not Pensive.
He snaps to. He is Pensive-- no other man named him but himself. Weep, he might, and a Thistle he might be-- but he is Pensive, too, and Blood and Stone were with him as strongly as elfhood.
He turns his eyes to the battle below, and recoils, but only for a moment. Weep, yes. He can weep. He is still innocent. But there is no weakness in him as he drops down into the bowl where dead men gaze at the sky. Pensive grips the stonesash with both hands and sprints to join the battle.
OOC: After slow falling down the slope, Pensive will run flat out to attack the swordsman threatening Melani. If he can, he will spring attack with the stonesash. He will tumble to try to avoid any AOOs.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 6
Trusting Garyth to occupy the pikeman, Osred ignores the enemy completely, moving swiftly to kneel by Pickle. If the guardsman still lives, Osred sacrifices another spell to Hironeous, channeling the god's healing radience into the man's prone form. [Sacrifice 2nd level consecrate for 2nd level Cure Moderate Wounds, cast on Pickle].
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 6
How could he have ever thought himself a commander? One of his men was just barely snatched from the brink of death, and now two more lay dying. Because of him.
A good commander would have seen all of this coming. A good commander would have been able to plan an ambush that didn't involve losing his own men. Garyth is not a good commander. His shame overwhelming him, he roars and launches himself at the pikeman.
OOC: Same as last round.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 6
OOC: You know Garyth is really just too hard on himself. :) At least he missed the three attacks against the guy that can barely touch him and not the brute.
Mark
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 6
Rennik's anger finally boils over.
Mercy? This human asks for mercy? Where was the mercy for the hundreds of halflings whose souls were wrenched from their bodies? Where was the mercy as these men set upon the tribes and dragged Rennik's kinsmen to the bowels of the great mountain? Where was the mercy for Fayten, whose body was so defiled that he fought to the death against his own kin, not recognizing him?
And this human had the nerve to ask for mercy?
Standing over the body, Rennik's growl grows louder in his throat, enough so that Tichenor senses his anger and pain and backs away from the now twitching and gasping body to look up at his halfling companion.
The life quickly spilling out of the man's eyes, Rennik spits on the ruin of his face as he hefts the shortened halberd over his own head.
"Stop him? Ask mercy of your dark god, for you will receive none from me."
Bringing the halberd down with all his strength and anger and fury, Rennik buries its head in the man's chest, feeling the ribs and spine crunch beneath the weapon's weight as the head buries itself in the hard packed dirt beneath the bowman's body. [Coup de Grace]
Not wiping the spattered blood from his face, he turns to look at the other melee, and takes a step over the remains of the human's body to go join it.
From: Ty
Subject: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
[Initiative Pensive, Melani, Tichenor, Pikeman2, Garyth, swordsman3, Osred, Rennik, Robert]
Pensive runs to the edge of the bowl, and almost without slowing slides down the steep slope. He slows a bit as he nears Rennik, who is standing over a wounded man, and holding his halberd above his head.
Melani quickly draws a dagger from her sleeve, and dives at the feet of the swordsman, rolling past him and slashing at the back of his knee as she passes [Fight defensively -4; Attack 18 vs AC18, hit; damage 3]. Her knife's edge cuts a deep gash on the back of his thigh, just above the knee, and then she is rolling back to her feet nearly a yard away from him.
Tichenor backs away from his prey at Rennik's low growl. The wolf looks around him, and seeing no opponent nearby, just stares up at Rennik quizzically, waiting for the blow to fall. If the alpha wishes to tear this throat, Tichenor has no objection.
The last remaining pikeman continues to battle for his life [attack 15 vs AC23, miss], but Garyth is too skilled a swordsman for the man. His desperate attacks are easily countered.
Garyth, shame and rage fueling him, lets out a yell as he counters the pikeman's blows with strokes of his own [Fight defensively -4; full attack; attacks 19, 12, 22, hit, miss, hit; Damage 10, 7]. He steps inside the arc of one of the pikeman's blows, and thrusts his blade into the man's exposed belly. The pikeman cries out and drops his weapon, falling to his knees with his bowels exposed. Garyth steps back on pace, and swings his blade backhand, decapitating the mortally wounded man. He looks around, panting heavily. Everywhere there are bodies and blood. It is almost difficult to tell who is who. Munch is moving and breathing under Osred's hands, so he must have been saved. Garyth can barely gasp out, "Pickle... save Pickle..." But Osred looks to already be moving that direction.
When the last swordsman turns to face Melani, he finally sees the rest of the battlefield. All around, his companions lay dead and hacked to pieces. Over in the bowl, Rennik stands over one with his weapon raised. Garyth is just stepping back as the head tumbles off the shoulders of another. He is the only one left. He runs.
With the straightforward practicality of her fierce people, Melani doesn't hesitate. She flips the dagger over in her hands and hurls it at his retreating back. [AOO Attack 24, hit; damage 3] The man stumbles and almost goes down when the blade hits his back, but manages to get his feet back under him and keep running. [Run move 4x]
Osred moves quickly from Munch to Pickle. He does not even see the pikeman die behind him, but does here Garyth gasping out in ragged breaths, "Save Pickle..." The young man has only seconds left. His throat has been ripped open, and his blood pumps out only feebly now. Osred prays again, trading away the divine grace granted him in his morning prayers in exchange for the power to heal. [Heal 12] The power of Hieronious is great, and a warmth flows through Osred's hands as the terrible wound in his friend's neck stitches shut. Immediately the pulse strengthens, and the breath returns. Osred breathes a sigh of relief that he was able to save both these brave men.
Rennik stands over the feebly struggling body of the bowman. Rennik spits on the ruin of his face as he hefts the shortened halberd over his own head. "Stop him? Ask mercy of your dark god, for you will receive none from me." Bringing the halberd down with all his strength and anger and fury, Rennik buries its head in the man's chest, feeling the ribs and spine crunch beneath the weapon's weight as the head buries itself in the hard packed dirt beneath the bowman's body. [Coup de Grace; Damage 22; death] Not wiping the spattered blood from his face, he turns to look at the other melee, and takes a step over the remains of the human's body to go join it. Not far away, Pensive watches.
On the ridge above, Robert watches the last swordsman begin to run away from Melani. Shrugging his shoulders, he fires off one last shot. Perhaps luck will be with him. [Range increment -6; Attack 9, miss] The range proves too great, and the bolt hits the ground several feet away from the fleeing man.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
OOC: Which way is the swordsman running, toward or away from the direction the witch flew?
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
OOC: By the way, Ty, two rounds in one day proves, once again, that you are the man.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Maybe a new map would help. :)
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Don't know if you noticed, but there are a lot fewer guys to write for now. :)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Garyth is just starting to feel relieved that the fight is over when he realizes that the last swordsman is running in the direction that the witch left. "Quick!" he cries. "We can't let him warn the witch!" It's too late to catch up with the swordsman, not with the head start he's already gotten. Garyth races back to his original position and snatches up his bow. He takes a quick couple of breaths to steady himself before drawing and releasing.
OOC: Garyth will fire on the retreating swordsman until he is out of range.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Hearing the cries of his friends, Rennik looks to see the running man. Anger still boiling, he takes off at a run after the wretched servant of the devilwitch and motions with his arm to send Tichenor ahead.
This one will not get away so easily.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Melani darts in and gets a good swipe at the swordsman. This human she can handle. As she turns she sees the swordsman start to run away. With a quick flip she throws her dagger and sees it hit, but not drop the man. Damn, she would have to find something bigger against these humans.
Knowing that she could never keep up with the man, she quickly pulls her sling(quick draw), loads a bullet in the pouch, all the while sort of hoping in the direction the man is running, and lets fly at the fleeing swordsman.(Move and standard attack).
OOC: I think I can do this with out any minuses, right? A move action and a standard action, the standard action being the sling attack? I don't see any purpose of a full attack since I only get one attack a round. Some one please let me know if I am wrong. Also does the swordsman loose any DEX or anything while running away?
Mark
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
I may be wrong, but I think slings require an action to load. It counts as a move action. So, you could load and fire in a turn, or you could move and fire. But you couldn't load, and move, and fire.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
You are right. Here is the open source.
Sling: Your Strength modifier applies to damage rolls when you use a sling, just as it does for thrown weapons. You can fire, but not load, a sling with one hand. Loading a sling is a move action that requires two hands and provokes attacks of opportunity.
You can hurl ordinary stones with a sling, but stones are not as dense or as round as bullets. Thus, such an attack deals damage as if the weapon were designed for a creature one size category smaller than you and you take a -1 penalty on attack rolls.
Luckily Melani has two hands open. She will take a negative for range but that is not a big problem.
Pensive should be able to catch the guy fairly easily if she does not drop him. This guy can move 120 feet and Pensive can move 200, IIRC.
Mark
Discussion: Speed
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Tich can move 200 feet... I don't know if Pensive can.
On a side note, wolves are very useful. I suggest everyone look into picking one up. :-D
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Well a 6th level Monk should move 50 at normal speed and a run speed of 4X should give him a speed of 200.
He and the wolf can keep each other company. :)
mark
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Battle for Overlook; Battle for hill 19 round 7
Well, whaddya know... I suggest getting a wolf *and* a monk. They're both very useful.