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!"