DM Stormwind's Legacy of Fire - The Heavens aligned against us.
Game Master LastNameOnEarth

Sati takes aim again, stepping out from behind the rock to get a clear line of sight on the gnolls. She targets the large one baring down on Muqaq, seeing as the caster appears to be in trouble.

1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 3 - 4 = 1

Mohgwier charges forward, flying at the closest Gnoll with claw and fang.

Bite/PA: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 2 = 241d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 = 10
Claw 1/PA: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 91d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9
Claw 2/PA: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 2 = 261d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9
Confirm Crt: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Round 4

Akhom, Gruthic, Sati, Xanyon, Mohgwier, Muqaq, Seif, Gnolls

Akhom draws two more arrows and looses them in rapid succession, aiming for the enemy archers picking off his allies.
I22: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 181d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10
J22: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 211d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5
The two arrows hit, one after the other, in the chests of the archer gnolls. One is knocked to the ground and lies still.

Sati fires her crossbow, but the loose trigger on the weapon malfunctions again, sending the shot off at random before it can be set on target.

Xanyon dashes down into the hollow to come around on the side of the archers.

Mohgwier charges forward at one of the gnolls, grabbing his arm in her teeth and tearing at the creature. She shreds the gnoll to the bone, ripping his arm completely free of his body.

Gruthic moves forward, but is still unable to charge do to the terrain and his ally's position. He hustles up instead to present a second foe for the gnoll to face. You can step to F10 to flank without provoking an AoO if you wish; the downside being that you will also be flanked by the gnoll leader.

Muqaq steps back and unleashes another bolt of fire, burning the leading gnoll.

Seif continues his attack, swinging his mystic blade at the gnoll before him. His slash connects, and takes the gnoll down to a knee. He's at 0 and staggered.

The Gnolls continue their attack, fierce and seemingly oblivious or uncaring to the change in the tide of battle. The injured gnoll before Seif struggles back to a fighting stance, and thrusts his spear once more. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 The attack fails, and the gnoll falls the the ground, spilling out his lifesblood into the desert sand. (-1 HP for attacking at 0).

The leader follows Muqaq, swinging his flail again, now gripping it in two hands. PA: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 1 = 191d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 3 = 11. This time the blow connects for certain, and Muqaq is sent sprawling to the ground, unmoving.

The archer hit by Akhom's second arrow changes his focus to him, and lets fly with an attack of his own.
Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 2 = 6
Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 2 = 161d8 ⇒ 6

The last archer scouts for an injured target, and finding Seif, lets fly. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13. The shot connects with the holy man, but snags in his leathers without puncturing the man.

Map

Round 5:

Actions please, and if I haven't made another error this time, a stabilization roll for Muqaq.

"Torag, give me sure footing! Dwarves were meant to fight on stone, not shifting sands!"

Slowed by the rough terrain, Gruthic sends a prayer skyward and veers to stand over Muqaq's body. Once there, he launches a retributive strike against the flind-bar-barian.

Depending on where the gnoll leader moved to, Gruthic can move 20' to stand in D9 without provoking. If the gnoll moved so that a clear path is unavailable, Gruthic will still move to D9 and accept the AoO. (AC 22)

Waraxe, Bless, PA, TS; Damage: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 - 1 - 2 = 91d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15

Damn, my good roll wasted by my failed charge.

The Gnoll is in D10; sorry, I forgot to move him. If you move to D9, you will indeed provoke as you leave E9.

AoO: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 1 = 231d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 3 = 12

There are no crit stats available for the Flind-bar, but as it is a flail, I am going to assume 20/x3, meaning no critical threat on this hit.

The Gnoll is in D10; sorry, I forgot to move him. If you move to D9, you will indeed provoke as you leave E9.

[dice=AoO]d20+5-1;d6+6+3

There are no crit stats available for the Flind-bar, but as it is a flail, I am going to assume 20/x3, meaning no critical threat on this hit.

In that case, I should be able to make it there without AoO. If the gnoll was in E10, it would be unavoidable.

G10 -> F9 (odd diagonal 5')
F9 -> E8 (even diagonal, 10')
E8 -> D9 (even diagonal, 5')

Heal: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9.

Seif-al-Din glances worriedly at Muqaq, watching as his life-blood spills out upon the sand...

He then rushes the leader (Moving to E11), taking a powerful swing with his weapon!

The Blade: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 28, for 1d10 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10 Magical Slashing / Piercing damage.

Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 26, for 1d10 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 = 11 *ADDITIONAL* Magical Slashing / Piercing damage.

Well, I won't complain about the to-hit rolls, but those are *rubbish* damage rolls :-/

I am assuming that Xanyon and Mohgwier will keep focused on the archers? I have a feeling they may try to leg-it if/when the leader goes down, and I would prefer to avoid survivors...

I agree with Seif. Let's not let anyone get away to tell. Akhom, Sati, Mohgwier, and Xanyon: take them down!

DM Stormwind wrote:

The Gnoll is in D10; sorry, I forgot to move him. If you move to D9, you will indeed provoke as you leave E9.

[dice=AoO]d20+5-1;d6+6+3

There are no crit stats available for the Flind-bar, but as it is a flail, I am going to assume 20/x3, meaning no critical threat on this hit.

In that case, I should be able to make it there without AoO. If the gnoll was in E10, it would be unavoidable.

G10 -> F9 (odd diagonal 5')
F9 -> E8 (even diagonal, 10')
E8 -> D9 (even diagonal, 5')

Fair enough.

As Muqaq falls to the ground with a squeak the amulet around his neck falres to life with a bright golden light, before crumbling away to dust. The worse of Muqaq's wounds close themselves and his eyes flutter open a crack.

Aegis of Recovery: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 6) + 3 = 17

HP:9/18

Seeing a sweaty dwarf taint looming over his face, he adopts a defensive posture until there isn't a wild melee going on directly over him.

Going full defensive. AC 17 (+4 full defense, -4 prone), 21 vs ranged attacks.

Round 5

Moving up to spitting distance Xanyon attempts to blast one of the archers to pieces.

Pistol PBS Deadly Aim Touch Bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 = 281d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 123d8 + 9 ⇒ (2, 4, 5) + 9 = 20

If a 12 touch hits, 30 damage. Otherwise 10.

We haven't heard from Akhom in about a week. Starting to get worried. You out there, buddy?

Mohgwier works quickly to cover the distance to one of the Gnoll archers, rushing into range with the dog-faced creature. She growls at him as she prepares to launch at him with her bloody muzzle and gore encrusted claws.

Double move to C21

Sati reloads her crossbow, and fires at the archer once again.

1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 3 - 4 = 1
Can't get a break.

Sorry, yes I'm here! Busy as hell, but I'll post in a couple of hours.

Akhom ducks out from cover moving to H10, and looses a shaft at the gnoll leader, murmuring "Sarenrae guide me."

Longbow: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 101d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

*sadface

Sarenrae doesn't like you anymore and thinks perhaps you should see other deities...

lol!

Round 5

Akhom, Gruthic, Sati, Xanyon, Mohgwier, Muqaq, Seif, Gnolls

Akhom calls on the Dawnflower to aid his aim, and while his aim is true, the knock of his arrow misses the string, causing the bow to jolt and the arrow to fall at his feet when he looses.

Gruthic takes a swing at the leader, but is distracted when the wounded caster miraculously gets to his feet again. As a result, the blow is half-hearted, and misses the gnoll widely.

Sati continues to struggle with her crossbow, and fires a shot off wildly into the sand.

Xanyon closes with one of the hiding archers, and comes up on him from a direction that was unexpected. While not sneaking, the lightly armoured gunslinger was moving quietly and the gnoll seems to fail to see him until it is too late. Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 vs. Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6. The half-orc's shot hits the gnoll in the side of the head, clearing off the top half of his head in a gory spray.

Mohgwier dashes up to the last remaining archer, eager to sink her fangs into him.

Thanks to the aid of the magic he was carrying, Muqaq snaps back to consciousness and hunkers down under Gruthic's protective stance.

Seif rushes into range with the leader and slashes at him with his sword. The blow connects savagely, splitting the Flind open to the spine along his midsection. He goes down in a spray of gore and blood, the smell of blood and offal overwhelming the air nearby.

The last of the Gnolls turns to see Mohgwier charging. Despite his leader going down, he does not flee. He steps back to gain enough space to work his bow, and fires twice at the Eidolon, in rapid succession. Arrow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 211d8 ⇒ 1. The first shot is a solid hit, though the gnoll underestimated the outsider's reach. As he fires, a long forelimb and claw lashes out. AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 241d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 131d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4. The claw bites deeply, but the gnoll draws and releases his second shot. Arrow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 191d8 ⇒ 2 |3 HP Total, Mohgwier lucked out on damage.

Round 6:

Muqaq rolls to his feet and nods to both Seif and Gruthic. "Thank you." He says, before grabbing his holy symbol with one hand and touching himself with the other. His wounds glow a fiery red and heal a bit further.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Of course."

Gruthic hauls his shield free from the sand as the Flind falls, and Muqaq rises.

He looks around and sees Mohgwier fighting with another enemy, though what exactly its fighting is hidden behind the rock.

He puffs his chest out as he pulls in a deep lungful of air, then holds his breath as he sprints northward to flank.

Run 70' to -B21. Denied Dex: AC 20

Seif-al-Din stares uncomprehendingly at at Muqaq for a fraction of a second, before he gets the general gist of what Muqaq intended.

Remember, I only understand Ignan during combat ;-)

Not wanting to let a single Gnoll escape, he then rushes forward.

Double move to C22.

Sati reloads her uncooperative crossbow and moves forward, trying to keep Mohgwier in sight, and gain a line of attack on their last foe.

Move to G10

Mohgwier chases the Gnoll as it moves and savages him roughly, biting, clawing and tearing.

Bite/PA: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10
Claw 1/PA: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 251d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9
Claw 2/PA: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 251d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6

Confirm 1: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 = 191d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 = 10
Confirm 2: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

That's where all my luck is going; Mohgwier's hogging it all :P

Looks like he's the PC, and you're just the human-companion.

Well, in another game I was in, I used to joke that my Summoner was my Eidolon's 'familiar' ;-)

I was waiting for Akhom, as he goes before Mohgwier and might have been able to steal the kill. As it is...

Mohgwier's fierce attack completely overwhelms the wounded archer. The claws tear deep, spilling the creature's entrails onto the sand. Moghier's muzzle bites deep, tearing in until he grips onto his spine and crushes it in her teeth. With a sickening 'snap' the gnoll caves in on himself.

Mohgwier extracts herself from the gore, covered in blood and flesh from her nose to behind her shoulders.

Combat concluded.

Seif-al-Din breathes a sigh of relief.

"Right. Let's strip the bodies, and move on. I dare say that the *next* group that comes to this particular spot will bring a much more overwhelming force. Ideally, we should try and dispose of the bodies, as well."

What do we find? :-)

"Why dispose of them? If we leave them out, it might be more intimidating. We need to do some up close recon of the town next, to figure out how many gnolls might be left."

"Well, if they have a cleric amongst them, they could Speak with Dead, or at the very least look over the bodies to see what sort of weapons were used, and thereby gain a rough idea of our numbers. These Gnolls have held this town for some time, and appear to be (vaguely) organised; we can't assume that they *won't* take steps against us."

Seif-al-Din then nods.

"I do agree, however, that some up-close scouting would be reasonable; I dare say that there are quite a few Gnolls left - I think trying to ambush a few patrols would be a good idea..."

"I suppose we can just leave a pile of heads and then burn all the bodies. The smoke would make sure the heads are found quickly. Then we could disappear for a couple days, hide out at the shrine to Nethys. Let them get nervous about what's going on, and keep an eye on town. Maybe send out a scout at some point to take a closer look. Then after they're all jittery and we have better information, we can set another ambush. Can everyone live with that plan?"

Seif-al-Din nods.

"That could work... as long as we make sure that the dead cannot be communicated with."

Basically, we would need to remove their lower jaws.

"Start chopping."

You gather up the bodies and strip them of their heads and valuables. Burning the bodies proves difficult as there is very little around to use as fuel. The bracken and shrubs you collected from the area was sufficient to build the fire to lead the gnolls here, but such a fire will probably not be large enough or hot enough to deal with bodies, let alone so many of them.

"We did well. Let's leave these guys, stripped, and head back to base. I don't think a third ambush in this spot is going to work. They have a saying in Alkenstar, too many hammers ruin the metal. Or something like that."

"Sounds good. Like I said, I think we should disappear for a couple of days, get them paranoid, maybe do a little scouting during that time. Then once we have a better idea of what's going on in the village make another attack."

Where do you go next? To the shrine, or back to the monastery?

Also, let me know what you are doing with the assembled gear from your foes; weapons and armour from 10 men is a pretty heavy burden.

Heading back to the monastery, by way of the shrine (so that we can try and hide our tracks), sounds good - we should probably report in.

Take the masterwork gear, the longbows, the ioun torch and the gold. Destroy the rest. Heading back to report in via the shrine is fine with me. Though that may lead the gnolls to think the priest had something to do with this. Maybe heading straight back would be better? We can have Gruthic try to cover our tracks.

Also just a note that the Shrine is in the opposite direction of the monastery. The Pesh fields are in the middle. It was on the way to shrine that you first crossed the Pesh fields and encountered that Dirt Digger thing. You found the hollow towards the southwest edge of the Pesh field.

Area Map

Gruthic responds to their leader's orders with his own insight.

"I can cover our tracks pretty well if we wanted to return to the Monastery. However, right now, there are no tracks leading directly between this ambush and the Monastery. No tracks are much better than some, covered tracks, so I'd prefer to keep it that way."

"The ruins of the shrine seemed to be pretty intact. They'd be a secure place for us to fight any force sent out to investigate the disappearance of the first two groups without putting Lady Almah and her retinue in danger. It would put the hermit in danger, but we might be able to learn a little bit more about him - and inform him of the potential danger - if we stay there. He's survived alone basically right next to the gnoll-infested village so he's either competent or lucky. If it's comptetence then I'd definitely want to know more about him - as a potential ally or threat."

"The shrine is also much closer to Kelmarane than the monastery. If we want to see what sort of reaction our ambush has provoked, watching from there is going to get us a lot more information than watching from the monastery."

"So, my recommendation is to spend a day or so at the shrine, watching and waiting."

When Muquaq declares the division of the spoils, Grutic inqures:

"Muqaq, I do trade in simple arms and armor as well as fight. Since you're just going to destroy them, I'll take them instead, if it's all the same to you. And don't worry, I can carry all of that, and my share of the worthwhile stuff to boot. It won't slow me down or get in my way, I promise."

Gruthic will take the rest of the mundane equipment if Muqaq allows, intending to re-stock his wagon with it once the party returns to the monastery.

"That's fine by me. Take whatever you like if you want to carry it. You make a good point about the observation. Perhaps Lady Almah will have to remain in the dark for a little while longer. Lets make for the shrine then."

"I'm also looking forward to speak to the keeper of the shrine. He seems an odd fellow. He must know more about the gnolls than he's told us. Perhaps if we offer to trade favours he could assist us further."

Akhom is not particularly interested in loot, but is happy to carry anything. Is there a spare dagger among the gnolls' gear? Went to post that I'd start hacking off heads and jaws, but realised the only blade I had was my bastard sword - not ideal for butchering...

"I agree, let's head for the shrine. I'll carry what I'm able as well."

"Between all of us, I am sure that we can carry everything."

After all, as a Quadruped, Mohgwier's carrying capacity is doubled, and there are a few high-strength PCs amongst us ;-)

Sorry for the break; I took ill and I've been out of commission for a bit.

You make your way back to the shrine without difficulty. The goat eyed priest takes notice of you when you arrive, but says nothing.

"Ho, good sir!" Akhom greets the priest. "We return with flind blood strewn among the pesh fields behind us!" His tone is deliberately cocky, as he tries to elicit some kind of response from the strange man.

My Sense Motive is so-so. Anyone got a decent bonus to that skill? I really want to know what this guy's deal is.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

The priest eyes the archer, his face revealing neither approval or disdain for you actions.

He takes a few steps forward in order to better look over the group. He looks at the few injuries on your persons and then at the heavy loads of gear you are carrying. His face betrays not a flicker of emotion. The goat-like tufts of fur on one ear flicker for a minute, but it is hard to say what that might indicate about the man's thoughts.

"So; why come here? Little close to the dogs if you've riled 'em up with a little blood, aren't you?"

"Riled is right. They'll be stupid with bloodlust and chase our scent like the pack of dogs they are - heedless of danger. Me and my axe will be here to put them down, as they deserve. I understand if you want to be elsewhere when that happens."

"We need a place to watch the village and to face any retribution that might be coming. I'm sorry to impose on your shrine, but there's nowhere else to go."