Anya Katanoisi |
”So 11 enemies, give or take,” Anya muttered, ignoring the smiles that went around the table. ”Should be doable, I suppose. I just have two questions - one, how many of you are willing and able to come as back up? And Ophelia, do you think you can draw us a map of what the barracks look like on the inside so that we can plan our attack?”
GM Larkos |
Ophelia hummed to herself as she drew a very basic map of the guardhouse.
"Alright, here's the deal: There are two basic floors. The ground floor has all the beds and tables and weapons and whatnot. Basically all the stuff the guards need to guard stuff. The armory is weapons, the Barracks are beds, and the Storehouse has food and drink in case of a massive riot or invasion or something.
The downstairs is where all the cells are. This side here is for the average citizen. Basic bedding and strong bars. The other side is for Foreigners which means anyone not from the city. It's a relic from when we were independent."
"'We,' Ophelia?'" interrupted Ardas. "You and your family is from Riverblossom. Some 300 miles away in case you forgot. You're not exactly a local."
Ophelia blushed at the reminder that she wasn't the proud daughter of Stag Reach she claims to be but continued on without further comment. "The foreign cells are a bit nicer but the bars are weaker. This is to show respect for travelers. Nobles who committed crimes would be put in the dungeons of the Keep. From what I hear it's one of the few perks of being a peasant.
So we got at least eleven guards and Gustav and his flunkies there. The guards are supposed to barricade the front and board up all the windows when there's a threat. Then they stand on the ground floor. So they all should be there on that floor. Can't imagine any of them going to the cell floor when there's fighting up top."
"To prepare a nasty surprise and get a good chokepoint," said Ardas. "If Gustav is as strong as I think he is, expect some manner summoned creature, probably Demons."
Tarik Blackhands |
"Ach, last I checked demons bleed just like we do," Tarik grinned, clapping Anya on the back. "Bigger issue is getting rid of all the guards without running into a killing room like a pack of fools. Do you think smoking them out would work? If the windows are boarded it means they'd only have one way out. Right to us,"
Val Autumnchild |
Val laughed. "The only nice cell is one you're not in."
She smiled at Ophelia. "Good information. You've been a world of help" she said sincerely.
She studied the map closely. "I'd prefer to trick our way in or sneak in through the window. But it looks like it's too late for that; they've boarded up the windows. We might be able to create a distraction to bring them out on to the street, but without knowing what they want it'd be hard to do it. It'd also be possible to let myself be arrested and then cause trouble in the basement level to split their forces. Probably too fancy, though." She sat down, musing. "More than twelves foes at once would be exciting. But painful. Possibly very painful"
"So you are going to save the city by setting in on fire, noisemaker wizard? Interesting plan"
Anya Katanoisi |
Anya cocked her head to the side, her eyes narrowed as she tried to make sense of the various plans being thrown out. Gods, was it making her head hurt. ”Perhaps we can do a bit of all three?” she suggested. ”If Val can get inside the barracks somehow, she can smoke them out, so to speak, right into a ambush lead by the Paladin?”
GM Larkos |
Ophelia started at Val's suggestion that she turn herself in. Her shock only deepened when Anya seemed to support it. "T-Turn yourself in? Did you see what Gustav did to the Guard Captain?!"
"Fightin' 'em out in the streets would be best but they're not gonna give you that opening. They've got a better position and they know it. Maybe if you magicked them out with a Charm spell, lass?" asked Ardas.
Tarik Blackhands |
"Or we make our own entrance," Tarik said with a grin. "I doubt any of them would expect a wall to suddenly explode followed by our merry band storming the breach from there. Although not sure if you lot find explosions more palatable than fire, he shrugged, giving Val and Nikandros a sideways glance.
Val Autumnchild |
"You're right, Ophelia. Most guards would just arrest me and maybe rough me up a bit but I have no idea if Gustav is taking any prisoners" Val admitted. "Whatever he is, he's not normal. I'm going to have to take risks but I'll take a safer option if there is one" She wasn't frightened of Gustav, but she was irritated that she didn't know his capabilities.
"I don't know what magic can accomplish, so I can't offer advice there." She had an important question about that to ask Anya, but now wasn't the time.
"Explosions would work, if you're sure you can pull it off right. Fire can spread, but explosions don't" Val said. "Blowing stuff up isn't really my style, but if it keeps us alive I'm grateful. Though you seem to take any chance to make loud noises"
GM Larkos |
Ophelia waves her hand at Val's suggestion. "Thanks but I think they're gonna need someone sneaky in that base. We don't know what Gustav is plannin' in there."
She walked over to the map and marked the guardhouse with a big circle then marked two X's in the streets nearby. "Here's what I figure. I lead down 'ere," she said point to the further X. "While you lot hide 'ere. After they pass, you guys head in the door and deal with whosever there."
"The priests of Erastil will up on the rooftops waiting," Ardas chimed in. "These people are scarier at night. It's best if you all come back straight afterwards and we bunker down. We'll need out spells back to take the keep and sunlight can only help us. You four can discuss your plans about what to do in the guardhouse on the way there."
GM Larkos |
Ophelia opened her mouth but Ardas answered first. "The priests of Erastil love and respect but we also train to move on these rooftops faster than you could run down the street. We'll be there before you show up. Besides it's best you save your strength until you get there. You'll need it."
"You could have just said 'no,' Ardie."
GM Larkos |
Since none one else has anything to say I'm moving us along. If you all want to have a conversation about tactics on the way then just roleplay it out. Talking is a free action.
The intrepid band of heroes stayed for a short time in the shrine of Erastil while the priests and acolytes got into position on the rooftops near the guard barracks. Ardas, who stayed behind to watch the shrine, received a Sending from Ophelia and gave the party the signal to head out.
The Guard Barracks were certainly easy to spot. Though only one story like most of the others it was larger than any building besides the Keep. It was large square building made entirely of stone as opposed to the wooden buildings that dominated the city. The stone buildings, both keep and barracks, were a gift from the Dwarves after Navan conquered the city. As such the whole city could burn and break and explode but the stones of the barracks would still be there. Sadly the Dwarves haven't been the buildings so the doors were made of ordinary wood.
Up ahead the party saw Ophelia in front of the doors of the barracks. When they reached their assigned position, Ophelia straightened up as though she were in a line of soldiers during an inspection.
"Attention traitorous bastards! I have here one of your stupid maps that I stole from you today," she said waving the map in her hand. "I want everyone in there to see what I'm gonna do to it." To the surprise of the guardsmen watching at the window, Ophelia turned around and bent over. She then pulled down her pants slightly and wiped her ass with the map.
The party could easily hear the shouting form inside the house calling for her head and criticizing the child-rearing skills of Ophelia's parents. The door opened as Ophelia pulled up her pants and dropped the stained map to the ground. She blew a large raspberry and bolted away down the street with 5 guards chasing after her, cursing a storm.
Anya Katanoisi |
Anya gaped at Ophelia, watching as the girl bolted away. "She didn't…she really didn't just…"
Tarik's question pulled her out of her shock. "Right. I'm not great at planning this kind of thing, never was my forte, so blasting sounds good!" She cracked her knuckles, feeling her magic surging at her finger tips. She had never truly unleashed before, not intentionally, and was nearly trembling with excitement.
This might just be fun.
Val Autumnchild |
"I'd have tried to maintain slightly more dignity in my diversion. I can't argue with the results, though." Val said about Ophelia.
"Thank you, General." Val said when Tarik suggested just charging in and killing any enemies in their path. "That does sound good, silver. Just don't set fire to the cute black-haired tavern girl." she replied to Anya.
Val avoided fights when she could, and it had been a long time since she'd fought this much. "All right, let's go save the city. Nobody hog all the really heroic bits in the retelling."
Nikandros |
"Not sure how a fight that started with a bare bottom can really be heroic...but so it goes"
Nikandros unsheathed his sword before glancing at Val.
"Stay behind me and watch yourself. And you, gunman. Cover me."
With that, Nik charged the door full speed, leading with his shoulder.
I will assume strength check? Since I assume that, I will roll it now.
Strength to knock down this door: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
GM Larkos |
Nikandros summoned his holy might to smite the door to evil. As is only right, the foul portal yielded easily to the strength granted to him by the power of Heaven. In fact, this titanic strength was so awesome that even Nikanadros could not fully direct it. After the demonic door was vanquished, the momentum carried forward into the den of inequity.
Val, Tarik, and Any, on the other hand, saw Nikandros attempt to bust open a door that was already unlocked by the guards who pursued Ophelia. The door swung open quite easily and Nikandros' momentum caused his to stumble forward.
Roll initiative!
GM Larkos |
The guards stood there still in the process of resuming their previous ready positions. They looked up at the paladin who crashed into their guardhouse with wide-open eyes. Their previous plan to riddle the first intruder with a hail of crossbow bolts had been utterly ruined.
GM Roll: 1d100 ⇒ 36
None managed to get back into position to fire a bolt at Nikandros.
They are formed in a square formation with two in front and two in back. Two more wait at the side ready to flank. None are surprised but neither are you.
Guard Sergeant: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Grand Unified Init Order
Tarik 25
Anya 24
Val 23
Second Guard 22
First Guard 18
Nikandros 18
Third Guard 16
Fifth Guard 12
Sergeant 10
Fourth Guard 6
Tarik Blackhands |
Tarik was first to follow the paladin in. He stopped at Nikandros's side and aimed and fired at the nearest flanking bandit.
Deadly Aim Attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
Consider me back to back with Nik. Or as close as back to back can be. Adjacent squares is the point.
Anya Katanoisi |
Anya rushed in after Tarik, the magic flowing to her fingertips. She took a quick second to take in the room and the enemies, and without saying a word launched a fireball in their midst.
Gaurds 2, 3, and 4 have a DC 21 reflex save for half damage
Fireball: 9d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 3, 6, 2, 2, 6, 4, 1) = 35
GM Larkos |
Guard Reflex Saves: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 141d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 131d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
The fireball whooshed past Nikandros and Tarik and straight into the guards. Guards 2 and 3 were hit straight in the chest after a feeble attempt to back away. Guard 4 meanwhile managed to escape the brunt of the blast but still got singed by the massive ball of fiery death.
Val Autumnchild |
Val ran along with the others. "That's still impressive, even the second time" she said of the fireball. "It'd be scary, too, if I wasn't so awesomely brave."
She scrambled to the side of the group of guards, trying to stab and finish off the guard Tarik had shot.
Val enjoyed the thrill of combat, but she didn't enjoy killing and didn't want to kill anyone she didn't have to. "You can give up, we won't hurt you. The Black Wolf is dead and your plot is finished. Continuing to fight is just a monument to stupidity" she said to the guards.
"So they'll probably keep fighting" she added.
Targeting the second guard with studied combat as a swift action. I’ll trigger studied strike if I hit for 3d6 additional damage. +2d6 damage as well if he's evil. I'm not sure if Freedom Fighter applies.
Attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 201d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
GM Larkos |
The singed guard #2 sneers at Val. "You don't know what you're talking about little girl. Just go home to your parents."
Studied Strike Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 6) = 12
Val's rapiers slips under the guard's breastplate and straight into his heart. He is dead before he hits the ground.
Guard #1 doesn't have time to react to his comrade's death before he goes through his planned action. He fires his crossbow at Nikandros, drops it, and draws his longsword.
To Hit: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3
Val, the guards are not slavers nor do they hold anyone against their will. However, Gustav, when you face him, and any of his goons are slavers and do hold people against their will. Apply your damage when the time comes.
Nikandros |
Current HP: 66/86. I probably should have healed before this.
"That hurt" Nikandros gasped out, slightly winded from the mighty door charge. "You are a plague on this city, and I will be happy to cure it"
Nikandros slashes at guard #1's eyes before directing a second slash at his torso.
Attack 1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27
Attack 2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Damage 1: 2d4 + 11 ⇒ (2, 2) + 11 = 15
Damage 2: 2d4 + 11 ⇒ (1, 1) + 11 = 13
GM Larkos |
I should have told you that he wasn't in full-attack distance. I meant that he was within 30 ft. This is my fault so GM fiat: you get a sudden burst of speed from Erastil and can move to Guard #1 and full-attack.
Guard one attempts to block Nikandros' sword with his sword but is unable to match his blinding speed.
Guard 3 shoots his crossbow at Anya and drops it to draw his sword.
Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Guard 5 and a tough-looking half-orc burst from the storehouse and the armory respectively.
Guard 5 charges towards Anya, his sword drawn. He tries to slash her with a mighty swing.
Attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35
Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22
Crit Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
The half-orc meanwhile moves to flank Nikandros with Guard 1. He attacks with dual daggers in sharp contrast to his compatriots.
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 91d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 83d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 5) = 71d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 63d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 6) = 13
Guard 4 attacks Val with his crossbow drops it and draws his sword.
Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8
Tarik Blackhands |
"Watch your back will you? Tarik barked at Anya, firing a salvo of shots at guard 5 while his small spider figurine animated and perched itself at the barrels of his pistol. "Cloth doesn't turn swords you know,"
Deadly aim and rapid shot, slate spider activated as free action
attack 1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
attack 2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
attack 3: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
damage 1: 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17
damage 2: 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
damage 3: 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17
Anya Katanoisi |
”F@*$!” Anya hissed as the crossbow bolt hit her, and she cursed again as the asshat stabbed his sword into her. And to add insult to injury, Tarik just had to throw a quip at her. ”Shut your damned mouth!” Anya hissed at him as she took a five foot step back. ”But thanks for trying, I guess."
Attack on Touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Scorching Ray: 8d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 5, 6, 1, 1, 5, 6) = 31
GM Larkos |
Guard 5 arrogantly thought he could win the day singlehandedly by removing the heroes' magical support. But Anya was made of sterner stuff. Anya shuffled back out of his reach as Tarik riddled him with bullets then she shot fire at her assailant.
He let out a sickening scream and he crumpled to a smoking heap. His chest was completely punched through and burned away, removing his lungs, heart and rib cage completely from his body. The area around the blast started to liquefy from the heat. In short, he was dead before he hit the ground.