Reign of Winter GM |
Nadya opens the door a crack, and a guard on the other side forcefully pushes the door wide open, smacking Nadya in the head in the process.
"Du bør gå raskere neste gang, Nadya," a voice says from behind the door.
Behind the door, an armored guard steps onto the threshold. Behind him stand a pair of additional guards with crossbows trained on the door. As the man sees the party inside, he shouts out quickly over his shoulder. "De er her!" He faces the room again. "Alle dere, slippe våpnene!"
I've uploaded a map of the current tactical situation, if this descends into violence.
Yagello |
Seeing the door hit Nadya, Yagello's legendary temper flares mightily. "HEY!!!" He shouts and moves to protect the Ulfen woman.
He draws his elven curve blade and outstretches his left arm, as if beckoning Nadya to get behind him.
Move action to N-10 and ready an attack if the soldier threatens Nadya any further.
Nevinia |
Tzerny flies up to perch on Nevinia's shoulder. She walks forward slowly, deliberately, pulling her dagger from her sheath and holding the pommel with her fingertips, letting it dangle. It becomes clear that the dagger itself, already a dark luster from its cold iron construction, has since turned a deep black. She extends her other hand, palm outward, to show her nonviolent intentions.
"Mine venner, har du kommet til eskortere oss til Nazhena? Da alvene har gjort som jeg ba om. Mine følges snakker ikke Skald, imidlertid, og tilbakebetale vold i slag. Den mildere du er, jo bedre vil de være i samsvar med dine ønsker."
Walk forward to M12, and ready an action to Slumber Hex one of the crossbowmen, should they attack.
Reign of Winter GM |
The guard steps back at Nevinia's comments, and then speaks to Nadya, ignoring the rest of the party.
"Jeg vet ikke om noen alver, men jeg ønsker ikke å ha for å starte en kamp her," the lead guard says. "Fortell vennene dine om å slippe sine våpen. Hvor lenge er det siden du har sett datteren din?" He gestures to the guards behind him. "Det ville være en skam hvis vi måtte ta en av dine sønner også."
Another guard comes from the side, holding Nadya's two boys in a tight grasp. To their credit, they are struggling with all their might, but they are only little boys, and the guard has a firm grip.
Map has been updated. The guard at N7 is holding the boys.
Cervin Kelinson |
Cervin trains his bow on the man holding the boys, obviously incensed.
"I do not know what they're saying, Nadya." says Cervin through clenched teeth. "But I see that man has your sons. We need to make a decision."
Nadya Petska of Waldsby |
"Please!" Nadya shouts, "We go with them, no fight. They will hurt my boys. No fight, no fight." Nadya puts her weapon on the ground, and moves towards the door, ready to accede to any demands.
If Nevinia or anyone else wants to negotiate with the guards, you can make a Diplomacy check (or a Bluff check if appropriate). If your character wants to fight but it waiting for a specific moment, please post and I can move the dialog along to that point.
Yagello |
Yagello grits his teeth, clearly unhappy with this rapidly deteriorating situation. He reluctantly puts down his weapon as well and raises both arms upwards.
Just wait for the right moment, Yagello. They don't know you still have your original curve blade strapped to your back. Be patient, let them come to you, and then strike hard and fast.
He looks at the men with disgust and hatred, his eyes like balls of blue flame.
Nevinia |
"La oss alle holde seg rolig, ingen ønsker å bli skadet."
Nevinia looks at the group, at the tension in the air. She shakes her head. "Du bryr deg ikke om Nadya, la henne og guttene ut av dette. Vi vil komme. Men mine følges vokse sintere. Vis litt nåde til Nadya og hennes sønner, og mine følgesvenner vil komme uten problem."
Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Tzerny ruffles his feathers.
She moves forward slowly, deliberately, trying to calm the situation as she starts to hum a soothing tune. She continues to dangle the dagger by the tip of the pommel, not wielding it in the slightest. She steps to the doorway, looks at the boys, looks into the eyes of the guard holding them.
The dagger drops into the snow with a tshh.
Slumber Hex, Will DC 15, on the guard holding the boys.
Reign of Winter GM |
Sorry folks, I had a nasty cold these past two days, couldn't post very well!
Will Save: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
The guard falls to the ground in a slump, his eyes rolling back into his head. The boys go down with him, and struggle to their feet.
Guard at N7 is sleeping on the ground.
Yagello: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Arkady: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Cervin: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Nadya: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Guards: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Boys: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Arkady
Nadya
Nevinia
Guards
Boys
Since this was not previously planned, I am going to treat Nevinia's attack as a surprise to everyone. This means Arkady can take a surprise round action (because he is forewarned), and Yagello, Arkady, Nadya and Nevinia can all take their round one actions (assuming we are moving into combat).
Remember, any weapons dropped earlier need to be picked back up as a move action. The map has been updated.
Arkady Szriakou |
Feeling Nevinia's magic stirring, Arkady picks up his staff. With a mental shrug he thinks, Apparently we're fighting the guards. Well, nothing new to me, anyway.
He then quietly moves up to the wall and waits.
Surprise round action: Pick up quarterstaff. Round 1: Move 15' to K9 with a stealth check. The guard in the door can see him, but the ones outside will have to make perception checks if they come in the door to be aware of him. Ready an action to attack if the guard starts to attack anyone.
Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Yagello |
Realizing time is of the essence, Yagello makes no move to retrieve his fallen curve blade, instead drawing his old sword from behind his back. He moves quickly towards the front door, bellowing loudly, "YOU LIKE SCARING LITTLE BOYS! WELL THIS IS HOW A GROWN MAN REACTS!"
Move action to N-9
Power attack against the guard at M-8 with favored enemy bonus
Power Attack with Elven Curve Blade: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 - 1 = 22
If successful, damage: 1d10 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 17
Nadya Petska of Waldsby |
Nadya picks up her axe and pick from the ground, and calls to her boys.
"Kom til meg, gutter!"
Two move actions to pick up her axe and pick. Nevinia can still take her round one actions before the guards and boys do, after which Cervin will be able to take his round one actions.
Nevinia |
Despite the scene quickly descending into chaos, Nevinia continues to hum her haunting tune. She looks at one of the men with a crossbow and smiles.
Slumber Hex one more time. I promise not to make this an encounter killer.
Cervin Kelinson |
Cervin's jaw drops as Nevinia's slumber hex takes out the guard holding the child and Yagello charges into combat with vicious brutality. After recovering from the surprise he begins reaching for his bow on the ground.
Remember, when danger threatens I am not a fool. I seek first to make sure the weak and innocent are safe, and then I quell the danger.
Reign of Winter GM |
Will save: 1d20 ⇒ 9
One of the guards holding a crossbow falls to the ground, next to his companion.
Guard at N6 is down. Hey Nevinia, if you've got the ability, use it!
The remaining guard drops his crossbow to try and grab one of the kids, while two more guards attempt to enter the cabin, swords drawn, but unable to see well enough into the cabin to anticipate the direction of any attack.
Guard at L6 uses free action to drop crossbow and standard action to try and grapple the kid at M6. Guards from either side of the door funnel inwards. Guard #1 get to M8 and gets hit with Arkady's readied attack. Guard #2 moves to M9 and is subject to an attack of opportunity from both Yagello and Arkady.
Guard at L6 grappling kid: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
The boys evade the guard and try to run past the guards into the cabin, weaving between them.
Boys use acrobatics to move at half speed (but a double move) to N10 and M11.
Acrobatics #1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Acrobatics #2 : 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
The boys easily evade the men, moving behind Nadya.
Arkady has one readied action against the guard at M8 and one attack of opportunity against the guard at M9. Yagello has one attack of opportunity against the guard at M9. The guards will attack if they survive the assault, and then Cervin can take his round one action. The map has been updated.
Cervin Kelinson |
Cervin snatches his bow from the ground, advancing a bit as he meets the stare of the guard in front.
"Your sins end here! This family is under our protection and you will not proceed!"
Lightning-fast, he snaps off an arrow at the guard in the front.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Move to grab bow. 5' step to M17, fire on guard at 9L.
Arkady Szriakou |
As the guards move in, Arkady uses his hiding place to advantage, and swings his staff at both.
Under the assumption that they don't make their Perception to notice him, I'm rolling sneak attack damage. Hopefully losing their Dex bonus will help since I have no BAB or strength to speak of. ;-)
Readied attack on #1: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4 Sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 1
AoO on #2: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 Sneak attack: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Or the dice roller still hates me, and it really doesn't matter... *sigh*
Yagello |
Still incensed, Yagello yells out, "COME ON!"
Attack of Opportunity against the guard at M-9
Power Attack with Elven Curve Blade: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 - 1 = 20
If successful, damage: 1d10 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 13
Nevinia, I'm with the GM. If you got an ability, definitely use it and don't apologize for it. Yagello's been unconscious in just about all of our combats. If we can get some more offensive production which will keep me upright, I'm all for it!
Reign of Winter GM |
Arkady takes a few swings at the guards as they enter the door. He strikes a glancing blow off the first one's chain shirt, which slows him down, but misses the second one. Yagello cuts him down before he gets any further, though.
Cervin's arrow hits the arm of the remaining guard standing in the doorway, but it is not his sword arm, and the man snarls in response.
Yagello takes down the guard at M-9. Cervin, I am assuming you meant to target the guard at M-9 as well, but I changed it to the remaining guard at M-8 since Yagello already took him down. (I also assume you didn't mean to attack Arkady at L-9, but....)
Two guards down in the doorway, two guards sleeping outside. Guard in doorway at M-8 has Cervin's arrow sticking out of his arm, guard outside an L-6 remains unharmed.
The map has been updated. Yagello, Arkady, Nadya, Nevinia can all take round two actions.
Yagello |
Figuring there can be no turning back now, Yagello maneuvers around the body of the guard he just dispatched and attacks the one at the doorway.
Standard Action to attack guard at M-8
Power Attack with Elven Curve Blade: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 - 1 = 8
If successful, damage: 1d10 + 3 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 + 3 = 16
Oh well, I figured my string of good rolls would end sooner rather than later!
Nadya Petska of Waldsby |
Her boys safely behind her, Nadya steps up and slashes with both her axe and pick simultaneously, incensed that the guards would use her boys as hostages.
5 foot step to M9 and attack with both weapons.
Hand axe: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Light pick: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Nadya slices too early, though, and the man easily dodges the assault from both Yagello and Nadya.
Arkady and Nevinia can still take round two actions.
Arkady Szriakou |
Arkady gets Nadya's attention. Hoping the guards don't speak Taldane, he says quietly, "Draw him in." He motions to explain he wants the guard between himself and Yagello.
Bluff check to pass secret message, if helpful/necessary: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Ready an action to attack the guard with flanking if Nadya is successful at bringing him in.
Reign of Winter GM |
Will save against sleep: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
The remaining guard outside falls to the ground, leaving only the guard in the threshold. The gleam of his longsword flashes as he attempts to strike Nadya.
Longsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Nadya easily dodges the clumsy blow, and barks back towards her boys. "Gutter! Gå skjul på teppet ut av veien!"
Nadya falls back as her boys run to hide in the corner with the rugs.
Nadya takes a five foot step back to M10 as part of her round 3 action. The boys run to the corner as part of their round 3 actions.
Cervin can now take his round two action, and Arkady can take his readied attack (although the guard did not move in). Arkady, Yagello and Nevinia can also take their round three actions. Nadya will delay and go last.
Cervin Kelinson |
The boys are safe. Good. Nice use of that sleeping spell. Saves lives. Now...
Cervin nocks an arrow, and pauses for a moment as he sizes up the target, trying to find his opening in the melee at the front door. As the guard slashes down but misses wildly, Cervin sees his opening and he lets two arrows fly in rapid succession.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Reign of Winter GM |
The guard in the threshold takes two more arrows from Cervin and falls off the door. All the guards have fallen, but two of the sleeping guards are starting to stir.
The guard is down, so Arkady forgoes his readies attack. There are currently three guards sleeping in the snow, with the ones at N6 and N7 waking up next round (after two rounds of sleep from Nevinia's hex). Arkady, Yagello, Nevinia and Nadya can take their round three actions.
Cervin Kelinson |
Cervin quickly moves in, taking a look at the boys to ensure they are unharmed before he starts stripping the guards of their weapons.
"How long are they out for Nevinia?"
Cervin turns to Nadya and the boys before hearing an answer. He bows his head.
"I am deeply ashamed that your family was endangered by our presence; the sanctity of the home is holy to me and this is a base transgression. I will pray for forgiveness. However, I fear that these guards coming to your home again was inevitable, we only hastened things. For your safety we must strike quickly at the evil that has a hold over this town and its good people."
Arkady Szriakou |
"Nadya, are you going to be in further danger for having helped us, even once we leave? Is there anything we can do to help you? And what should we do with them? I won't kill a man for doing his job, but we can't let them stop us, either."
The Varisian keeps a wary eye on the sleeping guards, knowing the magical slumber won't last long.
Reign of Winter GM |
With a start, the first two guards on the right side of the path wake up, and begin to get up quickly.
This is technically round three, if it matters to anyone. Guards use a move action to get up if they are not immediately threatened by anyone. Arkady, Yagello, Nevinia and Nadya can take their round three actions. The map has been updated.
Yagello |
Do the guards still have their weapons or has Cervin disarmed them?
Never relax in battle or your enemies will surely outlast you and make you pay for your lack of vigilance.
While the others spoke, Yagello remained silent, keeping his eyes focused on the sleeping guards. Seeing them rise, he hustles through the open doorway and aims his sword at the closest one.
"Surrender! Down on the ground! Lest I spill more of your blood this morn!"
He points to the ground emphasizing his point if the guards fail to understand his tongue.
Move action to M-8
Ready an attack if the guard becomes hostile or attempts to flee.
Arkady Szriakou |
"Mine venner foreslå at du overgi seg og blir liggende på bakken. Jeg anbefaler at du gjør som de sier."
Arkady nods toward Cervin and Yagello, and steps out toward the guards, his rapier in hand. He keeps himself positioned so as not to block their line of sight.
Reign of Winter GM |
The guards stare for a moment, and then concede their position, leaving their weapons on the snow. One of them spits before addressing Nadya, "Du har gjort noen interessante venner, Nadya. Jeg lurer på hva den Bleke Tårnet vil tenke på sin aggresjon? Spesielt med din datter det?"
Cervin Kelinson |
"My sincere hope is that these foul wretches are asking for a chance to die on their feet with a blade in their hand," snarls Cervin, his arrow leveled at the throat of the guard who just spoke. "Threatening a mother's children is beneath contempt. They barely deserve our mercy."
Cervin stalks over to the surrendered guards, violently kicking their weapons away.
"Let's save the ones bleeding out, find some place to dump them, and get moving. When certain people don't see us come out of here in chains there will be some obvious conclusions reached, which means more guards."
Nadya Petska of Waldsby |
Nadya points towards the outbuilding next to her house. "We can put them with dogs." She then looks down the road. "But other guards probably heard us, may be better to fight them now and not later when they are behind us."
Nevinia |
"Indeed, your family needs protection," Nevinia adds. "The guards might come for you, but it is us that they're truly after."
Turning to the guards, she adds, "Det er slik en ironi at hvis du hadde kommet i fred, med velkommen, vi ville gjerne ha fulgt deg uten problem. Men nei, du måtte true Nadya og hennes familie. Nadya er ingen trussel for deg. Og du så hva vi kan gjøre. Hun er ingen trussel mot oss, heller. Og likevel, ga en velkommen og den andre ga trusler. Til den ene viser vi takknemlighet, til den andre, blod. Nå da, ønsker du å vise oss velkommen og gjestfrihet som en nådig vert?"
Yagello |
Yagello finally retrieves his discarded blade and begins cutting lengths of rope to bind the captured guards. He's rough with the enemy, pulling the knots tightly just beyond the level of comfort.
When finished, he looks up at the others, concern evident on his face. "Well, we need to make a decision quickly. Reinforcements will arrive soon, and we need a workable strategy to deal with them..."
Reign of Winter GM |
One of the guards spits at the ground. "Bedre å dø av bladet enn hekseri. Sjefen vår vil være her snart nok, når vi ikke rapporterer tilbake til torget." The other two tied up guards remain defiant as well.
Nadya Petska of Waldsby |
Nadya runs to the next house over, and knocks on the door quickly. Kashka comes out, and the two exchange a few words, before they come back both together to Nadya's house. Nadya opens the shed and prepares the dog sleds.
"Kashka is taking boys to family far away. Will keep safe while we go to Pale Tower. If not going to fight guards in town, we should go now."
Nadya's boys come out with Kashka and some essentials for traveling, and begin getting ready to depart. Nadya says goodbye to the boys as they settle into the sled in front of Kashka.
Nadya respects the party's power, and will follow along with almost any plan as long as they end up at the Pale Tower.
Yagello |
Yagello pauses for a moment and rubs his chin thoughtfully.
"Nadya, you may be right. Now that your family is safe, I also think we should engage the guards here, while we still control the theater of battle. Better to ambush them in town then have to fight on their terms at the Pale Tower! Where are the rest of the guards? Do they have a barracks in Waldsby?"
Cervin Kelinson |
"I'd rather not assault a building," says Cervin wryly. "Those guards were not that formidable and we're prepared for more. Let's just make our way out of town. And if we have to fight our way out, so be it."