Seeing that the figures in front of us are Gnolls and everyone else would rather fight than talk things I out begin to sing an uplifting battle ballad.
The gnolls remain out of sight as Faelar begins his happy song. Garavel efficiently gathers the camels and pack animals and pulls them back from the edge before fighting starts and they risk injury.
Antar grunts with surprise as Karethas steps forward and Amir vanishes from sight. The tiny brass dragon circles nearby as Kzrira is frustrated to find the only approach to the burned out wagon is the exposed slope into the wadi.
Round 1
Kzrira moves slowly forward with her bow drawn ready to unleash an arrow should any of the gnolls advance.
Auri advances with Kz.
Not sure what else to do, I continue with my performance and begin to cast a spell, targeting myself. All of a sudden a flock of crows circles around me merging together to make perfect duplicates of myself.
When the crows have finished merging, there are 6 of me (including myself).
Karethas begins moving down the trail slowly. Quietly he says to the others,"Faelar, put up an illusion in front of the wagon to give us some cover....a dust cloud or something." Karethas also casts a spell on himself, causing a few images to emerge from around the wizard. "When we get closer I will create a pit behind the wagon, catching a few of them or causing them to move."
A squad of Faelars and Karethases appear to replace a vanished Amir. Fealar remains near the camels as the rest make their was down the steep slope. Suddenly there is a crash and a bolt of lightning flashes in the evening sky to strike Kzrira.
Reflex:
Kzrira hears the crack and manages to dodge out of the way, thus taking only a slight jolt from the bolt.
Perception: <-- Can I see who/what fired the lightning at me?
I follow the group, continuing to sing my ballad, making sure not to get too close yet close enough to the camels in case they come under threat. Once I feel that I have moved far enough forwards I begin to chant some words and all of a sudden about 10 feet in front of the Gnolls a flock of Crows appear. They are swirling around in the air and begin to merge, after a couple of seconds they begin to collide and where each individual crow had crashed before a black wall is being erected. The most disturbing part of the wall is the flock of eyes that are fixed on the Gnolls and follow them whenever they move.
"Hrrm...They have a spell caster with them." Karethas waves the others on as he stops and begins a spell.
I am gonna full on book it to J7 (or J8 if 7 is too thick). I figure me running won't be too conspicuous...hopefully I am right :-)
I move to A17 and fire a shot at N6.
Attack: <-- +2 favored enemy
Damage: <-- +2 favored enemy
R3
Auri pushes up as well...
Double move should cover 100' and try line up with the far side of the wagon.
Aurichalcum swoops back down toward the wagon. Faelar's quiet crows strangely gather round the wagon.
A pair of gnolls, an archer and a dark figure in heavy rhino hide and an ornate shield, dart to the cover of the scorched landmark known as the Sultan's Claw. The archer fires at Karethas and the arrow hits only the dirt nearby. The other gnoll gestures and a bolt from the blue strikes Karethas
Two more gnolls emerge from the other side and taking their cues from the bolt, fire at the exposed caster. One arrow pierces the conjurers defenses this time.
Kzrira fires at the creepier gnoll, but her arrow lodges in the dead tree. Karethas begins his spell as Amir dashes forward unseen.
Auri flies into I9 to support the melee fighting.
As Aurichalcum swoops over to the melee by the tree, a hideous croaking buzzard falls upon him from above slashing the little dragon with a scabby claw.
Kzrira fires another arrow at the creepy gnoll - or at the one by Amir if the creepy one is hidden.
Move to F16.
Attack-rapid shot @ L7:
Damage:
I maintain my performance and my illusion.
Auri is surprised at being surprised by such a big smelly bird, and takes aim at it with an envenomed stinger...
Attack
DC13 Fort save or sleep it off...
Arching his tail over his back, the little brass dragon stings his foe and moments later the hideous buzzard flaps erratically and falls to the ground. Faelar sings.
The hide bound gnoll howls and a bolt of lightning strikes the glittering dragon this time. The archers continue focusing on the cluster of casting wizards.
An image disappears as one arrow hits and the last arrow hits Karethas.
As the final arrow pierces his side Karethas staggers and gasps deeply, ruining the motions and cadence of his spell. He glances down at the archers who are hitting him, but can see nothing but a wall of ravens. Killed by your own strategies, you fool! He gathers himself for a quicker spell, barely managing to ignore the pain enough to spit out the incantation. As he finishes the spell, Karethas turns and scampers up the slope using one hand to steady himself against the dirt and the other to hold the arrow still against his side. He collapses behind a tree, using it to screen himself from the archers, and maybe from the lightening from above.
Seeing little opening for a shot, what with a tree and a heavy shield between her and the gnoll leader, Kzrira targets the exposed archer. This time she hits and an arrow protrudes from the archers side.
Karethas casts a spell beyond the strange wall of crows hoping that the archers fall before he scrambles for cover.
R5
HP 23/42
Reflex
Auri gets rolled heavily by the lightning and looks around for the foe...
Will Save
...but is stymied by the wall of birds.
He instead moves to his pincushioned friend Kartehas and offers some healing.
CLW
Stymied by the wall of flocking illusi-crows, Amir elects to surprise the foe standing mere inches away from him.
Seeing as the illusion is only distracting my fellow travelers, I dismiss the spell. The wall turns into a flock of crows again which fly into the air and disperse into nothingness.
Seeing that Karethas is hit and pretty badly, I move over to him and touch the tip of the wand to one of his wounds.
Suddenly, Amir reappears next to the injured archer. He drives the amazingly keen bronze blade into the gnoll and it falls before he can bash it with his mace.
Aurichalcum whizzes back to Karethas to render aid as Faelar drops his focus on his illusion to run and heal Karethas as well. The wall of crows disperse and instantly disappear revealing a pit before the burned wagon and no gnolls to be seen above ground.
The gnoll leader, now quite alone, moves from behind the tree to the fallen buzzard and stooping behind his shield crouches to inspect the bird and shake it awake.
Seeing the gnoll by itself, Kzrira grins.
In gnoll:
You can cast your little spells all day. But a good arrow will beat your gnoll magic.
She then moves slightly forward and launches two shots at the gnoll shaman.
5-foot step to G14.
Attack-rapid shot: --> +9 base, +2 Favored Enemy, -2 Rapid Shot <-- +1 if Inspire Courage applicable
Damage: <-- +1 if Inspire Courage applicable
Attack-rapid shot: --> +9 base, +2 Favored Enemy, -2 Rapid Shot <-- +1 if Inspire Courage applicable
Damage: <-- +1 if Inspire Courage applicable
--> Not sure if Inspire Courage affects me as Faeler is more than 30' away, but I was within 30' last round and I do not know if the Lingering Performance is applicable.
Karethas grunts softly as the healing spells force the arrows from his flesh. He smiles up at Auri and Faelar, but it has a cold edge to it. He glances back down to the base of the gully and notes where the leader and Amir are. He spins from behind the tree and flings sparkling dust toward the gnoll leader, arcane phrases spilling from his lips.
Amir will charge the leader (if still up post Kzrira pincushioning)
Ari takes flight tpwards the Hide Gnoll...
Kzrira steps forward firing at the chief and this time both arrows strike. Karethas conjures a glittering cloud over the crouching gnoll leaving the gnoll to furiously claws at its eyes as Amir charges in with his short sword.
Karethas stays near the bard as Aurichalcum streaks back to the battle. The blinded gnoll staggers away from the unseen sword and chants a quick spell as the vulture croaks threateningly at the rogue. Antar moves toward the pit of sequestered gnolls.
Kzrira calls out:Run away like the dog you are. Here are some more arrows for you to remember us by.
She then moves 5' to F13 and launches two more arrows at the gnoll leader.
Attack-rapid shot:
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Amir will close to finish the job
Karethas smiles in satisfaction at the blinded gnoll. He makes his way down the edge of the wadi, "Antar, be careful on the edge of the pit! They are slanted inward."
Looking completely lost and not sure what to do, I move to my nearest ally who is injured and place the tip of the wand onto them and release its energy.
Kzrira keeps firing as she takes another step toward the gnoll leader. One arrow strikes the loose gravel at his feet, but the other passes under the shield hitting the gnoll in the leg. Karethas and Faelar quickly descend the slope of the dry river bed and make their way to Kzrira's side where Faelar plays with his wand getting it ready to juice the archer.
Amir closes with sword and mace, but the gnoll easily knocks the weapons aside with its heavy shield. A moment later, the gnoll spins into the form of a small dust devil and launches into the air as the buzzard hops up and flaps after. The dust devil does not appear to fly with confidence, but wavers in its ascent until it hovers about twenty-some feet above with the vulture croaking what appears to be encouragement as it follows.
Antar stays well back from the edge of the pit after Karethas' warning and reports two gnolls are trapped within.