The Last King of Ireland

Game Master Amergin the Wise

I'll play Ruadhan after Thorun has acted...

Due to Thorun's Veteran of Battle trait, he may draw a weapon as a free action during the surprise round.

Thorun hears the creak of the bowstring being drawn, but even he's not that fast. The arrow flies and even as it lands Thorun draws his axe, stepping over Conchobar with a savage snarl on his face.

Readied action to attack anybody that comes up to threaten Conchobar or Thorun. He is also trying to physically shield the body by standing over it.

Readied Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage: 1d12 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

attack: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 2 = 101d6 ⇒ 6
attack: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 2 = 211d6 ⇒ 3

With lightning speed, Ruadhan draws his bow and fires twice in rapid succession. The first arrow goes high. The second arrow strikes true. But it isn't enough... The archer rushes out of the hall and O'Maolfabhail's men, who were conveniently nearby, do nothing to stop him.

It takes a few moments for most to realize what has just happened. Some warriors sound the alarm. Others rush to Conchobar's side. Others still pursue the attacker who could very well already be long gone...

You may all act!

Daire draws his fine shortsword, and tries to cover the back of Cobhlaith.

I would not put it past these dogs to stab a nun in the back, if they thought it to their advantage.

Sister Cobhlaith moves quickly to Conchobar, and kneels by his side.

Fingering the olive-wood cross that hangs from her neck, she prays for assistance in healing the boy's wounds.
Ut eos, qui Dominum nostrum ejus tetigit eos: et sana me puero hoc

Cure Serious: 3d8 + 5 ⇒ (6, 2, 8) + 5 = 21

When she is done, she lays the cloak over him and turns to Thorun,
"Can you lift him and carry him to the monastery infirmary? I trust the brothers and sisters there to watch over his healing. And, honestly, if we need to get him into the sanctuary, it would be much faster from there."

She adjusts the cloak to cover the young body, concealing it as best possible from the milling crowd.

Daire shadows Cobhlaith then quietly says to her:

"If you think you will be safe enough for now, I would go and watch Thorun's back while he watches Conchobar's."

As he says this, he watches for hostile glances.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

"Yes, I think Aoife and I will be safe enough. She's FIERCE!"
In spite of the situation, Cobhlaith has a small smile for her bodyguard.

"And perhaps we can keep moving while Cohchobar is unable to object. "

Thorun snarls at nobody in particular, as if daring anybody to try him. Once it's apparent nobody else is getting aggressive, Thorun looks after the archer. "Five seconds to decide. I can catch him. Should I?" Thorun reaches down and pulls off his thick hide shirt, showing the muscled and corded, but scarred chest underneath.

Unarmored Thorun has 40 foot movespeed, and is adept at tracking, climbing, acrobatics, swimming, perception, stealth...all in all he is very hard to get away from.

Waiting on Aoife. Under the circumstances, I will also allow Thorun and Daire one standard action each before I get the ball rolling!

"We won't need him!" Aoife hissed. "Because I'm going to get the one who ordered it!" They could hear Aoife slam her feet into a proper stance before she bolted through the crowd of people... right for Sitric O'Maolfabhail.

CMB: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
CMB: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
CMB: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
CMB: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"SITRIC O'MAOLFABHAIL!!!"

I don't know how many people are in the way so I rolled four times because of what happened earlier I thought that would be enough as the rest would get out of her way. The last one is for Sitric himself.

"Go for it Thorun!"

Thorun also will have to make his way through the crowd...

"Go, Thorun!", Daire says he stands near Conchobar.

Seeing Aoife go for Sitric, Daire raises his voice, clearly trained to carry over even loud, crowded rooms.

"Murder is a cardinal sin, and *cowardly* murder is a pagan sin! So you're done now, Sitric! Get him!"

Standard Action: Inspire Courage with audible components.

+1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls

And now to disguise what it is!

Blatant Subtlety (Ex): At 2nd level, a brazen deceiver has mastered the art of using magic without being detected. The brazen deceiver gains Spellsong as a bonus feat. Observers do not automatically recognize his bardic performances as anything other than ordinary speech or performance. Those specifically looking for abnormal effects must succeed at a Sense Motive check (DC = 10 + half the brazen deceiver’s bard level + the brazen deceiver’s Charisma modifier) to detect his performances.

So anyone trying to figure out that Daire has just used bardic magic must succeed on a sense motive check of DC 17. And good luck to them trying to convince anyone else if Daire starts sweet talking!

Sister Cobhlaith casts an anxious glance at the child next to her, covered in Aoife's cloak.
I wonder if I could get Daire to pick him up and take him to the infirmary.

Waiting on Thorun's standard action...!

Thorun throws down his shirt and turns towards the exit, roaring and lowering his shoulder.

Overrun: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

When Thorun reaches somebody, they can choose to allow him to pass without requiring an attack. The first person that chooses not to avoid is subject to the bull rush. Here's hoping most people get out of the way.

Conchobar is struck and, when most in the hall have yet to even notice what has happened, Thorun is already standing over the boy, axe in hand, prepared to defend his life against all odds. The warriors nearest and most loyal to Conchobar soon surround him as well.

Ruadhan fires two arrows in quick succession. The assassin is hit but nevertheless escapes, rushing out through the open doors.

Then, chaos ensues.

”Conchobar is dead!” Warriors scream, calling all to arms. In an instant, the clamour becomes deafening as warriors attempt in vain to get their bearings and understand what is going on.

With Daire at her side, Cobhlaith rushes to Conchobar’s side and invokes God’s divine favour. God answers her prayers, healing the boy’s wounds. The few who saw Conchobar brought back to life shout: ”He’s alive! He’s alive! It's a miracle!”

All the while, encouraged by Daire’s words that somehow sound clearly over the tumult, Thorun charges forward, overrunning one of the warriors near the door – they neither attack him or clear the way – and arriving outside in time to see the archer a mere thirty or so feet away. The archer is already mounted. Seeing Thorun, he spurs his horse and rides off.

While Thorun charges out, Aoife makes a run at Sitric O’Maolfabhail himself. She easily overruns the warrior in her way, but not without paying the price – Sitric’s guards were armed and alert already.

unarmed attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 191d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
unarmed attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 201d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Aoife takes NO damage

Expertly avoiding the blows, Aoife arrives face to face with the grizzled, old warrior who swings his sword while screaming: ”Assassin! Stop her!

bluff/diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 91d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 141d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

God is not with Sitric. His call to arms sounds hollow, and his sword swings wide.

Surprised and confused, Muircheartach O'Dwyorma turns to his old companion: "Ruadhan! What is going on?"

Everyone may now act.
Thorun: by the time you can act, the archer is 150' away on horseback

Note that for the time being, I will adjudicate that only a single overrun maneuver can be accomplished per action. I am on the fence about whether the overrun attack replaces the charge melee attack... To be discussed in the Discussion thread.

"I'm not an assassin Sitric." Aoife told him as a wolfish grin slowly crept over her lips. "But I very well might be your death!" The bastard said as she, unlike before, unleashed a furry of blows upon the man before her with her bare fists.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 2 = 15
Damage 1: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Attack 2: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 2 = 8
Damage 2: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

"You know not what you've awoken Sitric O’Maolfabhail, for hell hath no fury like a woman scorned... and you've just attacked one I wish to protect as if he was my own. There is now nothing I won't do, to remove you as a threat." She went on to say. "Pray to God, Sitric. Though seeing as he granted Cobhalaith a meracle to bring Conchobar back from death's door I don't think he's going to give you any favors."

Does Thorun have a strait line to the retreating archer? If so he can run at x4 speed to get in front of the horse with 160 movement as a full-round action.

Thorun roars, then rips up a clod of dirt as he takes off after the horse with shocking speed for a man his size. He catches up before the horse can get moving at its full speed, planting his leg and turning with axe held low and a snarl on his face.

Will try to end movement right in front of the direction the horse was moving. Hopefully if he tries to keep running Thorun can get an AoO off, which he will use on the horse. I think he can either try to sprint away, which will be much faster than Thorun (especially since horses usually have the run feat) but will draw an AoO, or he can withdrawal and take an alternate route to avoid the AoO but Thorun will be able to keep up with him.

Thorun, roll AoO!

Sister Cobhlaith puts her hand on Conchobar's shoulder to keep him quiet and to keep him from rolling into a more dangerous spot.

Daire's voice keeps cutting through the din in the hall.

"Sitric *cowardly* brought his assassin to murder Conchobar, now fled out the door with his thirty pieces of silver! God has protected the young lord, and Sitric will soon have to answer to Him!"

Maintain bardic performance for Inspire Courage, and attempt to sway the room against Sitric.

Diplomacy to hound Sitric and his men: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

AoO: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Damage: 1d12 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18

Oh f@!! me.

"Barring the attack on Conchobar, I don't know Muircheartach, but my friends seem to have an idea and I trust them with my life. Rally your men to protect Conchobar and Cobhlaith. I will not leave him at risk, but I would protect my friends."

Taking the chance to ready his shield and darts, Ruadhan raises his voice. "Guards of Sitric O’Maolfabhail, stand down and let them fight it out man to woman or all surrender. Get involved and I will fell you."

Outside

Thorun sprints out and catches up with the assassin as he attempts his escape. He swings his massive axe... and cuts of one of the horse's legs clean off! The horse tumbles forward, carrying its surprised rider to the ground. The rider falls hard and finds himself prone, stuck under the panicked horse.

Inside

Stating her case valiantly, Aoife unleashes a flurry of blows on Sitric... but he blocks the first punch and easily avoids the second. This is a battle-tested warrior who is at least her equal, she realizes.

Thank God, Daire's appeal succeeds in keeping most of Sitric's men at bay. The pandemonium becomes deafening as the warriors of Inishowen argue both about Conchobar's health and about Sitric's treason.

Only the two guards at Sitric's immediate side continue to fight for him – for now. The first guard swings wide, but the second's sword cuts deep into Aoife side.

Aoife takes 7 hp damage

Urged on by Ruadhan, Muircheartach and his men surround Conchobar and Cobhlaith, standing with Conchobar's most loyal men. And when Ruadhan issues his threat, even Sitric's guards now hesitate, shaken by his resolve.

"Who are you to accuse me?" Sitric fumes, himself attempting to sway the crowd while swinging his sword. "I am O’Maolfabhail – an honoured guest of Conchobar MacLochlain! You shall pay for this insult with your life!"

Aoife takes another 8 hp damage

The assembly begins to take sides and Cobhlaith fears that this could very well become a very bloody affair if someone does not somehow call all to order. She looks down at Conchobar, hopeful. But, while the boy's wound has healed, he remains unconscious, clearly in the throes of a delirious dream. As she holds him down, he begins to convulse... Poison!

A simple arrow wound should not cause convulsions! I wonder if the point carried more than sharp edges?

K(Arcana): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Cobhlaith is not trained in K(Nature) even though her background would suggest that she's really knowledgeable about medicinal and dangerous herbs.

"Please! We need to get Conchobar to the Infirmarian. This is not a simple arrow wound!"

I noticed! Note that I am comfortable with you revising your character to add a single rank in Knowledge (Nature) given your background...

It would still not be a class skill, mind you...

Attack 1: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 2 = 17
Damage 1: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Attack 2: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 2 = 6
Damage 2: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
*sigh* Attacking is also difficult with this one. You could say it's a... hit or miss...

"You want to know who I am?!" Aoife shouted as she pressed her attack even more. "I am Aoife FitzStephen! I am the bastard child of King Coffey McGovern and Hywela FitzStephen! I am a child ripped from her chance at heaven for simply being born! Who carries the curse of her birth!" Her anger seemed to rise as she spoke.

"You have attacked an innocent boy on the cusp of manhood for what?! Being sired from the wrong father?! Because he dares to what the birthright that is his?! In the end I don't care!!! YOUR BLOOD IS MINE SITRIC O’MAOLFABHAIL! EVEN IF I FALL HERE YOU AND YOUR CLAN WILL NEVER BE FREE OF ME! I WILL WAIL THOUGH YOUR HALLS FOR ALL TIME! YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGIVEN!!"

Sister Cobhlaith clutches her cross, and prays for guidance from St Benedict of Nursia. I wonder if the convulsions are from some kind of poison on the arrowhead?
casting Detect Poison

"Venenum deprehendere"
Detect Poison: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

As she finishes her prayer, she hears Aoife's voice roaring through the room.

Keeping her hand on Conchobar's shoulder, Sister Cobhlaith looks around to gauge the reaction.
Brave and committed, even if a tad vindictive! We must make sure she isn't punished for her boldness.

Don't forget that Daire has kept up Inspire Courage, so ye have a bonus to hit.

By the beard of Saint Patrick, Aoife will win or die here, and perhaps both!

"She is angered by Sitric's sins! His spite has struck down this young lord! Make way for him to the infirmary, if ye would see him live!"

Maintain inspire courage, try to clear a path for Conchobar.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

"I warned you! Everyone out of my way!"

Dashing forward, Ruadhan's blade practically leaps into his hand as he moves to support Aoife. Using his shield to help defend Aoife he lashes out at the guard who hit her.

Using my 'Shield Bearer' trait to give Aoife +2 to AC, it doesn't affect my AC.

Attack S Sword: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 24
Dmg S Sword: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7

Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 - 2 = 16
Crit Dmg: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Despite repeatedly casting an eye at his fallen ally, Ruadhan strikes true.

Assumed I would now be more than 10ft from Conchobar and so my 'Overprotective' drawback would kick in despite leaving him as 'safe' as he could, hence the -2.
Also if people are in the way and acrobatics checks are needed to get to Aoife's side, Ruadhan is at +9 for those (until more than 10ft from Conchobar), if there aren't people in the way he would charge (+2 to my to hit rolls).

Poison. Cobhlaith is certain now.

As Cobhlaith tends to Conchobar, two of his warriors lift him to carry him to the infirmary. Despite the chaos, the warriors in the hall are quick to let them pass, heeding Daire's words.

In the meantime, seeing Aoife in grave danger, Ruadhan rushes into the melee. He deals a crippling blow, cutting deep into the guard's leg, but the man still stands. The guard turns and repays Ruadhan in kind.

Ruadhan takes 7 hp damage

Encouraged by Ruadhan's timely arrival, Aoife continues her assault. Luckily, her words keep more warriors from entering the fray – for now. Bolstered by Daire's encouragements, she connects with a hard right, but the old war-dog doesn't miss a beat.

"The McGovern fight with O'Rourke! They killed Muircheartach and now, they've killed his son!" Sitric accuses. His words are like burning tinder on dry grass: what was a contained fight becomes a generalized brawl. Those among Sitric's men who hesitated now, finally, decide to fight with their kinsmen. Others stand in their way. Some attempt to keep the peace, only to be drawn into the melee. Others take advantage of the commotion to resolve past disputes. It's a complete and bloody mess.

Sitric brings down his sword with fury. Aoife sees the blade slash, but too late... And then Ruadhan steps in, raising his shield.

Thank God for small favours, and for good friends.

Aoife turned her head slightly to see Ruadhán, a small smile came over her face as she turned back to Sitric. Having a friend at her side seemed to break Aoife out of her most blinding rage.

"Did you not listen Sitric? I am a FitzStephen! My father is nothing more than my sire." Aoife told him as, now with Ruadhán at her back, she pressed the attack.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 7
Damage 1: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6
Attack 2: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 22
I want to use the second roll to disarm him, so he'd get an AoO on Aoife but she's willing to eat it if it gets his blade away.

"I am not the one who sent for the archer Sitric, I am not the one whose men guarded the door and let him flee! NO! I am the one here, forcing you to face your sins!" Aoife went on to say. "NOW STAND DOWN AND BE A MAN!!"

Aoife's AC is 18, 20 with Ruadhán's aide!

"Sancti Benedicti Abbatis, conserva hanc in venenum puero in sanguinem."
With a prayer to St Benedict for the safety of Conchobar, Sister Cobhlaith leads the group out the door and to the monastery.

Wisdom: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
K(Nature): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
K(Arcana): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Heal: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 12 + 2 = 25

Knocking loudly and rapidly, she impatiently waits for the door to open, and then says, "We need the infirmarer immediately. This young man has been poisoned with nightshade and we need an antidote if he has one. He also needs the abbot's care very quickly."

I pray the abbot knows how to ward off this curse

To the infirmarer, when they reach the infirmary.
"I am Sister Cobhlaith, and I'm sorry to interrupt your evening, but this young man was shot with an arrow that must have had poison smeared on the tip.

It appears to be deadly nightshade.
If he looks surprised at a young nun giving him such information, she responds "I studied with Abbess Hildegard".

Thorun walks up to the horse, with a chop putting it out of its misery.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 REALLY?!?
Damage: 1d12 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

Daire stays in the hall, trying to keep a wall next to his back and his sword up.

"Sitric continues to lie! He plots murder and tries to squirm his way out of it!"

Continue Inspire Courage

Diplomacy to convince as many as possible to turn on Sitric and his loyalists: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Waiting for Ruadhan who probably hasn't slept since his last post and can't type 'cause his hands are full of poopy diapers! Basically: me in four weeks.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 7
Damage 1: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5
Attack 2: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 7
Damage 2: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6
Okay, someone needs to talk to this number generator! I've rolled 2 a total of 5 times in one fight! Thorun has rolled two nat 1s in a row! Seriously wtf?! At this rate we're all going to died over luck!
Also Aoife is at 13HP

"You have no reason in that head of yours do you?" Aoife asked as she shifted her weight to help her stand more readily upon the leg that was now greatly wounded. She could feel the blood making rivers down to her foot, staining the cloth she wore. But she couldn't worry about that now! She had to turn off the pain for now...

Even with that it seemed to effect her more than she'd wanted it to.

Also GM, Aoife isn't using her weapons, she's using her fists. Which are hitting like a dagger at the moment.

Touching the bell of St Boden, Sister Cobhlaith recites Psalm 140.
Eripe me, Domine, ab homine malo ; a viro iniquo eripe me. Qui cogitaverunt iniquitates in corde, tota die constituebant prælia.
Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men Who devise evil things in their hearts; They continually stir up wars

As Conchobar's body relaxes, she breaths a soft prayer of gratitude to St Boden and St Benedict.

Conchobar must now succeed two DC 20 Fortitude saves @ +4 against the Deadly Nightshade poison. Successful DC 20 Heal checks can allow for an additional +4 bonus.

Apologies and congratulations Amergin. Oh, just to clarify Ruadhán's shield bonus is only for one round.

Short Sword: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 - 2 = 6
Dmg S sword: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Shield: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 2 = 13
Dmg Shield: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Yep dice roller definitely hates us!

Angry at the blows Aoife has taken, Ruadhán loses himself in the anger swinging wildly at Sitric.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Daire continues his tirade, not realising that he has missed anything important.

"Go on Ruadhan! Keep the treacherous from the righteous!"

Continue Inspire Courage

Addendum: for the time being, Conchobar is stable. He will need to succeed two DC 20 Fortitude saves to survive – one per 24 hours. If a save is failed, the DC for the next check is +2 and Conchobar's Constitution is further reduced by 2. His current Constitution score is 9.

Thorun throws the shaft of his weapon away in anger and disgust. "Damn. F@&@ers!" He kicks the assassin's body, then does it again before spitting and looking at his wound. Coulda been worse. With a sigh he picks up the body and starts moving back.

Aoife is at 8 HP, she might die here

Attack 1: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 25
Damage 1: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5
Attack 2: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 21
Damage 2: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 2 + 1 = 7
Crit Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

Two very good rolls, then back to the 2... You know what, I'll take it!

"If I die.... I'M TAKING YOU WITH ME!" Aoife cried as finally her fist landed. If you're going to take me God... then please, don't take Conchobar too... his brothers need him. Aoife silently prayed as she, bleeding badly, stood firm before her opponent. She wouldn't back down. She couldn't.

Sister Cobhlaith puts her hand on Conchobar's forehead.
"He's still in danger"
She prays to St Benedict
"Sancti Benedicti decimi, tueri salutem hanc puer"

Daire is now focusing more on the desperate fight than on the crowd. He addresses Sitric directly:

"Sitric, you fight with the desperation of the sinner who knows his judgement is come!"

Continue inspire courage, Intimidate to demoralise Sitric

Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13