Xlarion looses a savage cry and spreads his wings fully and then races off, diving down onto one of the fleeing men easily and slashing with both of his talons cruelly.
Talon, Bandit 14 Damage
Talon, Bandit 14 Damage
Xlarion gives a great shriek of triumph as his claws drag down the bandit who screams in agony as Xlarion rides his torn and savaged body to the ground. His screams are cut short as Xlarion's beak sinks home and tears a gaping hole into the man's throat.
Bandits 2,3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 16
Will Saves to Rally, DC 15+2 from Death of 14:
2
3
4
5
8
9
11
12
13
16
Bandits 2, 5 and 9 turn and rally, turning back towards the glitter of Marc's sword, their limbs shaking but their blades training on the man.
bandits 6, 7 and 10 All move into Melee range with the Swordsman Marc, their fear keeping them from striking with their truest aim.
6
7
10 Damage Minus 1 from Shaken?
10 Critical Confirm
Marc's whirling rapier slashes away the repeated thrusts of the first two bandits but he drops his guard for a crucial second and the third strikes home, however lightly, with his short sword across Marc's thigh.
Although he lays as if dead upon the forest floor, enough of Arjhann's mind remains that Marc's message is recieved, however groggily and the swordsman is made aware of the condition his friend is in.
You are now aware just how seriously injured Arjhann is, although only a Heal Check could reveal the exact number to you.
Fury boils through his veins as he realises that his friend has fallen, he must succeed else both will be lost. Barely registering the painful thrust of the bandit Marc pushes his attack, slashing at the face of the bandit that sliced his leg.
As he lunges his leg buckles slightly and he takes a step back.
Longbow
Dmg
Firing at the bandit who hit marc
Athel continues to move and fire from the tree line and steps up to shoot the bandit who had managed to land on marc. "Xlarion! Defend Marc!" He shouts.
Stabilization Check, -9/14
ONE away....gah! -.-
Hey bro I think the universe is saying something
I will need two Dexterity Checks and one Strength roll Serena, adding in an unnarmed combat check.
The DC of the Dex checks are 14
The DC of the Strength Check must EXCEED 10, or take another check at a minus 2 each consecutive fail and dealing another unnarmed damage roll to the total.
Bors is still unconscious, and Arjhann is still bleeding slowly out onto the ground. He is fading very slowly, his natural tenacity is helping him greatly here.
Xlarion, hearing his master's cry, loops back around and streaks towards the slim-iron-fang man named Marc who is busy battling two bandits at the same time. With a great shriek, he drives in from the flank, slashing with his talons at the bandits with cruel, avian savagery.
Charge, Flanking with Marc:
Talon
Xlarion strikes true and the bandit cries out in sudden pain as savage talons rip through his flank and he is suddenly caught between the golden-haired swordsman and an irate, gigantic bird.
Will Saves for the Rest:
DC 18 (+2 for recent deaths, +1 for continued fleeing)
3.
4.
8.
11.
12.
13.
16.
Bandits 4 and 8 turn around and Rally, but the rest keep running. They most likely won't stop until they reach the main camp, which could be problematic.
Bandits 2, 5, 9 all double move towards Marc across Arjhann, thinking him dead.
Bandit 6 and 7 (now flanked)
Both bandits flail blindly and don't even come close to wounding either the bird or Marc.
Marc's turn.
DEX Check #1
DEX Check #2
STR Check #1
Clearly, Serena has never really tried to tie someone up before, and her inexperience shows. Giving up, she joins her comrades in dealing with the rest of the bandits.
Unnarmed Strike
Bors takes 4 Non-Lethal Damage from Serena pointedly hitting him over the head but the ropes around his body are not very well tied. They will hold him for a while if he wakes but...not for long.
Marc flicks a quick grimace as her moves into high guard, the rapier held above his head ready to strike down upon his foes; "Watch out for my dazzling display."
The sunlight just pierces the clouds and catches the blade reflecting upon the face of the bandit the bird didn't attack. The instants hesitation and he flicks his blade into the cheek of the other bandit, used to how his hero stuck Marc doesn't put his full force into the blows and instead relies upon finesse.
"Aye, eye, it's time to face the music for your crimes. Bors will do and unless you wish to be tied from a tree by you neck like him flee or surrender." Marc quips as he dances away with a shuffle step preparing to flick the next attack away. 'Damn it, fools. Arjhann is laying bleeding... I have not time to deal with you - although this display is quite impressive.'
Athel sights down the latest shaft drawn to the string of his bow and looses it after the nearest bandit that has not yet closed with Marc.
Attack, Longbow if Within 30 ft
Damage
Stabilization Roll -10/28
O.O...TAKE THAT BIRD BOY XD
Bors Gloran is just now beginning to come around but sluggishly, and will not receive any actions this turn as he is only now being roused to the awareness of battle again. He is bound and he'll need a couple checks to remove the ropes.
Xlarion shrieks and tears into the man yet again, drifting to the side so he is able to flank with the swordsman Marc, bringing all three of his savage natural weapons to bear upon the man, intent on tearing the man to bloody shreds.
5' Shift to Flanking position
Flanking with Marc
Talon
Talon
Beak
This time however, none of his attacks gain purchase on the man, who is able to beat off the bird yet again.
Final Will Saves for Bandits: 3, 11, 12, 13, 16
DC 20
3
11
12
13
16
Only Bandit 12 is finally able to Marshall himself and turns back to help. The rest of his companions are lost among the trees.
Bandits 4 and 8 double move to Arjhann's current position, while Bandits 2, 5, and 9 all move up cautiously towards Marc and the Great Bird, taking care to try and avoid the shrieking arrows of the archer in the background.
Bandit 2 feels the sting of Athel's arrow and Bandit 7 grunts in agony as Marc's rapier pierces his flesh, sliding to the ground in death. His companion ducks the Roc's savage attacks though.
Bandit 6, Xlarion:
Startled by Xlarion's savage cries, the man turns and hacks at the Bird, barely missing him but the Roc is quick to dodge the attack and return in earnest to the fray.
Marc, your turn.
Enraged by the attak on his feathered companion and the bandit ignoring him Marc snarls; "Chicken, take flight if you have to attack the Roc. You will be my (bird of) prey. You are stuck between a Roc and A Hard Place."
His rapier lunges out at the man's exposed neck between the cuirass and his wispy beard.
Wow my turn again already?
Frowning athel glances down to his dwindling supply of arrows and takes a.deep breath casting a spell from his link with xlarion.
action: Casting aspect of the falcon
Marc swears lowly as his feint and lunge fails to connect with the bandit.
Serena, horrified to see Arjhann lying unconscious on the ground, runs to help her comrades fend off the rest of the bandits.
Move Action: move towards Marc and Xlarion
Standard Action: If Serena is within range of a bandit, she uses her spell-like ability Blinding Ray on the nearest bandit.
So, the roll for Blinding Ray (ranged touch attack):
...
Bor Gloran comes about slowly, blinking away the lights that downed him and realizes with a start that he is tied and bound on the forest floor, weapon cast away and the battle still raging. With a loud, disorientated curse he begins struggling to free himself.
DC 15 Escape Artist:
Due to his grogginess and his thick leather armor, Bors is unsuccessful in untying himself this round.
Xlarion cries out as he and Marc begin taking the bandit between them apart and he slashes with his talons and beak at the man, meaning to drag him down and butcher him. His wild avian eyes are alight with fury and the joy of combat.
Talon
Talon
Beak
Yet again however, his slashing talons and beak fail to hurt the bandit.
Bandits 4 and 8 continue moving towards the action, hefting their weapons and one glancing back to see Bandit 12 doing the same as he approaches the downed Drakon's body.
Bandits 2, 5 and 9 All hurry towards Marc and Xlarion, eyes alight with murder and raising their weapons in anticipation to hack the swordsman and bird down to size.
2 vs Marc
5 vs Marc
9 vs Xlarion
None of them are able to even touch Marc or the young Roc however.
Bandit 6 vs Xlarion Critical Confirm
With a roar of triumph, Bandit 6 finally connects with the giant Roc, and powerfully. Xlarion cries out in pain and shrieks in the man's ears, his grin shaking in the face of the enraged bird.
Marc screams in rage and vows to finish off the bandit; "Flee like your friends or suffer the same fate as Karl..." he says as he takes a step forward upon his bad leg it buckles under his weight and he half falls to the ground.
I think xlarion is only at 0 if I did my math right lol
to confirm damn you dice gods
"Damn you!" Athel growls and fires quickly a1 the bandit who had downed his feathered companion.
Serena, dismayed at seeing the roc go down, turns to another bandit and attempts to blind him with Blinding Ray!! ^_^
Okay, attack roll for Blinding ray...
Serena's blinding ray soars over the bandits heads.
Their nerves failing, Bandits 2, 4, 5, 8 and 9 all turn tail and resume fleeing. This job was far too dangerous and despite their leader's recovery, they run and keep running. It is uncertain if they will ever return, but that is 5 bandits that won't be at the battle or in this one any longer.
Bors Gloran curses his ill luck for the gods giving him useless cowards and again strains to break out of his bindings.
So...no.
Yet again, Bors is stymed by the ropes binding him. Perhaps Serena did a better job than she thought.
Xlarion, shrieking in pain and renewed rage, slashes with his beak and talons at the man who wounded him, crying out so loudly that Marc and the bandit both reel slightly from the pain and intensity. A Roc is a fearsome adversary in all regards, and their shrieks can be heard for miles. This Roc happens to be at most 4 feet away from either man, so it is doubly loud for the proximity.
5' move to Flanking with Marc if not already.
Beak
Talon Damage
Talon
The Last Bandit gurgles as Xlarion's talons sink into his flesh at last and the great bird rides the dying man down to the ground, beak diving in at the throat over and over again until the only movements are the jerks as Xlarion tears flesh from the man's body in furious abandon.
The blood from the fierce creature's attacks coats Marc's pants and shoes and his sword drips with gore.
The entire scene stinks of death and sweat and battle. Bodies litter the ground and all of the scene is permeated with the loud swearing of Bors as he struggles with the ropes.
His eyes too wide at the scene of the carnage and his breathing ragged. He falls to both knees in the viscera, his rapier gently falling from his faltering grasp. With a hand he pushes himself to his feet slowly, a gasp elicting from his lips as his wounded leg cannot hold his weight completely. The curses held on his lips, mainly for concern for his compatriots.
With a slow movement he looks to the large Roc; "You alright? A noble friend, thank you." Marc's words fall softly from his lips to the once vicious creature and his saviour. He looks to the woods where Athel lies; "You can help him? I see to Axe." the words hopefully carry by magic to the Highlander.
A long walk over a short distance; each step sending a shooting pain up his leg and Marc reaches the downed dragonman. He kneels beside him, clearing his throat he starts to sing. The crisp clear lyrics resonating with the woods, drawing the healing powers and spirits from the genus loci and into the brave warrior.
♫ ♪'Not one corner of a foreign field
But a span as wide as Hedon;
An appearance of a titan's grave,
And the length thereof a thousand miles, ♪
It crossed all the Land like a mystic road,
Or as the Spirits' Pathway lieth on the night.
And I heard a voice crying
This is the Path of Glory.' ♫
His voice hoarse, Marc releases the energy into the glorious warrior.
Arjhann is revived. I do not remember which version I played it in but any sort of magical healing besides a potion restores a downed character to 0 HP and that is the way I would prefer to play this out rather than forcing Marc to spend both of his uses of the spell and Arjhann still be out cold.
The Dragon Man awakens to Marc kneeling over him and while his entire body aches with pain, he is very much alive.
Bors shouts from nearby, directly at Marc after seeing what the man did, "Ye Damned fool! What did ye revive the monster for?! Let the thing die I say!!! It's naught but a beast! Stick it now while its still down!"
Arjhann opened his eyes slowly, staring up at Marc confusedly and then looked all around himself slowly. His axe and short are still close at hand but reaching for them put him into another fresh bout of agony and he left the weapons be.
He grinned weakly up at the golden-haired swordsman. "Well...I assume since I woke up at all, this one is not yet among the dead. I would not hurt so much if this was not so, I am thinking. How did we fare?"
The Drakon's eyes fell then in disappointment. 'This one apologizes for letting bandits get the better of him. It will not happen again. I owe you my life Marc. I plan on returning the favor." He stood slowly, talon over his wounds and he grunted in pain as he looked about the battlefield. "Gods...You did well this one is thinking."
Marc rubs his face, the tears lost on the back of his soft leather gloves. 'He deserves better than tears.' His voice calm with only a hint of emotion he replies to the Drakenborn; "Don't worry friend. It was my fault that you were put in a position of such danger, we should have stuck together. As (and if) we live we learn." Marc puts his hand out to the man and winces at his strong grip.
Serena, sighing in relief at the bandits' retreat, heads over to Arjhann and Marc. After a quick glance at Bors and being amused at the fact that he hadn't managed to break free of his bonds, her smile returns. "It's good to see you in better health Arjhann. I was worried after I saw you fall, and, to be quite honest, I half expected myself to join you on the ground. I'm not usually one who fares well in physical combat. I'm still surprised their leader fell to my Color Spray; I expected to taste his blade. But luck does work in mysterious ways." ^_^
With that, she gestures towards Bors. "I managed to tie him up while he was unconscious. Without his minions, I think he would be in the right mood for a little questioning, perhaps for information on the Black Fox. If we're going to do that, though, we should hurry. The ropes I used won't hold him for long, I fear. Marc, perhaps you could see to Xlarion? I saw him fall in battle, and I'm sure Athel would be devastated to lose his companion."
Marc hobbles back to where the Roc is sat upon the ground, he gently puts his hands on the side of the beast. Xlarion calls out sharply and Marc shushes him which starts another soft song. In harmony with the reasonance of the universe he calls forth the healing energies. A slight tingling sensations develops into a warm glow as the feathered creatures' wounds knit together.
Marc retrieves his rapier, then moves towards the downed and struggling Bors; "None of your lip. We are Marshalls from the town, what are you doing out here for the Black Fox? Speak or we'll have your tongue from your head." Marc snarls uncharacteristically.
The Drakon limped over towards the bound Bors and growled deeply in his throat at the man, lifting one lip to reveal his long fangs. He was too sore to come up with any better threats, but he raised his axe meaningfully.
Intimidation
He winceed mid-growl, the threat spoiled somewhat by his pain but the axe never wavered from its ready position to split the large man in half should he need to.
Bors Gloran grins up at the two men and spits at the Drakon's boots. He is no coward, and he knows exactly what will happen to him if the Black Fox got a hold of him.
"Very brave boy but you are bitin' off more than you can chew by taking on the Fox. He'll have your tongue from your pretty head before long. And take the monster here for his rug." He spits again and glances around the campsite, at Serena and Athel and the recovering bird. He grins back up at Marc and Arjhann fearlessly. "Aye, yer' all going to die...Fox has got more men than even here. Plan all ye like, kill me if you wish, I give not a damn. Hope a bloody dragon lands on all of ye."
After that the large man spits again and glances aagain at his falchion. A small disappointed frown twists his ugly features. Under his breath he mutters something.
Perception DC 10
He looks back up at Marc then. " Do it Goldy-lockes. If yer' gonna kill Bors Gloran, don't waste time on doing it!"
Marc smiles grimly; 'I know the advantage to appearing cruel, even when you have to steel you heart.'
A sneer slides across his face, "Kill you, aye, maybe, can you imagine the feeling of a noose around you neck? Constricting your throat until even the last breath burns in your lungs."
"We know about his elven allies, what do they want? Where is he moving? To the Capital? You will tell us... A poor headsman can bungle an execution." he says nastily, despite hating himself for the cruel words.
Serena walks over to the interrogation, then pauses after she hears what Bors must have said in a very low voice. Smiling slightly at something she might be able to press to their advantage, she walks to stand to the side of Marc.
"Kill you now, Bors Gloran? But why? You seem to have some desire to live... Who is this Gregor? You seem to think highly of him. And something about a world he always talked about that you would've liked to see... Tell us about the Black Fox and his compound beyond what you've already told us, and maybe-- just maybe-- you'll live to see this world Gregor envisioned."
Her smile then drops she bends over, and she casts Ghost Sound, using her spell to convey her words. "And mind your words, sir. You're without your lackeys, you're tied up, and you've insulted a good friend of mine, calling him a beast when he is more man than you. I don't take kindly to those who insult my friends, and you've felt first hand the power I have at my disposal. Don't be stupid."
With that, Serena sits down next to the scene, glances back at Athel and Xlarion to make sure they're okay, then opens her spellbook and begins to write something.