Thod runs Cyphermage Dilemma (Inactive)
Game Master Thod

She used channel energy ;P sorry for the stingers appearance :P

She walks faster to catch up, to think of it Pricilla walks surprisingly fast for a halfling.

I'll be behind Artemis and Markus and 1 step to the left

I'll be behind Artemis and Markus and 1 step to the right

Okay - here is how I see it right now.

Artemis and Markus in the lead.
Toren behind on one side with Priscilla on the other

That leaves a position for Tal and Chanix.

Edit: just adapted Priscilla's position.

Sounds good to me.

At the mention of a possible tail, Markus replaces one of his daggers with runed carved stick.

His monkey chatters excitedly and scurries back and for across his shoulders.

Tal falls in behind the others. He checks his swords; he may get to use them soon enough.

Perception to see if our tail is working alone or with others. 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

That set up was fine with me. As for weapons out, unless its normal walking down the streets with a weapon drawn in this city, I have none out.

Priscilla keeps a bullet in one hand and a sling in the other if it is not to conspicuous

Shield equipped and polearm carried but not ready.

Thanks everyone. Sorry - wanted to post a nice setup - but the option is shower or nice photos ahead of breakfast.

Surprise round:

The burly man with his dog comes from a side alley. He has a sap in his hands. Some ornate brass knuckles are on his left hand. He moves towards the group - his intentions clear.

He ends his move 5 feet behind the group (his action)

Unfortunately his attempt to suprise you gets foiled by Tal and Chanix.

Chanix act first in suprise round. Tal also to act. You have sneak as he is unaware of you.

I then will go into normal initiative.

Edit: on his left is a large mangy dog.

Recognition is visible on Markus's face when the thug makes his appearance.

"I know this man", the scarred Varisian says. "Put down his dog but leave him to me. We have some... unfinished business."

"Boss Croat sends his regards. Alesia's scum isn't welcome in his turf"

Initiative

Boss Croat Enforcer: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Toren 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Artemis 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Tal 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Priscilla 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Chanix 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Markus 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Please do suprise round first - but I can't post at work.

With the enforcer close up you notice some overgrown tusk. This man surely must have some ork blood in his ancestry.

Priscilla begins twirling her sling. "We just wish to find Alesia to give her a piece of our mind. Now stand down orky boy and you won't get hurt." She slings if he advances or others attack.
diplomacy 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
As needed. Sling 1d20 + 41d3 ⇒ (15) + (2, 2, 3, 1, 1, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 3, 3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 2, 1, 2, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 3, 1, 2, 3, 2, 3, 1, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2) = 100

lol please take only the first of the d3s, I just like the round 100:)

You rolled enough 2's and 3's to look like my regular games.

A slight grin appears on Chanix's lips. The moment of satisfaction is short lived as Chanix slips down off the balcony and out to the street.

He has seen the burly man and remained undetected.
As Chanix forces his way through the crowd that has formed a wide arena around the stand-off he hears Markus warn of the dog.

Dagger be true!

I'd like to be 10 ft behind the enforcer and his dog
Thrown dagger attack on the dog, sneak attack
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
1d4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (3) = 5

and the potential attack is a 19 to hit

On the dog.

Kill the dog? Just as the thought has a chance to process Tal sees Chanix's dagger fly toward the dog. Tal draws a shorts sword, steps forward 5 feet and attempts to take down the dog.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Sneak Attack: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Should the dog not be alive after Chanix's action I will instead attack the burly man...he will likely need some convincing to surrender so Marcus can chat with him.

Three more Photos added

I hope I got the minis and positions right. This is after the surprise round (see also discussion in a moment)

Surprise round actions:

The Brute approaches with his dog - intend to catch the party by surprise
Chanix as lookout had disappeared earlier and spots the brute approaching. He is ready to throw a dagger and is severly wounded.
Tal ends the misery of the dog and his shord sword sinks deeply into it's side - coming out blood red.

The dog gives a last yelp from is frothing mouth and sinks down onto the pavement.

Round 1: Pricilla hits the dog with another stone - ensuring it truly is dead.

Next to act:
Markus
Chanix
Enforcer

"I'm no-ones boy. You will pay for this and for the dog.
I will show you who is bigger and stronger."

"And Guaril sends his...", the scarred brute says in response to the enforcer's introduction.

Markus activates the wand he has in hand and then drops it and the dagger. As the two items clatter to the street, the Varisian steps forward and raises his big fists into a boxing stance.

"I'm here to teach you a lesson about who you should and should not play cards with."

When Tal brandishes his blade and moves forward, Markus casts him a withering glare.

The enforcer looks around - checking if this is a trap or if this indeed is a 1:1.

"Jus wa's showin the tiny um manner. Humans weak, Guaril should send someum better."

He takes the challenge - his sap in hand he changes target from Priscilla to Markus.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

He lands a powerful blow - but it is deflected without any impact from the amour.

Markus shoves away the ineffectual blow and throws a pair of punches, first a leading hook and then a crushing uppercut to the ribs.

1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 2 = 17
1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 2 = 23
1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

I'm here assuming everyone else stays out of the fight.
Seems it is under control.

"Human good fighter but me better!"

Sap attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Only brute force but no aim answers.

I try to keep an eye on the thread to be able to quickly answer.

Markus growls and throws another combination.

1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 2 = 4
1d3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 2 = 4
1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Snake eyes!

Chanix watches as the two brutes go at it one on one. He unsheathes his rapier but thinks twice about attacking as Markus starts wailing on the enforcer.

No sense interfering if it isn't necessary.

Ready action until Markus is bloodied or the Enforcer attacks me: 5' Step to flanking position and my readied standard will be an single weapon (Rapier) attack.

Perception on the crowd.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

No crit confirmation for the first round off-hand by Markus?

"Hey if you want to do this on your own I'll stay out of it. You do know though that if he had his pals with him there is no way he would fight you honorably."

Oh, derp. 2 rounds later...

Confirming Crit

1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 - 2 = 12
1d3 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

The enforcer smiles seeing Markus miss.

Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Indeed - Markus has a thread open for a critical. Just do it with the next hit. Even if this isn't a 20.

Priscilla steps to Markuses back to nudge him back into the fray. Granting him a Bit of Luck
"Come on Markus, I could do better than that!"

The brute shouts in anger as his sure hit seems reflected by thin air

"Sorcery !!!!

Crit not confirmed - you ninjas my text

Thanks Priscilla!

Seeing that his followup blows are proving in effective, Markus changes his stance.

"You ready to give up?"

The big Varisian balls his fists together and swings one massive back-handed blow.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Toren sets his shield down and smiles as the fight progresses. He holds his polearm in one hand, leaning on it. "Hmph, ya better hit 'im next time Marky!"

Perception to notice anything else going on around 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

It was made apparent to me just now that I used a 4E term. By "bloodied" I meant looking rough (ie. half HP) not to be confused with the first sign of blood.

Artemis gestures towards Toren

"Got involved in a brawl like this back in Irrisen. It was like 4 on 1 though. I used a dinner tray to even the odds a bit."

Markus lands another hit - this time hard.

The enforcer is stricken between hitting the human or running - but pride overrules sound judgement.

Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Damage 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

He takes a 5 foot step towards the alleyway.

"Curse you - cheater. You should be down."

Tal grips his sword tighter as the brute makes for the alley.

Chanix notices the enforcer's movement and looks to Markus to determine if we should let him go.

If Markus is unable to hinder the enforcer's retreat I will tumble into the mouth of the alley to try and stop him from escaping.
Acrobatics: tumbling movement 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

If Markus wants to allow the enforcer to escape then I let him go.

Markus grins - a gruesome sight full of crooked teeth.

"There is no cheating in a street brawl."

Emboldened by his heckling peers, the hulking Varisian throws another wild combination of a tagging jab followed by a driving hook.

1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 2 = 22
1d3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 2 = 19
1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Tal can't help but cringe at the sound of Markus' fists pounding against the brute.

That had to hurt...

The half-Orc seems only standing thanks due to sheer will of not going down. A normal human should be on the floor already. He frantically looks for a save route of escape.

Total defense

Markus presses his advantage and lays into his opponent's ribs as the reeling thug covers up.

1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 2 = 8
1d3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 2 = 19
1d3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"Yup, its over. He's on the ropes now."

A half-grunted laugh to Arty, "Heh...and how'd yours end? Take him down!!!"

"Well, we were all on the floor at the end. They were all out cold though. The only reason I joined 'em is because the table broke."