Hey there now friend. We came upon this camp and in an attempt to see if there was a chance to share a fire and a drink, our grizzled friend here was attacked. The dwarf merely defended himself. Something I am sure you and your companions here would have done in his place. We have no hostility toward you. Why don't we share a drink and enjoy some gambling? Damaran lowers his weapon in an attempt to seem more sincere.
Fulito will slip out the back of the tent to circle around so he can approach from a direction other than the tent.
As he approaches he holds his journal book in hand.
Ahhh there you guys are. I see you have found what the problem is I see.
As he approaches he flashes his book quickly as if he is producing some document. but to fast for anyone to really get a good look at it.
I am Fulito Ferrywrden Bard of the River Kingdoms and Chronicler
of worldly event and crisises. I see that you men have hear the screeching as well as me and my men have. now it would seem that there is a bit of a misunderstanding going on here. Now I am quite certain that anyone under my employ would never commint such heinous act and while it is undoubtably the fault of any of you men. It would appear that there is another out there comminting acts of unprecidented violence upon others.[/n]
he psueses a moment but continues before the otehr can speak
[b] Now since it is known that you and your men arrived from the North as me and my entourage arrived from the south and neither of us engaged in any sort of violence along the way we can logically assume that the real perpetrator of this event left in eaither an easterly or westerly direction. now It is my proposal that you and your men head east and we will head west. we meet back here in 2 days time to shre our findings. if either party fails to show then they can be presumed dead. Agreed? Good
Damaran gives the halfing a confused look and draws heavily from his flask. Oh hell, is that what was going on? I was in the back enjoying my fine Rummboozle. Drink? he says offering up the little man the flask. Damaran teeters in his saddle as he does so and then greedily drinks from the flask again.
Fulito looks to Damaran seeing his rather quisical look of confusion.
Damaran, friend it would definately appear that you arrived to late as did these fine horsemnen did and nearly fell for the same outward appearance of non-invetigative conclusions. besides, was it the dwarf that you saw or was it something else. Don't think I didn't notice that bottle of elven wine missing this morning. Fulito looks to Damaran rather sternly. attempting to convey a hidden message to hime to play along.
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Marianne casts shield upon herself, "Fendus."
She then take a step out of the tent and calls upon the blessing of Shelyn for herself and her companions, "Unelwey Arvitey Vitae!"
"Say hon?" she shouts,[b]"You fellows are bandits right? Or free lance wealth acquisition specialists, however you prefer to put it. You aren't here on some sort of altruistic humanitarian mission are you? I just want us all to be on the same page..."
HA HA HA HA. I likes a good jest as much as the next lad that's for sure. And that's a bloody good one. Just happened upon the scene of a murder did ya? Just happened to be rummaging through our tents too I see? And just happened to be covered in blood when you ... how did you put it? "haven't engaged in any sort of violence along the way." This one says you came here to rest, that one says you came here for a drink, the pretty girl admits your thieves, and you say you came here to help. I thinks you take me for a fool half man. So since you gave me a belly full of laughter, I think I might kill you last. Hell, I gotta be honest with ya, I probably will just kill you when its most convenient though. Isn't that right boys? As he says that he looks back at the guffaws and chortles of his men. See, I makes good jokes too. Though not as sweet tongued as yours mind you but just as funny all the same. He makes a few gestures to his men and then says finally it looks like that bastard Bledsoe has sent out a comedian with his hit crew huh boys? Well, lets be sure to keep one or two of em alive for tonight's entertainment. As he says that he looks Marrianne up and down lasciviously. At this last gesture, 15 short bows are trained on the dwarf and the drunken mage.
Perception:
Staryth:
Damaran:
Fulito:
Marianne:
Gilthanis:
Jeggrim:
Badguys:
So thats
Fulito
Staryth
Gilthanas
Damaran
Jeggrim
Badguys
Marrianne
Staryth eyes the numbers, eyes the cart, and sighs. I'll have to risk it. I won't let Jegg die alone. Time to call some attention to myself though.
"There are more of us than you think! And by the gods of stone and iron, even if you win, it's going to cost you!"
He races forward and fires his crossbow.
The reality that this fight will not be avoided Damaran yells to the halfling. Run halfling. Hide and tell the tale of our heroic attempt to ease the suffering of Anddran's people! He pulls a small object from a large pouch and begins whispering. The object glows softly then turns to dust. As it does his blade shines as if it had caught the moon light and then vanishes. True Strike
Well it has come to this You didn't want to talk things through now its down to this outnumbered 3 to 1 you would think they would have brought some friends to even the odds.
Fulito pulls his harmonica from his pocket to play a Peppy tune raisng the party spirits and courage. like this tune
Growling at the pomp bandit leader, Jeggrim's rage boils over. Letting out a furious scream he launches himself at the bandit leader looking to rip his head straight from his shoulders. Baring his teeth he explodes into motion.
Round 1 Recap:
Fulito bard song
Staryth with an attack and a miss and a move
Gilthanas with an attack and a miss and a move
Damaran casts true strike
Jeggrim Headbutts the leader's horse stove in its head
Marrianne with an attack and a miss and a move
Badguys
G1: Acrobatics check to land on feet lands next square over
Grapple with Jeggrim: *fail*
AOO on Jeggrim for Bull Rush: *MISS*
FGH4: shoot at Jeggrim
for damage *MISS* 5'step
for damage *MISS* 5'step
for damage *HIT*
FGH3: shoot at Jeggrim
for damage *MISS* move to surround Marianne and Damaran
for damage *MISS* move to surround Marianne and Damaran
for damage *MISS* move to surround Marianne and Damaran
EF2: shoot at Marrianne
for damage *MISS* move to surround Marianne and Damaran
for damage *MISS* move to surround Marianne and Damaran
HI2: shoot at Damaran
for damage *MISS* move to Gilthanas and Staryth
for damage *MISS* move to Gilthanas and Staryth
EGH1: shoot at Jeggrim
for damage *MISS* move to Gilthanas and Staryth
for damage *HIT* move to Gilthanas and Staryth
for damage *MISS* move to Gilthanas and Staryth
G2: Casts Sleep Spell
And that officially ends the worst round of combat in the history of warfare. 21 attacks in total and only 2 hits. I think all of you, bandits and party, should retire and become farmers or something. I will update the map later as most of the bad guys moved. I will have to do the recap later also.
Marianne, Damaran, Jeggrim all make save please (DC 14)
Staryth snorts as some of the bandits close,
His hammer slips out into his hand and then smashes forward
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Desna please be with us as we fight these bastards with every ounce of energy and resolve we have!
Looking at the bandits attempt to surround himself and Staryth Gilthanis grits his teeth then cracks a slight smile. He takes a quick look behind him and sees a halfling, squishy in his own right hunkering down trying to play innocent. Thinking he'll be damed to let the goons get to the halfling, Gilthanis drops his bow, grabs his sword and shield and get stands his ground with the dwarf, ready for the onslaught to ensue.
Free action drop bow. Move action draw sword and shield. Standard action fight defensive and swing at enemy at J-12.
Attack:
Damage:
Spellcraft for spell
Fulio continues his usic inspireing his comrads to press on in the fight
as he dance about a bit he moves to position a slight more advantegous yet also more dangerous position as once again his notes take solis form and splinter out slicing into his enemies.
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Sleep is a fullround action and thus would not go off until next round, so 3 should still be casting and the casters have a chance to spellcraft.
Can we just assume the bandits dismounted? Otherwise they should really be using large bases sizes for their horses. I think this would make things a great deal simpler.
Jeggrim seem like he should count as being in combat, and thus they should be getting a -4 to hit him. This should make both attacks miss. It seems very uncharitable to say that bandits react in some sort of perfect order where they all wait for one another and move back perfectly then surround the mad dwarf that just hurled himself into their midst. I assume they do not have precise shot since they do not appear to have point-blank shot.
Adoration happens before you determine if an attack hits or not.
The leader was denied his dex bonus when he fell, and flatfooted so he should not have received any aoo - barring special abilities I really hope he does not have - he should also have been denied his dex for his acrobatics check which might make a crucial difference by giving Jeggrim an aoo on him as he rises from prone.
Sorry to quibble, and only doing it since this is so life and death - or possibly capture.
Marianne cries,
"Get the spellcaster he is casting sleep!" Even as she rams her glaive into the thigh of one of those who move in past it. Then she moves past the bow wielding bandits trying to surround her, and rushes for the caster.
She strikes at the caster hoping to disrupt his spell, but in her hurry her lunge goes wide of the mark...
"Sleep covers a big area so stay well apart if you can!"
Now we have ourselves a fair fight! Jeggrim bellows in glee as the men surround him.
Lowering his head and screaming in a frenzy, Jeggrim's legs pump as he charges forward, spit and blood flowing freely from his mouth.
1. You wouldn't get an AOO from a 5' step even with the reach weapon.
2.You bring up a good point though as the horses would be considered large. So for the sake of argument lets say they did indeed dismount.
3. And they wouldn't get AOO's for sure because they are using ranged weapons but they missed anyways so thats a moot point.
4. Likewise with your domain power, they were also misses so I didn't bother to roll against the dc. If you wish, I will do so in the future.
5. As for the sleep spell, it hasn't gone off yet. It will go off next round. I was just asking for your saves.
6. The archers all shot then moved so for that round it is not shooting into combat. They simply shot then moved as I put in the crunch. So they do not take the -4 penalty.
7. As for Jeggrim's attack, this is a complicated one. He normally would have drawn an AOO but you are right it should have been disallowed due to using a bow but again it missed. I don't see how one could do a flying jumping headbutt at the rider on a horse and if the jump fails headbutt the horse instead. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and allowed the headbutt on the horse. The leader responded by trying to jump off the horse and grapple with Jeggrim. I couldn't find the dc for jumping off a horse but ruled that since he is a trained horseman and it is a trained horse that it should be a 12. The plus 3 for his acrobatics roll isn't for his dex it is for his skill bonus. So he successfully jumped off the horse but unsuccessfully grappled.
8. Don't worry so much about getting captured or killed. I've changed the encounter somewhat to accommodate for the damned bloody stubborn dwarf that refuses to run when that is the most sensible thing to do. LOL you all said 'lets run' then he stayed and that kind of messed up my encounter.
Guys, lets assume for the sake of argument that they dismounted ... the rookie DM forgot that horses are large creatures. 8)
Gilthanas, I don't see how you could hit the spell caster from where you are. You'd have to move a long way.
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Giltahnis seeing one of their ranks beginning to cast a spell focuses on figuring out the mannerisms are to the spell. After a few seconds he realizes it as another sleep spell and knows that his comrades are in danger of being put to sleep. Against better judgement, he takes a step backward, bow in hand and levels his bow in an arcing shot to attempt to disrupt the caster from completing his spell.
No you don't you punk, fool me once shame on me, but not twice. Jeggrim, Marianne, Damaran, watch out a sleep spell!! Gilthanis yells out before firing his shot in hope of stopping it.
Move Action: free 5' step to K-14
Standard Action: Fire Longbow at spellcaster on G-2. Assuming that they are still all using bows since you didn't say otherwise in changing attack method for the baddies.
Attack:
Damage:
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And yes its fairer if you always use Adoration, as I can't know the result before using it. If we do it with only hits it becomes a much stronger ability.
The DC for falling off a horse is 15, and its a ride check,
Soft Fall: You negate damage when you fall off a mount. If you fail the Ride check, you take 1d6 points of damage and are prone. This usage does not take an action. DC 15
Damaran easily shrugs off the casters spell, wheels his horse around and thrusts his rapier at one of his attackers. His blade finds it's mark with ease but the bandits armor prevents any serious harm.
Round One Recap:
After realizing the leader isn't buying his 'were innocent' story, Fulito quickly ducks behind a tent and begins to sing a song of ancient battles and bravery. Each of you is filled with a familiar sense of confidence and once again the ebb and flow of battle seems to slow down. Your reflexes get a little bit better. You're vision of the battlefield becomes a little more focused. A sense of calm overcomes you.
Staryth, seeing the halfling move to safety pulls out his crossbow and yells a taunt at the rushing bandits. He takes careful aim but just as he lines up the mounted foe in his sights, the man jumps off his horse and rushes at him. The crossbow bolt flies right at his head but a moment too late and it flies wide by a few inches. Cursing at the man, Staryth tosses his crossbow aside and draws out his hammer getting ready to stove the mans head in.
Gilthanas pulls out his bow and takes careful aim at the leader through the boughs of the tree his hiding in. Just as he does so, Jeggrim bull rushes the man and in a maniacal effort to land a flying headbutt on the rider. The leader meanwhile grits his teeth and attempts to jump off the horse and grapple with Jeggrim. He pulls hard on the reigns tugging the horses head as he jumps off throwing Jeggrims timing off and instead of landing a head butt on the rider. The furious dwarf head butts the mount instead. The leader reaches out with a burly arm and attempts to put the cussing dwarf in a headlock but he cannot seem to get a proper grip as the dwarf fends him off with his forearm. This furious scene throws off Gilthanas and his arrow flies just wide of the mark. His keen elven senses detect a new magic forming from the middle of the ranks of enemies. They have a finger wiggler he thinks to himself. And he is casting a sleep spell! My friends are in trouble.
Damaran, seeing that he is about to be surrounded, quickly casts a spell. Shimmering particles of energy bind in front of him forming an energy shield. When Jeggrim rushes in he also begins to chant another incantation. A surge of energy starts to well up from his core and extend down his arms and into his hand. He feels a great sense of confidence that his next attack will be very successful.
Marrianne looks on with shock and horror as the dwarf seems to lose it. His neck turns an ugly red and veins begin to protrude and he seems to start to quiver as the leader taunts him and goads him into a fight. Don't do it Jeggrim. Don't do ...just as the though enters her head, the dwarf loses it and launches himself at the leader with wreckless abandon. A wave of horror washes over her as she remembers the sickening ease with which she has already killed but it is all too late. Her battle training takes over and she lunges at the leader's head with her glaive. As the man jerks the reigns of his horse, the glaive flies just over the mans head as he jumps off and launches himself at the dwarf. Meanwhile, two of the man's henchmen rush at her with a look of malice in their eyes; shooting as they approach. Both arrows fly horribly wide and into the tents behind her. With a vicious reverse cut of the glaive blade, she manages to slice deep into the thigh of the lead goon as he jumps off the horse. Angered, but not slain, the man looks at her with cruel intent and yells at her lets see if I can't take the fight out of ya little poppet.
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Knowing that a shot from this distance under these conditions may not be the best course of action, but it may be the only thing that keeps his friends upright, and let us have a shot at winning the battle. Seeing the enemies close to him are using bows, he doesn't fear getting hit while lining up the shot.
Father I hope you guide this arrow I am about to loose.
Standard action: Fire bow at enemy on G-2.
Attack:
Damage:
Free Action: drop bow after shot
Move action: draw sword and shield and prepare for fight ahead of me
These are in no particular order other than how they were posted.
Staryth attacks k13 *misses*
Fulito moves to i13 and casts chord of shards 10 damage to j11, j12, k11, k12 ref dc 15
J11 reflex save: *fail* *Dies*
J12 reflex save: *fail* *Dies*
K11 reflex save: *fail* *Dies*
K12 reflex save: *fail* *Dies*
Marianne, spellcraft success, move to i3, attack spellcaster *miss*, falls asleep
Jeggrim attacks and tries to push g4 into caster. Successfully pushes g4 to g3 damage roll? Does not push the caster though. No AOO yet. Fails will save and falls asleep. damage on the guy.
Damaran, will save success, attacks i8 with true strike, 3 damage
Gilthanas, shoots at sorcerer, hits, 4 damage, drops bow and readies for attack
Caster concentration check: *success*
G3, F5, H5, E6 all rush to grapple Damaran
F5:
H5:
G3:
E6:
Damaran gets an AOO on one of them also roll a d4 to determine which one as it will potentially affect the grapple roll. We will put them in order listed above so F5 = 1 and so on down the line.
I10, J11, J12, J13 all rush towards Gilthanas who just attacked the spell caster.
I10: *hit* damage
J11: *miss*
J12: *miss*
J13: *miss*
Caster casts magic missile on Gilthanas for damage
Fulito, dreading what was about to come to pass, starts playing a vibrant tune on his harmonica. Slowly it starts then faster and faster. Once the notes hit a frenzied pitch they start to form and take shape. You actually see the music take shape into shards of energy quickly darting about the bards head. He jumps out from behind the tent and confronts the hoard of enemies that are charging at his friends and projects the shards of musical energy directly at the leading bandit. Several of them take him full on in the chest and he is flung backwards off his feet. The remaining darts hammer into his companions immediately behind him and as quick as that they are cut to ribbons. Fulito stands for a moment looking at the devastation he has caused and he glances backwards towards Staryth and Gilthanas and sees the look of utter shock on the dwarfs face as he swings his hammer at the head of one of the attackers who died but an instant earlier. This only lasts but a moment as a second wave of attackers comes rushing at the trio.
Gilthanas' takes careful aim at one of the rushing bandits but as he draws the bowstring he hears Marianne's warning about the spell caster and he whips his bow around and takes aim through the crowded battle field. Gilthanas utters a little prayer to his father asking him to guide the arrow to its target and lets go of the bowstring. The deadly bolt flies straight under the outstretched arm of Damaran as he thrusts his rapier. The arrow hits the sorcerer high in the shoulder as he is about to finish his incantation. Somehow he manages to maintain his balance and continue to cast and unleashes a wave of magic that spreads out in a circular fashion.
The wave washes over Damaran but his strong mind recognizes it for what it is and shields him from the effects of the spell. Infused with the power of his own spell, Damaran fakes a rapier cut high and then quickly reverses the cut down and across the face of one of his attackers just as they jump on him.
Jeggrim grunts at Marianne's warning and sets himself low and charges at the bandit in an attempt to bowl him over into the sorcerer in an attempt to disrupt the spell caster 10 feet away. He manages to drive his shoulder into the man's chest and Marianne looks on in shock as she hears a sickening crunching sound as Jeggrim crushes the mans ribs and drives him backwards. However, Jeggrim cannot get enough momentum because just as they are about to crash into the spell caster a wave of magic washes over him and takes control of his mind; his knees buckle underneath him and he falls flat on his face on the ground.
Marrianne shouts a warning to the others and then she sweeps the glaive in front of her like a scythe as she charges through combat on her way to attack the spell caster. She manages to cut deep into the leg of one of the lieutenants leaving a long gash on his leg. Just as she reaches striking distance, a wave of magic washes over her and she feels herself beginning to lose consciousness. She manages to fight it off long enough to get an attack off but in her current state it misses the spell caster. Then she too blacks out and falls to the ground.
The sorcerer, with Gilthanas' arrow sticking out from his shoulder looks across the battle at the elf and utters a word of power as he points at the elf. A tiny sphere of energy leaps from his hands and streaks across the encampment and hammers the elf in the chest staggering him slightly.
Just as this happens, those of you who remain standing hear a bugle call from the north. The sorcerer cries out in alarm BLEDSOE! BLEDSOE! Form up you rat bastards or were all gonna be fed to his bloody pets tonight. You remember what he did to Jugs right? Filetted him alive and then fed him piece by piece to them beasts he's got caged up. FORM UP I TELL YA!!! And with that, the men stop dead in their tracks and turn to face this new threat. You find it odd but they seem to be much more concerned with what is coming than the lot of you. You also hear the thundering sound of many sets of horses hooves headed your way ...
Staryth retrieves his crossbow, then moves to Jegg and hoists him up, "Gods, you ain't light." He calls out to his companions, "Anyone got any idea what the hell is going on?"
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Seeing a dwarf carry a dwarf brings out a slight chuckle in Gilthanis. I'll have to remember this for later, quite comical indeed.
Nope, and I don't care. They left and that's all I care about right now and getting the hell outta here. By the way, I'll make sure to tell Jeggrim that you carried and protected his sleeping body as you dragged him out of harm's way." Gilthanis says calmy in a joking manner as he runs by Staryth on his way to wake Marianne up. from her slumber.
Wake up sleepyhead, it's time to get the hell out of here before the mean people return," Gilthanis speaks softly, before shaking her violently to make her up.
"Oh, he'll love that, I'm sure." Staryth heads back to the cart and slaps Jegg down into it none too gently, "Wake up! Our asses just got saved from the frying pan, but it sounds like some sort of fire is closing in."
The area to the north of you, out of sight from the line of trees, all hell is breaking loose. You hear screams, explosions, and the general mayhem of battle. It starts off violent and loud but as it progresses it gets quieter. Occasionally you hear the voice of the leader or the sorcerer shouting commands but after a few brutal seconds even that stops. Then there is a moment of eerie silence before you hear another command Mount up! Their base is just to the south of us.
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Marianne stretches and yawns hugely,
"Five more minutes Sister Kiera I'm having a beautiful dream, that's practically prayer... What? Oh, gods, who...?"
Sensing the urgency as she sees their foes fleeing the cleric springs to her feet and races for the wagon. Glancing about anxiously to try and get to grips with the situation glaive firmly clasped in hand.
When she sees injured friends she swiftly invokes the power of Shelyn calling forth the healing radiance again.
Damaran lashes out with his thin blade once and then twice as the bandits make their escape.
Staryth will give Jegg a slap, "Wake up. We may need you to handle the horses"
Fulito jumps into the driver seat of the wagon
Come on not much time we gotta get going. just toss the sleepers in the back.
"Fine, fine." Staryth complies realizing the halfling is right. "Hope you can drive this thing."
Fulito looks to Staryth with a look of confidence
not much different than a river boat right? just no water
with that and everyone together Fulito starts off toward Falcons hollow.
Baaaaaah! Me achin' noggin! Jeggrim groans from the back of the wagon, removing his helmet and clutching his head in his palm.
Stupid finger wiggler! I would have liked ta bit them waggin fingers right off his stupid hands!
Jeggrim looks around and finally seems to realize where he is...
What in the hells is goin on? How'd meself get here?
"You scared them all off, and then fainted from delight," Staryth said with a straight face, then admitted, "That finger wiggler put a spell of sleep on you, but seems they've got bigger worries than us. Some other threat spooks them more than we ever could. Now we're racing for our lives."
Fulito looks back
not to worry I got this here wagon driving down its as easy as pie
I think I'm alright Priesty! Jeggrim shakes his head vigorously, his beard and lips flapping.
Now then, what seem ta be causin us ta run like a bunch 'o kiddo's that just got caught gettin into their mama's pies?
We're not running, we are making a tactictal re-positioning to better press our advantage toward victory.
Fulito doing his best to keep the positive mood of the group.
Damaran, lunges out to take a swipe at a retreating patrolman and manages to cut him on the side. The man doesn't even bat an eyelash as he runs past and heads northward. Somewhat shocked at the response he quickly reverses the blade and cuts back again at a second patrolman that is running past him. Staryth runs over to Jeggrim and tosses him on his back like a sack of potatoes and heads towards the wagon to the south where he unceremoniously dumps the dwarf in the back. Jeggrim sputters to consciousness and begins to question what is going on.
Meanwhile, Gilthanas rushes over to wake up Marianne. And the two share a nervous joke as they head to the wagon. The lack of a reaction of the retreating patrolmen gives each of you a pause for concern. What is going on? Whatever is coming from the north has their attention.
The party quickly mounts up and just as you are about to head south, across the clearing you see movement as the sounds of battle to the north die down. You look back quickly before putting the spurs to your mounts and you see many riders canter into view. At first they seem quite casual; almost confident that they have dispatched their foes. As soon as they see you, they look quickly at the wagon and the lead rider shouts quickly boys, we have some deserters making off with our hard earned loot!! After them. And the chase is on.