Bloodsong of the Treeless Lands: Rune Stones Part IV (4e)
Game Master Rev Rosey

Vel's trademark flames send up the satisfying smell of burning fey as the stalker is quite unable to avoid her attack.

Once more ignoring Kia, and indeed all other distractions, it circles to flank with the Cleanser and once more attacks Arianwyn.

OA from Kia.
1d20+11=14. Misses.

Shadow Blade (Ref). On hit, regains shadow form and target is slowed and takes 5 ongoing poison (se both)
1d20+11=27. F2 v Arianwyn. Hits.
3d4+5=14
14 damage to Arianwyn, who is slowed and taking 5 ongoing poison (se both)

Sensing that it may be able to complete its task, the Cleanser fixes Whiteclaw with it's gaze and shrugs as the gnoll brushes aside the attempt to stop her hurting it. Then it attacks Arianwyn once more, allowing Whiteclaw to take revenge for ignoring her.

Eye of Impending Doom (Will). On hit target takes 10 psychic damage if it attacks the Cleanser (se)
1d20+12=14 v Whiteclaw. Misses.

Stab and Fade (AC). Two dagger attacks. Teleports 5, gains insubstantial and phasing to end next turn.
Attack 1: 1d20+12=23. Hits
Attack 2: 1d20+12=24. Hits
Damage: 1d4+5=6
Damage: 1d4+5=6
12 damage to Arianwyn.

Note that if Whiteclaw's immediate interrupt hits, that may well change the results of this round. The cleanser is where it will be if it manages to teleport clear.

Total (potential) 26hp damage to Arianwyn this turn.

MAP

Arianwyn (and Urho) - second wind used; AP used; concealment; slowed and 5 ongoing poison (se both)
Whiteclaw
Kia
Reason - +5 to healing to end encounter
Vel
Fey stalker 2 - cursed by Arianwyn; insubstantial and total concealment to end next turn
Cleanser - BLOODIED; insubstantial and phasing to end next turn; cursed by Arianwyn; marked by Whiteclaw

Immediate Interrupt - when Cleanser attacks Arianwyn - Urho bites. Bie attack - natural 1. Bah.

Interrupt is Warden's Fury, which targets Fort, not AC. 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21. On hit: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 and Cleanser grants CA to myself and all of my allies until EOMNT. Also, I've spent my AP too, just cause it's not listed with status stuff.

Blast. That just hits.

Whiteclaw's primal fury is too much for the Cleanser, who drops to the ground, daggers still in mid movement.

Total damage to Arianwyn is therefore 14.
Cleanser is now substantial and on -9. Dead or unconscious?

MAP

Arianwyn (and Urho) - second wind used; AP used; concealment; slowed and 5 ongoing poison (se both)
Whiteclaw - used AP
Kia
Reason - +5 to healing to end encounter
Vel
Fey stalker 2 - cursed by Arianwyn; insubstantial and total concealment to end next turn

Is Arianwyn re-Bloodied?

If his profile's up to date, he is. I make him on 14hp.

Unconscious, given that Arianwyn earlier wanted to ask him questions.

misty step to M12. Move to S6. Concealment gained. Eldritch blast vs F2.
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

1d10 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Arianwyn laughs with relief as he appears behind the last of their enemies and blasts him.

1d8 ⇒ 1 curse damage.
1d20 ⇒ 9 save.

Arianwyn - you are slowed and cannot move that far. I've placed you as far away as I can.

Despite the debilitating effects of the poison, Arianwyn puts good distance between himself and the last fey, sending an bloodying eldritch blast into the elf.

MAP

Whiteclaw - used AP
Kia
Reason - +5 to healing to end encounter
Vel
Fey stalker 2 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn; insubstantial and total concealment to end next turn
Arianwyn (and Urho) - second wind used; AP used; concealment; slowed and 5 ongoing poison (se both)

I don't have concealment.

If possible, I'd like to spend the round securing the Cleanser

Whiteclaw briskly immobilises the Cleanser, leaving the stalker to its own devises and the tender mercies of her friends.

MAP

Kia
Reason - +5 to healing to end encounter
Vel
Fey stalker 2 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn; insubstantial and total concealment to end next turn
Arianwyn (and Urho) - second wind used; AP used; slowed and 5 ongoing poison (se both)
Whiteclaw - used AP

A little annoyed that her target is, yet again, too far away for any fancy stuff, she moves to a slightly better position and then charges.

"Stop being so slippery! Damn you!"

Move to K10 then charge to K14

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

"What did you expect from an assassin?" asks the stalker, as Kia lands another blow on it. It sounds slightly puzzled.

MAP

Reason - +5 to healing to end encounter
Vel
Fey stalker 2 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn; insubstantial and total concealment to end next turn
Arianwyn (and Urho) - BLOODIED; second wind used; AP used; slowed and 5 ongoing poison (se both)
Whiteclaw - used AP
Kia

Reason moves towards Arianwyn again, once more invoking Ioun's grace on his comrade.

Arianwyn can heal a surge + 11 + 8 = 19

More divine light blossoms from his holy symbol, aimed at the stalker and hitting it soundly.

1d20+12=23. Hits. 1d8+5=7 hp damage to the stalker.

Out of the corner of his eye, he notices the watching riders coming slightly closer. The stalker also seems aware of this and looks to be panicking.

"Either kill me or let me run," it hisses.

MAP

Vel
Fey stalker 2 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn; insubstantial and total concealment to end next turn
Arianwyn (and Urho) - BLOODIED; second wind used; AP used; slowed and 5 ongoing poison (se both)
Whiteclaw - used AP
Kia
Reason - +5 to healing to end encounter

"As you wish."

Scorching Burst vs Ref. Looks like a maybe.

1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 4 = 18

1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

The stalker mutters incomprehensibly, as Vel's flames fail to hit it. Shifting away from Kia, it surveys the companions and shimmers slightly as it takes on Vel's form.

"If you cannot give me a clean death, I must save myself."

It's at E19 on the last map. Photobucket won't let me save the new version at the moment. Arianwyn is not bloodied.

MAP

Arianwyn (and Urho) - second wind used; AP used; slowed and 5 ongoing poison (se both)
Whiteclaw - used AP
Kia
Reason - +5 to healing to end encounter
Vel
Fey stalker 2 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn; disguised as Vel

Move to get closer and gain concealment. Eldritch Blast
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

1d10 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

1d8 ⇒ 1

"Oh, do be quiet."

Save
1d20 ⇒ 2

Arianwyn - you are slowed. No concealment possible as you can't move far enough.

F2 is at E19 on the last map. Photobucket won't let me save the new version at the moment. Arianwyn is not bloodied.

MAP

Whiteclaw - used AP
Kia
Reason - +5 to healing to end encounter
Vel
Fey stalker 2 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn; disguised as Vel
Arianwyn (and Urho) - second wind used; AP used; slowed and 5 ongoing poison (se both)

Updated map, finally.

MAP

Whiteclaw - used AP
Kia
Reason - +5 to healing to end encounter
Vel
Fey stalker 2 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn; disguised as Vel
Arianwyn (and Urho) - second wind used; AP used; slowed and 5 ongoing poison (se both)

Whiteclaw grins. "Let it run. I'll give it three minutes, and we'll see if it can escape the hunt." Then, the gnoll becomes a sleek wolf.

Wild Shape, no attack, no move. We have the one that matters.

Vel's double looks coolly at the gnoll-turned-wolf. "If you can catch me, you can kill me."

MAP

Kia
Reason - +5 to healing to end encounter
Vel
Fey stalker 2 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn; disguised as Vel
Arianwyn (and Urho) - second wind used; AP used; slowed and 5 ongoing poison (se both)
Whiteclaw - used AP

"OH, let's let it go then." Kia agrees with Whiteclaw. "With any luck it will divert those watchers long enough for us to interview this other one."

Kia moves to H16 so she doesn't have to shout at the fey

"Give them a good chase. It's the only way your friend here will avoid a death at their hands. If they come here, I don't think we could stop them taking him away, and we do so want to talk to him."

The stalker nods warily.

MAP

Vel
Fey stalker 2 - BLOODIED; cursed by Arianwyn; disguised as Vel
Arianwyn (and Urho) - second wind used; AP used; slowed and 5 ongoing poison (se both)
Whiteclaw - used AP
Kia
Reason - +5 to healing to end encounter - DELAYING

Vel gives Kia a baffled look, but does nothing violent.

Pseudo-Vel slips silently into the shadows and is lost from sight. Only the crackle of the fire and the noises of night birds break the silence, along with the ragged breathing of your prisoner.

OUT OF COMBAT. Take 660XP each for a total of 13,287. You are level 8. All numbers change now, so update your profiles, add the extra feet and stat boost.

Points to Str and Wis. Acoylte Power chosen, swapped out Mountain Lion Step, which I've never used I don't think, for Barkskin - it lets me give an ally or myself +4 AC for one turn as a minor. Could be useful if more warlock hating fey hitmen show up :)

"...add the extra feat...". As opposed to all turning into centipedes.

Thank you! Points into Int and Cha. Taken Dual Implement Wielder - so now my Eldritch Blast does 1d10+9 damage! Swapped out Curse of the Dark Dream (much as I love it) for Crown of Stars, with its lovely sustain attack(s).

How splendid for you both :).

The captive Cleanser continues to breath...

Kia rests for a short while, suddenly becoming stronger and more intelligent in the process, before turning her attention to the Cleanser.

"We'd better take him out of the open before those who were watching get too curious."

Enhanced strength and intelligence and, when she come out of her trance later on she will be able to wield a spear as well (oh, and gets +2 to damage rolls with longsword and spear)

Are you huddling in a tent with him or what?

Reason is offline for the next few days due to computer issues.

I stay in wolf form and keep a watch for any visitors while the others deal with our guest.

Yes, I'll huddle with him.

Rev:

Whiteclaw prowls the campsite, as Arianwyn crouches companionably next to the prisoner inside one of the tents.

Reason's heal check to bring him back to consciousness:
1d20+12=28

Thanks to Reason's swift first aid, the Cleanser is restored to a semblance of health.

Kia waits outside the tent but close enough to be able to hear what is being said. She feels that there would be too much huddling going on if she went in the tent as well.

"Now then, my friend, now... to your purpose." Arianwyn says with a mirthless smile as he looks at their captive.

"Wait . . ." The Cleanser coughs, bringing up blood and smiles equally grimly in return.

"Half the fun is to plan the plan. So thinks my Lord. Thief."

"True." Arianwyn replies, "A thief... hmmm... I may dimly recall something..."

Rev

"True." Arianwyn replies, "A thief... hmmm... I may dimly recall something..."

Rev
** spoiler omitted **

Arianwyn

"Ahhh... yes. How is the Princess of Dusk these days?"

"You really are a fascinating people..." Arianwyn muses, as the Cleanser does not answer. "You forsook the Feywild for... hmmm... some sort of halfway house between it and the drear of the Shadowfell. Ah, but where are my manners? Your name, if you please."

All the above has been conducted in Elven.

"My name is long gone. It is only vengeance. The Princess is not your affair. My Lord is offended by her folly. You possess that which you should not. I am permitted to say that if you defeated me, you may return to restore the item bestowed. There is no safe passage offered."

The cleanser leans forward and looks Arianwyn in the eye, chill for chill. "The offer will not be made again. My Lord is capricious, but this one offer is certain."

Kia is close enough to overhear all this.

As she prowls, Whiteclaw notes that the watching riders are advancing on the group.

Whiteclaw howls, loudly, giving the others a warning without words, though if her howl spooks horses, well, that's fine. She the pads through camp, not hiding at all, placing herself between the riders and the camp.

As Whiteclaw howls, the Cleanser flinches.

"Kill me or let me kill myself. Kargzant are coming. They have followed you."

"Now, what item... Ah... darling Tira and her light fingered nature. You mean this?" he shows the cleanser the ruby scabbard.

"Very well." Arianwyn draws his dagger and stabs the shadow fey.