A Vision of Brute Squad (Inactive)

Game Master ThorGN

Irenal immediately heads to the fish tank and investigates its contents.

Aesantiel quietly takes a place at the table, sitting and watching the inhabitants of the bar. She also takes out a journal, and sketches the bar and its centerpiece.
perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Aesantiel is obviously captured in rendering the tableau, and is paying less attention to her surroundings than usual.

Dasiji orders an appetizer to go with his drink -- whatever the house specialty is, just something to snack on. He idly looks around. Take 10 on Perception for 16.

perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Sorry, meant to roll this before. Perception on the fishtank and room in general.

seems everyone is rolling perception, so here's mine:
perc+6 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

and for the diplomacy, take 10 for 16

I apologize for not waiting to roleplay this roll, but I'm probably going to be working 50+ hours this week, so I'll be lucky to get in a post or two a day. Aid a Noa (Diplomacy) vs. DC 10: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 Success for a +2 bonus

Sorry to have disappeared; deadlines at work and a busy weekend at home. Should be back with more regularity...for now.

The closer to Escadar the party gets, the more tense Baru seems to become. Although no less friendly with his companions, he speaks less than before. When he does give voice to his thoughts, they seem to hold a certain tension.

Upon reaching the smaller island, the teifling is careful to remain at Nestor's side. As the party finds a table, Baru takes a position near their ward, choosing to remain on his feet rather than sit down. "Do you know who your contact is here?" he asks Nestor as his eyes scan the faces of the other patrons.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

I don’t know them personally, though I know they are Gillmen, or Low Azlanti as they call themselves. Thy asked to meat here to avoid Aspis interference, though I wish it was a more official setting. I noticed one of the bartenders nod to a boy who left out the back shortly after we came in. I don’t think we will need to wait too long here.

Indeed, about the time some of you are finishing your first pint, a pair of Gillmen walk through the door and proceeded to your table. One of them carries an object wrapped in a cloth back, dripping with sea water.

Just the object/bag is dripping? Not the Low Azlanti, as well?

{They are steps from where we cannot follow...}, Noa's suspicion rises. She considers the paths from the party's table to the exits, with the intent of intercepting any sudden departure.

map?

Yes, they are wet as well. But more of an attractive sheen rather that just dripping.

In diplomatic fashion they introduce themselves as Shoalo and Ahrmisa, and request to inspect the artifact Rees brought as you inspect theirs. Fairly standard procedure for these sorts of things.

Tavern Map

Here is a picture for now. If needed, I will put up a combat version tonight.

Dang. So sixty feet to where we can't even continue a chase? Although the prospect of Noa rage-pumping her CON to pursue is cool. :)

Maybe we go to a room, neither of us wants the exchange to be publicized, right?

The two Gillmen sit down with the party near by. The exchange is made and Rees begins to examine the artifact from the bag as they take a look at the item from your vaults.

Remind to learn languages that other people speak, not common

Seemingly more interested in the coral of the fishtank, Irenal glances over at Rees. He watches as he slowly unfolds the artifact. Irenal squints, grimaces even, when the soggy piece of garbage is revealed.

What are these Azlanti trying to pull here?!

Irenal turns and glances about trying to catch the eyes of his companions. Worry sets in I'm not sure where anyone is in the room and Irenal steps up next to Rees and leans down.

"Quite the specimen wouldn't you say? A prize of the deep if I ever saw one. What's your measure of this wonder Rees? Hmmm?"

Irenal looks up for Baru or Dasiji and nods in a sideways fashion. He stands up straight, fingers interlocking in differnt patterns across his chest and he smiles wide at the Azlanti before him.

You guys know what it means when the GM glides right past hearing a precaution, right? :)

Noa asks the bartender, "What's the strongest liquor you have? The very strongest. The whole bottle.", She taps the bar emphatically, smiling.

taking 10 on Dip for 16

Noa looks around for a fire source. (It's daylight, right? The kid was here. But is there any source of flame? Noa likes flame...)

There is a large fireplace.

Rees seems dismayed at the artifact. What do you take us for? This is junk!

The two Gillmen look offended. What do you mean, this is the genuine article.

The Bartender is pouring Noa a drink, when the glass slips. The liquid splashes all over Noa and the glass shatters when it hits the floor.

As you look up from the glass, the fireplace explodes in light and sound.

Everyone but the Monk is Blinded for Rounds: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2. Ouch.

Round 1

Noa
Tiel
Kass
Gillmen
Dasiji
Baru
Irenal
Bartender

COMBAT MAP

I don't usually roll to see if my character knows something that I do, but I felt like I should since Irenal didn't use Bluff to pass a secret message. Not that it matters now; but I started writing this post before combat began.

Dasiji looks puzzled at Irenal's behavior. What do his odd gestures mean? Normally Bala's witch avoids attention, and now he's drawing it. Sense Motive vs. self-imposed DC 15: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 It slowly dawns on the ranger that the compsognathus's posture is at odds with the tiefling's wide smile; he's acting the opposite of usual because he means the opposite of what he's saying.

Dasiji is about to feign boredom with the proceedings -- not much of a stretch, really -- and start wandering around, prepared to intercept the gillman examining the Society's offering if he should bolt. Then all of a sudden, the fireplace seems to explode and he can't see anything. "Not again!"

OK, this is getting white rabbit up in here... What fireplace? And I'm now covered in my flammables? (mad laughter) OK, It's been BROUGHT!

Noa goes over the bar into an urban-barb STR-rage grapple with the bartender. (5'south onto bar, rough terrain so that's 10' equiv, then 5'south again, 15' total, less than half a move so no check for moving while blinded) grapple at +5 (no minus for blind, it's not a skill check) 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 and then 50% miss chance (1-50 misses) 1d100 ⇒ 52

Mu-ahaha!

"Careful of the broken glass!", Noa says, as she pummels the bartender.

still learning grapple rules, is it d3+STR (+4)?

OK, I see I can't do much until next turn. Also, the bartender gets an AoO and might block the grapple. But the worst worry (and the reason I want Noa to be on the bartender, and behind that bar form the rest of the room...) is the invisible mage who cast that pyrotechnics.

Ahhhhhh! fear begins to take hold, as her mind rushes back to that night, back to that horrible night.Not again, no not here. Sarenrae grant me your light! Light as strong as the sun begins to radiate out from Kass.

Kass cast daylight. I know it won't have any effect here but she doesn't know that, and she hates the darkness.... .

Aesantiel explodes from stillness into a whirl of action. She kicks back her chair and rolls across the table to the gillman farther from Nestor.

'Let him fend for himself for the moment.'

Move Action: Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Her legs scissor the gillman's upper body, her momentum carrying both past the table. Aesantiel wrenches the gillman's lower leg in a direction it was not meant to rotate. She then follows the momentum smoothly into a fighting stance.

Round: Surprise
Status: HP 8/8 | AC 15 | T 15 | FF 12 | CMD 17 | F +2 | R +5 | W +4 | Init +3 | Per +9
Standard Action: Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10, damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
using Scorpion Strike - if this connects, the gillman's move is reduced to 5' for 2 rds, unless it makes DC 12 Fort

Not that it matters at this point but how does readying an attack action outside of initiative work? Also where is this blinding fireplace? Does Bala get a will save or did your prior ruling of him acting on my initiative apply to affects also?

"Bala! I can't see! Don't let them escape but stay safe!

Bala hisses and scales down Irenal's body. He reaches the ground turns his head side to side and let's out a shrill call of battle. Blindness can't hide the foul smelling gillmen from him.

Bala's perception using scent: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

He darts under the table and tries to bite the nearest gillman.

Bala's attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
damage: 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

But manages to poison a chair leg instead.

Irenal shields his face expecting nothing short of multiple stab wounds.

Yes, Bala would get a separate Will save.
Bala Will: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4,

Tiel hits the Gillman holding the Society’s artifact with scorpion strike. He stumbles to his feet and attempts to withdraw with the artifact. He doesn't get far though as his legs don't seem to be working right. The lithe monk is ready for him, and her hand shoots out in a quick upper jab. The Gillman hits the ground with an audible thud, and the artifact rolls out next to him.
Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4, fail
Tiel AoO: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16, Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8.

The other Gillmman, well actually a Gillwoman by the look of her, moves to defend her fallen comrade.
Spear Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19, Aesantiel takes Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4.

Dasiji, Baru, Irenal (If you are doing something separate to Bala)

Noa fails to grab the Bartender as her hands are a bit slippery with alcohol.

"This the wizar'!", Noa shouts. She presses her attack on the wizard, intent on sticking her alcohol-slippery hands into the woman's eyes or mouth, or even just getting a good grip on her.

So the wizard is hasted? and CMD 16? We are SO meat. Well, Noa's going down swinging.

Do I get an entire set of actions separate of Bala? If so:

Blast this blindness... heh, blast it.

Irenal rubs at his eyes but then regains his focus and starts formulating the gestures appropriate for a Daze spell.

Readying action to cast Daze (DC14 will) on any remaining enemy within range as soon as blindness wears off.

Scratch that, I must have been looking at the wrong number...

Noa grabs something, not sure what, but from the satisfying grunt it must be a part of the bartender.

Yes, Irenal and Bala are separate entities. I have you act on the same Init, but besides that you are two different characters. Full actions and everything.

Baru cries out at the sudden flash, "By Sarenae's light!" When his vision fails to clear, he draws his sword, but hesitates as he's unsure of how - or where - to respond.

Noa grabs something, not sure what, but from the satisfying grunt it must be a part of the bartender.

Noa shakes vigorously, then pulls, and tries to get more of the witch, and more of Noa on the witch.

Haven't seen any traffic in the thread since this AM, hope you weren't waiting for me. In fact, in case you might be, Noa's plan will be to pin and then tie up (and gag and blindfold) the bartender/wizard. If B/W doesn't break the grapple, that is.

No, I think you're all waiting on me. Sorry! :(

I assume that Aesa and at least one of the gillmen should be in different positions? It isn't important to me right now, but it soon could be.

MA: Draw guisarme
NA: 5' step
FA: Talking
SA: Ready action

Dasiji pulls out his polearm and shuffles a little toward the fish tank. "Stay away from me, everybody!"

Sensing a far greater degree of hesitation than usual from her comrades, Aesantiel shifts gears of engagement to permit the rest of the group to catch up before the gillwoman gets lucky a second time.

Round: 2
Status: HP 4/8 | AC 17 | T 17 | FF 14 | CMD 17 | F +2 | R +5 | W +4 | Init +3 | Per +9 | striking defensively
Standard Action: Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 2 - 4 = 2, damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

The bartender attempts to break the Grapple.
CMB: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
This bartender is a slippery one. Noa no longer has a hold of anything.

Round 2

Tiel takes a defensive stance against her attacker.

Noa, Kass

The other tavern patrons are yelling and ducking for cover as combat breaks out.

Grapple at +5 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
50% miss chance 1-50 misses 1d100 ⇒ 18

Well, she tried.

I will start singing as a standard action EVERYONE GETS +1 TO ATTACK AND DAMAGE AND +1 TO FEAR EFFECTS

Kass recomposes herself and begins to sing a sweet melody of praise.

Round Two

Still unsure of what is happening, and unable to see the events unfolding before him, Baru draws his sword and takes step towards where he last saw his allies gathered.

The still conscious Gillman goes for the monk again. Apparently she is not too pleased you took down her friend so quickly.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22, Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19, Damage: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3, 6) + 3 = 16.

Aesantiel, while fighting to defend herself, is betrayed by the puddle the fallen Gillman left under his now overturned chair. A momentary slip is all the stranger needs as Aesantiel watches, in slow motion, the spear slip just past her block to thrust up, under her rib cage, and into her heart. The attractive desert Elf hits the floor with a dull thud.

Dasiji and Irenal are up.

"What's all the commotion? Where is everyone?"

Irenal turns towards the noise of scuffling and draws his dagger.
"Bala where are you? Where is the Azlanti?" Bala scurries across the floor towards the gilwoman and attacks.

Bala bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
damage: 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Poison: save Fort DC 12; frequency 1/round for 4 rounds; effect 1d2 Strength damage; cure 1 save

Bala shrieks with excitement and Irenal tosses his dagger blindly aiming in the general direction of his companion.

Irenal dagger toss: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

sigh

Round 2

Dasiji hesitates. "What's happening? Anyone?" Delay to init 1b, right after the bartender.

"I go' the wizar', here!", Noa replies to Dasiji. "I think!"

Concentration: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

The bartender casts Daze on Noa, then stands up.

Noa, DC 12 will save, take an AoO if you make it.

Everyone's blindness clears and you can see normally. The female Gillman is standing over an unconscious Gillman and a fatally wounded Monk.

Dasiji, Noa, Kass

Will save +0 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13
AoO as she stands. She's not stood yet, so +4 to hit, +1 BAB, +4 STR 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
50% miss, 1-50 misses 1d100 ⇒ 34 Misses!

But then Noa's vision clears, and she grapples:

grapple+5 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Brute did Bala miss or was that an infeasible attack on my behalf. Just want to make sure I don't do it again if it was wrong.

Bala Hit.

Fort vs Poison: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6, Str Damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1.

Dasiji's vision returns to show him a horrifying scene, with Aesantiel at his feet unmoving and covered in blood, and a gillwoman standing over her with a bloody spear. The other gillman lies on the floor next to her unmoving, the Society's artifact next to him. The scene tells the story: an attempted theft stopped, and the hero slain.

The young ranger's first impulse is to slay the killer, but then his habituated instincts from the Sargavan Guard kick in -- and whereas they had no mercy for animals, they had to be careful with people, lest they offend one group or another. Noa thinks she has the wizard that blinded them, and so with one gillman down, they outnumbered the thieves by better than two to one. To him, that means a non-lethal takedown, if possible.

So, Dasiji tries to sweep the gillwoman off her feet in a most literal way. Trip (inspire courage): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9 "Someone help Noa!!"

Round 3

Help Noa? What happened to Aes? Blast!

"Bala! To Noa, GO!" The tiny dino's head rears and an open-mouthed hiss betrays a scent of familiarity as Bala darts to the bar.

Irenal follows immediately, Infernal words on his tongue, and his mouth drops open.
Cast Ear-Piercing Scream on the bartender; DC15 fort save for half damage; otherwise dazed + sonic damage
damage+inspire: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Also the gillwoman must save against poison again; dc12 fort or 1d2 Str damage

Round 2

Curses Magical blindness, as she looks around and opens her mouth in horror as she sees the elf OH NO, Tiel

Righteous anger begins to burn in her heart as she looks to the gill women holding the spear.

Kass will cast daze on the gill women DC 13.

Will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2, She is Dazed and takes no action on her turn.
Fort vs Poison: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6, Str Damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1.

Fort save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17, the bartender takes 2 damage.

Baru, Dasiji, then start Round 4 with Noa and Kass.

its only round three right?

Yes, we're finishing out round 3. Baru's up, and I'd like to wait and see what the bartender does, since I delayed to just after her last round. Don't even know if Noa made her grapple yet.