Absalom in Shadow (InnRoads) Chapter 1 - In my Time of Waking

Game Master Song of Chiroptera

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All Players!!!

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It's come around to that time. Please see to raising your characters to Level 3. Go ahead and take max HP and see to updating your profiles and the detail next to your avatars.

We'll be moving onto the next stop this week, Inspitah.

Ding!

"Heh, yeah . . . Good men's fall into darkness seems to be a reoccurring theme a round here."

"Well, even followers of the Mother of Gnolls know this school on the hill as the ant hill of the enemy. This smacks of chaos. If we knew who or what they served it would help. We are dealing with a death cult or a well orchestrated plan to o something big with cells in place in Absolam and other major cities. I think we draw nearer your fight Beckett. You can advance your chip on the board. Heh heh, now how to assault an entire fortress monetary with a handful of faithful."

"Mr Beckett, would you kindly go speak with the one that Greets the Dawn over there. I think we need him to hear this. We need allies or at least someone else to know."

"Drogan, am I missing a question?"

"Questions are done far as I'm concerned. We've bantered more than enough here. For good or all, my axe will send these bastards back te whatever god lays claim te their fetid souls!

Drogan's eyes fire. The song still clings to his mind. The room of twisted runes around the dead girl. The thing in the sewers. All of it swirls in his mind. Despite his calm demeanor, his rage is beginning to visibly bubble to the surface.

"Mr Beckett, would you kindly go speak with the one that Greets the Dawn over there. I think we need him to hear this. We need allies or at least someone else to know."

Beckett doesn't look up, but his eyes shift to the distant figure. Then the Inquisitor shakes his head, as if accepting a duty he would otherwise seek to avoid.

Auran. His name is Auran.

Beckett pats Nosa on the shoulder, indicating that they will speak later. Then he walks to the cluster of sun baked boulders and quickly climbs them. Upon reaching the top, he stands beside the tattooed man and faces east by his side... extending his hands palms up, joining him in prayer.

Nosa watches beckett walk away, knowing him well enough now that he should leave him be.

He himself looks off in the distance, wondering what will come to them next.

"If we are done here, I say we release this gnoll and move on or bring him with us." he says, wanting to move on unsure if this predator should actually be released.

Karl looks over to Nosa then at the retreating figure of Beckett heading towards the other follower of the sun goddess.

"We are going to release him for the greater good. He is going to tell his tribe what he has learned here. They will move on and continue to resist falling to the green dawn. That will allow us to focus on fighting the green dawn while keeping the roads safer for the caravans."

"Question is. . . Do we bring Auran in on the whole story? We need allies. We need to get the word out. In case we fail."

Drogan responds to Karl while his eyes remain on the two meditating faithful.

"Seems the Inquisitor is the best one te ask that question, Karl. The rest of us are just visitin' in that world."

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Auran is quietly praying the words to a relatively new hymn by Beckett's reckoning. As the last refrain closes he takes a drink of water and stoops down on the boulder, waiting until Beckett is finished.

"This far from the cities and their suspicions, it is good to freely worship, yes?" He brings out an oiled cloth and draws his scimitar, cleaning the weapon of gnoll blood. "I see you do not for the Everlight's weapon. Is this by choice or by training?" He glances up from his work and adds, "A curiosity more than anything. You are neither mercenary nor vagabond, are you on pilgrimage to Qadira?"

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"Oy, ya can put me down, eh boys?" A familiar and shrill voice calls out. "No need ta make a show for it."

Uk and Khatelch ate approaching, wide grins on their faces and Linkah on their shoulders. "Ya shoulda seen yer porter, 'ere Longshanks," The first of the two dwarves, Uk, remarks to Karl.

"Put a poker, thru a doggy's eye!" Khatelch mimes his thumb going into his own eye. The dwarves drop Linkah to his feet in front of Marsh and laugh. "Porter me hairy arse. Got some stones on ya, lad."

"Came flyin' outta the cart like a wee animal, lil' daggers tossin' about."

Linkah smirks and a pair of daggers emerge from his vest that he promptly begins spinning in his hands. They just as quickly disappear as he turns to the party. "Climber and the boys here says we're movin' soon. We should saddle up, Marshy. Got 4 more days o' this road."

He makes waving gestures to the two dwarves. "On with ya wankers! Get to the carts before I stick ya too!" Uk and Khatelch get a grand laugh out of the little halfling, but they move off all the same. As soon as they're out of earshot, Linkah leans in and says to the party, "We'll get a few more hours o' road says Climber. Then we camp."

I'll leave a bit for rp and for Beckett to finish his coversation. But I'll post the evening campsite tomorrow. Go ahead and determine Watch order as though your party is the only one in camp. Then I'll blend in the npcs.

"This far from the cities and their suspicions, it is good to freely worship, yes?" He brings out an oiled cloth and draws his scimitar, cleaning the weapon of gnoll blood. "I see you do not for the Everlight's weapon. Is this by choice or by training?" He glances up from his work and adds, "A curiosity more than anything. You are neither mercenary nor vagabond, are you on pilgrimage to Qadira?"

Beckett squints to take in the man, his eyes still adjusting from staring into the sky.

"Aye, it is good." The Inquisitor strums his fingers on the haft of the great hammer. "It's fitting. Our Lady has not called me to tasks which require... precision..."

Beckett withdraws his cleaning rags, and begins to tend to his own weapon.

"I was journeying to Absalom... When I fell in with this lot." The Inquisitor nods his head to the side, toward the others. "My Lord felt they were about works worthy of support."

Beckett glances up, "You?"

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Auran inclines his head in understanding. "I settle my debt to Hittlebriar on this journey. And with my contract fulfilled, I head south to Qadira and pilgrimage to Katheer and the land of my father."

There is a long pause as he considers the scimitar in his hands. He finishes the cleaning the blade and sheathes it. "This place to which we go. Inspitah. Demgazi. They are shadowed. Like a heavy cloud blotting out the sun. Our Lady's light does not shine there. Is this why you and these others go?"

Drogan takes his place back in the cart. He pulls out his drum and gently thrums his fingers across the skin.

What remained of the beasts have been taken care of, the horses have been calmed. As he waits for the inquisitor to conduct his business - he hums old hymns to Torag in between sips from a hip flask offered up to the Drunk. He is no priest, but the humming rises to take up words to join the music. He looks the heavens - the stars that still smolder from the forge master's fires. He looks to the road - carrying with it any number of grand adventures.

Here and there, another adherent catches the tune and sings along.

"Let Beckett have his lady and his rituals. This is all the congregation I need."

They'll be leaving soon for a place shrouded in darkness and fear - but now, it appears, the gods ride with them.

"This place to which we go. Inspitah. Demgazi. They are shadowed. Like a heavy cloud blotting out the sun. Our Lady's light does not shine there. Is this why you and these others go?"

Beckett pauses, tilting his hammer to consider the work from a new angle, then he glances at Auran.

"That is why I go." The Inquisitor shrugs. "The others may speak for themselves. Ostensibly we go to deliver some property to Inspitah, as couriers for a craftsman."

Beckett returns his cleaning rags to his pouch, then regards the man.

"But a darkness is gathering. We encountered its tendrils in Cassomir, and it leads us to Demgazi." The Inquisitor pauses, for a moment. "It is larger than it looks. Fouler. Ranker." Beckett nods to the rest of the party. "It can be told by the way it leads others to acts of selflessness. They rise to fight it, and I don't know they even understand why they do it."

Beckett closes his eyes to think.

"I feel something horrible is coming."

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Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

"I am on pilgrimage for very much the same reason. A chance to clear my head. A chance to ensure I do not give in to flights of fancy." He tips the hilt of his scimitar in the direction of Beckett's companions. "They gather against evil despite the unknown horizon? You should count yourself blessed and embrace them as brothers. The Everlight does not shine down upon those who'd keep the light to themselves."

"I have chosen the solitary oath for 12 years now. Aiding others, combating those who would see the Everlight diminished." His eyes drift southward then back to Beckett. "I go to the land of my father, yes. But I also go to the land of my order. In all my years alone I've never been so effective and steadfast as when I had my brothers and sisters by my side." Auran begins gathering his gear; donning his tunic and armor and the helm with its scarf of white. "Do not look so harshly upon those Sarenrae has put at your side. Lead them. Learn from them. Depend upon them. The sun shines down with radiant purity, but it does so in myriads of colours. Together those rays are irresistible."

He buckles the harness over his shoulders where he slips his shield and then the belt from which his blade hangs. "How long are you to journey alone amid friends? And why would you choose such a path?"

♜ The East Road | Day Two (evening)
♜ 22 Lamashan, 4714
♜ Cloudless Night | 58°

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All Party
♞ Phedron | Karl ♜
☀ Beckett | Drogan ♬
☦ Nosatrub | Lavios ♆

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Going with a random Watch order...
Random Watch: 2d8 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

Beckett, we can continue the rp with Auran as you like.

Day One closes...

The dust hovers in the air of the baking sun as the caravan prepares to move out. Auran and Iago see to the dead, wrapping them in oiled and perfumed cloth that Auran has on hand. Two of the remaining scouts see to the release of Ninduk the gnoll. If anything, the omen of mercy bodes well for the afternoon departure.

The remainder of the afternoon transpires without incident. Behind them, the sun sets and a ahead of them a well-used way station serves as camp for the first night on the East Road. For Drogan and Agidor, their services are requested for the evening's entertainment. It's then Drogan is surprised to find fellows in the practice of hoisting to Cayden Cailean. The brothers Rockjaw, Ghakut the half-elf and his fellow scout Nifa all warm to a few of Drogan's selections. Nifa in particular enters into a spirited discussion of how the Lucky Drunk managed to pass the Test of the Starstone.

During the night, with the stars above and the distant sounds of wolves and other creatures, the party seeks their rest. Each serves their time on watch but nothing disturbs the camp.

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Day Two

The following day proves to be just as hot as the previous. Out on the eastern road the sun eliminates all chance of shade. Over the course of the blistering day the caravan finds little sign of life outside of the occasional silhouette of a death dog on the hills to the north. One of the scouts returns indicating that death dogs are out in numbers but keeping their distance, for now.

The day comes to a close with the sun weary travelers finding the next way station on the road. Camp is set food is passed around and once again the entertainers seek to lift the spirits of the group.

That night as the stars rise above their heads, scout and warrior and driver sort out the order of the watch. The evening calls with the cooling temperatures of the hard baked landscape. The night comes perchance to dream.

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In Dreams...

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First Watch on the evening of the second day passes without problems. As the crescent moon sweeps upwards, Second Watch is called and Marsh and Nosatrub are summoned for their shift. Along with them, Iago and Ghakut will stand the watch.

Marsh and Nosa are passing the second hour of their watch when they hear something in the distance. Their camp is set up in the shadow of a rocky rise, granite and petrified wood serving as a shelter. Over the rise, they hear it. A steady thumping followed by a growling voice tense with raise. Both sounds are northward, past the fire's glow.

What do you do?

"How long are you to journey alone amid friends? And why would you choose such a path?"

Beckett's eyes shoot open as a red flush fills his face.

He leans forward his knuckles turning white against the haft of his hammer.

"You know nothing!" he snarls, his words coming short and harsh. "Twelve years... and you... know... nothing... of being alone!"

Beckett turns sharply and almost slides down the boulders. He marches to the far side of the camp to stare east, alone.

Nosa hearing the sounds, fits his helm on and draws his sword and shield.

He closes his eyes, mutters a brief prayer to the Lady, and relies on his senses to try and determine whether whatever is out there is of an evil nature.

sense evil

During the day, Beckett keeps mostly to himself, bringing up the rear of the company. He makes no special point of ignoring Auran, but does not seek him out either.

Beckett removes himself from the group during evening entertainment. Instead he moves toward the edge of the camp, finding an area which provides the most privacy.

Each night he spends most of his time working forms with his hammer, and engaging in ascetic spiritual exercises designed to drive out weakness of body, mind and spirit.

Before he knows it both blades are in his hands. Karl looks down and smiles.

"Drogan. You might be right. I am getting it back."

The old warrior tries to locate and identify the sound.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

He licks at his lips making a decision. Once he does so he leans close to Nosa and whispers.

"I know you are doing it. Seeing if you can sense the evil, but never forget not all intent on killing detects as evil, trust your eyes and heart. If you don't feel anything I will go forward and scout. I'll try and get behind whatever it is. You stay in close and watch."

There is a gleam in Karl's eye as he grips the younger man's shoulder.

"If you hear me yelp feel free to come save my wrinkly ass a third or fourth time."

Phedron stirs in his sleep, finding himself on the open desert running from things that move through the sand unseen. He doesn't know what they look like, but knows they will start eating his flesh should they catch him.

Drogan shakes the images from his head. "Darby? No. Not you too?" he whispers to himself.

He sees the two men readying themselves for battle. There aren't sounds yet. No shouts or clanging steel. But he fears they aren't far off. The dwarf grabs hold of his axe and stands. The whistling grave digger's tune winds its way through his head, causing him to grit his teeth.

As Karl walks off, apparently about the business of investigating, Drogan steps into the seat of the cart and points his senses towards where the two men are pointed.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

The GM claps his hands together and does a jig. Oh how he loves to see the pcs play...

Post coming in a few hours. Work is busy this AM but I want to honor the work above.

@Drogan: I'm picturing the dwarf bard in his night shirt. Or does he wear something else in the evenings? ;)

He would sleep in the warm weather clothing we bought in town, with his axe near by. Drogan's not new to the road. He knows there are things that don't mind waiting 'til you're asleep to attack.

♜ The East Road | Day Two (evening)
♜ 22 Lamashan, 4714
♜ Cloudless Night | 58°

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All Party
♞ Phedron | Karl ♜
☀ Beckett | Drogan ♬
☦ Nosatrub | Lavios ♆

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Nosatrub surveys to the north, eyes peering into the darkness past the edge of the firelight. His prayer to Iomedae is answered, the paladin’s senses extend outward in search of the noise’s source. A singular being, their every fiber like unwound rage and very, very evil.

At his side, Karl Marsh stands at the ready, deadly blades filling his hands. He knows his eyes can be of no use in the the low light of the crescent moon, but there are other senses. The area to the north dips somewhat from the raised rock outcropping alongside which the caravan broke camp. Then another rise of dirt and sand mixing with a rising rock formation. More sounds, less a thumping now, more a wet squelching along with the familiar report of steel hacking at flesh like a butcher at his work.

Back in the camp, Drogan stands atop one of the carts, dwarvish eyes examining the surround. Ears bent to whatever sound is carried to them upon the wind. He too hears what Karl does, the hacking of meat. But he also hears the gibbering mouth of a brutish voice filled with hatred as it goes about the consumption of food. By his darkvision and the height of the cart, Drogan also sees just over the lip of the northern rise. The halfmoon of a large axe rises and falls in concert to the butcher’s noises. Each time it does, the shape of a humanoid rises with it, perhaps 7 feet in height, the axe gripped in a single arm.

Drogan eyes the camp quickly, noting those sleeping until he arrives at Bosek’s bedroll which lies empty.

Actions?

Don’t forget, Iago and Ghakut are on the opposite side of the camp on watch.

"Blast my legs," the dwarf curses to himself, "Marsh has no idea what he's about te walk into, and there's no way te catch him before he's on top a' that thing."

Drogan rouses every sleeping caravan member worth their salt in a fight, starting with the Rockjaw brothers and Auran. He is far enough away that he does not need to quiet his movements, but he still tries to move with deliberately soft steps. Each time he approaches one of them, he says some variation on the same theme.

"There's some sort a monster over the ridge. Can't say for certain I know what it is, but it carries a blade is twice my height and a'm pretty sure it's snackin' on your boy Bosek. Get yerself tegether quick. It's going to get ugly soon."

He then moves on to the other carts where his still sleeping comrades were tucked away. The message here does not need the depth of the former, shortening into a gruff series of pointing at Nosa and Karl.

He then looks at Beckett. "Seems you'll have plenty te burn a bit a the old fury off on tonight, Inquisitor. Nothin' good and right made this thing."

"I know that sound all too well---I may have just cost someone their life."

"Get everyone up! Get me some torches!"

"Come on Nosa we've got to get over there!"

Karl moves towards the source of the sound.

*ahem*

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Those Approaching (30 ft)

Please roll a Will Save - DC 15
> Failure means you are paralyzed with Fear
> If you’re within 10 ft of Nosatrub, +4 to the save
> Nosatrub, you are immune to this effect
> Fear Duration: 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds

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Drogan's actions, reinforced by Marsh's shout, has stirred the camp awake. All party is up and at 'em! Nosa, Beckett, Phedron and Lavios, gimme your action this "round". Initiative may be forthcoming.

"A blade twice your height Drogan?! That's almost the size of a long sword!"

Karl keeps pace with Nosa as they head towards the threat.

"Get me a light source!"

Will Power: 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 4 = 15

Karl's pace slows momentarily, but he forces himself forward.

"Step with me untowards dark places, lend me your light along the way, grant me strength . . . "

Roused by Drogan and then Marsh's cry, Phedron leaps from sleep whatever dream seeming to stretch into the here and now. grasping his sword he moves towards Marsh's voice. (if possible he will move in with Marsh and Nosa. If so Wil Save: 1d20 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 4 = 9 +3 more if considered enchantment. Which looks as if he will be paralyzed by fear)

Reaching through his bond to Caster he queries what the hawk may see in this dim light, if anything.

Nosatrub? Beckett? Lavios?

@Phedron: If you're making the approach and want to catch up to Nosa and Marsh, then yeah. You'll be hit with the fear effect. Once initiative goes, the first 2 rounds will be paralysis for ya...

Beckett hears the commotion and rushes to the scene...

Will Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

The Inquisitor smirks as he feels the protection afforded by his station solidify around his mind like a mantle.

He continues his rush forward, hammer at the ready.

"What darkness is this??"

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Initiative Rolls | Will Save results
》Nosa: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 (immune)
》Karl: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 (saved)
》Drogan: 1d20 ⇒ 11 (not in area)
》Beckett: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 (saved)
》Phedron: 1d20 ⇒ 2 (failed)
》Caravan: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
》???: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
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Average | Allies 11.16 vs ??? 16

Pending Nosa's pre-initiative action, but I'll start putting together the next post now.

♜ The East Road | Day Two (evening)
♜ 22 Lamashan, 4714
♜ Cloudless Night | 58°

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All Party
♞ Phedron | Karl ♜
☀ Beckett | Drogan ♬
☦ Nosatrub | Lavios ♆

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Sleeping in Armor:
Check your armor, boys! A character who sleeps in medium or heavy armor is automatically fatigued the next day. He takes a –2 penalty on Strength and Dexterity and can't charge or run. Sleeping in light armor does not cause fatigue.

I'll go ahead and move things along...

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Nosatrub and Karl approach the small rise, seeking a better vantage of the evil sensed by the paladin. As they get closer the slurping and crunching sounds increase just as the raging gibberish rises like an unsettling crescendo. The unmistakable glint of moonlight hits the half-moon blade as it clears the lip of the land and crashes back downward. Black drops of blood spray across both paladin and ranger.

Then Karl calls out, signaling the camp. The macabre feasting ends but the feral, malicious gnashing of meat continues.

Beckett makes his way around the rise to stand with his comrades, summoning an explanation of the evil beyond.

Raging, guttural voices are the only warning as three enormous shapes leap from below the rise to come crashing down among them! Each creature unleash waves of uncontrolled anger and hatred upon the the heroes, but standing together, they survive the onslaught. At more than 10 feet in height, the behemoth beings each stand upon a single leg and foot that somehow don't impair their balance or speed, A single, too-strong arm juts from the center of the creatures' respective torsos. A lone, bulbous eye leers maliciously from the center of their heads at their would-be prey.

Two of them howl in hatred, mouths snarling and snapping, filled with two full rows of long, sharp teeth—a mouth that looks like a cage out of a foul nightmare. They fall upon Nosatrub, Karl and Beckett, bearing those cruel axes in their single arms, moving with a surety and grace all too unnatural!

Nosatrub manages to raise his shield in time as the first leaps and brings it's massive blade down, a powerful blow turned aside by equally powerful steel. But it brings it's murderous maw to bear and bites down hard, finding the folds in the knight's plate mail and drawing blood! (6 pts of Damage!!)

The second also leaps upwards, monstrous form blotting out the crescent moon as it brings down its weapon on Karl Marsh with unerring accuracy and ferocity. The ax blade cleaves into the warrior's chest, spraying blood across the dirt and breaking bone. Then it presses its advantage and bites down on his shoulder and revels in the gore! (Eep! 21 pts of Damage!!)

The third monstrosity leaps forward, clearing all three heroes and lands amid the just waking scout, Veko and a charging Iago. As with his fiendish brethren, it scores severe wounds upon the lead scout!

Phedron rises from his nightmares only to be shown another in his waking. The abomination is only a few yards away, singular cruel eye watching the wizard even as it crunches Veko in its mouth. Phedron recoils from the malevolence in that eye, stumbling back away, too petrified to do anything else.

From his perch atop a wagon, Caster takes flight, keen to come to his companion's aid!

Drogan pulls his ax and stands amid two of the warriors, Jabral Rockjaw and Auran. Both are unarmored but have their weapons at the ready. They both look to Drogan, seeking direction. (If you approach the enemy, you'll be in range so roll the Will save)

Know Your Enemy (ALL - Link)
》Leverage your skills (i.e. Beckett's +4 perc vs monsters)
》Coordinate the npcs
》You may just survive...

Round 1 - Players Up!!

Current Status
➢➢ Karl (HP 10/31) ➢➢
➢ Nosatrub (HP 27/33)
➢ Drogan (HP 22/22)
➢ Beckett (HP 26/26)
➢ Phedron (HP 25/25)
➢ Lavios (HP ??/??)

Phedron wills his limbs to move, but they remain heavy. His heart is willing but his flesh, weak.

knowledge: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

He sees their enemies crash on his companions. Hears the gutteral crunch and blood-tinged screams "By the gods, they can't see those things! Can't dodge what ye can't see!

Drogan grabs a rock by his feet, mutters the words to the spell until the rock begins to give off a warm light and tosses it towards where the battle has commenced.

Don't know if you need me to roll for that, but I'm going with probably not since I'm not trying to hit anywhere specific, just getting close enough that they would be within the sphere of the light

"At least this way they'll be able to see what they're fighting 'til I can get there."

Drogan then gives an echoing roar as he runs towards the battle.

will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

As he approaches, details that had been blurred by distance become clear. He sees Karl's wound in full, sees the gore and viscera clinging to the monsters' jaws. Inside his mind, he screams at himself to move forward and defend his friends ... but his body is still as stone.

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Drogan and Phedron can join in Rd 3...

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Drogan's light stone flies true, landing amidst Marsh, Nosatrub and Beckett. The spiraling hues of light solidify to bathe the horrific scene!

Beckett, Nosa & Marsh, no sight modifiers for you!

Beckett blinks at the sight of Karl's wound.

Huh... that's interesting.

Keeping his spirit calm, the Inqusitor adopt a defensive stance, and turns his gaze to the hulking creature.

Karl is slashed and gashed by the one armed, one legged, bloody seasoned citizen wrecker. Over a third of his life force was spilled into the sand already.

"Gods I liked you better in the dark."

Karl brings his sword up with fluid grace trying to fend off his attacker.

1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 = 16

1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
1d6 ⇒ 5

But cannot draw blood in revenge. Karl steps to give the younger men an advantage thus keeping himself in mortal danger. Sadness and resignation fill the old warriors eyes.

"Nosa, I'm going to help you flank. Best use your gift from the Lady and strike. I take another hit like that and I'm down. Heh heh, make it all count for something son. Remind Link to follow instructions. Okay, now drop this f&+&ing freak!"

Karl's words shake Beckett out of his musings.

"Karl!"

Beckett draws closer to the Ranger, guarding the wounded man's flank.

"You're not getting off that easy, you old cuss..." Beckett breaths, a half smile on his face.

Standard action: Solo Tactics/Teamwork Feat, Extend The Bulwark. +3 circumstance bonus to Karl's AC, -6 AC for Beckett.

"Jabral! Auran! Get up here and help us, or I swear to the Dawn I'll feed your carcasses to these things myself! Flank opposite us!"

Radiance of the Dawn, guard us against these dark spawn! I beg your protection in our time of need!

Swift Action: Judgement of Protection, +1 sacred bonus to armor class

"Drogan! Wake up, dwarf! Sound! They hate sound!"

Beckett growls...

These beasts die today! They will no longer despoil the light with their filth! My Lady will see to it! Beckett glances back to Karl's vicious wounds. Then again, My Lady helps those who help themselves...

Move action: Draw wand of cure light wounds.

Nice moves, gang! I'll give Nosa and Lavios a couple more hours then I'll bot 'em to keep things going.

♜ The East Road | Day Two (evening)
♜ 22 Lamashan, 4714
♜ Cloudless Night | 58°

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All Party
♞ Phedron | Karl ♜
☀ Beckett | Drogan ♬
☦ Nosatrub | Lavios ♆

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Round 1 - Results

Karl maintains his footing after the devastating onslaught, but his own response is off the mark.

Nosatrub charges forth, longsword flashing in the night, bellowing his goddess' name. A golden nimbus emits from his sword and shield and armor as the paladin strikes true! Dark viscera erupts from the long gash in the monstrosity's side! (Activates Smite Evil on Baddie 1)

In the light of Drogan's magic stone, Beckett leaps to Marsh's side, whirling his Lucerne Hammer in sweeping arcs to provide additional cover for his comrade. (Extend the Bulwark - Karl AC 21) The canny Inquisitor begins dispensing the knowledge he's gained observing the beasts, alerting the team that sound appears to be a weakness.

Jabral and Auran, both unarmored, charge forward. The former pulls up short and raises his crossbow. The latter, scimitar and shield in hand, whirls in low against the second cyclopean.

Round 2 - Begins

The single-legged beast in between Nosatrub and Karl attempts to jump over the paladin and bring its ax down upon him. But the knight is too quick, his own steel striking out to nearly hamstring the beast and prevent his leap!

With Karl's back turned to it, the second rage monster attempts to leap away from Beckett and his two new comrades to try and land a finishing blow on the ranger. But the massive ax is turned aside by Beckett's hammer! Frustrated, rending rows of teeth open to tear away Karl's arm but once again, Beckkett's hammer turns him aside, teeth clamping down on the haft of the mighty weapon. (Wow, extend the bulwark saves Karl's bacon!)

The camp is fully awake now, the monster carving its way through them. Veko's unconscious form is cast aside as it looks for more prey, growling rage emitting from its bloody jaws.

Auran and Jabral launch their attacks against the second monster as they work to flank with Beckett. But both are unaware to land bolt or blow.

From the wagon behind Drogan, Agidor jumps to the dwarf's side and fires off a short bow arrow. He misses and calls to Drogan. "Linkah's out of it, mate. Looks like it's you and m.e." He glances at the dwarf and is crestfallen to see the look of unrelenting fear upon him. "Ah b$!##+@s..."

Positions
》Karl & Nosa | Flanking Beast 1
》Beckett, Auran | Flanking Beast 2
》Karl & Beckett | Back 2 back (bulwark)
》Drogan & Phedron | Feared acting Rd 3

Know Your Enemy (ALL - Link)

Round 2 - Players Up!!

Current Status
➢➢ Karl (HP 10/31) ➢➢
➢ Nosatrub (HP 27/33)
➢ Drogan (HP 22/22)
➢ Beckett (HP 26/26)
➢ Phedron (HP 25/25)
➢ Lavios (HP ??/??)

Beckett's hammer bats away two potentially fatal blows.

"Thank you, but you're leaving yourself too open gods dammit!"

Karl gets low and comes up in an upward lunge on the monster he is flanking with Nosa hoping to drop it so that the holy warrior can tear into the next foe.

sword: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 - 2 = 21
1d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 3 + (3) = 14

main guache: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 2 - 2 = 15
1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 1 + (5) = 11

The sword finds purchase, but his offhand blade misses its mark.

"Give em the business end boys. Wait?! What do you mean Link is out of it?!"

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Karl's sword cleaves thru muscle and rib. The horror in front of him roars in pain and hatred as its own blood colors the night sands. It stumbles but maintains not unerring balance!

Nice hit! You feel you're 2/3 the way there... ;)

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.

.

Some thirty feet back, Agidor calls back to Marsh. "Lil' bugger's safe, chummeroo. Got 'im tucked away in a cart, safe as houses."

Phedron strains against his own fear, still trying to muster the will power to retake control of his body. Move damn you, move! Stop standing here waiting for death!

"My protection does not come from mere armor! It is from divine..."

"Ooooommmpph..." Beckett grunts as the beast's fangs smash into the guard of his hammer.

"Still... arrrggg... you should... probably... hurry up... and kill it...

Once the creature pulls back for a moment, to ready its next attack, Beckett presses the wand into Karl's back and mutters a word under his breath.

Standard action: Wand CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Free action: Continue Extend the Bulwark

"MOVE YOU BRITTLE-FORGED PISS DRINKER! YER FRIENDS NEED YOU!"

The words churn in his gullet, but find no purchase. What did Beckett say? Something about sound? His drum was back at the carts. He can't go back. They'll get him or sure then! He could clang his axe. Sing a song against to rock the plains, but nothing. There's just ... nothing.