Andoran, Spirit of Liberty (Inactive)

Game Master Kiora Atua

Jansen pulls a notebook from his pocket and reviews it. ”In my notes regarding our initial deal with Greypelt, he stated, ‘Exterminate them and you will have your reward.’ This was clearly said with regard to solely the darkmantles in the room where we handled them.” Jansen ponders for a moment, and turns a page in his journal, ”the next notes I have show that when presented with evidence of our success against the darkmantles, that the wolf appeared to try and amend the deal, now including the death of some bats and a spider, again claiming that ‘If you would so kindly exterminate them for me you shall have your reward.’”

”At that time, there was a brief discussion, and consideration to change the terms of the arrangement, during which the wolf attacked. It was Davi,” he gestures towards her, ”who brought everyone to cease hostilities. Davi made some efforts to parse through the details of our original agreement, somehow implying that it was reasonable for the wolf to arrange a ‘pay as you go’ plan, because the work was only half done, despite any such mention of future extermination tasks. In retrospect, it is clear that the wolf was not living up to the original bargain at that time, which made no mention of any creatures, real or imagined, beyond the darkmantles.” Jansen flips back and forth through the last several pages in his journal.

”While the wolf may have assumed we agreed to kill more creatures for him, because we discussed it and left on the task, my notes do not show that we formally agreed to an amendment of our original bargain, the one which included the darkmantles for the mushrooms. The only failing in this logic which I can find is that we were not clear just how many mushrooms we were to be provided for the death of the darkmantles. However, I conclude that the darkmantles for mushrooms arrangement has been successfully satisfied on both sides, and that arrangement is now complete. If this fellow,” he gestures to the kobold, ”has an alternate source of the mushrooms that you require, then I see no reason why we couldn’t exploit that in the near term, and worry about the wolf at a later time. The immediate need is mushrooms, correct? Obviously, I still need to solve the problem of loggers being molested, which might be attributed to man eating wolves in the area, so our goals might coincide more closely than originally thought. And since our business relationship with the wolf in the darkmantles for mushrooms deal has been satisfied, I do not believe we, or I, have any further contractual relationship with the wolf, either fiduciary or contractual, although I would want to inform him of this ruling officially prior to our initiating any hostilities.”

He pauses a moment before suggesting, "perhaps we should heal ourselves prior to informing the wolf of our intent to continue the extermination of the pests in this place, commencing with him and his brood?"

"And one last thing," he starts, looking to Miirik, "don't go thinking I have forgotten that your people waylaid our friends. Banditry, of any sort, is unacceptable, so your people will need to change their ways. But first thing's first. On to the wolf then?"

"Dragon! Divine dragon, at that!" the kobold quipped back. Miirik grumbled as Anthony apparently set down the law regarding who owned the ring, evidently not happy about it, but not willing to put up much more of a fight. That didn't stop him from muttering crossly about it. "Sfrakkin' stupid devil spawn-ing flurping surgging snackle frazzle ring is mine der frazzle snerzing..."

As Jansen spoke, Miirik watched him quietly, allowing him to go through his rationale of why it was okay to pick a fight with Greypelt. He looked up at Anthony as if expecting him to get mad at him too... and after a few seconds, huffed with a grumpy (? it's hard to tell, as his face always seems to remain neutral, leaving his tail to slap the ground, perhaps in discontent). "Stupid devils always playing favorites with the stupid softskins..." he muttered, before perking his fringes up at Jansen's last remark. "What?! WE just set up a trap to keep YOUR kind out! It's not our fault you fell for it!"

"However, if you want to be healed, I can do that. My powers were given to me by Apsu himself! I just don't feel like lending you my majestic aid." He folded his arms and pushed his maw in the air, before eying the ring again. "However... any dragon can be persuaded with the proper offering. Say, perhaps... something magical... you can wear on your finger... that suits his divine posture...?"

Jansen frowns at Miirik, "While I applaud your mercantile and self-serving nature, I don't believe that such is intended to be the nature of our mutual association. Now I don't know about dragons, but for most groups of adventurers, the social compact between such civilized creatures with a common goal is generally accepted to have those with specific abilities to use them towards the common purpose. For example, I might be proficient at swinging a sword, fighting evil, or sailing a ship, and when my skills are needed, I would provide them. You claim to be good at healing, I say claim, because up until now it is all just words, with no demonstrated aptitude. Your contribution to the social whole might be that selfsame healing ability. And if you are unwilling to contribute to the extent of your ability, then likely you should not be a member of this particular sub-society."

Miirik stared back at Jansen a little bit, before cocking his head to one side and quirking his scaly brow. "...I didn't follow all of that, but it sounds like you're calling my power into question. And that is a poor choice of action on your part."

Miirik snarled back at Jansen. "Let's be clear, I am doing you a favor. I don't have to help. I didn't have to save your companions." He pointed a little claw back up at the paladin. "You, however, need those mushrooms. And you need them fast. I am offering you a way to get them fast. The only reason I am helping you is because SHE-" Miirik directed his claw to Davi as he spoke. "-showed restraint, and made you all do the same. I believed this meant you wouldn't go barreling into our home once Greypelt is dead. So I am taking a risk by trying to help rally you to a common cause, and so far, YOU ARE ALL MAKING A VERY POOR GROUP OF UNDERLINGS!"

Jansen shakes his head before replying, "I will take it as a compliment that we are poor underlings. Also, I did not threaten to 'barrel' into your home. I did comment that we need to ensure that your people do not participate in any banditry. If that means that some formal boundaries and expectations are established between your tribe, and the locals, then that's what it means. Although, my commission as a Naval Officer does not grant me the authority to bind the whole of Andoran to such an agreement, I could, possibly, set in motion the ambassadorial chain to accomplish such, and would commit myself to endeavoring in that direction in good faith."

Jansen glances at the rest of the group, "so what is the plan from here?"

"Ugh, fine, Dragon. Whatever. I need you all to be quiet. You think you can do that? Good. Miirik, your people have unquestionable knowledge of traps and their inner workings. Now this will be a simple trap by your standards, but I will need you to play a key role. Graypelt doesn't yet know you are working alongside us so I need you to go and provoke him. Send him flying into a rage. We're going to be waiting out in the main hall with crossbows at the ready. As soon as Graypelt comes through the door, we'll fill him with holes. Got it?"

"We don't rob others or act like bandits. We defend ourselves from bigger races who come intruding into our home. Like you. We just want you gone."

"...I like all of that except for the part where I am in danger." Miirik replied. "That part I severely dislike. I can do it, but if I'm going to get into danger like that, I will need something in return."

"If I agree to your plan, you will have to agree to mine. The sound of fighting is sure to draw up some of my tribe from below. When they come up, I want you to feign weakness before my power and run away (after you've gotten your fungus, of course). They will believe that I have bested mighty foes who could defeat Greypelt and his brood. That should earn me plenty of respect among my kin... and you can leave and never come back."

If the others agree, Miirik will go ahead, move towards Greypelt's chamber and cast Shield of Faith on himself before entering. Should bring his AC to a solid 22, if my math is right.

Without skipping a beat, Anthony replies, "Done."

Soroza blinks silently at Jansen, "What was that you said about not caring much for paperwork?"

"I'd still prefer we try to bribe him off and avoid bloodshed, namely ours, but if his death and a positive relationship with the kobold tribe here make it a safer area, I can justify that."

She looks to Miirik, "For the record, I'm, not stupid: of course worgs don't have fingers. But it wouldn't be the first time a beast added a magic trinket to it's hoard regardless of it's usefulness." She sneers, "You'd think a dragon, of all things, would know that."

Soroza *might* be a little touchy at having her intelligence questioned. She fancies herself rather clever, after all.

*************

At Anthony's agreement, Soroza claps her hands. "That's it then! We're all agreed? Lovely. Best to be at each other's throats about the vagaries of intersectional social theory while gathered around a table with spirits in hand, rather than well-armed an on-edge in a perilous den of beasts, I always say."

The ranger shrugs, "Or, you know, would say, if that were the sort of situation one could ever reasonably expect to end up in."

She draws her short sword, "Now, let's engage in some extremely localized political upheaval. I understand it's the national pastime."

Davi laughs “It is rather patriotic”. She shakes her head, a large grin on her face. “Alright Miirik. We’ll follow your plan. Although, if you’re worried about getting hurt I can play bait instead. Ohhh! You know, I’m already covered in blood and bruises from those wolf wives. If I limp in there and claim everyone else is dead, so give me the mushrooms and I’ll leave, if he plans to double cross us he’ll come after me. If I’m convincing he shouldn’t expect an ambush or our new scaly friend.”

The changeling nods to herself. “I like this plan. I’m less suspicious than a fully armored kobold.” She ruffles her hair and clothing. “If you hang out in the hallway I should be able to get back out ok. Provided I run really fast. But then we can flank him.”

Davi's going to head down the hall unless anybody objects

"Now I really like this plan. Please, by all means, lead him out. I will be waiting to roast him." Miirik chimes in, readily letting Davi take charge of the situation and following after her, waiting on the other side of the hallway.

"So am I using the sword or crossbow for this?"

"Crossbows first. Swords if he's still alive." Anthony says as he pulls his out. He retrieves the bolts he picked up earlier and hands the others one each.

"Use those. They're Magic. That worg shouldn't survive the first assault."

He takes out his crossbow and loads one of the red bolts into it. "Let's go, and try not to make too much noise."

"Ah, hate to burst your bubble, Anthony dear, but I don't have a crossbow."

Davi pulls out her crossbow and hands it to Soroza. “Just don’t shoot me with it. Being killed by my own crossbow would be too ironic. That goes for the rest of you too. Shooting me is not allowed.” The changeling takes a few deep breaths before heading down the hall. She grips her rapier tight enough to turn her knuckles white.

The walk into Greypelt’s den takes no time at all. As she enters she remembers the teachings of her father; if you want someone to believe your lie then pepper it with the truth. This is not the same situation as an Augustana ball but the advice still applies. Once she catches the eyes of the worg she nods to him.

Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

“Sir Wolf. You didn’t tell us about the Kobolds” True. “My party went into one of their traps. I am lucky to still be alive” True, but unrelated. “I would not let them kill you”- Well, that was then but this is now. “- now I’m the only one left here” here being this room. “I’ve done what you asked.”. Just not all of it “Toss me my payment and I will be on my way” heck, if he does that we might just leave

Miirik lies in wait outside the hall, but not to attack, though he had his mace in hand and at the ready. No, he had another plan in the back of his mind. One that would buy him just a tiny bit more time... not much, but just a bit.

And perhaps net him an extra bonus to boot. Maybe. Just maybe...

You know what, scratch all of what I just said, had another idea that is far more like Miirik (and kobolds in general, but still).

Likewise, Jansen will fire a crossbow round at the critter if it comes out chasing Davi.

Jansen's smite from earlier is still active:

Light Crossbow Hit: 1d20 + 2 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 3 + 1 = 12
Light Crossbow Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

With charging and flatfooted (against us) and such maybe it will hit.

After which he will drop the crossbow and go for his longsword and shield combo.

Soroza takes her position for the ambush along with the others. She wasn't overly fond of crossbows - too "clanky" in her opinion - but the magical bolt was simply too nice an advantage to waste. She readied herself to fire in the event the plan worked and Greypelt came bounding through the doors.

Light Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Light Crossbow Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Light Crossbow Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Hahahaha, almost!

Crossbow Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Crossbow Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Anthony's lips don't betray the smugness in his head as he loads the crossbow and trains his eyes on the narrow doorway.

Oh, I almost forgot! If any of the wolves manage to make a melee attack against Davi then I want to use Dodging Panache. Well, only if it's not going to trigger AOOs from other wolves.

Graypelt sense motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Greypelt grins at Davi. "Oh? Did your lovely little friends abandon you? Or did they perish in the effort?" Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Greypelt stands up and languidly stretches before slowly moving towards Davi.

"Guess I owe you your reward then, hmm?" He grins, licking his lips. Just as he starts to tense... Davi bolts!

Davi please move your character to wherever you were readied to run to ;)

Initiative Dice
Anthony: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Soroza: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Davi: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Jansen: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Miriik: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Greypelt: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Wolf 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Wolf 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Initiative Order (after resolving readied actions)

1. Greypelt
2. Davi
3. Soroza
4. Miriik
5. Anthony
6. Jansen
7. Wolf #1
8. Wolf #2

Greypelt wheels around the corner to a faceful of uncannily magical bolts - three in total. Anthony manages to nail him in the kidney - nearly incapacitating the beast in one shot. Incredibly, Soroza's bolt erupts into flame as she fires it.

Round 2

The massive wolf snarls at the kobold, "Little traitor! I'll kill every one of your pathetic little tribe after I'm finished with you!" He snaps his massive jaws at Miriik, but the kobold quickly dodges out of the way.

Greypelt fort save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Greypelt sickened: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5
Anthony crit damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Soroza magical arrow: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Greypelt vs Miriik (Power attack, sickened): 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 2 - 2 = 18

Graypelt takes 18 damage from arrows and is sickened for 5 rounds.

Davi is up.

Anthony's 12 confirmed? Should my 12 have hit?

it did hit :P

Oh, it only said that Anthony and Soroza hit.

Greypelt wheels around the corner to a faceful of uncannily magical bolts - three in total.

Fair enough!

As soon as Davi sees the worg tense she bolts for the door. Her heart pounds in her ears as she flies down the corridor. Don’t look back. Don’t look back. Where’s that door...ah! Davi bursts through the doorway at full speed. She throws herself to the left as she’s outside; hopefully away from errant bolts. As soon as they hit the worg she backtracks. Now he’s pinned between her and Miirik.

"Oh, there they are. I'm always misplacing things" Davi swings her rapier at the worg

Rapier attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
fumble?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 -_-

If any wolf attacks her she’s going to use Dodging Panache. Provided that won’t take her into another wolf

Lol, Davi.

Soroza is up

Soroza drops Davi's crossbow (Sorry Davi!) and quickly draws her short sword.

"Ha!", she shouts as the blade thrusts towards one of the wolves.

Short Sword vs. Wolf 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Confirm Crit?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Soroza's deep thrust ruptures an artery, and the wolf quickly dies. Crit result: x2 damage 1d6 bleed, but the normal damage killed it.

Soroza crit damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Soroza bleed damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Soroza kills wolf #2 with a total of 12 damage.

Miriik is up

Miirik startled a little as Greypelt suddenly rounded the wall and locked onto him. Luckily, his quick reflexes push him out of harm's way. "Your deal was with our king, not me! This only proves you can't be trusted! And you know what...!?"

Miirik snarled as he bore his fangs, lifting his claw up and giving the wolf the one-finger salute, which sparked alight with a flame on the tip... before turning tail and running back through the other door. Gogogogogogo! Get there before he does, quick! His little eyes lock ahead as he rushes, heading back to Greypelt's chamber entrance. Miirik turned, stamped into the ground as his tail slapped the stone floor, mace at the ready.

Miirik would not budge from this spot. His tribe could not afford it.

Double move to get back to the mushROOM (get it? GET IT!?) doorway. And staying there. None shall pass!

I'll be out of town for the next two days, so I'll go ahead and post and roll.

Jansen drops his crossbow, and draws while moving up next to the talking wolf, with smite and power attack going. Can someone move me on the map please?

Longsword Hit: 1d20 + 3 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 3 - 1 = 8 19-20/x2
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 12

"You have eaten your last victim beast!"

My AC against the talking wolf is 22 I believe.

Anthony Read is up

Davi yells after the Kobold "HEY! Where are you going?"

"Really? Really!?", Soroza exclaims at observing Miirik's retreat.

Anthony drops his crossbow as soon as the bolt extracts a screaming report from Graypelt. In the same motion, he draws his rapier from its sheath reorients himself to take advantage of Davi's flanking position. If he were more witty, he likely would have said something clever as he stared down the worg. Right now, he's more concerned with ending the beast's life before anyone else got hurt than style points. He sets his blade ablaze with Magic and goes for the heart.

Rapier Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Rapier Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Jansen and Anthony see an opening and strikes, but the wolf twists away at the last second. He grins fiendishly, and together with his remaining consort they lunge at Soroza. The ranger manages to hold off Greypelt while sidestepping the smaller wolf.

Both wolves 5 ft step south and then attack Soroza.

Rolled dice in initiative order.
Wolf #1 vs Soroza: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Greypelt vs Soroza (Power Attack, Sickened): 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 2 - 2 = 5

Round 3

Davi is up.

Davi smirks. Not only did Greypelt miss her friend by a mile but now he's got his back to her.

Rapier Attack+Flank: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Claw+Flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Soroza wipes a cold sweat off her brow.

That was a LOT of snapping jaws pointed at me, she thinks to herself grimly.

Then smiles as she sees lay of the battlefield shift in their favor, and joins Davi in taking advantage of Greypelt's poor maneuvering.

Short Sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Miirik stared silently into the dark, waiting for Greypelt to show himself... but never came. Had he... outrun him? It sounded like he was still engaged with the others...

...good! Looks like Greypelt knew not to mess with a divine dragon! But time was short... he'd have to work quick. Turning back and running further into the chamber, Miirik dropped his mace and pulled out a ratty little sack, locating the mushrooms in the room. He hastily started to pick them and stuff them in the bag as he started belting out in Draconic towards the stairway below.

"To claws! All guards to battle! Greypelt is under attack! To me, we shall repel the invaders!"

Davi and Soroza team up to slice and dice on Greypelt.

8 damage to Greypelt.

Anthony is up.

Anthony heard the shouts, and he understood the words. His mind raced. Was Miirik seriously betraying them? Did he have something else in mind? He had to make a call, the others didn't have the information he did. "We've got less than thirty seconds. The kobold sold us out! Graypelt still dies, then we make a run for it."

"Time to meet whatever maker you believe in."He sneers at the Worg and jabs him quickly then smashes into him with his Horns.

Rapier Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Rapier Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Horn Attack: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
Horn Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Anthony is distracted by the kobold's voice and misses the wolf terribly.

Jansen is up.

"Then best we complete this business as fast as possible," states Jansen in a monotone.

He swings his longsword, with smite and power attack active.

Longsword Hit: 1d20 + 3 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 3 - 1 = 18 19-20/x2
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + 2 = 8

Jansen's harsh cut slices off a clean piece of the enormous wolf before him into the air.

The remaining wolf wife lunges at Soroza again, growling angrily, but she twists sideways out of the way.

Wolf #1 vs Soroza: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Round 4

Greypelt follows his wife's lead, taking advantage of her distraction to savagely rip into Soroza's throat. She falls to the ground, unconscious.

Greypelt vs Soroza (Power Attack, Sickened): 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 + 2 = 28
Greypelt crit confirm vs Soroza (Power Attack, Sickened): 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 2 + 2 = 12
Greypel damage vs Soroza (Damage): 1d6 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 4 = 13
Greypelt trip vs Soroza (Power Attack, Sickened): 1d20 + 8 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 2 - 2 = 7

Summary: Jansen deals 8 damage to Greypelt. Greypelt deals 13 damage to Soroza, KOing her.

Davi is up.

"SOROZA!" Davi shouts as her friend falls to the ground. She twists around so Greypelt's between her and Anthony.

Rapier Attack+Flank:: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Claw+Flank:: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Miirik finishes stuffing mushrooms in the bag, mind racing as he tried to think. The softskins were taking care of Greypelt. His call should summon his tribe guards soon enough... but it seemed they were being a bit lazy. Great.

"...grrrrr! When a divine dragon gives you an order, you move!" he yelled in Draconic at the stairs, before picking up his mace and running back the way he came. Stopping at the door to the courtyard, Miirik quickly surveyed the scene and locked his eyes on the fallen ranger.

"Oh for the love of Apsu, do I have to do EVERYTHING around here?!" he cussed under his breath. Inhaling a little, he reared back, before bellowing as loud as he could, mustering a fairly decent roar and glaring at the wolf. "GREYPELT!" he howled in Common - if he was lucky, none of the arriving kobolds would understand what he was saying. He was walking an ever weakening thin line here. "Enough games! If you wish for a real battle, then face me! You and me! No games! No tricks! Wolf king vs. divine dragon!"

Davi finishes off Greypelt with a few savage strikes.

Soroza stable?: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 - 2 = 14

Soroza lays on the ground. She is stable.

The remaining wolf growls angrily at Miriik, though she cannot understand his words.

Anthony is up.

Miirik stared back as Greypelt fell, little yellow eyes wide as he felt his throat a little. "...sweet scales of the elders, my voice IS lethal... AWESOME!"

His eyes flitted over to the remaining wolf wife, holding up a claw to grab her attention. "I have conquered your so-called lord! I will give you a choice: leave, or remain here under my rule." He motioned to his side, as if welcoming her to him, holding up his claw in compassion... most likely. His neutral expression made it difficult to tell. "You are injured and outnumbered - I will protect you. Unlike Greypelt, I am willing to stand up and fight for those under me."

His eyes dart back over to the others, hoping perhaps they might permit him this chance at diplomacy.