Andrea suddenly pauses. Wink said that the shadowbeasts are aiding the Council's forces, but Dogtongue said that they never roam into the forest. The only way I can see that they are here is that they are being commanded to do so.
Commanded by Ilnerik. I believe that means that he is here with them, and where he is, so is the Totemrix .
Ilnerik, wizards, cleric,s ogres, giants, men, dogs, shadowbeasts. We have to go through all that just to save some evil hag?
Euphemia stares at Andrea for a moment as if she's sprouted a second head.
"What in the nine detestable hells is an Ilnerik? Or a Totemrix, for that matter?!"
Frank, did you get a memorandum about a Totemrix Ilnerik?
Sigh... Mistress, I doubt they are the same being, and you made the error with conjunctions again.
Gerard eyes Frank curiously as he responds to Andrea. You're looking at it wrong, at least I think you are.
You continue to hear loud thunderous stomping and thuds coming from ahead, by the time you come within view of the noise source you can see several crushed jinkins scattered around, there are two fallen ogre and hill giant that lay sprawled on the ground. The jinkins are mostly smashed by boulders, one has a few arrows in him, and there is clearing of sorts where a Gargantuan beetle is in battle with 2 hill giants and 2 ogres from what you see. The beetle looks injured and its body has obvious crushed areas from boulder strikes.
Euphemia stares at Andrea for a moment as if she's sprouted a second head.
"What in the nine detestable hells is an Ilnerik? Or a Totemrix, for that matter?!"Frank, did you get a memorandum about a Totemrix Ilnerik?
Ilnerik is a vampire who was a Pathfinder in the days before the god Aroden died and Cheliax fell into House Thrune's hands. He stole one half of an artifact, the Aohl, and fled. His part is called the Totemrix and is the source of the Shadowbeasts in Westcrown since he made some sort of deal with Thrune or the Council of Thieves. He commands them and sends them out at night to keep everyone inside and off the streets.
The hedgehog glances at Gerard edgewise.
I'd hazard a guess to say you're up to something or suspect I am...
"Ah, well, a vampire isn't so bad. I was expecting a pit fiend or a balor again. What a relief!"
She's laughing at what is at least partially a joke.
"Andrea, please relax, if only just a little. It's going to be okay."
Or it won't, of course. This is one of those immunity-or-death kinds of days. Also, please stop staring at Gerard, Frank. He won't make more sense just because you're looking at him.
I need to get laid again, this life just wears me right out.
The rogue looks up to Euphemia. Is that smug hedgehog-face?
Andrea, you're probably right about the connection. But a vampire would be difficult to keep under wraps. But, what I think you're looking at the wrong way is what we're doing. We're not saving a hag. We're using an opportunity to leverage the hag's power and forces to deal a devastating blow to The Council.
While Andrea often went on about how she prefered dancing on tables and being bent over them, her most favorite time wasn't in a tavern, or brothel. It was in a quiet place, for a special time.
When the doors were locked and curtains drawn at night, Andrea's apartment became a sanctuary and oassis of calm.
The table was set and the meal cooking on the stove was served. Two dishes, even though they always kept the absent place in mind, were eaten with care. Feet occansionally touched each other under the table and glances exchanged. Few words were said since more often than not, anything discussed would just bring more stress, and so silenced reigned.
Afterwards was a warm bath, playful at times but another time to let the stress be released, aching muscles and old scars were washed and pain wiped away with ointment applied by small, skilled hands. Fluffy towels and soft robes took away any remaining dampness anc chill.
Perhapsd later there was passion, but later in the night, she would just sit up and watch her sleeping form, a feather light touch moving from hip to stomach, bosom to chin, tracing the ruby lips before tracing up a cheek and to pointed ear. Sometimes brown eyes would open and she would smile before sleeping again, but as always, there would be blessed calm and silence.
Since Orsin has given his permission to bot due to his work, I will roll his checks.
Frank, I got the one on the right... You take the little one. Gerard stares in awe at the fantastic scene before him...
As Orsin rounds the corner he makes a terrible noise which catches the attention of all the creatures fighting the beetle. One of the hill giants and an ogre yell at the Lucrezia. The hill giant begins to yell at his group giving directions in giant. The only PC who remains unobserved is Gerard.
Lucrezia and Andrea are the only one who have spotted the archer in trees.
Archer in the trees! Andrea points.
Only Andrea and Lucrezia see the purple haloed archer in the tree. Others can spend a move action to try to spot him. The gargantuan creature in the middle is the bettle, it is surrounded by the giants and ogres. the map would have been too busy put the dead creatures on it.
Initiative:
Gerard
Archer
Daniel
Lucrezia
Hill Giants
Ogres
Emphemia
Orsin
Wink
Beetle
The archer is in the tree 25 feet, or so, up.
"Well...You gonna give me weapon?" He asks Daniel.
Wink, I have a Greataxe, handaxe or rapier for you to use. Andrea will offer them to Wink. There is also a shortbow
Silently, Gerard throws two daggers at the unaware center ogre, then steps back.
One of Gerard's daggers hit the ogre.
Breaking Stealth
When you start your turn using Stealth, you can leave cover or concealment and remain unobserved as long as you succeed at a Stealth check and end your turn in cover or concealment. Your Stealth immediately ends after you make and attack roll, whether or not the attack is successful (except when sniping as noted below).
Sniping
If you've already successfully used Stealth at least 10 feet from your target, you can make one ranged attack and then immediately use Stealth again. You take a –20 penalty on your Stealth check to maintain your obscured location.
There is loud grunt from the ogre that was attacked by Gerard. the group of giants have fury in their eyes.
RD 1: Archer
The archer spies what he considers is his biggest threat, his opposiing archer, and fires off shots,
;
;
One of the arrows hits the flat footed Lucrezia.
"No, that's not a smug hedgehog face... Usually you can tell by his posture."
---
"Someone give me an order! What do we need right now?!" Euphemia bellows, wincing at the shots hitting the ranger.
Umm..We need to keep them from killing the beetle! If all the Jinkens are dead, I will need to try to charm the beetle to come with us. Someway to draw their attention.
Initiative:
Gerard - hit Ogre for 37 HP
Archer - hit Lucrezia for 9 HP
Daniel
Lucrezia
Hill Giants
Ogres
Emphemia
Andrea
Orsin
Wink
Beetle
Phem, shoot my Ogre!
Daniel hands Wink a weapon and casts RIGHTEOUS VIGOR on himself.
Iomedae guide my sword and protect my allies.
Looking at Em.
Do you have anything that can draw them to this narrower part of the path, So Wink, Orsin and I can block?
RD 1: Lucrezia
Lucrezia aims a the man in the trees.
;
;
;
Two arrows find there target.
The Hill giants pause for an instant barking out orders for the Ogres.
RD 1: Ogres
The ogre that was injured moves towards the group but the beetel gets his AOO.
;
The Ogre dies as he begins to move.
The remaining two ogres are flanking and attack the beetle.
;
;
The second ogre smashes with his club.
RD 1: Hill Giants
The two hill giants use the ogre's recent death as the opportunity they wanted to advance on the party, outside
;
1=wink, 2=Daniel, 3=Orsin
The greatclub misses Orsin.
;
1=Gerard, 2=Daniel, 3=Orsin
He swings at Daniel, missing if he has his shield up.
RD 1: updated map after Giants moved
Rd 1:
Initiative:
Gerard - hit Ogre for 37 HP
Archer - hit Lucrezia for 9 HP
Daniel - handed weapon to Wink, cast Righteous vigor on himself
Lucrezia - shot and hit archer
Hill Giants - moved forward and swung at Orsin and Daniel
Ogres - One moved but died from AOO, remaining two attack beetle 21 HP of damage.
Emphemia
Andrea
Orsin
Wink
Beetle
Viewing the orders she so desperately acquired as guidelines, especially since she couldn't comply with Daniel's request and Gerard's ogre was either dead or busy elsewhere, the witch glares unnervingly at the giant engaging Orsin.
Orsin, step up!
The creature blinks stupidly at the witch.
HP 72/72
Current Saves: F10R4W13
AC: 23/T12/FF23
In hands: Wooden shield+1,Lt. Silver Mace+1
Current BaB: +7/+2
Spells in Effect:
Channels 2/6
A ray of light shoots from Andrea's circlet and strikes the leftmost Hill giant
Andrea then 5's steps to P-16
Andrea's ranged touch attack hits the giant.