Gelik's little legs churn comically as he tries to keep up with Torch. Ishirou is a Chelaxian? You humans all look the same to me, but that doesn't sound right somehow...puff...puff...and he never told me he was coming here to enslave all the Zenj people...puff...puff that doesn't really sound like him...puff...puffI think these kidnappers might be misinformed. puff By the way, what's a whaling company?
The whaling company is large complex of whitewashed stone and brick, easily located by the pungent stench surrounding it. It is surrounded by walls, and by the time you and the crowd get there, the man who calls himself Umagro is standing on the roof, some 30 feet above you, holding Ishirou at knife-point and shouting out his demands of the abolition of slavery in Sargava.
Gelik looks around in the street.
Well I don't know much about the citys, but that can't be good. The Mwagani man mutters pointing towards Umagro holding Ishirou at knife point. But I do know predators, and I know when I am looking at one. A whaling company is a complex were animals from the sea harvested. They are common along the coasts and the Bonuwat that live along the coast tend to supplement their substance by whaling.
"Oh dear...I hope he'll let our friend go unharmed. Can't someone talk to him?" Ralf frets.
Gelik responds to Kamal. By harvest, do you mean hacking up? Gross. These people with their slavery and their whaling. Awful. Just awful people. Let's rescue Ishiro and pick up out lightly scorched gear and get the flock out of here.
Yes, that’s right. They murder the great beasts of the sea and bring their corpses back to the cities to be made into oil. It is a great travesty how they take more than the sea can give. Spitting onto the street the slight Mwagani guide shrugs. I agree it is not wise to stay and that we need to rescue your friend, but I guide caravans not assault warehouses. I don't have the slightest what we should do.
Aerys looks for some access to the roof, she whispers to Torch, "Only one way to deal with kidnappers like that, knock them down and let the law deal with them. Let's find access to the roof." She searches the area for a way to gain access to the whaling compound and the roof.
Torch nods, scanning the area as well.
The compound is surrounded by 20 feet high brick walls (Climb DC 25), and there is a sturdy gate if you'd like to break in. The complex goes down to the water, so you might be able to sneak around the back.
Umagro is standing on the roof of the flensing house, a large building in the back of the complex.
Do you have a plan?
Torch will hug the wall, hopefully staying out of Umagro's sight, while sprinting toward the water in hopes of being able to circumvent the wall there.
If Gelik has a chance before Torch runs off, he'll cast Vanish on him.
You've got 30 seconds! Gelik hisses the words to Torch in a loud whisper. He then turns to face the kidnapper, craning his neck to look up at the situation on the roof. Hey you, up there on the roof! That man you have up there, he's an aquaintance of ours, and we're fond of him! We've been through a lot together, and I'd like to call him a friend. Fact is, he's a bit too introspective to really be friendly. Stoic actually. Point is, he should't be killed on a roof for your political cause! You're making an example of the wrong man!
Fascinate (Su): At 1st level, a bard can use his performance to cause one or more creatures to become fascinated with him. Each creature to be fascinated must be within 90 feet, able to see and hear the bard, and capable of paying attention to him. The bard must also be able to see the creatures affected. The Distraction of a nearby combat or other dangers prevents the ability from working. For every three levels a bard has attained beyond 1st, he can target one additional creature with this ability.
Fascinated
A fascinated creature is entranced by a supernatural or spell effect. The creature stands or sits quietly, taking no actions other than to pay attention to the fascinating effect, for as long as the effect lasts. It takes a –4 penalty on skill checks made as reactions, such as Perception checks. Any potential threat, such as a hostile creature approaching, allows the fascinated creature a new saving throw against the fascinating effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a ranged weapon at the fascinated creature, automatically breaks the effect. A fascinated creature's ally may shake it free of the spell as a standard action.
Aerys follows Torch's path to the water front calling to the others, "Leave Gelik to do his stuff, follow Torch, we'll try and get round by the water.", she says hopefully, even if its just by swimming round into the complex. "How's your swimming Torch, if its not too good, I can probably swim round and pull you around by a rope, do you think we should do that?"
Ralf stands by Gelik and adds (in Common and Polyglot): "You better listen to whatever this little fella is saying. He knows what he's talking about!"
Diplomacy:
Quietly following behind the others, Kamal slips along the wall falling somewhere in the middle of the group. As he had previously stated, jungles were where he felt most comfortable. To be out in the city, surrounded by the smells of sewages and offal. Well, it was the natural order of things. His nose rankling at the foul sent of whale blubber being processed the guard shook his head in disgust. I think the rope is a very wise idea Aerys. Kamal stated while keeping his back to the wall. Hopefully no one will spot us sneaking in the rear.
"If the water's not too rough, I should be fine," Torch whispers back as they approach the end of the wall and look out toward the ocean. "If we don't have to take the time to tie me up and then untie me after, that would be good..."
Gelik's tirade gives Umagro pause, as he tries to answer the motormouthed gnome.
At the back of the compound, Torch notes that there is a large ramp leading into the water. A huge whale carcass rests on the opposite side of it. He'll just need to wade for a short bit, so there is no problem getting into the compound from the waterfront. There is a lone guard keeping watch here, but as Torch is invisible, he is unaware of your approach.
Torch can make a surprise attack on him if you should like to, then maybe you should roll for initiative.
And another thing! Gelik continues, taking on a lecturing tone. Have you considered the possibility that you have a narcissistic personality? Why else would you stand up on a roof and make demands that you know won't be met? You just want to hear yourself talk, get all worked up, and maybe kill some random guy whose only crime is unfortunate facial hair! Get over yourself!
With Ishirou's life on the line, Torch has little time for or interest in mercy. The invisible half-elf steps up to the guard and attempts to bury his scimitar in the man's throat before he has a chance to call out.
Aerys follows Torch and thrusts her longsword into the man's guts.
Torch misjudges his strike and the blow bounces off the guard's armor. I guess you'd better beat his initiative, which is 14.
Roll for initiative, all of you.
Sliping out from the water behind Torch and Aerys, Kamal raises his hand. As he does so it becomes ingulfed in a ball of flame that the throws towards the lookout.
Fire Bolt (1d6+1) (7/day) (5 remaining) (Sp) 30' Ranged touch attack deals 1d6+1 Fire damage
Ralf nods sagely as Gelik continues to talk.
Init?
The startled man gives out a cry, alerting Umagro, who breaks off his discussion with Gelik. He takes a clumsy swing at Torch. Another guard in the hopper and grinder opposite takes a shot at Aerys with his bow for 6 points of damage.
Gelik and Torch are up, then Umagro and then the rest of you.
Ralf casts a Distant Simple Order on Umagro telling him to "Flee" (in Polyglot). DC 15 Will save
Aerys looks for a way to get to the man that just shot her from the hopper, noting his position. She will deal with him later, now she attempts to strike down the guard in front of her.
Aware that Ishirou's life is at stake, Torch does not stop to deal with the guard, instead dashing past him to open the door to the main building.
You point your finger at a creature, causing it to spontaneously burst into flame. The target takes 3d6 points of fire damage and catches on fire. A successful Fortitude save reduces this damage by half and prevents the target from catching on fire. Each round on your turn, a burning target can attempt a new save to extinguish the flames (DC equal to the DC of the spell); otherwise it takes another 1d6 fire damage.
Torch ignores the man and makes for the door, tearing it open. The bottom of the house is one large chamber. There is a ladder to the right leading up to the upper floors.
Gelik waits anxiously and as Gelik makes a move to slit Ishirous throat he tries to make him burst into flames. Umagro resists the magic, but takes 6 points of damage. Then he slits Ishirou's throat, rendering him unconscious and rolling down the roof. After that he disappears down into the building.
Aerys engages the man outside.
Kamal and Ralf still to go (as Ralf's action is rendered moot), then the men.
Instead, Ralf will use a Distant Lesser Cure to heal Ishirou.
Ishirou wakes up just in time to grab the edge of the roof and avoid plunging to his probable death.
Below, two insurgents emerge from the shadows to engage Torch, and he's hit by an arrow for 1 point of damage. Aerys parries the guard's blow and another arrow whizzes by Kamal.
You can all act, Umagro delaying until the rest of the men act.
Torch rushes at the figure who hit him with the arrow, hoping to end the fight quickly so he can move on.
Rushing past the man in the hopper, Kamal follows behind Torch unwilling to leave him alone as he rushes to confront Umagro
Fire Bolt (1d6+1) (7/day) (4 remaining) (Sp) 30' Ranged touch attack deals 1d6+1 Fire damage
Aerys strikes at the guard, before running to follow after Torch and Kamal.
"Hang on!" Ralf calls to Ishirou as he waits to see what Gelik does.
Feeling useless where he is, Gelik casts Mage Armor on himself and begins running along the base of the wall, following the path of Torch et al. C'mon old man, let's go kill some misguided oppressed natives!"
Aerys cuts down the guard and Ralf and Gelik start running towards the waterfront. Another arrow whizzes by Kamal, whose firebolt misses. The men upstairs continue to fire at Torch while leaving room for Umagro to close, which he does, wielding a pair of wicked-looking kukris. He slashes Torch for 9 points of damage.
And you are up.
Aerys runs after Torch, quickening up as she hears him groan in pain. Her longsword ready for close combat.
Gelik prances along the wall until he gets to the waterline. He seems concerned about the water for but a moment, then makes his best effort to splash around the wall and into the complex.
He takes a look around, assessing the situation and looking for a way to pitch in. He thinks he'll probably be setting someone else on fire soon.
Torch squares off against the rebel leader, starting to circle in hopes of setting him up for Aerys when she reaches them. His scimitar and cestus both slash toward Umagro, and all his focus narrows down to his foe.
Ralf follows Gelik, trying to figure out what's going on.
Umagro slashes viciously at Torch with his twin kukris for 16 points of damage, while his goons fire at Aerys for 6 points.
You are up. Gelik and Ralf arrive at the scene and hopefully can turn the tide of the battle with your magic.
Round 2
Concentrating on his mantras, Kamal reaches out into the wild nature of the place. Finding one of the lesser stone kin, Kamal calls for the creature.
Round 3
As a small stone figure bursts out of the ground, Kamal points to Umagro directing the stone and mud creature to attack. Then whirling around as Gelik and Ralf arrive, Kamal summons forth the primal power of nature once again, blocking the entrance to the building with lashing vines hoping that it will prevent any of Umagro's followers from assisting their leader.
N Small outsider (earth, elemental, extraplanar)
Init –1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft.; Perception +4
Defense
AC 17, touch 10, flat-footed 17 (–1 Dex, +7 natural, +1 size)
hp 13 (2d10+2)
Fort +4, Ref –1, Will +3
Immune elemental traits
Offense
Speed 20 ft., burrow 20 ft., earth glide
Melee slam +6 (1d6+4)
Special Attacks earth mastery
Statistics
Str 16, Dex 8, Con 13, Int 4, Wis 11, Cha 11
Base Atk +2; CMB +4; CMD 13
Feats Improved Bull RushB, Power Attack
Skills Appraise +1, Climb +7, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +1, Knowledge (planes) +1, Perception +4, Stealth +7
Torch grunts under the assault, bleeding from multiple wounds.
Ralf sees Torch bleeding badly and he sends some healing magic his way.
boosted Moderate Cure: