Council of Thieves

Game Master Mug

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

In case it's not clear, if someone does make one or both of the DC's that person is free to react to it, rather than wait for everyoone else to try. Consider this a permanent rule. **Gives Tavi a significant look.** Everyone who hasn't tried yet can still try their own checks, if desired, to see if they can learn anything else.

she is Lawful Evil...

I choose to think of her as Lawful Neutral, especially since I made the game saying no evil characters. But if she is evil, she could have just been tricking me! That is diabolical!

Perception1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

She is LN with LE tendencies.

Tavi signals to the group that she hears some voices around the bend.

Stealth to sneak a peek-
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Ya! Super-Sneak!

What do I see peeking around the corner?

Tavi sneaks off, disappearing into the darkness around a corner for a moment.

Tavi comes back and whispers what she has seen to the rest of the party.

Lucon's eyes widen and his hand shoots to his blade. He murmurs a prayer to every god that will listen and mops his brow, pressing against the wall and drawing his blade. "... I am ready. May the Prince preserve us."

"Let us hit them from a distance and draw them closer to us, away from Janiven, and into melee," says Enko.

Tavi says that there are 4 she can see, more than she can't and they seem to be harassing someone, tho she couldn't tell who. just that it's female. They are only about 20 feet up the next passage, and across a stream of sewage.

She then steps back and gestures for someone a bit bigger to lead the charge, while drawing her last two daggers and making herself ready.

"Twenty feet? Hand to hand, then." Enko closes his eyes for a moment and breathes in, then out.

"Ready.

Across the channel? If we get the drop on them, we'll have at least a round of sniping at them. Let's discuss tactics. I have enough strength for one more major work of the Art. Beyond that, I can summon globs of acid, or threaten them with my crossbow.

"The passage is too narrow to snipe them; only one of us will have a clear shot, the rest will just get in one another's way. If they file down the tunnel toward us, it will be our best in front alone against heavily armed and armored Hellknights. Count my vote for rushing them and hitting them hard and fast. If we can spread out where the tunnel widens we shouldn't have too much trouble flanking them and granting aid where-ever it is needed most- if we can split their attention so they don't concentrate strikes all the better," Jaiyana suggests, straightening her armor-plated jacket and adjusting her grip on her flail.

Perception 1d20 ⇒ 16

"Regardless of whether we engage in melee or ranged, we must make it past that bottle-neck. It will do us little good to let those Armigers surround us one at a time."

He looks around, sizing up the party. "Now, who is going in front? I will life-link with you and try to keep you alive longer."

Lucon nods at Jaiyana, closing his eyes tightly and taking a shuddering breath.

Initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"I will go up front, though I fear I have been wasting potions left and right," says Enko.

"Lucon--like this." Enko breathes in again, then out and appears incredibly serene. "Let the anxiety flow out with the breath. We will see another dawn soon enough."

In response to Amon Jaiyana looks to Lucon. "You are still wounded, however slightly; I'll follow directly behind Enko unless there are any objections," she says determinedly, ready to make haste to aid Janiven. Her expression softens momentarily as she looks down at her armored coat. "Lucon...would you like my over-armor for protection in the upcoming battle? I'm plenty capable without it, though I'm not sure if it will fit your frame," she offers.

I still carry the potions we got from the last Knights. With that Tavi hands the two CLW potions to Enko, just incase.

Let us move quickly to aid. I fear she won't last long against those odds.

Lucon nods appreciatively to Enko, breathing in harshly and letting out a loud snort, spinning his unfamiliar blade in an arc and tightening his grip. He breaks into a strained grin. "I am ready. Let's crack some heads."

He'll answer Jaiyana with another quiet nod, but will wave off her offer of her armour. "Keep it." he says, gruffly. "You are far more valuable than I..." he trails off... "Though I'll have a few choice words for Janiven next time she asks me to a 'quiet drink!'" he says, pressing himself against the wall by the archway and glancing into the darkness.

Given my horrendous initiative, anyone behind me would have to delay their action. Hopefully there's time and room enough for us all to charge in on the surprise round and it won't matter, but Lucon will probably lag behind the swifter party members.

After a brief discussion, and some calming breaths, you all nod at each other, ready to rush into battle to save Janiven. Amon casts Life Link on Enko, who has decided to move up to the front, and several of you mimic Enko's deep steadying breaths in an attempt to rush into battle with clear heads. Moving together, each of you quickly slip up as close to the distracted Hellknights as you can get. Lucon is the last to enter, taking another deep breath, in and out, and lets out a booming battle cry, charging into the fray to rush up to the nearest available Hellknight, ready for battle.

The Hellknights jump in surprise, and you can see you're not a moment too soon, Janiven has dropped her knife, arm dripping with blood, teeth gritted against the pain, with several other small wounds bleeding profusely. She doesn't even notice you past the pressing Hellknights, they have her surrounded so effectively.
**MAP**

Please post Round 1 actions as per usual. The Hellknight closest to Janiven is #1, to his right is number #2, and so on - left to right, top to bottom - till the one above Lucon, #8.

Active Effects:
Life Link - Enko and Amon

Init:
Tavi
AC
Enko
Jaiyana
Amon
Hellknight 5
Corneleous
Hellknight2
Hellknight7
Hellknight6
Hellknight1
Hellknight3
Hellknight4
Hellknight8

uh, did we all charge? If so I suppose that's +2 to the attack rolls and minus to our ACs. I forgot to add that in if that's the case. Or whatever the bonuses are to charging.

Noted! :) it'd be helpful if you could list your current AC and hp in your spoilers, thanks! Lucon, you were unable to charge due to not being able to move in a straight line. EDIT: The charge +2 attack bonus and -2 to AC only applies to the melee-ers, in case that wasn't clear.

AC 16, and +2 to those rolls. Off to the beach, so I'll be afk for a bit. Or not.

I don't seem to be on that initiative order, Mug. Also Lucon's current hp is 10/11 and his AC is 13

@Lucon, whoops! You're between Hellknight 6 and 1. I'll update it next round for all to see. EDIT: Oh, and LOL at you're AC... and I mean that in the nicest way possible.

Can I attack the Hellknight across the sewer channel? Assuming yes

Shelyn! Protect us with your grace and beauty! and butterflies surround the 20 foot area around AC, granting anyone around him a +2 bonus to AC and CMD (for one round)

Defense- domain power, once per day, good for one round equal to caster level.

Round 1

Tavi charges forward first and attacks the Hellknight#8 NW from her, her momentum and speed allowing her to get inside the surprised Hellknights reach even as he whipped around with his crossbow pointed. Her two knives score deep hits on both his arms, one knife even finding the artery near his armpit. The knights face screws up in anger even as he starts to raise his crossbow, but the blood spraying from his wounds is faster, and the surprised Hellknight topples over.
You never said if you were charging or not, regardless you would have hit on that critical confirm. They have horrible dex. I rolled your crit and sneak damage for you. Damage: 4 + 4crit + 6sneak = 14

AC calls out, Shelyn! Protect us with your grace and beauty! and suddenly butterflies surround the 20 foot area around AC
All allies are granted a +2 bonus to AC and CMD for one round, and AC please remember to spoiler, thanks!

"Hello," says Enko. He then hooks a foot under the knee of Hellknight #4, directly north of him. The Hellknight is just turning as the monks manuever puts the Hellknight to the ground in a crash of chainmail and weapons.

Jaiyana spins her flail furiously; withholding any and all mercy as she brings it sweeping across Hellknight#7's midsection with a powerful blow. The man cries out as the flail slams his midsection, but remains standing.

Botting after about 8 hours, apologies. Amon gets his sling moving quickly and tosses a stone at Hellknight#7 the stone bouncing harmlessly off the stout armor.

Hellknight5 spins to see the area suddenly filled with foes, and takes a shot at Jaiyana, she having bashed one of his friends a moment before. The bolt sails high and wide.

Corneleous The Viscount hangs back, looks for a clean shot across the channel with his crossbow. He releases the bolt at Hellknight#7, the great shot piercing the armored man through his bicep.

Hellknight2 menaces Janiven as he see's their predicament, shouting in alarm "Don't move wench! Or I take your head off!" He raises his sword, ready to make good on this threat if she moves.

Hellknight7 stares wide eyed for a moment as the small rogue takes his companion apart, what was going to be a fun filled evening with Janiven now a tunnel full of blood and battle. Jaiyana's flail has definitely cracked a few ribs, and Corneleous's bolt burns in his back, but he manages to bring his crossbow up and take a shot at Tavi, his mind still replaying the deadly strikes she used against his fellow Hellknight. The bolt flies harmles past her. Holding his side he yells to his fallen comrade, "Willard! Get up you coward!"

Hellknight6 turns with a curse as the dying starts. He sheathes his sword quickly and grabs up his crossbow sliding a bolt in place and looking around for a target. He failed to consider the carpenters ferocity however...

Lucon is slow to react, moving north a few feet to stand over the still-bleeding Hellknight, taking a moment to look the next attacker (Hellknight6) in the eye before suddenly slipping his blade beneath the mans guard. The longsword, with all of Lucons great strength behind it, runs the man through. The Hellknight only has time to spit up blood before topping over.

Hellknight1 seeing his companion has their beautiful prize under control, raises his own blade as he steps over his fallen fellow (Hellknight6), and cuts at Lucon, the large man parrying the blow easily.

Hellknight3 wheels around as his fellow is tripped by Enko, raising his sword and slicing it at the monks face. Enko, however, has been waiting for such an attack, leaning back just enough so the blade cuts centimeters above his nose, and reaching out an arm to snag the Hellknights passing wrist. Stepping forward and pulling the knights arm taut, Enko uses the momentum of the swing to force the Hellknight into following his own bending arm. The knight flips over in the air, landing heavily on his back with a loud "Whooof." Enko takes a step back into his defensive posture as the knight lies on the ground. Hellknight3 is sicked (1 round) and prone. Nice job Enko, he was about to crit you.

Hellknight4 raises his crossbow and fires from the ground at Enko, but it misses as the man moves next to regain his feet. The monk is too quick, swinging a leg up and around in a high arc, the leg poised above his own head, before bringing it swinging down with furious momentum to crash into the face of the rising Hellknight. The Hellknight flops onto his back, barely concious and blood running from a shattered nose. Concious but staggered and prone

Hellknight8 is down in his own blood, cut apart by Tavi's knives.

Janiven, still stuck in the corner, waits for an opportunity to help her rescuers.

Please post Round 2 in spoilered fashion.
INIT:
Tavi
AC
Enko
Jaiyana
Amon
Hellknight5 - aiming crossbow
Corneleous
Hellknight2 - guarding Janiven
Hellknight7 - injured
Hellknight6 - down
Lucon
Hellknight1 - attacking Lucon
Hellknight3 - prone
Hellknight4 - staggered, prone
Hellknight8 - down

AC, Lucon, Amon - I'm loathe to bot three of you, can we expect a post soon? We miss your bright smiling faces.

We are in the 16th minute of the adventure day, and poor level 1 AC is out of spells. Shooting anything that moves at this point with my trusty sidekick Mycroft, till I get a good nights rest. ;)

What spells did you use? I saved you the trouble of casting Detect Undead. :P

We are in the 16th minute of the adventure day, and poor level 1 AC is out of spells. Shooting anything that moves at this point with my trusty sidekick Mycroft, till I get a good nights rest. ;)

** spoiler omitted **

Corneleous is left with his bonded item spell and a few acid darts left. He's exhausted, sweaty, and needs a glass of port. These pugalistic endeavors should be left to the brawnier folks.

Just form a bucket brigade with the CLW potions and splash them on me every round or two. That is, until someone casts Monks Suck Neener Neener on me. Monks drown in their own tears if that spell is cast. Even worse if it's a Kitsune Monk with big anime eyes--they usually explode and take out the whole party.

You people and your spells and wounds; can't you just be awesome? Now if I could just stop rolling a 2 on my d10 damage die...

Round 2

Tavi waits for Lucon to move so she can back him up.

AC takes careful aim at a Hellknight through the press of bodies before pulling the trigger of his crossbow, but is unable to hit his target.

Enko turns to the first Hellknight he tripped, his expression solemn, and strikes at the prone man, the blow landing but losing it's effectivness against the strong Hellknight armor. No damage :(, also #5 is too far for an AoO, being two squares south of Janiven. #3 however...

"I hope you've made your peace," Jaiyana snarls at Hellknight7 before her, lashing out angrily with with another sweeping strike from her flail, but it's deflected by his armor.

bottedAmon slings another stone into the fray, giving the noggin of Hellknight2 a sound thump with the projectile.

Hellknight5, having reloaded last round, snorts at the other Hellknights attempted attacks, "For the Rack!" he shouts, as he fires off another bolt, this time at Lucon. The shot skipping off the tunnel floor harmlessly.

Corneleous yells, "Huzzah! Reminds me of stirg hunting at the family country estate as a child. Although, that is one big bird!" before launching another amazing shot into the heavily wounded Hellknight#7 battling Jaiyana (NW of Jaiyana). The large man goes down hard as the bolt slams into his neck, blood flowing. Crit, but didn't confirm. Nice shooting Tex! (And yes they did stack, but the affect ended on AC's turn)

Hellknight2 with a growl at Janiven to, "Don't even think about moving wench!" then takes a step SW towards Tavi, sword coming down in an overhead chop, "Hold still ya little goblin!" His excitment outweighs his skill and the blow is errant.

Hellknight7 Down

Hellknight6 Down

bottedLucon swing at Hellknight#1 with deadly intent, the strike deflecting off the armor.

Tavi, having a path, now darts forward and attacks, blade spinning in the torch and lantern light. She finds a gap in Hellknight1's armor, blood staining the blade as she retacts it.

Hellknight1 sees an opening and takes a huge swing, cutting Lucon across the chest with his longsword. -11hp The large man clutches at his wound before toppling to the side. Lucon, though unconcious and bloody, does not continue to bleed as profusely Ouch max damage w/powerattack!

Hellknight3 begins to stand, shaking off the disorientation his fall had cost him, grateful none had attacked him while he recovered. His movement draws Enko's eye and the monk takes advantage of the opportunity. "Your thirst for violence only harms you," says Enko gravely, and uses the brief moment of opportunity to strike at the crossbowman with an outstretched hand--it almost looks like a reprimanding slap to observers, but carries great force. The Hellknight is rocked by the blow and reaches into a pouch with his free hand searching for something inside.

Hellknight4 still prone, and looking near unconciousness, also reaches into a pouch at his waist, eyes fearfully regarding the monk above him.

Hellknight8 Down

Janiven, seeing her captors distracted, pulls out a vial and quaffs it quickly, looking slightly better as she does so.

New Init:
AC
Enko
Jaiyana
Amon
Hellknight5
Corneleous
Hellknight2
Hellknight7
Hellknight6
Lucon
Tavi
Hellknight1
Hellknight3
Hellknight4
Hellknight8

On to Round 3!

did I get an attack there? It says I attacked but didn't see anything.

@Tavi, I swear no matter how many times I double check, I keep forgetting someone! Edited the round 2 post. You definitely hit him.

Ouch. That one stung. I could've sworn I posted, at least in the discussion thread, but I ran my first Skull & Shackles game last night so I was away from my keys for a good while.

Lucon's eyes glaze over, clutching his chest with his hand as blood pools around him. He takes a deep, shuddering breath in and out before falling unconcious.