Laori slides over to Nikolay from Briar. "I like this one - you've got guts." she says coquettishly smiling at Briar all the while.
"You can smile at that one all day, but I bet he'd still rather spend time fondling a magical rod instead of you. He's not a bad guy, but I suspect that doesn't actually score any points with you."
I still don't see a clear mandate on splitting the party. Most of you do seem to want to investigate first, but I only see two voices on the split the party discussion - on either side of the argument.
I'll make a heavy handed GM call after coffee. :)
Barael will consent to a 'pseudo-splitting' of the party, meaning groups fracturing for the appearance of smaller numbers, but tethered by sightlines or telepathic soundings from the pseudodragon.
As Charlie mentioned not splitting up, Fondo game the codger his patented 'you worry too much' pat on the shoulder and said, "Do not worry yourself so much, Uncle. The people here are our friends, hard though the times may be for them. And we've skill at arms to make the Hell Knights themselves tremble. Still, let us stay within a few blocks of each other, with Majenko keeping us in his thoughts."
]All we've done, and still these two worry so. Ah well. Courage is hard won.
He glances as his Harrow deck to see his personal card for the day.
Or perhaps their fears are just. He puts on a brave face.
Dandi lets out a sigh of relief to have Barael's chin slightly less rat looking. "There now, that's not so bad, is it?'
She flashes a pained smile at the "compliment".
She tosses a glance behind them to where Uncle Briar woos the Wanton behind them.
Barael will consent to a 'pseudo-splitting' of the party, meaning groups fracturing for the appearance of smaller numbers, but tethered by sightlines or telepathic soundings from the pseudodragon.
Dandi would be good with this as well.
"I think it was a fair trade, aye. Might need me a straight razor from Saul when things quiet down." The flash of smile across Dandi's face looks quite normal through the lake of tears. "That hair, it felt like it was pretty deeply rooted, and quite sensitive to being pulled."
The strain is obvious on Barael's face as he now tries to understand what's being said in the elusive tongue. The elf nice? And she doesn't understand him either. That makes a lot of sense, it does. Terrible, grumpy, funny... she's talking about Long-Lived again. Alright, I've got this. More practice is what I need.
He visibly eases as she transitions into the more familiar language.
Briar continues to woo Laori from behind (IYKWIM), away from the party.
"Riverport?! You were raised by not-elves?! Oh you poor dear! No wonder you're on the path you're on! You must know so little of your heritage...of your people!" Briar condescends without meaning to, but tries to undo the damage. "I just assumed that one as majestic as you surely had some proper Elven guidance. I say, it's amazing what you've become without proper elven teaching."
Briar keeps talking and walking.
"Well, no matter what you didn't know then...you're here now with me, another Elf and I shall be happy to instruct you in the ways of our kind, if you'd wish it. In fact, I rather think you could teach me a few things as well?"
Pseudo-splitting won't get you two rolls. As I see Gather Information it is wandering from place to place following up leads ('so and so said...' so you go look for so and so, etc.) and more or less random. You can't do that and stay within line of effect of Majenko in any reasonable way.
So I've got the party split up, a few blocks from each other, wandering around asking folks questions. I am giving a bonus to your gather information roll - and a reduction in the time it takes as you sort of have two teams asking questions.
Who are some of the Swastel's more local lieutenants?
You have a bit of difficulty finding folks to talk to. Most people are in hiding to one degree or another. Many of the people you do encounter have the Blood Veil. Seems they're left alone, so they can wander the streets in safety.
You also find you're not recognized. Seems word of your good deed has not travelled here, in fact neither has the healing draught you created from the look of it. Nor has any supplies. These people are truly cut off...
It still takes three hours (putting you into early afternoon), but you do learn a few names. Jabbyr, a Gnome, is his right hand man. He's a little guy and a Barbarian, but apparently packs quite a punch with his favorite weapon - a greataxe. Others include Reyerrod and Banrila, leaders of his thug-squads who go out and bring folks to the Emperor. You get decent descriptions of all three.
As the party travels along however, a band of thugs fades in from the shadows of a bit of road you're travelling down and challenge you. "Halt in the name of the Emporer. Lay down your weapons and come with us immediately! You will not be warned a second time!"
...presuming (a bit) that you don't lay down your weapons and comply...
Barael
Briar
Charlie
Dandilion
Fondo
Nikolay
Majenko
Good Guys
"Stand down! We bring information for the Emperor, and the Emperor alone. Quite valuable, his ears only. If he were to learn you stopped us from getting it to him, I'd say you'll find yourselves begging his mercies."
Round 1, Init 22
Briar looks at the imminent skirmish and smiles at Laori.
"Oh look! My Varisians have found a nest of angry bees! If you think they are interesting when you try to talk to them, you should see how they fight. That's one thing they do surprisingly well for non-elves."
Briar grabs Laori's hand and dashes forward (double move, delaying for her as necessary, stopping at the back edge of the map).
Fondo does his best to respond to the thugs in a friendly manner. Naturally, he does not surrender his arms. "A peaceful audience with the Emperor, you say? Happily, though we'll hold on to these. What's your name, friend?" He neither draws nor moves to surrender his weapons.
He readies an action to defensively disarm any thug that advances on him (provoking an attack of opportunity).
AC 24 (17 touch, 19 flat) (10 +4 dex +5 mithral shirt +1 ring +2 nat armor +2 expertise)
CMB +11 CMD 26 (10 +7 bab +4 dex +2 str +1 ring +2 expertise)
HP = 59/59
Weapon equipped None
Shield equipped None
Bardic performance used 0 of 11 rounds
Inspired command used 0 of 9 rounds
Spells used 1st: 0 of 4
Challenge Ready
Tactician Ready
Round 1, Init 15
AC = 23, Combat Expertise
HP =67/67
Weapon Equipped = Unarmed at present
Condition(s) = Miffed
Barael delays, then tumbles into flank, should these hooligans attempt to advance on he and Brov.
Not liking the odds, Barael Vanishes.
Barael - you can't delay AND do a full round action. I'll presume you're on the offensive and do not wait unless you advise otherwise. :)
Barael hits the wall, draws Black Tooth, and closes with flat-footed T4 , and makes his attack
Oh and to be clear, I meant to say ready not delay. You can totally delay as Barael and I discussed OOC.
Charlie will take the double move to get into combat.
Round 1, Init 5
Nikolay will double move to combat, but I think the "good guys" get to go first.
Briar rushes up to the combat holding Laori's hand. Laori hesitates, seemingly wanting to contribute to the fight, but she goes along with Briar and just double moves this round. [b]Dandilion rushes in. Barael blows Fondo's attempt at diplomacy but strikes one of the opponents very hard. Majenko flies down to join Briar and begins his dance (+2 attacks/damage/saves vs fear). Fondo disarms T1 of his battle-ax. He draws a hand axe (one of several at his belt) instead and presses his attack a little less effectively.
"You will yield!" The thugs close in on the party and overconfidently attack. They're not as tough as some opponents the party has recently faced, but they do seem determined.
Next up Nikolay and Charlie rush in and we're back to the top of the order with Briar going first.
--Round 1--
Nikolay - 5 rush in
Charlie - 2 rush in
--Round 2--
Briar - 22
Laori - 21
Dandilion - 17
Barael - 15
Majenko - 12
Fondo (-10hp) - 11+
Good Guys - 11
T4 (-22hp) - 11
Round 2, Init 17
Briar 5' steps to E2 and fires thrice at T3.
to hit; (PBS, Bard, Rapid)
magic damage; (PBS, magic, Bard)
to hit; (PBS, Bard, Rapid)
magic damage; (PBS, magic, Bard)
to hit; (PBS, Bard)
magic damage; (PBS, magic, Bard)
Potential Crit:
to hit; (PBS, Bard)
more damage; (PBS, magic, Bard)
Briar blows on his fingers and nods at Laori.
Chicks dig elves with bows.
Round 1, Init 17
"You there, at the corner(T1)! You stand too tall! *FALL*" she demonstrates with her hand and puts the force of her patron behind the command(DC 14, Will).
Round 2, Init 15
AC = 23, Combat Expertise
HP = 67/67
Weapon Equipped = Black Tooth
Condition(s) = Inspired
Barael breathes a little easier, recognizing the lesser blows of these untrained brutes. He stands his ground, and attempts to lay into T4 until he's no longer breathing.
Barael keeps intimate conversation with his huddle. "Didn't know you were going to die today, did ya? You wanna stand down now, let my brov talk a piece, or shall we keep slicing and dicing?"
edit:
Fondo frowns, his attempts to keep the peace with his fellow Korvosans once again defeated by his bloodthirsty friends. It is almost as though we're in a story whose author sees desperate people as mindless brutes.
He shouts at Barael. "Brov, you fool, try not to kill them. They're as desperate as we are. Might be their families could use the cure we devised, too." He steps towards Barael, flicks his sap into his wrist, and attempts to knock T5 down.
"Killing you lot is not why we're here. We want to help you and your families, unlike your Emperor. My friends, show them mercy."
AC 22 (15 touch, 18 flat) (10 +4 dex +5 mithral shirt +1 ring +2 nat armor)
CMB +11 CMD 24 (10 +7 bab +4 dex +2 str +1 ring)
HP = 49/59
Weapon equipped Sap
Shield equipped none
Bardic performance used 0 of 11 rounds
Inspired command used 0 of 9 rounds
Spells used 1st: 0 of 4
Challenge Ready
Tactician Ready
"Good blow, Brov! May be we have to show them a little of their own blood, enough to get 'em to stop seeing red. Surely they're not fanatics, right?"
"You're thinking like Ileosa, Brov. The Veil's bloodied us all enough. Folk need what they don't got: mercy."
The opposition is generally robust (they wouldn't have picked weaklings for their brute squad), but otherwise from a cross section of the populace. At least one of them has the obvious signs of a past brush with the Veil. That's at a quick glance though.
Nikolay runs up. Charlie charges in. Fondo saps T5 hard. Briar lands three shots to impress his lady friend and drops T3. Laori moves up and attacks T1 with her spiked chain but misses. Dandilion tries to drop T1 prone and does! Barael chats with the enemy while dropping one and wounding another. Majenko continues to dance though he moves to Fondo's shoulder and attacks T5 as well trying to finish him off.
vs DC 14 or fall prone
vs DC 14 or fall asleep
The opposition moves around the party a little and tries to close ranks on the front two. One calls out, "Oh, I see you've brought your friends to help. It won't do you any good!" It seems clear though that at least some of his exclamation is just heat of the moment bluster as two of them have died in the street. They may not be tough - but they are dedicated and apparently loyal.
Though not a resounding success, two do manage to connect in flank for more damage than you expected. Clearly there are thieves among them!
--Round 2--
Nikolay - 5
Charlie - 2
--Round 3--
Briar - 22
Laori - 21
Dandilion - 17
Barael (-18hp) - 15
Majenko - 12
Fondo (-25hp) - 11+
Good Guys - 11
T3 (-41hp) - 11 bleeds out and dies
T4 (-42hp) - 11 dead
T5 (-20nl -8hp) - 11
T7 (-17hp) - 11
Round 3, Init 15
AC = 21
HP = 49/67
Weapon Equipped = Black Tooth
Condition(s) = Inspired
Barael takes his cue from the thugs' gift of pain to fuel his next actions, almost drowning out Fondo's missive to sap them silly.
He tumbles backwards , taking the flank that Fondo provides.
The wrist sheath springs the sap into his hand.
"I'm less sure now, Brov. They've got the Ache about them, they do. These aren't just desperate men here. They've allied themselves with Swastal so tight, they won't see reason. Even when that reason is staring them in the face, to talk cure of the Veil."
Round 2, Init 5
Status
Init +2; Senses Perception +2
Speed 20 ft. (+1 Breastplate)
--------------------
AC 21, touch 14, flat-footed 19 (+7 armor, +2 Dex, +2 Ring Deflection)
Shield spell AC25, touch 14, flat-footed 23
hp 59 (6d8+12)
Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +6
--------------------
3 (3/day) []Burst of Speed, []Fly, []Haste
2 (5/day) []Frigid Touch, []Glitterdust, []Invisibility, []Mirror Image, []Spider Climb
1 (5/day) []Burning Hands (DC 14), []Shield, []Shocking Grasp, []True Strike, []Vanish
0 (5/at will) Detect Magic, Disrupt Undead, Light, Read Magic, Light
--------------------
Arcane Pool (+2 per point spent, 8/day) 8/8 remaining
Empowered Magic (1/day) 1/1 remaining
Black blade's arcane pool 2/2 remaining
Wand of Magic missiles (23 charges remaining)
Pearl of Power (1st) - Not used today
Harrow points 5
"Fondo, look out! Barrael! Duck!"
Nikolay shouts assistance a bit too late as he rushes up. He takes the flank opportunity with Barrael before he moves.
(BAB +6, STR +4, Black blade +2, Weapon Focus +1, -2 Power Attack, +2 flank, +2 Majenko)
(+6 STR, +2 Magic, +6 Power Attack, +2 Majenko)
Round 3, Init 22
Briar rolls his eyes as the Varisian begs for mercy upon those who are trying to kill them.
I don't think I understand this yet.
However, Briar relents, trying to keep nice in front of Laori.
Firing at T7, then T5...all nonlethal blunt arrows
to hit; (PBS, Bard, Rapid, Blunt)
nonlethal magic damage; (PBS, magic, Bard)
to hit; (PBS, Bard, Rapid, Blunt)
nonlethal magic damage; (PBS, magic, Bard)
to hit; (PBS, Bard, Rapid, Blunt)
nonlethal magic damage; (PBS, magic, Bard)
Potential Crits:
to hit; (PBS, Bard, Rapid, Blunt)
additional nonlethal magic damage; (PBS, magic, Bard)
to hit; (PBS, Bard, Rapid, Blunt)
additional nonlethal magic damage; (PBS, magic, Bard)
Round 3, Init 11+
Fondo looks to Nikolay with incredulity. Why is he trying to take my space here? Why have I surrounded myself with murderous louts? No grace here. Just blood. He shrugs. To discuss after this... He swings out with his truncheon .
AC 22 (15 touch, 19 flat) (10 +4 dex +5 mithral shirt +1 ring +2 nat armor)
CMB +11 CMD 24 (10 +7 bab +4 dex +2 str +1 ring)
HP = 34/59
Weapon equipped Sap
Shield equipped none
Bardic performance used 0 of 11 rounds
Inspired command used 0 of 9 rounds
Spells used 1st: 0 of 4
Challenge Ready
Tactician Ready
"Nikolay, your blade has a flat edge. You could use some practice with it."
"Why? Do you think these to be misbehaving boys that need their bottoms swatted?"
Nikolay turns the sharp edge of his sword to his next opponent.
"Hard to say. Never had a chance to ask."
Round 3, Init 2 {E02-->E04}
Charlie will move to E04 and shoot a ray of enfeeblement at T6
AC 14 studded leather +1
CMD 14
HP = 31/31
Holy Water Vials: 10
If anyone is poisoned or diseased Charlie will attempt a heal check (13)
The spells/day listed will include the casting (if any) that I made this round
Orisons DC:15 (Create Water, Guidance, Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Stabilize, Mage Hand, Read Magic, Ghost Sound)
First Level: DC:16 (6/7 per day) (Doom, Obscuring Mist, Ray of enfeeblement, Remove Fear, Cure Light, Protection from Evil)
Second Level: DC:17 (7/7 per day) (Hold Person, Lesser Restoration, Sound Burst, Cure Moderate)
Third Level: DC:18 (6/6 per day) (Prayer, Remove Disease, Cure Serious, Dispel Magic)
Fourth Level: DC:19 (Minor Globe of Invulnerability, Holy Smite, Cure Critical Wounds)
Oracle Revelation: Eldritch Bolt 8/8 times per day. 1d8+4 dam
summon elemental: once per day 5/5 rounds per day ring: 5/5 rnds
Sociable Trait4/4 rounds per day
wand CSW 36/37
Rod of Reach 3/3 per day
Weapon equipped = Biting wit (and a MW dagger)
Shield equipped =OMG please don't hurt me
And like that, the route has begun with Briar taking out two targets (the wounded T5 and another fresh target T7 having already been dropped by Nikolay). Fondo drops another and Barael, without a flank, merely wounds his target. Laori makes a coup de grace attack on the down and unconscious T1 with relish and a song on her lips. She winks at Fondo as she does so. She does not make a move to attack anyone else however - her blood lust apparently stated with the one blow. The remaining still lively thug (T2 for those keeping score) flees the battlefield.
T1, T3, and T4 lie dead at the end of the round. T5 and T6 are sleeping off headaches and T7 is bleeding out though you'll have time to stabilize him if you wish (and I presume you do).
The street, so recently full of the noises of battle, is quiet.
Dandilion detects a number of thoughts. After a few rounds she whittles it down to the party, the still living downed thugs, and a few scared locals peering through nearby windows at the carnage. Focusing on the unconscious enemies you'll get a hodgepodge of thoughts mostly to do with pain avoidance and the desire to be in nice warm beds away from all this.
Barael spends his time dragging the dead bodies to the side of the road, propping them up in positions of slumber. Wouldn't do, having children seeing this carnage strewn about.
He calls over to the others while he huffs and puffs. "You think we have enough time to talk to the vanquished? That last one took off awfully fast. Guess it's a matter of time before we have more guests." Barael looks over the street, eying the walls, places where he can avoid arrow fire from a distance.
As the foes fall, Briar smiles.
Damn. I'm going to be swatting Laori off me tonight.
Briar lets others who care tend to the injuries of the Varisians and instead keeps a look out for more target practice.
"Now what, Nikolay?"
Dandi concentrates, looking for any mental strand that may lead to the Emperor.
You won't get anything of note while they're unconscious. They don't have any surface thoughts right now - except dreams of fighting people with pillows instead of swords and bows.
Also, just to be clear, you know where the Emperor is located (at least). But if you're looking for information about the Emperor, you'll need to wake them up and question them. Get them thinking.
Barael finishes moving the bodies out of the road. Hearing Briar's call to Nikolay, Barael reviews the party members, and their attentiveness to the discussion, and finds Dandi lacking.
Well, shouldn't be surprised. Happens often enough.
Barael walks up alongside Dandi, trying to see how her head is angled, her eyes closed in concentration. "I think we were justified, bringing down those three. Don't concern yourself too much."
Maybe the spider's talking to her. Best not interrupt then. Don't mourn too long.
Barael trots over to Fondo. "Alrighty, Brov. What's the plan? How are we gonna deal with the next band of brawlers coming at us?"
"hmmm? I'm seeking a fiber twisting to a thread, something bright and shiny to follow back to his nest."" She speaks, but doesn't open her eyes, though she does reach out, catching empty air as Barael skitters off after someone else.
Briar takes the wand of CLW from Charlie and hits a few of the brigands.
You wake one of them up... "oh my head..." Dandilion gets an echo a second or so before he speaks of the same thing and the sense of a pounding head a brief glimmer of a hangover when he last had this much throbbing.
"Ey, ey, ey, hold up a second there, Wand-or-Lust." Barael manacles one of the groggies.
"That wasn't very nice of you, to greet visitors that way. Can you ask what you want nicely now? And answer our questions as well?" Dandi asks, her speech ever so slightly off as she focuses at something just beyond his ear.
The still groggy man tries to stand and shudders weakly to his feet. He tries to stabilize himself with his hands but the manacles make it tough and he sways a little from side to side.
He turns to Dandilion and speaks out confused a little, "You're to come with us to see the Emperor and I'm to collect your weapons." You get the name 'Pilts Swastel' through your spell as he talks of the Emperor and an image of his personage in all his, well, glory. You also 'see' him collecting your weapons in his mind.
Dandi nods, her eyes still glazed as she considers both the verbal and the mental ahhh information.
"Hmmm.... well, it appears some of you may not be up to the task. Perhaps you should just tell us how to get there instead, and we can give them to "his Majesty" in person. I promise to say only the best things about your dedication and loyalty" She edges a half step in one direction, testing the strands, as it were....