DM Barcas - Kingmaker: New Beginnings (Inactive)

Game Master Isaac Duplechain

"Alright. Berrin braces his crossbow with his feet and haves it back, cocking it. Getting up he pulls his hood over his head and places one of the medalions so it's displayed prominentæy on his chest. Putting a bolt in the crossbow he rests it easely on his shoulder, loaded and ready. "Follow my lead." he says ducking down and heading off toward the camp on foot as quietly as he can in his bulky armor. Stealth 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (10) - 3 = 7

Shaking his head as Verik talks, Zander says, "I find it unlikely that hundreds of men could gather here without it being much more clear to us. We would see several campfires lighting their camp and they would most likely have patrols out that we would have encountered by now. Sneaking up to their group at night doesn't seem like a very feasible plan to me as none of us are particularly adept at sneaking, especially you."

"Oh yeah, I agree. Having a good idea of their numbers is---" Taisper stops and looks confused. "Wait I said that already didn't I? I'll just be quiet."

Seeing Berrin starting to move forward, Zander puts his hand on the big man's shoulder. "Wait. We need to agree on a plan before we rush forward. If you'll recall, that didn't work out too well for your health the last time."

Posted some tactics discussion in the OOC thread, let's figure this out before we head in.

There are multiple voices coming from the west, maybe half a dozen or so. The conversation seems dominated by a woman's voice, a husky purr with a tinge of malice in it. They sound relaxed and having a good time, if their laughter is any measure.

"Nevermind, by the sound of things we have a decent chance, let's go for it! Let's try to take a prisoner, nothing to stop us this time." Verik says making to follow Berrin.

As he moves forward his heart pounds in his breast and he finds himself queasily excited about the coming battle. To his surprise he feels no qualms about attacking a woman, she is surely as culpable as any of the men, maybe more so as she seems to have some measure of authority. But still striking out at the enemy while they laugh and joke is very different from fighting back against aggressors, but of course a lawman could not wait for a criminal to offend again before dealing out justice.

Tandlara was queit for the early parts of the journey, lost in watching the Stolen Lands, searchign for omens and indicators of strangeness, she stared off into space and watched the action of small animals often, on the second night she had gone a little into the forest, and slain a vole, disembowelling it to see if its intestines would give her any insight into this land. She however became resigned to finding strangeness in time.

She had listened to the party argue over death and morality, tell stories and share their experiences, all with a melancholy fascination. She was reserved about being too involved, it could hurt too much if she grew to like them.

Now though as battle plans are drawn up and discussed, she become involved and interested, listening raptly to everyone's opinion. She cast's mage armor on herself as they plan. Her defensive spell casts she offers to the strategy; 'It may help if I call mist among them aswell, if one of the attackers raises and lowers their fist twice, then points at a place, I will shroud it and 30 ft. around it with mist. It may be useful. Otherwise I will wait back with Zander, I'm sure he can keep me safe and you all covered with ease.' She smiles slightly, a counterpoint to the seriousness of the humans, before returning to an expression of concerned calm.

Taisper saunters after the rest of the group as quietly as he can in his raiments. The divine light of Abadar burns brightly in his heart as they approach the enemy encampment, and he wrapped it about his slim frame, a veritable Shield of Faith to protect him, its golden energy a barely visible nimbus. The Touch of Law was within him and Guidance kept his hands sure.

Taisper walks up to Berrin. "Hey Berrin I know you don't share my faith, but the axiomatic strength of the keeper can still benefit you, if you want. Here..." Taisper claps his hand on the man's shoulder, imbuing him with the perfect order and precision of The Vault.

Berrin, if you're willing to take it, Taisper will imbue you with Touch of Law. This means you can treat your first attack roll as an automatic 11, no roll needed.

Taisper hangs back a bit then, chanting very softly to himself in Celestial as he walks.
"I as Motwselcy
I as Fnayr
I as yrel Unteln ub yrel Jaohy
I as yrel Qnelviliuc ub iyl Xelelq
I as yrel ractl ub Yrel Xelelqeln"

Verik scowls at Taisper's spellcasting, did we have the element of surprise? But figuring the dye is cast chants his own spell bestowing the blessing of Abadar upon the group, before chanting again duplicating his cousins Shield of Faith spell on himself.

He tightens his grip on the haft of his morningstar until his knuckles are white and pushes down the flash of guilt over using his magic to shield himself rather than Berrin. If he goes down I can heal him, but if I go down he cannot heal me, stop feeling guilty and get, um, aggressive, you boob!

Cast Bless - +1 morality bonus to attack rolls and saves vs fear to everyone - and Shield of Faith on Verik for a +2 deflection bonus to AC.

Shrugging of Zanders hand Berrin continues striding forward through the brush, making an effort to stay silent but knowing he's not doing a good job at it.
At Taisper's offer he shakes his head, "Thats allright." and continues forth, waiting till he sees the bandits or is challanged.

Jemini follows suit, her shield at the ready and her sword in hand. She stays a bit behind the front line - hoping to respond to emerging situations. "Try to stay close together; we'll trust Tandlara and Zander to cope with outliers. Also, if opportunity presents itself, we should try to take down the leader quickly - we might be able to break their resolve before the tide of battle can turn against us."

She moves and uses a standard action each round to be in total defense, raising her AC to a more manageable 17

Recalling his earlier words on the topic of religion, Taisper lets Berrin be. "Oh, hey, I understand, no problem." He smiles and turns to Zander. "How about you, Zander? The Keeper can help your first arrow fly true."

Zander if you let Taisper imbue you with Touch Of Law, then your first shot will auto-hit AC18, I believe it is, between Verik's buff and your bonuses.

Not a follower of Abadar himself, Zander has no problem taking his boons, "That sounds fine to me," he says to Taisper.

Just checked the OOC thread. I'll take a Guidance if you want to cast that instead?

Noticing her light armor and defensive stance, Taisper walks over by Jemini, speaking softly and brandishing his holy key. "Jemini, here, let The Keeper defend you, as we all do work in his name, and in the name of all the forces of Light." The young inquisitor touches the noblewoman lightly on the shoulder, causing her to become surrounded by a nimbus of gold light, similar to what is around himself and Verik. He smiles at her, then -- his spellcasting done -- hefts his shield onto his left arm and wields his morningstar, prepared to fight.

Jemini, Taisper just cast Shield Of Faith on you. Obviously if you don't want it then he won't force the issue; he won't cast it. Your call. :-)

Not a follower of Abadar himself, Zander has no problem taking his boons, "That sounds fine to me," he says to Taisper.

Just checked the OOC thread. I'll take a Guidance if you want to cast that instead?

My intent is that I give you Touch of Law just before we attack and get into combat turns, so that your first arrow (first shot in round 1) gets the bonus. But I'll gladly use my daily of Guidance instead. I'll let you make the call, whichever you'd rather.

Verik rolls his eyes at, "and in the name of all the forces of the light." and mimes gagging to Berrin. Taisper was always so very melodramatic. At least it provides a welcome distraction from the anxiety he has pushed down into his nervously gurgling stomach.

While Taisper is casting another spell though... He chants again and protects himself against the chaos that is anathema to him and his god.

Casts Protection vs Chaos on himself.
Bed for me to, night all - time zones withstanding.

Ah okay. Well touch of law it is then!

Ah okay. Well touch of law it is then!

Consider it done!

As the expedition creeps closer to the enemy camp, they catch the tail end of the female bandit's story. "So there he is, begging me to at least spare his wife and daughter, while he clearly has no leverage. Happs and me already got everything he's got. He begs us, sayin', 'Mercy, please! I'll give you anything.' He's crying and snot's coming out everywhere. It's disgusting and hilarious. So Happs gets real close and whispers to him, 'Stupid bastard, what have you got to offer that we can't just take?' So I off the girls while Happs holds him in place. You should have seen him cry! After that, Happs kicks him to the ground and says, 'See? We can be merciful. We let you live!'" The bandits howl in laughter at the story.

Barely visible through the shrubs and trees, three male bandits and the female sit near a fire. Another one is idly fishing in the river, while two more bandits are standing atop some wooden watch posts. A wagon sits unused to the side while a few horses graze next to the river several dozen feet away.

INITIATIVE
21 Bandits
19 Zander
13 Taiser
12 Jemini
5 Berrin
4 Female Bandit Leader
3 Tandlara
2 Verik

Map

You get a surprise round (with a full-round action instead of the normal standard, since you're ambushing them). When you make your post, make sure to include (in spoiler or in OOC) your current AC, hp, and buffs, along with the round/initiative.

Surprise Round, Initiative 13
AC 21, HP 9/9
Buffs: +2 AC (1/10 Shield of Faith), +1 Strike (Guidance), +1 Strike (Bless), +1 Save vs. Fear (Bless)
So I don't hold things up since everyone else usually posts before me in the AM, here are my two possible actions, they depend on what Zander does.

In case I was unclear, the trees are obstacles that you have to go around, so Taisper can't run to S16 with the tree in the way. You can go through a shrub as difficult terrain.

With a 4x full-round run of 80ft. and a couple diagonal squares, Taisper can go around the shrubs and trees and get there, or mighty close. Or is there other difficult terrain/hampering conditions involved? Apologies if I missed 'em.

Basically, if Zander nukes the watchman, I just want to get as close to combat as I can in medium armor and taking a full-round run.

You can run as a full-round action. If you do, you do not also get a 5-foot step. When you run, you can move up to four times your speed in a straight line (or three times your speed if you're in heavy armor). You lose any Dexterity bonus to AC unless you have the Run feat.

You can make it to R19, for instance, by running through the brush.

Round 1, Initiative 19
AC 18; HP 12/12
BUFFS: touch of law, bless

Zander moves up around a stand of bushes and fires off an opening shot at the Bandit on the watchpost.

Attack: 11 + 7 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Feeling his bow leveled to its target seemingly with a mind of its own, his shot flies true and hits the man in the thigh.

Moving 30 feet to AB22, Zander fires his touch of law shot at the bandit in W16. My flavor text assumes a hit unless these bandits are super well armored or something.

Zander's arrow is followed by Taisper's in quick succession, striking the bandit on the watch post. He lets out a shout of pain as the arrows pierce into him.

The bandits have AC 13 (12 FF) and 9 hit points. The leader has 16 AC (14 FF) and 29 hit points. Everyone can adjudicate and describe their own attacks. The bandit at W16 has 3/9 hit points.

Jemini is next, followed by Berrin, Tandlara, and Verik. Then we are out of the surprise round.

I need to spend time in the office today; cannot say off-hand how much time I will have for posting, so here in advance:

Round 1, Initiative 2
AC 20; HP 9/9
Bonuses +2 AC (Shield of Faith), +1 to attacks and saves vs fear (Bless), Various Bonuses vs Chaotic Foes, etc. (Protection vs Chaos)

Verik rushes forward - finding himself the last to act again - moving just ahead of Jemini his sturdy legs and devotion to Abadar's aspect as a traveler allowing him to match the speed of most men despite his armored bulk. He ducks behind some bushes for cover, giving Jemini an comradely nod, and prepares for the violence to truly erupt.

Already he has seen one man loose his life, but he grits his teeth and steels himself to such thoughts determined to make a better showing in this battle than in his last.

Then for one odd moment he finds himself wondering if Virtue would be disappointed in him, I doubt it, they don't seem the kind to be animal lovers - well at least not in a good way. Stop worrying about that stupid horse you, you, burke!

Actions = Double move.

Round 1, init 5
AC 18, HP 15/15
Buffs: Bless.

Berrin quietly marches on, intent on finding the b%+!% who was shooting her mouth. Hearing the sentry cry out as Zander's and Taispar's arrows hit home he decides to hang on to his bolt, saving it for the woman.

Double move to X 23.

Suprise Round, Initiative 3
Hp: 7/7, AC 16
Spells Active: mage armor

Tandlara loosens the drawstrings on Riddleskin's pouch, and the rat pops its head out to watch it's mistress' back. She then begins to move forward, gripping her shortbow. Tandlara moves to Y24 and shoots at the bandit in W16 hoping to finish him off before he can call for help in a more obvious way than a scream.

I learned to use this weapon before the human's personal God died, but so help me I don't know if I could hit barn from inside. She raises the bow, glancing at the effectiveness of Taispar and Zander before breathing deeply, and taking aim, steady and for the chest. She pulls the bow to her, frankly unimpressive limit, then release the breath as she releases the arrow she lets fly a green fletched shot.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 1d6 ⇒ 2

Her shot however doesn't find its mark and lands with a thunk in the wood of the platform the bandit stands in.

She mutters a hissing swear in sylvan, that would redden the ear of even the most jaded doxy and drops her bow, fingers curling into claw-like shapes, and face twisting with fury, dark curses begin to fill her mind, and plan to hex and defame the bandits ahead become foremost in her mind.

REMINDER: Pump fist twice in air and point and Tandlara will cast obscuring mist as directed.

SRD wrote:

You can run as a full-round action. If you do, you do not also get a 5-foot step. When you run, you can move up to four times your speed in a straight line (or three times your speed if you're in heavy armor). You lose any Dexterity bonus to AC unless you have the Run feat.

You can make it to R19, for instance, by running through the brush.

*facepalm*

Round 2, Initiative 21

The bandits to shout in alarm as the attacks rain down upon them. They begin to stand and scatter, rushing for their weapons in utter chaos. The female leader shouts, "What the hell! Shoot them!"

Bandit (W13) Longbow to Zander1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Moves to W10

The bandit on the watch post takes a shot at Zander with his longbow, but is too distracted by the pain of being shot twice with arrows. He limps off the watch post in an attempt to escape.

One of the bandits near the fire pulls out a short sword and rushes towards the attacking expedition. He rounds a tree and ends up directly in front of Verik. One of his friends follows him, a few steps behind. Another follows while pulling out a bow and takes a position of relative cover behind a shrub. (Concealment vs Ranged) The one who was fishing rushes to the wagon and begins rooting around in it.

"Hello." Says Verrik, scowling at the bandit before him, "Do you repent your evil ways by any chance? If so drop your weapons and surrender now please."

Round 2, Initiative 19
AC 18; HP 12/12
Buffs: Bless

Not keen on the idea of the watchman escaping, Zander fires off another shot in his direction,

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

landing a mortal arrow right between his shoulderbldes and dropping him to the dirt. Zander quickly pivots around and fires at the bandit about to attack Verik.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The arrow zips over Verik's shoulder and hits the bandit just above the left clavicle. Drawing another arrow, Zander steps to the side to line up a better shot around the rotund Cleric.

Rapid Shot on the bandits at W10 and U22 and a 5-foot step to AB23.

Round 2, Initiative 13
AC 22, HP 9/9
Buffs: +3 AC (2/10 Shield of Faith, Judgment/Protection), +1 Strike (Bless), +1 Save vs. Fear (Bless)
Free Action: drop crossbow
Swift Action: Judgment/Protection
Full-Round Action: pick up shield and morningstar, ready shield
5' step to Y-26

Taisper grins and laughs as he calmly drops his crossbow to the ground. "Hahahaa! Great shooting, Zander! Man, you've gotta teach me some of that. Keeper's Keys!" Looking around at the situation on the ground, Taisper quickly reaches down and picks up his shield and morningstar, taking a couple seconds to settle the slab of metal on his arm and whisper a prayer of judgment as he does so:

"Xelelqeln ub yrel Jaohy
Qnuyelvy sel
Al cuf I as zuon ractl
Act cuf I lelct zuo luohl
Yu pel huvxelt afaz
Lvnelasicw."

Ready for melee, he steps to the side so he can see around his companions, and scans for a target.

Round 2, Initiative 12
AC 15; HP 12/12
Bonuses +2 AC (shield of faith), 1 Strike (Bless), +1 Save vs. Fear (Bless)

Jemini drops her guarded stance and steps in next to Verik 5ft to V23. Her slash is quick and efficient, in a minimalist way. Her blade slices through the soft belly of the bandit - who clearly was not expecting to run into steel this soon as he sinks to the ground with a vacant expression. "Verik! There's a second one coming! Just swing that morning star!"

Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

"Cobblehoof's Coinpurse!" Verik squeaks, eyes wide as Zander attempts to pierce his ear with an arrow, narrowly misses and takes the bandit instead. Before he can react further Jemini steps up and finishes the job, leaving the young cleric's banter disappointingly one sided.

The following might need to change depending upon Berrin's actions, but I'll post contingently as I'm off to bed.

Round 2 Initiative 2

Then with an inarticulate attempt at a growl - which comes out oddly strangled - Verik hurls himself forward charging over the corpse to the next bandit. He hurtles towards his foe and feeling a surge of adrenalin bats aside the man's blade with his shield and brings his upraised morningstar slamming down into the man's shoulder. The impact nearly jars the weapon from his hand but with a desperate effort he manages to jerk it free the spikes gashing his foes face as he does so.

Panting he nearly wretches at the sight of the gore, but manages to croak sickly, "Take that, you, you, vermin..."

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 231d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Charge bandit at +2 to hit -2 AC Bless +1. AC now 18.

Round 1, inti 5
AC 18, hp 15/15
Buffs: Bless

Seeing Verik and Jemini working well together holding the front Berrin cuts north to find the flank. Coming out by the river he sees the leader by the fire. "Hey! You! Care to try some begging of your own!" He shouts to her putting his crossbow to his shoulder and pulling the trigger. 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Grimancing as his bolt goes wild he drops the crossbow at his feet.

Round 2, Initiative 4

The leader gets off her place on the log next to the fire, yelling at the bandits to fight back. When Berrin misses her, she laughs her cruel laugh. "Get it up if you wanna stick it in!" She pulls out a pair of sharp-looking hand axes as she runs towards Berrin. She is behind a tree, clearly in her element and not quite visible to everyone else.

Tandlara's turn next.

Round 2, Init 3
hp 7/7, mage armor, AC 16

Tandlara steps forward arms weaving and snaking through the air, wicked words curl her tongue, as vile and deadly utterances find sound and take flight. She ends her growling curse pointing at the bandit woman, foisting a curse upon her, seeking to lead her blades astray.

Tandlara steps to Y22, and uses Evil Eye (DC 14) on the bandit leader to make her take -2 on attack rolls. 7 rounds if save fails, 1 otherewise.

Will save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

The bandit leader seems taken aback for a moment, then lets out a sharp laugh. "You need to get some, b%%%&!" Despite her bravado, she seems a momentarily off.

Round 3, Initiative 21

Bandit (N21) Longbow vs. Jemini 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Damage 1d8 ⇒ 3

From behind the protection of the shrubbery, the bandit fires at Jemini. The arrow flies through the brush and hits her in the left arm. It is a grazing shot, tearing a chunk of flesh out rather than penetrating deeply.

The bandit struck by Verik takes a step back and turns. He runs for his life towards the west.

Bandit (K2) Longbow vs. Berrin 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

From far away across the river, one of the lookouts fires a long shot towards Berrin. It arcs high and comes down on him, but glances off his armor without piercing him.

Bandit (M19) Longbow vs. Verik 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The one who was rummaging through the wagon apparently found his longbow. Running towards the fight, he takes a shot at Verik. Distracted by his fleeing ally, he misses completely.

Round 3, Initiative 19
AC 18; HP 12/12
Buffs: Bless

Stepping around the bushes, Zander's eyes narrow on the escaping bandit, but he switches his vision to another thug who is still a threat to himself and his friends. He fires off a couple of shots at the other bandit,

Attack:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Attack:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

his arrows hitting the man in the shoulder and then the throat, dropping him to the ground bleeding out of a pierced artery. In a businesslike fashion, Zander pulls out his next arrow to continue his bloody work.

5-foot step to AA24 and Rapid Shot at M19 bandit.

"Remind me not to get on your bad side!" Verik calls, trying to distract himself from his growing nausea with bravado.

Jemini chuckles despite herself at Verik's quip. Then, noticing the bandit leader through the thicket of the tree's branches, she points. "Get her!"

Round 3, Initiative 13
AC 22, HP 9/9
Buffs: +3 AC (3/10 Shield of Faith, Judgment/Protection), +1 Strike (Bless), +1 Save vs. Fear (Bless)
Full-Round Action: 4x Run to N26

Seeing Verik's erstwhile opponent take off running for his life, meaning there's one less immediate threat, Taisper himself starts off at a loping run to draw the attention of the other bandit behind the shrub in the hopes his cousin can sneak up on him. As he runs by Verik, Taisper makes a gesture he hopes translates to "sneak around the shrub and cave that bandit's skull in," though in retrospect it might also be possible to interpret it as "fish swim in rivers, I have indigestion again."

"Ha! Hey Verik, I told you you were scary in a fight! Look at that guy run!" Coming into view of the bowman in the bushes, Taisper pulls up short and changes directions, preparing to charge.

"They aren't very good a repartee that's all I know." Verik calls back his voice ringing with false cheer. He instinctively understands Taisper's gesture that he will take care of that bandit and leaves him in his cousin's capable hands.

He sets his sights on the bandit's b@*%# leader, but waits to see what her next move is before making any plans.

Round 3, Initiative 12
HP 9/12; AC 15 (20 vs bandit leader), bless active

Stepping over the fallen bandit and brushing along the tree Jemini rushes to where the bandit princess is U18 with the least amount of subtlety she can must she shouts "Berrin! Come! We'll do to her as we did the other guy!" - as she comes up to see the full menace of the woman she growls - "Your deeds are rapidly catching up with you. Feel the wrath of the gods!" Smite, vs the bandit leader

Attack 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 1 + 5 = 24 damage 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Round 3, initiative 5
AC 18, HP 15/15, Bless

"Coming princess." Berrin says with a cold smile on his lips. Drawing his sword as he closes the gap with the female bandit W 18, "I'd like to hear her grovel a bit first though. Maybee feel a bit like the Leventons." he says the last in a grunt as he swings his longsword in a double handed swipe. 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 29, Crit confirmation 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 25 Thats confirmed *grin*, 2d8 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 6) + 6 + 6 = 21 His sword connects solidly, despite her efforts to deflect his blow, tearing through her armor and opening up a large gash down her torso, breaking bones and rupturing organs.

WOOT! Bandit Leader at 2/29 hp ;)

Round 3 Initiative 2
AC 20, HP 9/9

Seeing that the bandit leader is well in hand, and to his surprise finding himself curiously disappointed, Verik heads towards Taisper and swings at the bandit.

But the man twists into the young priest's morningstar meeting it before it has gotten full momentum and absorbing the lessened impact on his armor.

"Argh, stay still you, you, bum faced goon!" Verik snaps, reddening slightly as he replays his words in his own head.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 121d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Round 3, Initiative 3

Tandlara smiles viciously as she comes around the tree, seeing Jemini and Berrin deftly wound the bandit woman, she raises her hands, bright green runes flickering into existence and orbitting her wrist for a few seconds as she mutters arcane words of power, and spits them at the bandit woman, hoping to steal her efficacy and cloud her mind.

Daze on the bandit 'princess'. It'll be after her reaction to Berrin and Jemini, though at least she her counterattack would have a -2 from evil eye. I can't imagine she's gonna survive to her dazed turn, but I think Tandlara would find it fitting to numb her mind, so she dies helpless. Some contrdictory hybrid of mercy and sadism.

Bandit Queen Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 vs. DC 14

The bandit queen however seems to throw off the elf witch's magical assaault with but a shake of her head, her wounds are far more pressing than the seductive numbness of Tandlara's spell.