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Caught by surprise as the group turns the corner, Dora begins to inspire the group with songs of battle and bravery as she moves up on the back of her faithful canine. Kulik calls on divine power that both infuses his allies with power and confidence, but also seems to hinder all of the apemen as well, just as Rathen, in the blink of an eye both arms himself and drops into a defensive posture, shaking his head as Frag, well, is Frag, rushes into danger without any concern for defense.
ROUND 1 (Inspire +2 Att/Dam, Prayer +1/-1 to all checks)
Dora (), Rusty (), Jaggar (), Begus (-9)
Kulik (-9), Rathen (-17), and Frag ()
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Grey (), Brown (), Purple (), Green ()
Orange (), Yellow (), Blue (), and Pink ()
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Dora, Jaggar, and Begus all move in closer, and suddenly a cloud of sparkling flakes fills the air around some of the attackers, with half of them suddenly stumbling about as if unable to see.
Jaggar moves in, but finds it unwise to advance any further once Dora's cloud pops into existence.
Begus, however, doesn't have that issue, as his own magic further boosts the party without him needing to get too close.
ROUND 1 (Inspire +2 Att/Dam, Prayer +1/-1 to all checks, Haste)
Dora (), Rusty (), Jaggar (), Begus (-9)
Kulik (-9), Rathen (-17), and Frag ()
-
Grey (), Brown (), Purple (Blind, ), Green ()
Orange (Blind, ), Yellow (), Blue (), and Pink ()
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KULIK begins loosing his arrows !
Summary —
Manyshot = 38 to hit for 64 points (add 14 holy if evil)
Rapid Shot = 28 to hit for 37 points (add 8 holy if evil)
iterative = 18 to hit for 38 points (add 9 holy if evil)
haste = 39 to hit for 38 points (add 3 holy if evil)
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All but one of Kulik's hail of arrows lands, with the first three putting one of the ape's down on the spot while the last lodges itself in another's shoulder, but is not lethal. Frag begins making his way up the side to get in between the gang, and as he does, two of the ape men reach down and sink their sharp teeth into him, but he is able to shrug it off as if nothing.
He then swings his own weapon with ease, savagely injuring one of the random foes. As Frag makes his way up, he can see that they have a small assortment of javelins up top that they can arm themselves with, but also large makeshift spiked clubs, literally tree trucks with a few nails sticking out of them.
ROUND 1 (Inspire +2 Att/Dam, Prayer +1/-1 to all checks, Haste)
Dora (), Rusty (), Jaggar (), Begus (-9)
Kulik (-9), Rathen (-17), and Frag ()
-
Grey (), Brown (), Purple (Blind, ), Green ()
Orange (Blind, -65), Yellow (), and Blue (-39)
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Caught by surprise as the group turns the corner, Dora begins to inspire the group with songs of battle and bravery as she moves up on the back of her faithful canine. Kulik calls on divine power that both infuses his allies with power and confidence, but also seems to hinder all of the apemen as well, just as Rathen, in the blink of an eye both arms himself and drops into a defensive posture, shaking his head as Frag, well, is Frag, rushes into danger without any concern for defense.
Jaggar moves in, stabbing at one of the ape people atop the ledge and drawing blood. Begus, calls on his own magic to further boosts the party without him needing to get too close, and suddenly the party's perception of the world around them seems to suddenly slow, while they themselves move at normal speed.
All but one of Kulik's hail of arrows lands, with the first three putting one of the ape's down on the spot while the last lodges itself in another's shoulder, but is not lethal. Frag begins making his way up the side to get in between the gang, and as he does, two of the ape men reach down and sink their sharp teeth into him, but he is able to shrug it off as if nothing.
He then swings his own weapon with ease, savagely injuring one of the random foes. As Frag makes his way up, he can see that they have a small assortment of javelins up top that they can arm themselves with, but also large makeshift spiked clubs, literally tree trucks with a few nails sticking out of them.
Rathen moves up, and at first has some difficulty, but then begins to hover just off the ground.
Suddenly each of the apes grab their large clubs, with some of them leaping down to engage the party on the ground below, and some remaining higher to deal with those who have taken the fight to them.
Grey leaps down, ignoring Jaggar's leveled weapon and moves towards the mage. Brown and Purple remain standing, swinging wildly around themselves, but not close to anyone, and Purple is able to wipe the glitter from it's eyes.
Both Green and Orange, offended by Frag's audacity at attempting to climb up like a monkey, hurl their spiked logs at the Barbarian, .
The spiked log slams into Frag's chest, and hard. Much harder than he would have expected from the ape, and as it does, suddenly the gang bursts into a frenzy of shrieking and hollering, their blood growing heated, not unlike the same powers that Frag himself calls on to channel his rage into greatness. The log, while not terribly painful, (it doesn't feel good either), causes Frag to loose his footing, and suddenly the barbarian is knocked from the trail, landing very hard in the bramble pits below. Frag, at first confused, begins to rise, only to find that the thorns are rapped all about him, holding him down.
Lastly, both Yellow and Blue leap down, , with one going after Jaggar and the other running towards the rest of the group to the south.
ROUND 2 (Inspire +2 Att/Dam, Prayer +1/-1 to all checks, Haste)
Dora (), Rusty (), Jaggar (), Begus (-9)
Kulik (-9), Rathen (-17), and Frag (-31)
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Grey (-28), Brown (Blind, ), Purple ( ), Green ()
Orange (-65), Yellow (), and Blue (-39)
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Dora continues her battlechant, calling out tactics to the group. She guides Rusty a bit forward as she tries to train her bow on the upper apes.
Hold fast! Hit them when they reach. Watch that close fire. Frag, are you doing ok?
She aims at one of the upper, injured apes...preferably not in melee.
Dora
for
Dora
for
Dora
for
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Dora levels her bow at the apes still up top, sinking two arrows into one that had just knock Frag down the ravine, and killing him, and then sending a third arrow at the other. It wounds him, but not severely.
ROUND 2 (Inspire +2 Att/Dam, Prayer +1/-1 to all checks, Haste)
Dora (), Rusty (), Jaggar (), Begus (-9)
Kulik (-9), Rathen (-17), and Frag (-31)
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Grey (-28), Brown (Blind, ), Purple ( ), Green (-13)
Yellow (), and Blue (-39)
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Begus calls on a minor Magic Missile-like effect, sending a single ball of energy at the nearest enemy, meant more to distract than be effective. Kulik sends a few arrows towards another, causing to clutch it's chest and then slowly fall down the ravine to join Frag. Rathen finishses the last one, and then the team sends a rope down to help Frag out, with Julivar administering to some of your wounds.
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The outer doors open onto a large irregular chamber that has been fastidiously cleaned. Every bit of debris and dust has been removed, and the stone floor has been buffed to a dull shine. Two pallets of dried grass lie in the center of the room, each with a smooth, flat stone for a pillow.
Sitting up against the far wall you walk in on a very odd sight. A type of Ogre from far off lands, they are referred to as Ogre Mages locally, but rumors from the lands of Tien refer to them as Oni, a type of demon or perhaps evil spirit of some sort. Oddly, neither is actually armed with any weapon, not that they need them, but typically their kind are known for their larger eastern style swords. As you approach, they are conversing in their native Tien:
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Both of the Ogres notice you as you approach and discuss, leaping to their feet and shouting something at you in their native Tian, before switching to common, "Stop right there! Who are you and what are you doing here?"
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"They may be weird ogres with magiks but they act like regular ogres sometimes. I seen that body language before amongst their dumber 'cousins'... these ones are bored and itching for something to do, either a fight or some other sort of entertainment... be wary." Jaggar whispers to the others before the group gets too close.
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Assuming her team is developing a more robust plan, Dora begins a zippy tune to try and distract (Fascinate) the two giants from paying too much attention.
Over in Killarney
Many years ago,
Me Mither sang a song to me
In tones so sweet and low.
Just a simple little ditty,
In her good ould Irish way,
And l'd give the world if she could sing
That song to me this day.
"Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that's an Irish lullaby."
Oft in dreams I wander
To that cot again,
I feel her arms a-huggin' me
As when she held me then.
And I hear her voice a -hummin'
To me as in days of yore,
When she used to rock me fast asleep
Outside the cabin door.
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After hearing Dora's song, the pair seem much more inclined to speak with you than fight, and after speaking with them a short while, you manage to convince them to seek their fortune and glory by plying their trade against your some of your enemies in the city, the Aspis Consortium.
They accept your offer, with a few bluffs about how rich and weak the Consortium is, and allow you to pass as they themselves leave the cave, with a brief warning, "Be mindful, for all is not as it seems beyond those doors."
The tunnel descends into a puddle of muck that extends around the corner. The mud slick ends in an oddly shaped chamber. Three side rooms extend from a central sitting area holding a crudely cobbled together table and chairs. The mud pool and entry corridor occupy one of these side chambers. Opposite these is an exit corridor. On one side is a room stacked with bags and casks of supplies, and freshly dressed game hanging from hooks on the wall. On the other side, the third chamber holds a number of bedrolls and bundles of personal possessions.
The corridor turns abruptly to the south here, next to a shallow alcove to the north. A large marble statue of stunning design stands in the alcove, depicting a female Azlanti warrior poised with spear raised. Rarely are such works of art found, and even more rarely in such pristine condition.
Standing before you are 5 amphibian humanoids, similar to Grippli, but larger and a single Charau-ka wearing crocodile hide armor and carries a club fashioned from a gnarled tree root. Hanging from his neck is the unholy symbol of Lamashtu. Surprised that such weak creatures such as yourself have managed to get inside their hideout, the Priest orders his slaves to attack.
......
ROUND 1
Jaggar ()
Purple Boggard (), Blue Boggard (), Black Boggard (),
Yellow Boggard (), and Orange Boggard ()
Kulik (), Begus (), Rathen ()
Red Charau-ka ()
Dora (), Rusty (), and Frag ()
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Dropping what appears tob e a potion vile into the muck, the Boggards begin to advance, staying back just enough to be out of reach with their morningstars, but the closest four each shoot a lightning fast tongue at Jaggar, and while not harmful, it could very well lock him in place as it sticks, rather strongly to his armor and flesh. Jaggar manages to thrust his Glaive at one of them, drawing blood, but not killing it. Only one of them misses, and suddenly Jaggar finds that, lest he break free, , he can not move from his position, and finds it difficult to defend himself.
The last, too far away to attack with it's tongue, instead steps closer, draws a Javelin, and flings it at Frag.
ROUND 1
Jaggar ()
Purple Boggard (-32), Blue Boggard (), Black Boggard (),
Yellow Boggard (), and Orange Boggard ()
Kulik (), Begus (), Rathen ()
Red Charau-ka ()
Dora (), Rusty (), and Frag (-2)