The wheels creak ever onwards. You half open your eyes as you drift in and out of consciousness in a hazy state, only to have the world drift back out of focus as the cart you are imprisoned in and the caravan that it is part of make its rounds of the plains, gathering slaves to bring back to Vel Daeroth, the home of the dragons, from which they rule the known world.
Occasionally the door of the cage is opened by the guards and another poor soul is thrown in. Twice a day the guards bang on the cage and throw paltry food to you and barely enough water to sustain you in the heat of the summer days. They pay little attention to you and the captives in the three other carts of the caravan except to occasionally jeer at you in draconic and torment you when the fancy strikes them. Occaionally a true dragon flies overhead, patrolling the skies, its shadow falling across you as you lie restrained in the cart.
The tall, blond, pale skinned girl seems out of place in this warm climate, clearly being of southern stock. Though she seems more annoyed than uncomfortable. Her eyes dart about taking in the surroundings.
She mutters to herself in Orc "I should have known better than to wander too near northlands. Shameful. And stripped of my blades..."
The girl bursts into laughter.
A man dressed in little more than his skivies sits in the cart. His hair a tangle of braids and beads, as is also his short beard. A smug grin is on his face.
Na thymáste óti ta próso̱pa af̱tá desmó̱tes . Mólis i̱ aréna échei pléon monomáchous na me antimeto̱písei , tha skotó̱sei tous frouroús epómeni̱ . Sti̱ synécheia, oi theatés .
This is perhaps one of the filthiest young men you have ever seen. Tangled long brown hair, skin that is so covered in dirt and grime that you can barely see the true colour beneath it, whip scars (some fresh some not) all over his back and legs, eyes that are filled with a sadness and emptiness.
He sits in the corner, hands bound, tears welling up in his eyes and looks around as if searching for someone or something.
Batu, Batu, chýbaš mi. Boli sme tak blízko, naša sloboda. Tí boli naozaj najlepší 4 dni môjho života. Ako som mohol byť tak hlúpy? Vedel som, že som nemal veriť, že blázon s našimi plánmi úteku. Len keby si bol tu so mnou teraz. Viem, že sa zišiel so sebou skoro, tak či onak.
Byarsh regains his senses slowly, shaking his head fitfully several times to try and get everything to stop spinning. His eyes loll towards every other captive in turn. He settles on Lylindra, saying "Jy daar, Suidelike. Waar is ons? Almal anders praat 'n vreemde taal, en ons is omring deur draak-mense"
The cloth strips binding his hands are the only scraps of cloth touching his body besides a faded black ribbon tied around his forehead, which fails to cover the tiny spurs that protrude from his crown. His feet terminate in broad, somewhat avian talons instead of nails, and his body appears to be half-way between well-tanned and moderately sunburned. Although his eyes do have pinprick pupils, they are mostly a dull orange in color.
Perception:
The caravan has entered a small ravine which looks like the course of a seasonal river out of the desert.
The figures have mostly disappeared over the ridge, except for one, who is plainly visible on the lip of the ravine.
There is a commotion among the guards as they spot a figure standing on the lip of the ravine. The figure is dressed in layers of ragged robes with a scarf drawn across it's face. One of the guards heads in that direction to investigate. As he approaches the figure, a ridge forms in the soil and darts towards the guard. When it reaches him it sends him flying through the air. He lands with a sickening thud. The ridge in the dirt continues on, striking the cart you are in and sending it falling over on it's side.
The the chief guard now draws his sword and advances towards the man on the ridge, but as they do so, three men on camels come charging over the ridge, yelling battle cries.
The last guard moves to the first cart in the caravan and begins killing the slaves in it, presumably so that they cannot be rescued.
Guards Initiative:
She says loudly to the others in her cage "Indien enige van julle is die spelling slingeraars, laat my weet.
Reflex:
Initiative:
Byarsh's hands reach backwards to grasp the cage's bars as the whole wagon tips, and he grunts softly as the movement wrenches his shoulders.
"Ek weet die Vaartuig. Ons het 'n oomblik voor hul lemme ons bereik - al hoe minder monde te voed wanneer ons hierdie plek verlaat!"
He then starts struggling to escape his bonds.
Tama falls heavily on his side and spits out (in Camthi) "ouch, better get out of here, this isn't how my story ends..."
On my action I stand up and begin inspiring courage (Perform:Oratory) "this reminds me of the time my friend Enki and I were captured by a tribe of walking lizards..."
I'll indicate my bound hands and mine someone freeing me...
Spell-Like Abilities (Sp)
Usually, a spell-like ability works just like the spell of that name. A spell-like ability has no verbal, somatic, or material component, nor does it require a focus. The user activates it mentally. Armor never affects a spell-like ability's use, even if the ability resembles an arcane spell with a somatic component.
This would mean that I should be able to summon critters while still bound. We can however reduce this so that it becomes just like spellcasting (less the required focus) with a somatic and verbal component.
Depending on how you rule on this changes how I react to this situation.
Not sure what languages the others will understand, I speak the following in Camthi, Eresh and Sharrim.
A rescue! We need to work together, I refuse to die like at the hands of this thug before I can taste freedom again.
On my turn I attempt to summon a Celestial Dog to attack the slave killing guard before he murders anyone (else), or at the very least slow the killing down before it gets to me.
Concentration:
Not sure what the "CMB" of a rope will be so I will let you determine the chance of success.
Ah une personne qui parle en fait l'une des nombreuses langues que je connais. Oui permet de travailler ensemble. Bien que je Revel à l'occasion de se battre dans l'arène, ce voyage est de prendre vraiment trop long.
Ah a person who actually speaks one of the many languages I know. Yes lets work together. While I revel at the chance to fight in the arena, this trip is taking too damn long.
Reflex
Inititive
As the guards struggle to climb the sides of the ravine, the tribesmen continue charging, brandishing spears and yelling their battlecries in Sharrim. The spellcaster, who appears to be their leader begins casting another spell and as he finishes weaving his staff through the air, a small humanoid figure rises out of the ground and begins gliding quickly across the surface of the sand towards your overturned cart.
The half-dragon guard roars and leaps into the air and arrows towards the spellcaster on the ridge. The guard near the northern most cart kills another of you fellow prisoners and advances menacingly on the third. The last guard on his feet finishes climbing the side of the ravine, only to find the mounted nomads bearing down on him.
Lylindra will attempt to untie Byarsh
"Ek hoop dat jy iets sterk, spel-slinger."
"Vloek hierdie knope, hulle is te damn goed gedoen!"
I wave my bound hands a well as I can, "Adhibete monstrum".
Celestial Dog Charge Attack Damage
Knowledge:Planes
Small celestial/fiendish animal
Init +1; Senses darkvision, low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
DEFENSE
AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size)
hp 6 (1d8+2)
Fort +4 , Ref +3, Will +1
SR 5
Celestial - Resist Acid, Cold, and Electricity 5;
Fiendish - Resist Cold and Fire 5
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +2 (1d4+1) {1d4+2 vs smite target}
Special Attack Smite evil/good
STATISTICS
Str 13, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 11 (15 vs. trip)
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +1 (+9 jumping), Perception +8, Survival +1 (+5 scent tracking); Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics when jumping, +4 Survival when tracking by scent
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Smite evil/good 1/day as a swift action (adds Cha bonus (0) to attack rolls and damage bonus equal to HD (+1) against evil/good foes; smite persists until target is dead or the celestial/fiendish creature rests).
Estil calls out to the nearest guard.
ORCA magna mater tua!
Your mother has a big butt!
Spellcraft
On my action, after Byarch and Timmon's I stand up (move) start my bardic music (inspire courage -standard). This should give allies +1 to attack and damage, and +1 to saves vs charm and fear. It takes the form of an amusing anecdote from my travels, kind of "an oh this isn't that bad, I remember this one time I was in a much worse situation..."
I also gesture for help with my bound hands.
Byarsh looks quickly to the sky before turning back to Lylindra.
Spellcraft
"Moet nie twyfel nie die magie van die Suider-Lande. Berei jouself voor!"
Rising from the crouch he fell into, Byarsh stumbles to P11 and calls out a single word to the guard at Q15 (Command; Will DC 16)
"Aanpak!
Concentration (I understand the DC to be 16, based on the implied CMB of the one who tied these):
(The magic fails as he is jostled by those around him and feels the bite of his bindings)
The nomad spellcaster stands his ground in the face of the half-dragon flying towards him and casts another spell.
The half-dragon stops short in the air as a faint shimmering of energy surrounds him.
The nomad in takes this opportunity to charge at him, and stab upwards with a spear thrust to where the guard is hovering which connects.
The nomad in charges the other guard who has climbed out of the ravine, but the guard is waiting for him and ducks out of the way of the spear while slicing at the camels legs as the charge goes past.
The guard in swings again at the camel which is preparing to wheel around for another pass, striking again.
The guard in is bitten by the summoned dog and spins to attack it as he swears. Katevet foraeres maklakket!
The dog easily leaps aside from his wild spinning swing.
The guard in rises slowly from where he had been thrown by the first spell and surveys the situation. He seems significantly injured from his being thrown through the air.
The half-dragon guard does nothing, seemingly struggling against the spell which surrounds him.
The guard in swings again at the camel which is preparing to wheel around for another pass. The camel falters, injured, nearly throwing its rifer from the saddle.
The summoned creature in continues gliding across the ground towards your upturned cart. When it reaches the cart it begins smashing the cart open, beginning to splinter the wood. You think it will take another round or two to make a big enough hole to escape.
Lylindra, seeing that the bindings are tied with skill beyond hers, decides upon another course of action.
She says quickly to Byarah "Jammer, spel-slinger, maar jy kan nie weef spel as jy dood"
She then shouts to all in Camthi, heavily accented by Orcish "Focus on da cage!"
She attempts to break some of the bars weakened by the strange creature.
She cannot get a grip at all though, and her efforts make no difference, save to anger her further.
Strength Check:
Byarsh plants his shoulder against the bars and tries to push through, but he fails miserably.
Spellcraft
I maintain my bardic performance (in Camith). "yeah my friend Enki and I were in a similar situation and it worked out just fine...well for me, poor Enki never really recovered"
I kick at the cage walls trying to break us free, while indicating my still bound hands to my fellow captives.
Strength Check
My feeble blows barely rattle the thick wooden bars of the impossibly tough cage.
The celestial dog yowls in pain as the guard lands a nasty blow but then growls fiercely as it retaliates.
"We moeten proberen en sla zoveel mogelijk, niemand verdient het leven dat ik heb gehad".
"Adhibete monstrum".
Celestial Dog #2 health: 6 hp
Estil attemts to kick the cage open and hopefully get a club out of it.
With a mighty kick, Estil puts his foot straight through the damaged cage.
My only modification is that Byarsh would move to Q 11 in preparation for picking up a wood shard for sawing apart ropes.
"Ja, vrijheid is van mij weer! Neem dat je draak-krom tuig!"
With the brave words uttered I quickly take refuge in M-12, attempting to put the strange creature between myself and the guard in Q-15. (move action)
Timmon's summoned dog snaps at the guard, but he kicks it away. However the second dog takes advantage of that distraction to run up and leap on him, tearing his throat out.
The Half-Dragon shakes off the spell he had been struggling against and turns to the spellcaster. He opens his mouth and blast of fire rolls forth. The spellcaster attempts to leap out of the way, but the blast of fire is too wide. He draws a longsword, a wicked grin on his already wicked face.
The spellcaster rises and casts another spell, jabbing his staff at his opponent. A grey beam of energy shoots out of the end of the staff.
The nomad in and the guard he is engaged in meele with trade blows. The guard continues to aim for the camel, trying to bring the nomad's mount out from under him. The nomad, scores a hit as he wheels his mount around.
The nomad in rides down the slope of the ravine and tosses a dagger into the cart with you. Presumably to cut your bonds. He shouts in Sharrim Ücretsiz erkek kardeşler olarak bize katılın!
The summoned creature comprehends that your cage has been broken and glides off towards the southernmost cart to free the slaves trapped there.
The guard in sees that you have broken out and advances threateningly, drawing his short sword. I eidikí kratoúmenoi drapetévoun !. He shouts. The Half-Dragon's head whips around at this.
Lylindra will grab the dagger before it even hits the ground , curtly nodding her thanks. She will take a 5ft step down to O-11. She readies an action to cut the bonds of the first caster who is within reach and holds up bonds for her to cut, shouting in her accented Camthi "Spel-slingeraars, aan my as jy jou hande vry!"
Slashing damage, likely needing to do 2 damage:
Byarsh points at the guard just outside our wagon. "Om te overleven we bewegen als een. Aanval die wacht!"
I maintain my bardic performance.
I grab up my improvised weapon and charge the closest nomad guard.
I slash wildly, hands still numb from their bonds.
I maintain my bardic performance.
I grab up my improvised weapon and charge the closest nomad guard.
I slash wildly, hands still numb from their bonds.