Fionn hangs back, afraid the clinking of her chain shirt will alert the odd looking female creature. Whatever it is, it looks like some kind of bird woman with those wings and talons... I wonder what she is...
Tolus, being the more monsterous of the party, steps into sight with his hands raised, posing no threat.
You wouldn't, perhaps, mean the head of that Black Mamba across the river?
Khatijah manages to barely bite off the heated and sharp words she was readying for Tolus when she say him reveal himself to the strange woman. She instead draws steel, Tempest and her not hidden dagger, and whispers to Taldor, Fionn, and anyone else staying behind.
"Be ready. We may need to save Tolus's hide."
Noticing Tolus' approach, Arizhel readies an Enlarge Person spell, targeting Khat.
Arizhel listens intently from her hidey hole.
Arizhel will follow the others back to gather a snake's head. On the way, she casts Message to link herself, Khat, and Fionn.
"Just practicing for later, as long as we remain close, we can talk quietly and hear each other from great distances!" As the spell fails, Arizhel will keep recasting, each time selecting a new group.
Where did you come from my pretty? She flaps her wings and floats over to you in a very clumsy manner. Why yes. I do mean that big black beastie. She pauses to think for a moment. You get me the head and I will help you. Sound fair? mmmmm, yes?
Tolus puts on his most flattering smile.
Sounds, delicious. he says, choosing his words carefully, but with a finely honed grace. However, before I go charging into the maw, literally, I would prefer to know what assistance you may provide.
"Do you have a spell that'll knock some sense into Tolus?" Khatijah asks.
In all the seductive manor she can muster the hag of a "woman" brings herself with in inches of your face and runs a talon along the scales of your cheekbone Bring me the snake's head for my stew she says with a crooked-toothed grin, and I'll betray my lover for you!
Tolus doesn't even flinch at the touch and, in fact, seems more relaxed because of it. At the mention of betrayal he cracks a brilliant, serpentine smile, baring his pointed eye teeth.
We have a deal then, my lady.
He takes a step back, bows with a brilliant, courtly flourish, and disappears around the corner to return to the party. He is grinning every step of the way.
When he catches up to the rest, some of whom have already started walking, he announces, Well, wasn't that refreshing. Imagine, meeting such a wonderfully helpful person all the way out here!
"And how do we know she won't betray us?!"
You wouldn't have to be listening too closely to hear Khat's teeth grinding.
There is every possibility that she will, but if she does she must expect me, and me alone, to vanquish the glorious black serpent we have already bested. This means she thinks she has time she does not, in fact, have. If we hurry we can behead the already-dead beast and be back in a fraction of the time. I will return the head alone while the rest of our band makes sure there is no escape.
If she is there and lives up to her word, then you have been guilty of gross racism. If not...
He shrugs. Then stops in his tracks.
We have companions, do we not? Let our Gnoll allies prove their worth and watch the tannery. That way we are both satisfied, no? If she attempts to sneak off in betrayal, the mongrel pups can do what they do.
Tolus shrugs, looking the dog straight in the eye.
Take a breath, shaggy. You'll get your blood. If you want to pass up easy prey, that's not my business
Malak looks over at the gnoll and says with a grin I'm sure she will take cooked Gnoll just as easily as the snake. He raises his hand and flames begin playing along his fingertips.
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The gnolls fall into place.
Rushing to get the head you brazenly run into the open to try and make this deal quickly over with. You run into a pack of gnolls on patrol. You have expected this and it came later but this battle doesn't appear to be a push over in any way. At least you have numbers on your side as you see is a group of 6 gnolls and a 7 foot tall humanoid fiend with the head of and twisted horns of a goat, it attacks without mercy lowering its head to charge you but not before howling into the sky to give warning to its companions that interlopers have invaded the town.
Realizing the numbers are against her, Arizhel releases her prepared Enlarge Person spell on Khatijah. As Khat grows to immense size, Arizhel steps behind Khat and the other warriors, doing her best to keep between the more substantial targets. "I would guess that giant can reach pretty far, so now you can as well!"
Enlarge Person: This spell causes instant growth of a humanoid creature, doubling its height and multiplying its weight by 8. This increase changes the creature's size category to the next larger one. The target gains a +2 size bonus to Strength, a –2 size penalty to Dexterity (to a minimum of 1), and a –1 penalty on attack rolls and AC due to its increased size.
A humanoid creature whose size increases to Large has a space of 10 feet and a natural reach of 10 feet. This spell does not change the target's speed.
If insufficient room is available for the desired growth, the creature attains the maximum possible size and may make a Strength check (using its increased Strength) to burst any enclosures in the process. If it fails, it is constrained without harm by the materials enclosing it—the spell cannot be used to crush a creature by increasing its size.
All equipment worn or carried by a creature is similarly enlarged by the spell. Melee weapons affected by this spell deal more damage (see Table: Tiny and Large Weapon Damage). Other magical properties are not affected by this spell. Any enlarged item that leaves an enlarged creature's possession (including a projectile or thrown weapon) instantly returns to its normal size. This means that thrown and projectile weapons deal their normal damage. Magical properties of enlarged items are not increased by this spell.
Tolus drops down into what little of a battle stance he can mimic from Khat and Taldor. He steps just behind the burly ones, ready to follow them as they lead.
Fionn lifts her crossbow and readies to fire it when the foes move closer... in a whisper she orders her gnoll to wait until they are close enough to attack before he charges forward...
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Is everyone holding actions until the monsters go. If so, take your actions as they all charge
Kezurrian charges Fionn
The Gnolls close the distance to 60'
With a devastating leap the cloven legs of the outsider bear their full weight against our gnomish cleric in the form of her wickedly sharp horns she feels as if the connection to her deity is almost severed by the fiend.
Fionn screams in pain as the creature attacks her and stumbles back a step or two (it didn't grapple her so she can take a 5' step yes?)
She quickly reassures herself of her link to Sarenrae and casts cure light wounds on herself.
To 'her' gnoll, and any others in earshot, she cries out, "NOW would be a good time to attack this monster!
Fionn's gnoll attacks the creature with its spear.
Tolus points and gives his minion the universal signal for "kill it". The Gnoll nods and charges.
Tolus himself circles to flank with his minion before closing in and slicing at the distracted monster.
Khat wasn't prepared for the amount of speed the beast had put on.
She was however prepared to make it regret charging Fionn.
"Flank it and make it dead. NOW!"
One of the gnolls grumbles some very rude comments about the fighter, who fortunately didn't understand gnoll, but he moves to flank it if he can.
Khat and the gnoll are trying to flank the monster if possible. If they can, attack rolls go up by 2 for each.
Khat's Attack:
No Flank: 13
Flank: 15
Gnoll's Attack:
No Flank: 11
Flank: 13
Malak pulls forth an illusion from the magical ether and causes a massive 14 foot tall image of a jackal headed monstrous creature to appear behind the group.
Malak screams out FOOLS! YOU DARE ATTACK THE HERALDS OF LAMASHTU! MOTHER OF MONSTERS AND MISTRESS OF INSANITY!
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The beast stops for a moment. I no care about Lamashtu! He then brings forth the power of his halberd once again on the poor cleric. The gnolls however stop dead in their track and the one gnoll who managed to land a blow.
Kezurkian (1 damage) halberd vs. Fionn if the attack connects please give me a fort save Fionn
Gore vs. Tolus' Gnoll
With that Narg steps in seeing his allies about to be wiped out.
Narg attack Kez
Narg lands a hit with a flindbar that causes the beast to bleed for the first time this battle.
Kezurkian (7 damage)
Both Tolus and his Gnoll lay into the beast from opposite sides.
Tolus and Gnoll will make 5' steps to maintain flanking if necessary before attacking.