Josie stops as soon as she realizes that it's a an elf camp up ahead with a fountain for defilers. She rides back to the caravan, "I've got some knowledge on what lies ahead. It's an elf tribe, one of those ones who don't run off. Keep your stuff on guard, but keep an eye out- There's a life tree around, something a defiler might try to get their mits on."
She rides with the caravan as they pass through the village, her eyes clear and open.
"Hm... we should make sure they know we won't hurt their tree."
"If they are on this road, they must get caravans from time to time. They are probably used to traders."
Tarkahas turns back to the caravan master.
"Are we passing through? Or do you plan to stop and trade?"
The village is just in sight of the road. "We are stopping to trade for a day," said the caravan master.
Veleron groans inwardly, hitting another village so soon after having just left Tyr did not amuse him in the slightest. He scratched at his chin where a beard might have been, a sign of annoyance to be sure.
If that weren't all bad enough: "...More Elves!?" he reflexively started to reach for his pack before thinking better of himself. "I suppose we will need more supplies."
"Do they know their tree is a lure for any defilers?" he says as he lumbers along
"The tree of life will be corrupted by defilers using it," said the Caravan Master. "Perhaps even killing it if they go too far."
Zera will ride up closer to the tree.
<--To notice any danger from the village as I approach the tree.
If she makes it close enough to the tree to cast detect magic, she does so.
<--To identify tree / what it does
"I presume so." Josie muttered to the Templar. "Either way, best if we keep on guard. And you, Veleron, try not to be too temperamental. My ma always said they can smell when folks don't like 'em."
She sits on top of her Caravan, her Crodlu leaning out the back, it's eyes open and focused. Also slightly more intimidating, as she had given him a vial of Gravely Tonic. She offers a vial to Azhul.
"I don't think I've asked your name yet. Josie's mine, how about you tell me yours."
"Azhul Kurn" in reply to Josie he says slowly as if making sure to say it properly
"Azhul Kurn" in reply to Josie he says slowly as if making sure to say it properly
Veleron flusters slightly at Josie's comment, responding in brief snark-
'If that's what they smell about me, all the more Sun to em'."- before recusing himself. "But as getting into a fight with the lot of them would get us nowhere closer to Kurn, you have my word I shall do as little to anger them as I can manage."
Veleron sits in, ready to get this business done as rapidly as possible.
"Well that's a nifty name. Glad to hear it." she said, muttering something about tall folk.
"What you think of the magic of the elements? You fine by that? If we get shot, I want as much of you between me and the attacker as you can manage. That okay?"
She looks at the dwarf, "And what about you? You going to put those hands round my throat if I do anything to ya?"
Tarkahas folds his arms and leans against one of the wagons.
"If we want to look around the town, and the locals allow it, great. But we shouldn't all go at once and leave the wagons unguarded."
Tarkahas concentrates and closes his eyes. He places his palms together in front of his face, like a prayer, hand holds still for a moment. Then he looks up.
"I can be one of the ones who take the first watch here."
Tarkahas keeps his eye on the locals, particularly those that come close to the wagons, and watches for weapons or theft.
The elves gladly trade with the caravan. Apparently, no one wants to steal your stuff. So you must be lucky today. The supplies are more water for the day ahead and more food. And Josie managed to make a profit five times over, as the elves buy for lip balms and soaps.
She looks at the dwarf, "And what about you? You going to put those hands round my throat if I do anything to ya?"
Veleron looks back at the (presumed) young lady and smiles, a tooth or two missing. "No ma'am, I am not too fond of any who would use arcane magic, though I'll tolerate those who would Preserve the world as needed. For those of us who tap into the magic of the elemental forces though, I tolerate ye as much as I tolerate the Sun and the Earth. As it is, I too can draw upon the magic of the various elements as needed."
As people start going into town.
Veleron will move to Tarkahas and help watch.
"Two eyes be better than one, and I am not low on supplies quite yet, I bought a few extra before leaving town and I'm inclined to not engage here any more than necessary." Taking a moment to look him over. "You're looking a little under the weather there. Maybe a few pokes from this here magic stick might make you feel better?"
Veleron brandishes a wand of Cure Light Wounds.
Josie, as the day reaches it's end, closes her stall, rather surprised by the sheer amount of customers looking for her Alchemical Remedies.
I'm presuming that I actually somehow manage to sell a couple vials of Age Ointment, expelling her remaining 2nd level spells per day, and making 120 cp from sale of that. If not, alert me.
And then uses a Craft(Alchemy) check, with the Crodlu helping to make a living- I presume she's taking 20, as this sounds really profitable. If not, a roll:
Components:
+3 Int, +5 ranks, +3 Class, +2 Heart of the Fields, for +13
Alchemy kit in the cart, granting a +2 circumstance bonus, Totaling +15
Aid another checks from Familiar and Magically intelligent animal companion, for +4, totaling +19
Ceramic Pieces made equal 27/2/7, or 2 CP and 2 CB, unless considered taking 20, in which case, it's 2.7 CP and 3 ibs of wheat. Not that bad, really.
During her sales, she offers her services to the occasional customer in exchange for something much, much more valuable- Knowledge.
Diplomacy to Gather Information:
Talking to the various customers to gather some intel on any defilers,
or who might come up, especially talking to the three folks who can actually afford some Age Ointment.
Azhul seeing there are a couple people staying with the caravan will wander for a short time checking out the marketplace
Diplomacy to Gather Information: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
You learn of a nearby defiler that would come every once in a while to defile the tree.
Giving up on investigating the tree, Zera returns to the caravan to sleep before her early watch.
As he is walking around Azhul will ask about the Defiler and how often he "visits" and if it is known where he lairs.
"Oy, Azhul!" the old woman called, "What ya doing out here. Come over, we've got some planning to do."
Before Azhul makes it more obvious than the wart on Josie's shoulder that she covers with clothing, she gathers everyone to plan for what to do with the defiler.
"I'm out of higher magic, so I don't think I'll be as much use as I usually could. If we don't spend the night here, or if we don't manage to locate the Defiler's domicile, we will have to figure out a way to stay. This bastard will die."
She looks to Zera, "I do not suppose your familiar speaks with you? Perhaps you could track them, find where they reside."
She pulls out her launching crossbow, "I have drained my coffers of Alchemical supplies. I need a rest, as I need my equipment to prepare myself. Should we not do so, I have a high idea that we will not last long."
Veleron brandishes a wand of Cure Light Wounds.
"If they don't drain the life from other living things, I am indifferent. I myself use the magic that comes from Within, rather than without."
"But if we do come to face a defiler... we must put him down quickly. Or her."
If we don't spend the night here, or if we don't manage to locate the Defiler's domicile, we will have to figure out a way to stay. This bastard will die."
She looks to Zera, "I do not suppose your familiar speaks with you? Perhaps you could track them, find where they reside."
She pulls out her launching crossbow, "I have drained my coffers of Alchemical supplies. I need a rest, as I need my equipment to prepare myself. Should we not do so, I have a high idea that we will not last long.
Unless someone has actually seen him, there is nothing for my PET to observe.
She is surprised that the fact she is an arcane spellcaster is already well-known enough to talk about freely, since it could get her killed. She glares at Tarkahas and Czernobog for revealing her secret when they had promised not to.
I don't like defilers any more than the rest of you, but unless we observe him while the caravan is still here, there seems little that we can do. The job is to escort the caravan, and abandoning it or delaying it to go defiler hunting would likely endanger it, even if we won. If someone spots him, I will gladly join in the battle, but I don't think we can camp out here and wait for him. I agree with you about sleep though. I have last watch, so I am going to bed. Goodnight.
Someone moves past the caravan and goes to the tree. He concentrates a little and siphons energy from the tree. The tree isn't sickened by this, though he uses it to heighten a spell he just cast. He laughs as he does it.
Assuming we see this...
"There's someone using the tree for magic." he says to those nearby
Azhul will grab his axe and start moving to the spell caster, running if others are.
Roll initative please.
Josie sighs, at Zera, "Whatever bastard mage birthed you, I know he left something of a mark- It's what they do. I still have some accursed blood in my veins, so I know a familiar when I see one. I know that it's likely one that your father bequeathed you, I don't damn the daughter for the father's sin. I'd be dead if I did."
The woman sighs, "I will just lie by the tree, then. Or on a nearby roof. Those who wish to aid, I will remain in watch, with my companions. I will be able to do little to end the Defiler's life, but I know he will come tonight. I suppose there is simply too little time for me to rest. This will make it harder than I thought, but I ask that you join me in watch, even asleep."
After discovering the defiler, she goes around to figure out how to purchase what she needed to set up an ambush-
She purchases a Burst Jar for 35 cp
She purchases a Ghast Retch Flask for 50 cp.
If she can get some full concealment while hiding, she also buys a Periscope (20 cp)
She also expends a use of natural divination to gain a +4 insight bonus on Initiative checks.
Before she begins her assault, and before the bastard arrives, she locates a good spot for her Familiar to hide, a good place for her Crodlu to hide, and a good roof for her to hide. She locates a nearby roof, and hides there, Crossbow loaded with the Ghast Wretch jar.
She feeds her Crodlu a bottle of Wyrm's breath bitter, and all of them go into hiding, waiting for the Defiler.
Before she begins, she looks to the sky, using her Natural Divination for +10 on the check.
Stealth Checks:
Josie: (Note: Above, so depending how far, apply a -1 to -5 on Perception checks to notice her, as she's hidden. She's, at most, 50 feet away, and 10 feet up.) (If she's using a Periscope, she adds a +12 size bonus for it being diminuative).
Crodlu: (He attempts to hide within 10 feet of where the defiler defiles, if possible).
Familiar: (My Speckled Hurum hides in the branches of the tree).
Aid Another Checks:
Josie to Crodlu:
Josie to Familiar:
Crodlu to Josie:
Crodlu to Familiar:
Familiar to Josie:
Familiar to Crodlu:
DC 12 fort save or sickened for Crodlu:
TL;DR:
Buys Ghast Wrech, and a Burst Jar for 85 cp
Josie and her companions go and hide by the tree to wait, Crossbow with Burst Jar, DC 28 perception check to notice her.
Crodlu take Wryms Thing to gain a 10 foot cone blind breath weapon (DC 12 to ignore) for 10 minutes, DC 17 perception to notice him.
Familiar carries the Ghast Wrench, and hides in the tree, DC 25 to notice him.
Once the surprise round begins, Everyone delays until the Crodlu comes out and screams bloody wrath at the Defiler, Demoralizing him:
The speckled hurrum drops the Ghast Wretch vial on the Defiler from above, and should it miss, it lands within 5 feet, in the closer direction (Range Increment 10 feet, within 10 feet).
: Natural 1 is automatic miss,
Josie uses her launching crossbow to fire at the Defiler, hopefully landing the Burst Jar.
(Note- Remove the -2 penalty if within 30 feet.
If Josie hits: DC 12 save or be stunned on Josie's initiative. He is Deafened for rounds on Josie's Initiative.
If Hurum hits: DC 12 vs Nauseated, Sickened for 3 rounds, no save.
If Hurum Misses: Sickened for 1 round.
I presume you prefer if all of my companions act on my initiative, rather than separately.
If not: Crodlu , Hurum
If Zera is awake, or someone wakes her:
Veleron is ready to show the defiler the blade of his scimitar... or the fangs of a ferocious beast.
"Come to taste your last breath, have ye!?"
So far it looks like the defiler goes last.
Zera casts Gravity Bow.
When Tarkahas sees the man approach the tree, he curses under his breath. He scowls and concentrates for a moment, summoning the power of the black. His skin and eyes darken, and a dark mist seems to come out of his eyes and nostrils.
He presses his palms together and closes his eyes. After a moment, his scales take on a dull metallic sheen. Then he grips his spear and heads towards the tree.
Gravity bow significantly increases the weight and density of arrows or bolts fired from your bow or crossbow the instant before they strike their target and then return them to normal a few moments later. Any arrow fired from a bow or crossbow you are carrying when the spell is cast deals damage as if one size larger than it actually is. For instance, an arrow fired from a Medium longbow normally deals 1d8 points of damage, but it would instead deal 2d6 points of damage if fired from a gravity bow (see table on this page for associated increase/decrease in damage due to size change). Only you can benefit from this spell. If anyone else uses your bow to make an attack the arrows deal damage as normal for their size.
[ooc]Okay, so I know how this can be ruled. It's also a paizo spell from the APG. So that's good.
The defiler looks at all of you and drains more energy from the tree so he could cast shield. This shield is extended.
Forgot to roll to disguise my spell, so here it is, if I still can:
This round:
Critical confirmation:
Forgot to roll to disguise my spell, so here it is, if I still can:
Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18This round:
[Shoot Defiler: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Damage Defiler: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 4) + 4 = 13Critical confirmation:
Crit?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
It certainly gets past his shield, but without confirming the critical. He's certainly hurt.
Should the Burst Jar had hit, the defiler must make a DC 12 fort save or be stunned, and is deafened for 1 round (Incurring a 20% spell failure chance), as listed in my surprise round. He also takes 1 point of sonic damage. This is not an action on my part.
For this round, Josie responds by taking a 5 foot step forward, and casting Enlarge Person on Azhul. It will take effect the following round, presuming that she is not attacked and forced to concentrate.
Her animal companion responds by making use of his breath weapon granted by Wyrm Bitter Breath, requiring a DC 12 fort save or be deafened and sickened for 1 more round. He can use this again in rounds It makes an Intimidate check to continue the Demoralization its enemy:
Her Familiar Withdraws, returning to it's master.
Josie does what I listed in my previous post, and also moves to any nearby cover.
The Crodlu, in addition to making an intimidation check, uses his move action to use it's wrym breath bitter, as stated above.
The familiar, after throwing his vial, flees to her master as a move action.
I believe we wait for Azhul and Veleron before he makes an attack.
Azhul runs at the Defiler using his Bane ability and swinging a tremendous blow with his axe
EEEK!
The defiler's still in the fight, even though he just took a big hit.
Veleron will charge the defiler, his short little stubby legs carrying him as fast as they might, he starts to become blurry as he does so, drawing on the latent heat of the desert itself.
He swings his Scimitar with all the furry that the desert traveler could possibly muster.
Heat Shimmer (Su): As a free action, you can surround yourself with heat distortion that acts as the blur spell. Creatures that strike you in melee while you’re using this ability are dazzled for 1 round (Fortitude negates). You may use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier. These rounds need not be consecutive.
Czernobog assaults the defiler with a mighty roar. "ROAR!"
The defiler decides the fight isn't worth his life, so he creates deepening darkness in order to flee. The Darkness spell is widened and some without darkvision cannot see the defiler run.
The spell resolves, enlarging the Half-Giant from Large to Huge, towering over the feeble Defiler.
The Speckled Hurrum realizes that it's a rather stupid idea to run, when he can paralyze them.
With his Darkvision, he moves back to the Defiler, using his Paralyzing Gaze to hopefully stun him.
DC 17 vs Stun for [roll]1d6[/dice] rounds.
The Crodlu is surprised and lost, and moves out of the darkness, and looks around for the Defiler.
Josie, realizing her vision was blocked, finishes casting the spell and sprinting through the darkness.
(She sprints into the darkness, and comes out the other side).
Josie, I'd like a reroll on that d6 roll you tried to make.
Zera sends Zeek (her familiar) up to watch for the defiler, and jumps on Zox to follow where Zeek leads.
When he is spotted again, and she is within 150 feet, she attacks again
The missile hits dead on target.
And he's stunned, he falls down into the sand, stunned and unable to flee any longer.
No mercy for defilers. Unless someone else beats her to it, Zera slips one of her obsidian daggers into her hand, slits his throat, and takes all of his stuff and brings it back to the caravan.