GM AbyssDancer's 'Ire of the Storm'

Game Master AbyssDancer

Round V

"Y-you can do it!" Aza shouts, but she gasps suddenly as Pious drops into the water, rushing forward with windy magic already seeping from the pores of her hands. "You w-won't die on us today, sir." She joins Chest Thumper's hands in healing the wounded man.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

As Pious fails to rise from under the surface of the water, Aza and Chest Thumper are quick to grasp his motionless form. Together they pull him back from the melee, and as one infuse him with healing magics. Spluttering, wheezing, he coughs blood and water before retrieving his longsword and returning to his feet.

Meanwhile Francis and Iradyiel continue to be frustrated in their efforts. Neither manages to land a blow on the water elemental; a ferocious overhead blow from Iradyiel merely passes down straight through the creature as it parts ahead of the club, and reforms after. Francis, clawing and biting, merely spreads a spray about him, but fails to make any substantial contact.

The gaping maw of the elemental spreads wide as it lifts up almost as tall as Iradyiel, then dives down again out and past the two attackers, through the murky thigh-deep waters. The image of a smiling, menacing grin remains on the surface momentarily then disperses, as a solid shape thrusts through the water away from the party; its speed through its own element is astounding. In a moment it is on the far side of the market square, circling, splashing, then the water settles and it is gone. Whether it has vanished or is merely hidden under the surface is unclear.

In the middle of the flooded square, the elf boy, Gilthel, desperately clutches the top of the wooden stall he is stranded on, whimpering with fear.

Round 6
Out of combat again, for now at least. Actions / reactions?

I'm back on proper wifi at last - woo-hoo !

The elemental performed a full withdrawal, but sunk below the surface and out of sight around squares F09 - F10 - F11.

Map and status/loot sheet now updated. Please check that you agree with my reckoning regards uses of spells / rage etc etc, bearing in mind that you all started the day (before the troll) at full strength. Regards spells, I think that CT and Aza have only 1 left each, and Jit has 3 left.

Staggering to his feet, Pious reaches out an arm to both Aza and Chest Thumper in thanks; "Tis true enough - 'By your actions shall ye be judged' says the Book. Thank you for your aid." With the others he watches in amazement as the entity they have been trying to assault accelerates away, then vanishes. His keen inquisitorial senses are not fooled, however: "There! There! It lurks on the far side, by the wooded jetty! Does it seek to ambush us, or flee to the creek beyond?".

Pious jogs slowly and carefully along the greasy cobbles, around the outside of the watery pool. to square p16, before stopping, and calling back "It is at an advantage in its element - how best should we approach this?"

Yay wifi! Speaking of...I'm going out of town over the weekend. My mother assures me she has high speed internet and wifi but she lives in the straight up boonies so we'll see how it goes. Recording my Skype game Friday night will be an adventure.

Though he knows he has delivered glancing blows,at best, Francis almost celebrates his victory as the water thing rises up (in death throes he thinks) before receding.

He is canny enough to see that it is not dead but only fleeing, though and he half-reluctantly (not eager to fight it in it's element) half-eagerly (keen to finish it off now that the fight has begun) trots along next to Pious.

Chest Thumper simply nods his acknowledgement of Pious' thanks then moves toward the boy in the middle of the square. "Don't forget why we're here, everyone. Let's get the boy and get out of here, if that thing will let us. I'm sure when the storm and tides subside it will leave."

He's not at all keen to get into the deeper water and he fishes around in his pack, drawing out a coil of silk rope.

"Maybe we can pull him in," he says, nodding to the boy.

Francis is double moving and will end up at P15.

'Stupid water, retreating, we will deal with it later.' Iradyiel frowns as the water moves away, "We must hurry now and rescue the boy."

Know if he releases his rage he will looses focus, Iradyiel moves to the boy, "Come boy, your sister sent us, we must go!" Holding his club in his left hand, He wraps his right arm around the boys waist, carrying him like a sack of potatoes, he turns to retreat back to the group.

moves: to K9, Move: Picks up the boy
I'm assuming he can grab the boy, if not please retcon.

Jit shouts to the boy, “Gilthel! Your sister Galinila asked us to find you! We can take you somewhere safe!” Her tiny voice is loud but distracted as Jit keeps her eyes on the spot of water that Pious points out. Watching for movement, she can’t stand to just hold her watch passively. She shoots off another little jolt of electricity toward that direction with a much more scolding “Zap!” than before.

---

I’ll cast jolt to try to scare off the lurking elemental.

Jolt touch attack, bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 = 25
Electric damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Aza leans on her quarterstaff, trying not to obfuscate the chaos further by shouting over the rest of them, but instead watching closely to see if the elemental decides to return and attack.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

With the retreat of the elemental to the far side of the square, the party split to try different approaches. Aza watches the elemental (ineffectually – she’s looking in the wrong place); Jit tries to Jolt it with a spell, Iradyiel piles into the thigh-deep water, Pious and Francis start off around the outside of the square, and CT stays on the edge, digging out a rope.

However it is the elemental who seizes the initiative. Intimidated by the elven barbarian (who stood so stoically against its attacks) charging into the centre of the water, the elemental lurches up onto the boarding behind its current position, and retreats at speed into the creek behind. Once into the creek, it vanishes – whether for good or not, the party cannot say.

Gilthel himself is almost incoherent which relief. Sobbing, he jumps into Iradyiel’s arms and is carried back to the party at the water’s edge, all the time fearfully watching for any further elemental attacks. There are none – if there are more in the flooded square, they remain inactive or watchful, not betraying any reaction.

Gilthel tells the story of how he came to be stranded in the square; having retrieved a small bag of coins from a hiding place his father had shown him, he had chosen to shortcut through the Shallows, heading for his sister and safety at the Stone Hall. In crossing the market, he describes being toyed then battered by the elementals, who first reared up from the creek as he passed by. "Thank you, thank you. I cannot reward you, but my father will once he returns from the Cobalt Eye, I promise you !"

As to where they came from, he has no idea: Pious on the other hand volunteers an opinion is that the water elementals were a malicious by-product of whatever process is feeding the power of the storm. ”For is it not true that great power attracts saints and sinners alike up to his spreading influence.”

Over to you: reactions/ actions? Mme Mirya Oyin’s Emporium is only two streets away and across one (minor) creek. Do you want to take the exhausted boy with you, stash him nearby, or what? The storm is quite lively at this point, and lightning is crashing down nearby every few minutes.

'reward? What does he think I am?' "Hush, boy! Save your strength." Not thinking of the lightening, Iradyiel shifts the child to his shoulders, as they listen to his story.

As the boy finishes Iradyiel, ignoring Pious' cryptic comments about sinner and saints, points out. We should go check on Oyin, If she is warm and safe we can leave Gilthel with her until we check on the sheriff. If not we can take both of them back to the stone keep and then we can check on the sheriff."

Chest Thumper nods at Iradyiel's logic and at his assessment of getting rewarded. It would take a much crueler man than he to leave a child to be tormented to death by those water creatures, or to leave him here by himself now.

"I agree. She's not much bigger than this boy and may be in as much trouble with how high the water's gotten. Though, I think we should check on the sheriff on the way back to Stone Keep. I've no desire to come back out in this and would like to check on everyone at one time, if we can," Chest Thumper says.

He directs Francis in the direction of the Emporium.

"We're going to check on Madame Oyin," he replies to the questioning grunt. Which gets him another, incredulous one.

"Because we have a moral obligation to help people if we can."

Jabbering from Francis.

"What do you mean you don't know what a moral obligation is?"

From there, the half-orc begins a philosophical discussion with his brother that will continue until they reach their destination or something else tries to kill them.

"S-sounds like a pl-plan to me," agrees Aza, attempting to examine the boy for any obvious wounds other than his thorough soaking. As lighting cracks across the sky, Aza can't help but look at it. There was something beautiful about its random, natural shape, it's hue, and the peel of thunder that followed. Still, they had a job to do, and she stows her quarterstaff on her back again for easier maneuvering going forward.

Jit raises an eyebrow at Pious’ declaration. “I dunno about saints and sinners and all that, matey, but I think you’re right that there’s something strange going on with this storm. I’ve seen storms, but I’ve never seen one so angry that the damn water itself was trying to kill me!” she exclaims.

Letting the others deal with the boy, Jit watches Aza as she watches the storm, following her gaze and admiring the flashing lightning and the huge peals of thunder. She may be a bit trembling, but I know a fellow storm watcher when I see one, she thinks with a grin. Her attention comes back to the conversation as the others start to head off toward Oyin’s shop. She follows along as best as she can, doing her best to wade as quickly as she can despite what is relatively deeper water for her. "Here we come, Oyin!"

'reward? What does he think I am?'...

Chest Thumper nods at Iradyiel's logic and at his assessment of getting rewarded...

Not that I mind too terribly much, but I'm using the statements in the 'Italics' as Iradyiels thought process. So the narrative reads well. But I don't think Chest Thumper would have actually heard them, unless he's taking levels in 'psychic' :-)

He was extrapolating from the boy offering a reward and Iradyiel telling him to "hush".

After a block or so of slogging through the water, Francis will ignore his brother for a bit and will gesture and even lift Hit to ride on his back, if she is amenable.

He was extrapolating from the boy offering a reward and Iradyiel telling him to "hush".

LOL, Oh! My bad :-)

Leaving behind the flooded marketplace, the party finds slightly drier ground on the streets leading to Olin’s Emporium. It appears that for now at least, most areas of Islandtown are benefiting from the work the missing Sheriff and her team carried out to reinforce the banks of the creeks from the rising waters. With Gilthel held high on Iradyiels shoulders the party slog through mud and debris, lashed by the rain, and occasionally lit up by the flash of lightning.

They turn a corner and see the Emporium twenty yards ahead. The building seems to bearing the storm well due to its more sturdy construction. The windows at the side of the property have been shuttered and the side door boarded. At the front, however, it appears that someone has made an effort to break in – the front door has been forced and swings loosely from one hinge, and one of the window shutters has been smashed. From inside, lantern-light spills out, illuminating two bodies immediately outside in the street. Neither is moving – one is laying prone in the water-logged gutter, the other is on its back, rain running down its staring eyes, a discarded crowbar lying by its side.

'Oh, no!' Seeing the bodies outside of the emporium, Eraidyiel turns to the party, "We need to help Olin."

He quickly moves to the buildings front corner, making sure he is as far from the carnage as possible but still near enough the building to afford Gilthel a little protection from the elements. Lifting the boy of off his shoulders he warns the young elf. "Stay here Gilthel, I will go check on Olin, when it's safe I'll come get you."

He then moves to investigate the situation, calling out, hoping his voice will carry over the storm. "Don't worry Olin! Help is on the Way!"

not sure if we are in combat rounds yet or not. Iradyiel will drop off Gilthel far enough away that he shouldn't be affected by combat. Then the will move to the front door to see what is going on.
perception check at the door (just in case): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Chest Thumper and Francis are quick to follow Iradyiel. The ape lingers near the door, on the lookout for trouble while the half-orc examines the bodies. He first makes sure that neither is Madame Olin, then tries to determine what killed them.

Heal: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Heal: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Aza squints through the rain and adjusts her hat back so she can look at the storm more closely, or at least with a clearer mind after getting past the majesty of it. I... this could be a problem. She pulls her hat back down, hearing the echoing patter of rain on its brim, and opens her mouth to speak - "Th-the rain, it's-" she cuts herself off upon seeing the motionless bodies lying in the muddy ground, and gasps. "Oh no." She runs over to investigate them alongside Chest Thumper, ready to cast a healing spell. " Do they need h-h-healing? Who-who are they?"

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Jit gladly accepts Chest Thumper’s offer, hopping up and climbing on his back. “Thanks! With much more of this, I’m worried I’ll have to start swimming,” she comments with a nervous smile that renders itself into a grimace. She keeps her eyes on the storm as CT carries her, brow furrowing for the first time now that she’s properly getting a look at it. She follows the lightning as it crashes in the distance. I wonder what’s over there…

Once at the old woman’s shop, Jit slides off CT’s back with a splash into the water. She follows carefully behind, staying near the entrance to the shop with Francis. “Are they okay? Is someone in there?” she asks, worried for what seems like the first time since the storm started.

After Iradyiel carefully places Gilthel in cover he approaches the front door to the Emporium, backed up by Pious. Inside the door a mess of furniture, small crates and a hatstand have been jumbled together to form an improvised barricade, preventing easy access into the shop. A lantern hanging from the ceiling further down the hall throws a shadowy light out onto the street in front.

On calling out, Iradyiel and Jit hear movement inside the building. The voice of an older lady, recognisable as Mme Olin, responds "Who is that? Have that evil cow and her thugs gone? I can look after myself, you know!" From behind the barricade, a toasting fork is jabbed into the air to reinforce her point. It doesn't take any skill to detect a frightened tremble in her voice.

Outside in the dim light of the lantern, CT and Aza inspect the two figures lying in the street. Both are poorly dressed but well-built human youths; they appear to be locals of the town, though maybe from the rougher ends of Pridon's Hearth. It's far too late for healing - both are dead, one from crushing overhead blows from a heavy mace or spiked club to the shoulder and neck; the other from a series of bites and lacerations, as if from a powerfully strong wild animal. At a guess, these two were surprised by their attackers; in any case, armed with a crowbar and a sap respectively, they did not seem capable of putting up any effective defense.

Chest Thumper is relieved when he discovers that neither of the dead bodies belongs to Madame Olin. He first feared that she might have been slain while defending her establishment.

He is much less relieved when he sees the nature or the wounds that killed the two men. Yet, Olin's comments suggest that there is one potential victim who is missing.

"I fear our friends from the fort may be in town," he comments, revealing what he has been able to discern. "One of these men was killed with just the sort of club that they seem to like and the other was killed by an animal, maybe some kind of dinosaur."

He raises his voice so the little woman inside can hear him. "Two are dead, not by our hands, the other is gone. Come out so we can get you to safety!"

'Evil cow?' Hearing Olin's response Iradyiel calls back to the shop keeper. "Mistress Olin, it is I, Iradyiel and friends. We mean no harm, we were just coming to check on you."

He looks back to Chest Thumper as he explains about how the men died, then calls out to Olin again. "Mistess Olin there is no Cow out here, Who are you talking about?"

Turning back past his friends he goes and picks up Gilthel turning him slightly so he doesn't see the bodies, he takes the boy back inside. "Come on Gilthel, I think it's safer inside than out, at least for now."

Aza furrows her brow as Chest Thumper explains what may have happened. "B-but why would they try to raid now? Sh-sh-shouldn't they be trying to get to safety?" She clenches her fist, and her worried expression flashes briefly with anger. "That th-they would do such a thing as w-we are scrambling and off-off-balance, just-t trying to save the town and the f-f-folk here from the storm... No matter th-their grievance they are risking m-much to do this, and it is a cruel tactic." She is broken from her monologue by the sound of Olin's voice, and clumsily arranges the bodies in a bit more dignified position, face-up and arms crossed. They could take care of burying the dead after they took care of the living.

"Mistress Olin! Clear your barricade - we have a young man with us who is shaken and seeks shelter! There are no longer foes out here to threaten you!" Pious steps into the light of the battered doorway and calls out to the shopkeeper, trying to assess whether she is indeed safe and not under duress. "We can see violence has been done in the street out here. As your God is your witness, what happened?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

The party hears more movement within the shop, and the bespectacled face of Mme Olin peers out, past the hatstand behind a crate. "Oh - it's you - by Abadar I'm glad to see friendly faces. Violence you say? Well I heard it but dared not peer out to see. Are they all gone, the Consortium thugs? There were three of them - two local ruffians and a dark-haired lady with a Saargarvan accent.". Mme Olin pulls back on a pair of crates, opening access into the shop if you wish to enter.

"I didn't recognise her - she must be a recent arrival I think. They thought my home abandoned; they started to batter down the door. I shouted at them to stop, but that woman told them to ignore me; she told them that their orders were to destroy the shop, and me being here changed nothing." She gives a frightened sob; "She said if I was drowned tonight, no-one'd know it wasn't the storm. The door was giving way, but then the fighting started. All I heard was a terrible tearing rending noise and the screaming, then people running away. Was that you, or the Sheriff? It's terrible - what is this town coming to? First this storm, now this. I never thought those Consortium thugs would stoop to this. I don't know anymore, I really don't."

Jit sorry to post before your post today, but I had some time free, and I thought I'd use the opportunity to get something in.

Jit breathes a sigh of relief when Madame Olin appears shaken but unharmed. “Poor bastards,” she mutters at the bodies. After the shopkeeper’s telling, Jit frowns thoughtfully. “That wasn’t us who drove them off, lady,” Jit answers, taking Oyin’s offer to move past the barricade. “It sounds like they really had it in for you. How do you know it was those Consortium bastards?” she asks. “They’re scum alright; have they been harassing you lately? Think the sheriff could do anything about it?”

Jit turns to her companions, face scrunched up in enmity. “Hey, did you find anything on those guys outside? Anything that looks like Consortium stuff?”

She turns her attention back to the shopkeeper, and releases a little sigh to relax some of her anger. Her almost-grotesque smile returns as she tries to return to being helpful. “Anyway, I guess the main thing is that you’re okay! You got real lucky, huh? What’s your secret? Rabbit’s foot? Two-headed copper coin? Garlic in the sock? Oh, and, uh,” Jit interrupts herself, trying to get back on track, “with your door all busted, do you still wanna stay here? We can help you get to the temple if you want. Everyone’s taking shelter there, it seems safe if a little cramped and stinky.”

---

No worries, AD! I didn’t have much to add until your new post anyway. :)

’Consortium ruffians and lizard people both out in this terrible storm, how odd.’ Iradiel listens as he carries Gilthel back into the emporium, setting him down on one of the still standing tables. Nodding his head in agreement with Jit. ”Yes Mistress Olin, you are lucky indeed! What are the odds of having consortium thugs and native lizard folk at your doorstep and you come out unscathed.”

Looking from Jit to Olin and then towards Aza and Chest Thumper; he rubs his chin, looking like he has found a puzzle he can’t quite figure out. ”What do you think they are doing out in this storm? I mean were out helping people but I don’t know what their doing. Unless you think the lizard folk saw the thugs and wanted to help Mistress Olin here.”

Finally giving up on the mystery he nods back toward the door. ”I don’t think that is going to keep anything out. Shouldn’t we take Mistress Olin and Gilthel here back to the stone building? I think the sheriff should know about this. should we inform the sheriff on our way or do we want to come back out after we drop them off?”

Chest Thumper and Francis were happy to be in out of the wind and the rain. They wander in past the barricade. The ape starts poking around, idly looking for food. The Half-orc squats on his hunches and contemplates his axe as though the answer might be in the valleys and ridges of the antler incorporated into the weapon.

"I think the lizardfolk either made the storm happen, helped it get stronger, guided it here, or just knew where it was going to end up. Remember one of them had lightning magic?" he says.

"I don't know why they're here but they may just be killing anyone they can get they're hands on.

He turns the axe and examines the blade, thoughtfully.

"The Consortium guys probably just saw an opportunity and the lizardfolk just saw an opportunity, too."

"I think we should find the sheriff and get everyone back to stone hall. This storm is dangerous enough. It's even worse if there are raiders using it as cover to hunt."

Aza moves in past the barricade and bites at her scorched thumbnail. "That is... that is, qu-quite an achievement to bring in a storm, isn't it? I can c-con-control some wind, but, to bring in something this destructive, th-that takes a l-lot more power." She glances back out through the broken door and out at the rain. "It's discouraging that the b-best of those options is-is simply w-weather... prediction. Divination."

"If they organized an assault on us I f-fear that they may have some-something more specific than a murderous raid. A certain-tain target other than j-just murdering anyone th-they can find. The consortium m-may have a less planned assault. Alth-though, if they mention... if they talked about orders..."

Aza had broken into partial monologue, though she is speaking to her compatriots, it helped her just to get the words out of her head as well - however, she couldn't afford to be distracted right now, and removed her hat, shaking it a bit to get even a bit of the soaked-in water out. "We should move quickly, I ag-gree that we should pick up the sher-riff as soon as possible." She examines the interior's surroundings briefly, looking for anything specific that might be worth destroying here.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Aza and Chest Thumper move further into the store. It seems a long time ago that you were last here but it was only yesterday, before the storm preparations began in earnest. The store looks unchanged; items piled high on vaguely ordered shelves, amidst a collection of goods of all sorts and descriptions. (Aza: You see nothing obvious in the store which would be worth destroying: it appears to be just a regular store, and home.)

Mme Oyin apologies for the erratic spelling of her name settles down on a seat with a sigh; "I set this shop up with my partner four years ago; she died shortly afterwards, but I carried on. I've been a thorn in the side of the regular merchants; I won't join their cartel and I won't conspire to keep prices high. I knew they resented me, but I never expected them to take matters this far. Business has been hard here in Pridon's Hearth, but it's never been a matter of violence. Yet today under cover of the storm they send thugs willing to destroy my shop, and threaten to drown me to boot! Well, I'm not leaving - that's not what my dear dear Cassia would have wanted either!"

Listening to the light-hearted banter from Jit, she smiles tearfully and says "No dear, no garlic or lucky rabbit's feet here. I'm sure Heri can sell you luck in a bottle, or that fool 'oracle', Quentin, can offer to enchant you with good fortune. All I have ever had is honest provisions at honest prices." She turns to the elf boy, Gilthel, wrapping a blanket around his shoulders and offering him, and the rest of the party a hot drink in a tin mug, from a small pot brewing on the hearth.

Action 1
Mirya Oyin does not want to leave her store. You might want to (or her own safety) attempt to persuade (DC20 Diplomacy), trick (DC18 Bluff), or force (DC14 Intimidation) her from the building, or you can use any other skill you chose (DC12) to shore up her home's security for the short term. The building itself is well-built and appears robust enough to endure the storm for now. Whilst you are here, you could also make any purchases you wish. Mme Oyin will give you a 15% discount in her gratitude.

Action 2
As your preparations with Mme Oyin come to an end there is a sudden lull in the wind outside, and in the moment before the wind resumes you hear something outside; a high shout, or a shriek, from the direction of the Tiger Docks. Peering out from the front door or through a hastily un-shuttered window, you see nothing, but can't help but note that it came from the waterfront, in the same direction taken by whoever killed the thugs outside...

The storm is reaching its peak outside and there is clearly evil afoot by the docks, where the wind-whipped seas meet the barricades erected to save Islandtown from serious flooding. But Mme Oyin's store is warm and dry, and you have a hot mug of Saagarva tea in your hand... Over to you !

Chest Thumper gladly takes the mug and takes a sip before handing it over to the next person. He gets up reluctantly but looks around the shop, trying to think of ways to reinforce it. He has no desire to scare the good madame out and no other skills to convince her.

"That hardly seems fair or right. Francis and me'll keep an eye out for this woman with dark hair and a Saargarven accent. We'll have a talk with her about good business practices," the Half-orc says.

He gathers up a few supplies from inside the shop before ducking out into the rain. He uses them to prepare a snare large enough to capture a lizardfolk in front of the door. He shows It in how to deactivate it and sets it as they leave.

Survival to reinforce the defenses: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Leaving comes all too early as a scream cuts through the briefly quiet air. Half-orc and ape had just been relaxing, too.

Francis gives his brother a put upon look but Chest Thumper just nods with a sigh and heads out into the rain.

[b]"Ok, if you don't understand the moral obligation thing, think about this...we owe these people our help because they've been feeding us and may be our new troop," Chest Thumper answers the questioning grumbling of his brother.

Survival: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Wow...2 failed survival checks...1 in 400 odds...

survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

'What a nice lady.' Iradyiel smiles as Oyin places a blanket on Gilthel, as soon as he puts the boy down. 'The store looks to be in good shop yet, I wonder if it's safe for her and the boy.' Looking around the shop, Iradyiel accepts the cup of hot tea from Chest Thumper. "Thank you master, your right we should watch for her." slurping the tea he passes it on. "Mmmmm that's good thank you."

Looking around the store again, The building seems like it's in really good shape. should we try and strengthen it before we leave? I would rather move Oyin and Gilthel to the stone hall." He looks at Oyin, "Would you go back to the stone hall so we don't need to worry about you? I would hate to leave you here on your own."

diplomacy, aid another?: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

Action I

Aza graciously accepts the tea, sipping it thoughtfully before handing it on. "Madame Oy-yin, I think you ought to leave - w-we can put some work into keeping the bandits from coming back and m-mussing up the store any more-more, but your safety is paramount - even if the odds only in-in-increase a little in your favor, I would feel better if you were with the others in the st-stone hall." She attempts to help as best she can with fortification, simply using her own average strength to move things around and barricade the store.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Strength: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Action II

As Aza hears the shriek, she jumps, immediately putting on her set aside hat and dark cloak. "Where did that come f-from?" she questions, retrieving her quarterstaff from next to the door. "It-it sounds like somebody's in trouble," she states, looking at Chest Thumper, then Francis. "We sh-should help them b-because they need help and we c-can help!"

Action 1

Pious stands nearest the door as the party take their rest-bite, continually vigilant to more emerging threats from the storm wracked outdoors. His recent dip means he is technically cleaner than he has been in months but the lank hair that hangs across his face retains its greasy luster.

Action 2

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

"Time is up Mme Oyin, we are leaving now. And you and the boy are coming with us. The pious man must be for all men, for the ignorant know not wisdom"

Turning to the others

"That came from the docks. The time for procrastination is over."

Striding outside, Pious heads in the direction of the shout but sudenly pulls up and crouches

"These tracks... the thugs were attacked by heavy humanoid figures with clawed feet and tails. There must have been at least four or six or them; they passed on down the road towards the docks"

Not waiting for a response the inquisitor presses on.

sorry, I only responded to Action 1, this action 2

Hearing the screaming outside, he watches Pious leave, he turns to the others, "We can't let Master Shepard go alone!" he turns and asks Oyin "Will you come with us? We will keep you and Gilthel safe." He then heads out after Pious.

Action 1:
Mme Oyin reacts badly to Iradyiel's genuine concern; "Young man I can handle myself, you know! We townfolk managed storms and threats here in Pridon's Hearth long before you disembarked from the big city! I daresay you brought some of this trouble from Saargava - I believe that lady with the street thugs arrived on the same voyage of the Kaava Cutter with you!

She then calms down somewhat, and Aza's gentle words sooth her such that she does in the end agree to abandon the store and accompany the party to seek refuge at the Stone Hall, after first finding the missing Sheriff near the quayside levee.

It is while leaving the store, stepping over at the doorway the tangled and ineffectual mess that is Chest Thumper's attempt to set a snare, that the party hear the screams. With Iradyiel and Pious at the lead, and the others splashing through the rain after them, the party, Gilthel and Mme Oyin hustle through the rain down the water-logged street towards the waterfront.

Getting closer to the quayside, the party slow down. In a narrow cobbled street, the stones slick with water, shuttered shops and homes on either side are running with rain. Ahead, a fisherman's rowboat has been hauled out, overturned, onto the street. A loose porch door slams open and shut in the wind, and a variety of debris whirls in the enclosed space, caught in the gusts rushing between the buildings. The rain here hits harder and the wind buffets you; it's almost as though the storm is being boosted, or focused somehow, beyond what is being experienced across the rest of the town. A flash and simultaneous BANG! of lightning strikes; it feels like it hit only tens of feet away, by the quay.

Looking up after the lightning, everyone sees the Lizardfolk warrior silhouetted against the stormclouds. Mme Oyin gives a startled shriek and Gilthiel shrinks forward clutching Aza's legs, as they see a burly and muscled lizardman clinging to a weathervane on the apex of a butcher's shop roof with one hand, and to a stone-studded club with the other. He lifts his throat, a red display frill rising on the back of his neck, and cries out, a warbling ululation which pierces the roar of the wind.

You are in combat! See the battlemap, below. It shows the levee one street north of you, a wall of sandbags and barricades constructed to save Islandtown from the worst of the storm-driven waves. A large fishing boat has broken its moorings and been driven up onto onto the quayside. You are in the side street south of that, with Mme Oyin and Gilthel at the rear. Ahead of you the street opens up into a small square, where the upturned rowing boat has been abandoned. Those squares are impassable.

Map 8: Breaching the Levee

The wind is being channeled down the alleys from the quayside. Any movement action involving a square facing the sea (columns 6, 11, 14, 15, or anywhere north of row H) has to treat those squares as difficult terrain. Moving north in these squares is difficult; it requires a DC10 Str check or fall prone and roll back 1d4 x 5 feet. Aza, given her background, is immune to this effect. Jit, given her size, is more susceptible (-2 penalty).

The lizardman is clinging to the roof at J9, 10 foot above the street below. He has a quiver of javelins over his shoulder. In these conditions however, all ranged attacks suffer a -4 penalty. Climbing up to a roof is possible, requiring a DC 15 climb check. However the angled roofs wet with water are treacherous - they are difficult terrain and moving across them requires an acrobatics or climbing check DC 12 to avoid falling off.

Finally, the driving rain severely impairs visibility. You can only see 40' ahead (more along the sheltered streets) and perception is at a -4 penalty.

Actions, reactions? Good luck...

Round 1:
Lizardman, Iradyiel, Jit, Francis, Pious, CT, Aza, Oyin & Gilthel.

The lizardman hooks the club onto his waist and pulls a javelin from his back, waving it threateningly at the party whilst shrieking over the wind. It is noticable that he gestures over his shoulder, as if in warning to others in the street behind him...

Chest Thumper does not like the position the lizardman is in. It will be all too easy for him to rain down javelins on them. And he's getting enough regular rain for his liking, anyway. He suspects the lizardman will soon find out what a Jit Jolt is, but doesn't want to wait to see if that will deter him.

He points at the lizardman and hoots and growls at Francis. The ape looks up into the rain, eyes narrowing as he sees the threat.

Handle Animal + Nature Bond: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 4 = 27

The ape leaps into action, hurrying forward and nimbly scaling the wall in what seems like one smooth path. He cannot attack immediately but ends up next to the lizardfolk sniper, ready to deal his own rain (of blows) on the scaly man.

Chest Thumper hurries to follow, though he does not have Francis speed or climbing ability.

Francis will double move. He has a climb speed so he can take 10 on the check and a +8 which gives him a total of 19. He should end up in K10, unless I've miscalculated. Chest Thumper will brave the winds in the alley and double move to keep close to his brother but will only end up at L10. Also, I now have a Led Zeppelin and Beastie Boys song stuck in my head...

Move to M8. Standard to cast Daze. Swift to activate Judgement (Healing)

"Hgggggr!"

Braced against the storm, Pious trudges forward, sword drawn and brandishing his text

"You cannot stand before civilization beast!"

Daze: DC13

Pious has Fast Healing 1 for the duration of combat

Action 1

Jit wants to suggest that Madame Oyin stay in her shop: it seems sturdy enough and it offers a great view of the storm. At Aza’s sensible words, though, the gnome shrugs. It was probably safer overall in the temple, and Oyin would at least get to see the impressive storm (terrifying and unnatural as it appeared) first hand.

Action 2

Jit sees the need to get going quickly, following the sound to see if there are more dangers to be quelled or folks to be rescued. She finds herself nearly bowled over by the winds funneling down the alleys, but she pushes through until the lizardfolk comes into sight, weapon raised. Must be those marauders the others were talking about! she thinks excitedly, not having seen one of these scaly raiders before.

Round 1

She moves up as close as she can without exposing herself to the windy alley then shoots a little lightning to test the lizard’s defenses. “Zap!”

---

I’ll move up as close to square L5 as I can.

Jolt, touch attack, wind: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 4 = 15
Electric damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

'That's not good, he's signaling someone or something.' Seeing the lizard creature signaling someone or something, Iradyiel drawing his club, moves down the alley toward the sandbags and where he believes the sheriff is, calling back to his companions. "We need to see who it is signaling!"

Iradyiel double moves to G6

Round I

With the wind rushing around Aza like a blanket made of fury, her gasp was lost to the storm at the sudden appearance of the lizardman on the roof. She had never seen one in person before, and while they had discussed lizardfolk before, she still imagined them being much... smaller. Still, there was not much time to think as the party sprung into action. Raising her staff, Aza shouted words to bless the party. "الرياح، ز- دليل أيدينا!" The wooden rod glows slightly in response. Aza raises her other hand protectively, looking back at the two people the group is escorting, smiling awkwardly. "D-don't worry, w-we can handle this-this. Seek... Take cover if you can."

The party springs into action. Iradyiel sprints up the alley against the wind, towards the quayside. Buffeted by the wind, he very nearly looses his footing, crashing down to one knee and reaching out a hand to regain his balance. Francis swings nimbly up a drainpipe and onto the roofline above, confronting the muscled lizardkin. Pious and Chest Thumper race across the alleyway to the side of the butcher's shop, with Pious flinging a spell up at the sentry alongside a lightning jolt from the Gnome, boosted by Aza's divine blessing. Mme Oyin meanwhile grasps Gilthel by the shoulder, and covers back into a storefront doorway.

Iradyiel I rolled a DC10 STR check for you (no taking 10 since I'm judging that these conditions count as 'in immediate danger or distracted') and you passed - just. I'd have ruled the same for Francis' climb roll on the roof, but...he's an ape. Jit I'm judging that the wind effect of -4 to ranged attacks doesn't apply to magical attacks - just bows, thrown etc.

The combined magical assault is well timed. Francis, ferocious and rainsodden but already wounded, mounts the roof to find the sentry raising an obsidian-studded terbutje to strike him down. Suddenly a spark of lightning zzaps past and strikes the foe, before its attention is seized by Pious' spell and it slumps back, dazed, against the weathervane.

As Iradyiel rounds the corner of the alley, he emerges onto the rain-lashed waterside. Waves are battering up against a stone quay, topped with sandbags and a makeshift barricade. the fishing boat he could see from the street before is slowly being shattered against the dock, loose amidst the wild waves. Further down the front, he can just make out two humanoid shapes emerging through the rain; they carry weapons, and one is crouching by a figure prone on the floor. visibility is only 40', so Iradyiel can only just see the shapes of the figures at F15 and G16

At the same moment, Chest Thumper rounds the corner of the butcher's shop, below Francis and the sentry on the roof above. Partly obscured by the rowboat in the square ahead, he has a marginally more clear view of the two figures - they are lizardfolk, and they are alert and warned. One looks up from crouching whilst chewing on the arm of a fallen town watchman. The other lizardkin throws down a ripped open sandbag and bares sharpened teeth in a threatening scowl, flickering a long, red snakelike tongue around his spear in a hostile gesture sure to be offensive in any language.

Round 1
- Lizardfolk sentry: gives a warning...
- Iradyiel: Double move up windy alley
- Jit: Move and zzzap!
- Francis: Swings up onto butcher’s roof
- Pious: Move past windy alley, Daze, heal +1 to 12 HP
- CT: Moves up to edge of butcher’s shop; spots trouble
- Aza: Reassures Oyin & Gilthel, Bless (no more spells today, right?)

Round 2
- LF sentry: Dazed and clinging to the roof
- LF warrior 1 & 2: Licking and waiting…
- Iradyiel, Jit, Francis, Pious, CT, Aza: ???
- Prone watchman: nothing…

Spells in effect: Bless (all)

'Is that the Sherriff?' Seeing the two or three shapes in the fog, Iradyiel begins moving their direction, calling out, waiving with his left hand and pointing to the lizard on the roof. "Watch out Sherriff, there is a Lizard on the roof, and it looks like he is signaling his friends."

'I don't think that's the sheriff.' As he nears the creatures, he begins to second guess his assumption that they are associated with the Sherriff or her people.

double move to 'G12'
do you want a str. check?
str: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

do you want a str. check? str: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

You only need a str check if you are moving into the wind. I appreciate this might not be totally logical, but otherwise all combatants will be on the floor the whole time...

-Posted with Wayfinder

Double move to L15
Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Pious, seeing the ape bearing down on the lone reptilian, knows that he is of no more use here. He presses on, hoping to find more foes to slake his fervour. As he steps around a corner to head towards the waterfront his footing betrays him and the wind takes him right off his feet...

So I'm rolling backwards then, how embarrassing...

As eager as Francis was to get into reach distance of the Lizardfolk on the roof, he was quite relieved when one of the furless ones managed to do something to it to keep it from attacking him in those exposed moments when he was clambering up on the roof.

He did not intend to give the creature time to recover. With a challenging growl he attacks viciously.

bite + Bless: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12
claw + Bless: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5
claw + Bless: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7

bite damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
claw damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
claw damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Chest Thumper does not like leaving his brother alone to fight the creature. He is not as nimble as Francis though and won't be able to scamper up the wall as easily.

climb - Armor Penalty: 1d20 + 7 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 7 - 3 = 16

Still, he manages to make it with relative ease.

Round 2

Jit recognizes that something is going on past the wrecked boat and the building in front of her with all the shouting, even if she can’t see anything. She moves past the alley, bracing against the north-facing facade of the line of buildings nearby. “More lizards? It’s time I finally got a good look at these scaly bastards!” she shouts over the wind as she moves closer. She reaches the wrecked boat, almost pressed against the wall by the forceful winds, just in time to see a scaly reptilian humanoid tear into human flesh. She makes a face, sticking her tongue out.

---

I’ll double move to M11.

Pious barrels round the corner of the butcher’s shop, only for a blast of wind to takes his feet out from underneath him. He hits the cobbles hard and is tumbled a short distance back before grasping an oarlock on the rowboat, and hauling himself back up on one knee. As he does so, the wind catches the underside of the boat and the hull lifts a foot off the ground momentarily, before falling back. It is at this point that Jit hustles round the corner, halting at the side of the upturned boat.

Pious you start turn 3 not prone - saved from a longer tumble by grabbing the rowboat. Now it has shifted, anyone can use the rowboat to aid their advance into the wind; the squares to the east of the boat up to J15 can be entered without a strength roll to avoid being knocked over.

The building to the east of the boat is a chandlery shop; Jit, you can see a back door into the shop at M17, and it’s likely there may be a further door onto the quayside.

Up above, a furious melee is taking place atop the roof. Dislodged tiles skitter off into the wind as Francis tries to go full Kong on the sentry whilst not losing his grip – his bite connects, but the scaly hide prevent any damage. As Chest Thumper joins his brother on the roof, the lizardman shakes off his dazed expression, drops his club, and lashes out with a claw and bite attack of his own on the climbing apeman. Both connect in a bloody flurry of pain 7 HP damage; crit narrowly fails to confirm...

On the quayside, Iradyiel realises his mistake as he advances up the seafront, and the shapes ahead materialise into not the Sheriff and her men, but more lizardfolk. The two figures he saw earlier straighten and move to attack him; both are burly warrior-types bearing weapons and shields; it is apparent from their gait that these will be confident and powerful combatants.

Beyond the two warriors, Iradyiel can see that the levee wall of sandbags has been reduced, pulled away, and that already waves are starting to periodically surge over into the street behind. Atop Island Town’s sandback barricade stands a hooded lizardfolk, cackling madly up at the storm. Strangely, its belt appears to be lined with a number of what appear to be footballs. At its feet lies a prone figure in a familiar red leather tunic; Sheriff Adaela…

As the two warriors launch their attacks on Iradyiel none of which connect, the hooded figure aims one scaly palm at him – with a vicious CRACK ! a bolt of white-hot lightning shoots from its hand towards him, zig-zagging wide to strike the storefront behind.

Round 3 is up (Aza: you still owe us an action for round 2 as well). Go ! Go ! Go !

Round 2
- LF sentry: Dazed and clinging to the roof
- LF warrior 1 & 2: Licking and waiting…
- Iradyiel: double move, unpleasant surprise
- Jit: hustles forward…
- Francis: claws and teeth
- Pious: falls on his backside, heal +1 to 13 HP
- CT: climbs up onto roof
- Aza: pending

Round 3
- LF sentry: claws and teeth CT
- Reszavass: lightning arc, miss
- LF warrior 1 & 2: unsuccessful attempt to double-team Iradyiel
- Iradyiel, Jit, Francis, Pious, CT, Aza: ???

Spells in effect: Bless (all)

'That's the Sherriff! We need to help her, I have to tell the others. Have to get rid of these two first.' Realizing who dire the situation is, Iradyiel attempts to shout over the storm. "The sherriff is unconscious near the sandbag barricade!"

'I hope the others see or hear me.' Beginning to rage, like his father taught him, swinging his knobkerrie club in an overhand strike at the head of the lizard to his right. 'H13' He then steps away, placing his back against the wall of the building, awaiting the onslaught.

attack: Club, two handed, rage, PA RA, AC -3 (14) 5 ft. step to 'H11'
attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 for damage: 1d10 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 3 = 16