Thank you.
Rhorn makes to the ship and takes the woman's advice.
There are multiple sailors around the ramp up to the ship. Rhorn sees a rope tied off from the dock to the cargo hold.
Rhorn is unsuited for stealth and if he is spotted won't make the climb attempt... Time to sea if the captain of this vessel values the mental arts...
stealth
climb
One of the sailors sees you grabbing the rope. "Hey...what are you up to?" He walks over and pulls a dagger. "You need something?"
Be at peace, I come with an offer for your captain. It is most generous I can assure you.
diplomacy
"Come on and this better be good." He leads you up on the deck and up to the ship's wheel where to captain is calling out commands. A rough looking dwarf smoking a cigar turns and looks you over. "What do you want? Are you one of those creepy freaks? You mess with this head and I'll crush your damn skull! Savvy?"
I am not a Telepath, I am a Seer. You look like a man who appreciates profit, I can help you in that regard. I offer a simple deal, a favor for a favor. Bring me to your next port of call and I will render you assistance at a later date. If you desire to know what I can offer you ask away.
diplomacy
"I do not think so. They can be very devious, we shall see how it goes!"
He laughs. All the excitement
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All i can come up with is possibly using a hero point to get myself out of this.
would i be able to use a Hero Point to either "Act out of Turn" or "Special"?
At a minimum, i'd like to use the point to "Act out of Turn" tumbling back (ending in H13 or I12) just before the Orc got to me so that he could not reach me and his attack was spoiled.
Preferably and ideally, i'd like to tumble diagonally from him through the south dog's area (ending in J07), cutting its leash as it went to attack the orc, thereby giving it a better chance of hitting the orc as well as Chetiin avoiding the Orc's attack.
i will roll acrobatics, since either of my proposed uses involve it.
** spoiler omitted **
Hold off any anything until we can resolve where Arcavic is standing at this point. We can't do anything until we know that with absolute certainty.
I concur. I wont be able to post until about 20 hours from now. I must go to sleep now, then work a long day.
As cool as the actions i described were (in my head) i'd like to avoid spending a Hero Point if possible in the first combat of the game. i prefer to hoard them!
Arcavic moves up to G8 and looses an arrow. He misses the flatfooted Gnoll. Chettin moves up to G10 and draws his daggers.
Goblin Dog #1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Goblin Dog #2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
The dogs, seeing Drow meat, move up and attack. They both miss.
The Orc charges Arcavic. The Orc dodges the AOO of the dog. "Time for a guttin'!" His dagger buries deep in the Drow's side.
Dagger/Charge: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 = 21
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
The Gnoll moves forward as the goblin dogs assault the drow.
Initiative:
Goblin Dogs<<
Orc<<
Chetiin<
Arcavic<
Gnoll<
The captain laughs. "The old: 'I'll take a favor today and pay you back later' gag? I wasn't born yesterday. Crowns speak! What can you do for me boy?"
** spoiler omitted **
Since this is the first battle and we are learning how each other play, I would allow you a change since you are using hero points. If you want, you can:
Drop your bow, draw your morning star/attack twice with hero point, and then 5 ft step.
If you want to keep the same action, that is fine. You will take AOOs though. Why is your guy yawning when he is about to die? Haha
I play intelligent enemies like they are intelligent. I don't usually give a break if a character ends up in a bad spot, but this is just the intro though.
I like those two, even with their small frames they still take on much larger opponents. Mind if I take on the orc and gnoll if they fail? I will do it in their place? You already made 10 gold off of me
he offers with a laugh
The Orc grins and takes a stab at the Drow as he tries to tumble away.
The Orc drops Arcavic. He raises his hands in victory!
The Gnoll calls out to Chetiin, "Hehe...bow at my feet...hehe...and survive another day...hehe!"
A few clerics run out and drag the drow off. They start tending to his wounds.
The dwarf looks at your ten gold and smiles. "Gyro...have I ever told you how much I love crowns?!" He picks up the 10 gold pieces and smells them. "It's your caravan. If you see something you like in the drow and goblin, feel free to pick them. Just know that if you fail on this mission you are done with us."
I understand, just because they are put in an environment like this and fail, does not mean they have the wrong skill set. Pay the ones that win their share, but i think the drow and goblin are good choices
He looks at his own weapon, it was large and heavy. the way he liked it, but that was his only area of expertise, he needed smart, on their feet thinkers, and those two in the pit seemed like the sort he needed
Before dropping, Arcavic's morningstar digs deep into the Orc's shoulder. As the Orc lifts his arms to celebrate, it is pretty obvious he is nervous, seeing the two dogs drooling at his heels.
I can track a person by the mental imprint they leave behind, I need no hair or article of clothing to do so... Unlike your arcanists of Khorvaire.
Olyvvar strides back into the party and begins to mingle. Trying to let the distaste of being forced into a task fade, he decided to listen closely to the gossip and rumors. He resumed the role of consummate professional, and kept a confidant smile on the whole night.
Chetiin will skirt to L7 in a way that avoids AoOs. (down 2 then diagonal)
He will then ready an action for the Orc to approach in melee with the hopes that the dog will follow on his heels and provide a flanking buddy.
The Gnoll moves up to K9 (haha Gnoll/K9 Get it?) to set up an attack on the goblin.
The dogs attack the Orc who is caught between them. One of them drops the Orc since he was already wounded by the Drow. Some of the crowd jeers as the betting favorite falls. Dwarves yell out in the crowd. "Let's see what the goblin can do!" "Stop running coward." "He ain't running...He's fighting smart!"
Initiative:
Goblin Dogs<<<
Orc
Chetiin<<
Arcavic
Gnoll<<
Chetiin will skirt the dog's area (staying out of its reach) to get to H4 and ready his dagger to throw at the dog's rope. He will throw it at the rope holding back whichever dog next lunges towards the gnoll, freeing the dog to complete its attack. He will aim at the part of the rope nearest the post so as to be easier to hit and less likely to draw the dog's ire.
Two courtiers talk quietly. "I've heard there has been some riff between the crown and the Blood of Vol clergy." The other responds, "Supposedly, the church wants more political influence." They see you standing near. Changing the subject quickly, "Hey! I know you! You're that playwright!" They both swoon around you.
Chetiin will skirt the dog's area (staying out of its reach) to get to H4 and ready his dagger to throw at the dog's rope. He will throw it at the rope holding back whichever dog next lunges towards the gnoll, freeing the dog to complete its attack. He will aim at the part of the rope nearest the post so as to be easier to hit and less likely to draw the dog's ire.
[dice=dagger, thrown at rope]1d20+5
[dice=dmg]1d3
The Gnoll charges Chetiin, hoping to drop him quickly and get the win.
He makes a HUGE mistake though as the goblin dodges his attack. He is left vulnerable! The first goblin dog steps up while attached to his rope and attacks. He misses.
The other dog pulls on his rope and is about to be stuck when the rope suddenly snaps due to Chetiin's blade! "BRILLIANT MOVE!", one dwarf yells out. "Hey...That's cheatin'!", another jeers. The goblin dog lunges at the Gnoll, but misses as well.
Arcavic is revived and can watch/cheer on his partner.
Chetiin glides to the side (5ft step south) to flank the gnoll with the dogs.
He rubs his beard. "I have no need of that. If I piss off them freaks..." He points to the buildings. "I may lose their business. Money talks kid." He turns to a sailor. "Put him in manacles, so we can take him back to the Mind Freaks." The man goes to get manacles.
Chettin steps to the side and attempts to stab the Gnoll. He is off target. "Time to die ugly goblin!" The Gnoll also chooses to step to the side to avoid the flank and swings his battle axe viciously, but misses the wily goblin.
The dogs attack once again!
CRITICAL!!!
The first goblin dog rips into the Gnoll's hamstring, causing blood to squirt from a major artery! He reaches back to stop the bleeding.
The Dwarf slams his hand on the table as the wily goblin takes the upper hand, causing the coins to bounce onto the dusty ground. As the goblin throws his dagger and slices the rope, the Dwarf yells out: "Cheater! He can't do that!" Another Dwarf yells, Stop being a bad sport. That was brilliant! I want that guy guarding my caravan!"
"You're already dead." Chetiin moves in a wide arc behind the northern dog to avoid getting bitten, and grabs the rope trailing behind the dog.
If he has actions remaining this round, he will tie the rope off to the post (that'll leave them tied to the same post), if not, he will do it next round and leave the dog's area and retrieve his dagger from the vicinity of the northern post.
You spot the King standing across the room staring at you.
The minister responds. "Vee have a job for you Priestess. Vee need you to accompany a courtier to Vroat. The King's sister vill meet you at zee royal court." She points to Olyvvar. "He vill disguise zee courtier as a priestess like youzelf for the caravan trip. You will protect her vith your life. Understand?"
The Gnoll chases the goblin, drawing attacks from the gobin dogs.
They pull the Gnoll down and start mauling him. "Stop them quickly!" By the time the clergy get to the Gnoll, he is graveyard dead. Chetiin ties the other rope to the post and gets free from danger.
The crowd cheers the intelligence of the goblin! One of the rich merchants stands and quiets the crowd. "Our new caravan guards...Chetiin the Wily Goblin and Arcavic the Deadly Dark Elf!"
The Orc bows in acknowlegment of your superior skills. To Arcavic: "Good strike" He points to his now healed arm.
The head merchant comes down into the pit and presents the goblin a present (from your roll).
Chetiin walks over to the dark elf, wiping dirt and mud off of the dagger he threw and replacing it in its sheath.
"Tough fight. I prefer ambushing the enemy to a straight-up fight."
Indeed 'tis I, Olyvvar Merriman, at your service, he says with a flourishing bow. Playwright, actor, poet, singer. Well-versed in prose and in song. But do not let me interrupt. Pray tell, a rift between church and state?
You do want to lose this business, why answer to the Inspired? Why be the employee when you can be the employer, be your own man. I can help you in that regard, many ancient treasures lie buried across Khorvaire and Xen'drik. None have unearthed these treasures because they cannot find them, no maps exist and those who knew are long dead.
Yet I can reveal the past to you, in time I will be able to show you where treasures lie. As a treasure hunter you would be completely independent, you would answer to no one but yourself. You would never have to get with a hundred miles of Sarlona again and with great treasure comes great fame, fame that could attract the right kind of people to you. Think House Kundarak.
The Dwarf looks surprised, "Are you offering to join my crew and swear loyalty to me? I thought you were just trying to escape to Khorvaire." He puts out his hand so the soldier will wait to place the manacles on you.
The two ladies go to either side of you and put their arms inside of yours to be escorted. The one to your right leans her head onto your shoulder. The other gets jealous and does the same. "Yes. It is just a rumor in the court, but people are saying the church is seeking more influence. They do not agree with the monarchy." As one trails off, the other picks up "The church is questioning whether all citizens should have to serve the military. This has pissed off the King. He knows they are just using this to turn the people against the him." The one who originally spoke kisses you on the cheek. They are both extremely attactive. They giggle and smile at the other female courtiers, knowing they hit the jackpot with your attention.
The thespian nods sagely, and files that information away for later. As the conversation turns away from matters of state, Olyvvar focuses his attention on his adoring public. If there is more information he can glean from the ladies or other admirers during the evening, he will certainly make note of it.
Having been healed, Arcavic has resumed a mostly calm facial expression, "You did well yourself all things considered. Had not the pitmasters been so kind as to provide my partner and I with the dogs to serve as allies and distractions, it would have turned out much different. I am sorry about your comrade; dying in a pit is no way to leave this world properly." After a final nod of recognition and respect to the orc, he moves to meet up with his partner. "Like I said, mobility and the dogs were the key. Though I usually try to avoid being the punching bag, sometimes it is a necessary role. We should probably go meet our employers."
Gyro smirked and looked at the dwarf and put out his hand.
"Well, I guess we both were wrong, but a bet is a bet."
He looked at the crowd and the two winners. This is going to be a very interesting trip with those two around
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"cho." Chetiin says, nodding in agreement.