Ami sits on Yeenoghu who is anxiously pawing the sand, waiting to get going.
Perception
I sure do like the sun! Yep. It's almost it's all I can see sometimes.
* * *
"EEK! HEY-YEAH!" Ami says as he startles from his brother's warning and description.
GNOLLS! THE HUNT IS ON!
Yeenoghu spins 3 times in place such is the cat's excitement, feeding off his master's.
He spurs the party forward, trying to hurry them on.
I knew my brother would find gnolls to fight.
Pent steps in front of Dashki as he starts to leave, and pokes him hard in the stomach. "Your words sicken others. Best soften them next time before you speak them. The way you speak them words of yours, it sounds like you'd rather be out there, clapping them on as they disembowel the poor soul." Pent stands his ground, forcing Dashki to push him aside, or walk around him.
"Observing sounds fair, Almah. Too late is too late. They might be using the screams to draw others out." Pent doesn't look eager to expose himself in the open fields. He relents as the blood begins to boil in the others.
As you explain scenes of Vardishal's past to him based on the wall murals, he seems excited by it all, but still is unable to actually recall any of those memories. He tells you that they certainly instill some sort of warmth in his soul, though.
The Lions of Senara were a very enthusiastic and eager bunch, talking often of lost treasures that they knew were hidden in the old cathedral in Kelmarane. They had heard rumors that some gnolls were living in the area, but that was an understatement; an entire tribe of them have completely taken over. However, the strangest and most unsettling thing was that their leader was not a gnoll at all. He looked like a human.
The Lions were quickly overtaken and imprisoned in the battle market at the top of the village. Gnolls, an ogre, and other creatures inhabited the village, but the demon... The one with the cloven feet and the massive halberd that roamed the streets. He was the most terrifying.
One-by-one, the various members of the adventuring party were killed, simply for their own amusement. The screams were overwhelming. You overheard the gnolls talking about feeding one man, Oxvard, to their pet. Another was given as a sacrifice to the goat-demon. But this whole time, one of your party, a Pathfinder named Filliped, managed to escape during the attack and, from what you can gather, hasn't been captured... yet.
You've only been here for two days, but you know your end is coming. Just this morning, another companion, a human worshiper of Abadar named Oskana, was tied to a large pole just outside the battle market while the gnolls gutted him and ripped out his internal organs, spilling them onto the ground. You were taken outside to watch this macabre display, the remaining gnolls and their leader laughing with approval. His suffering didn't last long, but his loud scream of anguish was something you won't forget. And then, moments later, the one that had personally disarmed you of your equipment just days before, grabs you and tells you that it's your turn. A sharp pain on the back of your head only lasts a moment before everything goes black.
The party races through the vast field of pesh cacti towards the direction they saw the gnolls headed. Travel is not as quick, as maneuvering around the large plants impedes progress a bit.
After roughly 20 minutes of pushing quickly through the field, everyone (except Mahdi, who is very intent on not ruining his robes any further) hears the sound of barking and laughing coming from somewhere very close to your location.
Pushing through eventually reveals a wide clearing in the middle of the pesh field. Three gnolls, two strapped with spears, the other with a beautiful-looking falchion, are standing over a unconscious, mangy human with long brown hair. His hands are bound by rope. The two spear gnolls are currently beating the ground with the end of the spears, while the other picks up the unconscious human and splashes a bit of water in his face to rouse him. The gnoll growls at the man, who seems to have noticeable scars on his face and arms.
After prodding the ground several times, one of the gnolls growls,
Round 1
23+. . . Mahdi
23-. . . Amiamble
19. . . Gnoll 2
15. . . Pent
12. . . ???
10. . . Aldebert
6. . . Gnoll 3
2. . . Gnoll 1
Round 1, Init 23+
Well, Mahdi thinks, it appears we're doing chivalry after all.
But the rest of his thoughts are that here, at last, are the nightmarish figures of his childhood: the ones that took his mother and father away, that forced Hazim to grow up before his time simply to take care of him.
Mahdi's face twists into a nasty smile, and he spends a moment to whisper the words of protection around himself.
He pushes through the brush, no longer caring about his robes. There are gnolls to kill.
Round 1
23+. . . Mahdi
23-. . . Amiamble
19. . . Gnoll 2
15. . . Pent
12. . . ???
10. . . Aldebert
6. . . Gnoll 3
5. . . Kul
2. . . Gnoll 1
Round 1, Init 15
AC = 13
HP = 17/17
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow
Condition(s) = Resigned to fighting
Sizing up the activity on the field, Pent looks around for the late-to-the-party mentioned by the knolls.
Maintaining his position, he brings Sarenrae's light to shine on the brows of his charges. His fingers fiddle the air, as if he pictures sprinkling dew drops over their heads.
He saunters a little closer, gripping his crossbow tighter, the closer he gets to mange.
Round 1, Init 23-
Ami and Yeen scramble closer to the gnolls, stopping short to let loose with a primative challenge that is matched by a yawr from Yeenoghu.
"YEWORLLL!
Ami flicks his slingstaff at Gnoll #1, certain to get his attention.
to hit vs. FF;
damage.
Ami reloads.
"Bree-Yark"
Yeen readies to bite the first gnoll who dares step close.
to hit; (bite)
damage.
The stone from Ami's staff flies, but misses its mark.
Round 1, Init 19
The gnoll clutches his spear tightly, then runs forward with a howl towards Amiamble and Yeen.
Because the charge had left him exposed, Yeen is able to successfully bite the arm of the gnoll as he approaches quickly.
Gnoll #2 vs Amiamble
@Pent: You don't notice anything unusual or out of place.
Round 1, Initiative 10
Weapon Equipped = Guisarme
Conditions = None (Endure Elements maybe?)
Smite Evil = 1/1 (+2 attack, +2 damage, +2 AC)
Lay on Hands = 3/3 (1d6 healing)
Aldebert moves up in striking range of the second gnoll and takes a mighty swing!
"That's for Haleen you ugly brute!"
Amiamble takes the blow, grunting in pain.
Aldebert's mighty chop of the guisarme is a enough to hack right through the gnoll's body, leaving it a lifeless corpse on the ground.
Round 1, Init 6
Gnoll #3, seeing his comrade go down, runs forward and hurls one of his spears at the only tall person in the ambush party.
Gnoll #3 vs Mahdi
But the spear hits a nearby cactus instead.
Round 1, Init 2
The falchion-equipped gnoll holds the sword at the ready and charges towards Aldebert.
Gnoll #1 vs Aldebert
Aldebert successfully parries the incoming attack.
Round 1 AoO, Initiative 10
Weapon Equipped = Guisarme
Conditions = Endure Elements
Smite Evil = 1/1 (+2 attack, +2 damage, +2 AC)
Lay on Hands = 3/3 (1d6 healing)
Aldebert takes his attack of opportunity and tries to cut the beast down remembering, this time, the blessings of Sarenrae upon him.
(bless)
Round 1, Initiative 5
Kul throws his head back, raises his tied hands over his head and shouts, "Sarenrae, fill this impure vessel with your golden blessing. Free me from my bondage so that I may do your will!"
Once his bonds break, he yips in gnollish, "You face now a free man. Die like the jackals your mother mated with!"
He moves into a flank on Gnoll 1, threatening with his bracers.
"You face a free man!! You hear that?! I don't know how you can't with him breathing down your neck like that, and he's doing it with Sarah's blessings, so it's double on you if you don't just lay down and ask for the forgivings!!" Pent continues to lean to and fro, keeping a clear line on the gnolls in spite of halflings crowding around him.
The stranger breaks free of his bonds, and the two remaining gnolls turn to his call. They both snarl and snap in anger.
Suddenly, the ground begins to shift, not violently, but enough that everyone notices it. The spear-wielding gnoll turns to presumably his leader and says,
Round 2
23+. . . Mahdi
23-. . . Amiamble
15. . . Pent
12. . . ???
10. . . Aldebert
6. . . Gnoll 3
5. . . Kul
2. . . Gnoll 1
Round 2, Init 15
AC = 13
HP = 17
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow
Condition(s) = Blessed, man, I'm feeling blessed
"Coming?! It's already here!! Sarah's come to judge, and the ground trembles beneath your feet!! What more do you need to give up? Drop your weapons, and we'll maim without pain!!"
Pent tries for the open gnoll (3).
"I missed on purpose, mind you! So goes the mercy you will receive!"
Round 2, Init 23-
Ami shrieks with glee as his brother joins with Yeenoghu to slay their first gnoll.
My brother is a mighty gnollslayer. I knew it all along.
"There! We must protect our friend, Mahdi!"
Ami flicks his slingstaff at Gnoll 3.
to hit;
damage.
Yeen moves up to attack Gnoll 3.
to hit; (bite)
damage.
"Fight us, gnoll! For we are migthy and blessed by the sun!"
Round 2, Init 23
Mahdi's lip curls in a sneer at the spear that widely misses him. "You will have to do better than that, jackal-man," he responds with his hands rising in arcane symbols again. Fire lances from his fingers in an intense stream.
Then, Mahdi notices the shaking ground. His brows furrow, and he steps back, closer to Pent and Amiamble.
"What in the hells...?"
Even though it dodges the full blast of the wizard's flames, the combination of Ami, Yeen, and Mahdi's attacks on the gnoll brings the creature to its knees and then collapses.
Round 2, Init 12
The sand shifts and lurches suddenly, causing the soil beneath everyone's feet to suddenly loosen.
As the sands shift and part, a giant maw previously underneath the surface is revealed, along with numerous tentacles that writhe about. A blood-curdling shriek emanates from the creature as it lashes out for food. The creature resembles a mammoth starfish, with thick sandy-colored exoskeletons covered with rough, burr-like spines. Its five arms are long and thin, and covered with hundreds of barbed, tubular cilia. At the fleshy center of the creature’s body gapes a circular maw lined with large sharp teeth.
The giant maw of the creature opens and bites at Pent.
vs Pent
Successfully grabbing the gnome in its jaws, the monsters tentacles lash wildly about at the rest of the party, hoping to drive them away from its newly-captured prey.
vs Mahdi
vs Amiamble
vs Yeenoghu
Round 2, Initiative 10
Weapon Equipped = Guisarme
Conditions = Endure Elements, Entangled
Smite Evil = 1/1 (+2 attack, +2 damage, +2 AC)
Lay on Hands = 3/3 (1d6 healing)
vs DC 15 ->Entangled!
"Dear god what is that thing?"
Aldebert looks at the Gnoll and looks at the huge mouth in the desert as he is sucked in. He grips his guisarme and swings at the huge mouth with reach!
(bless, entangled)
Round 2, Initiative 5
Weapon Equipped = Gauntlet
Conditions = none
Kul Looks to his right at the teeth and tentacles that have erupted from the ground and groans:
"The Rough Beast will not take me now!"
Kul takes a swing at Gnoll 1:
Kul lands a knock-out blow to the gnoll, sending it sprawling on the dirt.
The gnoll party has been defeated handily. However, the monster from beneath the sands has emerged and has Pent in its jaws, ready to swallow him whole! Aldebert lands a solid strike to the creature, but it does not release the gnome from its grip.
Round 3
23+. . . Mahdi
23-. . . Amiamble
15. . . Pent
12. . . Dust Digger
10. . . Aldebert
5. . . Kul
Round 2, Init 15
AC = 13
HP = 13/17
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow
Condition(s) = Blessed, Grappled
No words, only bellows of fear and frustration come from the gnome-in-the-gnash. The bellows arc high, as he strains to break free of what feels like certain blackness. A crossbow is dropped, and a bludgeon is produced.
More noises, as if to say to me!!!, but no words.
Round 3, Init 23-
Ami shrieks with glee as he, Yeen, and Mahdi dispatch their first gnoll.
Ami reaches to clobber the sandstar, trying to get it to release the gnome.
to hit; (bless, flank)
damage.
Reflex (Yeenoghu vs. Entangle DC 15)
And Yeenoghu digs at it with claw and bites.
to hit; (bite, bless, flank)
damage.
to hit; (claw,bless, flank)
damage.
to hit; (claw, bless, flank)
damage.
Kul lands a knock-out blow to the gnoll, sending it sprawling on the dirt.
Ami's stone just misses the digger, but Yeen's bite and a single claw cut through the flesh of the sand monster.
As he's grabbed in the creature's mouth, Pent swings his morningstar but fails to connect. He can feel its jaw contracting, preparing to receive its meal.
Round 3, Init 23
"Gah!" Mahdi cries.
Mahdi windmills back from the horrendous beast, his eyes wide.
"Dust digger!" he yelps. "They do-- that! Erupt from the ground to swallow travelers... hold on, Messire Pent!"
He takes a step back from the thrashing monster and sends another fire jet into the bulk of the beast's body, angling it to miss his colleagues.
"Pressure, pushing down on me..." Pent continues wriggling the stronger parts of his armor to meet the closing jaws.
Can't we give ourselves one more chance?! Pent starts hyperventilating.
Fire erupts from Mahdi's fingers, but the wild thrashing of the dust digger causes the wizard's aim to be just off, only slightly burning the beast instead of engulfing it.
Round 3, Init 12
With Pent in its maw, the sand monster opens wide and attempts to swallow the gnome!
And within seconds, the gnome slides down the gullet of the creature and disappears.
Round 3, Initiative 10
Weapon Equipped = Guisarme
Conditions = Endure Elements, Entangled
Smite Evil = 1/1 (+2 attack, +2 damage, +2 AC)
Lay on Hands = 3/3 (1d6 healing)
"Damnit Pent, get out of there!"
Aldebert continues his attack on the giant mouth trying to disgorge his latest conquest.
(bless, entangled)
Round 3, Initiative 5
Weapon Equipped = MWK Cold Iron Falchion
Conditions = Bless
Kul wheels to face the dust digger, steps within range, and shouts, "Foul spawn of Rovagug, you have no power in the light of day! Die! Die! Die!"
Aldebert and the mysterious stranger both take turns hacking into the beast. It bellows in pain as both blades tear away flesh. Unfortunately, it still lives and Pent is nowhere to be seen.
Round 4
23+. . . Mahdi
23-. . . Amiamble
15. . . Pent
12. . . Dust Digger
10. . . Aldebert
5. . . Kul
Round 4, Init 23-
Ami panics as Pent is swallowed whole.
Ami reaches to clobber the sandstar, trying to get it to release the gnome.
to hit; (bless, flank)
damage.
And Yeenoghu digs at it with claw and bites.
to hit; (bite, bless, flank)
damage.
to hit; (claw,bless, flank)
damage.
to hit; (claw, bless, flank)
damage.
Ami's staff sends the creature reeling, and the deadly swipe from Yeenoghu is enough to cause the dust digger to emit one last roar of pain before collapsing in the sand.
From inside the belly of the beast, very muffled, rapid, heavy breathing can be heard .
Pent spends his last moments trying to avoid any damage to his tattooed arm, bleeding from several places at once. His eyes gleam as he casts Light on his dagger to see her in his final moments.
Round 4, Init 23
"Hurry! We must get him out before he suffocates!" Mahdi cries. "Daggers, or the like!"
Says the man who does not currently have one, because his typist was woefully remiss with his starting gear. Mahdi runs to the nearest downed gnoll and searches its body for a small cutting implement.
Round 4, Initiative 10
Weapon Equipped = Guisarme
Conditions = Endure Elements, Entangled
Smite Evil = 1/1 (+2 attack, +2 damage, +2 AC)
Lay on Hands = 3/3 (1d6 healing)
"Pent!"
Aldebert slashes at the creatures belly trying to help free Pent.
(bless, entangled)
Pent slowly realizes that the jaws have stayed their action. As soon as Aldebert strikes the stilled beast, Pent snaps from his revery. The dagger starts its burrowing out, pistoning with gnomish fury.
The hyperventilating becomes dotted with chortles, as the skin begins to give way to signs of the sun.
Ami will quickly leap off Yeenoghu...
Ride vs. DC15
...and trips over his saddle when his foot hits the pommel. Ami quickly rises (move action) and hopes no one notices his fall in his haste to save the gnome.
"Pull Yeenoghu! Pull it out!"
Ami drops his SunStaff and draws a dagger, helping to cut Pent out while Yeen tugs and claws.
With the beast dead, the party is able to pull Pent out safely and conscious.
Searching the gnolls, two of them only have simple leather armor and spears. The third has a variety of weapons and tools on him, as if he had looted someone clean of all of their possessions.
Kul also begins to carefully cut the creature to free the gnome.
Painlord
