AC = 18 (16 if Grappled)
HP = 40
Weapon Equipped = Mwk Cold Iron Falchion
Condition = Diseased w/ Gray Pox & Filth Fever (remission for 2 days). 2 STR Damage
Attack of Opportunity
Kul takes a quick swipe at the burning Gnoll:
Kul shrugs at Mahdi, "I must be losing momentum. I'll try to pick it up."
Round 3, Init 21
Kul springs back toward the gnolls who have entered the fray:
Kul stands up sheepishly and attempts to look menacingly at the gnolls, saying in Gnoll, "They called for reinforcements, not sniveling puppies."
Kul swings at the first Gnoll he encounters:
Standing amidst the gnolls (), Kul smiles and says in Gnoll, "You're surrounded. Give up now."
***
Kul misses both the blind, burning bugbear and the newly-arrived gnoll, making his attempt at intimidation somewhat lacking. The reinforcement-gnolls don't yet seem to buy his argument that they should give up.
***
Round 2, Init 11
Ami moves to M13 fires his slingstaff at the human #2.
1d20+8 to hit;
1d6+2 damage."On your knees, humans!"
Mahdi's head snaps around sharply and he stares slack-jawed at Ami.
"What-- what are you DOING--" he sputters at the halfling. "You little-- these are potential business contacts whom I just offered to trade with-- graahhh!"
Fortunately, his anger has more suiting targets in the three new gnolls. Snarling curses under his breath, Mahdi strides forward and gestures with impatient movements at the cluster of gnollish warriors.
***
Two gnolls are instantly knocked out by the dazzling colors sprayed into their faces, while two somehow manage to keep their wits about them.
***
The two blinded bugbears, no longer feeling enemies directly beside them, take the time to gather a weapon and rise, before both attempt to rid themselves of the blinding dust once more.
One succeeds, while the other remains blind for a while longer.
***
Round 3, Init 11
Ami moves to P11 to tackle gnoll #3.
to hit; (bless)
damage.
Yeen will bite at gnoll #3:
to hit; (claw, div favor,bless)
damage. (div favor)
Ami:
HP 27/27
F +3/R +5/W +5
AC 18 (4 armor, 3 dex, 1 size)
Lvl 2: 3/4 left
Lvl 1: 4/7 left
Natural Divinations:
+4 Init: 1/1 left
+10 competence 1 skill check: 1/1 left
[ dice]1d20+8
[ dice]1d6+2
Yeen:
HP 28/28
F +3/R +8/W +5
AC 22 (+4 NA, +4 Dex, +4 mage armor)
[ dice]1d20+5[/ dice] to hit; (bite)
[ dice]1d6+2[/ dice] damage;
[ dice]1d20+5[/ dice] to hit; (claw)
[ dice]1d4+2[/ dice] damage;
[ dice]1d20+5[/ dice] to hit; (claw)
[ dice]1d4+2[/ dice] damage;
The twin attacks of halfling and cat bring the gnoll down within seconds, leaving it a bloody mess while only one gnoll remains in fighting shape.
***
That gnoll strikes at the spell-slinger who brought down two of its companions with a ferocious spear-stabbing.
Its single-minded ferociousness allows Mahdi to sidestep the spear's thrust, although the points come very close to drawing blood.
***
Round 3, Init 3
AC = 13
HP = 30
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow
Condition(s) = None, yet
"Aldi, hold up for a sliver of a second!" Pent gets nervous about the bugbears stumbling about, gaining their weapons and sight. He seeks to make his minions more robust in their work. He keeps pressing the blade on the gnoll, while he relents and brings Sarah's Strength to bear.
The gnoll is unable to withstand the saratar's attack, and falls in a heap following yet another cut from its blade.
***
Ami looks at his brother, smiling with his eyes as Yeen licks the gnoll blood from his lips.
We are giving them the whatfor, Brother! Rejoice!
AC = 18
HP = 40
Weapon Equipped = Mwk Cold Iron Falchion
Condition = Diseased w/ Gray Pox & Filth Fever (remission for 2 days). 2 STR Damage. Bless
Round 4, Init 21
Kul sees the Gnoll threatening Mahdi drop, so runs back up to the top terrace to finish the bugbears ().
Round: 3, Initiative: 6, Location: R7->R8
Weapon Equipped = Guisarme
Conditions = Endure Elements, Barkskin (+2 natural AC) (1 of 40m), Blessed (1 of 4m)
Smite Evil = 2/2 (+2 attack, +4 damage, +2 AC)
Lay on Hands = 4/4 (2d6 healing +1d6 if not fatigued)
Spells (caster level 1, concentration +3)
1) Hero's Defiance
The humans dive into their market stalls, staying as far out of sight as they can. On his way, the one who was struck by Amiamble's stone stops long enough to shout "Haleen!! Haleen!! They're attacking !!"
Haleen! She's here! Today is the day we save her. Today!
Aldebert, excited at the prospect of rejoining Haleen, takes out his excitement on the gnolls - her captors and his hated enemies. He 5’ steps (to R8) and Coupe De Graces the gnoll in front of him (#2).
Aldebert easily cuts the head off one of the unconscious gnolls with a calculated strike, sending it rolling into the stands surrounding the gladiatorial stage.
***
"Thank you," Mahdi mutters to the Sarahtar dropping the bugbear in his face. He... strides back the other direction and... throws another line of fire down across bugbears.
The sighted bugbear manages to throw himself mostly out of the fire's path, while the blind bugbear is enveloped by flames.
***
Both bugbears look like they're on death's door, but the one who can actually see, determining that fleeing isn't really an option, instead seeks to dent Kul's skull with its morningstar. Dropping the shield it hadn't yet had time to don, the bugbear grips the weapon with both hands for added force.
The morningstar strikes with unerring precision and considerable impact, dealing 15 damage.
***
The blinded bugbear, now also on fire, attempts to extinguish the flames by rolling around on the floor.
Which is an utter failure, as the flames almost seem to envelop it further the more it rolls.
***
Round 3, Init 11
Ami moves Yeen closer to the downed gnoll#5 (Q11). Yeen reaches down and tears the gnoll's neck out.
damage.
Ami reloads his slingstaff, waiting for more gnolls to kill.
"They should have surrendered, brother. I would not have hurt them. Sarenrae offers redemption."
***
After Yeenoghu's meal of gnoll-neck, only the two bugbears and the gnoll bartender remain nearby, in addition to the three merchants hiding in their stalls.
Round 4, Init 3
AC = 13
HP = 30/30
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow
Condition(s) = Blessed
Pent manuevers the Saratar across the bar, at the still standing bugbear in front of Kul.
Pent snorts in frustration as the sword disappears without bugbear bloodied. He turns back to listen to the halflings bicker.
Pent clenches.
AC = 18
HP = 28/40
Weapon Equipped = Mwk Cold Iron Falchion
Condition = Diseased w/ Gray Pox & Filth Fever (remission for 2 days). 2 STR Damage. Bless.
Round 5, Init 21
Kul, seeing how wounded the bugbear in front of him is, decides to not sacrifice accuracy for damage as he swings:
After swinging, Kul moves closer to the second bugbear ().
Round: 4, Initiative: 3-, Location: R8->N9
Weapon Equipped = Guisarme
Conditions = Endure Elements, Barkskin (+2 natural AC) (1 of 40m), Blessed (1 of 4m)
Smite Evil = 2/2 (+2 attack, +4 damage, +2 AC)
Lay on Hands = 4/4 (2d6 healing +1d6 if not fatigued)
Spells (caster level 1, concentration +3)
1) Hero's Defiance
Aldebert nods to his brother, and heads into the bar to fight bugbears. He tries to takedown the Bugbear in front of Kul (which would allow Kul to 5’ step before his swing and take out the other).
(cover)
Alas, his swing goes wide and he's unhelpful.
"Thanks Pent!"
***
Kul cuts down one bugbear, while the other smolders to a fine crisp from Mahdi's magical fire.
***
From the southern part of the battle market, a halfling woman comes running into the arena, buckler strapped to one arm and rapier drawn and ready for battle. She suddenly stops dead in her tracks, shouting excitedly in Halfling.
"Ami! Is that you?! And Aldi! What are you doing here?!"
The halfling woman is instantly recognizable as your sister, Haleen.
***
Almost simultaneously, a booming voice echoes down from above. Looking up, you see a towering, bald man, clearly a warrior, looking down from a half-circle-balcony another 20 ft above the balcony fully circling the battle market .
"Enough! I tire of your disruptions! I am Kardswann, Mouth of the Carrion King, Chieftain of the Kulldis Tribe, Master of Kelmarane! Why are you attacking my guests and my folk?"
***
In for a copper, in for a gold... Mahdi thinks. Oh well.
"Ah yes, Kardswann!" Mahdi cries back, letting his voice ring off the arena walls. "The master comes out at the sound of his dogs. Come down, Kardswann, and defend your claim to mastery of this city. For our purpose here is to drive every gnoll out, and their self-proclaimed chief."
Round: 5, Initiative: 3-, Location: N9->L8
Weapon Equipped = Guisarme
Conditions = Endure Elements, Barkskin (+2 natural AC) (1 of 40m), Blessed (1 of 4m)
Smite Evil = 2/2 (+2 attack, +4 damage, +2 AC)
Lay on Hands = 4/4 (2d6 healing +1d6 if not fatigued)
Spells (caster level 1, concentration +3)
1) Hero's Defiance
Aldebert concentrates on the remaining gnoll, hoping to finish him before new combatants appear.
(cover)
"That's right Mahdi, well said!"
On hearing Haleen's melodious voice, he shouts,
Round 5, Init 11
Forgetting all about the gnolls, the danger, and Kardswann, Ami and Yeen react to only one thing....
Ami yells as Yeen excitedly bounds to greet their sister. (Yes, Yeen considers her part of the pack.)
The halfling and the Cat charge the halfling, pouncing with giggles, laughter, purring, licking, and joy.
"You're alive!!! We brought friends to rescue you. And kill the gnolls too!" Ami squeaks out between more hugs and kisses.
Round 5, Init 3
Pent watches Mahdi with the utmost admiration for his oratory. Likely, it's just the acoustics. It'd probably bring everyone's voice to majestic heights. Pent bounds up to Mahdi's side, catching sight of the halfling woman, and takes full advantage of the arena's ambiance.
Pent points his crossbow at her, and readies to fire should she prove herself every bit the aggressor.
"Pent! Hold your bolt! Haleen is a sister and friend to us. She is with us! Do not wound this ally in our fight - embrace her as you did Kul."
Aldebert hopes his words will have meaning for Pent as he harasses the remaining Gnoll.
AC = 18
HP = 28/40
Weapon Equipped = Mwk Cold Iron Falchion
Condition = Diseased w/ Gray Pox & Filth Fever (remission for 2 days). 2 STR Damage. Bless.
Round 6, Init 21
Kul looks at the bartender and growls in Gnoll:
"I'm going upstairs. Don't be here when I get back."
Kul runs toward the stairs (). Looking over his shoulder at the reunion he says, "If she's not a threat, then the party's upstairs."
Pent cocks his head to the side, and lowers his crossbow. "What in the Hells is she doing here then?! Did you know she was here all along?!"
Aldebert nearly cuts the bartending gnoll's arm off, and the cowardly creature shrieks in pain while attempting to crawl away from its assailant.
***
The big man laughs, apparently not taking Mahdi very seriously. "You seek to drive me out? Come, then, and make your wish come true!" He continues laughing as he draws away from the edge of the upper balcony, vanishing from sight.
***
Smiling as Yeen tackles her, the halfling swashbuckler gets down on one knee as she embraces both cat and rider.
"Alright, enough, enough! I'm happy to see you, too!"
Trying to extract herself from the cat's attentions, her expression darkens as she hears Pent's insult. About to snap a retort, she holds her tongue with some difficulty after Aldebert's words identify the gnome as an ally of her brothers.
Instead, she turns back to Amiamble, planting her fists on her hips in a display of sisterly sternness, although a smile plays on her lips as she speaks.
"You've come to rescue me? What made you think I needed to be rescued?"
***
Round 6, Init 11
Yeen continues to demand/give affection to Haleen despite any resistance on Haleen's part. The large cat is too happy to see an old friend/pridesmate to be dissuaded. Eventually, he settles down to just happily licking Haleen's toes and feet.
Ami seems dumbfounded to answer Haleen's question, sitting stunned for a moment, thinking.
"Uhm...we assumed since there was so much evil and wickedness around that you might be dead or captured or in trouble. Gnolls, Haleen! Gnolls! And you didn't respond to our letters. And Aldebert said we should come here. Yes, this was his idea...I was just following him!"
Ami looks up after Kul.
"We have to make sure Kul doesn't die. He likes the sun too, Haleen! And you have to meet my friend, Mahdi, too! He's my other best friend."
Ami spurs Yeen to follow Kul up the stairs. (move 30' in that direction)
Ami:
HP 27/27
F +3/R +5/W +5
AC 18 (4 armor, 3 dex, 1 size)
Lvl 2: 3/4 left
Lvl 1: 4/7 left
Natural Divinations:
+4 Init: 1/1 left
+10 competence 1 skill check: 1/1 left
[ dice]1d20+8
[ dice]1d6+2
Yeen:
HP 28/28
F +3/R +8/W +5
AC 22 (+4 NA, +4 Dex, +4 mage armor)
[ dice]1d20+5[/ dice] to hit; (bite)
[ dice]1d6+2[/ dice] damage;
[ dice]1d20+5[/ dice] to hit; (claw)
[ dice]1d4+2[/ dice] damage;
[ dice]1d20+5[/ dice] to hit; (claw)
[ dice]1d4+2[/ dice] damage;
Mahdi doesn't speak halfling, but a facepalm is universal.
"Pent, for love of the gods, can you not tell that they know the other halfling..." he mutters to himself.
The halflings are attacking unarmed, fleeing humans; the gnome is threatening to shoot a halfling clearly known to their own number; and the only other human is running up the stairs into a probable ambush. Lovely. Loooovely.
"Gentlemen!" he calls out to the hiding merchants. "My apologies for my colleague's attack! As I said, our quarrel is not with you! A mistake in the heat of battle: it won't happen again!"
It had better not, or he will be doing something about it.
His next words are aimed at Kul.
"Kul, for love of all sanity, will you run up into a hail of arrows and the entire rest of his tribe waiting you at the top of those stairs?! Let us move together, or is leaping into battle and expecting your comrades to chase after you simply how you always operate?"
Despite his words, he is moving after Kul, drawing his crossbow as he goes this time. "Ami, Aldebert-- together, my friends! There are more gnolls to fight, it seems. Miss... Haleen, is it? I am sorry there is no time for further introductions, but if you wish to aid us, we would be grateful, I'm certain."
Round: 6, Initiative: 3-, Location: L8->R5
Weapon Equipped = Guisarme
Conditions = Endure Elements, Barkskin (+2 natural AC) (1 of 40m), Blessed (1 of 4m)
Smite Evil = 2/2 (+2 attack, +4 damage, +2 AC)
Lay on Hands = 4/4 (2d6 healing +1d6 if not fatigued)
Spells (caster level 1, concentration +3)
1) Hero's Defiance
Happy that Haleen has their back - whether she wants to be rescued or not - Aldebert double moves to the base of the stairs as fast as his little halfling legs will carry him. So not very fast…
Turning to Mahdi he says simply, "Right!!"
His next words are aimed at Kul.
"Kul, for love of all sanity, will you run up into a hail of arrows and the entire rest of his tribe waiting you at the top of those stairs?! Let us move together, or is leaping into battle and expecting your comrades to chase after you simply how you always operate?"
Kul says over his shoulder to Mahdi, "I'm sorry, I'd rather set the pace of this dance than allow our enemies to. It seems to have paid off. The bottom of the turkey-barrel appears to be clear, let's move now before the shooting begins."
Round 6, Init 3
AC = 13
HP = 30/30
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow
Condition(s) = Blessed
Pent looks up at Mahdi, one eye grandly wide open, the other one squinting. "You know, not all halflings know each other, Maddie. Ami coulda gotten her name off the human he just tried to kill. She could have just weaved a spell over the two, disabling them from any fighting. Just look at 'em! We're in the middle of battle, and Ami is babbling like an idiot out in the open!!" Pent sucks in air, and catches up with Kul, smacking him on his backside.
"Aldi speaks for her, so if she stabs us in the back, he'll be the first one I haunt."
From somewhere above and to the south, you hear a door being opened and several someones swiftly moving into place.
***
Haleen's lips curl in a sneer as Amiamble speaks of gnolls and evil.
"Yes, they're filthy beasts, but.. No, not yet."
She sighs, looking towards Kul running up the stairs.
"Go, then, brothers! Do as you must!"
She then shouts an answer to Mahdi, in Common. "I have to check on my friends first! I heard Gorundal shouting of being attacked!"
***
The curving staircase comes up to a landing on the circular balcony, where a similar staircase goes down the other side. Next to the landing is an abandoned store , the open arches leading into it revealing only empty or collapsed shelves and broken crates.
Beyond this store , you can just see a section of raised bleachers positioned to provide an excellent view of the gladiatorial stage below.
To the south, the view is blocked by a wall, while across the open floor you see another couple of stores in apparent disrepair.
***
>>>Current Map (downstairs)<<<
***
Round 7, Init 11
Ami and Yeen double move to N5.
As Haleen mentions that one of her friends has been attacked, Ami looks sheepish.
AC = 18
HP = 38/40
Weapon Equipped = Mwk Cold Iron Falchion
Condition = Diseased w/ Gray Pox & Filth Fever (remission for 2 days). 2 STR Damage. Bless.
Kul looks down and says, "Thanks, Pent. Let's end this!" He then continues running up the stairs ().
Round: 7, Initiative: 3-, Location: R5->M5
Weapon Equipped = Guisarme
Conditions = Endure Elements, Barkskin (+2 natural AC) (1 of 40m), Blessed (1 of 4m)
Smite Evil = 2/2 (+2 attack, +4 damage, +2 AC)
Lay on Hands = 4/4 (2d6 healing +1d6 if not fatigued)
Spells (caster level 1, concentration +3)
1) Hero's Defiance
Presuming the stairs are difficult terrain, Aldebert doesn’t make it far up them (double move to M5). He hurries as fast as his little legs, and heavy armor, will carry him. He worries of Kul getting too far ahead and facing the enemy alone, but he cannot go faster.
Round 7, Init 3
AC = 13
HP = 30/30
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow
Condition(s) = Blessed, 4/40
Pent eyes Haleen suspiciously as she considers rallying the humans. He reluctantly follows the others up the stairs. She's not happy? 'Do as you must'? What about 'we'? What is that one up to??
().
OK, then Aldebert makes it as far as K6 on the downstairs map, L6 on the upstairs map. Thanks!
Mahdi grumbles beneath his breath but pursues. Sa'amm crawls out of his sleeve and looks around with a waggling tail.
***
Getting up the staircase and turning towards the balcony proper, Mahdi notices movement to the south just an instant before a pair of gnolls let arrows fly towards Kul ahead of him.
One arrow buries itself in Kul's armor, while the other flies wide.
***
AC = 18
HP = 38/40
Weapon Equipped = Mwk Cold Iron Falchion
Condition = Diseased w/ Gray Pox & Filth Fever (remission for 2 days). 2 STR Damage. Bless.
Round 8, Init 21
Kul hustles toward the ambushing gnolls, shouting in Gnoll, "You face now the righteous fury of the desert sun!"
Round 8, Init 11
Ami takes total defense (clinging tight to Yeen's back) as Yeen double moves to R9.
Round: 8, Initiative: 3-, Location: L6->O10
Weapon Equipped = Guisarme
Conditions = Endure Elements, Barkskin (+2 natural AC) (1 of 40m), Blessed (1 of 4m)
Smite Evil = 2/2 (+2 attack, +4 damage, +2 AC)
Lay on Hands = 4/4 (2d6 healing +1d6 if not fatigued)
Spells (caster level 1, concentration +3)
1) Hero's Defiance
Aldebert continues to pump his short legs, double moving to O10 and exposing himself to Gnoll Arrows.