Round 16, Init 11
Yeen 5' steps to AF21 and goes to town on Gnoll#14:
to hit; (bite, bless, divine favor)
damage;
to hit; (claw, bless, divine favor)
damage;
to hit; (claw, bless, divine favor)
damage;
Ami reloads and slings #13.
(bless, -combat)
Divine Favor (Yeen) 4/10 gone
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: 3/7 left
Natural Divinations:
+4 Init: 1/1 left
+10 competence 1 skill check: 1/1 left
[ dice]1d20+8
[ dice]1d6+2
Yeen:
HP 21/28
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;
Round: 16, Initiative: 3-, Location: AE22
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 attacks Gnoll #11, unless he’s down.
In that case he attacks Gnoll #14, unless he’s down.
In that case he moves to AE20 and attacks Gnoll #12.
(bless)
In any event, he misses all comers... sigh.
AC = 18
HP = 30/40
Weapon Equipped = Mwk Cold Iron Falchion
Condition = Diseased w/ Gray Pox & Filth Fever (remission for 2 days). 2 STR Damage. Bless.
Round 16, Init 21
Kul takes a powerful swing at the downed Flind:
The gnoll in front of Mahdi bursts ablaze, turning crimson and then blackened as he falls into a heap at the mage's feet. The prone flind is equally unable to avoid the flames, but he seems far more resilient than the ordinary gnolls surrounding him, and doesn't succumb to the fire's hunger as yet.
Yeenoghu mauls the nearest gnoll, tearing bits of flesh from bones with jaws and claws alike. While the flurry of cat is successful, neither Amiamble, Aldebert, nor Kul can bring their own measurements of justice to bear on the assembled gnolls.
***
Round 16, Init 3
AC = 13
HP = 30/30
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow
Condition(s) = Blessed 12/40, Shielded 8/40
Pent watches the tide turn tidily against the gnolls and flind. Watching Aldebert flail about, Pent moves up behind him, and tries to bring him the confidence in martial skill that comes from Sarah's swift justice.
Realizing that Kul, while certainly brave, does not seem to be quite as skilled as the gnoll-slayers Yeenoghu, Amiamble, and Aldebert (particularly the first one), the two gnolls still standing ignore the warrior and instead step closer to cat and halfling before swinging their axes again.
Aldebert's armor is all that stands between him and steely blade, while Yeenoghu nimbly avoids the blade coming his way.
***
The flind, no longer compelled to lie down, stands and attempts to bury his weapon in Kul's skull.
The flindbar connects, although not quite as savagely as its wielder intended. Still, Kul suffers 6 damage from the strike.
***
Round 17, Init 11
Yeen and Ami 5' step to AF20.
Ami, reaches over to interfere with #12's defenses, aiding this brave brother's attack.
vs. DC 10
Yeen goes to town on Gnoll#13 (then #12):
to hit; (bite, bless, divine favor)
damage;
to hit; (claw, bless, divine favor)
damage;
to hit; (claw, bless, divine favor)
damage;
Divine Favor (Yeen) 4/10 gone
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: 3/7 left
Natural Divinations:
+4 Init: 1/1 left
+10 competence 1 skill check: 1/1 left
[ dice]1d20+8
[ dice]1d6+2
Yeen:
HP 21/28
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;
Round: 17, Initiative: 3-, Location: AE22->AE21
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 takes his AoO on the Gnoll-kin.
(bless)
He then tries to hit #12 as his brother suggests after a 5’ step back to AE21.
(bless, aid)
Round 17, init 21
The flind's fur continues to burn, the lingering effects of Madhi's first fire jet against him.
Mahdi frowns as the gnoll shifts position and ruins his pretty little line-up. Well. Back the other way it is.
"Since none of you have the sense to surrender..." he drawls. Another lazy gesture, fire erupting from his finger once more, rocketing over the gnoll he burned to death, and roaring past Kul to wash over the gnoll and the flind again.
Round 17, Init 3
AC = 15
HP = 30/30
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow
Condition(s) = Blessed 13/40, Shielded 9/40
Pent hurrahs! "That's the way to go, Aldi!! I should slap you more often with Sarah's lift! What would you do without me?! Ahahaha!!"
Pent moves over to Ami, and slap him second.
"Now, come on, Ami! Let's not be remiss in how amiss all your misses have misled you into lead-footed faulty flies of your sling!!" Based on Ami's success in his next actions, Pent considers slapping the cat next.
Yeenoghu hits the new gnoll target only with a single claw, while Aldebert first punishes the flind for getting up, and then slices the nearest regular gnoll. Mahdi's fire continues providing excessive warmth and illumination, staggering the guisarme-sliced gnoll and further scorching the flind.
***
AC = 18
HP = 24/40
Weapon Equipped = Mwk Cold Iron Falchion
Condition = Diseased w/ Gray Pox & Filth Fever (remission for 2 days). 2 STR Damage. Bless.
Attack of Opportunity on the standing Flind:
Round 17, Init 21
Kul swings again at the Flind:
Kul nearly kills the flind as it leaves its defenses open, and the still-burning gnoll-kin elects to vacate the battle while it still can; withdrawing west as quickly as it's able.
The staggered gnoll begins to raise its hands in surrender, then sinks to the floor as the smoldering flames take their toll on it.
The last gnoll, seeing all its companions downed or fleeing, elects to follow in the surrendering steps of its burning tribesmate. It drops its battleaxe and raises its hands above its head, shouting in Gnoll.
"I give up! I give up! I don't want to die!"
***
Round 18, init 21
Mahdi throws a contemptuous glance in the direction of the surrendering gnoll. If he had a clear shot for his crossbow, he thinks, he might very well just reload and fire, surrender-be-damned.
His words about surrender had been more mocking insult than anything else.
But he has no such clear shot, and there are other concerns. "Tell us where Kardswann's quarters are," he orders in Gnoll in a cold tone, while he strides past Kul in pursuit of the fleeing flind.
AC = 18
HP = 24/40
Weapon Equipped = Mwk Cold Iron Falchion
Condition = Diseased w/ Gray Pox & Filth Fever (remission for 2 days). 2 STR Damage. Bless.
Round 18, Init 21
Kul switches the grip of his falchion to his left hand and follows the giant gnoll, drawing his dagger as he moves (). He turns and looks over his shoulder at the others to see what they are doing and then pivots and throws his dagger at the flind:
He switches back to a two-handed grip and says, "That one says he surrenders, but it's a coward's promise."
Round: 18, Initiative: 3-, Location: AE21->AE14
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, trusting his brother to finish the other Gnoll (for Gnolls are evil through and through and cannot be trusted to surrender honorably), charges off deeper into the complex. He runs up against Kul trying to finish the Flind.
Round 18, Init 3
AC = 15
HP = 30/30
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow
Condition(s) = Blessed 14/40, Shielded 10/40
Pent bounds through the opening, trying to keep an eye on the flind. When it comes into view, he fires on it with his mistrusting crossbow.
If the flind is already dead, Pent doublemoves , and listens fastidiously for sounds of weapon clashing.
Round 18, Init 11
Ami:
to hit; (bless)
damage;
Yeen:
to hit; (bite, bless, divine favor)
damage;
Ami and Yeen clobber and bite the 'surrendering' gnoll and move to AF15.
Divine Favor (Yeen) 6/10 gone
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: 3/7 left
Natural Divinations:
+4 Init: 1/1 left
+10 competence 1 skill check: 1/1 left
[ dice]1d20+8
[ dice]1d6+2
Yeen:
HP 21/28
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 flind falls as the flames hungrily consume it, with Kul's dagger punching into its body bearing with it a grim finality.
Amiamble and Yeenoghu finish off the surrendering gnoll with ease, before it can even bring itself to answer Mahdi's question.
From Pent's position, he hears someone pacing angrily very close, likely only a few feet from the pillar he now stands behind.
***
Round 19, Init 11
Ami scratches Yeen's head, happy to take down the evil gnoll as they ride to AC8, Ami taking total defense as he scouts ahead.
Perception
Yeen readies to bite a baddie that gets close.
to hit; (bite)
damage;
Divine Favor (Yeen) 7/10 gone
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: 3/7 left
Natural Divinations:
+4 Init: 1/1 left
+10 competence 1 skill check: 1/1 left
[ dice]1d20+8
[ dice]1d6+2
Yeen:
HP 21/28
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;
As you ride forward, you feel Yeenoghu growing more and more tense with each pawstep. When you come to a halt, Vardishal speaks loudly in your mind.
"I sense him close! Kardswann, yes.. Yes, I know him! Oh, he has fallen so far from grace and glory.. From the path of the Templars of the Five Winds!" Disappointment gives way to an insistent urging. "Tell him I'm here! Admonish him for wandering so far from the path!"
You hear footsteps very close, as well as the mild clanking of armor plates, so close that you should see their owner near the throne-like chairs set up at the edge of the balcony, but you still can't see anyone there.
Round 19, Init 3
AC = 15
HP = 30/30
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow
Condition(s) = Blessed 15/40, Shielded 11/40
Pent waves to everyone, pointing furiously to the wall just behind him. He pantomimes someone big walking around, all pissed off, and he gets into it. So much so, that he parades himself right across the doorway, temporally forgetting what inspired him in the first place.
If he manages to see the big ugly, he remembers himself just in time to raise his middle finger, and attempt to bring the clomping to an end.
Round: 19, Initiative: 3-, Location: AE14->AA12
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 rushes into the next room, around the corner, into the darkness. He’ll stop 10’ away from a target if he sees one before reaching the end of his movement, but it’s a double move so it’s all he can do to close.
AC = 18
HP = 24/40
Weapon Equipped = Mwk Cold Iron Falchion
Condition = Diseased w/ Gray Pox & Filth Fever (remission for 2 days). 2 STR Damage. Bless.
Round 19, Init 21
Without knowing what's around the corner, Kul moves to AB11 and takes a swing if Kardswann is nearby. Otherwise, he takes a defensive stance ().
Amiamble stands up in the saddle, lowering his face scarf so that he might be heard. Ami's face, usually covered, is a oozing mass of festering sores, opening gaps of tender flesh leaking yellow puss.
Ami speaks with a loudness to his voice that is seldom used.
When his words ring throughout the building, Ami sits again and recovers his face.
Time for the whatfor!
"GAH!!! No further words are forthcoming.
Round 19, init 21
Mahdi runs to the next gap in the call . He is in time to see Ami's face and proclamation: his own mouth falls briefly slack.
"The hells?" he mouths silently to himself, while staring around for the figure that Pent pantomimed so wildly.
Aldebert's reaction is as surprised as the others, though for different reasons. Why is he yelling so - and exposing his face? Has he been possessed?!
He grimly heads on, worried for his brother but being unable to do anything about it at the moment.
Without knowing what's around the corner, Kul moves to AB11 and takes a swing if Kardswann is nearby. Otherwise, he takes a defensive stance ().
Otherwise, AC = 24 with Total Defense.
Coming through the elaborately mosaiced hall, to the open arch leading to a wide observation platform where three throne-like chairs allow easy viewing of the action occurring on the gladiatorial stage far below, at first none among you can see anyone despite the sounds near these chairs.
After Amiamble's outburst, however, a tall, muscular man in well-crafted armor, wielding a massive greataxe, becomes visible near the central throne. A strange look of confusion clouds the man's expression, and his entire body begins to shake uncontrollably. Furrowing his brow, the man belaboredly speaks through clenched teeth. "Vardishal? Yes, I.. sense you. You must.. destroy.. Xulthos. Below the.. ruined church. I cannot.. hold on. Bind me or.. cut me.. within an inch.. of death. His will.. so much stronger. Do it! Do it now!"
Pent's spell has no effect, as if the man isn't actually human.
***
Round 20, Init 21
Mahdi's face is a picture in bemusement... then his expression settles into a nod. "As you say, then!"
Round: 20, Initiative: 3-, Location: AA12
Weapon Equipped = Guisarme
Conditions = Endure Elements, Barkskin (+2 natural AC) (1 of 40m), Blessed (2 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 swings around as he’s surprised to see the man become visible. Clearly he has some inner demons to control, and Aldebert will help control them. As a swift action he smites evil on Kardswann. His first attack however is for nonlethal damage.
(bless, guidance, nonlethal)
- - -
Round 20, Init 11
Amiamble begins whirling his slingstaff, staring at the conflicted Kardswann.
"Shall we keep alive, Vardishal? Might he be redeemed?" Ami asks of Yeenoghu.
Ami loads his slingstaff and moves to AA9, taking total defense.
Ami and Yeen do not attack this round, waiting to hear what Vardishal would want.
"Shall we keep alive, Vardishal? Might he be redeemed?" Ami asks of Yeenoghu.
Yeenoghu glances up at his rider, then growls at the form of Kardswann. "If something vile controls him, it feels like.. Like it would be my duty to attempt a cleansing.. As a.. As a friend?" Vardishal's voice pauses, almost tasting the word. "Yes, he was a friend once, I remember! But I cannot choose for you. Whatever you decide, don't delay!"
***
***
Kardswann seems to almost involuntarily attempt to shy from Mahdi's fire and Aldebert's attack, doing little to actively defend himself. Both hit him with ease, although the fire seems to wash over him without effect. Aldebert, however, feels his attack divinely strenghtened, and the flat of the guisarme's blade slaps the man with considerable force. Force even beyond what he would expect if his weapon was so guided against ordinary evil.
Mahdi's mouth drops open at his fire having no effect. That isn't fair. Everything should be flammable!
"Ami!" he yells. "You seem-- bizarrely-- to know all about this fellow-- can he not be hurt at all by fire?"
You recognize that Kardswann is no human, but a type of genie known as a Janni. Weakest among the genies, janni are native Outsiders that look similar to humans, and typically spend most of their time on the Material Plane.
A janni has fire resistance 10, can fly, and can change the size of themselves or other creatures.
Outsider traits and native traits are also revealed.
As above, plus: A janni has access to a number of spell-like abilities. A few times per day they can become invisible, shift themselves or others to the Astral Plane or the Elemental Planes (as well as the Material Plane), and speak with animals. Once per day, they can create food or water, and jump into the Ethereal Plane.
A janni can survive the environmental trials on the four Elemental Planes better than most, suffering no ill effects for the first 48 hours they're there.
AC = 18
HP = 24/40
Weapon Equipped = Mwk Cold Iron Falchion
Condition = Diseased w/ Gray Pox & Filth Fever (remission for 2 days). 2 STR Damage. Bless.
Round 20, Init 21
Kul rushes Kardswann, flying past him to attack him from behind ():
"You seem-- bizarrely-- to know all about this fellow-- can he not be hurt at all by fire?"
Ami looks at Mahdi, his eyes full of trust.
"You know of Vardishal...he is with us. The agents of Sarenrae guide us, Mahdi! Vardishal says this one might be redeemed...Vardishal says something controls him! Something haunts him! We must take him alive! He might be redeemed!"
Ami blanches as Kul's blade finds deep purchase in Vardishal. He leans into Yeen.
"Attack, but do not kill, Yeen! This one can be saved!"
"I know of Vardishal, yes-- ask Vardishal if Kardswann cannot be hurt at all by fire!" Mahdi says with a melodramatic upfling of his hands.
"If I cannot hurt him with flame, then you have no need to worry about me killing him, at any rate..."
Round 20, Init 3
AC = 15
HP = 30/30
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow
Condition(s) = Blessed 16/40, Shielded 12/40
Pent coughs and sputters as he feels nothing come from his request of Sarah. "I... I... what the hells... it's just like the Saratar and that... that demon on the street...!!"
The gnome raises his crossbow, and fires at Kardswann, and scuttles back a bit, to make room.
Pent pats his crossbow, and gestures at Mahdi regarding crossbows.
"Crossbow."
Dancing past to attack from the opposite side, Kul opens a wide gouge in Kardswann's back with his falchion, eliciting a pained grunt from the man, who's clenching his own weapon tight with whitening knuckles.
"Yes.. that's.. it! Go.. on! Can't.. keep him.. away for long!"
Pent's bolt skids off Kardswann's armor, only barely missing a gap in the plating.
***
Round 21 Init 21
Mahdi frowns as he hurries around the corner to put distance between himself and Kardswann.
Unsure if fire will be effective at all, he tries a byproduct of fire.... ash. He gestures, and a small cloud of choking ash and tiny embers wreathes the man's head.
Round 21, Init 11
Ami leads Yeen into battle with Kardswann, Z9.
"Keep him alive if you can!" Ami asks.
Ami waves his slingstaff, trying to help Kardswann stay distracted so that Kul's blade my bite deeply.
vs. DC10
And Yeen tries to tenderly gum Kardswann.
to hit; (bite, bless, div favor, non lethal)
non lethal damage;
to hit; (claw, bless, div favor, non lethal)
non lethal damage;
to hit; (claw, bless, div favor, non lethal)
non lethal damage;
Divine Favor (Yeen) 9/10 gone
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: 3/7 left
Natural Divinations:
+4 Init: 1/1 left
+10 competence 1 skill check: 1/1 left
[ dice]1d20+8
[ dice]1d6+2
Yeen:
HP 21/28
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;
Round: 21, Initiative: 3-, Location: AA12
Weapon Equipped = Guisarme
Conditions = Endure Elements, Barkskin (+2 natural AC) (1 of 40m), Blessed (2 of 4m)
Smite Evil = 1/2 (+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 stays in flank and continues to press his attack against the evil foe. Having done some nonlethal damage, he now switches back to lethal.
(bless, flank, smite) (smite)
AC = 18
HP = 24/40
Weapon Equipped = Mwk Cold Iron Falchion
Condition = Diseased w/ Gray Pox & Filth Fever (remission for 2 days). 2 STR Damage. Bless.
Being a little freaked out at hearing Amiamble talk above a whisper, Kul decides he'd better comply, so spins his Falchion clockwise in order to hit Kardswann with the flat of his blade:
***
Kardswann resists the ash trying to find its way into his eyes, but a pair of cat-claw-thumps, combined with a slice of guisarme, and finally a powerful crack to the side of his head by Kul's falchion, sends the big man to the ground unconscious.
Pent watches in grim admiration as cat paw, halfling blade, man meat cleaver bring the man down without a fight. He looks over Kardswann warily, making sure there is no movement, before moving to the body and slapping it.
The gnome turns back to Ami, making sure the scarves are in place before continuing.
"Care to explain?"
"Care to explain?"
Ami gives one look to the gnome, opens his mouth as if to speak (not that the gnome can see it), and wheels Yeen around to look for more gnolls. He sprints away.
He will carefully check the entire 3rd floor.
Pent watches Ami bound off without a word, and snorts. He walks over to Aldebert, and starts pulling at his collar, examining the neck skin for signs of rot and decay. Depending on how patient the halfling proves to be, the gnome slips into a slightly bad habit of grabbing the halfling's chin, and trying to open the mouth to examine the teeth.
He stares at Aldebert while he tries to grab him by the cheeks to turn his head to the side. "You'd tell us if Ami were contagious, wouldn't you? Because that would be kinda important to, you know, our wellbeing, and the wellbeing of others. More than kinda, the more I think on it."