GM Tarondor's Emerald Spire Campaign

Game Master Tarondor

Wymond's words startle Lilika, causing her to reflexively shake her head and look to the ground. She shudders as a nervous lump settles in her stomach, like a stone.

"No," she states, sounding a little panicked.

After a moment of contemplation she furrows her brow. Why did the thought make her so uncomfortable? Had something gone wrong... before? Or was it something else...? Something fundamental to her being?

She shakes her head again. "No," she repeats. "I'm no leader. And... you're welcome."

Wymond frowns as he realizes he's upset her.

"Sorry, Lili. Sometimes I mouth off without thinkin', it's a River Kingdoms thing."

Perfire jumps slightly at Colcille's tap. He watches her hand's strange movements and squints, trying to decipher her meaning. His eyes widen as her meaning becomes clear. He holds up a single finger and surveys the group ahead of them again.

Do we have a map of where the bandits are at this point? I'd like to alpha strike with Colcille with as much effect as we can muster.

Feeling a twinge of regret for making her... friend? Is that what these people are? ...feel guilty she purses her lips. "No. I... It's fine."

Wymond scratches his head and looks a bit confused.

"Ye sure? Seems like SOMETHIN' in what I said rattled ye," he says, before stopping and looking embarrassed. "But I won't pry. If'n ye need te talk, though, I'm happy to anytime."

Colcille stays quiet in the undergrowth, scanning the enemies. Two against three are not horrible odds, especially if they could have the surprise element. Possibly she'd shoot the one up in the tree, then Perry could use his flashy-blindy spell to knock out the others, and then it was knifework.
That is somehow hard to convey by gestures, so instead she takes a piece of chalk to scribble it if Perfire decides to act.

Do we have a map of where the bandits are at this point? I'd like to alpha strike with Colcille with as much effect as we can muster.

It's just theater of the mind for the moment. Feel free to describe what you see and do.

Watching Colcille draw out her plan, Perfire furrows his brow in thought. He gestures for the chalk and rubs out the spray of color and light and draws a few 'Z's around the guards' heads. The halfling begins reaching inside himself to draw forth the power he'll need to carry out their plan.

As Colcille takes out the guy in the tree, Perfire will attempt to put one or more of the guards to sleep. DC 15 Will.

Colcille gives Perfire a thumbs-up sign before nocking an arrow, aiming carefully and letting loose. Her aim strikes true at the foe in the trees.

Attack, human favored enemy: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 = 28
Damage, human favored enemy, possibly Sneak Attack: 1d8 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (5) = 11
Critical confirm: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 2 = 23
Critical damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 = 9

Since a surprise round is limited to a move or standard action, I don't think I can use Bullseye Shot. If you think that we have time to do more, then I'd take a +4 to attack.

The guards are too spread out to get more than one in the spell.

Echo Wood Outlaw save v. Sleep: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 One good 20 deserves another, I suppose!

Colcille puts an arrow throw the throat of the outlaw in the tree. He gurgles and falls, dead before he hits the ground. But the second outlaw is covered in sparkly fairy dust and shoots bolt upright.

"What the hells?

Colcille Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Lilika Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Wymond Initiative: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18
Perfire Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Outlaws Initiatives: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

STATUS
Wymond
Colcille
Lilika
OUTLAWS
Perfire

Still theater of the mind. Wymond and Lilika are two full moves away from the combat. There is plenty of cover and concealment. Go!

Perfire tries to call out a warning to Colcille and his companion, but seeing his spell fail causes the words to catch in his throat and the halfling stands stunned for a moment.

Just a little flavor while I wait for my turn. Dice seem against me so far this combat!

I take it we're not close enough to hear the "What the hells?" of that guy?

(Do Wymond and I hear the fight?)

Colcille focuses on the tempo while letting out an arrow at the second one and moving to cover. Shoot, move, hide, shoot, move, hide, it's a dance the fey know well.

Attack, as before: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 2 + (6) = 16

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

I assume I can sneak attack since they haven't acted, unless they have Uncanny Dodge.

If Lilika hears a commotion she double moves toward the noise.

If Lilika hears a commotion she double moves toward the noise.

And Wymond and Triath will too! :)

Hearing the commotion, Lilika and Wymond begin to sprint through the underbrush towards their companions. Meanwhile, Colcille pivots and kills a second outlaw while he is still rising from the brush, leaving only one foe she is aware of.

The bandit sounds his horn, loud and low, then rushes away, bounding through the woods.

Everyone go!
Wymond and Lilika are now on scene, but at a distance. You can't charge here - the underbrush is too thick. But the outlaw is still visible and within bowshot.

Wymond draws his bardiche and begins wading through the underbrush after the horn-blower.

"We're gonna have company, y'all!" he shouts to the others.

Erastil may be an archer, but Wymond was built to be a tank!

'Hang on... dammit... Hells!' Perfire stammers, launching a salvo of missiles from his hand at the retreating bandit.

Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 2 = 7

"I love company! It's boring to dance alone, and I'm at home here!" answers Colcille, aiming and firing at the running target, a precise shot whistling through the vegetation, but this time finding mostly armor.

I assume I'm too far to sneak attack, hidden or not.

Attack, Bullseye Shot, Favored Enemy: 1d20 + 6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 4 + 2 = 30
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

"Well, if'n ye wanna dance with death, be me guest!" Wymond replies sardonically.

Perfire and Colcille both strike the fleeing foe, but don't kill him. He begins to yell for help with a panicky scream.

Lilika, go!

Lilika loads her sling and fires, sending a magic stone sailing at the bandit's back!

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Magic Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Struck by bullet, spell and arrow the bandit runs on through the woods, still yelling. No sound of response comes back as yet.

Go!

Lilika reloads and fires another bullet before the bandit gets too far away.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Magic Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Confirming a Critical: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Extra Magic Bludgeoning Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Wymond continues to hustle after the retreating enemy, huffing and puffing.

Do I catch up? Or did Lilika kill him before I do?

Perfire's action will also depend on the outcome of Lilika's attack. It looks like a mighty blow!

Lilika's sling bullet catches the bandit just behind the ear. He sinks like a stone and lands in a thicket, unmoving.

Lilika hurries over to the bandit and takes cover, waiting to see if any other enemies appear...

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Wymond looks around and tries to find some cover to prepare for the next wave.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Those of you taking cover should make either a Stealth or Survival check for me.

Perfire attempts to hide in the brush

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Colcille creeps through the vegetation, not as silently as she would like.

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Survival (Untrained): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18
Stealth (Untrained): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

Not sure what that gets me?

Lilika Survival Check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 Oy.

Lilika, the outlaw you stopped near is dressed in leather armor, carries a shortsword, dagger, light crossbow, several quarrels, a potion and a small vial.

All is quiet as you wait. How long do you wait?

Perfire continues to lie low, waiting for one of his companions to make a move.

Wymond turns to Colcille and Lilika.

"Maybe they didn't hear the signal? Or they're prepping an ambush? Wanna scout ahead?"

Lilika waits a minute...

Then strips the bandit down to his clothing, taking the armour, weapons, potion and vial and stuffing them all into her backpack.

She examines the potion and gives the vial a sniff.

Perception to ID potion: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Perception to figure out what the vial contains: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Then she nods at Colcille to lead the way again.

I'm fine waiting if Colcille wants to scout ahead again. Otherwise we can all go together.

"I'm betting ambush, so let's see. I'll see if I can spring it without getting turned into a pincushion."

Colcille sneaks forth, arrow nocked, hoping that the undergrowth will conceal her enough. Sadly, she steps on a dry branch, which snaps loudly.
Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Lilika, that first potion is most likely a healing potion. You recognize the mint flavoring. But without some knowledge of alchemy, you're uncertain what the two vials are.

Colcille Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Colcille can see the hidden entrance. It's closed, but she's certain any hidden guards must've heard her approach. She freezes, but all is quiet. No birds sing and the wind barely rustles in the trees.

Your move!

Colcille goes over her tricks and tools, finding nothing of any real help for the scenario. Instead, she tries to creep back towards the others, arrow still nocked.

Stealth again?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Wymond watches and waits for Colcille's signal.

Perfire continues to lay low until he's needed.

Colcille easily makes it back to her companions, waiting in the brush.

"So, we know they are there, and they know we are here, we know that they know we are here and likely they know that we know that they are there. Unless they don't. Which means, sorry, but I couldn't spot them and they have the advantage of us this time, unless we set the woods on fire. Which I wouldn't like for several reasons."

Perfire scratches his head as he follows Colcille's train of logic. 'Agreed, I'm still prepared to push on. It may be a tougher fight now, though.'

Points to Colcille for making the GM laugh!

"Gonna be a tougher fight no matter what, Perry," Wymond blusters. "Shall I take the lead now?"

"I think that's best," Lilika agrees with Wymond with a nod.

Poke!