Hell's Rebels: Flight of the Silver Ravens (Inactive)

Game Master pinvendor

          Combat Finished!

As the group - and much of the rest of the riot - flees the scene, they look back to see the dottari attacking and subduing those in the immediate area. Mephry, after snapping at the feet of a few more people and breathing another gout of flame, is controlled by Nox as she grabs his leash. Thankfully the guards aren’t interested in chasing after those who fled - only those foolish enough to stay.

The group run, the unconscious Dany in tow, until they reach the intersection of Avernus Avenue where the riot took place and Stirling Street, right in front of one of the last smithies this side of the river - Olmer’s Smithy, run by a old, gruff, obstinant dwarf of the same name. His rough smithy doesn’t look particularly inviting as it churns out thick, black smoke from the forge. As the group rests from their escape, more than a few of their fellow protesters run past them and head down Stirling Street, while others escape into the alleyways of Old Kintargo.

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What do you guys do? You’re roughly 200 feet from the protest as seen on the map, in front of Olmer’s Smithy; Galen’s house (or the tenement where he’s staying? I forgot) isn’t particularly far from here, and is in fact the closest of the player’s houses. The Dottari aren’t interested in chasing after fleeing protesters, so for the time being you’re safe.

Also as far as experience goes, I’ll be keeping track of it myself - you guys don’t have to worry about it. I’ll let you know when you level up.

"Avrora, are you alright? Galen! Oh, what happened to this girl..." Varian speaks quickly, nervous and still pervaded by adrenalin. He looks around, unsettled, and when the groups reaches an isolated alley, he looks around again. "Phineas, Darian...Please keep your eyes open for possible passersby. What I'm going to do is strictly forbidden...No time to explain" He grins. He would have preferred to reveal his powers in different circumstances. But he cannot dissimulate his divine ability.

As the red birthmark on his neck, the shape of a rose, begins burning intensively, he clenches his teeth. "Milani, may your blessing embrace us all and protect us in the time of need" Then, a burst of positive energy radiates from his figure, healing the wounded.

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Varian is attempting a Perception check to search for possible passersby before channeling positive energy two times. He includes everyone in the group is wounded. If he sees someone suspect, he will wait until there's no else around. Also remember that magic healing restores an equal amount of nonlethal hit points damage.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Channel positive energy: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Channel positive energy: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Because of Varian's healing, everyone now has 0 nonlethal damage taken - except Avrora, who is still sitting at 1 nonlethal (having took 12). This includes Danyeren, but she remains unconscious - though her breathing shows that she's obviously alive. Why she remains unconscious will require a Heal check, however.

Seeing that the woman Galen and Isabel had been carrying along remains unconscious, Varian looks into everyone's eyes: "We need a safe place where to repair ourselves from this hell. I need some time to properly examine your friend's conditions" bitterly comments Varian, an hurry expression written all over his face.

Phineas leans against the edge of the smithy wall, nervously glancing back at the crowd searching for any signs of pursuit as Galen and Isabel run up carrying Dany between them.

"Phineas, Darian...Please keep your eyes open for possible passersby. What I'm going to do is strictly forbidden...No time to explain" He grins. He would have preferred to reveal his powers in different circumstances. But he cannot dissimulate his divine ability.

As the red birthmark on his neck, the shape of a rose, begins burning intensively, he clenches his teeth. "Milani, may your blessing embrace us all and protect us in the time of need" Then, a burst of positive energy radiates from his figure, healing the wounded.

Phineas nods, and keeps a careful lookout for any pursuing Dottari or overly interested passerbys. As the waves of positive energy roll over them, Phineas feels strangely at peace as his small knicks and scrapes heal. So, he is a cleric. Of Milani, no less. Not unexpected, but most certainly welcome.

Phineas stiffens suddenly as he notices Dany isn't awake.

"That's not a good sign. Varian's right, we need to get off the streets before those Dottari finish with what's left of the protest. My offices are too far, and we would have difficulty crossing the bridge with an unconsious body. Does anyone have a room near here where we can lie low?" He hesitates for a moment, uncertain. "We could also try and make for Songbird Hall. The priests of Shelyn may be able to help her, or tell what is wrong. We would have to hurry across or around the park that way, however, and it is one of the closest temples. Many from the protest might be headed there, seeking aid. It could be dangerous if the Dottari care to seek out those who were at the protest."

Avrora closes her eyes as the burst of light radiates out form Varian and envelopes her. Her short hair is blown back from her face as the gentle fragrance of a spring garden tickles her nose. She smiles gently, remembering brighter days.

Then she is back in Kintargo, the acrid smoke from the smithy mingling with the tension in the air.

"Oh Varian," she whispers, reaching out and placing her hand on his shoulder. "I knew it. I just knew it. Something told me. I..." Varian's grim expression gives her pause. She lets him continue.

At Phineas's question, she pipes up. "It is too risky to traverse the park again, and we need to get off of the street, at least until we can examine Galen's friend. Besides, that will allow things to cool over. I have an inn room not far from here. It isn't much, but we could lie low for a while."

"Dany...please wake up love," says Galen to the unconscious young woman softly. He gently shakes her shoulder, kneeling now to cradle her head in his lap. Galen absently brushes aside a stray strand of her brown hair from her face. Tears start to fall unbidden as he looks up at Varian, clearly not fully hearing or understanding the conversation. "She...she was right in front of me and one of those horrid citizen militiamen threw off his disguise with the students and struck her..." He can't continue to describe it, his words choking off in a gasp for breath as he tries to gain control of himself. "She...she...right there and I...couldn't stop...him..."

Darian's legs grow shaky as the group slows to a stop to tend to the wounded woman. He looks down at his sword, or at least the illusory version of it. He stumbles over to a wall and slumps against it, sliding down its surface to a seated position.

I...I killed those men...I'm a murderer...

The sword falls to the ground in front of him with a clatter, and his shield slides off his left arm as he takes his head between his hands, his whole body trembling.

What have I done...

Phineas' face softens as he looks at Galen holding Dany's head in his lap. "It wasn't your fault, Galen. Noone here is to blame for what happened today. The fault lies with Barzillai Thrune and his murderous thugs."

He turns to address the whole group, a snarl splaying across his face as he angrily gesticulates, hand cutting the air. "He played this whole thing like a twisted game. He wanted this to happen, to make an example out of us, to show what would happen to anyone who stood up to him."

"We have to get moving. The best thing we can do for her now is to get her inside somewhere safe, and we have to get off the streets. Avrora, your room sounds like our best option for now. Can you lead us to the inn? Darian, can you help carry Dany?"

Is my Disguise Self still active?

I think it should be...Varian called you out by name though.

Darian numbly stands and collects his things, reaching trepidatiously for his sword before taking it and quickly sheathing it.

He then walks over and carefully lifts up the unconscious woman in his arms, and turns to follow the others.

You cast the disguise self spell right before the riot, correct? If so, then yes its still up. It has been no more than five minutes since the riot began.

"We would be safe at Songbird Hall, for all that Shelyn's worship is permitted here none of the temple have any great love for Thrune, especially now." Isabel, still appearing as a slightly rotund middle-aged woman, nods decisively. "Despite that Avrora is right - we can't afford to go near the park again, not for a few hours at least."

She completely fails to comment on Varian's abilities. "Avrora, where is your room? We need directions." Dropping her voice to a near whisper. "Varian, can you watch your cousin? I don't think he's handling this well... Avrora, Phineas, go on ahead and warn us if anyone comes this way. I'll try and sort Galen out."

She walks over to Galen and rubs small circles on the top of his back, talking slowly and softly. "Don't worry Galen, she's safe. We've got her out and she'll be fine. We're going to take her somewhere safe now and she's going to want you there when she wakes up. You couldn't stop her getting hurt but you've saved her life - there was no way you could have stopped them hurting her. (Was there you wicked and evil GM?!) Come on, just a little bit further."
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Isabel will take a second to touch Avrora's hand as she gives instructions and imbue her with a False Flanker.

...what, he needed motivation! I'm a great motivator! Its a perk of being a Lawful Evil Dungeonmaster. >:)

With the group deciding to head to Avrora’s place, Darian silently picks up the unconscious form of Galen’s lover and the group begins to head that direction, the rest of the group following suit. Behind them, the dottari continue to put down and arrest any stragglers in front of the Opera House - just a glance shows quite a few people in manacles and even more laying on the ground unconscious. Rotten fruit, mud, blood, and a wide variety of other litter is scattered around the once beautiful Argent Avenue in front of the Opera house, the front facade of which is covered in refuse itself. Regardless, the group begins its treck away from the scene and down Stirling Street.

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Please place your tokens where you’d like ‘em within the teal square on the map IF you don't like the current walking order - once everyone is in place, please let me know (and of course make any appropriate reactions). If your reaction includes moving from that teal square, that is fine.

Galen doesn't say anything else as the others decided the next best course of action, acting almost like one that is numb or in a stupor from being at the tavern too late at night. Yet he nods both to Phineas and Varian, and murmurs thanks once again to Isabel, and does what he is told to help move along down Stirling Street.

As he watches the well-disguised form of Darian carry Dany so effortlessly down Stirling, Galen snaps somewhat out of his nightmarish reverie and says, "Oh...Stirling...my boarding house is just about six streets away from here if we take one of these alleys before the cemetery...and it's just a stone's throw away from the Tooth and Nail if that would help to fetch food and news...it's not much Mistress Avrora but I offer it if you don't think those who govern your inn are to be trusted..."

"Avrora, stop! There's someone being attacked in that alley!" Phineas points at the entrance to the alley where he heard the sounds of fighting.

The middle alley of the bottom ones on the map.

"We should help them, if we can."

Phineas will hug the far side of the street and move down until he can see what is occurring in the alley

"It's near Salt Market, just this side of the gate. Hurry now, we don't want to be noticed." She is suddenly keenly aware of the image her armor and weapony convey, yet at this moment she wouldn't trade them for anything.

"Oh...Stirling...my boarding house is just about six streets away from here if we take one of these alleys before the cemetery...and it's just a stone's throw away from the Tooth and Nail if that would help to fetch food and news...it's not much Mistress Avrora but I offer it if you don't think those who govern your inn are to be trusted..."

Avrora considers. The Salty Mermaid Inn lies just east of the Salt Gate, a stone's throw from the swarming Salt Market. It's a relatively small, modest inn that often deals with those looking for temporary work with the salt mines, salt works, and nearby fisheries . It has quite a few people 'living' there, often in the common room or the cheaper rooms. Compared to the nearby Tooth and Nail, the clientele is smaller, quiter, usually choosing to just sit and drink. It serves mostly fish food-wise, though its quality is questionable. At this moment, however, Avrora isn't concerned with luxuries. Her thoughts turn instead to the Galen's injured friend. They are somber, but she keeps them to herself.

"Can your quarters fit all of us? Is it priva..."

"Avrora, stop! There's someone being attacked in that alley!" Phineas points at the entrance to the alley where he heard the sounds of fighting. "We should help them, if we can."

Avrora is cut off by Phineas's warning. "Phineas, careful!" she hisses, moving closer to him in case of danger.

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Credit to Crusty for details on The Salty Mermaid.

"Darian, put her down now! We need you here!" Isabel grabs Darian's hand and speaks hurridly into his ear. "You're shocked - I understand that, but we need you, Varian needs you now. Damn it, I need you now."

Turning to Galen and Varian she starts snapping out orders. "Julius, take Darian and help Avrora. Galen, go with Phineas and back them up. I'll stay here and look after her, I promise."
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Give Darian a false flanker too.

Darian looks the illusion covered Isabel in the eye before nodding and handing off the woman to another. He draws his blade and starts to dash off, before pausing to say flatly, "Don't use my real name, either."

He then heads for the alley.
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Move: Draw sword.
Move

Varian nods to Isabel, happy to not have the responsibility to make decision for once. "Avrora! Cousin! With me!" he shouts as he draws his weapon and moves towards the source of the painful scream. As he walks, he takes his time to cast a spell on himself to better protect him from what he suspect will be an incoming danger.
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I suppose we can have more than 1 round available, so I'm gonna assume Varian can move as a move action and draw his morning star as his second move action, and, in the following turn, stop to cast protection from evil on himself as a standard action and then continue moving using his move action. Otherwise, if he has only one round available, he will draw his morning star and move.

For the record, I never put my weapon away. I can't wait to get a BAB...

"Um, all right...yes...yes of course," answers Galen to Isabel, still not seeming sharp or in full sense of his mental faculties with events unfolding as they are. With a final worried glance at Dany he hurries over next to Phineas as "Davis" with no weapons drawn in his hands, seemingly not sure if the danger spoken of is coming from the alley to the right or the left.

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FA: Speak
MA: Move 30' next to Phineas

Only one round available I'm afraid, Varian.

Update soon!

The sounds of both laughter and the grunting of someone in pain echo from the alleyway; as the group proceeds, the dirty, narrow alleyway in Old Kintargo comes into view - as do its occupants. Numerous thugs - Chelish Citizens’ Group thugs to be precise, as identified by their matching armbands - surround a young, bearded man wearing a well-to-do courtier’s outfit that has seen better days. One of the thugs has the man in a vicegrip, his iron truncheon pressed tightly against the man’s throat; two of the other thugs are busy administering blows with their truncheons to the man’s abdomen. ”Hit him again! Let the f!@*er know who we are!” In a feeble attempt to pull his assailant off of him, the stranger has his hands up and is attempting without success to pull the truncheon from his throat - one of his hands is covered by a black, silken glove.

While three of the militiamen deal with their victim, a fourth watches from near the alleyway’s entrance. This man, also armed with a truncheon, not only stands guard over four unconscious militiamen, but also watches for interlopers. He spots the group and claps the end of his truncheon in the palm of his hand threateningly. ”Oye, you lot! Move along, this doesn’t concern you! Keep moving unless you want a beating for interfering with Chelish Citizens’ Group business too!”

Behind him, the man being strangled and beaten makes eye contact with the group and eyes them pleadingly as he receives a hard blow to the upper calf by one of the thugs - he nearly falls, and appears staggered, unable to take much more punishment.

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You had one round before rounding the corner to see this grisly scene - what do you guys do? Any threatening act (including casting a spell of any kind), will be enough to begin combat with these thugs, and I will roll initiative if you choose to go that route.

Darian steps into the alleyway, readying his shield as he does so. Seeing the cruelty of these thugs seems to bring Darian out of his melancholy, as he grits his teeth audibly.

They are nothing more than brigands. They deserved to die. Including their taskmasters.

He lifts his sword before his face, similar to military salute. A moment later, the blade begins to glow a pale white light, as do the weapons of his allies!

"It would be wise for you to cease your current efforts. Let. Him. Go," he says through his clenched teeth.
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Move: Ready shield.
Standard: Inspire Courage!

Phineas' mind scrambles franticly as he takes in the scene. The member of the Silver Ravens! There are only four of those despicable thugs, I don't doubt Avrora and Darian can take them. I have to at least try and diffuse this peacefully though, what if he gets hurt or killed in the conflict?

As Darian threatens the men, a plan clicks into place. Phineas steps up with an easy smile on his face, putting a hand on Darian's shoulder and pointing at one of the thug's armbands.

"Charles, look, the arm bands; these men are from the group Nox hired us to support. I'm sure they have an excellent reason to be accosting this fellow, he was probably from the protest."

Phineas steps back, addressing the closest thug with a small nod of respect.

"We're from the mercenary outfit Charles' Cuirassiers, brought in to help protect the loyal citizenry from the undesirable elements at today's protest. We've been sent to patrol the perimeter to make sure the rioters disperse peacefully without disturbing the citizenry.

We'll let you get back to dealing with this ruffia-"

Phineas makes eye contact with the man with one black glove and recoils in shock, blood draining from his face as a look of abject terror replaces his easy smile.

"Sweet lord Asmodeus! Do you have any idea who that man is!?"

Phineas winces internally at his delivery. This was not my best moment. I can only hope they're not very bright...
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Bluffing time: Bluff: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
I also will need a good candidate to pretend the person is. I'm thinking someone lesser known, but with a famous name. Ideally, a younger son of one of the noble families most closely allied with House Thrune who isn't often seen by the general public. Knowledge Check to try and choose a good candidate: Knowledge:Nobility: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
....that would have gone much better in reverse. Oh well....had to give it a shot.

This.

After all the insanity of the riot. After watching as innocent people were clubbed and beaten.

This.

After seeing that fire-breathing monstrosity unleashed onto unarmed civilians.

Now, this. This is too much to bear.

Avrora is quite surprised to see High Lord Aulamaxa step forward so gallantly. She is both gladdened and emboldened by his words and actions.

"Aye, release him!" Avrora calls, striding forward to join Darian with her morningstar and shield at the ready. "Or I swear, you will regret it."

As she speaks, her thoughts turn to the Everbloom. She also feels her left shoulder begin to tingle intensely. It is an odd sensation, one she hasn't experienced before. Suddenly she feels a friendly presence beside her. If ever she doubted her return to the city, that feeling is now gone. She is now consumed by courage and purpose.

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Move
Standard: cast divine favor (+2 attack, +2 damage [with fate's favored trait])

Active Buffs: Divine Favor, Inspire Courage

Note: I submitted this as Phineas was posting, so I didn't see his action in time. But, given that he rolled a 1 on his Bluff check, I'll leave my post as it is and let the GM determine how these actions flow.

Gonna do a quick sense motive check by the thugs to see if I need to write up the post I was working on.

..working on continuing my post then. I have work early today (11 am, ugh), so I'm trying to get a post up before I leave.

Varian restrains himself from casting an offensive spell as he sees the terrible scene of the man being beaten in front of his eyes. I need to hold myself together...I don't want to kill any more fellow Kintargans, but... Unable to force a decision, he stands still to his companions side, his teeth clenched and his fists closed tight.

The alleyway the group finds the scene in is as dirty as Old Kintargo gets; Four old, two-story dilapidated buildings arrange themselves around a series of alleyways shaped like an octagon. Four old pillars, not rounded in their shape yet instead adding to the shape of the octagon, rise up a single story, support numerous beams acting as ramshackle walkways, allowing whoever lives in these old buildings a way to move about across the second stories. All of the doors and windows of the first stories are boarded up and the buildings appear unused.

       << Encounter: "A New Friend in Need" | Round I | Hazards: None | Encounter Map: Roll20 Old Kintargo Alleyway >>

”What was that you f@++er? We got ourselves some heroes hah! Get ‘em!” The thug in the front laughs at the group’s threatening before ordering his fellows to attack. ”Nobody messes with the Chelish Citizens’ Group! We serve Lord-Mayor Barzillai himself!” And with that, the group of militia ready their truncheons; one of the thugs continues to grapple the man with the black glove, who is rapidly losing consciousness.

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Initiative Order:
The PCs (11)
Chelish Citizens’ Group Thugs (9)

Darian, Avrora, those actions of yours counted as your first round’s actions.

The PCs are up! Darian’s Inspire Courage gives all of you a +1 morale bonus to attacks and damage and against fear effects including the thugs’ intimidate checks.

Varian shakes his head in almost physical pain as he realises he will need to fight against more of his fellow citizens. Why does this have to be so hard?

"Hey, everyone! I need cover for a few seconds. I'm gonna cast a spell that takes a bit longer than usual. Please, don't allow them to disrupt my concentration" he whispers to his allies before starting to move his hands in strange patterns and pronounce even stranger words in Celestial.
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Varian is starting to cast summon monster I as a standard action. He has used his move action to move behind his teammates before starting to concentrate on the spell.

Isabel stays put by Dany's body. I could really use some sort of ranged weaponry here... I can't even see whats going on. I've got your back Julius.

================================
Ready action to cast sleep if a thug tries to attack Varian or Galen.

Galen hears Varian's words and decides to do what he can to provide a bulwark or distraction for him. Understanding now that these brutes have yet another hapless Kintargan down with their truncheons, something flares within Galen and he resolutely steps forward to stand just to the side and behind Avrora, his stare angry and his fists clenched by his sides.

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Round 1, Initiative 11, Old Kintargo Alleyway
hp 7/7; AC 13/13T/12FF; CMD 12; +1F/+1R/+4W (+5 vs. Fear)
Effects/Conditions: Inspire Courage
(Spells: 2/4 1st; Pool: 2/4)

MA: Move to near Avrora
SA: Ready Daze (DC 13 Will) against first thug approaching to attack himself or Avrora

Damn, they didn't buy it. Well, that wasn't my best performance ever, I suppose it isn't a surprise. Sleep will take some time...I can take advantage of the others blocking for Varian though. I wonder what he's casting? Something in celestial...

Phineas steps back and begins chanting alongside Varian, also casting a significantly more complex spell than his earlier Dazes.

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To determine what Varian is casting: Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11...Nope
Free Action: 5 foot step back
Full Round Action: Begin casting Sleep.

Darian leers at the thugs through his illusion, and charges at them with a ferocity yet unseen out of the young nobleman.
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Swift: Arcane Strike, if possible, if not, subtract 1 damage.
Attack, Charge, IC: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 13 + whatever False Flanker gives.
Damage, if Hit: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Isabel will trigger Darian's false flanker - he counts as flanking for this attack so another +2 to hit.

As mentioned to him on Roll20, Darian already took his move and has redacted his charge - plus, Avrora was in his way anyways.

The thug who threatened the group charges towards Galen as combat begins; however, Galen was prepared and quickly got off a spell forcing the man to nearly fall as he staggers to a stop. Behind him, another thug charges towards Avrora who brings her shield up in response, blocking his truncheon’s swing downwards towards her head. Wood cracks instead of her skull as the iron truncheon collides with her shield. The third thug not busy grappling the man with the black glove runs over the unconscious bodies of his comrades, shoves past his dazed ally, and makes his way towards Galen.

The militiaman grappling the black-gloved man, meanwhile, continues pressing his truncheon up against the latter’s throat. It takes a moment until his eyes roll back and he falls unconscious, going slack in the thug’s grip, who promptly drops him into the muck of the alleyway before approaching the group, a sadistic grin on his face.

       << Encounter: "A New Friend in Need" | Round II | Hazards: None | Encounter Map: Roll20 Old Kintargo Alleyway >>

With the black-gloved man unconscious in the muck within the alleyway, all of the thugs are now happily focused on a new opportunity for causing more pain. A few nearby passersby who were walking by see the fight begin between the two groups and quite make their way away from the ensuing combat; though a few more stop to watch, standing well away from the scene.

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Thug 1 charged Galen but was dazed; in addition, Isabel begun casting Sleep and only needs a standard action to finish the spell. Thug 2 charged Avrora but missed; Thug 3 moved towards the group and thug 4 continued grappling the black-glove man, dealt nonlethal damage (that was turned into lethal) and knocked him unconscious before releasing him.

Damage Taken:
Avora: 1 Nonlethal
Darian: 0
Galen: 0
Isabel: 0
Phineas: 0
Varian: 0
--
Thug 1: 0 (Dazed, -2 AC due to Charge)
Thug 2: 0
Thug 3: 0
Thug 4: 0
Thug 5: 0
--
Black-Glove Man: 10 Nonlethal, 4 Lethal (Unconscious)

The PCs are up! Darian’s Inspire Courage gives all of you a +1 morale bonus to attacks and damage and against fear effects including the thugs’ intimidate checks.

Before today Galen has only ever been in one serious fight before, not counting the scraps and tumbles of a Varisian boy with other Varisian boys on the caravan trails. He knows enough to know that both Phineas and Varian are doing…something…and he has to guard them as best he can in addition to giving both Avrora and Darian clear fighting avenues with their swings.

Seeing that his earlier intrusion into the lead scum’s mind was successful, Galen tries his same mental push into the mind of the one who’s come up on him, first crouching and stepping back towards Phineas and Varian. It’s a simple knack he learned early on – a flooding of someone’s mind with flashes of chaotic images and sounds from something he experienced firsthand. The Aria Park protest is all he needs to visualize as he tries to flood the “citizen” thug’s mind with those sights and sounds, drawing his dagger into his left hand just as he does so.

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Round 2, Initiative 11, Old Kintargo Alleyway
hp 7/7; AC 13/13T/12FF; CMD 12; +1F/+1R/+4W (+5 vs. Fear)
Effects/Conditions: Inspire Courage
(Spells: 2/4 1st; Pool: 2/4)

FA: 5’ Step back to Phineas and Varian
SA: Cast Daze (DC 13 Will) against Thug 3
MA: Draw dagger 

Seeing the thugs eagerness to continue to cause more pain, Darian boldly steps forward to the one attacking Galen. He raises his blade, the white arcane energy crackling around it growing brighter as he takes a vicious slice for the man's neck...
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Swift: Arcane Strike
Free: Inspire Courage
Move: Move to Thug 3
Standard:Attack

Attack, Charge, IC, False Flanker: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 26
Confirm, Charge, IC, False Flanker: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 23
Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 6) + 10 = 24

Phineas finishes his spell, and a wave of slumber washes over the remaining three thugs. He moves just behind Darian and pulls his dagger while rapidly firing off a shorter spell against the closest thug who isn't unconscious.
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Finish Sleep just before my turn. Sleep, Will Save DC 15, 10' Burst, 4HD Max I drew the area burst for sleep in blue on the map, to hit all three thugs.

Free Action: 5 foot step
Move Action: Draw Dagger
Standard Action: Cast Daze, Will Save DC 14 on the closest Thug who didn't get taken down by sleep.

Varian completes his spell, and a white-and-gold feathered celestial eagle suddenly appears on the battlefield. Shouting a command word in Celestial, Varian orders the summoned creature to attack the thug right behind it.

"For Kintargo!" shout out furiously Varian as he moves to Avrora's side and tries to hit another thug right in the face with his morning star. "C'mon! We can do it!" he encourages his allies as he swings his weapon, his eyes worringly trying to gaze at the badly beaten black-gloved man.
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Varian has just summoned a celestial eagle right above Thug 1's head (in his same square). His order is to attack the thug at the best of its possibilities (I assume that means a full smite evil attack for the eagle, but I'll leave that to your judgement, DM). The eagle will vanish just before the beginning of Varian's next turn. Varian himself moves 15 feet to reach his current position and tries to hit Thug 2 with his morning star.

Celestial Eagle Talon Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Celestial Eagle Talon Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 (+1 if target is evil)

Celestial Eagle Talon Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Celestial Eagle Talon Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 (+1 if target is evil)

Celestial Eagle Bite Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Celestial Eagle Talon Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 (+1 if target is evil)
Celestial Eagle Bite Attack (Crit Confirm): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Celestial Eagle Talon Damage (Crit Damage): 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 (+1 if target is evil)

Varian's Morning Star Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Varian's Morning Star Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

IF any thug remains standing, she will move to closest standing: Avrora leaps forward and swings her morningstar up toward the thug's chin, striking a telling blow (move + attack).

Attack, DF, IC, FF: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 28
Damage, DF, IC: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 9

But IF they are all asleep:

Avrora steps toward the alleyway cautiously, trying to determine if the accosted man is still alive (double move).

_______

Is this an appropriate way to handle a situation where we don't know the outcome of something like a sleep spell?

I knew there was a reason I stayed behind.

I don't think this is what Madame Ventari meant when she said 'always be prepared for the worst'. Memories of the strict and ridiculously meticulous etiquette teacher at Madame Docur's school puts a rather inappropriate smile on Isabel's face as she focuses on the new thug, whose intentions towards her and Danyeren appeared less than helpful.

Drawing on the stupor that Madame Ventari's class often caused, Isabel hurls the feeling forward towards the thug, with the full weight of her personality behind it. Almost as an after-thought she draws her sword-cane. No reason to stay my blade here.

-------------------------
FA: Hypnotic Gaze on Thug 5
SA: Cast Sleep centred on Thug 5
MA: Draw sword cane.

As Galen floods the mind of the thug who approached him, Darian steps in and, taking advantage of the man’s dazed condition, decapitates him with a single sweep of his sword - numerous bystanders scream at the gruesome scene and one yells for help. ”Guards! Guards! Someones been murdered!” The man who yelled, an older fellow sporting the Chelish national colors of red and black runs back towards the Opera House, calling for help.

Around them, the thugs are taken out swiftly and efficiently; one is assailed by a golden eagle that appears out of nowhere, its biting talons and beak ripping into the thug’s upper body, causing blood to stain the cobblestone pavement of Stirling Street. A second thug is taken out by Phineas’s spellcasting; unlike his fellows, he simply nods off and falls down on the ground fast asleep. The third thug is taken out as Avrora steps in and bashes him in the face with her morningstar; blood runs down his nose and his front teeth are knocked free as he falls to the ground, unconscious in a heap on his back.

A fifth thug, heading straight for Isabel and Danyeren from another alleyway, falls on his face in the midst of his approach as he too is put to sleep by magic. His truncheon clatters against the cobblestones as it rolls towards its owner’s assailant via the man’s momentum.

As the skirmish ended as quickly as it began, the few bystanders who stopped to watch leave the immediate area, not wanting to get caught up in the guards should they come; they also fear reproach from what they see as bloodthirsty maniacs surrounded by the bodies of the fallen, both alive and dead.

____________________________________________________________

So.. Thug 1 and 5 were put to sleep by various spells, thug 2 was knocked unconscious by the celestial eagle, thug 3 was outright KILLED by Darian, and thug 4 resisted the sleep but was knocked out by Avrora. Combat is over!

Damage Taken:
Avora: 1 Nonlethal
Darian: 0
Galen: 0
Isabel: 0
Phineas: 0
Varian: 0
--
Thug 1: 0 (Unconscious for 1 minute)
Thug 2: 13 (Unconscious, Stable)
Thug 3: 24 (Dead)
Thug 4: 9 (Unconscious, Stable)
Thug 5: 0 (Unconscious for 1 minute)
--
Black-Glove Man: 10 Nonlethal, 4 Lethal (Unconscious)

Combat Finished! You guys have one minute until the two you put to sleep wake up.

Darian sheathes his sword, then moves to check on the man that had been accosted, kneeling down to see if he is still alive...

Avrora winces and closes her eyes as the head goes rolling. She clenches her teeth to keep from groaning.

"We've got to go, now! Grab him if you must, bring him with us. We haven't much time before more of Barzillai's agents arrive."

"Galen, how close is your home?"

Avrora keeps her weapon drawn, scanning the streets for signs of more trouble. Other than the rivers of blood, I mean.

Isabel takes a moment to scoop up the truncheon before turning back to the others.

"Galen, you're leading now. You said your home was nearby - we need to go. Quickly! Julius - get the new man up now! Charles, Vikta, keep watch, deal with the sleeping ones if you have to. Davis I need your help here."

Allowing a few moments for everyone to respond Isabel will lift Danyeren with Phineas and turn back to Galen. "Your house - Now!

This is heavy handed... but if Darian or Galen freezes up again we're dead. Run now, think later... and keep them busy

"Charles, take point with Galen. Vikta, bring up the rear. If anyone pursues us try to scare them off."