Heroes of Louwildar (Inactive)

Game Master Derek Weil

The new friends then make their way to the Parade Ground and take in a couple hours of tilting as Bernhold's finest knight display their skill for the populace. After this, the field is cleared and the group notices the familiar figure of Captian Wenger in his dress uniform taking several hundred militamen through their paces. The drill lasts for an hour, and then he takes the stage to make an announcement.

"Thank you all for coming to support our fine warrior on horse and foot! We now have come to the moment that many of you have been waiting for: the challenge between soldiers and commoners! This year Lieutenant Heike Steiger will face a select team of four warriors all eager to earn a place in the gauntlet! Please join us for this exciting confrontation in 20 mintues!"

You will have just enough time to return to your appointed location and prepare fo rthe fight ahead!

Tess finds some privacy and removes her armor, coming out with just her white noble clothing on. Without the padding you can see her slim elven figure underneath the cloth. She takes out a scimitar and swings it slowly, going through some basic forms.

Ready whenever you guys are.

Sera ooh's and aah's as the warriors show off their skill. She even goes so far as to predict with surprising accuracy who will win various matchs, and when pressed, simply smiles. What they don't know is the spirits of the dead follow us all, and offer clues to the heart and soul of a warrior. Bloodlust alone will not win the day.

As the group prepares for their grand melee, Sera will imbue both elven combatants with a shimmering shield of light.

Shield of Faith, +2 AC

Caelin watches the prince's challenges with a mixture of boredom and... well, drowsiness. "Watching" being used in the most loose of terms, because the wizard's attention wavers often from the display of martial and physical prowess. He wonders once again (and quite often thereafter) how he managed to get dragged along to such an event. The only thing that keeps him from dozing off from time to time is the fact that Seraphyna beside him is hyperactive as a four year old child in a candy store and keeps accidentally elbowing him in her excitement.

When the crowd rises to its feet to cheer, he's one of the few left in his seat, awkwardly joining the rest a few moments after and making a pathetic attempt at clapping too. And then he's back in his seat to watch countless more hours of utterly mind-boring displays of how big armoured lads and ladies waltzing around whacking each other with big sticks.

And finally, finally, there's more...! ... Now he has to help people get better at whacking each other. Wonderful.

"Right, right, umm, who was it again that wanted everything..." Caelin grabs up his staff, one that he's been carrying around everywhere the entire time now. Up close, one might notice that it is actually quite well made - albeit showy, not for combat - with various minor jewels inlaid in patterned bands around the top.

I will cast mage armour on whoever wants it most right away, and then prepare to cast enlarge person just before the bout (as it only has a 1 min duration) on whoever wants it! Haha.

Rizzo stands ready at the sidelines, curious about the armor and weapons they were to use. He watches Tessara do her scimitar weapon katas, but doesn't draw his own weapon. Instead he quickly finishes off his stein of ale and sets it down.

I'm also ready :)

Tomm will watch Tess with a dubious look on his face, obviously unfamiliar with her disciplined style. He is unusually quiet before the match, his dark intense eyes keep landing on the lieutenant. He will respond to Caelin's offer,

"Sure, if yer offerin' I'll take tha magic armor ye were talkin' about. Thank ye kindly."

Ready to go!

Berion looks appreciatively at Tessara's figure, then focuses on the preparation. Try to set up a double flank as soon as possible. And I wonder if the weapons we are using are especially suited for tripping someone. If so, either Tom or Rizzo could take the Enlarging spell and try to trip her ? "

You are each offered a suit of leather training armor which you are free to refuse or accept. Then you're each given a quarterstaff with pads over each end. No other weapons or armor are permitted.

Mechanically, you can change into the leather armor for a +2 to AC which stacks w/ shield of faith, but obviously not mage armor. You each get a re-skinned quarterstaff. Simple weapon, deals non-lethal damage at no penalty.

Tess passes on the leather armor, knowing the magic is protecting her better. She swings the length of wood around a bit, then slides her hands down to one end and uses it more like an extended club. After a minute she nods, not thrilled but satisfied the weapon can work.

Rizzo will quickly change into the armor and accepts the quarterstaff. He whirls the staff a few times to get an idea of its weight and then nods at the contest official. "I'm ready."

Berion puts on the armor, and brandishes the thin piece of wood.

"Alright!"

Tomm will being with a fierce smile.

"Lets get to it then!"

Tomm will stalk towards the fighting grounds, his quarterstaff held on his shoulder.

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

For set-piece battles like this, when there is really no element of surprise, I will have allof you "take 10" on initiative and then enemies will take 10.5 so there are no ties that way. Can all of you add AC, saves, Perception, Init and sense Motive to the class line in your profiles? I'll show up here then to save me a little time. Sera and Caelin are great examples. Thanks!

Roll-off for Tomm and Rizzo, 1=Tomm: 1d2 ⇒ 1

The combatants enter the roped-off area and the crowd goes wild! The captain takes his place at a corner with the other three marshalls of the lists and signals to begin!

Round 1:

Heike
Tessara
Berion
Tomm
Rizzo

Heike grabs he staff in both hands and rushes towards Tessara, thinking her the easiest target. She swings!

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

The blow connects with a lound THUMP!

Now Up:

Tessara (staggered)
Berion
Tomm
Rizzo

*winces* Sorry for the max damage roll! I wanted this fight to use as a barometer for encounter CR's and add some flavor to the story.

Umm, we don't get to roll initiatives? That's one of the advantages of having a high dex, my character normally moves quicker than others and as such might have a higher chance of striking at Heike before he attacks. No element of surprise just means there is no surprise round. I can understand if you want to keep things simple by not asking for us all to roll initiative and waiting, but in that case you should just roll initiative for us.

Oh h@ll. I didn't make a house rule ahead of time, did I? You still get the benefit of high Dex - you went before everyone who hadn't invested a feat in this. But we can roll every time.

Round 1:

Tessara <<
Heike
Berion
Tomm
Rizzo

Tessara is up!

Saving the attack is more than fair. But at least I'll get an attack off before he beams me in the head haha. I care not how you manage the dice, as a DM myself I know how it can be annoying. I just do prefer the dice to actually be there as opposed to taking averages ;)

Tess sprints forward, twirling the quarterstaff in her hands as the lithe elf darts towards the larger opponents left side. She swings the quarterstaff sideways with both hands, but her victory is short-lived as the unexpectedly fast captain beams her in the side of the head. She sees stars, stumbling back and dropping the quaterstaff, clearly no longer a participant in the fight.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Yeah, rolling makes sense. Guess I was trying to be a bit lazy. I've heard of the other method being used when time's an issue - but that won't be a problem via PBP! And hey, you did land a hit for max damage, so it worked out!

Tessara's swift blow catches the solider unawares, as hits her hard in the side. Tess MAY have heard a rib crack. But then she is stunned by the mighty blow the warrior woman lands on her.

Round 1:
Tessara (10 dmg, staggered)
Heike (6 dmg)
Berion <<
Tomm <<
Rizzo <<

<< = you may go. Post in any order, I'll apply results based on init.

Tomm will stalk forward, a grim look on his normally cheerful face. He'll grasp his quarterstaff in both hands and shout,

"Prepare yerself!"

Tomm will use his Challenge as a swift action, move up to flank with Berion (or Tess), and swing down with a crushing blow.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 16

Damage: 1d6 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 11

Tomm's Challenge gives his allies a +1 Circumstance bonus on melee attack rolls.

Assuming that charging is allowed and that I'm able to charge,as we would've started spread out. Otherwise, treat the attack as 2 lower.

Attack: 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Berion charges ahead and whacks the lieutenant in her shoulder. Then Tomm swings around behind and smashes his staff into her back squarely between the shoulder blades. Heike lets out an audible gasp at this heavy blow!

Round 1:
Tessara (staggered)
Heike (21 damage)
Berion
Tomm
Rizzo <<

Rizzo is still up!

Rizzo changes his grip on his staff to one with two hands and tries to flank with Tessara.
Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

It's an 11 to hit if he gets the flank, probably still misses.:(

Sorry Rizzo, Tess is out of the fight. Took a pretty good lump to the head ;)

Sorry Rizzo, Tess is out of the fight. Took a pretty good lump to the head ;)

Here I thought you might be still standing :(

Oh, well I guess the nonlethal damage matches my hitpoints instead of exceeding them. Could I still attack with that?

Technically you're staggered, which means you still threaten and thus can provide flank bonuses. Of course once you take another action you'll fall unconscious.

Wasn't entirely sure of the rules for nonlethal damage or this competition in particular. If Tess is still able to act this is her action; if not simply ignore this post.

Reeling from the blow, Tess shakes her head and steps around the captain in hopes of creating a flank, swinging one last time.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Inadvisable ? If my knowledge of non-lethal damage is correct, another blow like that would kill you. And let's not talk about crits...
Rizzo: Currently, Tomm snd I are flanking partners. I'll step out of the flank next turn, to allow you to flank with Tomm.

Berion frowns when he sees Tess entering combat again.

Than you knowledge of non-lethal damage is incorrect. And I highly doubt the captain would kill me in public simply for putting up a good fight.

she is staggered, and can take only 1 action. If the captain continues to deal damage to the woozy Tess, it becomes real and could in theory kill her. I would hope the captain has more control than that. Also, 1 more non lethal point knocks her unconscious.

Unless the captain deigns to hit Tess once she falls unconscious from attacking with 0 HP I doubt she's in danger. And even then the captain would have to max damage crit.

Tess, you're a brave woman. As for flanking I think that technically three people can always arrange to have the one acting be a flank. Person 1 attacks with flank then steps 5'to give Person 2 a flank. Person 2 attacks with flank then steps 5' to give Person 3 a flank, etc. It won't last long because the victim can move to avoid it but it might work for one round.

You do not take a point of damage as nonlethal damage does not directly affect hp totals. You are staggered as the condition, but since you are not at 0 true HP, you do not suffer from the point of damage if you take a standard action.

Then I'll take the hit like a man and hope he doesn't max damage crit me.

Ok guys, I think I understand what you're going for here.

Rizzo moves in and swings hard, but misses.

Tess then swings again and lands another hit!

The lieutenant lashes out twice in rapid succession!

Random target, roll 1d4 in init order 1 = Tess, 2 = Berion, etc.

Target: 1d4 ⇒ 1
TWF #1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Target: 1d3 ⇒ 2
TWF #2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Her first blow swings wide of Tess, but the second smacks Berion pretty hard.

Round 2:
Tessara (0 HP, staggered)
Heike (25 damage)
Berion (4 damage) <<
Tomm <<
Rizzo <<

"Ha!"

Tomm will thrust his staff forward with all his weight behind the blow. He'll shift to the side afterward to keep flanking with his allies.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14

Damage: 1d6 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 11

Don't forget your extra +1 on attacks from Tomm.

Thanks Tomm!
Still wielding his quarterstaff in two hands, Rizzo dances around Heike, trying to find a blind spot. He swings as hard as he can.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
5' step to maybe get a flank, if he does add 2 to his roll to hit.

Berion grits his teeth and swings his staff in a overhead blow. He then deftly steps to the side to keep the little dance around Heike going.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 - 2 = 3
Damage: 1d6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) - 2 + 1 = 3

The hands at Sera's side twitch as she tries to hold herself back, the tense fight swinging back and forth as the combatants battle.

Berion's swing is off the mark. Tomm looks like he's about to land a heavy blow when the warrior woman nimbly twists out of the way at the last instant! This sets up Rizzo, however, and he swings, landing a blow with a loud THWACK against the figher's lower calf. She lets out another gasp of pain!

Round 3:
Tessara (0 HP) <<
Heike (33 damage - clearly hurting badly)
Berion (6 HP)
Tomm
Rizzo

Tess shakes her head, keeping her focus through the painful throbbing on the side of her head. She circles for a flank, swinging at the captain's side.

Fear me!: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 1 + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

The next blow by Tess drives the soldier to one knee! As she barely clings to consciousness, she lashes out quickly at her attackers!

Attack v. Tess: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Attack v. Berion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Clearly weakened, both blows miss! She then drops her staff and shouts:

"I yield!"

Out of combat, if you accept of course. she was deon to 2 HP BTW. Nice work guys!

The instant the word yield reaches Tess's ears, she drops the quarterstaff and collapses on her back. She keeps her eyes shut, willing the world to stop spinning around her.

Sera leaps with joy as the battle ends with the commoners victorious. She rushes the field gabbering on a mile a minute to all the fighters, "That was so cool the way you twisted the staff like that, and then when you bonked her like that, and that time when you thought you were going to miss only to have her jump in front of the other strike. Oh, and then there was the time you deftly ducked a swing that was going to clobber you! That was so amazing!" Grabbing Tess by the shoulders, she starts to shaker her back and forth yelling in her ear, "Did you see Tess, you got the final strike, you were the one to bring home the win! You were so incredible. I thought you were going to go down after that first hit but you stayed up and gave her a HYAH and a BLAMO."

Tess groans in pain as she's shook, shoving Sera off. "I swear you're next if you don't stop shaking me."

Sera looks aghast as she stops congratulating Tess. Lower lip quivering, she responds "F-fine." Turning her back, she trudges back to her seat near Caelin.

Berion drops his staff, kneels down besides Tess, and casts cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
"Hm. You're more courageous than me."

"Ha! That was quite a battle! Bernhold has nothin' ta fear with the likes o' ye guardin her Lieutenant, unless o' course these crazy Elves decide to invade!"

Tomm will help the woman to her feet and slap her happily on the back. He'll walk over to the others and say,

"Whatdid I tell ya! I knew we had it in us! Specially you there Tess, ye got the heart of a warrior inna ye, well done!"

Tomm's dogs who sat surprisingly still on the sidelines will rush out and both jump up on him begging for attention and braying loudly.

"Quiet ye beasts, or I'll sick the elf on ye!"

Tess sighs in relief as the healing magic washes over her. "It's much appreciated Berion." After a moment she sees Sera and realizes how rude she just was. I'll have to apologize to her later, she was just being nice. Shaking herself back to reality. "Father always told me, the only time you should stop fighting is when you're dead. You'll have plenty of time to rest then."

The lieutenant gratefully takes Tomm's hand and stands up:

"All of you fought well. And even in defeat, I learned some things that will not doubt help me if I ever face a group of foes alone again."

Captian Wenger approached the group.

"Well done indeed. Our Lieutenant is no pushover, as you must have gathered. Now, please take some time to rest. will any of yuo be attempting the gauntlet course? You needn't all take part if you don't wish to. The king will be glad to speak with you all in any event. As to the course, the main thing is to finish with as few mistakes as possible. There's no particualr time we're expecting of you, but we like to see a good run. If you fail to manage too mahy obstacles on the first try, you may not impress the king sufficiently for him to pay attnetion to you."

I plan to run this a little like PF chase scenes. There will be one (and maybe two) skill or ability checks to overcoem each obstacle. A direct success means you pass the obstacle in an impressive fashion. Failur by 5 or less means you get by, but struggle/go slowly/nearly lose your balance. Failure by mor ethan 5 means you fail completely and must re-try. You cannot outright fail at more than 3 of the 8 obstacles to impress the king. Skills and abilities that will come into play are: climb, Acrobatics, Strength and Dexterity. A few others may work for a given obstacle, you can always ask me.

Before the lieutenant leaves Tess inclines her head in respect, then offers "Perhaps try with your back to a wall, we would not have been able to circle you so easily."

Tess looks at the obstacle course, grimacing at the tests of strength. "Well, why not. If we are going to jump through hoops we might as well jump through all of them."

After a minute Tess seeks out a moment with Sera, approaching with a shamed face. "I apologize for my rudeness earlier. I was in pain and I am not used to light-hearted members of my kind, as I was born amongst the lofty high elves. I know you were only being excited over our victory, please accept my apology."