Hmm's 8-99: Solstice Scar (Tier 3-4) (Inactive)

Game Master Hmm

Skye rolled really well, but Fung really only has Kn(Nature) and since we need multiple successes, Fung will also attempt to influence Jala.

Fung approaches the wiry old woman after Skye, and after he has finished speaking, adds on, rather hesitantly at first but gradually becoming more confident, "Ma'am, I ... uh ... I don't know much about leadership, about the the challenges that you as elders have to face in planning for the future of your tribe. All I know is what Medda has told us, about the forces of darkness that threaten to overwhelm your lands, your lands that is full of life and beauty. I have spent much of my life with my master out in the wilderness collecting herbs and while your lands is foreign to me, I see that same energy of life that abounds. Life, of all forms, is worth protecting, is it not? And we Pathfinders vow to stand by your side in this battle."
knowledge(nature): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Zav is just horrible at most social skills. I did take Diplomacy as a class skill, so I've got that for later. I will do my best anyway.

Zavubak calmly pulls up a chair next to Medda and takes a seat, lighting the pipe Skye had so generously provided him with. He takes a drag, and while exhaling, he speaks. "A troubling situation. The onslaught of the undead. The danger to the camp and your peoples. And now, the questioning of your oath to protect your tribe." Setting the pipe down, Zav gets to his feet, placing his hand on Medda's shoulder. "Your bravery was evident back at the museum. Tell me, what inspires you? What makes you whole? I know what it means to lose someone, to lose everything. What about you?"

Sense Motive to Discover (Medda): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Jala

Jala pauses from her arrow fletching to give both Skye and Fung her full attention. “I see why Medda trusts you outsiders. There is a harmony to your speech, and much of what you say is well-reasoned. It is true that these lands are beautiful and in need of protection... but is also true that we have paid a very high price in blood for protecting them. You have given me much to think about!”

Influence Successes: 2 / ?

★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★

Medda

Zavubak's questions make Medda bite her lip before she responds to you. "You asked me what makes me whole? Caring for my people. Being part of their ways and traditions... Doing what needs to be done because it is right. But there are so many dead... Kragr's right about that. Have I been leading them on the wrong path?"

Because your team has been traveling with Medda for some days now, discovering things about her is easier than it is about Kragr and Jala. Working together, Corona and Zavubak have discovered much about Medda. Though born a boy, at age eleven she agreed to take on the burden of carrying the spirit, Anok. In doing so, she discovered her true self, and gave up being male to become an Evening’s Daughter.

As a devout follower of Vildeis, Medda wears a bloody bandage as a symbol of her own sacrifice, giving some of her own life force to sustain the phantom of Anok. Small scars featuring celestial runes peak from beneath her clothing. Medda's bloody bandage and celestial rune scars symbolize her devotion to Vildeis, the empyreal lord known as the Cardinal Martyr.

Medda is trusting and seeks peace, but she's not afraid to fight against evil at any cost. Medda respects outward followers of good-aligned deities, but distrusts those who are violent for glory or personal gain. Interestingly, if you believe that if you can bolster her, she will aid you in convincing the others.

Medda’s Influence Skills: Easy Knowledge (religion) or Perform (oratory)

★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★

Kragr

The massive Kellid snorts at Ezren. “See this, puny wizard?” Kragr shows Ezren his dire polar bear cloak. “This is from a bear I personally wrestled, pinned and strangled during the year that I spent traveling on the Crown of the World! See these scars? They tell my life’s story! All that I have fought against, and how I have persevered!”

With that, Kragr turns his back on the wizard. Fortunately, Ezren spent the last two days of travel with the convoy listening to all the skuttlebutt about Kragr. As the primary hunter of the Twinhorns, Kragr is most comfortable outdoors. He has had experience in skirmishes with other followings and orcs from the south, but he usually fights his foes directly. He has wanted to abandon the traditions of Vildeis and Ivvora for years, feeling there are better places to spend winters with more game and fewer orcs. He sees no value in remaining.

Ezren also understands a bit about how Kragr’s mind works. Kragr admires physically powerful creatures, but looks down on those who are not fit. He is more likely to hear words from the strong and the hearty than he is from those he deems weak. Most importantly, Kragr doesn't like people to think he's a coward. Insinuating that he's afraid might motivate him to fight, but outright calling him a coward could make him angry.

Kragr’s influence Skills: Average Intimidate; Hard Diplomacy or Bluff

THE LEADERS & THEIR INFLUENCE SKILLS

No more discoveries needed!

So Kragr takes the most checks to convince? Hrmm... give it a shot..

575 approaches Kragr, impressed by the large man's obvious strength.

Great Kragr Bloodhand
Who's strength and might are renowned
Killed the bear alone

The nagaji nods towards the man's ice bear cloak.

I too have great strength
Once fought two tigers alone
Though slew only one

He gives his toothy grin, whether he is exaggerating or telling the truth not immediately obvious. Then he gets more serious.

Great evil awakes
Not a time for the timid
But one for great men.

He nods towards Kragr to indicate he is just such.

One could run and hide
Or stay to drive evil back
Great men will stay

The last he says like it is obvious.

Will use the Borbus bonus to roll twice on a bluff check, and take the highest... and hope for some rp bonuses! =)

Bluff1: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Bluff2: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Skye considers the elders gathered in the tent, their personalities, how they might be influenced, and how he might sway their thinking.

The old woman meets his gaze and nods. I've done what I can to help convince Jala the Patient to take a stand here. It falls to others to ensure she supports Medda's desire to defend the Twin Horns.

Medda looks worried that she'll be unable to move the other elders to stay and fight. Medda is already inclined to take on the undead menace. Encouraging her should be easy enough of any of us.

Skye faces the angry warrior. I'm unlikely to intimidate Kragr Bloodhand into staying and confronting the undead hordes. However, I might be able to persuade him to stay and fight, though it won't be easy.

Skye utters a prayer to Desna for guidance and musters the courage to approach the male elder. "Kragr Bloodhand, none has ever questioned your bravery or your prowess in battle. Yet now, fear grips the Twin Horns in this crisis. They look to you for courage in the hour of their greatest peril."

"The skalds will long sing the songs of what happens here this day. Will it be a dirge, a lament about the fall of their people as they fled into the wilderness to escape their enemy?"

"Or will it be a rousing song to lift their spirits in future times of crisis, as they recall the glory of the Twin Horns and its greatest hero, Kragr Bloodhand, who lead them to victory against this undead and demonic horde? The challenge you face is no less daunting than that of the legendary Ivvora. How will The People remember you and your deeds this day? Not as a coward, surely, but as the fearless Kragr Bloodhand, champion of the Twin Horn following."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 = 20

Kragr eyes 575's muscled tone with approval. The poetic nagaji strikes all the right notes with him, and he roars, "Heh, you have a way with words! Are you some sort of warrior skald?"

He eyes Skye's physique with far less approval, but finally nods. "Some of what you say makes sense, little man," he brushes imaginary dirt off the bear fur, "but I am far from convinced that is what is right for the people."

Each of you scores a success, but Skye's was possible only with the RP bonus!

★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★

Seeking Aid Tracker

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Round Two

575
Corona
Ezren
Fung
Skye
Zavubak

I am no poet
I was trained only to fight
Words were learned elsewhere

575 responds to Kragr's query.

Those I taught myself
From the works of Wright of Bildt
The only books they had

Again, his someone awkward version of a shrug.

Gah, trying to have a conversation in haiku is time consuming =)

Hilary, for these influence checks, do we have to use different skills each time, or talk to different folks? Or could the same person say, use Knowledge (religion) on Jala all three rounds and get potentially 3 successes if they were really good at it? (just an example)

I'll second 575's questions and add one of my own: if we wanted to use the same skill multiple times on the same person, does the DC increase each time? The answers may influence what Corona does for the next round or two :)

Hoskins did not write any of those limitations into the scenario! So use what skills you like, and talk to whomever you like!

JalaJala pauses from her arrow fletching to give both Skye and Fung her full attention. “I see why Medda trusts you outsiders. There is a harmony to your speech, and much of what you say is well-reasoned. It is true that these lands are beautiful and in need of protection... but is also true that we have paid a very high price in blood for protecting them. You have given me much to think about!”

Well, Fung does not have much other options, so would keep trying with what he has to influence Jala. :)

Fung nods and smiles warmly as Jala appears to agree with him. Emboldened, he keeps up his arguments, finding words flowing more fluently than it ever has had in the past. "The price we pay now, is for our future generations, no? I admit I am not one to speak - I was abandoned by my parents in the streets of Goka, to wander as an unworthy street urchin, until my master found me and gave me a second lease of life. And he has taught me much - more than just herbs but of the natural world. He pointed out to me how the mother bird would feign injury to to draw away the cunning fox from her precious hatchlings, risking her own life for her progeny. If we allow this darkness to start to infest our world, rooting them out later, like a fungi infestation, would be near impossible."
knowledge(nature): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 oh well...

"New Friend Medda, you said that you worship the Cardinal Martyr," Corona begins, trying to figure out how to word her words best. "And even if you hadn't said as much, it's easy to spot just now serious you are about it and how much your faith means to you," she continues, nodding at both Medda's bloody bandage and her numerous scars. "Those things right there, they're proof. Proof to us but also proof to Kragr and Jala and anyone else who sees them. But it's not just what you wear or what you say - it's also about what you do. Kragr and the others aren't going to take you or your bandages or your scars seriously if you don't walk the walk and show your devotion to your faith and to Ivvora by standing and fighting! Isn't that what Vildeis and Ivvora both would do?"

Kn. Religion (Influence: Medda): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Xuan gives a lovely speech, and so earns an RP bonus -- just barely enough to make the check!.

"For future generations?" There is a pause, where the old lady is moved by Fung's words. "You're right! This is what we should do for future generations! Stand, and fight!"

The old woman states boldly, "I vote to stay."

3 / 3 successes earned!

★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★

Medda takes Corona's hand. "What you say sounds good... But how do I know I am on the right path, and listening to my own wisdom instead of my arrogant insistence that I am right?"

1 / ?

★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★

Seeking Aid Tracker

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Round Two

575
Corona
Ezren
Fung
Skye
Zavubak

Round Three

To speed things along, I will also allow you to make rolls for Round 3 now!

575
[Corona
Ezren
Fung
Skye
Zavubak

Seeing Kragr dismiss him out of hand, Ezren turns his attention to Medda.

"I went through much of what you are going through now, Medda. The hazards of growing old. I studied much of the ways of the gods when I was looking for answers, yet I decided to reject their teachings. Even the most holy of the worshippers can be misled or worse, be corrupted. Remember always be true to yourself."

Kn. Religion (Influence Medda) Round 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Kn. Religion (Influence Medda) Round 3: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Zavubak finds Kragr and steps up close to his face - close enough that he can feel each breath escaping his mouth. Then, he lets his rage flow, growing two claws, and tightly gripping Kragr's shoulder in one of them. "You see, you may have wrestled and pinned that bear yourself, but did you nearly die doing so? Was it a close fight? And... were you, you know, scared?" Zav smiles smugly as he says this, making a tight fist. "Well, you seem even more scared now, so willing to leave your land behind. If you can kill a bear with your bare hands, defending your tribe should be of no challenge to you. Unless... you're scared."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Edited to not use my reroll then, if I have two rounds to work with.

Well, that gives us a rough idea of successes needed... 2/3/4 perhaps?

Zav, you have two rounds to work with!

Round3: Influence Medda

575 ponders for a moment, then addresses Medda.

For nine hundred years
Your line has kept these lands safe
Now dark evil stirs

This was not your fault
The relic had been stolen
Now we must fight back

You are not alone
Ivvora's legacy lives
Eshimka will fail

Perform (oratory): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Skye listens to his companions appeals to the elders, and determines his best role is to aid one of them to convince Kragr to stay and fight.
Delays until others have had a chance to sway Kragr. So far, only Zavubak. Probably need at least one more person to try.

Heh, I'm waiting for Corona to pull out the chicken again =) Kragr won't know what hit him!

Medda pats Ezren reassuringly on the hand, but does not seem much moved by his speech, however, 575's arousing oratory makes her leap to her feet, shouting "Yes! Yes!" She looks to all of you. "I vote to remain!"

Medda: 2 / 2

Kragr looks up approvingly at the big half-orc. "I'm not afraid! Just cautious, damn you!"

Kragr successes: 3 / ?

Medda yells, "Kragr, I know you're manly enough to do this! I'm staying. Jala's staying! What about you?"

Kragr is the only one left to convince, and Fung, Corona and Skye all have actions left.

Click. Whirr.

Even I am eagerly awaiting to see what you do here!

however, 575's arousing oratory makes her leap to her feet, shouting "Yes! Yes!"

I just reread this and noticed the extra 'a' ... which adds an entirely different context to it all... umm... *blush*?

"Cautious? Countless members of your tribe died bringing back Ivvora's dagger back here, and you are cautious!"

intimidate, aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3 Nope!

As his third round action, Skye will attempt to aid either Corona or one of the others, unless it looks like he can/needs to make a another, separate check of his own to sway Kragr.

Although happy that they've managed to convince two of the three elders to stand and fight, Corona frowns as she considers the last one. "So you're still having to think this over, New Friend? Even after New Friends Medda and Jala both say they'll stand and fight?" She shakes her head. "That's sad. I mean, not that either one of them are weak - they're not!" Corona adds hastily. "But, I mean, here's this big, strong, manly man and he doesn't want to stand and fight, he'd rather just find somewhere else to go and I don't know, pick flowers and hope the big bad guys don't follow him to his new home. And then you've got the two other leaders who do want to stay and just to look at them people who wouldn't know any better'd think they're just two women..." her voice trails off, the implication behind the words unspoken but clear as a bell.

Then, she squares her shoulders as she glares at the reluctant man. "So what's it gonna be, New Friend? Are you gonna go out there and stand with your people like a fearless leader should or am I going to have to drag you out there? I'll do it if I have to. I WILL DRAG YOUR SORRY CARCASS OUT ONTO THE BATTLEFIELD MYSELF IF YOU DON'T STRAIGHTEN UP AND ACT LIKE A MAN INSTEAD OF A PANSY!"

Intimidate (Influence: Kragr): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

And as if to add insult to injury, from behind Corona comes a long, slow, "Baaaaawk...."

Intimidate (Aid Another; Smaller Size): 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 4 = 18

Don't be a chicken, guy. That's my job.

Okay... That was so worth waiting for!

"Bwaaaah!" Kragr takes a step back from Corona and her intimidating chicken. Shaking in his boots, he stops and says, "You're right. What have I been doing here? We need to stay, and FIGHT!"

Congratulations! You guys made it!

Stuffing's final thought was great =)

For those familiar with 575's facial expressions, you realize he is laughing at Corona's pep-talk... especially when the chicken gets involved. Luckily, to the unfamiliar eye, he seems to just be holding his head at an odd angle and licking his lips with his long forked tongue.

All on the same page
But the book is not yet over
Let us join the fight

He says, as he points outside, where the battle versus the undead hoards continues to rage off in the distance.

Brek comes running to the command tent. “Incoming! There’s some kind of walking rags and empty suits of armor coming at us, and they’ve been hitting us hard!”

You hear screams and sounds of fierce fighting. As you run outside, you see them. The walking rags are slimy, shifting masses that have the shape of a humanoid, but made out of what appears to be some form of sticky rope or cloth. Their bodies lurch jerkily, struggling to maintain its horrid form. The empty suits of armor are blood spattered. Slow and methodical, they move with a heavy tread, hoisting both shields and long swords.

"They're coming on all sides!" Kragr shouts. "We'll take them to the South and East! You take them to the North and West!"

The walking rags lurch, phasing through a pile of barrels as they lumber towards you.

★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★

Round 1
Active conditions: None!

Skye
Fung
575

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Walking Rags covered in slime

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Corona
Ezren

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Empty Suits of Armor

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Zavubak

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Back to SLIDE ONE!

Knowledge (religion) DC10: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Resistances and Special Attacks, please.
[dice=Knowledge (religion) with Monstrous Insight +4, DC12]d20+5+4[/dice]

"The empty suits are undead guardian phantom armors, and the slimy, shifting walking rags are undead ectoplasmic humans."

Monstrous insight, standard action, also grants the shaman a +2 insight bonus for 1 minute on attack rolls made against that creature and a +2 insight bonus to her AC against attacks made by that creature.

Skye knows the ectoplasmic humans have DR against all but slashing weapons. They also have horrifying ooze; if they hit someone and slime them, they can cause that foe to be shaken.

Is Skye doing anything else this turn?

575 races across the field to engage the possessed armors, drawing the undead-hating dagger as he goes.

He practically slams into the suit, dagger thrusting between the armored plates as he does so.

Melee vs red, PA, charge: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 11 - 2 + 2 = 27, for 1d4 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 + 3 + (3, 6) = 23 damage.

AC currently 18

No time for a haiku!

Skye takes a few steps forward and calls out, "The ectoplasmic humans will resist all but slashing weapons. They also have horrifying ooze; if they hit someone and slime them, they can cause that foe to be shaken."

That's it. Monstrous Insight is a standard action. Not courageous enough to move any closer to these creatures on my own.

Hearing what Skye knows about the ghost-like humanoids, Fung fears their approach and focuses on them. He let's loose a blast of lightning at the nearest (orange) one.

electric blast vs orange touch AC, PBS: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 = 23 electric dmg: 2d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1, 6) + 4 + 1 = 12

575 charges the undead armor, thrusting the dagger deep between its plates, and the pieces of armor clatter to the ground!

Z-Z-Zot! A bolt of electricity issues from Fung's hands, taking out orange in a spatter of rags and glowing green goo!

The other set of rags charges Fung!

Ectoplasmic Slam, Charge: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Fung, please make a DC 11 Will Save or be shaken for 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds.

★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★

Round 1
Active conditions: None!

Skye
Fung Will Save
575

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Ectoplasmic Human

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Corona
Ezren

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Empty Suit of Armor

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Zavubak

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Click. Whirr.

BOTTING CORONA, who is at work...

"Hello New Fri..." Then she realizes that the ectoplasmic bunch of rags just slammed Fung! "Oh! That is NOT polite!"

Longspear: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

fung gets slimed by ectoplasm, sending creeping sensation down his spine. But he pulls himself together, bruises and all.

will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

"More gate crashers, I see." Ezren comments as he sends a couple of magical bolts slamming into the suit of armor.

Standard: Cast Magic Missile targeting the Suit of Armor.
Force damage: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7

Fung makes his will save against the goo! Corona hits with her spear, and Ezren hits with a magic missile!

The Empty Suit attacks 575!

Long Sword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

However, though his blow is powerful, it is too aggressive and misses the dodgy Nagaji!

★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★

Round 1 /2
Active conditions: None!

Skye
Fung (-6)
575

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Ectoplasmic Human (-3)

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Corona
Ezren

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Empty Suit of Armor (-7)

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Zavubak

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Zavubak steps ahead. "Another sacrifice? Can you even understand me, or will you die not knowing what your slayer has spoken? That's seriously weak, man." Grinning, he pulls his trademark move and grows his claws, slashing at the ectoplasm.

Claw, PA, Slashing: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 171d6 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Claw, PA, Slashing: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 181d6 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

8/11 remaining

Animate armor
Lost spirits giving it life
Now time to move on

He says, as he uses the dagger once again, on the second suit.

Melee vs black, bane, PA: 1d20 + 8 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 3 - 2 = 29, for 1d4 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 + 3 + (5, 1) = 20 damage.

confirm: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 2 = 24, for an additional 1d4 + 4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 + 3 = 14 damage.

Skye face-palms himself. My buffs have worn off!
He pricks one finger, and with the drop of blood, casts false life. Temp HP: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Then he steps around Corona, so he can threaten the ectoplasmic human with his longspear.

GM, question: I noticed when you gave the DC's for knowledges to ID these guys, making that DC did not reveal the creature type... nor was that one of the options on the 'list' of choices.
Shouldn't that information be included somewhere? I was using the undead bane dagger, but perhaps it was not undead and I was making an incorrect assumption?

The team rips the Ectoplasmic human and Guardian Phantom Armor apart!

-- COMBAT OVER! --

You may take one round to buff, reposition and / or heal before I launch you into the next fight!

EDIT: The Knowledges should have totally told you that these things were undead. You were fine, 575!

575 will move back towards the rest of the group, dagger still in hand.

Pondering maybe using martial flexibility ... but too many combat feats to choose from! =)

There are shrieks and screams from everywhere in the camp, as two small dragonlike creatures with charcoal colored wings swoop overhead, about fifteen feet up. One has wings with scales that have a iridescent sparkle of red. The other has wings that shimmer a bit like purple! It looks over the camp with hungry eyes!

"They're coming from a rift near the camp!" Brek yells at you, as she sends her archers to shoot at more of the things that are erupting towards the south.

★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★

Round 1
Active conditions: False Life on Skye

Ezren
575
Fung
Zavubak
Corona

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Shadow Drakes

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Flying things? uh oh =)
waiting in hopes someone has some knowledge to impart!

With an Init mod of +6, Skye can act along with the rest of the party before the Shadow Drakes, right?