Map 1 It works, please set the view to 200%, zoom down and put your character into attention in the path.
If you need to do something in town go ahead. But moving us right along... Two hours later of walking you come upon a fork in the road(please don't pick it up).
"You must teach me more of Sarenrae. I would learn of her teachings if you please priest."
He will head for the stables with the rest of the party. If provided with a horse he will mount and offer to lead. "I can handle danger if you wish me in front."
Bug certainly has no horse, so he will just walk at the head of the party if necessary.
Locke uses the travel time to tell Bug Eater some of what he knows of Sarenrae, he also asks why Bug is so interested in her?
Perception
"I was saved during a great battle by a priest of Sarenrae, and that put me on this quest to serve the goddess. Since then I have been given a vision and a charge. I must protect her shepherds"
Hemmings is not mounted. He walks at the rear of the group occasionally looking behind to make certain no one is creeping or following.
"Ahoy fellows, looks like a group ahead. Can't tell if friend or foe, want me to scout ahead and see what I can learn?" Hemmings begins creeping forward to spy on the group.
try this map 1
"Sounds good my little friend, unless someone else has a better look at them"...
Okay, it should be working now. I will be putting the links to the different maps in Locke's profile.
Ardamir casts in the direction of the group that Hemmings is scouting out.
I would say that your group has stopped about 120 feet away from that other band. Your detect spell can only see 60 feet but you may keep it on, for when you get closer.
Xoruk continues to walk alongside the party, but stops when Hemmings points out a group ahead. The scarred Dwarf looks, but doesn't see anything of the sort... but he grips his staff with both hands and speaks a harsh word in Orcish, regardless. A magical sheen covers his body, before being absorbed into his skin and clothing. "I didn' see nothin', bu' if ya did, l'il'un, 'en we should be wary... go see 'at 'ey're intendin'," the Ironmaw clansman states, gesturing with his oversized staff in front of the party.
Ah, yes I have not told you the weather. Bright and sunny, a few clouds, very little breeze. There are trees that blocked the view of your passage until the 120 foot mark. At which the group seems to take a step back as Hemmings decides to go take a look.
Ok for me to report back to the group now?
Yes, report back to them. :)
After sneaking away and spending a few minutes spying, Hemmings comes sneaking back to the group.
He whispers:"Looks like trouble ahead. Group of gnolls up there torturing a poor fella. I count 5 baddies plus 2 hyena pets. Couldn't see the whole camp (so there may be more), but a chest on the ground and remains of a cart as well. If'n I had to guess, I'd say they ambushed this poor carter and are makin' mincemeat outta him, then gonna make off with his wares. It's not our fight but if you wanna get involved, maybe there's some loot to share? I'm willing to make a go of it on the off chance.".
"I'm no general or nothin' but if we split up behind trees on both sides of the road, we might be able to get a few shots in before they know what's comin'. If you can be quiet on the way up there. I can always go back and spy 'round the other side, if you need more 'telligence"
He readies his crossbow and waits for the others to decide to intervene or not.
Though he doesn't have all the information, he doesn't believe what is happening up there is just. "I will go with you, Mr Halfshanks. I'll take no part in the spoils until it's determined that the owner of the goods is officially dead and there is no one we can reasonably return them to."
Xoruk shrugs. "S'pose i' coul'n't 'urt t' try an' save th' poor bastard. I' 'e lives, 'e's loikely t' repay us fir our 'elp, an' i' 'e don', 'en we c'n take all th' spoils fir ourselves," he states, looking more or less uninterested about the news of the man's suffering or Ardamir's idealism. "We win ei'er way."
Vuvu drinks his vial of yellowish liquid just before they move out, a yellow glow can be seen moving down his throat and then the light seems to expand around, under his skin until it flares out of his pores and solidifies around him.
He then pulls out another vial, this one a blue color and holds it in one hand, as he straps his cane to his back.
We must hurry
"I like the way you think" Hemmings says to the strange Dwarf. "Well I reckon we're in for a bit of scrap then.".
He slinks off to the right to take up firing position behind the tree
"Step where I step, and do what i do, and don't make any noise
Xoruk attempts to follow after Hemmings, clumsily attempting to sneak after the halfling. He holds his staff tightly in both hands, ready to bring it down on the gnolls.
"Yes, I will help. I have no use for gnolls. They deserve what is coming to them. "
With that he hefts his mighty hammer and follows the halfling.
"Oh, before we get too close, I should let you know I don't have any ranged weapons. I will fight them when they get close."
"I am not one for sneaking, considering my armor and horse. I will charge in once I hear the sounds of battle, there is room for another on my horse?" Locke looks to those who are not sneaking and presents a hand to help anyone up that will take it.
Vuvu follows along as best he can.
As the group attempts to quietly sneak up on the band of gnolls, you begin to hear their evil laughter, the cackling of their pet hyenas sounds just like their laughter, their taunts at the one they have tied up, you hear a bottle crash. You peek up to see where the bottle has hit and luckily just over at the cart/wagon. None of the gnolls seem to be paying very close attention to their surroundings.
Xoruk takes a good look at the gnolls, and realizes they're acting strange. "'ey look drunk, lad," he whispers to Hemmings, a malicious-looking grin forming. "'is i' gonna be easy pickin's..."
Vuvu nods and pulls another small vial and shakes it. It begins to bubble and fizz as if it might explode if dropped. He waits the cue to act.
"Hmph, they're drunk. Dispatching them should be no problem. I shall take the left side."
Hemmings smiles at the bomb-toting alchemist giving him the signal to launch his explosive liquid (which should be a pretty good indication to the res tof the group the fight has begun...) and he'll follow with volley of arrows. He motions to Bug Eater to stand at the front in case any escpe the initial salvo and want to melee.
"Now!", he whispers to Vuvu. He then follows his toss with an arrow aimed at rear right gnoll (near the black tree).
+
initiative
Vuvu moves out into the open and launches his bomb at the Gnoll with the white background and ax, the one above and to the left gets splashed
The small vial streaks through the and slams into the knoll slashing it with a burst of fire and sending some onto the monster next to it.
Bug will position himself in the middle of the trail ahead of Vuvu to try to keep any melee off of him .
Initiative
If something hostile gets close, he will try to hit it (readied action).
To hit Damage
(using power attack, but with furious focus, no penalty during the first attack)
Surprise Round
Hemmings misses his sneak attack, as the bolt whizzes by...
Vuvu hits his target and it burns good...
gnoll with blue dot fails his reflex save and burns...
Bug moves into place.
Ardamir (move or standard action)
Lecloront moves quietly with you and at the point of explosion he shoots one of his arrows
It is just too high and veers off.
You can hear the charge of armor coming from behind, likely your cleric, yup here he comes with scimitar out.
Hemmings 23 You are up, surprise round done...
Ardamir 19
Big gnoll 17
Locke 16
Black Hyenas 15
Lecloront 13
Xoruk 12 X
Gnoll/white 11
Vuvu 10
white hyensa 8
bug 7
gnolls 5