She starts up a new message. "Hopefully we'll be able to surprise and deal with the lord before they can come to aid. Maybe they'll surrender. Vosirion, is there a place where we can prepare our ambush?"
Quint whispers back.
"I can definitely keep Auchs distracted, and maybe Dovan as well. Just let me know when to start. I can't keep it up for more than a minute."
(Su): At 1st level, a bard can use his performance to cause one or more creatures to become fascinated with him. Each creature to be fascinated must be within 90 feet, able to see and hear the bard, and capable of paying attention to him. The bard must also be able to see the creatures affected. The distraction of a nearby combat or other dangers prevents this ability from working. every three levels the bard has attained beyond 1st, he can target one additional creature with this ability.
Each creature within range receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard's level + the bard's Cha modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature's saving throw succeeds, the bard cannot attempt to fascinate that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and observes the performance for as long as the bard continues to maintain it. While fascinated, a target takes a –4 penalty on all skill checks made as reactions, such as Perception checks. Any potential threat to the target allows the target to make a new saving throw against the effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect.
Fascinate is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability. Fascinate relies on audible and visual components in order to function.
1 person from Lvl 1-3, 2 at 4th.
** spoiler omitted **
"I don't like the idea of leaving you out here alone though. If fighting starts the rest might turn on you."
"Elvara, unless I distract them somehow you won't stand a chance of sneaking back there. Just let me know when you are going and I'll start the distraction."
"I'm ready when you are.
Alamina keeps a close eye on Dovan and Auchs, ready to cast or shoot as soon as they become a threat.
Quint attempts to lure Dovan and Auchs out of sight of the Stag Lord's lair.
"Dovan! I've got a story that you've just got to hear!"
Quint moves to distract Dovan and Auchs with his antics, while the rest of the party either moves in or keeps a careful eye and ear for sign that Vosirion is discovered.
The Occultist creeps into the Bandit's storeroom piled with presumably pilfered tradegoods towards the Stag Lord's "quarters", which seems to be a single room sectioned off from the rest of the building with a sheet. From behind the thin cloth, Vorsirion can hear the <belch> of a clearly innebriated Stag Lord, that is reclining and holding a large cup. Despite his intoxicated state, he still has his weapons nearby, but he clearly isn't prepared for a fight. Now, perhaps, is the best shot that you will have to strike, though he will not be an easy foe to face alone.
Raven ambles her way across the keep towards the Stag Lord's area, and ducks out of sight to "do my business." As quietly as possible, she slips off her breastplate, before unsheathing Harbinger creeping up to Vorsirion's position.
Raven whispers, "Just because I look like an oaf doesn't mean I can't be a quiet oaf," to Vorsirion. Seeing his glance at the weapons, Raven nods, before creeping up on the Stag Lord.
Vorsirion notes that despite the inebriated state that the Stag Lord currently is in, it would be unlikely to seperate him from his weapons without a struggle. Possible but unlikely. Raven likewise slinks along towards the Stag Lord, readying for all Hells to break loose. Meanwhile, you hear another loud burp that would wake the dead.
Outside of the Stag Lord's quarters, Quint manages to do a remarkable job keeping both Dovan and Auchs entertained and completely oblivious to the party members sneaking around. Auchs claps his hands excitedly, shouting "Funny man! Funny man! Do another!" Akiros seems to be disinterested, sparing an occasional glance back to his Liege, though he rolls his eyes contemptuously at the sounds of carousing, more interested in the attractive and distracting cleric.
The rest of the bandits watch their posts outwards, little realizing the threat from within...
Alamina takes a bit of a risk and sidles over to Akiros, speaking quietly so only he can hear.
"Be at peace, Akiros, I would like us to remain friends."
diplomacy if that is possible, ignore if it is not.
Quint attempts to fascinate Dovan.
Each creature within range receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard's level + the bard's Cha modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature's saving throw succeeds, the bard cannot attempt to fascinate that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and observes the performance for as long as the bard continues to maintain it. While fascinated, a target takes a –4 penalty on all skill checks made as reactions, such as Perception checks. Any potential threat to the target allows the target to make a new saving throw against the effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect.
Fascinate is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability. Fascinate relies on audible and visual components in order to function.
Seeing Raven and Vosirion disappearing, Smexy quickly follows after them.
With Quint dealing with Dovan and Auchs, that leaves just Akiros between blocking Alamina and Elvara. I thought Raven and Alamina were going to pose as seducing the Stag Lord, but Raven already snuck off. Besides I don't want to be stuck here. Maybe the two of us can convince Akiros that we have good intentions to go meet the lord. Elvara gets frightened by her own thought. I don't actually want to do anything though, can I be convincing?
The half-elf summoner follows Alamina over to Akiros. "Hey, Alamina. Let's see if the Stag Lord will let us join him for some fun. He won't say no to two pretty ladies. It'll be safer if we go together." She's talking to Alamina, but it's all a ruse to make Akiros let them pass and she's waiting for his reaction.
Raven pads silently behind the oblivious Stag Lord, and plunges Harbinger into the bandit lord.
Why not wait for the resssst?" Smexy hisses angrily before she tries to bite and grab the man. She would have liked to have some more magical protection or even the luck from Alamina before striking.
Auchs listens into Quint's story, clapping his hands happily, though he doesn't seem to sink into the Distraction the way that Quint had hoped.
With a careless motion, Vorsirion parts the curtain that seperates the elf from the Stag Lord, sinking his curve blade into the other man! The blade bites deep, right as Raven joins him. The Slayer's blade slices down to the Stag Lord's apparently un-armored back, though it bounces off from some hidden armor. Even in his drunken state, the large man bellows out in pain and outrage. "Traitors! Betrayers! She warned me of you!"
Akiros looks askance at Alamina, a question on his lips, that vanishes when Elvara approaches. He glances at the two women, jealously in his eyes as he sighs. "I'm sure the Stag Lord would be interested in some company about now." He turns back to the Owlbear pen, allowing the two to pass until commotion begins from the Stag Lord's quarters, causing him to draw short. "What is this?"
Quint gives Dovan a shocked look. "What's happening?" and moves to see what is going on.
"This? This is justice Akiros. A very bad man is removed from power, and good folks replace him. Perhaps you'd like to join the side of the righteous?" She smiles grimly at the armored man, hoping she'd judged him properly.
Alamina then dons her shield and casts Bless on the party before stepping closer to the Stag Lord's area.
Raven sets her mouth in a grim line as she takes another swing at the madman, this time without the benefit of surprise, but it may not be necessary as her sword now shines with the righteous glow of Alamina's spell.
In the moment of surprise, the every- sneaky snakelike Smexy winds around the Stag Lord, ensnaring the man within the Eidolon's coils!
Alamina casts Bless and attempts to pacify Akiros, who looks at her dubiously. Quint's attempt to bluff the other two liutenants seems to have bought him a bit of time, as the two bandits exchange confused glances, unsure if perhaps this is another part of Quint's performance.
Despite being grappled and surprised, Raven's attack seems to glance off the Stag Lord's (apparently) naked chest with the force of magic, causing no damage.
The two liutenants waste precious moments of time trying to pierce the fog of war (Thanks to Quint's timely distraction!)
Elvara
Elvara makes a motion with her hand as if to show of how big something is, but of course her arms are not long enough to show of Smexy's size. "You saw that huge snake I had with me, right Akiros? The Stag Lord won't get his snake down my pants, rather, it'll be the other way around. Why don't you join the winning side before it's too late? You rather want to be with pretty girls like me and 'Mina than foul smelling drunks who bosses everyone a round, right?" Elvara tries her most winning smile as she's surprised by the sudden turn of events.
Smexy
Meanwhile inside the fort Smexy isn't exactly trying to get into the Stag Lord's pants, but it's close. She's coiling tighter and tighter around the man, to pin him in a heap on the ground. She's afraid to open her mouth for fear of him escaping but she hopes her two allies understand the deal so they'll finish him off before he can escape.
Quint continues to block the way to the Stag Lord's lair.
Vorsirion attempts to move into the room to increase manueverability and potentially set up flanks. The (still)-surprised and (still)-grappled Stag Lord is unable to prevent him from doing so. As impressive as Vorsirion's tumbling is, unfortunately his swordplay is lacking and his strike goes wide.
Akiros looks dubiously at Elvara, but apparently the two women's words are getting through to the man. He still grips his weapon with tight knuckles as conflicting emotions flash across his face.
Meanwhile, in the battle of... snakes... Smexy continues to grip tight on the Stag Lord, holding him tightly and constricting.
The stag lord roars in a drunken rage, attempting to break from from the treacherous snake-thing!
Akiros looks from the cleric to the summoner, doubt clearly clouding his face, as he grips his greatsword and rushes back towards the Stag Lord . Once there, he surveys the en-coiled Stag Lord bellows, "Release that man!"
The various bandit lookouts, lacking a good angle to the couryard, move down from their posts, longbows and swords drawn.
Elvara hurries after Akiros. She doesn't want to get caught outside outnumbered. Using her still active message spell she sends a whisper to Quint "You should get inside with the rest of us, don't want you out there alone if they decide to attack.".
She'll channel her magic to daze Akiros, hopefully preventing him from coming to aid to his lord. "Stop there and don't interfere, or we'll deal with you too. Join us instead."
"Decide, Akiros! Do you side with a violent, drunken lout, or with justice and the grace of Good?"
Alamina steps next to Elvara and casts shield of faith on her ally.
Raven steps in front of Akiros, and says frankly. "I don't know what kind of damage you have, Akiros. I don't care. But you should quit using your broken faith as an excuse to rob, extort, and murder. This man needs to face justice. If you still want to take his side, I'll cut you down. Make no mistake. But if you stand aside, we can bring him to justice-whatever your definition of it is. I would kill him for what he has done to Kressle's already broken soul, to Oleg and Svetlana's budding family, to countless travelers who are simply looking to get to the River Kingdoms. So, Akiros. Either you give him justice, or I do."
Raven ignores the new entrant and focuses on the Stag Lord, channeling all of her hatred towards the man into a single strike...
"This is for Oleg and Svetlana! This is for Kressle! This is for everybody you've hurt!" she roars.
The Stag Lord reels as the Slayer attempts to make good the name of her calling. While the large man still holds his ground, even his magical armor is insufficient to protect him from the mighty swing, opening a gaping wound.
Meanwhile, back in the courtyard Quint holds himself strong. Whether his actions prove valiant or suicidal remain to be seen, as he finds himself alone and surrounded by enemies...
To that end, Dovan cries out, "Auchs, quit fooling around! Clearly they are enemies that are attacking the Lord!" He strides forward and attempts to run Quint through with his Rapier. Auchs hesitates a moment but follows the command, giving a negligent swing of his club
The short time that Quint has spent with Auchs seems to have paid off; even though the larger man strikes him, the impact is bruising rather than boneshattering. Dovan is quick to note the development, and yells out, "Quit screwing around! Hit him hard, or you'll be out in the cold after this!"
"Protect Quint, not me.[b]" Elvara comments as she sees Alamina direct her gaze towards her.
Smexy hisses in dismay as the lord slips free from her grasp. "[b]Vosssirion, let's attack him from both sides." She encourages the elf to flank with her. She lashes out at him with bite and claw, hoping to trap him again.
Taking Elvara at her word, Alamina moves towards the brave bard holding their front line.
"Bad move Dovan, you're losing allies in this fight as it goes."
She casts shield of faith on Quint us and stands behind him, shield at the ready.
"Oof!" as Auchs's blow strikes him. Quint smiles weakly up at Auchs.
"Don't worry Auchs, I'm still your friend. Dovan isn't though, all he cares about is bossing you around."
He maintains his weak smile as he casts a quick glance behind him to see Alamina touch him.
There is a literal flurry of activity as the combat rages on!
Smexy unleashes a biting and clawing at the Stag Lord, his attacks augmented at the same time by Vorsirion. All but one of the Claws go wide or slide off the Stag Lord's magical skin, resulting in only a scratch of damage actually being inflicted.
Alamina's spell magically augments Quint, which is a good thing, as the bard is quickly becoming surrounded.
The Stag Lord hesitates for only a moment, waiting for Akiros to close with Smexy to allow him a flank, but the ex-Erastilite stands firm, visibly conflicted. The Stag Lord bellows out, "Traitor! Betrayor! Are you with them or me, Akiros!?"
Visibly shaking, the Stag Lord attempts to clear out the grappling threat of Smexy with a pair of blows, one of which barely connects
"Don't listen to him Akiros. This is your chance to turn away from the foul banditry. We'll do our best to see your former missteps pardoned if you aid us now!" Elvara says as she risks walking past the Erastilite to attempt another spell.
-
"S̗ͩͪͥͅs̴̺̺̩̰̮͈̫̉ͧ͗ͪ͌̉ͅs̴̠̙̮̤̘̲͂̅ͩ͛̿͘͠s̖̳͗͌ͥn̴̠̜͈̞̼̳̖̾ͬ͗ø͈͓̗͊͌ͪ͌̾̑͢ ̨̺̭̥ͥ̔ͬ͡ͅf͇͉͖̘ͦ̀́͐r̡̡̩̲̖̯̘̲̟͐͋͆̇y͕͌͛͂̉̀̚s̛͎̯͙̀͗ͭ̓́͡ş̴̹̯̈ͫ̋ͥ̅ͬ̾͘s̥̹̊̈́̚ ̄ͤ͋ͪ́͏̞̩̼s͔̟̞̪̊̎̕͠s̪ͨ̌͂͂ͫ͡s̬̳̼͌ͦ͒ͫ̍́̚ṇ̸̨̱̮͉̗̞̹͚̄̃̓ͣ̽̈͟o̮̼̫͙̞̓̔͂ͨ͑w̢̘̰ͥͪ̏̃̚ ͉ ̻͓̱͓̮͋͒̏ͦ͂̇ͮ̌̔̕͢f̵̗̦̯ͬͨ̂ͭͤr̵̸͔̰̗͙̳̹̗̤̆̒̋̎͂ͧͬ̀e̛̼̥͓͙̭̫̐͌͡z̞̞͎̞̉ͧͫz̠̭̈ͤͩ̓ͧ̀͞z ̴͚̮̠̱̹̦̿̇ͤe̵̸̦͉̘̥̦̙̱̟̋͋ ̣̝͚͂ͥ̀̊͊͒̆̐͜"
-
Yet again there are hissing sounds, but this time they are not at all enticing, but rather brutal sounding instead. She makes a motion as if to spit, and a ball of snow flies forth from her mouth towards the Stag Lord. "Taste Smexy's frozen spit!"
The Stag Lord recoils from the stinging cold, ice freezing into him. There is a visible amount if snow that clings to him, sapping his speed
A pair of bandits surrounds Quint, jumping from the wall and the watchpost. Both swing short swords at the bard, though their attacks fall.. short.
Meanwhile, at the Stag Lord's Quarters, one of the bandits on the ground floor throws open part of the wall revealing a second entrance. He looks ready to join the fight, though the fight seems to die from his eyes a bit when he sees how injured his lord already is.
Raven thrusts forward with Harbinger, a grim mask of cold rage set on her face.
She takes a moment to toss a quick growl at the nearby bandit.
The Stag Lord howls in pain and outrage; the combined attacks are telling, but he remains up, barely.
Dovan attempts to change the nature of the fight, and tries to tumble and get past and through Quint, but provokes from him instead. Auchs, spurred on, swings with full force at the bard.