Legends of Katapesh - Legacy of Fire

Game Master justaworm

Frowning at the miss, she winds up and attacks (H,7) with her sling glove again.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 2 = 19 for a possible 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 crush damage.

Efreat smiles at the gnoll caster again. "Does it ever get old being 2nd best?"
ready action to cast acid arrow on the gnoll caster if she starts to cast a spell. ranged touch attack; damage 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 122d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

edit: forgot the +1 from bless and the +1 from prayer

Mah'ysa tries again, aiming at the same gnoll. This time she clocks him square on the side of the head. (Damage: 3) Meanwhile, Efreat plans another counter-attack.

Garavel and the guards, turn their attention back to the two gnolls before them since the large Paladin is obscuring their view of the spellcaster. Four arrows fly towards the one standing alone. Two of them pierce the gnoll's armor with soft thuds, but the gnoll manages to continue to stand. (Damage: 6) But after Haleen steps up and drives her rapier into the beast man, he stands no more. (Damage: 13)

The last gnoll standing takes a quick shot at Pae before attempting to flee, but doesn't come close. But it gives Pae the opportunity to strike back as he turns away. (Pae gets AoO against gnoll fleeing to K1.)

The sorcerer turns her attention away from Efreat as two of her foes begin closing on her. Gesturing with her hairy arms, she begins spouting nonsensical words again. Fire begins building between her hands. But just before she has a chance to fling the ball of fire at those approaching her, an arrow strikes her, splashing and covering her with acid. It looked like the arrow was going to miss, but divine intervention seemed to have taken place as the arrow shifted slightly in its trajectory and struck the beast woman. (Damage: 8 acid, without prayer it would have missed) The fire she was brewing fizzles out and she instead turns and runs back behind the sand dune and out of sight of all but the tall Paladin. (I extended the map to show her position, if Daumari moves forward, he'd be able to see her fleeing down the back side of the dune.)

End of Round 7 - Begin Round 8, Everyone is up!

Map Link

Mah'ysa waits, staying near the caravan to make sure they have some defense if something comes at them from behind.

Lumbering after the fleeing gnoll Bahir yells out, "Daumari, can you catch her? She is too fast for me."

Double moves to V and W 2-3.
Lay hands on: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 2) = 8

"If it is the Dawnflower's will, the beastwoman will not escape." Daumari speaks the opening syllables of a prayer and takes off in pursuit of the gnoll.

I'll cast expeditious retreat, increasing my speed to 60 ft., and give chase. I'll stop at square Z4.

"Don't worry I will help you out here!" Hazreem moves to the east and fires another ball of flame at the fleeing sorceress.

Move 30' to L9
Attack Produce Flame ranged touch 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 14 bless, prayer
Damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 fire
Duration 2 minutes

Pae decides to let the last Gnoll live.."Let him go he cries..Someone needs to spread the story amongst the other gnolls."

Hazreem, you cannot see the sorceress from L9 as the peak of the sand dune still blocks your view. Between columns S and T is the peak.

Roger that, Hazreem would move to a spot where he would still be able to see the sorceress. Would moving to square G3 allow him to still see the sorceress? If so, then he will move there.

move: move to H18
assuming that there is still that gnoll at K1, then cast acid arrow at it. 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 142d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3
acid arrow damage on spellcaster2d4 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5
if gnoll is not at K1, then run to Y20 around the stonespikes

Hazreem: The peak of the hill runs from ST0 to ST21. So you still wouldn't be able to see from G3 either. If you did a double move due east, and disbanded your spike stone spell that would block your path, you'd be able to see over the hill.

Gotcha. Hazreem will move to G3 and fire his ball of flame at the gnoll in K1.

As Mah'ysa stays back, Bahir and Daumari give chase to the sorceress. The inquisitor calls upon the Dawnflower for added speed, shooting down the back side of the hill and past the gnoll witch.

Back on the oasis side of the dune, Pae lets the fleeing gnoll go. "Let him go! Someone needs to spread the story amongst the other gnolls." But either Efreat doesn't hear him or he doesn't care as he fires off another acid arrow, this one towards the fleeing gnoll. It strikes him in the back, splattering him with burning acid. (Damage: 3 acid) The gnoll cries out in pain from the burning, but his cries don't last long as Hazreem blasts him with a different kind of burn as a stream of fire engulfs him. By the time the fire ends, the crispy gnoll is laying face first in the sand. Haleen takes off running after the giant Paladin while the guards stay back to tend to the caravan.

The sorceress halts as Daumari rushes past her. Fighting through the pain of the acid covering her, she musters up a spell targeting Daumari before she continues running. Pure venom seems to be in her eyes as he mutters some arcane phrase and waves her arms at you.

Daumari, your eyes begin burning and your vision suddenly becomes difficult and painful. Make a Fort Save DC14 or become permanently blinded. If you succeed, make an AoO against the sorceress as she moves away from you.

Sorceress Failure Chance: 1d100 ⇒ 18
Sorceress Concentration Check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 (Required DC 22) Succeeded!

End of Round 8 - Begin Round 9, Everyone is up! (Note: Mah'ysa's Prayer will expire this round after her post.)

Map Link

Inwardly thankful that Daumari has slowed the gnoll witch Bahir charges down the slope at her, slicing into her with a mighty overhand chop. Invoking Sarenrae's name as the blade descends ribbons of flame erupt from both paladin and blade enveloping the hapless gnoll.

Charging scimitar strike: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38
Damage: 1d8 + 14 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 14 + (2) = 17
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23 Gotta love that keen threat range :)
Damage: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

Heh, this may be somewhat anti-climatic and overkill after that crit but he casts his Fires of Entanglement spell. She gets a reflex save DC 17 to make the effects only last one round.

Sorceress Reflex Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 Succeed

Bahir charges down the back side of the sand dune, his giant scimitar raised high above his head. Fire suddenly wraps around the large frosted blade. As he reaches the gnoll, this blade of fire and ice is brought down with incredible force right between the sorceress' shoulder and neck. The blade sinks deep into her body, splitting her open at the top, severing her left shoulder and arm that falls limply to the side, hanging on only by bits of flesh.(Damage: 36, crit confirmed) Fire erupts around the gnoll that seems to hold her body upright for a few seconds before she collapses to the ground. Blood begins pooling before quickly being absorbed by the dry sand.

Out of initiative order

Off in the distance to the east (off the map), one of the limping injured men continues to slowly walk away.

Fortitude Save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Fail!

Daumari stumbles back from the gnoll as if he'd been stung. The inquisitor drops his weapon to the ground, then falls to his knees and begins rubbing his eyes furiously.

Efreat crests the hill to see the gnoll caster dead and the man limping away. Considering the scene, he calls out, "You! If you make me chase you, then it will end badly! Come back willingly and I won't harm you." If he doesn't stop and come back then I'll cast magic missile 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 4) + 4 = 16

Hazreem sees Daumari drop his weapon and hurries over to the stricken inquisitor. "Daumari, are you all right?"

The man limping away turns and looks when Efreat yells. When he sees the sorcerer looking directly at him, he freezes in place, slowly turns around, and drops his scimitar and shield onto the sand. His hands slowly raising into the air, he yells back, "Please, don't kill me. It was only a job. I never thought..." His voice trails off, cracking as it does so.

Mah'ysa waits.

Pae sheaths his Rapier and bends to the task of relieving their late opponents of any valuables.

May want to detect magic on that gnoll witch.

Bahir returns while cleaning his blade of blood with a cloth when he notices Daumari is not well. Approaching him with a worried look he asks, "Are you hurt?"

I'm working on the list of stuff you loot off the bodies... Hopefully by the end of the day.

"I'm not hurt, my friends, but not whole either; I'm afraid that in my haste, I was careless." The inquisitor begins reaching out from his position, his hands sifting through the sand as he looks for his hammer. "The witch stole my sight."

Hazreem reaches for the hammer and holds it out to the inquisitor, ”Here, Daumari, I will guide you back to the camp. Unfortunately, I have no magic to restore your sight. I hope Mah’ysa can assist you in that aspect.” He smiles, ”At least that foul sorceress won’t be able to steal any more sight from anyone else!”

Mah'ysa quickly ascertains the cause of the blindness, then uses the Bead of Healing on her Prayer Beads to cast Cure Blindness/Deafness on Daumari.

Heal: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Caster level check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

As Pae begins searching through all the bodies, Hazreem leads the blind Daumari back towards the caravan where Mah'ysa turns her healing attention towards the inquisitor. It takes her only a few seconds to determine that his eye-sight was taken by necromantic magic. She draws out her prayer beads and says a quick prayer to the Dawnflower. (Remove Blindness/Deafness is on your spell list, so shouldn't need any checks to use the magic item)

Daumari: After seeing nothing but spots since your encounter with the gnoll, your vision slowly returns. Initially, you see nothing but an intense bright light, but slowly it fades and you are able to make out the image of the cleric standing before you, her hands cupping a string of beads that hang from her hands. In less than a minute, your vision appears to have fully returned.

Efreat leads the captured foe over the hill and around the spiked stones. He is bruised and bloodied, limping heavily on his left foot as he walked with his hands on top of his head. Efreat carries his sword and shield and tosses them into the pile that Pae is forming.

Searing the bodies, you pile up from the men 9 chain shirts, 10 heavy steel shields, and 10 scimitars. The prisoner is still wearing his chain shirt. From the gnolls, you strip off 22 leather armors, spears, and heavy wooden shields. From the ettins, 4 flails and 2 large suits of leather armor. And from the Sorceress, studded leather armor, a masterwork spear, masterwork light crossbow, a cloak, a ring, and an unholy symbol of Rovagug. You also scrounge up some coins from them all. You find 82 gold pieces, 83 silver pieces, and 50 copper pieces. (Or about 90.8 GP)

Hazreem sighs in relief as Daumari regains his sight. Once the inquisitor has recovered with his ordeal, he turns his attention to the pile of loot casting a cantrip to detect magical auras.

Cast Detect Magic on the pile of loot.

"Is anyone else in need of the healing light?"

"Mah'ysa, I fear those gnolls left a mark on my skin."

HP 31/57

Pae inspects the nasty score along his ribs.."Nothing that a nights rest wont cure I think"

Recovers 7 Hp for a nights rest

A look of relief comes over Bahir's face as Daumari's sight returns, "I can think of few fates worse than forever being in darkness never being able to witness The Dawnflowers glory every morn."

Mah'ysa sings a sweet and peaceful song as she exchanges a Resist Energy for a Cure Moderate Wounds on Hazreem.

Cure Moderate: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 = 10

She then exchanges a Hold Person for a Cure Moderate Wounds on Hazreem.

Cure Moderate: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 8) + 6 = 17

She then exchanges a Spiritual Weapon for a Cure Moderate Wounds on Bahir.

Cure Moderate: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (6, 5) + 6 = 17

Bahir laughs good-naturedly and says a heartfelt, "Thank you Radiant One." He then calls upon The Dawnflower to heal everyone.

Channel Energy: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 6) = 15

Mah'ysa face goes red.
"Oh. Yes. I suppose I could do that also."

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Still smiling as he notices her change in color, "Not at all. I much prefer your more.....personal touch." With a playful wink he is off helping to gather the various equipment and to question the prisoner.

Upon reaching the prisoner he says in honeyed tone that belies his steely stare, "Answer my questions truthfully and you may yet survive. Tell me how you came to be attacking us and who sent you."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22

Hazreem: You detect several auras coming from the gear taken from the sorceress. None of her minions had anything magical about them. You are able to isolate the auras to the studded leather, the ring, and the cloak. All three have only faint auras.

Bahir: The man eye's grow wide as the towering Paladin looks down upon him with an intimidating glare. A slight shake is noticeable in his body as he tries to answer. "We... We are just mercenaries. We were just... We were hired in Katapesh... We've done jobs for gnolls now and then in the past. We didn't expect... Normally fighting other gnoll tribes, but this... This was... some kind of revenge that they wanted. Said you attacked them first and they needed help fighting back. They seemed... agitated this time, more than usual. Fighting among themselves. Something about their first attempt failing. And this female... I've never seen a gnoll witch before. We only met her last night. She threatened to kill us if we didn't go along. I didn't have a choice. We couldn't leave, couldn't call it quits, or they'd kill us. She was too powerful. We were in over our heads..." His head drops for a couple of seconds, sounding almost as if sobbing. "Please don't kill me. I swear... I swear I'll never work for a gnoll again."

Hazreem scans the magical items trying to determine their properties.

Spellcraft Armor 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Spellcraft Cloak 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Spellcraft Ring 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

If he fails to identify any of the items, he will hand them over to Efreat for his assistance.

Bahir, seemingly satisfied, glances to Efreat and the others to see if they have any questions of their own.

He detects evil on the man.

Scanning the items, you recognize that the studded leather is just your standard +1 magically enhanced armor. You don't have seem to be able to identify the other items.

Efreat listens to the man's story shaking his head. Turning to look at Bahir, "We should strip his equipment and find out where the location of the gnoll camp. Do you really buy that whole 'we only attacked other gnolls' story?" Turning on the man he adds, "Or we could leave him to the desert? Perhaps that would be better."
Leaving the matter to Bahir to sort out, Efreat wonders over to the pile of items and assists Hazreem.
intimidate versus the prisoner 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
cast detect magic and try to id the other two items 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 121d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Sorry, if I stepped on your toes at all there Efreat. Figured you might want me to step in with my high intimidate.

"In the morn The Dawnflowers light will wash away any falsehoods. If he tells the truth I say we let him go. If not, than he can visit the Katapesh stockade." Turning back to the man, "Take care not to do anything foolish as he (indicating Efreat with a nod) will burn you down before you can make it ten steps."

Efreat: The cloak baffles you as well, but the ring you recognize easily as the party already has a bunch of these. It's another Ring of Protection +1. (I've updated the loot list with these items. I'll add values to them later.)

With Efreat's comment, the man begins unfastening his chain shirt armor and pulling it over his head. "Here, take my armor. I'm telling you the truth.' He pauses for a second, looking at the large Paladin. "Okay, okay, I helped the gnolls on a few raids of merchant caravans and sometimes the gnolls took people to sell as slaves, but I was just a hired hand. They never told me what they were doing ahead of time. Its been easy money..." He looks over at the top of the sand dune where his fellow mercs lie dead on the sand, some at the hands of the gnolls themselves. In a more somber tone, "...at least until today."

"Let me guess, they promised you money and free use of the women and they told you it would be an easy job"

Pae looks over the battle field.."I think the stakes just rose my friends"

The man looks over at the Halfling, "Basically, but they can keep their women."

Hazreem glances at the halfling, "Considering the cargo we are carrying with us, I am not surprised we have drawn this much attention. Best to be on our guard in Katapesh since these mercenaries came from that place."

The man turns to Hazreem. "Cargo? What cargo? I thought it was a revenge attack."

Sorry, if I stepped on your toes at all there Efreat. Figured you might want me to step in with my high intimidate.

Not a problem. I ment that as "to leave in your capable hands".

Turning his attention back to the captive, "Sounds like another case of gagged and bound for Katapesh."

The man turns to Hazreem. "Cargo? What cargo? I thought it was a revenge attack."

Hazreem curses inwardly on the slip of his tongue. Still, there was no way he knew of the Scroll unless he was told by the now-deceased gnoll witch.

"Well, that depends on what you consider a revenge attack. Certainly our supplies would fetch a fair price in Katapesh, if I do not miss my guess."

Bluff 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20