Sinmara lets two arrows fly, taking aim at the leader of the charging pack.
Gillian tenses as she hears the rustle in the bushes and spots the creature as it emerges.
"Tea can wait," she says softly. "We've got other company..." Her hand edges toward her weapon and she glances again at the bushes.
That's what I said.... Half-humans--hurmph.
"The ocean water! You can use it to destroy them!" Rilia declares snapping her scorpion whip dramatically and inspiring hope in those around her.
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Round: 1, Initiative: 11
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow, +2
Silver Blanch, Cold Iron Bolts = 19/20
Conditions = Inspired
Ranged: Attack: BAB +5, Dex +5, Magic +2, (Deadly Aim -2) Damage: Dex +5, Magic +2, (Deadly Aim +4)
Melee: Attack: BAB +5, Str +0 Damage: +0
Grit = 3/4
Spells (caster level 1, concentration +2, DC 11+)
At Will: Prestidigitation, Detect Magic
1/day: Detect Secret Doors, True Strike
Aishe 5’ steps to for a more advantageous firing lane, and shoots at one of the creatures (standard). He then reloads his crossbow (free).
As he hopes to impress his allies, he focuses his shot, using grit to ensure his hit!*
(inspired) (inspired)
(inspired) (inspired)
"I'm all out of ocean water. Do they regenerate or something?"
I will always have 1 grit point in order to maintain these abilities. If I do not, I will notify you and act accordingly, however I don’t expect that to happen.
Also, as this is the first time it's happening, a crossbow is a x3 crit weapon in my hands as per my just gained ability, crossbow training.
Crossbow Training (Ex): Starting at 5th level, a bolt ace can select one specific type of crossbow, such as hand crossbow or heavy crossbow. She gains a bonus on damage rolls equal to her Dexterity modifier with that crossbow. Furthermore, when she scores a critical hit with that type of crossbow, her critical modifier increases by 1 (a 2 becomes a 3, for example).
- - -
"He called them dead!" Tamiro replies, as he draws his sword and charges for the nearest Akata.
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Akata Attack! Round One
Sinmara, Gillian, Rilia, Tamiro, Aishe
Akatas
Nel
While Sinmara's first arrow flies majestically over the heads of the charging akatas - a true warning shot - the second one strikes the leader of the pack in its back. It gives a few haltering steps more before tripping and falling on the dirt, its strange greenish blood trickling from around the entry wound.
Aishe takes careful aim at another akata and his bolt strikes true. It pierces the creature's eye with enough force to exit out the back of its skull almost immediately. It crumples immediately, its look of giddy joy frozen in death.
Tamiro's charging slash cuts a deep wound in the akata. Its skin peels back under slash, revealing more green-tinged muscles and greyish bones. The akata snarls in pain.
"Saltwater? That's wonderful but I left all of my flasks back in Magnimar," Gillian calls out as she raises her hands. "And I doubt they're in the mood for a swim!" As she makes a sweeping gesture with her arms an encouraging feeling comes over the party, adding to the feeling of confidence inspired by Rilia's display.
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Akata Attack! Round One/Two
Akatas
Nel + Sinmara, Gillian, Rilia, Tamiro, Aishe
Next to Tamiro, the akata's tentacles surge forward to wrap around his arms as it closes in with a bite. The tentacles don't reach, but in his distraction, the teeth close in on his forearm, digging in deep . The small glass-like worm that infest his mouth begin to burrow in .
Another akata charges forward, snapping its jaw at the end of its run. Tamiro's reinforced armor is too much for it, and its mouth closes fruitfully on one of the sewn-in plates.
The other akatas move foward, prowling with utter silence. Two begin to close in on Nel, carefully moving around her. The other two approach Gillian and Aishe, their eyes reflecting back the lighthouse behind everyone.
As the akatas surge forward, Gillian's mind races as she tries to remember if she's ever heard of anything else that might be useful in fighting them.
Come on...did I see one of these in a book somewhere!?
Hopeful that Nel and Tamiro can each handle the two focusing on them, she turns her attention to the pair that approaches her and Aishe. She points her finger at one of them, willing forth a ghostly battleaxe that strikes viciously at the thing's flank.
Yelling as the two akatas bite him, he tries shaking them off his arms as he draws his second katana and begins trying to attack the beasts. He feels one trying to burrow its tongue into his flesh and he grits his teeth, forcing himself to fight it.
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"Nel! Try and get more of them to chase you!"
Rilia begins weaving a spell together.
Round: 2, Initiative: 11
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow, +2
Silver Blanch, Cold Iron Bolts = 18/20
Conditions = Inspired
Ranged: Attack: BAB +5, Dex +5, Magic +2, (Deadly Aim -2) Damage: Dex +5, Magic +2, (Deadly Aim +4)
Melee: Attack: BAB +5, Str +0 Damage: +0
Grit = 3/4
Spells (caster level 1, concentration +2, DC 11+)
At Will: Prestidigitation, Detect Magic
1/day: Detect Secret Doors, True Strike
Happy with his first shot, and hoping the others noticed in the heat of battle, he eases up and just tries for the smooth kill. He targets another of these creatures and shoots (standard), reloading after the shot (free). He aims for the one that Gillian (hopefully) already wounded.
(inspired, point blank)
(inspired, point blank)
A quick glance at Nel and Tamiro reveals that the duo seems comfortable in close combat, but not so for the other two. Sinmara aims and fires, trying to stop the creatures before they close in.
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Nel feels her eye twitch as Rilia attempts to give a more focused direction. "Yeah, you're right, Rilia. Two on one just isn't enough of a challenge." Nel snarks out as she steps forward to engage the two closest to her.
Bringing her new longsword down on the one closer to the group, Nel hits it probably with more force than necessary and leaves a deep cut along its back.
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Akata Attack! Round Two/Three
Akatas
Nel + Sinmara, Gillian, Rilia, Tamiro, Aishe
The akata approaching Gillian, Aishe and Rilia goes down with the bolt from Aishe after being weakened by the battleaxe.
Sinmara's first shot is once again a warning shot, but the second one hits the other akata still approaching squarely in the chest. It crumbles while staring Rilia in the eyes, it tentacles seeming to try to reach across the broad field as it dies.
Nel chops deeply down on the akata's neck, her sword cutting into its flesh. Blood spills out, but its tentacles continue to reach for her.
The other akata by her steps into flanking and lunges forward as well, taking advantage of Nel's turned back.
However, the cavalier is trained in just such situations and is able to duck and dodge its attacks.
The akata that successful bite Tamiro seems content to continue tasting his blood. Its mouth lunges forward in a bite again, its tentacles trying to push Tamiro off his feet.
However, its attacks are predictable and Tamiro easily pulls his blades up before it could get within arm's reach.
The other akata by Tamiro slinks off, looking for easier prey.
"Come back here! I am not done with you!" Tamiro roars, pushing the other akata off of him.
Turning he brings both blades down onto the akata he is facing, "Dai oni! Watashi wa isoide, anata no shinzoku o korosu tame ni hitsuyō ga arimasu!"
Round: 3, Initiative: 11
Weapon Equipped = Light Crossbow, +2
Silver Blanch, Cold Iron Bolts = 17/20
Conditions = Inspired
Ranged: Attack: BAB +5, Dex +5, Magic +2, (Deadly Aim -2) Damage: Dex +5, Magic +2, (Deadly Aim +4)
Melee: Attack: BAB +5, Str +0 Damage: +0
Grit = 3/4
Spells (caster level 1, concentration +2, DC 11+)
At Will: Prestidigitation, Detect Magic
1/day: Detect Secret Doors, True Strike
Aishe, not wanting any to get away in case there are others about, trusts in the sleep spell and the ronin to drop their foes. He chases (30’ move) the fleeing akata, and shoots!
(inspired, point blank)
(inspired, point blank)
Good choice!
Although hopeful that Rilia's magics and Nel's sword can handle the two clustered akatas, Gillian draws her crossbow and quickly readies a bolt.
Help Aishe with that one trying to run, will you? she thinks, directing the battleaxe after the fleeing akata.
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Akata Attack! Round Two/Three
Akatas
Nel, Sinmara, Gillian, Rilia, Tamiro, Aishe
With a pair of slashes, the akata stands still for a moment, looking like it is mere frozen. The illusion breaks as it teeters, then falls. Green blood spills over the ground and covers Tamiro's blades. The strange scent of... butterscotch? fills the air.
Rilia's spell knits over the air and a delicate haze descends on the akatas. Both of the akata blink their eyes in sleep, yawning, before giving a shake of their tentacles and moving back into action.
Aishe takes careful aim at the fleeing akata and fells with a single, well-placed bolt. The creature's tangled mane twitches around the bolt, managing to pull it out, but the injuries are too deep and it dies.
The battleaxe flies across the battlefield, moving in to aid Nel's position. It takes a swing at it and slices off several parts of its mane. The severed tentacles squirm about the ground. The akata itself sways slights on its feet, clearly dazed by the onslaught of attacks.
I am not going to let myself get shown up by a human using a crossbow, Sinmara thinks. Narrowing her eyes, she takes aim at the nearest of the blue lions, taking time to ensure her shot flies true.
Gritting her teeth in annoyance, Nel snorts as the severly injured akata sways on its feet. Turning to the purple one, Nel throws most of her weight behind her blade as the blade digs into the beasts shoulder. "Just stay down already!" Nel shouts in exasperation as the two blue lions flounder about in pain. "You dumb things aren't getting through this armor!"
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Sinmara's arrow strikes true, felling one of the akata near Nel. It let's out a low gurgle as the arrow pierces its throat, leaving it unable to breathe.
Nel's sword chops the akata down, finishin off the weakest member of the pack. The entire group lays dead or dying around, 8 lion-sized creatures cut down as they attacked.
Tamiro wipes his blade clean and sheaths them. Spitting on the corpse he turns and marches back up to the rest.
"How many of these things are there on this island? With any luck Zinchers up to his neck in them."
Aishe is surprised at the ferocity of the beasts, but pleased at the outcome.
"They're very aggressive, but not very tough. Good thing there aren't more of them." he tilts his head, "There aren't, like, a lot of these are there? They could be quite overwhelming in large numbers if we were caught in the open."
He replenishes his quiver from a supply of bolts in his pack and is ready to move on.
"So who's this Zincher fellow? I take it he's no friend of yours."
"So off to visit the neighbors then? Although I am curious as to the source of that haunting music last night."
Later, Rilia grabs Gillian off to the side to ask about her mobility problems.
"Boots too tight? I couldn't help but notice you seem a bit hobbled. Perhaps I could help?"
As the last of the akatas fall, Gillian dismisses the ghostly battleaxe with a snap of her fingers. "That was going to be my next question too," she nods at Aishe.
When Rilia mentions music, Gillian gives the elf a quizzical look. "Oh? What sort of music?"
*************************************
Gillian shakes her head. "Ah...I appreciate the concern, but unless you know of a way to regenerate limbs then I don't think there's much you can do for me." To emphasize her words, she rolls up the left leg of her pants and removes the boot to reveal a surprisingly withered-looking leg. She then does the same with her right leg, which looks perfectly normal. Put together, the contrast is striking.
"See?" she continues. "It's been this way since birth. The healers never were able to figure out why, since my mother was healthy enough all the time that she carried me." Her expression darkens. "Some people used to whisper that it was because I'm a h-"
She stops, as if suddenly remembering that she's speaking with a near-stranger. "Doesn't matter why, really. I'm used to it," she finally says, her expression resigned. After a moment, she rolls both pant legs back down and slips her boots back on. "I'll never win any footraces but I've learned other means to take care of myself."
Looking at Aishe Tamiro responds, "Nothing you need care about. Zincher is our problem. Not yours, gaijin."
Walking over to Nel, he mutters, "Wareware wa shinken ni watashitachi to korera no bugai-sha o totte imasu ka?"
"Tamiro-san, why must you be so brave?!" Rilia scolds. She quite rough in the cleaning of his wounds and the application of healing magic (whacking him on the head with her truncheon-like wand). Her tone is that of a put-upon mother cleaning her wayward eight-year-old's scraped knees. "Have you no sense at all? What will your death here achieve except another undead horror for your mistress and the rest of us to contend with?"
She intones a short prayer to Calistria.
When Rilia mentions music, Gillian gives the elf a quizzical look. "Oh? What sort of music?"
"It went a bit like this." Rilia does her best to describe it.
"Now you Nel."
She prays again.
Gillian shakes her head. "Ah...I appreciate the concern, but unless you know of a way to regenerate limbs then I don't think there's much you can do for me." To emphasize her words, she rolls up the left leg of her pants and removes the boot to reveal a surprisingly withered-looking leg. She then does the same with her right leg, which looks perfectly normal. Put together, the contrast is striking.
"See?" she continues. "It's been this way since birth. The healers never were able to figure out why, since my mother was healthy enough all the time that she carried me." Her expression darkens. "Some people used to whisper that it was because I'm a h-"
She stops, as if suddenly remembering that she's speaking with a near-stranger. "Doesn't matter why, really. I'm used to it," she finally says, her expression resigned. After a moment, she rolls both pant legs back down and slips her boots back on. "I'll never win any footraces but I've learned other means to take care of myself."
"That's terrible. Your skin is practically flawless otherwise. Is there pain?" It's hard to tell from Rilia's tone whether she's referring to pain in Gillian's leg or heart. "I could massage it."
[Tamiro] mutters, "Wareware wa shinken ni watashitachi to korera no bugai-sha o totte imasu ka?"
She utters a short exasperated prayer under her breath like she were asking Calistria for patience or guidance or more likely vengeance.
Rilia leans close and whispers to Gillian.
Drawing back she continues in Common. "Oh and he's very rude. Here." She withdraws a book from her pack, Conversational Tien.
"Given the poetry in the language I can only assume he was raised by oni." Rilia places the book in Gillian's hands as if it where a holy relic being passed between its custodians. "Keep it. It is a gift."
Sinmara doesn't immediately speak up. She knows it's Nel she has to convince, and if the letter from her superiors doesn't do it, pissing off the big angry Tien isn't going to help. She does go and retrieve both of her missed arrows.
Aishe walks along with the others, absorbing their conversations, but adding little of his own.
Strange group. he thinks to himself as he walks along. As he watches Rillia heal, he offers his own wand as needed.
"Let me know if you run short. I picked up a wand of healing some time ago. Can't use it myself of course, but I meet fine folks like you who will use it for me. If you don't mind that is..."
Rila inspects the man's wand appraisingly.
"Not at all." Rilia replies with a curiously sly smile.
"That's terrible. Your skin is practically flawless otherwise. Is there pain?" It's hard to tell from Rilia's tone whether she's referring to pain in Gillian's leg or heart. "I could massage it."
Even with the trappings of Rilia's faith being easy to spot, Gillian can't help but give the elf a bemused look. "Time and place aren't really considerations for you are they?" she asks, nodding to where Nel and Tamiro stand talking. "Maybe a bit later, when we're not worried about hordes of akatas or...whoever this Zincher fellow is. And actually, maybe you can tell us - or at least me - a little more about him and what he did to have everyone so upset? I came to Riddleport from Magnimar so I'm still trying to learn who's who."
As she continues to watch Nel and Tamiro with a bit of caution, Rilia's whispered words do wonders to help illuminate at least a little of what this group's pecking order is. "آه ، حسنا . الآن الأمور تجعل ل مزيد من معنى..." she murmurs in reply.
"Ah, okay. Now things make a little more sense..."
Her eyes then light up with genuine delight when Rilia offers her the language book. "Are you certain? No, no...I appreciate it very much but I can't possibly keep it. I would love to borrow it, though!" She gives Aishe and Sinmara a questioning look. "Maybe take turns, if either of you are interested and if Rilia doesn't mind? You can never know too many languages, you know."
Her eyes then light up with genuine delight when Rilia offers her the language book. "Are you certain? No, no...I appreciate it very much but I can't possibly keep it. I would love to borrow it, though!" She gives Aishe and Sinmara a questioning look. "Maybe take turns, if either of you are interested and if Rilia doesn't mind? You can never know too many languages, you know."
"Do, ah, you mind if I read over your shoulder? I've always wanted to be a little more schooled in languages." he turns to Rilla, "If that's OK with you of course. I'll be very careful."
Nel's brow furrows as Tamiro wanders over barking in his native tongue. "Karera wa watashitachi to issho ni kite imasu. Kwava no sūpāsupesharu deshi ga shinde maki toru baai, watashi wa hinan o shutoku suru hitsuyō wa arimasen. Sore ga okoru koto o kyoka sa rete iru baai, kare wa watashitachi no uragawa de sarani ōkina itami ni narudarou." Rolling her eyes at the thought, she uses the few moments to flick her sword clean before properly stowing it.
Nel snorts in amusement at Rilia's fussing over the tien man. "Yeah, nothing like that is going on between us. Besides he-" clearing her throat Nel flusters a bit before dropping the subject. "Tamiro and I are just good allies. We have each others back and understand each other."
As Rilia fusses over her wounds, Nel stands perfectly straight, with her hands occasionally clenching and unclenching. "Ah, thanks. I think that thing that touched me yesterday was still chilling a part of me." Rolling her shoulder, Nel sighs and grabs Kino and Gibraltar's reigns. "Everyone ready to head out? We've got a lost library to find. Tamiro, take care of your horse. I'm not your stable-boy." Passing Kino's reigns to the samurai, Nel gracefully mounts Gibraltar and guides him to the front of the group.
Even with the trappings of Rilia's faith being easy to spot, Gillian can't help but give the elf a bemused look. "Time and place aren't really considerations for you are they?" she asks, nodding to where Nel and Tamiro stand talking. "Maybe a bit later, when we're not worried about hordes of akatas or...whoever this Zincher fellow is. And actually, maybe you can tell us - or at least me - a little more about him and what he did to have everyone so upset? I came to Riddleport from Magnimar so I'm still trying to learn who's who."
"Nel is the expert." She defers.
Nel merely shrugs. "He tried to assassinate us, along with our former boss. He's also tried to run the Gold Goblin out of business and snuck a snake in our kitchen which bit one of the waitresses. That's why Tamiro doesn't like him." Guiding her horse through the overgrown path, Nel continues talking while attempting to lead everyone towards the campground.
"The best location for him is the Boneyard." Tamiro says, spitting on the ground.
"Do, ah, you mind if I read over your shoulder? I've always wanted to be a little more schooled in languages."
"Sounds like a fine plan," Gillian nods as she carefully tucks the book into her pack for the time being. She shoulders it and hurries to follow after Nel and the others.
As they walk, she listens with interest as Nel finally enlightens them about what sort of man Zincher is. "Hmm...definitely not an upstanding citizen, that's for sure," she muses. "Of course now I have to ask why he's been giving you three - and your former boss - all this trouble, but if that's still privileged information...well, we'll just have to keep proving ourselves won't we?" she glances at Aishe and Sinmara, a small smile on her lips.
Nel laughs at Gillian's musings, "Oh no, Clegg Zincher is an example for success in Riddleport. That's what happens when you're in a pirate town." As Saul is brought up, Nel's smile becomes a bit more strained. "Saul Vancaskerkin was a charlatan, fraud, blackmailer, and a murderer. His son was cut from the same cloth. One of Saul's sons killed Zincher's brother over a fancy-girl who was working at the House of the Silken Veil. The son fled in the middle of the night and Vancaskerkin killed his wife and set his home ablaze in an attempt to flee." Grasping her reigns tightly Nel sighs heavily. "Granted I started working for him when he was supposedly turning over a new leaf, but most of my grudge against Zincher has been resolved. Tamiro, however, holds enough grudges for the two of us." Offering a hearty wink at the Samurai, Nel continues forward, glancing back occasionally to ensure that no one has fallen behind.
"I do not take a try at my life lightly. I would rather put the would be murderer in the ground." Tamiro says, then gives a wry smile, "Or put his head on the bar."
"I do not want to kill Zincher because of what he is or who he is, I want to kill him because he wants us dead. You could call it a defense against a hostile take over of our business."
Rilia listens as intently.