MisterLurch's Legacy of Fire

Game Master MisterLurch

With an eye turned toward the Battle Market Kilarra smiles, "I feel your optimism is well deserved Rukn. It seems that the current master of this town has grown wise to our efforts against his forces and has elected to hold whatever remains for the Battle Market. I am sure it will be challenging but if we keep fighting together the way we have the last few fights then I am sure it will turn out in our favor."

Turning back to the rest of the group she continues "The question that remains to us is whether we should continue to clear all the buildings around the market first which would secure our flank or if we should attack the market while we are all fresh risking reinforcements from behind. What do you guys think?"

"The more we whittle away at the bastard's flanks, the closer he will draw his remaining troops in to protect his soft underbelly," Alexander grates. "I vote we move in for the kill, slice him open before he has the time to dig himself in completely."

"Agreed. This has taken too long already." Solomon said tersely.

He glanced up at the morning sun, realizing that in spite of the desert heat he had barely broken a sweat for days. He looked down at his chest and touched his holy symbol with it's scintillating gem that looked like it was burning from within

"Are we all resistant to fire now?" he asked. "Seems like something we could use to our advantage."

TBH, I can't remember whether I finally got my talisman made, but I'll asume I did. If not, let Rukn believe he is protected :P

Rukn produces the small gem, similar to the one Solomon is holding. "I've got mine here. Not sure how the rest used theirs, though. What do you have in mind, Solomon?"

Kilarra deftly whips one of her kukri's around and a thin stream of fire trails after its passage. " I put my gift from nethys to a more offensive application. However, if you are thinking what I suspect you might be then I would say that I tend to be pretty light on my feet. I may could avoid any real harm that might be caused by an area covered in fire."

kilarra has evasion and a high reflex save

"I agree. The longer we wear away at the edges, the less valuable Undrella's help to us will be. We should strike straight for the heart."

Zhalet pulls her jewel from the pouch on her belt.

"I have mine, but have given it little thought and have done nothing with it. Perhaps I could fashion a makeshift necklace or bracelet for it?"

"There are a couple of other things that need attention. We should contact Lady Almah and inform her of our plans. The body of the girl, the peryton's victim, also needs burial. I had hoped it could be in the church's cemetery here, but that isn't going to be possible soon enough in this heat. Shall me move immediately, or should I see to those matters first?"

I believe Rukn had a wooden pendant made for his gem?

Zhalet will have used the rest of her healing the previous night. The roles are below, so take what you need.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 4

CLW (from bard spells): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"I was thinking we could light part of the battle market on fire." he shrugged. "Not a good idea if we might burn too."

"Mine is still here," Alexander says, waggling his cane so the red gem on the pommel catches the light.

"We should have warned Almah last night; no telling how close Dashki is at this point. I'll cast the spell - but who wants to word the message?"

I believe Rukn had a wooden pendant made for his gem?

He ended up with a wire-wrapped fire stone.

So .. what are you going to do?

I guess we all agree we're heading for the battlemarket. Spell people should select spells accordingly, and I can imagine we'll try a stealthy approach. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

Apologies. Unusual great weather here led to an unplanned trip to the coast.

Yes, I think we're moving on to the battle market.

Zhalet spends a few minutes wording out a message for Lady Almah. She can deliver the message as well unless Alexander prefers to do it.

Greetings Lady Almah. After consideration we have rejected the offer brought to us by Dashki on behalf of the Three Jaws gnolls. Recent events here have changed circumstances in ways that make a partnership with the gnolls less desirable and less beneficial than it might have been earlier.

We have found a new ally in Kelmarane, a harpy who has provided us with information that should allow us to enter the Battle Market without the need for an open assault. Gnolls are unpredictable, so they would be unsuitable allies for an more subtle plan. Also a three-way partnership in which the new new partners share no common interests would be difficult to manage.

A companion of Andrus has joined us, lessening out need for greater numbers. Andrus remains with us as well, while Dashki has taken our reply to the Three Jaws.

We have successfully cleared the outskirts of the town, and expect to enter the Battle Market today. We will send word when Kelmarane is in our hands. May the Dawnflower continue to show our enterprise here favor.

Very diplomatic. Nicely done, Zhalet.

Alexander sits down with his spellbook, lips moving as he goes from one incantation to the next....

Proposed spells:
2 - Summon monster II x 2
1 - Colour spray, Grease, Mage armour, Magic missile
0 - Acid splash, Dancing lights, Detect message, Message

Any comments/advice for improvement?

Any other preparations to be made?

Andrus spends a portion of the morning going over his equipment, sharpening out a few small nicks in his blade and repairing a few small bits of damage to his armor. His motions seem to have the air of a ritual about them. There is no magic to it, of course, but he seems to be in some kind of introspective trance as he prepares for the assault. When he has finished, he is calm and focused.

Felliped approaches Alexander early, the rusted and damaged piece of chain shirt and broken spear held in his hands, "Excuse me, would you be willing to give some of the equipment formerly owned by the gnolls to me? Theirs is of higher quality and will serve me better than these broken bits I have cobbled together. I can return it to you after the battle, but I would make myself as useful as possible."

***

After readying themselves as much as is possible, the group sets out for the battle market with as much stealth as they can muster. They reach a crossroads with no incident; the ruins seem utterly abandoned.

Which way do you wish to approach the battle market? From Undrella's information, you know that the door to which she gave you the key is the northern door, on the other side of the battle market from where you are now, and the door that is most commonly used is the southern door. Both the eastern and western doors have been barred from the inside.

"Help yourself, my friend," Alexander tells Felliped. "If no one else has scrounged the pieces you have your eye on, I'd say they're yours for the taking."

The old man winks to take any potential sting out of his words.

Erizi, feeling much refreshed swings his Earthbreaker a few times, and stretches to limber up. Obviously he is ready to go wherever the group points him.

Erizi put his gem in the head of his Earthbreaker... but I don't think he's seen any effect yet. I' assuming nobody else is speaking up for the healing, so Erizi takes it all. If someone else is hurting he'll share. Also I believe he gets back LVL + Con modifier overnight???

When I first gave details for the fire stones, I described what happens when they are affixed to a weapon. I left it to the players to remember and apply the extra damage.

As a reminder, when affixed to a weapon the fire stone gives the weapon an extra 1d6 fire damage. This extra damage is non-magical, and stacks with the flaming special quality.

Overnight healing is 1hp/lvl. If under the care of someone with first aid, it is 2hp/lvl. If no one else has the heal skill, Andrus does, so go ahead and count it as 2hp/lvl.

Erizi, the shortsword you carry also seems to do extra fire damage when you hit with it. Continue to remind me when you do damage with that weapon until someone successfully identifies it.

I have Heal and Endurance. I can provide long term care all night without any ill effects (not two nights in a row though), as well as Treat Deadly Wounds. I can pretty reliably give people 4 HP a night of non-magic healing with all that.

Long term care also doubles the rate the ability damage heals at.

Solomon had been up all night caring for the wounded but he didn't seem any worse for wear. Mostly he just seemed quietly impatient to get moving.

Is anyone still wounded in the morning?

Rukn is ready to go, and when he is reminded of the key, his optimism grows even bigger.

"Yeah, we should use it. They don't expect it. Worst case is Undrella betrayed us, but we are resourceful enough to manage. And I still have a healing salve remaining. Let's go get them!"

"What an upsetting thought," Alexander murmurs.

"Well, if someone betrays you, you don't have to worry anymore about him being trustful" smiles Rukn.

So it sounds like the plan is to try to sneak into the battle market through the north door. do you want to go around the battle market on the east side or the west side to get to the north door? You are currently south of the battle market at a crossroads. The west path is shorter, but the east path is slightly lower than the top of the hill and will afford better concealment from any observers that might be watching from the battle market.

"What do you people say?" he asks, trying to get everyone's attention. "I think it would be better to arrive unnoticed even if it takes us ten or fifteen minutes more, but I am not the expert here."

"I favor taking the less exposed route."

With a quick glance at Alexander, Zhalet says "Whatever one's past, redemption is always possible. But it requires others to extend trust. I choose to trust Undrella to be true to us. She will not let us down."

"Agreed. North door is a better paln."

"Keep in mind those cells," Alexander says, giving Zhalet a small nod. "We might find even more new friends there, friends willing to bring doom to the Kulldis."

After a brief discussion, the group follows the longer, east path, where better concealment from the Battle Market can be found.

On the map it seems you are pretty much right out in the open, but there is a steep cut to the west that is taller than a person so with some care, you are well hidden from the battle market, despite its three stories in height.

Ahead you see an intact gatehouse with a sturdy bridge arching from its top, over the road, to the hilltop near the battle market.

"I suggest we watch for a while, and see what is happening... that is if we can find a good place where we'll be out of sight. If this is a true market, then they will depend upon trade and might welcome visitors... to a certain extent".

"Yes, if we could convince them to let us pass through for commercial reasons we could learn much more about what we will need to accomplish. If necessary I could say I am a dancer or a scribe."

"Trade from humans? You really think that's something they're likely to allow? I'd rather sneak up on them and take out the guard tower before they have any chance to raise an alarm."

"Why not? It's a market, and humans have coin. It would not hurt to see if humans are tolerated here. Perhaps we ask our allies here"?

Rukn seems to think carefully about the proposition while he pulls his beard. "Mmmh... I don't know... What if any of us screws it? I'm not a good actor myself."

I am not really sure what the plan is here. What direction are you guys going to go?

After thinking about it a bit more, Rukn adds "Alright, maybe... I can act as being a guard or a mercenary. That way I won't have to talk."

"I still say we should try to get close to the cells, and see who we can spring," Alexander says. "Let us try stealth to start. If we are caught, we can still act the Merchants and pretend to be lost."

"Yeah..." Solomon conceded. "That's a good idea. Might as well try to get as close as possible before we stir things up. Who's going to take front on this and try to talk us past them?"

"I am more used to acting with my actions, not my words, but if nobody else wants to speak I will. So we have decided we will sneak into the market, then pretend we are merchants if caught, and hope they don't assume we were sneaking in in order to steal... but then again, they might respect that motivation... it's what they would do. Let's go then.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 Stealth

NOTE: Erizi had (3) points of CON Damage from somewhere, so I'm assuming he healed back one point overnight, so his current CON is 16

"Eh... uh... okay? I'm fine with whatever ideas you guys suggest. After all, you're the smart guys" he says, looking at everyone.

Rukn gets ready to execute whatever plan is decided and, if needed, he will take 10 on Stealth for a total of 18.

Erizi, you healed 2 points of CON damage back because you were under Solomon's care.

Having decided to move forward with the stealth plan, the group resumes their progress around the battle market to get at the north door.

Surprise Round: Begin!

Only Kilarra and Solomon are aware of the enemy!
Kilarra and Solomon are up.

Initiative:
Kilarra: 24
Alexander: 20
Zhalet: 17+
Erizi: 17
Felliped: 17-
Andrus: 16
Rukn: 15
Solomon: 12
Gnoll: 8

Just a reminder. I need Solomon's action for the surprise round if he wants to make one. I will be moving the combat forward to round 1 in about three hours.

Surprise Round:

Kilarra stiffens, looking up at the top of the gatehouse ahead, "Look out! Archer atop the gatehouse!" She nocks an arrow, draws, and lets fly at the creature. The arrow hits, barely grazing the gnoll. (Gnoll: 1 damage.)

The gnoll's return shot strikes Kilarra squarely; nearly a perfect hit. (Kilarra: 7 damage.)

The gnoll lets loose an odd, barking, laugh sound. Four hyenas appear at the base of the gatehouse echoing the sound, their eyes fixed on the party.

Round 1: Begin!

The entire party acts before the gnoll and the hyenas...

Initiative:
Kilarra: 24
Alexander: 20
Zhalet: 17+
Erizi: 17
Rukn: 15
Solomon: 12
Felliped: 11
Andrus: 10
Gnoll: 8
Hyenas: 8

Zhalet hears Kilarra's warning, and sees the exchange of arrows. She also sees the hyenas at the gatehouse entrance.

She runs forward, and as she does so says to Rukn "quickly! take your shot now!" as she passes him.

She comes to stop just slightly forward of Kilarra, and prepares to cast a spell, waiting for Rukn to let fly his arrows.

Move: 30', Standard: Cast Obscuring Mist 20' forward, at base of gatehouse. (Held until other PCs take their action)

"quickly! take your shot now!"

Rukn has but a moment to realise what's happening, but his instincts kick in and tell him to shoot at the gnoll up the tower, and so he does.

5-ft-step forward
Flurry #1, Deadly Aim 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 1 = 25
Damage 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10

Flurry #2, Deadly Aim 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 1 = 25
Damage 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9

Erizi quickly looks up at the sniper gnoll and mumbles under his breath... "I gotta remember to get a bow". , he then rushes forward to engage the Hyenas, looking for somewhere to get his back against a wall.

Sorry about the delay, Paizo has been being really wonky lately. Guessed that cost my a surprise round action.

Solomon saw the Gnoll archer, but was too late to shout. Luckily Kilarra wasn't.

"Erizi, with me!"

He rushed forward, guessing the hyenas were about to charge them. His tattoos flared to gold and he tossed a dart at the archer, then readied his spear to engage the dogs.

I think that with the elevation, the Gnoll is outside Point Blank for me right now so i won't use that.

Fervor for Swift Action Divine Favor
Dart, Divine Favor: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25
Damage, divine favor, fire: 1d6 + 3 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 + (6) = 13

Solomon is wielding his Longspear and has Combat Reflexes. He can take up to 5 AoOs. Rather than bogging down the game with that, I'll just list my attack bonus here so you can roll any provoked attacks for me.

Longspear, Divine Favor = 1d20+6+2
Damage = 1d8+4+2

Solomon, the boards have been pretty unsettles lately. Go ahead and post a surprise round action.

Surprise round action, toss dart at Gnoll archer

Ranged Attack, Divine Favor, 3rd range inc.: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 - 4 = 8

Meh. Missed anyway.

Zhalet hears Kilarra's warning, and sees the exchange of arrows. She also sees the hyenas at the gatehouse entrance.

She runs forward, and as she does so says to Rukn "quickly! take your shot now!" as she passes him.

She comes to stop just slightly forward of Kilarra, and prepares to cast a spell, waiting for Rukn to let fly his arrows.

Move: 30', Standard: Cast Obscuring Mist 20' forward, at base of gatehouse. (Held until other PCs take their action)

Zhalet, Obscuring mist forms in a 20 foot radius centered on you. The 20 foot range listed in the spell is misleading, but both the effect and the description make it clear that you are the center of the burst. I drew in what the area would be on the map. Do you still wish to use that spell?

Alexander raises his cane against the Gnoll archer and barks words of power. Two bolts of power fly and strike the beast!

Magic missile for 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 2 = 6 damage.