Seeing the troop of enemies dispersed, Karnog finishes up his spell, changing the creature at the end.
Lilend Azatas appear nearby, ready to begin their bardic performance or heal anyone as needed.
"Well, that certainly seemed to send off the horse people. Any ideas as to why they attacked?"
Karnog himself will channel, healing everyone for HP
"Yeah, you horsefu-!" Desmond stops, realizing how poor an insult that would be. "Alright, that was surprisingly not too bad considering they all broke and ran."
"Why are centaurs pissed at us? Desmond? Who did you f*~%??"
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"Why are centaurs pissed at us? Desmond? Who did you f@~!??"
"I can say with almost 90% confidence that I have never slept with a horse."
"I'll take it. Seriously, were they just mercs? Should we capture one?"
"Why are centaurs pissed at us? Desmond? Who did you f@~!??""I can say with almost 90% confidence that I have never slept with a horse."
"I'll take it. Seriously, were they just mercs? Should we capture one?"
Duncan raises an eyebrow at his companions being so dismissive of the blinded Centaurs still littering the field. Once the channel restores his wounds he sets about his next move.
He dismisses the T-Rex back to his home plane and draws his sword to charge over and begins to fight with the flat of his blade, hoping to knock a couple out for questioning. He uses a swift action to self cast DIVINE FAVOR on himself, using another of his Fervour.
This creature has the sun-bronzed upper body of a seasoned warrior and the lower body of a sleek warhorse.
CR 3
XP 800
N Large Monstrous Humanoid
Init: +6; Senses: darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +7
Source: Bestiary
DEFENSE
AC: 20, touch 11, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor, +2 Dex, +1 natural, +2 shield, -1 size)
HP: 30 (4d10+8)
Fort: +3; Ref: +6; Will: +6
OFFENSE
Speed: 50 ft. (35 ft. in armor)
Melee: longsword +5 (1d8+2/19-20), 2 hooves +0 (1d6+1)
Ranged: spear +5 (1d8+2/×3)
Space: 10 ft.
Reach: 5 ft.
STATISTICS
Str: 15; Dex: 14; Con: 15; Int: 11; Wis: 14; Cha: 12
Base Atk: +4; CMB: +7; CMD: 19 (23 vs. trip)
Feats: Improved Initiative, Run
Skills: Diplomacy +5, Intimidate +6, Knowledge (nature) +4, Perception +7, Survival +9
Languages: Common, Elven, Sylvan
Special Qualities: undersized weapons
ECOLOGY
Environment: temperate forests and plains
Organization: solitary, pair, band (3-10), tribe (11-30 plus 3 hunters of 3rd level and 1 leader of 6th level)
Treasure: standard (breastplate, heavy steel shield, longsword, spear, other treasure)
Special Abilities
Undersized Weapons (Ex)
Although a centaur is Large, its upper torso is the same size as that of a Medium humanoid. As a result, they wield weapons as if they were one size category smaller than their actual size (Medium for most centaurs).
Legendary hunters and skilled warriors, centaurs are part man and part horse. Typically found on the fringes of civilization, these stoic people vary widely in appearance, their skin tones typically appearing deeply tanned but similar to the humans who occupy nearby regions, while their lower bodies borrow the colorations of local equines. Centaur hair and eyes trend toward darker colors and their features tend to be broad, while the overall bulk of their bodies is influenced by the size of the horses their lower quarters resemble. Thus, while an average centaur stands over 7 feet tall and weights upward of 2,000 pounds, there are vast regional variations—from lean plains-runners to burly mountain hunters. Centaurs typically live to be about 60 years old.
Aloof with other races and at odds even with their own kind, the centaurs are an old race only slowly coming to accept the modern world. While the majority of centaurs still live in tribes roaming vast plains or the fringes of eldritch forests, many have abandoned the isolationist ways of their ancestors to walk among the more cosmopolitan cities of the world. Often such free-spirited centaurs are considered outcasts and are shunned by their own tribes, making the decision to leave a heavy one. In some rare cases, however, whole tribes under progressive leaders have come to trade or make alliances with other humanoid communities—typically elves, but sometimes gnomes, and rarely humans or dwarves. Many races remain wary of centaurs, though, largely due to legends of territorial beastmen and the regular, violent encounters the centaurs have with stubborn settlers and expansionist countries.
Duncan charges into the fray of the remaining Blinded centaurs and begins Tripping the large foes with Glee.
The flat of his blade smacking hard against the Horse Men's narrow ankles and bringing them down to his level for a Knockout blow.
Down ye go, and stay there if ye be smart
When he has 4 of the horsemen knocked out or begging for their lives he makes his offer.
Did nought to warrant yer attacks. Yer mates have scattered and abandoned ye. Ye've been struck blind by the power o' me Goddess O Justice and yer lives be in me hands. I deem yer crime ta be worth a year and a day of service to Justice in recompense as me scouts and cavalry. Agree and on the morrow I'll restore yer sight. Or keep ta yer sin an I'll abandon ye here, free yet trapped in a lifelong prison O never known where he be stepping or seeing yer loved ones wit yer own eyes again.
"I'll take it. Seriously, were they just mercs? Should we capture one?"
Kalim is still flying because it's awesome.
Duncan you will be able to get on centaur but the rest of them scatter. The centaur begisn to babble, "YOUR KIND HAS RAVAGEOUSLY KILLED OUR WOMEN AND CHILDREN! YOU FUZZY CHINNED DWARF. YOUR KIND CANNOT BE TRUSTED. YOUR KIND SHOWED MO MERCY, JUST KILLED FOR THE GLEE OF IT!" The blind, wounded centaur exclaims. He is clearly agry at the dwarfs. "KILLED OUR CHILDREN FOR THEIR MANES AND HIDE TO ADORN YOUR ARMOR AND WEAPONS."
Duncan you will be able to get on centaur but the rest of them scatter. The centaur begisn to babble, "YOUR KIND HAS RAVAGEOUSLY KILLED OUR WOMEN AND CHILDREN! YOU FUZZY CHINNED DWARF. YOUR KIND CANNOT BE TRUSTED. YOUR KIND SHOWED MO MERCY, JUST KILLED FOR THE GLEE OF IT!" The blind, wounded centaur exclaims. He is clearly agry at the dwarfs. "KILLED OUR CHILDREN FOR THEIR MANES AND HIDE TO ADORN YOUR ARMOR AND WEAPONS."
Duncan let's the wounded creature say it's peace, Ne'er harmed nor battled a Centaur till this day. Ye certain ye got the right dwarfes?
A Priest o the Inheritor be I an ain't never seen the likes o ye. Would it be fair fer me ta Judge ALL centuars by YOUR actions today? Fool, I'd be if I ever did. So hold still an I'll cure ye wounds, but not ye sight till ye start making sense, Centaur.Duncan will sheathe his sword an tap the centaur with a Wand of cure light wounds as many times as needed.
He then backs up a bit but doesn't bother to help it up yet.
Start with yer name and speak what exactly happened ta yer people.
"The dwarf even sounded like you!" The creature is still blinking his eyes trying to get its vision back. "Same dwarven clan...at least."
The centaur states ites name:"Hunkuff Barhoff second son to of Chief Balkuff Barhoof. Two nights ago, a band of dwarf and demons descended upon our village. They targeted our women and children. A dwarf commanded by the name of Grimm. He cackled as he hacked off heads of our beloved." He sneers. "That dwarf was dark and evil and took joy in his slaughter. We scouted the area and saw the dwarves in your party."
You see there was a mistaken identity.
Duncan paused a bit. He would have been shocked were it not for the commune, but that didn't stop the bile from rising in his throat.
He kept quiet about the familial link for now.
Then yer loss has clouded ye reason. Or yer scouts didn't bother ta get close enough ta check. Could pick between a Greatsword swinging, gore encrusted Spiked armor wearing animal an a dwarf wearing Mithral plate? Ye see any zombies or demons here? We be the mortal enemies o the force ye speak and instead a gaining allies yer rash actions caused more lives ta be lost by magic and tooth when we defended ourselves.
He thought a bit about the implications of the attack and an idea formed in his head.
Is yer village near? And did the leave a trail?
He looked hopefully at his allies.
Might be a chance ta catch Grimm, and some Demons away from the Caves, without support close by and away from the cursed chapels where ALL our gifts work.
He looks directly at Karnog as the 2 dwarves have both had issues connecting with their gods gifts when beneath the surface....
"Agreed, Duncan. I regret the loss of life here, especially since our previous companion seems to have instigated the whole thing. So, Huknuoff Barnoff, were any of your people spared? If you have refugees, Orctown is not too far. They will gladly house and feed you, and welcome you to the community if you bear no ill will."
Assuming the centaur remains calm, Karnog will fix his vision.
"We should hurry after Grimm. Hopefully we can put right that wrong, permanently."
Ah, Grimm. The one that isn't Karnog, Varl, Duncan, or Grungsdi. I definitely remember things about him.
I wonder what a centaur f+*%ing a pegasus is, crime-wise. Void, flying is fun!
With Karnog's blessing the centaur blinks away the blindness. As his vision focuses he glares at Duncan...YOU...YOU and your KIN killed innocent women and childrem" He clearly sees the resemblance between Duncan and Grimm.
He raises on his hind qaurters to kick but better senses grab hold and puts all four hooves on the ground. [b}"What do you know of villanous acts?"[/b]
"No, Duncan had no part in the violence until today. The dwarf you speak of is...was...his son. He fell to battlelust and is now a puppet of the Demon lord of Undeath. That is why Grimm seeks out slaughter and reckless evil, I fear his soul has been forfeit, and his body now serves as a vessel for that monstrous deity."
Karnog speaks soothingly and quietly to the centaur, showing no fear or apprehension even as the creature gets agitated. The trio of lilend azatas slither-flying around and patching up everyone's wounds probably doesnt hurt in that regard.
"As for villainy, we travel now to try and shut down that Demon Lord's connection to this plane. His cultists and minions have set up in the vast dungeon not far away, and use it as a base of operations. So far, we've managed to eliminate one of their strongholds. We aim to pull down the others, and drive out their Evil once and for all."
I know plenty about it. Lived in Cheliax for more years then ye bin breathin I bet. Been Killin for the good O the world ever since an I'll die at the Worldwound if The Lady calls me there.
The Warpriest places his hands on his hips to let the Horse-man take his full measure.
Know me Fer Duncan Redhammer, Hunkuff Barhoff second son to of Chief Balkuff Barhoof. An ye be right about Grimm, he was me boy, an I've a duty ta put 'im down Fer good. What ye saw if nought but the walkin remains O what was once me son. Know me heart bleeds Fer ye loss. I offer ye a chance at Vengeance Fer yet kin. SHOW us the way ta what remains a' yer village so we can find 'im and the monsters 'e travels with. Yer welcome ta join tha fight but considerin the numbers ye Pa has already lost, ye might be wise ta return to yer people an rebuild, while we kill the monster.
He paused a bit to let the implications sink in. That troop had them vastly outnumbered and surprised and the party had bested it with barely a spell thrown from their considerable magical Arsenal.
What say ye?
Desmond you figure you won't have too much trouble locating the direction the centaur troop came from since there are plenty of hooved prints
Duncan your attempt to ease Hunkuff Barhoff's hostility towards you falls on deaf ears. Although he nods gratitude towards Karnog's summoned lilend azatas for the healing they've done. "Much evil emanates from the Dungeon of Graves. It's a cursed graveyard."
"The curse runs much deeper than that graveyard, sadly. We have explored and fought in many subterranean levels, even finding a whole city of Darklanders, as well as a fort of the demon worshippers ilk. That fort is where we destroyed one of the demon lord's places of power."
Karnog looks over the centaur and his tribe carefully, then towards his own companions.
"What donyou know of the dungeon? Have you any stories, or maps, of the area? I would steer clear of the place, if I were you. Your kind would not fare well in many of the passages below, and some of the denizens are quite formidable. "
"We prefer the open air over the walls of caves. We know many evil creatures scramble outside their hidey holes on raids. We've killed many ill intent goblins, ogres and orcs. We destroyed a skeleton warband a fortnight ago." He glares at Duncan, "Little good that did, more came two nights ago and unleashed it's unholy terror."
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RA Perception check (DM Rolled)
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RA Perception check (DM Rolled)
[dice=Desmond] 1d20+21
[dice=Nym]1d20+12
[dice=kalim] 1d20+4
[dice=Karnog] 1d20+29
[dice=Duncan] 1d20+18[dice=stealth]1d20+34
Kalim is flying scout overhead ensuring nothing sneaks up onto the group. He remains in ear shot 30 feet above. Meanwhile Desmond and Nym patrol the area.
Karnog and Duncan try to calm the Hunkuff Barhoff. Karnog's angelic creatures liberally dish out healing. When suddenly there blast of hell coming from overhead. A fiery cone erupts from sky, announcing death nearby. Unfortunately the source of the devastation remains unseen to the naked eye.
Reflex DC 27 for half damage
The fire is focused Kalim, Duncan, Karnog, the Centaur, and any of Karnog's angelic creatures he had nearby.
*Kalim I have the triangle over you to signal you are flying
Kalim you would have felt the air near you buffet and ripple since the eruption came from over your head.
Nym and Desmond you observe what looks like a furnace blast over Kalim's head and scorches most of the party. Although you do not see the source of the blast. There is horsemeat cooking.
the group does have Heroes Feast going.
of the feast. The ambrosial food grants each creature that partakes a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and Will saves and a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against poison and fear effects for 12 hours.
so you all get d8 +8 temp HPs.
"The blasted dragon! Where did it come from? Who can see it?
From the back of the group Nym speak in a non excited tone. "Wē shôûld próbâblý môvę. Ī am pretty sure that is Aragnak the Old Great One."
You figured this was not a "chance" encounter and it came prepared to kill and yes, eat your group.
Duncan hears the blast coming before he sees it and his warrior instincts take over.
The dwarf calls DOWN and manages to get his shield up just in time as the cone of fire rolls downward and scorches the earth.
RA Initiative Order:
Desmond
Aragnak
Duncan
Karnog
Kalim
Nym