The hobgoblins refuse to surrender, confident that they will be reincarnated as dragons. When they see they can't escape, they go down fighting. The barghest is stealthy and may have more magical tricks up its sleeves -- it gets away.
The sergeants fight Tal'ariel and Mikail, but fall soon enough.
Whereas the battle outside Drellin's Ferry was more or less an open battle, and at your campsite the enemy had the drop on you, here you had the drop on them with clever tactics - even though they knew you were coming. Thom's fog and lightning, Bran's leap, and the multi-pronged assault made this very difficult for the Red Hand.
Each of the six archers had chainmail, a heavy steel shield, a MW longsword, a composite longbow (+2 Str), 20 arrows, and a potion of CLW.
Each of the two sergeants had a +1 Breastplate, MW Bastard Sword, MW Composite Longbow (+2 Str), and a potion of CMW.
The ogres had 20 Large spears in the barrels.
There are no papers, orders, or maps to be found.
What do you wish to do now? It is about 10 in the morning.
"Why can't they see that its a hopeless fight despite their numbers?" He cleans the axe off and looks toward the sky, "Do they really believe they'll come back as dragons?"
He turns to the rest of the party, "Again that barghest escaped. Tricky fiend to pin down. Where are we headed next? I'm energized enough to continue on the path if you are as well."
He helps collect the loot and takes down the flag on the post. "That was a helluva setup, the fog, the lightning and all the magic." He gives a hearty laugh to Seltazar, "Smile a little! I knew that if we go in prepared I think we really can take on any threat to the Vale."
As the battle comes to its conclusion, Tal'ariel is seen slipping into Thom's magical fog momentarily. A spoken word in Infernal suggests to those within earshot that she is once more using her questionable magics to restore her health. And indeed she is fully healed as she rejoins with Bran and the others.
"Do you think a horse can outrun a barghest? I agree we keep going and see what Rhest has to offer."
Thom in bird shape lands near his companions and lets out a loud, "Keeeeaw"
You continue along the road for about an hour, then find the branch that leads to where the ruins of Rhest should be. While the main road continues on (nowadays going to Druma), the branch that leads to Rhest is not well maintained. The swamp has encroached on it. You can see some efforts by the hobgoblins to restore it. They have built up some of the lower-lying sections, and cut back some of the vegetation. Nevertheless, the path is narrow, swampy, and occasionally flooded. The further you go towards Rhest, the worse it gets.
Off to each side, the Blackfens are more marsh than swamp, with large open areas of murky water ringed by seas of tall (5-8') reeds and grasses rising out of the mud. The occasional forested hillock or rise comes out of these waters. If you had to leave the path, a boat would be a better option than trying to wade. Thom can fly around and see, but he can't speak to you.
Nevertheless, you are able to interpret Thom's warnings that there is something of concern up ahead.
What do you wish to do?
CMW:
The raven lands and lets out a piercing screech making sure he has the party’s attention. From his position on the ground he hops slowly down the path.
Do you all walk down the path with Thom? Stealthy or overt?
Those who wish to follow, give me Perception checks.
Perception:
As the raven lands and directs them to attention, Tal'ariel dismounts and draws her sword. She casts Message on everyone to allow whispered communication at a distance.
"Bran, care to be giant sized again? Not the stealthiest approach, but I'm not sure how stealthy the group is anyway." If Bran seems agreeable, Tal'ariel uses her Pearl of Power to once again enlarge her mighty friend.
Regardless, Tal'ariel follows stealthily, peering through the swamp.
Bran scoffs the potion down upon seeing that Thom's bird form has found something.
He gingerly puts the potion back to not make any noise and whispers to the elf, "It would be a good idea but lets move up ahead first, use the greenery as cover. Who knows what we'll see."
Less stealthy, Mikail and Seltazar stay behind for now. Shishka decides she is stealthy enough and joins the scouts.
As you clamber over a fallen log, you see that a low, mossy island of mud and peat protrudes from the marsh waters ahead.
Two gnarled trees grow fitfully, and sprawled across their roots is the ruined and bloody remains of a horse-sized owl. The once-magnificent bird's body has been partially dissolved in places, and swaths of foul, dark green fluid still sizzle and pop, eating away at exposed flesh and bone.
By the ripples of the reeds, you can tell something big is hiding in the water, near the southeast corner of the map (the green on the map is water with reeds sticking out of it).
map is up.
Recognizing the threat, Tal'ariel whispers to the party (using Message):
"There's a big creature hiding in the muck, south of us and east of you, about 100 paces. There's also a giant owl's body, eaten away by acid maybe? Could be one of those owls who have befriended the native elves here. I want to learn more about these owls and elves to gain some allies, but is it worth the risk?"
Tal sees if there's a path to bypass the threat easily, even for the less stealthy characters.
You don't know whether or not the thing in the water has heard you moving. As far as Tal'ariel can tell, the four of you scouting have been pretty quiet.
Whatever is in the water probably can't see you, and if you stay far away it might not bother you. Investigating the dead giant owl would bring you closer to it.
You could try to draw out the creature by making a splash in the water someplace else, or directly attack where you think it is, or just ignore it.
"I'll move in and draw whatever it is in, then you all can get the drop on it when it's distracted. Can't be worse than a hydra right?"
He turns to see if they agree of not, "If I go in prepared there shouldn't be an issue."
"Kakaw, the dark feathered bird screeches as it takes flight waiting to see what happens.
While normally PF has this annoying rule that you can't ready actions outside of combat, this is a situation where I think it is reasonable. So Bran, if you wish to move someplace and ready an action, you may do so (and you could also use Martial Flexibility first if you wanted).
He nods and moves in, getting into a stance that would help him fight off bigger creatures; knowing they like to grab and pull. He leads with the buckler arm and waits by the owl.
"Alright, Bran's going to be living bait. Come on, guys, get closer so we can be ready to fight this thing!"
Tal'ariel sneaks a little closer to Bran and would very much like to Snowball the creature if/when it engages Bran.
Mikhail moves in close with the others, ready to strike at whatever is within the swamp.
As Bran moves onto the low hill where the owl corpse is, something big, green, and sort of dragon-like bursts into view, leaping towards Bran.
Round 1
Shishka
Tal'ariel
Beastie
Thom
Bran
Seltazar
Mikail
. "Greenspawn Razorfiend!" cries Tal'ariel as the beast emerges. She decides to coat the thing in glitterdust to try and blind it.
"It's a magical beast from a green dragon egg," she reports as the dragon lights up in sparkly colors.
The creature is not blinded, but now sees Tal'ariel!
The creature runs through the water, takes a mighty leap, lands near Bran, lashes out with a claw, then hops back a bit. It is lankier and more upright than a dragon, so even at Large size it has 10' reach.
Round 1
Tal'ariel
Beastie
Shishka
Thom
Bran -18
Seltazar
Mikail
"Fast 'aintcha?"
He knows that he will have to get through the beasts long limbs before he can mount any type of offensive.
"Ka-kaw! Ka-Kaw!" the bird screeches as it flys around.
Bran eyes the creature and sizes up the situation. Giving a shout to Kurgess he rushes toward the creature, using the slippery ground to hopefully slide under the reach.
Adrenaline Rush 1 Round
Grappled (?)
Bran runs in, dodging and weaving to avoid the thing's attacks, but isn't quite nimble enough and leaves himself open to a swing from its vicious claws.
However, his armor deflects the attack. The claws on its wings are huge and very sharp-looking.
The creature is fast and strong, but Bran manages to grab hold of it!
Shishka, Mikail, and Seltazar are up!
With Bran holding the dragon-like creature, Mikail sloshes in and strikes at the grappled beast.
Attack:
Damage:
"Get in here quick! This isn't as easy as it looks!"
Shishka had been fiddling with her weapon, trying to keep everything dry and un-jammed. she almost set the thing off a couple of times but managed to not let that happen.
the sudden appearance of the dragion almost caught her by surprise.
she takes aim with her pistol as she advances closer
she fires once she thinks she is close enough.
Seltazar chants, and you all move faster (presumably including Thom, if he moves in to attack). Mikail strikes the razorfiend, and Shishka's weapon inflicts a flesh wound. The beast shows no sign of slowing down.
Round 2
Tal'ariel
Greenspawn Razorfiend -10
Shishka
Thom
Bran -18
Seltazar
Mikail
"Who the hell said that looks easy?" responds Tal to the grappling warrior. Hurrying forward, the swordswoman gets to the other side of thr creature from Mikail and attacks the distracted draconic creature!
;
Tal'ariel cuts deeply into the creature.
It tries to drop Bran with a flurry of claws and teeth, so it can turn its attention on the others. Two of its attacks just barely miss but one claw wounds him grievously. Still, it is not enough to drop the brawler.
Round 2
Tal'ariel
Greenspawn Razorfiend -37
Shishka
Thom
Bran -58
Seltazar
Mikail
Mikail lashes out again with her shining sword, hoping to do more damage this time.
Attack:
Damage:
The raven swoops in pecking the beast, "Ka-Kaw!"
Source Ultimate Magic pg. 1 (Amazon)
School transmutation [cold]; Level bloodrager 1, druid 1, hunter 1, magus 1, shaman 1, witch 1
Casting
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Effect
Range touch
Targets creature touched
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance yes
Description
Your melee touch attack deals 1d6 points of nonlethal cold damage + 1 point per level, and the target is fatigued. The fatigued condition ends when the target recovers from the nonlethal damage. This spell cannot make a creature exhausted even if it is already fatigued. You can use this melee touch attack up to one time per level.
Bran yells back "HAHA! Just trying to make the Strongman proud!" He screams out to Kurgess and enters a rage.
This time his new technique pays off. Not happy with letting the green Ozzy escape after a big hit, he slams his head into the creature, giving him a quick second chance and maintaining the hold.
He quickly moves to Pin the creature by shoving his head into its neck and throwing his full weight on the claw arms.
Current AC: 16
Rage: 1 Round
Adrenaline Rush: 2 Rounds
MF (Greater Grapple): 3 Rounds
Grappled [Pin State] (No Dex to AC)
You may...
Attempt to free yourself. (DC 28 - CMD +23, +4 versus Grapple, +1 Haste)
Take verbal and mental actions.
Lose Dexterity bonus to AC.
You are NOT Helpless or Flat Footed.
Mikail's attack succeeds.
Bran holds on despite the pain, and manages to pin the creature.
Round 2
Tal'ariel
Greenspawn Razorfiend -53, Pinned, Prone
Thom
Bran -58
Mikail
Seltazar
Shishka
"I think you almost got it!" says an impressed Tal'ariel, as she takes the opportunity to press the attack.
;
;
"Oww! Ack!" winces Shishka as the Razorfiend claws at Bran. "Ummm... you got him now! Gooooo Bran!"
Shishka starts cheering on Bran, and her performance is ridiculous enough to inspire you all.
Seltazar looks unamused, and opens his mouth in a silent scream. The razorfiend flinches in pain.
Tal'ariel first swing misses, but her second cuts into the beast.
It struggles to break free of Bran's grip, but cannot.
Round 3
Tal'ariel
Greenspawn Razorfiend -79
Thom
Bran -58
Mikail
Seltazar
Shishka
With Shiska's performance, Bran's morale comes back after the blow and his energy returns. It feels like the crowds from the pits... but more sacred and pure.
He continues to pressure the razorfiend's neck with his head and finds some soft openings for the wicked spikes on his cestus.
Current AC: 16
Rage: 2 Rounds
Adrenaline Rush: 3 Rounds
MF (Greater Grapple): 4 Rounds
Haste: 3 Rounds
Inspired
Grappled [Pin State] (No Dex to AC)
Thom tries pecking at the beast.
Seeing the shape poor Bran is in, Mikail calls upon her divine gifts and heals the wounded brawler.
Cure Moderate Wounds:
Although the beast's hide resists the cestus, two powerful blows are enough to finish it off.
If the razorfiend had an acid breath weapon, it didn't have time to use it on you, but it seems likely that was the fate that befell the giant owl. Some of the other wounds match up as well, from what you can tell of what little flesh is left. Most of it has been eaten by the razorfiend. The owl has a jade band around one leg with Elven letters that spell the name "Lioko". There are a few arrows on the ground, but no other sign of a rider.
A small unlocked iron coffer sits on the islet. Inside there are some magical items that are identified by Tal'ariel, Shishka, and Seltazar:
A Headband of Intellect +2
A +2 Rapier
A Pearl of Power (2nd level)
A Ring of Protection +2
720 GP
You also each get 533 XP, which will be enough to earn a feat next time you rest.