Red Hand of Doom [E6] (Inactive)

Game Master Aldizog

Tal'ariel would share whatever she knows of heiracosphinxes, of course.

"Yes, I think the tricky part is trying to lure away the aerial forces but not battling them in the sky. There's just a lot of risk in fighting in the air should one of us fall off the owl. I want to weaken their numbers as much as the next person, but I'm not sure that it's worth the risk to skirmish with these forces."

Do we have some means to shoot them from the air perhaps? I mean we don't need to shoot the riders, just their monsters. We would probably expose ourselves though.

This might be a good opportunity for sniping actually. Does Tal'ariel have a bow? Hamailii has one, but doesn't have sneak attack nor a good stealth unfortunately.

Knowledge (Arcana) Tal'ariel: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Knowledge (Arcana) Hamailii: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Neither Tal'ariel nor Hamailii knows much more about the sphinx.

Trellara uses Lore Master to Take 20, for a 25.
"According to legend, the Hieracosphinx can pounce like a lion, and has a fearful shriek that can temporarily deafen those that hear it."

What to do next is all up to you. Fighting them could weaken the enemy a bit (and give you some XP), but alert them to your whereabouts. At least some would probably escape to report back to the main army. Party vote?
Engage them from owl-back?
Engage them from the ground?
Leave?

"I'm not much of a sniper, I'm afraid. I think we've seen what we've seen. Better to just fall back to guard the Shining Axe Company than give away our whereabouts."

I vote leave . . . we don't have a specific objective, which makes me want to avoid the attack.

In that case it is probably better to fall back, yes. I don' want to risk the Shining Axe company either.

Bran thinks a moment and agrees, "With no plan we may end up fighting for no real reason. Unless we see something that we can strike and have a goal in mind; but that doesn't seem likely. We can better prepare our allies knowing what is approaching."

Nothing to be gained here as of yet. I vote to leave as well.

The party sneaks away and mounts back up on the owls. The great birds fly low behind the hills, only ascending when far enough away from Terrelton to not be seen.

It is a few hours' flight to the next settlement on the Dawn Way, Nimon Gap. This is really just a hamlet that is little more than an inn.

See original post about Nimon Gap here.
There are orchards around the hamlet, though they look to have been picked clean. And while before there were flocks of sheep in the Nimon Hills, they are not visible at this time.

The inn, the Cross-Eyed Beholder, is a large structure with a sturdy stone wall around it.

The gate in the wall is open, and there is a cart with two horses outside the wall. Two men in leather armor are watching the cart, which is piled high with chairs, mugs, and pots. Two more men in similar armor are walking out through the gate with another chair and a large bowl.

None of them appear to be the proprietors or their children.

One of the men on the cart sees you and draws a bow. He looks alarmed at the giant owls, but shouts, "Get lost! We were here first!"

Tal'ariel has no trouble understanding what she was seeing. "Let's see--you've run across a company of elven and dwarven warriors and giant owls. And you think you're the one giving the orders here? Drop your bow, looter. Before you get yourself killed."

She eyes the bowman, making it as clear as she could that she would attack if provoked further.

Gaius dismounts lithely from his owl and stalks closer, drawing his swords as he does so. Flame growls, and swells into full combat form at his side.

Looters? You mean there are those who would ransack the place while the inhabitants fled? Are they working with the Red Hand? Or are they just taking advantage in unrighteous ways?

Hamailii seems surprised.

The looters scatter. One does in fact drop his bow - the others hadn't drawn theirs.

This is supposed to be an EL7 'event' but it would be a joke, honestly. Even though the dwarves are not with you right now - you'll catch up to them in a bit - many of the 'events' don't seem to take into account the giant owls and the range of vision they give you. You are 'supposed' to happen upon the looters when you are on foot and they are close enough to flank you.

A closer look indicates that the objects on the cart are largely bulky things of relatively low value. Simple chairs, large pots and bowls, and objects like that. Baltus and Kit must have cleared out with all the portable wealth they could - casks of wine, cutlery and cooking utensils, and so on.

You may as well put the goods back in the inn and lock up the building. The Red Hand invasion map notes Nimon Gap as 'not worth burning' so there is a chance it will escape destruction.

You leave the Dawn Way and head across the Nimon Hills. That night you catch up with the Shining Axe company at the crossroads of the road to Dauth.

Nothing is foolish enough to bother you in the night.

More tonight or tomorrow.

"To think its the end of the world and people are looting. I hope the rightful owners can come back and see their lives still intact."

The night passes on the crossroads to Dauth.
Dauth is noted on the invasion map as "Take prisoners - Tyrgarun wants halflings to eat." Although there is no day noted. So perhaps the main body of the Red Hand is not headed there?

The dwarves think it should be two more days on the road. They expect to reach Talar the next night, and Brindol the night after that. Dauth isn't on their route.

Given the speed of the owls, it isn't a problem for the PCs to swing by Dauth and see how things are going there.

And, as it turns out, not well.

On the outskirts of the town, you hear harsh shouts and crude laughter coming from the ground. Near a ruined farmhouse, a gang of hobgoblins and an ogre torment two men who have been tied up to trees. The victims hang listlessly from their bonds, their faces and bodies covered in blood. The raiding party does not notice you.

Combat Map up!

PC are up!

"We need to help them out!" Bran turns to the others and not wanting to give up his position on the owl just yet shouts a little, "We need to make this quick and decisive!"

Tal'ariel has Message cast on the party to allow easy communication even while on owlback.

"See how the men have been disemboweled? They are surely dead." says Tal'ariel. "Gather together so I can aid you with magics. Then we strike."

If it's possible, my proposed pre-action plan is to get people within 30 feet of each other and cast Haste before the enemy has noticed us. And then after that start taking actions in initiative. But if that seems too time consuming, her actual first action in initiative is to have Blackthorn charge the enemy while she glitterdusts them. Is there a rule about casting in mounted combat?

Tal'ariel gathers the troops and casts Haste.
Can't get all the owls, just the 4 PCs, 1 NPC, and 1 owl.

You can cast a spell normally if your mount moves up to a normal move (its speed) either before or after you cast. If you have your mount move both before and after you cast a spell, then you’re casting the spell while the mount is moving, and you have to make a concentration check due to the vigorous motion (DC 10 + spell level) or lose the spell. If the mount is running (quadruple speed), you can cast a spell when your mount has moved up to twice its speed, but your concentration check is more difficult due to the violent motion (DC 15 + spell level).

I think that Hasted it becomes only a single move for Blackthorn, so Tal'ariel could cast before or after the owl moves.

We'll say Haste is the prep round (any prep anybody else wants to do?), then a surprise round with a spell from Tal'ariel and a single-move charge from Blackthorn.

I don't know what to Flexibility right now so I don't really have anything else to use other than maybe Tactician which seems a bit premature.

"Can anyone ensure that I come down gently?" Gaius asks, loosening his leg straps before drawing both swords and gently directing Frost high above the enemy.

Assuming someone can give him featherfall his action will be to roll off Frost and 'charge' directly downwards!

"You bet, Gaius--that'll really surprise them. Just stay close to me before you jump!"

Uh allright, i'm right behind you trying to keep you all alive!

Could Hamailii do a fly by attack on her owl with the spear?

Sort of, Hamailii, in the surprise round your owl can move and you can do a single attack - not a flyby, though.
In the surprise round, all of the owls will do a single move. Tal'ariel will cast Glitterdust. Gaius and Bran will try to leap to the ground as free actions, or it will be a Move if they don't get a DC 20 Ride check. Tal'ariel will use Feather Fall on Gaius, and Bran has his Boots of the Cat. Let's say it's 20' down. Hamailii will stab with her spear. Do I have that right?

Surprise Round
Hamailii
Tal'ariel
Trellara
Gaius
Hobgoblins - surprised
Ogre - surprised
Bran

Green Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Blue Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Red Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Ogre Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Three hobgoblins are blinded, but the ogre is not. (DC 16, right?)
Trellara delays.

Bran Ride: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Gaius Ride: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Bran leaps to the ground skillfully, taking only 2 damage and remaining upright (and still has a standard action available). Gaius slips getting out of the saddle, and is grateful as Tal'ariel's Feather Fall catches him.

Hamailii and Bran are up!

Landing with a thud, Bran feels more alive, almost as if the world's colours and vivid textures have returned. "Surprise!" Staring the shocked foes down he lets out a bellowing laugh and swiftly moves to threaten the ogre. Hopefully no Combat Reflexes

Grapple: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

Using an Immediate to Body Shield the first attack. I would assume due to its size it would be Cover (+4) as opposed to waist-high soft.

DC16, for Glitterdust, correct.

Hamailii shortly considers stabbing with her spear, but a second glance at the ogre convinces her otherwise. She takes the wand or scorching ray and fires it at the ogre.

Scorching Ray: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 284d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 3, 3) = 14

Guess Hamailii is staying on the owl. Do i need a check or something?

No check needed.

Bran runs around and gets the ogre in an armbar. Hamailii scorches it.
Bran Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Roll 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Roll 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Green Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Blue Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Red Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Unlike some other spells, it doesn't say it takes an action to shake off Glitterdust, so I think they get their second saves despite being flat-footed. Not that it matters much.

Round 1
Hamailii
Tal'ariel
?
Trellara
Gaius
Hobgoblins (Red/Green blinded)
Ogre -14
Bran
?

Hamailii tries to scorch the ogre again, since he seems the biggest threat to her.

Scorching Ray: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 194d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 4, 5) = 19

Glitterdust save is each round at the end of the creatures turn, so all who didn't make the save last round would be still blinded this round untill the end of their turn, then make the save.

I guess my question is "Does 'unable to take any actions' mean 'you don't get a turn" or does it mean 'your turn comes and goes and you don't do anything'?" Not that it matters here at all - they will likely all be dead soon enough.
Hamailii, do you have Precise Shot? Doesn't matter, you still hit.
Hamailii kills the ogre.

Tal'ariel is up!

Whoops! I totally missed that.

Tal'ariel tries to quickly dismount from her saddle.
Fast Dismount: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

She then hurries forward to engage the hobgoblins! Using shiny new goblin-bane sword--targeting the blinded Red first. Cleave!
Curve Blade, Bane, Haste: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 21; Damage, Bane, Sneak: 1d10 + 11 + 2 + 2d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 + (1, 3) + (1, 4) = 26
Cleave vs Blue, Bane, Haste: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 12; Damage, Bane: 1d10 + 11 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 + (1, 2) = 24 Auto-miss.

AC20 with Cleave and Haste. . . . which in retrospect wasn't that brilliant.

Blackthorn goes after the ogre.
Claw, Haste: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13; Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (2, 2) + 9 = 13

Tal'ariel kills Red. And Tal'ariel, the ogre was dead already, so Blackthorn could have attacked one of the blinded hobgoblins and killed it.

Out of nowhere, a dragon-man with a massive falchion shimmers into view and attacks Bran.

It turns out to be a good thing for Bran that Hamailii killed the ogre, because it ends the Grappled condition on Bran and lets him use his shield. He is still flat-footed against the invisible attackers, however.

Black Attack, Invisible, PA: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 - 3 = 14
His armor turns the blow aside.

Another shimmers into view and breathes a gout of acid at him.
Acid Breath: 4d4 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 2) = 7
Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Bran dodges the worst of it. 3 damage

Two more appear, slashing at him, one taking care to flank him. The other charges.
Purple Attack, Invisible, PA, Flanking: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 + 2 - 3 + 2 = 30
Confirm: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 2 - 3 + 2 = 19
Damage: 2d4 + 12 ⇒ (3, 3) + 12 = 18

Yellow Attack, Invisible, PA, Charge: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 2 - 3 + 2 = 24
Damage: 2d4 + 12 ⇒ (2, 2) + 12 = 16
32 damage after DR from the 2 slashes.

"Bran!"

Trellara casts Vanish and flies towards Bran, leaning out of the saddle to touch the warrior. Her owl strikes at one of the dragon-men.
Owl Attack, IC, Higher Ground: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 2 + 1 = 31
Damage: 2d6 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 9 + 2 = 17

Round 1
Hamailii
Tal'ariel
Dragon-men (Black -17, Yellow charged)
Trellara
Gaius
Hobgoblins (Red blinded)
Bran -37 (invisible)
?

Tal'ariel quickly lashes out at the remaining blinded enemy in surprise as one enemy goes down. Cleaving Finish triggers, so Tal will attack the other blind hobgoblin.

Cleaving Finish, Haste, Bane: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 22; Damage, Bane, Sneak: 1d10 + 11 + 2 + 2d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 2 + (1, 5) + (5, 2) = 31

Gaius swings in to flank the black dragonman and lashes out with his sword.

No idea if I can 5ft step in or if its a move so I'll roll one and do more if I'm allowed!

Katana: 1d20 + 14 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 4 = 37 Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Crit?: 1d20 + 14 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 4 = 19 Crit Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Bran gets an AOO if that confirms... :\

Frost swoops at the acid-spitter.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 Damage: 2d6 + 9 ⇒ (4, 5) + 9 = 18

Tal'ariel drops another hobgoblin.

With Haste, Gaius is able to get around on the other side of the black dragonman and slice it. It is still up and ready to fight.

The map is here. Bran moved some distance away from the rest of the party to get around the ogre.

Frost actually does not attack the dragonman, but instead uses his Piercing Stare ability and attacks something you cannot see behind the farmhouse.
01-20 miss: 1d100 ⇒ 42
There is a lupine snarl from something back there, as the owl's talons come up dripping blood.

The last hobgoblin attacks Tal'ariel, trying to keep his guard up.
1d20 ⇒ 16 No. Actually he would have hit if not for Fighting Defensively.

Round 1
Hamailii
Tal'ariel
Dragon-men (Black -29, Yellow charged)
Trellara
Gaius
Hobgoblins (Red blinded)
Bran -37 (invisible)
? (-8)

Bran surges with energy and tries to grab the one that him and Gauis are threatening.

Raging Grapple: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 29 Haste, Flank, Invisible Attack, Rage
Damage: 1d4 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 7 + (1, 1) = 13

Greater Grapple: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 15 + 2 + 1 = 32
Damage: 1d4 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 7 + (2, 3) = 15

He wrenches the dragonfolk up close and uses its scales as best it can to lessen the impacts.

Body Shielding the first attack

Bran grapples the black dragon-man, and wrenches its back, though it continues to fight. Bran, go ahead and make that immediate-action Grapple check to use Body Shield in a spoiler - I can guarantee you will get attacked before your next turn. Your raging/grappling AC is 20?

The dragon-men all seem to have their muscles swell with greater power.

A massive wolf-demon appears and stares at Frost. It looks like the Barghests you fought before, but larger and stronger. This one doesn't seem injured, but you think Frost hit one, so there must be two?
Frost Will, in Combat: 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 5 = 14
The owl seems unsure what to do and ceases its attacks.

Tal'ariel Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Hamailii Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Trellara Knowledge (Planes), Lore Master: 10 + 5 = 15

Tal'ariel knows that Greater Barghests resist non-magical attacks, and have a host of spell-like abilities to bolster their allies, to hinder foes, and to escape when the fight turns against them . At-will Blink, Invisibility Sphere, Levitate, Misdirection and 1/day Charm Monster, Crushing Despair, Dimension Door (modified for P6 but still an effective means of escape), Mass Bull’s Strength, Mass Enlarge Person. In fact, one might say they have a plethora of such abilities.

Tal'ariel Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Bran Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Trellara Knowledge (Nature), Lore Master: 10 + 10 = 20

"Blackspawn Raiders! Immune to acid, paralysis, and sleep!" shouts Trellara. "Help Bran - he's going to die!"

Round 2
Hamailii
Tal'ariel
Dragon-men (Black -57, grappled; Yellow charged)
Trellara
Gaius
Hobgoblin
Bran -37 (grappled, with Body Shield, AC 20 23)
Greater Barghests (Orange -8)

Hamailii and Tal'ariel, you can ask your owls to go attack the Greater Barghests - they can activate True Seeing for a few rounds a day.

23 with Haste actually. I don't lose my Dexterity or take AC penalties from Grappling or being Grappled.

"A greater barghest! They resist non-magical attacks and have a host of magics!"

Stepping away from the last hobgoblin, Tal'ariel decides to try a new trick, and conjures a pit underneath the pair of dragonmen assaulting Bran! Reflex DC16

In the meantime, Blackthorn strikes out at one of the dragonmen! Not sure which one, will pick one that's not in a pit.
Claw: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27; Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 5) + 5 = 14
Claw: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23; Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (5, 2) + 5 = 12
Hasted Claw: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23; Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 3) + 5 = 9

Reflex Purple: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Reflex Yellow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Both of the Blackspawn raiders leap to safety.

Blackthorn strikes at Yellow, hitting three times. The dragon-man's tough hide resists some of the injury.
Yellow at -20.

Hamailii is up!

Hamailii sees the threat to Bran - who once again is in the wrong spot - and casts a spell to his aid.

Burst of Radiance DC 16: 5d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 2, 1, 4) = 13 set to hit the barghest and as many others without blending Bran.

After that she directs her owl - Startail - to attack the barghest.
I'm not sure how that would go down stat wise. Could you provide some please? Are the just the same ones as Tal'Ariel used? Flyby attack possible?

The giant owls do not have Flyby Attack. They normally attack with 2 claws at +9 for 2d6+5 damage, but with higher ground it another +1 (that Tal'ariel forgot to include). Hers is Hasted, Hamailii's is not. I had previously named all the owls but Hamailii's can retroactively be Startail if you want. Bran's is Blue, Tal'ariel's is Blackthorn, and Gaius's is Frost. Trellara's is Sprite.

Hamailii's blinding flash of light catches the barghest and 2 of the dragon-men.
Reflex Yellow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Reflex Red: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Reflex Teal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

The barghest is blinded for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds, while the dragon-men are dazzled for 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds.

Startail starts to follows Hamailii's request and attacks the barghest. Seeing that the wolf-demon is Blinking, the owl uses Piercing Stare as a swift action to see into the Ethereal. However, the owl detects a second Greater Barghest and attacks that one!
So last round, one of them used Charm Monster on Frost and became visible, while the other used Mass Bull's Strength and remained invisible.

Startail Claw: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 1 = 12
Only one attack because the owl took a move action.

The Blackspawn has a falchion so cannot attack while grappled. It tries to break out of Bran's grip, to no avail.
CMB, Bull's Strength: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 2 = 18

Yellow takes a 5' step north and attacks Bran twice.
Attack, Bull's Strength, PA, Dazzled: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 3 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 2 - 3 - 1 = 16
The falchion strikes his grappled comrade!
Damage: 2d4 + 15 ⇒ (1, 3) + 15 = 19
Iterative, Bull's Strength, PA, Dazzled: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 3 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 - 3 - 1 = 6
The dragonspawn in Bran's grip seems to be fading, but is not dead yet.

Purple attacks twice and takes a 5' step away from the pit. One of his slashes lands heavily on Bran's midsection, but the other is deflected by the warrior's armor.
Attack, Bull's Strength, PA, Flanking: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 2 - 3 + 2 = 27
Damage: 2d4 + 15 ⇒ (3, 4) + 15 = 22
Iterative, Bull's Strength, PA, Flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 - 3 + 2 = 20

Teal does not want to risk falling into the pit, so moves to attack Gaius, but cannot defeat the elf's guard.
Attack, Bull's Strength, PA, Dazzled: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 3 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 - 3 - 1 = 17

Trellara delays until after Bran acts.

Moving the hobgoblin up because nothing he does will affect Gaius and it's faster if I can consolidate PC blocks.
The hobgoblin keeps using Total Defense, afraid to move within the reach of the giant owls.

Round 2
Hamailii
Tal'ariel
Dragon-men (Black -71, grappled)
Gaius (Frost is Charmed and will basically do nothing while that lasts)
Bran -58 (grappled, with Body Shield, AC 23)
Trellara (delay)
Greater Barghests (Orange -8, Red Blinded 4 rds)

"Thanks for the upper hand Tal!" Bran moves the dragonman down low and tries to toss him to the floor.

Greater Grapple Maintain: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27
If he succeeds, he will knock him prone with Raging Grappler and choose to damage.
Choose to Damage: 1d4 + 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + (1, 2) + 7 = 14

If this kills or knocks him unconscious he will Standard action Grapple Yellow, otherwise will spend the Standard to hopefully finish Black off.

Grapple Check: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38
Raging Grappler: 1d4 + 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (4) + (2, 6) + 7 = 19

Reflex (Pit Slope at +2): 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 1 = 18

Balancing on the edge, he braces for another impact and wrenches the creature closer, its neck held out as a shield.

2 Rounds of Rage

Bran finally takes down the first dragon-man, though it takes a great deal of effort to do so.
Both actions, so no grappled foe at the moment.
"Get to safety and trust your friends!" shouts Trellara, as she once again reaches down from her owl to cast Vanish on Bran.
Concentration: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

Gaius is up!

Trust your friends. the voice echoed in his head and he looked down at himself vanishing away and looked at Gaius standing at the ready, a warrior in his own right, Bran offered a silent prayer to Kurgess. Though in his heart he knew the Strongman wouldn't consider it a failure, and neither would his friends.

This is bigger than pride.

Going to pull out next turn Gaius, I'll be back shortly.

Hamailii attempts to dispel the spell the barghest cast before.

Dispel Magic: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

She lets the owl attack the other barghest again, concentrated on her magics.

Noooooooooooooo! Desna smile on us, using good fortune reroll!

Dispel Magic: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Gaius unleashes a storm of blows at the dragonmen surrounding him.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 12 + 1 = 24 Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Attack 2: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 1 = 17 Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Haste: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 1 = 21 Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Attack 1b: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 = 22 Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Attack 2b: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 = 20 Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

All of Gaius's attacks hit.
57 damage to Teal. These guys have a ton of HP and hit pretty hard, but their AC is pathetic.

I will update later with the Barghests' actions.

Something you can't see growls in a horrific language.

Blackthorn AOO, Higher Ground, vs Blinded: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 21
01-20 Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 12
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 2) + 5 = 10

Startail AOO, Higher Ground, vs Blinded: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 13
01-20 Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 20
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 1) + 5 = 12

Only Trellara's owl hits, but it fails to injure the fiend.

It then concentrates, and vanishes from sight, along with two of the dragon-men.

The other fiend flickers into view as it tries to bend Startail to its will.
Concentration: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Startail Will, In Combat: 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 5 = 15

"Take your elf away from here to keep her safe."
Barghest Cha: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Startail Cha: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

This sounds quite reasonable to Startail.

Hamailii tries to Dispel but is unsuccessful.

Startail flies away from the fight.
Hamailii can jump off if she wants.

Round 3
Hamailii
Tal'ariel
Dragon-men (Teal -57 and invisible; Yellow invisible)
Gaius (Frost is Charmed)
Bran -58 (Invisible)
Trellara
Greater Barghests (Orange -8, Red Blinded 3 rds)

As the Barghest moves and disappears, Tal'ariel immediately blasts them with Glitterdust!

Will DC 16.

Hamailii curses under her breath as she hears the fiend speak and obviously influence Startail.

No Startail! Don't do that, it's a trap! We need to stay here and protect the others!
Seeing this has no effect, she dismounts, landing in a safe distance from the fiends.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Hamailii lands with some impact, but stays on her feet.
Non-lethal damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
However, she is now face-to-face with one of the Greater Barghests.

Tal'ariel's spell outlines and blinds the invisible foes.
Teal Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Yellow Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Red Barghest Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Unable to see, one turns its acidic breath weapon on Gaius, Trellara, and Sprite.
Yellow: 4d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 1, 1) = 8
Gaius Reflex, Haste: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 1 = 18
Trellara Reflex, Haste: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 = 21
Sprite Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Everybody dodges the worst of the attack.

The other blinded one tries slashing at Gaius, though its efforts are futile.
Attack, Bull's Strength, PA: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 2 - 3 = 19
Iterative: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 - 3 = 12

The one that escaped the Glitterdust glances at Tal'ariel, before deciding to also uses its breath weapon on the same targets.
Purple: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 4, 2) = 11
Gaius Reflex, Haste: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 1 = 16
Trellara Reflex, Haste: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10
Sprite Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
The two streams of acid coming from different directions are difficult to evade, and both Gaius and Trellara have trouble dodging this one.

Round 2
Hamailii (3 NL) (Startail is Charmed)
Tal'ariel
Dragon-men (Teal -57 and blind; Yellow blind)
Gaius -15 (Frost is Charmed)
Bran -58 (Invisible)
Trellara -15 (Sprite -9)
Greater Barghests (Orange -8, Red Blinded 3 rds)

Bran - Trellara can heal you, or use Inspire Courage, or make you Vanish again after you attack. Or make Hamailii Vanish. Your call.