SR's - Great Southern Isles (PbP) (Inactive)

Game Master stormraven

Findelgwing begins using her message spell to ping Ushari about every 30 seconds or so. "Do decoy. Fin go?"

W00T, we just tied the Dungeon Crawl Challenge! :D

Ushari picks up on Jayse's nervousness, but tries to hide it on her own face. She approaches the man with a smile on her face.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality! My name is Ushari and this is my cousin Jayse. And your name is...?"

As she waits for him to respond, she waits for a message from Fin, and when she receives it she responds, [smaller]"Go now."

and passed it, he he.

With the man by the fire distracted, Fin attempts to sneak over to the tent by the mine entrance attempting to keep out-of-sight of anyone to the north.

Stealth 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Never mind what the man behind the screen is doing!

1d10 ⇒ 9

FYI - Thanks for the extra rolls guys. The rolls I made previously were for this scene.

Timing their movements, Ushari steps forward followed by a cautious Jayse. The man by the fire smiles and turns, standing up - he is clearly unaware of Fin and Straehan as they sprint toward the tent at the far end of the 'village' followed slowly by the creeping mist and the failing sunlight. As Ushari approaches the man, all hell breaks loose.

Several scarred and tattooed pirates burst from the tents on the north end, descending on Fin and Straehan, yelling. A tall pirate leader bursts from the door of the only building and rushes that way as well. Around Ushari and Jayse, the action is no less frenetic or immediate. Before she can blink, a shortsword appears in the man's hand and he stabs at Ushari as a good half dozen more pirates, some human and some elven, spring from the tents all around them and close in for the kill. With practiced coordination, the pirates surround their victims and ruthlessly attempt to cut them down.

Two of three blades slash through Ushari's defenses... and the third misses by a whisker. A good thing too, as the blows that hit, strike deep, nearly felling the small woman.

One blow catches Jayse in the ribs - painful, but not enough to stop the monk.

One of the more commanding pirates, nearly breathing in Jayse's ear, yells. "Spare the women, you cat-headed bastard! Kill the men!"

Round 1 was your movement and coordination so...

Round: 2

ORDER: Jayse, Ushari & Skitter, Fin, Straehan, Pirate Bosses, Pirate Lackeys, Boo

TWO Maps: Mining Village

F's HPs: 36|36
J's HPs: 24|32
U's HPs: 6|24
S's HPs: 28|28

Jayse's training takes over in a heartbeat, and his desire to dance wars with the need to get Ushari to safety. The decision is made instantly, and he steps up behind the nearest man attacking her, his blade licking out in a smooth slash, its edge augmented by the power of his mind and body in an effort to cut the pirate down.

His face is calm as his body spins into action, and his voice rises above the the sounds of the ambush, "Ushari, can you get to the trees to lose them?"

5'step to AR-52, manifest Mindblade as Move, then Perfect Strike with Mindblade with flanking, power attack, and psychic strike. (against the pirate in AR-51)
Mindblade 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 2 - 1 = 13; flank, power attack.
Mindblade 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 2 - 1 = 29; flank, power attack.
-- damage 1d8 + 1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + (8) + 8 + 3 = 23 Psychic Strike, power attack.

Fin whistles to Straehan and points to the cliff. The two then hustle over to keep their backs to the cliff wall and prevent themselves from getting flanked by as many pirates.

S in V51, F In W52

Upon getting in position, Fin calls upon the wind to protect her.

AC 16 + 4 = 20 shield

This probably was not a good idea...

Ushari nods at Jayse and immediately retreats from combat, picking the only path available to her that avoids the pirates return strokes.

Withdraw along squares AQ50-AP51, then around the tent ending up in square AT58.

Just because it needs to be said...

Can i suggest your first step be to AQ-51? Then you at least won't provoke AoO's from the guys to the west of you. I'd also roll an Acro to avoid AoO's on the off-chance.

Hmmm, looks like the map I was looking at is outdated. Thanks Jayse for pointing that out. Her revised withdraw will be via square AQ51.
Acrobatics to avoid AoO 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Withdrawal makes the first square 'free' from AoOs and I could plot a course for Ushari away without her drawing any others. No worries. My general assumption is that you would want me to 'smart path' you even if you mis-type something... so that's how I roll. You are heroes after all, not fools. If you deliberately select a path that puts you in harm's way, I'll most likely go '*ahem* Are you sure about that?'

Clearing a bloody path for Ushari's retreat, Jayse nearly eviscerates the pirate, driving the wicked blue blade deep into the pirate's side. While the blow isn't immediately fatal, the pirate staggers, blood pouring from the wound. It gives Ushari the moment she needs to retreat safely out of range of the other fell blades - disappearing around the large tent.

Straehan misses these events, focused as he is on the large number of very tall people with long pointy objects charging at him. "Not good." Thankful for the additional mobility his over-sized boots provide, he is ushered along quickly by Fin into the narrow culvert between the tent and the cliff-face. He scopes the opposition around the tall elf. "Decidely UN-good."

He quickly casts a spell of protection on himself mixed in with a variety of curses and a small prayer.

S casts Mage Armor

Round: 2

ORDER: Jayse, Ushari & Skitter, Fin, Straehan, Pirate Bosses, Pirate Lackeys, Boo

On the Northern Front...

Pirates swarm around the elf and gnome. So eager are a few of the pirates to get at Fin and Straehan that they try to strike at our heroes while balancing precariously against the tent's sides. One pirate rushes into the tent itself from which the sound of canvas being shorn is heard. Fin and Straehan see the tip of a blade sawing through the fabric near their side. Fin's defense of her small companion is admirable but she pays for it with a stab wound that skitters along her ribs.

On the Southern Front...

Two pirates race around either side of the tent after the retreating Ushari. She leads them a merry chase but they corner her and stop to catch their breaths. "Just give it up, girl. We won't harm you... and you've nowhere left to run."

Jayse looks at the closing ranks of pirates with a certain level of trepidation. Six is a lot of pirates. Fortunately, due to his deft maneuvering, not all of them are in a position to attack him immediately. The wounded pirate, holds a hand to the gushing wound in his side, his blow half-hearted at best.

Jayse dodges two attacks by the narrowest of margins but the third blow catches him across the scalp.

Round: 3

ORDER: Jayse, Ushari & Skitter, Fin, Straehan, Pirate Bosses, Pirate Lackeys, Boo

Map: Mining Village Map updates will appear soon...

F's HPs: 28|36
J's HPs: 19|32
U's HPs: 6|24
S's HPs: 28|28

Just some clarification... the guy with the yellow triangle is taking minuses for fear because Jayse nearly cleaved him in two. The guys with red dots are taking minuses for leaning against the tent while trying to attack. The guy with the red diamond charged... so his AC is lowered by 2.

Justin: Since the guy who stabbed thru the tent had no penalties to attack, I'm assuming that I won't either, correct? Also, I'm guessing that he is currently denied his Dex bonus to AC for balancing, or otherwise has some penalty to AC correct? If those are true then Fin will attack him. Otherwise she'll attack the one who just charged.

Fin eyes the opponents before her and decides to place a crushing blow where she deems it will have the greatest effect...

Whoosh 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 1 = 26 power attack
Crit? 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 - 1 = 17
normal 10 + 5 + 3 = 18 2-hand power attack
critical 10 + 5 + 3 + 1d10 + 5 + 3 ⇒ 10 + 5 + 3 + (9) + 5 + 3 = 35

The guy who attacked you is in sight leaning on the tent (Mr. Red Dot). The guy in the tent has not attacked either you or Straehan. He is literally cutting the tent, not stabbing at you. You can attack any of the visible guys without penalty since you are on stable ground and wielding a bigass sword. The guy in the tent, you could strike at blindly but I think a miss chance would be involved.

Hint hint: If you are looking for the easiest victim, the bastard who charged (Red Diamond) would have the lowest AC due to his charge. Just let me know if you want to have him meet your blade.

Shouldn't i have 11 hp left? 24 - 13 = 11... unless i'm missing something. Either way...

Jayse feels the blade scrape along his skull, but he wills his wound to stop bleeding quickly. Immediate action to use 5 power points into repletion, immediately negating 10 points of that damage.

Need to buy Ushari some more time, he thinks, spinning into another series of slashes, the first cut aimed at the injured pirate, and the second going towards the one who cut Jayse's skull.

"Ushari!" he yells, "Lose them in the trees! I'll catch up!"

Attack AR-51 first, then whichever pirate is sneak attacking me!
Perfect Strike (Mindbade) 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 1 = 9 or 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 1 = 16; power attack.
-- > damage 1d8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15; power attack.
Mindblade 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 1 = 24; power attack.
-- > damage 1d8 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15; power attack.

He then side-steps back towards the tent, hoping to cut down their ability to gang up on him. 5' step to AS-53. (Yes I'm aware that's probably the boss, i'm a little low on options)

I must have fat-fingered my typing. Thanks for correcting me to your detriment. You gain additional HPs back. Your post-healing HPs will be set at 24.

Fin decides to start building a wall of bodies in front of her starting with the scum bag that just charged at her headlong.

BTW, if that guy's a human then don't forget the bonus damage from her favored enemy. In fact, if you could apply some sort of mark so I can see who the humans are, that would be helpful. Perhaps a halo on their squares or something.

LOL. awesome. my previous post is finished... here's to hoping the guy i cut earlier only has an AC of 16... not to likely.

It is ironic that Fin has chosen to build a wall of bodies... probably inspired by the fact that she splits the pirate before her like cord-wood. Her truly astonishing blow carves down through his shoulder-blade, crashes through his ribs, pulps his hip bones and exits near where his groin used to be. His filleted body peels in half as his organs drop straight down with a rush.

A hardened pirate takes a step back in total shock. "Bloody HELL! We're not capturing that she-devil... KILL HER!"

BTW, if that guy's a human then don't forget the bonus damage from her favored enemy.

In the words of Newt from 'Aliens' - It won't make any difference... :)

The nerves of the wounded pirate make him unnaturally alert and Jayse's blow barely misses as the man trips over himself to get away from the baneful blue blade. Jayse's second blow returns the favor to the pirate who backstabbed him... as Jayse retreats a step, buying time for Ushari.

ORDER: Jayse, Ushari & Skitter, Fin, Straehan, Pirate Bosses, Pirate Lackeys, Boo

Ushari smiles at the two pirates flanking her, although her eyes are as cold as ice. "Forgive me but I must gracefully decline your offer to dance!" She then lightly dances away from the two brutish thugs, reaching into her pouch as she moves...

Tumble to square AT64, via square AS59
Acrobatics 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Standard action, Drop Skitter and activate him in square AS61
Sleight of Hand check to conceal the movement 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Draw Rapier as part of move.

Ushari spins away from the pirates but her wounds slow her down enough to allow for the grasping hands of the pirates to try to seize her...

Sarge: "Grab that girl! By Gods, she's an eel!"

Wink: "Hooo, wonder if she's like that in the bunk, eh, Sarge!?"

Sarge: "Shaddap and grab her!"

Ushari feels the grasp of the Sarge tighten on her ankle like a vice. Her somersault becomes more of a fall.

I'm not sure about the rules on an AoO grapple drawing its own AoO (since the pirate doesn't have Improved Grapple), so I'm willing to entertain the theories. My general idea would be to give Ushari a choice... she can either take her own AoO and possibly escape the grapple although given it was a critical success, that may not be so easy OR Ushari is held but does manage to deploy Skitter as she is caught. Thoughts in the OOC if you have any advice.

Straehan gives an odd laugh at Fin's impromptu fillet o' pirate. He seems encouraged by her ruthless efficiency and the almost tangible fear of the remaining pirates.

He goads the crew. "Bring it on, you whore-spawned wharf-rats! My girl has another three feet of steel she hasn't drenched in your blood yet!"

Straehan watches the pirate coming through the tent wall and says quietly to Fin, "It's about to get warm here, stay against the rock." He makes some deft movements and a sheet of flame engulfs most of the tent and puts a serious char on her pirate fillet. The tent, bed, and copious supply of linens and cloth beneath it catch fire quickly. The pirate inside the tent screams and immediately tries to dive away from the inferno.

The pirates leaning against the tent are caught in residual flames, as is Straehan who can't quite squeeze far enough away from the flames. His clothes smolder and a crazy smile crosses his face. "Ahhh... now that's a barbecue!"

So the tent has become a bonfire that will continue to burn for a few rounds. Anyone crossing a tent square takes damage. Anyone entering a half-tent square takes a small amount of damage. Fin is in a safe square. Straehan will take 1 HP/round so long as he occupies that square.

Round: 3

ORDER: Jayse, Ushari & Skitter, Fin, Straehan, Pirate Bosses, Pirate Lackeys, Boo

F's HPs: 28|36
J's HPs: 24|32
U's HPs: 6|24
S's HPs: 27|28

Ushari feels the hands of the pirate thug grasping her, and summons an extra trick to twist away from the grasping hands...

Use Second Chance ability
Acrobatics 1d20 + 11 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 5 = 16
Second Chance (Ex): At 3rd level, an acrobat can reroll any Acrobatics, Climb, or Fly skill check she has just made. This reroll is made at a –5 penalty. She must take the second result, even if it is worse. An acrobat can use this ability only once on any given skill check. She can use this ability once per day at 3rd level.

...unfortunately her efforts are for naught.

BTW, Ushari does not have a weapon out so she cannot make an AoO. Therefore, she will drop Skitter on the ground and activate him.

Ushari - I realise you don't have a weapon out but you do have the option of an open-hand strike... it just probably won't do much good. Since speaking is a free action, what are you going to ask Skitter to do?

Heh, the unarmed attack would possibly provoke AoOs on her, if they have Combat Reflexes, so she will pass on that. She has something else she can do next round. As for Skitter, I think she will have him play a lullaby to lull the pirates to sleep....ummm no, I don't think so. Rather she will have him attack the pirate grappling her.

FYI - when I update the map, green halos indicate elves. All others are human.

Ushari hits the ground with an audible whoosh of air and Skitters pops loose, his claws springing out. He sees the pirates closing on his mistress, clicks angrily while rubbing his bladed claws together... then LEAPS! But the wily pirate deflects his blow.

"What in the Nine Hells is that thing?!"

HIT 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
DAM 1d2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

On the Northern Front...

The pirates leaning on the tent scramble off but not before the inferno singes them. Even Fin pushes herself further away from the flames. The pirate who was in the tent emerges shrieking and rolls on the ground to smother his flaming clothes and beard. Despite the chaos, a slightly charred elf gives Fin a matching wound on the other side of her ribs.

On the Southern Front...
The explosion of flames and screaming from the north end of the village distracts some of the pirates who don't immediately press their advantage with Jayse. Still, far too many blades come seeking his life. And yet, the wily monk dodges and dives avoiding the precise strikes. He arches his back to avoid the blades simultaneously looking to skewer his kidneys.

Ushari rolls away from Wink only to be caught by Sarge who crushes her into the ground, his stinking breath on her neck.

Ushari is grappled and prone.

Round: 4

ORDER: Jayse, Ushari & Skitter, Fin, Straehan, Pirate Bosses, Pirate Lackeys, Boo

Map: Mining Village

F's HPs: 22|36
J's HPs: 24|32
U's HPs: 6|24
S's HPs: 27|28

Skitter leaps onto Ushari's chest hissing a warning at the pirates. It slaps the button on it's side and an ear-bleedling pulse of sound hammers the pirates.

Song Blast 1d8 ⇒ 3

Fort Saves DC:16
Sarge 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Full
Wink 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 Half

Straehan's clothes smoke as he continues to stand too close to the fire even as he laughs and sends a roaring sheet of flame at the pirates on their flank.

Fin and Jayse notice something odd... a slinky looking fellow who has emerged from behind some of the tents and is standing northwest of the main firepit, approximately equidistant between the two battle zones. He wears a tattered but fine looking robe and he seems to be surveying both fights.

Losing sight of Ushari and hoping she made the tree line safely, Jayse begins to think of his own safety. He lunges out towards the pirate on his right, hoping to draw their attacks that direction, then drives his foot into the ground, tucking into an unexpected backwards roll into the tent. Hoping the darkness of the tent will mask his movements, he rolls to his feet as he pulls the strange elixir from his pocket.

This should surprise them... he thinks as he begins to un-stopper the elixir.

The appearance of the robed man registers in Jayse's Calm-wrapped mind, filing the information until it is useful.

Whoosh 1d20 + 8 - 1 - 3 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 1 - 3 = 21 power attack, defensive
dmg 1d10 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 3 = 12
AC 16 + 4 + 2 = 22 shield, defensive

Angered in the extreme that a member of her own race would betray her, Fin attempts to end the rogue elf attacking her.

Over her shoulder, she says to Straehan in Aquan, "Robey man..."

Ushari shakes the ringing out of her ears as she crouches into a fetal position, hoping to cause the grip of the pirates to loosen just enough for her to wriggle free...

Escape Artist roll to escape grapple
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Not good enough I fear...

As she feels the grip of the pirates tighten on her, she yells out weakly, "Jayse, they've got me!"

I just realized I did damage as if one-handed for that last attack. So he did two more points of damage... 9 points (if he hit, of course).

Despite Fin's devastating blow, the elf pirate doesn't drop but blood drips from the jagged slash across his chest.

Ushari's attempts to squirm free prove fruitless; Sarge's grip leaves bruises on the young woman's arms.

Jayse's erratic, flowing tactic pays off. One pirate drops - the slash from the monk's blue blade opening him up enough that blood loss takes its toll. The pirate slowly collapses into unconsciousness. Jayse retreats into the dark tent and unstoppers his potion. He's bought himself a momentary reprieve from many of the pirates.

Up Next... Bad Guys

On the Northern Front...

The pirates press Fin and Straehan, only the slowly dying fire keeping most of them at bay for the moment. Despite her deft dodging, Fin cannot avoid catching a hard blow across her skull.

Fin and Straehan see the robed fellow sidle a bit closer and then he begins to make arcane gestures. A blue glow suffuses his hand as Fin sees something she is far too late to stop. The zagging bolt of electricity slams into Straehan, driving him against the rock wall. He staggers to his feet, barely conscious.

On the Southern Front...

Several pirates swarm the tent, cutting through it on all sides to get at Jayse. Their scimitars and shortswords make quick work of it. Another pirate pulls several flaming brands from the main firepit and turns towards the tent intending to burn it down. One bold pirate, at the urging of his leader, dives into the tent attempting to get the drop on Jayse, stabbing low with his scimitar. Jayse kicks the blade aside and delivers a vicious slash of his own.

Jayse - an AoO, in addition to your actions, if you please.

Meanwhile, behind the tent, Sarge pins Ushari while his leering cohort unties his pantaloons.... Ushari's horror turns to relief as it is clear the pirate is going to use his rope belt to bind her.

Ushari is now tied up.

Round: 5

ORDER: Jayse, Ushari & Skitter, Fin, Straehan, Pirate Bosses, Pirate Lackeys, Boo

Map: Mining Village

F's HPs: 6|36
J's HPs: 24|32
U's HPs: 6|24
S's HPs: 0|28

AoO 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11.
--> damage 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16.
Yep. Pretty typical luck with the dice here.

So, is the tent pretty much down now? Or are there simply new exit holes in the squares adjacent to the pirates who are next to the tent? Is it still providing me cover/concealment from the outside?

There are new exit holes at AR55 and AT55. You still have cover against the guy at AT53 and the two pirates by Ushari. The new 'entrances' use the same rules as the real entrance - meaning the pirates will need to take full move actions to come into the tent and the limitations of the space will subject them to AoOs unless they make acrobatic rolls.

Whoosh 1d20 + 8 - 1 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 1 - 3 = 24 power attack, defensive
crit? 1d20 ⇒ 1 damn
dmg 1d10 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 3 = 18 2-H power attack
AC 16 + 4 + 2 = 22 shield, defensive

With hatred and betrayal evident in her eyes, Fin mercilessly cuts down the elvish pirate in front of her, sheer hatred driving her to continue.

Fin hews down the elf pirate, sending his body falling into the fire.

SH!T! Jayse thinks as he hears Ushari's cry, and he's forced to recklessness once again.

Praying the failing light and tent will frustrate his attacker's blades, he holds his thumb over the bottle-opening and dives for the new pirate-created tent opening to his north. His foot catches on the ripped tent flap on the way out, however, and his attempted roll becomes an uncontrolled tumble out of the tent and around one of the men tying Ushari down.

He regains his balance at the last second (if he survives the crappy tumble) and levels a slash at the pirate assisting his boss in tying Ushari in place.

Ushari struggles briefly before realizing it was no use. As they finish tying her up, she gasps "Free me!"

Not really expecting the pirates to obey her command, she instead hopes someone else got the command, and that the pirates ignore Skitter for a few precious seconds...

Delay.

As Wink binds his mistress, Skitter hunched like a predatory crab on her chest slashes at the pirate's hands, delivering a knuckle-cutting slash. As Wink backs up, his job finished, the metal crustacean leaps in his face, slashing at his eyes. The pirate shrieks at the assault.

AoO
HIT 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
DAM 1d2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

HIT 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
DAM 1d2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3