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

Game Master stormraven

Straehan staggers and supports himself against the stone wall. He can't get away from the fire; The smoke and heat are quickly driving him toward unconsciousness. His voice rasps, "Fin, get out of here. If you can make it to the cave, maybe free the villagers... or just run." He shakes his head, clearly confused. "Don't stop for anything, especially me."

He gives her a jaunty smile before casting his final spell and collapsing face down on the edge of the burning tent. The roar of flame engulfs the three pirates almost drowning out their cries. One pirate dies, unmourned, and the other two are badly burned.

Jayse's flies out of the tent with a loud tear. A freak piece of the tent fabric wrapped around his leg. His tumbling run is stymied by the flag-like canvas and the blades of the pirates are quick to seek his blood. The wily monk kicks his leg out, sending the canvas towards the eyes of his attackers. He twists, dodges, and rolls... deftly avoiding every strike. He rolls to his feet and stabs Wink in the side. The pirate, hisses but doesn't drop.

Fin, I believe you still have a move action left if you want to use it. I'll get updated maps up this evening so you and Ushari can see the latest and greatest sitch-ee-AYE-shun and make some choices.

I'll save it until after the map update so I know what I'm looking at. BTW, I'm planning to drive up to Indiana tonight to spend the weekend with Anna. As such, I rather doubt I'll be doing much posting until I get back on Monday or Tuesday or well... whenever I decide to return home. ;D

Wha?!? Dude, you know the rule - Bro's before H... nevermind. Besides that's a dumb rule anyway. ENJOY! :)

Round: 5b

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

Fin - you've got a move left. The wizard (Boo) is located @ AB42. The dark marks over the center of the obvious trees show the Vision Blocking Layer... I figure you already know that but I'll mention it.
The tent fire is starting to go out. At the end of next round, it will no longer be an impediment.
You are fairly certain the cave entrance is somewhere in the direction of O46-48. I'm not saying you should go that way, but you certainly can.

Ushari - you have a full round of actions. You are currently tied up and prone but, with Jayse rolling through and attacking as well as Skitter, both the pirates are far more concerned with those threats. You are no longer being grappled or even watched too carefully.

Map: Mining Village

F's HPs: 6|36
J's HPs: 24|32
U's HPs: 6|24
S's HPs: -2|28

Acrobatics Checks
vs X53 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
vs Y54 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Straehan's words snap Findelgwing out of her bloody haze and she finally realizes how hurt she is. Knowing that she stands no chance of helping anyone if she gets killed here, she tries to get away by darting east and then along the cliff face hoping to get around the corner from the mage.

Surprised by the sea change in the elf woman's tactics, the pirate's swipe prangs off the cliff-face in a shower of sparks. Fin sprints safely around the corner, out of sight of the wizard.

AoO Scimitar (18+/2x) HIT 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 DAM 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Ushari breaths a silent sigh of relief as Jayse appears to rescue her. She wastes no time trying to wriggle her wrists free of the bonds while the pirates are distracted....

Escape Artist check 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Ushari, would you care to toss in a sleight of hand check to hide the fact that you are trying to break out?

Ushari is well motivated to get free from the company of these pirates. She kicks her legs free of the rope and with a deft twist of her wrists manages to free her hands as well.

Round 5

Next Up: Baddies!

Seems a wise tactical move...

Ushari tries to disguise the fact her bonds are no longer holding her tightly....

Sleight of Hand 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Concerned with the madcap monk, Sarge and Wink don't even notice as Ushari gets her hands free.

Sarge Perception 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 2 = 10 distracted
Wink Perception 1d20 + 6 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 2 - 2 = 14 injury, distracted

Just a reminder for Fin and Jayse... you guys each have a full dose of Isolde's CLW potion on you. They are listed on your personal inventory pages on the google site along with the notes on what 1/2 and 1/4 doses give you. You can thank Ushari for reminding me about these. :)

A few pirates drag Straehan out of the fire and carry him off. The rest of the northern pirates and their leader pursue Fin like hunting dogs. Concern over the deadly blades-woman makes their attacks over-cautious and, though fatigued, Fin has no problems beating their swords back.

Meanwhile, Jayse is swarmed by pirates grumbling over their elusive victim. "Find your balls and cut'im down, boys! He's just ONE man!"

In a consummate display of skill, Jayse avoids the points of four blades. The fifth blade catches him across the thigh.

Jayse almost breathes a sigh of relief until he meets the glare from the robed man and sees the electrical glow in his hand... A bolt of lightning arcs across the field going through one pirate and slamming full force into the monk. His clothes smoke and the smell of ozone is thick in the air.

Round: 6

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

Map: Mining Village

F's HPs: 6|36
J's HPs: 10|32
U's HPs: 6|24
S's HPs: -2|28

Despite the jostling and ill-treatment by the singed pirates, Straehan's condition stabilizes though he isn't conscious to appreciate it.

S's CON check to stabilize DC:10 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 - 2 = 15

"Dammit, Ushari! Forget the bonds. Get up and RUN!"

Jayse tries to suppress his mind telling him that he's used up all the luck he's going to get in this fight... daring to push it just a few seconds more. He lashes out with his blade, trying to hook the boot of one of the pirates threatening Ushari and yanking in an effort to pull him from his feet. He spins and weaves as he does so in an attempt to avoid a counter-strike.

Then he rolls sideways behind another pirate, coming to his feet in a sprint just within the reach of the man's sword. Take the bait, moron! He doesn't even look back to see if he's in danger as he pours all his energy into a final burst of speed towards some trees, hoping to lose them in the branches and failing light.

Get ready to read...

Ushari waits for a split second for the pirates to react to Jayse'e motion, before she springs to her feeet and dodges her way following the monk.

Move action: Stand up after Pirates have taken their initial AoOs.
Acrobatics to avoid AoOs 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Standard action: Move along path AU59-AV60-AW60 and around the tree. 40' move should put her at square AW64
Free Action, grab Skitter.
Stealth to hide in the trees 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Jayse's plan works all too well... He dodges the strike of the first pirate as he sweeps the legs out from beneath him. 'Trip' hits the ground with an explosion of breath.

Jayse backsprings in a purposefully clumsy manner, drawing the attacks from all of the other pirates, giving Ushari to moment she needs to spring to her feet and flee. She attempts to grab Skitter but he jumps off her, chittering... landing amid the pirates.

Meanwhile, Jayse moving with inhuman precision, dodges every attack leveled at him. He races around the large clump of trees trying to get out of sight.

Fin withdraws and sprints east, dodging the one pirate that attempts to cut her down.

Scimitar (18+/2x) HIT 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 DAM 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The little crab detonates with a blast of sound and then scuttles after his mistress.

Song Blast 1d8 ⇒ 3 Fort Saves DC:16
Boss 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 half
Boss 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 full
lackey 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 half
lackey 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 full
lackey 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 full

On the Southern Front...

Four of the pirates swarm around the trees looking for Jayse and Ushari. Jayse has managed to secrete himself well under the canopy but Ushari is exposed. Two of the pirates whoop and charge Ushari going right past Jayse. The others take up flanking positions while looking for the damned elusive monk.

Slick as an eel, Ushari avoids the pirate's swords and charging bodies. As she spins to avoid them, she sees the wizard in the distance. He casts a spell at her.

Ushari - please make a DC:17 Will Save.

Jayse - you can take an AoO against either a Boss or a regular fellow. I'll update the map when I have a chance.

Map: Mining Village

Round: 7

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

Ushari - If you make the previous save, you can post your action. If you fail the save... mwhahahahahahahhaha!

Map: Mining Village

F's HPs: 6|36
J's HPs: 10|32
U's HPs: 6|24
S's HPs: -2|28

Ushari sees an opening and starts to turn but...

Will save DC 17 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

...she feels the effects of a spell wash over her, A mage! She resists the effects of the spell, and immediately sprints due east away from the pirates!

Withdraw 80' due East
Acro to avoid AoO 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
Well, I hope the lone AoO she will take will be a whiff...she will wait until after Jayse has acted so she can be a flanking partner for him.

Jayse lets both openings go, knowing stealth is momentarily his only advantage.

Seeing Ushari break for freedom, and knowing he's about out of luck with these pirates, Jayse remains motionless in his impromptu hiding spot.

Keep running, he silently urges her, You can out-run them.

If he takes no action, can he keep his massive Stealth roll from last round? If so, he'll delay for now, hoping Ushari can create some distance between herself and her pursuers and that she'll also draw them away just enough to give him some breathing room. He'll also try to track the movements of the Mage.

Ushari sprints east... but not very far before an elven shortsword slams into the back of her skull. She collapses, falling into the growing evening mist.

Ushari is unconscious in AW65.

Jayse - you can stay hidden if you wish or revise your actions.

Shortsword (19+/2x) HIT 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 DAM 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

F's HPs: 6|36
J's HPs: 10|32
U's HPs: -2|24
S's HPs: -2|28

Skitter comes out from the beneath the trees and leaps on the back of the pirate leader nearest Jayse. Sadly, he misses.

HIT 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
DAM 1d2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Fin runs like the wind, south and east, escaping the clutches of the pursuing pirates.

"GET that wench!"

Withdraw

Since Ushari indicated in the ooc she would move so as to avoid the AoO...

He'll still sit in place (hopefully able to still use the awesome previous stealth roll) mentally urging Ushari on in her flight. He does, however, prepare his blade defensively and prepare to bolt if he's found.

Full defensive action (AC up to 23).
Ready move action to run westward should the pirates find him.
Should this happen, he'll abandon stealth for speed... moving his full ten squares away from them and trying to keep out of line of sight of the Mage.

A group of pirates doggedly pursue Fin. Their leader charges after the elf, attempting to bring her low with a blow to the back of her skull. Fin manages to whip her invisible shield around behind her in time to deflect the blow.

Retcon - Ushari is not thumped by the pirate, choosing a more safe course to flee.

Three of the pirates sprint after Ushari who quickly outdistances her pursuers.

Near Jayse, only the pirate leader busily cursing the small metal crab attacking him remains... until his cries draw one of his cohorts around the north end of the trees. The keen-eyed pirates looks around but fails to see the monk crouching in the bushes.

Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Now that it seems everyone is on the run, the wizard becomes less cautious, moving east with his guard. He approaches near the well. Clearing the vision-blocking building. He catches site of the fleeing Fin and Ushari. He debates silently what spell to drop and on whom... they are both approaching the limits of his dweomer range.

The ring on his finger glows as he pulls a spell from his bonded item and he smiles to himself. The elf girl is probably more resistant to my magic, but would fetch a better price probably. The other one nearly as pretty though and a softer target. He makes a snap judgment and weaves an eldritch pattern to ensorcel the running elf bladeswoman.

Fin barely resists the spell of lethargy that would have rooted her to her current spot.

From his vantage point, Jayse sees Fin break across the northern clearing (approximately 100' north of Ushari's position) closely pursued by pirates.

Round: 8

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

Map: Mining Village

F's HPs: 6|36
J's HPs: 10|32
U's HPs: 6|24
S's HPs: -2|28

Awww, no map for meee? :P

Fin chances casting a spell surreptitiously to give her the speed to escape pursuers. Success!

Jayse holds his breath as she casts a spell and then takes off like a bolt!

Fin casts Expeditious Retreat and hauls ass.

"Engage!"

HEY! No soup for you, slacker! Welcome back!

Jayse, seeing that at best he currently has a two against one fight on his hands, decides a bit more patience may be due. He downs the fiery elixir as he waits, pulling Isolde's healing potion from a pocket.

Because he's doing more than sitting still, I'll roll another stealth. 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18.
I've got the Elixir of Fiery Breath up now, so three 25ft attacks within an hour.
And he's drawn the healing potion to drink when he can.

Also, I'm assuming that using the Fire breath is a standard action? It doesn't actually say in the write-up, unless i just missed it.

I don't care what the rules say, I don't buy that quaffing a potion while hunkered down in heavy brush and tree-cover is enough 'action' to warrant another stealth check.
Yeah, I think the Fiery Breath would be a standard action.
Edit - omitted a misunderstanding.

Ushari sees the pirates closing in behind her, and decides to see how good their stamina is. She picks a straight line unobstructed by trees or other obstacles and immediately runs like the wind!

Full Round Action: RUN! Move 160’ east.

At the end of her run, Fin ducks into a small thicket, hoping the falling dark and rising fog will make her harder to see.

F's Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Ushari straps on her 'Aer Jordans' and sprints for safety weaving between groups of trees, half-hoping to lead the pirates on a futile chase.

Skitter, undeterred, slashes ineffectively at the pirate leader and gets a boot for his trouble.

HIT 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
DAM 1d2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Once she's put a good bit of distance between herself and pursuit, Fin will chug whatever healing potion she apparently has until she feels reasonably close to 100%.

Round: 8 Pirate Mayhem coming up!

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

On the Northern Front...
Fin hunkers down in her hiding spot as the Sarge barks orders at his men, "She went this way! Spread out and find her! Check every bush! We've got her friend, she'll be coming back for him. Damned side-winder elves!"

The pirates form a loose line as walk around the stand of trees Fin is hiding in. They look carefully in the growing mist...

They almost walk past when they spot her. "Here you are, pretty! Now drop that razor and come with us!"

Fin is spotted but they are out of actions, having spent a double-move to get this far.

In a rough tunnel somewhere...

It is probably a relief for Straehan that he is unconscious. He is blissfully unaware of being roughly dropped on a broken pile of rocks before he is hoisted upside-down and manacled by his ankles to a rough stone wall. Suspended off the ground, for all intents, he looks like a deer being hung for dressing. The somewhat scorched and grumbling pirate gives the gnome a hard punch to the stomach, a bit of recompense for his burns, before he walks out of the rough hewn chamber, taking his torch with him.

In the East...

Ushari easily out-distances her pursuers though she doesn't bother to look back. Jayse sees that they doggedly pursue her, but far more slowly, clearly expecting her to try to elude them or get tricky somehow.

"Careful, boys, the girl is wily and that blasted Handdancer is out here as well."

Jayse watches them until they disappear behind a large stand of trees when his eyes are drawn to the more immediate events surrounding Skitter....

Feeling stronger after having quaffed much of Isolde's healing potion during the time it took the pirates to catch up with her. (Ex. Retreat lasts 30 rounds at her level). Fin simply gives the man a cold-blooded grin and proceeds to unleash hell upon him. She then takes off further into the woods (another 60-ft move action)

Whoosh 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 - 3 + 2 = 27 power attack, defensive, human
crit? 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 - 3 + 2 = 11 not bloody likely
dmg 10 + 5 + 3 + 2 = 20 2-H power attack, human

Acrobatics 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Saves 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 +2 Enchantments
Stealth 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Ushari risks a glance behind her and sees her pursuers slowing their pursuit. She scans the surrounding looking for a sturdy tree with lots of foliage to shimmy up.

Move action Move another 40’ away from the pirates east
Scan the area for a tree that can support her weight.
Hide from the pirates so she can climb up the tree next round.
Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Stealth 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29