Joanna grimaces in pain as the blade finds a way through the armor to her skin. The fresh cut on the side of her leg just above the knee stings, but the pain's forgotten as the young paladin sees Briana wounded once more. She wants to help her friend, to heal the hurt, but for now, the best way to help her friend is to beat down the ones hacking at her.
Attack 1 vs. Maiden sammiched between Jo and Bri (Flank, 2 hands):1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 2 = 21 Damage?:1d8 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Attack 2 vs. Maiden sammiched between Jo and Bri (Flank, 2 hands):1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 = 15
"Bri! Are you alright," she calls out over the din after momentarily distracting the Gray maiden between them.
male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)
Teldon attempts to ease the burden on Jo by ending the maiden in between them with another thrust of his shortsword...
shortsword (AP, flank, studied):1d20 + 7 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 + 3 = 18 for:1d6 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 3 = 7 yikes... not snake eyes, but still disappointing...
male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)
lol. I mean... we have a bunch of hero points we could spend...
Actually... speaking of that, I’m still listed at 3 hero points... did you not charge me for my dramatic but largely meaningless escape from the shackles? If I am actually at 3 I’ll use one to up my last attack to a 22.
And Jo spent hers on a roaring rampage of smiting after Teldon got kidnapped and Zee got zapped.
On the plus side, If Joanna goes down, she does have that blessing.
male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)
Teldon lets his shortsword fall clattering to the ground (free) as he puts his right hand back on his spear (free). Stepping forward (5' step), he quickly studies the grey maiden between himself and Briana (swift), then he stabs at her twice: once to knock her sword arm off balance (move action to aid Briana's AC), and once to wound (standard).
In a flurry of motion that starts with his sword dropping to the floor and ends with the tip of his spear embedded in a grey maiden's armour, Teldon sends another of Illeosa's faithful crashing to the floor... and, whilst neither Briana nor Shadlah can land a blow upon the heavily armoured woman, the last of the Grey Maidens appears to be wavering... and glancing backwards towards the stairs as if considering her escape.
Waiting on actions from Arsith, Ziomarra and Joanna.
Joanna too struggles to land a blow on the remaining Grey Maiden... her sword clattering with a sharp resonance against solid armour. And now, outnumbered if not quite outmatched, the warrior retreats from the fight - moving towards the staircase in the centre of the chamber... and making her way up the first few steps...
male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)
Teldon gives chase after the slower foe, drawing his tanglefoot bag as he goes. At the bottom of the stairs he throws it at the grey maiden and calls out, "I warned you I had no compunctions about killing all of you. You are too slow in that armor to outrun me. This is the only other opportunity I'll give you to drop your weapon and place yourself at my companions' mercy."
ranged touch (studied):1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 = 10 on a hit, a tanglefoot bag entangles (-2 hit, -4 Dex, 1/2 move), and she has to make a DC 15 Ref save or be unable to move at all...
ouch... well- in for a penny, in for a pound... I'll burn another hero point for a reroll. ranged touch:1d20 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 3 = 23
Rather than give chase after the fleeing Maiden, Briana instead conjures a swirling storm around her as Teldon heaves his tanglefoot bag.
Between the two of us, that should slow her down!
"He's right! Surrender and we'll let you live!"
Spells & Powers:
3rd - Call Lightning x2, Magic Circle against Evil
2nd - Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Spiritual Weapon x2
1st - Bless, Heightened Awareness, Obscuring Mist, Produce Flame
Orisons - Create Water, Dancing Lights, Guidance, Stabilize
Wandering Spirit - Flame
Spirit Ability - Touch of Flame (Su): As a standard action, the shaman can make a melee touch attack that deals 1d6 points of fire damage + 1 point for every 2 shaman levels she possesses. A shaman can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + her Charisma modifier. At 11th level, any weapon she wields is treated as a flaming weapon. (2/6)
Wandering Hex - Flame Curse (Su): The shaman causes a creature within 30 feet to become vulnerable to fire until the end of the shaman’s next turn. If the creature is already vulnerable to fire, this hex has no effect. Fire immunity and resistances apply as normal, and any saving throw allowed by the effect that caused the damage reduces it as normal. At 8th and 16th levels, the duration of this hex is extended by 1 round. A creature affected by this hex cannot be affected by it again for 24 hours.
Spirit Magic
1st - Charm Animal (N) or Burning Hands (Fire)
2nd - Barkskin (N) or Resist Energy (Fire)
3rd - Speak with Plants (N) or Fireball (Fire)
Healing Hex Uses: Self, Zee
Fortune Hex Uses:
_______
Briana conjures her Storm Burst on the fleeing Maiden!
Grey Maiden 3, Reflex Save vs Tanglefoot Bag: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5, Save Failed
Unerringly arcing through the air, the small woven bag explodes near the escaping warrior's feet - almost instantly her armour seems to become much more of a hindrance than before... and, before she has moved even a further step up the staircase, she is utterly stuck. Turning with a cold fury, she waves her sword threateningly towards a foe she can barely see through Briana's storm clouds...
Waiting on actions from Shadlah, Arsith and Ziomarra (who I'll likely GMPC or delay dependent on other actions).
Helanda's voice, muffled by her armour, adds to Arsith's demands, "Give it up... there's no hope for you now, no chance of escape - surrender and you will be spared".
...and finally, after what has felt like a futile combat, the Grey Maiden's sword clatters down the staircase. Still shrouded by Briana's storms and held in place by the bag of swiftly growing roots thrown by Teldon, the last of Korvosa's tormentors stands impassively - defeated.
male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)
Teldon picks up the londsword and assumes a more casual posture. Turning to his friends he says, "I apologize if anyone felt misled by my actions; I, truthfully, hadn't planned to deal with Quenelle so abruptly once she was paralyzed but after seeing just how devastating her first blow was it seemed the prudent course of action."
Looking back to their new prisoner he adds, "So, what it is the plan for her?"
"I guess that's partly up to her," Briana remarks as she produces some rope (assuming we don't have manacles or something) to secure the surrendered woman. "But in the short term maybe we can leave her here? Or back in the barracks where the steam bath was, if we can return there. Taking her further in with us isn't really safe for anyone."
"We need to check on the others anyway," Joanna mentions as she checks on those that had fallen. She helps those that she can, and gives last rites to those that have already passed.
Strangely, she does nothing for Quenelle, leaving her where she'd fallen.
Beyond the Grey Maiden who eventually surrendered, it is too late for any of the warriors who fought here... and, if there is any sadness or regret in Helanda, then it is well concealed beneath her steel visage, "That... that is nearly all of us - Oriana and another handful or so of us, that's all that is left". The survivor from the fight is motionless and doesn't speak... it seems that shock has set in - she moves where guided to do so and doesn't resist, indeed she barely seems to notice, the ropes that bind her...
It is only now, with the chaos of the fight having subsided, that the more perceptive amongst the group hear the noises - whispered voices and the sound of heavy footsteps on flagstones coming from beyond the double doors in the southwest of this grand room...
male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)
"What is that noise?" Teldon asks the prisoner quietly but firmly before drinking his extract of bull's strength.
"Everybody fall back into the last chamber," he directs his friends, "If we have to fight we can use the doorway to bottleneck them."
perhaps we should have stopped earlier... now we're really running low on resources...
"Probably whoever's left..." Briana sighs as she follows Teldon's lead and falls back into the previous chamber. While a part of her dreaded another hard-fought battle with the rest of the Gray Maidens, another part actually hoped that perhaps they would finally be able to put an end to the rest of the group and be done with it.
Inevitably, and with the friends already prepared for what happens next, it is Helanda's 'handful' of Grey Maidens that come through the door to the south west - if there were any attempt or opportunity for deception then it is quickly dismissed by the scattered bodies through the chamber... swords are drawn and a cry, "For Korvosa and the Queen!!!" rings out...
male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)
Teldon takes advantage of the Grey Maiden's distance by quickly drinking a healing extract.
CLW:1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
I also took the liberty of moving everyone to the places Teldon would have suggested as we moved back into the previous chamber. I hope nobody minds.
Moving quickly across the room, their speed belying their heavy armour, the Grey Maidens make up the ground to Arsith and Joanna... and, blade flashing, the fastest of the warriors lunges at Arsith...
Hoping to shield Arsith from further blows, Briana once more conjures wind and rain to swirl around the Gray Maiden in the lead and then falls back a pace to make room for her other companions.
_______
Storm Burst on the Gray Maiden that's up front; 20% miss chance for 2 rounds!
male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)
Teldon studies the Grey Maiden as she charges Arsith and cuts into her with her longsword. Taking advantage of the length of his spear, and his height, he thrusts over Jo’s shoulder at the foe.
attack (AP, studied):1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 3 = 14, for:1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 3 = 19 gonna be one of those fights apparently...
Female Human (Shoanti) Geokineticist 7 | AC 22, T 16, FF 18 | DR 6/adamantine| Fortification 15% | hp 80/80 (21 nonlethal) | Fort +13, Ref +11, Will +5 | CMD 21 | Initiative +6 | Perception +13 | Burn 3/9 | 3 Hero Points
I gotta ask: can we please get something on the map to distinguish Helanda from the other Grey Maidens?
Shadlah grits her teeth and attempts to pull at the stone beneath her feet, but something interrupts her connection.
Spending a move action to gather power, then using an earth blast on the closest enemy. Using point-blank shot, but not deadly aim, adding the bowling infusion (free trip attempt). Burn cost is 2, reduced to 1 by infusion specialization and 0 by gather power. Earth blast:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 ... yeah, that won't do it.
Neither Teldon nor Arsith are well prepared for the sudden assault - their blows are too hastily taken and, with the Maidens so well armoured, ineffective. Joanna, at least, manages to land a single blow... cutting through the weaker parts of the plate armour - and into flesh.
...Shadlah's blast, momentarily redirected as Helanda moves forwards, disturbs long dormant dusts within the walls and floors - but, as to its intended target, the Grey Maiden remains unhurt. Fortunate then that Helanda, finally spurred to action, steps forwards and takes vengeful action upon her former sisters in arms...
GM Only:
Grey Maiden 1 = 55/71, Helanda = 22/30
...and, in response, they crowd around her - blades raining down upon her defenses.
Helanda, Longsword vs Grey Maiden 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26, hitting for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Female Human (Shoanti) Geokineticist 7 | AC 22, T 16, FF 18 | DR 6/adamantine| Fortification 15% | hp 80/80 (21 nonlethal) | Fort +13, Ref +11, Will +5 | CMD 21 | Initiative +6 | Perception +13 | Burn 3/9 | 3 Hero Points
Thanks for the border. It clears up a lot of confusion.
Stone is patient. Stone has all the time it needs. Breathing deeply through flared nostrils, Shadlah sweeps the matter back, whispering eddies of dust through the air, and hurls it again.
male Human Investigator [empirist] (VMC Magus) 7 | HP: 52/52 | AC: 18/13/16 | F +4, R +8, W +7 (+9 v Illusion) | Init +2 | Perception +17 (+20 v traps)
Still scowling over his previous failure, Teldon stabs twice more at the same Grey Maiden: once to wound and once knock her off balance so the Jo can hit more easily.
attack (studied):1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 3 = 25, for:1d8 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 3 = 12 aid Jo (+2 hit):1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 3 = 17
The tight confines of fighting in the doorway and, quite possibly, the years of training together leads to something of a stalemate between the warriors... steel clashes against steel with neither side ceding an inch - until, feinting before an upwards slash, Joanna once more catches her opponent...
Grey Maiden 3, Reflex Save vs Entangling Curse: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3, Save Failed - Grey Maiden 3 is Entangled
Helanda, Longsword vs Grey Maiden 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16, missing
