Drusellia targets her spell on the three men gathered around the camp fire - without being observed, she lowers a soporific cloud upon them - as one, they all start yawning and slumping... But two of them manage to snap out of it - whilst one falls forward on his face...
"What the?"
The men start shouting to each other and calling out into the woods... Grabbing crossbows from the floor, they start to look for cover...
Dru ducks behind the nearest available cover and stays there.
Luther speaks to Dru:
"Try that magic again, I am sure you will have more targets."
Luther moves towards the bandits and uses his holy symbol to give a commanding word of power at the closest bandit.
"Fall!!" and he feels compelled to drop prone.
Command
School enchantment (compulsion) [language-dependent, mind-affecting]; Level cleric 1
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one living creature
Duration 1 round
Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes
You give the subject a single command, which it obeys to the best of its ability at its earliest opportunity. You may select from the following options.
Approach: On its turn, the subject moves toward you as quickly and directly as possible for 1 round. The creature may do nothing but move during its turn, and it provokes attacks of opportunity for this movement as normal.
Drop: On its turn, the subject drops whatever it is holding. It can't pick up any dropped item until its next turn.
Fall: On its turn, the subject falls to the ground and remains prone for 1 round. It may act normally while prone but takes any appropriate penalties.
Flee: On its turn, the subject moves away from you as quickly as possible for 1 round. It may do nothing but move during its turn, and it provokes attacks of opportunity for this movement as normal.
Halt: The subject stands in place for 1 round. It may not take any actions but is not considered helpless.
If the subject can't carry out your command on its next turn, the spell automatically fails.
Begrudgingly, Dru peeks from around whatever cover she has found to see the biggest cluster of targets. She will attempt another sleep spell (her last), aiming it carefully as to avoid hitting her allies in the effect.
Spells Remaining: 0
Tremors Remaining: 6
Symon fires his crossbow at one of the running men.
Attack-ranged:
Damage:
Symon's bolt, aimed at one of the running outlaws, catches the man in his leg... He stumbles but still manages to stagger into cover...
Drusellia's cloud of torpor once more descends but this time, the outlaws are oblivious to it... Running into cover, they start peppering the entrance of the cave with crossbow bolts - targetting the shadows that they think they can see... Symon and Drusellia, both crouched behind rocky outcrops, are still hit...
Luther sees the group hurt, and quickly draws his holy symbol to provide healing energy. A precise yet melodious jingling sound fills the air (associated with keys of the City from Abadar). Those affected momentarily feel as if they are encompassed and sheltered within some vast structure that towers around them. There is a visible outline like a door-frame around Luther, with warmth and light streaming in from behind Luther, casting him in shadow. Unfortunately for any injured bandits, they are not in the healing light.
Luther then advances to put pressure on the Splinters.
"Dezco, get after these bandits!!"
As one of the Splinters runs for cover, he hears Luther's words and - to the surprise of his friends - suddenly lies down in the snow...
Symon fires another bolt at the bandit who shot him.
Attack-ranged:
Damage:
Luther says: "Splinters, come out to playaay!"
Repositioning slightly, Dru visualizes a target and places her palm upon the ground. Concentrating, she sends a wave of tremors beneath the feet of one of the standing splinters.
Spells Remaining: 0
Tremors Remaining: 5
Preferring to stay within the shadows, Conner throws a conjured globule of acid at one of the outlaws hoding behind cover - and misjudges the range terribly...
Symon's bolt rips into one of the tents that is being used as cover but doesn't quite penetrate to hit the outlaw on the other side...
Racing from the cave, Dezco strikes at the outlaw who has laid down in the snow - his blow is so wild that he only just hits his prone target... But the blade still bites deep...
The prone outlaw, draws his sword and - from a prone position - swats ineffectually at Dezco before crawling away...
Seeing a target burst from the cave, the outlaws all train their crossbows upon Dezco and, in a crescendo of taut strings releasing, let a volley of bolts free...
From her positon of safety, Drusellia then knocks another of the outlaws off of his feet - a localised tremor causing his world to tumble...
Luther advances and casts again, as he watches the dwarf takes some hits, he is confident Dezco can tough out the few hits on him.
Luther waves his holy symbol and a disembodied longsword appears and begins targeting the bandit farthest away. The spiritual longsword misses, but seems poised to attack the bandit again!
Range medium (130 ft)
School evocation [force]; Level cleric 2
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, DF
Effect magic weapon of force
Duration 1 round/level (D)
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance yes
A weapon made of force appears and attacks foes at a distance, as you direct it, dealing 1d8 force damage per hit, + 1 point per three caster levels (maximum +5 at 15th level). The weapon takes the shape of a weapon favored by your deity or a weapon with some spiritual significance or symbolism to you (see below) and has the same threat range and critical multipliers as a real weapon of its form. It strikes the opponent you designate, starting with one attack in the round the spell is cast and continuing each round thereafter on your turn. It uses your base attack bonus (possibly allowing it multiple attacks per round in subsequent rounds) plus your Wisdom modifier as its attack bonus. It strikes as a spell, not as a weapon, so for example, it can damage creatures that have damage reduction. As a force effect, it can strike incorporeal creatures without the reduction in damage associated with incorporeality. The weapon always strikes from your direction. It does not get a flanking bonus or help a combatant get one. Your feats or combat actions do not affect the weapon. If the weapon goes beyond the spell range, if it goes out of your sight, or if you are not directing it, the weapon returns to you and hovers.
Each round after the first, you can use a move action to redirect the weapon to a new target. If you do not, the weapon continues to attack the previous round's target. On any round that the weapon switches targets, it gets one attack. Subsequent rounds of attacking that target allow the weapon to make multiple attacks if your base attack bonus would allow it to. Even if the spiritual weapon is a ranged weapon, use the spell's range, not the weapon's normal range increment, and switching targets still is a move action.
A spiritual weapon cannot be attacked or harmed by physical attacks, but dispel magic, disintegrate, a sphere of annihilation, or a rod of cancellation affects it. A spiritual weapon's AC against touch attacks is 12 (10 + size bonus for Tiny object).
If an attacked creature has spell resistance, you make a caster level check (1d20 + caster level) against that spell resistance the first time the spiritual weapon strikes it. If the weapon is successfully resisted, the spell is dispelled. If not, the weapon has its normal full effect on that creature for the duration of the spell.
The weapon that you get is often a force replica of your deity's own personal weapon. A cleric without a deity gets a weapon based on his alignment. A neutral cleric without a deity can create a spiritual weapon of any alignment, provided he is acting at least generally in accord with that alignment at the time. The weapons associated with each alignment are as follows: chaos (battleaxe), evil (light flail), good (warhammer), law (longsword).
Luther calls to the bandits as he moves with his flail to stand over the prone bandit: "Splinters, we have your leader, we have superior magic, you need to surrender and make it easier on yourself. You have seen me reach into your mind and make you do what I say."
Frowning in consternation at his miss, Conner tries again.
Symon again fires at the enemy, hoping to catch one of them as they peak out from behind their shelter.
Attack-ranged:
Damage:
Within seconds, Dezco has impaled the Splinter who was crawling away and, seeing a second target, rushes in - swinging his blade, with a terrible downcut, the outlaw is opened from shoulder to stomach...falling forwards with a wet gurgle...
Conner's aim is much improved with his second attempt to throw acid...there is a cry of agony from beyond one of the tents as the acid burns at someone's flesh... Seeing the same target, Symon slams a bolt into his shoulder...
With one outlaw asleep, one knocked prone by Drusellia and two killed by the force of nature that charged from the cave, the last two standing outlaws (one of whom is badly wounded) do the sensible thing and run for the tree-line...
The outlaw knocked prone by Drusellia, somewhat foolishly, fires his crossbow at Dezco...
One of the running splinters finds a disembodied sword following him and trying to cut him.
Luther draws his crossbow and fires for good measure at the same one.
Drusellia stays under cover, just in case any stray crossbow bolts come her way, but she will try to trip up one of the running outlaws (the one being menaced by Luther's sword).
Spells Remaining: 0
Tremors Remaining: 4
The outlaw who had fired upon Dezco has a look of terror upon his face as the dwarf, clearly furious at being fired upon, turns and charges him – the resultant attack nearly enough to knock the man unconscious in a single blow…
Seeing the remaining two outlaws running for the trees, Luther directs his incorporeal floating blade to attack the closest of the two – it strikes hard – the outlaw stumbling in surprise shortly before Drusellia pulls the ground from beneath him – he falls flat on his face, his crossbow flying from his hands. Luther’s attempt with a crossbow is less successful – the bolt flying high and wide of his intended target.
The other outlaw, who is badly wounded, is still running for the trees…
Taking aim, Symon attempts to bring down the fleeing, wounded bandit.
Attack-ranged:
Damage:
Dropping his sword, Conner grabs his sling and let's fly with a bullet.
"Crap! He's getting away!"
Symon’s bolt, fast and true, strikes the fleeing outlaw who, without a sound, falls forwards into the snow – blood reddening the virgin white snow where he falls… Conner’s slung bullet lands in the snow somewhere near the dying man.
Getting back to his feet, the other fleeing outlaw runs for the trees…
On the ground next to Dezco, the final outlaw slashes at the dwarf with his shortsword.
Quickly reloading, Symon targets the running thug and fires.
Attack-ranged:
Damage:
Luther directs his floating sword to hit the last bandit.
Dezco’s downward swing slays his opponent immediately… with only one outlaw remaining, Luther’s ghostly sword swings and misses before evaporating like morning mist. Symon’s crossbow bolt is more accurate, striking the fleeing man in the shoulder – but not halting his escape.
Drusellia slumps back against the cover, breathing heavily. "I fear that I will be of no more use today," she sighs.
After Conner acts, Luther heals Dezco with his last heal spell.
"This is our new campsite for now--time to secure the area and set watches."
In a moment of indecision by Conner, the outlaw - bleeding and stumbling - reaches the treeline and disappears from view...
....whilst, near the still warm embers of the campfire, one of the outlaws slumbers on - blissfully unaware of the carnage around him.
Whilst you take time to set up camp, you examine the crates, boxes and barrels - for the most part, you discover food and provisions - enough to sustain you, away from the Fort, for a good couple of weeks. You do also find a small cache of loot - a chest containing 300 gold pieces and an elegantly crafted morningstar.
"I suggest that we wake our prisoner and press him for information," Dru says flatly.
The outlaw does not slumber on for long before Drusellia's spell wears off - long enough though for him to be bound and dragged back into the cave entrance where he can be questioned with little chance of disturbance.
His eyes snap open, and seeing the party around him - especially the blood-soaked dwarf - his eyes widen in fear...
Drusellia picks her nails with a utility knife, letting him see her ebony skin and white hair.
"Let's start easy. How many Splinters are left out there besides your group? Where are your hideouts now? Who is in charge now?"
Luther takes a few practice swings with the flail.
"Or maybe we tell the lady commander about your play and bring you to her."
Luther looks grimly to Dez.
"He is cooperating for now, so we don't need your skills at the moment. If you can secure a good campsite, I'll call you if our new friend proves difficult."
The captive, truculent to begin with, is soon talking as Luther makes a show of using the flail, "There's ony Lenik and his boys left now, I guess Lenik would have been in charge now - they went out on a raid a few days back and could return any day now... Old Phenogian ran off with his creatures when he realised that we'd lost the 'den' - I expect he'll end up back in Thornkeep or somewhere - he certainly won't be coming back here", through snot and panicked tears, he continues, "This is our 'hideout' now... Was anyway... We don't have any other places at the moment"