The Horn of Aroden (Inactive)

Game Master Baerlie

"Can we safety enter the area once you have cast your spell?" asks the knight-to-be, unknowleable of such arcane details.

If given the okay he readies himself to charge in once the spell is cast.

"I have a few tricks that could disable at least some of them," Taliesin says pensively.

A good plan, if it comes to it, but we need to find out where they're hiding the boy. I've dealt with men such as these many times--the only thing they value more than gold is themselves, and they love an easy mark. Let's make them think they've got one. I've no skill in deception, but a pretty face can disarm many men. Why don't you tell them that Dame Lebeda sent us to find her lost son. That we are so grateful they found him and that, of course, we will reward them handsomely when they return him to us. The rest of us will pose as your men-at-arms. Once they bring the boy to us safely, well, if it comes to a fight your magic will be invaluable.

What do you guys think?

"I have no skill at deception, but am happy to serve as a knight-errant on such a mission." nods Vrald.

"Won't they ask to see the money first?" Taliesin asks Zuriel. "I wonder if we won't forfeit our element of surprise for little in return."

Zuriel shrugs. We can pool our money and place it all in one bag--we don't have to actually give it to them. We say that we need to see the boy first.

Jagged shrugs at the idea of walking into camp and talking to the bandits.

"Jagged Stone's good with either plan."

Then he adds, "Siz'ahs doesn't care. He'll follow Jagged Stone's lead."

As if in response, the small roc bobs its head.

He'll apply barkskin, too.

"I would prefer not to use duplicitous tactics if they can be avoided. We are in a more advantageous position if we spring a disabling attack on them first, and we put Miss Taliesin in less direct danger. That being said, I won't hamstring the operation if the rest of the group prefers the deception plan."

Claire turns to Taliesin and whispers, "Shoot the Glitterdust already."

She then turns to the four hulking men and begins chastising them, "Your deference and indecision is going to get someone killed. I've heard two aphorisms that apply here:
1) A good plan executed now is better than a perfect plan next week.
2) The perfect is the enemy of the good."

As she draws her and presses toward the third hiding man, she turns back to make one last comment, "Be confident!"

Taliesin purses her lips, nods, then fires off her spell.

glitterdust, DC 17 will, should hit the three.

"We've only been discussing this for a few moments to come up with a reasonable and cooperative plan. There was nothing about our actions that reflect a lack of confidence or indecision." Maximillian replies matter-of-factly to the perceived scolding of Claire.

Jagged bobs his head slowly in some form of oreadish understanding, but doesn't hesitate much further as he gestures forward with a dull grey hand.

"Get'um Siz'ahs!"

After a few minutes of discussing the plan Taliesin finally releases the glitter dust at the two guys and the wolf near the fire. They jump up and rub their eyes. "Stop that!" one of them shouts "I can't see!"

"We are being attacked!" the other one shouts.

Will red: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17
Will blue: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15
Will wolf: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Round 1
Claire
--------------
Brigand red
Brigand blue blinded 4R
Dire Wolf blinded 4R
?
--------------
Zuriel
Taliesin
Maximilian
Vrald
Jagged Stone

Claire charges and takes a swipe at the Wolf. "Can someone reach those in the distance? My little legs won't get me there fast enough!"

Rapier Attack Wolf: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Rapier Damage Wolf: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Happy New Year everyone! I have the feeling that 2016 is gonna be a great one :-)

Claire attacks the dire wolf and cuts a deep wound in the wolf's face.

While the blinded brigand raises his weapon to defend himself total defense the seeing brigand rushes out of the bushes to join his companions in the fight. double move up to Claire The blinded dire wolf tries to snap the creature which just attacked him and manages to grab Claire's coat, but not more.
50% Miss Chance, low fails: 1d100 ⇒ 65
Bite Claire: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Suddenly a creature, half wolf - half woman, walks out of the big tent. She drinks a potion. "What's wrong? Just leave us alon or you'll become one of us!" the beast shouts. From inside the tent you hear a strange rumbling noise.

Round 1 & 2
Claire
--------------
Brigand red
Brigand blue blinded 4R TD
Dire Wolf blinded 4R -6HP
Aldona
--------------
Zuriel
Taliesin
Maximilian
Vrald
Jagged Stone

Taliesin looks at the woman-wolf hybrid coming out of the tent.

"We will leave you alone! Just as soon as you give us that young nobleman you are holding hostage!" the bard says.

She points at the brigand who has not been blinded and says "What I'm about to say will sound very funny to you. Please laugh!"

Hideous laughter, DC 16 Will

Drawing his greatsword, Maximillian moves out from the bushes and closer to the brigands, "Surrender and we will not harm you."

Double move.

Vrald also double moves up. For once he has his morning star out, rather than his longsword. It glints silver in the moonlight.

"You must stop waylaying people on the road. We have no concerns with you or your wolf, but you must give up your lawless ways."

Jagged frowns, remembering that he didn't remember something.

"Darn. It. Siz'ahs, I forgot to use the wand!"

Jagged lumbers ahead, drawing his scythe, before he stands shoulder to shoulder with Maximillian.

The druid then gestures to the wolf.

"Siz'ahs! Get that wolf!"

His roc, ever obedient, swoops ahead to comply, attacking deftly from a position just above Claire.

Scissors bite vs wolf: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 2 = 22 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Zuriel advances calmly, hooking his blade low to trip one of the brigands.

Trip on Red: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Give us the lordling, lest we come to worse violence.

While Maximillian and Vrald move closer to the fireplace Taliesin tries to make the wolf-lady laugh. She laughs, but stops abruptly just to show her fangs. Stone draws his scythe and moves forward while his roc attacks the blinded wolf succesfully. With his blade Zuriel manages to trip the brigand next to the wolf.
Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Round 2
Claire
--------------
Brigand red prone
Brigand blue blinded 4R TD
Dire Wolf blinded 4R -13HP
Aldona
--------------
Zuriel
Taliesin
Maximillian
Vrald
Jagged Stone

Claire makes a quick knowledge check on the boss lady, suspecting she is the werewolf in question:

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 9 + (5) = 30

While glancing across the battlefield to confirm her suspicions, Claire strikes again at the wolf at her feet.

Rapier Attack Wolf: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Rapier Damage Wolf: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Claire then takes a 5 foot step away from the wolf and sheathes her sword.

"Call of your dogs and surrender the lad!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 10 + (4) = 21

Claire knows that Aldona is an afflicted werewolf in her hybrid form and non-silver-weapons are not effective against her. She does not have other defeses, immunities or vulnerabilities, but she's able to trip opponents once she bites them. you may look up the werewolf hybrid, the only changes are: she has 5HD, but only DR 5/silver a longbow instead of a crossbow

Claire strikes at the blinded wolf at her feet, but is distracted by the werewolf and misses. "Why should I? You attacked us, we are only defending ourselves!"

Round 2
Claire
--------------
Brigand red prone
Brigand blue blinded 4R TD
Dire Wolf blinded 4R -13HP
Aldona
--------------
Zuriel
Taliesin
Maximillian
Vrald
Jagged Stone

"Oh, that reminds me of a play, The Tears of the Innocent Kidnappers!" Taliesin says in response to the werewolf's refusal to turn over the nobleman.

"Fight on, brave ones! We'll make her turn him over!"

Inspire Courage + Flagbearer! +2 ATTACK, +2 DAMAGE. DON'T FORGET IT!

Using the flat side of his sword, Maxmillian tries to knock the prone (red) brigand unconscious.

CI Greatsword +1 - Non-lethal attack + Flank + IC/Flag: 1d20 + 9 - 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 4 + 2 + 2 = 23
Nonlethal damage: 2d6 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 5 + 2 = 14

We may be able to take you to someone who can lift the curse, but if you force us to use violence we will.

Zuriel strikes at the prone brigand, also avoiding using the deadly edge, before circling around to point his blade at the other enemies as a warning.

attack with reach, nonlethal vs prone (cancel each other out), power attack, IC, flag: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 21

Damage, nonlethal, power attack, IC, flag: 1d10 + 6 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 6 + 1 + 1 = 18

Then move action to indicated spot.

Brave One! That's me!

Realising his strategy was sound but tactics weak, Vrald swings at the wolf with his silvered weapon, but steps toward the werewolf to put his weapon to use against her soon.

attack,inspire, flag: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 = 16
damage, silver, inspire, flag: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 13

I'll assume that 14+18 damage from Max and Zur takes out the poor prone red brigand. There's a green on the map who's not in the init list, so I'll assume he's active.

Jagged moves up slowly, waving his scythe at the brigand ahead of him.

"Jagged Stone says don't find the Peshfinders! Certain death always awaits brigands who do!"

He pauses for the slightest moment to see if the brigand surrenders, and when he doesn't, he reluctantly swings his scythe at the man, knowing what usually happens when an oread swings a scythe at a brigand who's standing in the way of a Peshfinder objective.

Jagged scythe: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 = 18 for 2d4 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 9 + 2 = 14

"Siz'ahs" squawks in fury, continuing to obey Jagged's "attack" command and proving why animal companions with claws and bards with flags are lethal together.

Scissors bite: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 2 = 11 for 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 2 = 9
Scissors claw: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26 for 1d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5
Scissors claw: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 = 28 for 1d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4

"Who says it's a curse? I'm stronger than before and I'm unbeatable!" the werewolf answers.

Maximillian tries to knock the brigand on the floor prone, he hits but the man is still conscious. Zuriel's attack finally knocks him out. Vrald swings his sword at the wolf and cuts another wound into its flank.

Green was my mistake, I took the count of brigands from subtier 1-2, where it's 3, but rolled for 4-5 where it says 2 brigands. Green is just a hallucination :D

The blinded brigand is intimidated by Jagged speech and although he can't see the massive Pathfinder he drops the weapon and surrenders. Scissors continues to attack the blind wolf and hits three times, dropping the poor wolf to Vrald's feet.

Round 3
Claire
--------------
Brigand red prone -15NL -17L defeated
Brigand blue blinded 4R TD surrendered
Dire Wolf blinded 4R -44HP defeated
Aldona
--------------
Zuriel
Taliesin
Maximillian
Vrald
Jagged Stone

Claire drinks an extract of longarm and draws her silver rapier.

Claire drinks and extract and draws her silver weapon. Aldona approaches Stone and tries to hit him with her longsword.
Aldona vs. Stone: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Round 3
Claire
--------------
Brigand blue blinded 4R TD surrendered
Aldona
--------------
Zuriel
Taliesin
Maximillian
Vrald
Jagged Stone

Maximillian fearlessly advances on Aldona and attempts to hit her with his greatsword.

+1 Cold Iron Greatsword - Power Attack + Flag/IC: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 28
Critical Confirmation: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Damage: 2d6 + 5 + 6 ⇒ (5, 1) + 5 + 6 = 17
Crit damage if confirmed: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (1, 4) + 11 = 16

Talisin moves forward with trepidation, looking very concerned the wolf might bite her. She stabs at it tentatively and misses it, though her own presence does continue to inspire.

MW Longspear (inspire courage, banner): 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 71d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

DON'T FORGET +2 ATK/+2 DMG!

35-18=17

Jagged stumbles back.

"Ow! Wolf-lady! Siz'ahs, help!"

Jagged continues stepping back while gesturing at her, holding his new wound with some concern.

Jagged withdraws. Scissors moves up.

Scissors bite: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 = 13 for 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 = 8

I forgot the +2 damage on my damage rolls, but I did the remember the +2 to hit. The first damage roll should be 19, while the crit damage would be 18.

Taliesin, just so you know the wolf is already dropped.

It seems my path must always lead to violence, Zuriel laments quietly as he, too, advances on the werewolf. A pulse of arcane energy surrounds him and hums with power as he hooks the back edge of his blade at her feet.

Move action, 30 ft

Free: Enter Blood Rage

trip with inspire and FB, blood rage: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 + 2 = 33

AoO vs prone AC when she stands up, with inspire and FB, blood rage, power attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 27

Damage (not silver): 1d10 + 9 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 6 + 2 = 27

Vrald, slowed by his armor and thwarted by fire and thug, takes out his anger on the brigand in blue.

morning star attack,PA,flag&inspire: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 2 + 2 = 21
damage,inspire/flag,PA: 1d8 + 4 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 4 = 11

Yes, the wolf is down, I forgot to remove the token from the map. Sorry! Only the crazy wolf-woman and the surrendering blinded thug are left.

Maximillian swings at the wolf-lady and hits her, although a part of the wounds heal fast. Taliesin stabs her spear at the unconscious wolf, while Stone retreats to give scissors room to attack, but the bite attack grabs only fur. Zuriel rages and with a might push he trips the wolf-woman. Although the thug already surrendered, Vrald makes sure he keeps his word when the blindness fades.

From inside the big tent you hear a young man's voice "Please, get me out of here!"

Round 4
Claire
--------------
Brigand blue blinded 3R TD surrendered -11HP
Aldona -14HP prone
--------------
Zuriel
Taliesin
Maximillian
Vrald
Jagged Stone

Claire moves adjacent to her friend Vrald, confident that he will protect her.

Utilizing the reach provided by her extract, she strikes Aldona with a silvered blade:

Silver Rapier vs. Aldona: 1d20 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 4 = 20 Inspire/Flag + Prone

Silver Rapier vs. Aldona Damage: 1d4 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 = 11 Inspire/Flag

My last attack was a 1 so I guess it didn't matter who I was attacking. Here's another!

Taliesin seems very disconcerted by the werewolf, and can't bring herself to attack it effectively. Nevertheless, her inspiring oratory and presence helps her companions.

MW Longspear (inspire courage, banner): 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 71d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

CONTINUING INSPIRE AND BANNER, +2 ATK/+2 DMG!

How embarrassing, Vrald may have to take a level in barbarian. He somehow totally missed the bandit has surrounded.

Claire moves up to Vrald and attacks the werewolf with her silver rapier, but the wolf's hide is really strong.

@Taliesin: I guess the dice hate you

Round 4 (inspire c. + banner: +2 ATK/+2 DMG)
Claire
--------------
Brigand blue blinded 3R TD surrendered -11HP
Aldona -14HP prone
--------------
Zuriel
Taliesin
Maximillian
Vrald
Jagged Stone

Maximillian continues his attack on the werewolf, but offers, "If you surrender now we can resolve the rest of this peacefully."

+1 Cold Iron Greatsword - Power Attack + Flag/IC: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 5 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 5 + 6 + 2 = 18

Vrald steps up and nods.
And triggers an AOO from the surrendered bandit I guess but if they are blind and have surrendered..

"This does not have to end badly. Well, fatally."
attack, inspire&flag, pa, flank: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 2 - 2 + 2 = 23
damage, silver: 1d8 + 4 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 + 4 = 18

Did the werewolf take a turn? Is she still prone?

Zuriel continues his onslaught, blood magic clouding his mind.

Attack, PA, IC, FB, flanking vs prone AC: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 32

Damage: 1d10 + 9 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 6 + 2 = 25

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 18

Extra crit damage: 1d10 + 9 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 6 + 2 = 19

AoO vs prone AC when she stands up, with inspire and FB, blood rage, power attack, flanking: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 20

AoO Damage: 1d10 + 9 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 6 + 2 = 24

Jagged fumbles to get out his wand and repair his wounds while Scissors works hard to find a way past the shapechanger's supernatural skin.

Cure Light: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Scissors working to crit... and do 11+ damage?

Scissors bite: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 = 21 for 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6
Scissors claw: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 = 30 for 1d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5
Scissors claw: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 = 21 for 1d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6

Scissors claw (confirm): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26 for 1d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4

Oh, I really forgot the werewolf's turn. Nevermind.

While the werewolf is on the ground you hit her several times and finally knock her out.

combat over

Claire moves to the tent and checks for traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 18 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 18 + (1) = 38

She then performs a casual search of the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 17 + (1) = 35

If there are no threats, she will hold back the curtain for her comrades.

"He's all yours."

Claire carefully checks the tent for traps and when she sees none she enters it. and assuming you investigate the tent the voice came from

Claire finds a trunk with a crying voice coming from it. "Please, let me out. I won't make trouble, I promise." On one ot the tent's support poles hans a key on a peg. On a table next to a bedroll covered with matted fur Claire finds a note. The table is surrounded by pigeon feathers, splintered avian bones, and the fragments of a cage.

A lot of gear is stored in an unceremonious pile next to the trunk. Among it two Aldori dueling swords with Maldrek's maker mark on it.

"Just a minute and we will free you," Taliesin calls out to the trunk.

She looks at the note on the table.

"I wonder if this 'M' is Marek, the blacksmith. I have been suspicious of him, and his milk, since we met him."

She looks back to the trunk and tries to open it.

Vrald ties up the bandits and the werewolf.

"We should take these back to the authorities. I wonder if the werewolf can be cured?"

He takes the key down from the tent pole and hands it to Taliesin. "This may be helpful.", before reading the note over her shoulder. Well, that is his excuse for looking down over her shoulder anyway.

"He did mention something about bandits. I wonder if they realize the rich whelp is likely the same lordly pet they refer to. I think after we head back we need to have another talk with the swordsmith. Why would a man of his skill get mixed up with bandits?"